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Magic Johnson joins Sixers owner Josh Harris' group in bid to buy the NFL's Washington Commanders

Sports / Football /

Magic Johnson is, once again, trying to dish out an assist in 76ers managing partner Josh Harris' attempt to purchase an NFL franchise.

Johnson, a five-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and a Hall of Famer, has joined Harris' group in its bid for the Washington Commanders, according to Sportico. A spokesperson for Harris declined ...Read more

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Panthers GM Scott Fitterer dishes on trade for top draft pick, rookie QBs and free agency

Sports / Football /

The Carolina Panthers have had a busy March.

First, the Panthers made a massive pre-free agency splash, trading wide receiver DJ Moore and a quartet of premium picks to the Chicago Bears for the first overall pick in April’s NFL Draft.

From there, the Panthers went on a measured spending spree in free agency, adding the likes of safety Vonn ...Read more

Dirk Shadd/Tampa Bay Times/TNS

Bucs' Baker Mayfield: I want to compete, and I want to win'

Sports / Football /

TAMPA, Fla. — The new face of the Bucs at quarterback arrived with a confident smirk.

Baker Mayfield, 27, joined his fourth team since July when he signed a one-year contract with the Bucs on Monday.

It’s not been the NFL career the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft and Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma envisioned. After four seasons ...Read more

Lions make another splash in the secondary, agreeing with Chauncey Gardner-Johnson

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ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Detroit Lions clearly felt a pressing need to upgrade the team's secondary this offseason. After adding cornerbacks Cam Sutton and Emmanuel Moseley, the team took another big swing Sunday night, reaching an agreement with free agent safety Chauncey Gardner-Johnson.

According to an NFL Network report, it's a one-year, $...Read more

Carolina Panthers signing former Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen, NFL source says

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The Carolina Panthers have landed a two-time All-Pro receiver to help offset trading their No. 1 receiver.

Former Vikings star Adam Thielen agreed to contract terms with Carolina on Sunday, according to a league source. Thielen visited the Panthers last week before inking a three-year deal with the team.

Thielen, 32, started all 17 games for ...Read more

Gerry Dulac: What do Isaac Seumalo, Nate Herbig signings mean for future of Steelers offensive line?

Sports / Football /

In its most basic form, the signing of two guards in a span of five days in free agency will create competition on the interior of the offensive line for the Steelers.

But considering the investment made to further upgrade a unit that already was vastly improved in 2022, the moves are expected to cost one player his starting position and ...Read more

Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News/TNS

Laremy Tunsil becomes highest-paid OL after signing $75M extension: reports

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Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil agreed to a three-year, $75 million contact extension, according to reports.

The new deal makes Tunsil the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. The deal includes a $30 million signing bonus with $50 million fully guaranteed and $60 million in total guarantees, according to ESPN.

The 28-year-old�...Read more

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Dallas Cowboys get juice for offense, acquire receiver Brandin Cooks in a trade with Texans

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Less than a month ago, vice president Stephen Jones said the Dallas Cowboys needed to add juice to the passing game.

He delivered on his promise Sunday morning, acquiring speedy wide receiver Brandin Cooks in a trade with the Houston Texans for a fifth-round pick in 2023 and a sixth-round pick in 2024, per sources.

The trade for Cooks is sixth...Read more

Mizzou linebacker Chad Bailey arrested for DWI

Sports / Football /

Missouri linebacker Chad Bailey was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated early Sunday morning in Columbia.

Bailey, 23, a team captain last season, was booked at 2:46 a.m. after being arrested by Columbia Police, the Boone County Sheriff's Department confirmed. He was released after posting $500 bond.

He's been suspended by the ...Read more

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Should Panthers draft CJ Stroud at No. 1 overall? Breaking down Ohio State QB's game.

Sports / Football /

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — With the first pick in the 2023 NFL draft, the Carolina Panthers will select one of four quarterbacks. Bryce Young (Alabama), C.J. Stroud (Ohio State) Anthony Richardson (Florida) and Will Levis (Kentucky) all have a case to be the top pick.

Over the next four weeks, The Charlotte Observer is breaking down the top four ...Read more

Monica Herndon/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS

Mike Sielski: The Eagles are running it back in 2023. That's a bigger risk than it might seem.

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PHILADELPHIA — What the Eagles are trying to do next season is not unheard of in the NFL, but it’s pretty damn close.

What they’re trying to do is win a Super Bowl the year after they lost a Super Bowl. Just three teams in the league’s history have managed to pull off that trick, and only one, the 2018 New England Patriots, has done it ...Read more

Rebecca Slezak/The Dallas Morning News/TNS

Mac Engel: He was one of the best at his position in the NFL, but the league wants no part of Marquette King

Sports / Football /

ARLINGTON, Texas — Marquette King never looked the part, which was never really the problem.

Marquette King refused to play the part, which ultimately was the problem.

The irony isn’t lost on him. He was the rarest of NFL creatures: He was a punter, and there was a demand to buy his jersey.

He was a punter with fans.

“I remember when (...Read more

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Brad Biggs: Bears need more from rank-and-file free agents. Robert Tonyan, Andrew Billings and D'Onta Foreman believe they can deliver.

Sports / Football /

CHICAGO — The first wave of NFL free agency goes fast, and the majority of the big deals are wrapped up in the negotiating period, which leads to about two weeks of bargain shopping before teams reassess and turn focus to the draft.

The Chicago Bears didn’t skip a beat moving from bigger acquisitions such as linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and...Read more

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As Ravens QB Lamar Jackson explores options, those who dealt with NFL franchise tag offer insight into unique process

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BALTIMORE — Wally Williams knows the feelings Lamar Jackson might be experiencing.

In the Ravens’ 28-year history, seven players have received the franchise tag. Williams, who spent 10 years in the NFL, including three in Baltimore from 1996 to 1998 before retiring after the 2002 season, was the first.

“The part that every player ends up...Read more

Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee/TNS

Jerry McDonald: Jimmy Garoppolo will truly prove his winning bona fides if he can turn Raiders around

Sports / Football /

For a long time, Jimmy Garoppolo and Derek Carr lived a parallel tortured existence with the bottom line.

Was Garoppolo responsible for the 49ers winning so many games during his tenure as a starter, or did his teammates and coaching staff carry him there?

Was Carr responsible for the Raiders losing so many games during his tenure as a starter...Read more

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New Bears TE Robert Tonyan on switching sides in the rivalry with Packers: 'I know I made the right decision'

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CHICAGO — Robert Tonyan’s NFL career blossomed over six seasons while catching passes from Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

But all the while Tonyan, a 6-foot-5, 240-pound tight end, kept in his basement the jersey and autograph from a childhood hero, former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher.

Tonyan, 28, grew up in ...Read more

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Seahawks sign versatile defensive back Julian Love

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SEATTLE — The Seahawks continued the makeover of their defense Friday by signing free agent defensive back Julian Love, formerly of the New York Giants.

The team announced the signing Friday afternoon. ESPN reported that Love agreed to a two-year deal worth up to $12 million.

Love was among three defensive players visiting the Seahawks this ...Read more

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Allen Lazard says if Jets add Aaron Rodgers that 'Super Bowl' will be the expectation

Sports / Football /

NEW YORK — Aaron Rodgers and Allen Lazard played the previous five seasons together in Green Bay.

Now it appears the dynamic quarterback-wide receiver duo will suit up again for the Jets.

Lazard officially signed a four-year contract worth $44 million — including $22 million guaranteed — on Friday. Earlier this week, Rodgers announced ...Read more

Patriots signing Dolphins TE Mike Gesicki to 1-year deal in free agency

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BOSTON — The Patriots are signing former Dolphins tight end Mike Gesicki to a free-agent deal, a source confirmed to the Boston Herald.

It’s a one-year, $9 million deal, per reports.

Gesicki played on the franchise tag last season in Miami, a down year when his numbers fell to 32 catches for 362 yards and five touchdowns under new coach ...Read more

Jennifer Buchanan/The Seattle Times/TNS

Matt Calkins: Free agency helps Seahawks, but NFL draft and health matter more

Sports / Football /

SEATTLE — Free agency isn't going to save the Seahawks. It never was.

Doesn't matter if they deviated from their norm by throwing big money at a player just as free agency began. Doesn't matter if they (seemingly) bolstered one of the weakest areas of the roster in the pass rush, either.

Yes, coach Pete Carroll and general manager John ...Read more