CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears are set to announce a $4.6 billion plan for a new enclosed stadium and lakefront area, half of which would come from taxpayers, sources said, but the team will have to overcome serious skepticism from several directions.

The stadium itself would cost $3.2 billion to build, with another $1.4 billion in proposed ...Read more

DETROIT — Life is unquestionably good, both personally and professionally, for Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.

On the field, Goff is coming off a season where he led the Lions to their first division title in 30 years, and first playoff victories in 32. The city, which had been slow to embrace the quarterback when he first arrived via a...Read more

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles gave a sly smile as he provided the answer he knew would satisfy nobody.

After months of courting USC quarterback Caleb Williams at the NFL scouting combine, his pro day and his top-30 visit to Halas Hall … after Williams’ private dinner in Los Angeles with Bears brass and coaches and ...Read more

CHICAGO — Some calculated decisions aimed at fulfilling long-range plans — plus a dose of good fortune — have put Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles in the most enviable position for the past 3 1/2 months.

Since last season ended, Poles has been able to chart critical steps in his bid to turn the franchise into a perennial contender...Read more

Part of my weekly mock draft preamble explains it is an attempt at figuring out the best players available in this season's draft class, and which teams they'd match up well with considering the draft order. The closer we get to draft day, the more I attempt to match what teams will actually do with their draft picks as opposed to what I believe...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — 49ers general manager John Lynch met with the media to discuss the NFL Draft, which starts Thursday, but the biggest topic was a star receiver currently under contract, rather than a prospective rookie.

All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, 26, has been the subject of much speculation, as he’s entering the final year of...Read more

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Matt Ryan, perhaps the greatest quarterback in Atlanta Falcons history, officially retired from the NFL on Monday.

“It was a helluva ride,” Ryan said. “I’m excited to see what’s next. This next chapter of life and kind of see where that takes us. Today, it’s exciting for me because you never have control in ...Read more

Zach Wilson’ s time with the Jets has officially come to an end.

According to sources, Wilson and a 2024 seventh-round pick (256th overall) will head to the Broncos in exchange for a 2024 sixth-round pick (207th overall). The Jets and the Broncos will divide his remaining roster bonus of $5.5 million.

After owner Woody Johnson voiced his ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. – Here comes the 49ers’ most dramatic first-round action in an NFL Draft since 2021.

Disclaimer: They haven’t had a first-round pick in either of the past two drafts, by virtue of their ill-fated climb in 2021 to select quarterback Trey Lance at the No. 3 overall slot.

“It’ll be more fun,” coach Kyle Shanahan ...Read more

With the fifth pick in Thursday’s NFL draft, the Los Angeles Chargers … should trade down.

Seriously.

When new general manager Joe Hortiz met the media Thursday for the traditional pre-draft briefing, he didn’t come right out and say that was the plan. Executives do not ever tip their hands leading up to a draft. But there have been “...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In the final weeks before the NFL draft, the Chiefs front office will, at some point, engage in the same exercise that you, me and thousands of others outside those walls partake.

A mock draft.

With a tad different motive.

They are dry-run exercises designed to produce a collection of road maps — or contingency plans �...Read more

Editor's note: The Union-Tribune's Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 25-27). Here are his top 10 wide receivers, plus "bonus" players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

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— 1. Marvin Harrison Jr. (Jr., Ohio State, 6-foot-3, 209 pounds)

The ...Read more

ATLANTA — The first time you read it, ESPN’s recount of Bill Belichick’s failed job search expresses more than a dollop of incredulity. How could any team — the Falcons having been the only club to grant him an interview, this mostly means them — be so silly as to leave the greatest-ever NFL coach unhired?

The second time through, it ...Read more

Sports writers rarely reveal the philosophy that guides their coverage. Readers assume things — sometimes correctly, sometimes incorrectly — but perhaps that’s because sports writers don’t clearly define the situation.

So, as the Dolphins prepare for the NFL draft, and as we take more steps down the path to the regular season, I’m ...Read more

Editor's note: The Union-Tribune's Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 25-27). Here are his top 10 running backs, plus "bonus" players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

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— 1. Jonathon Brooks (So., Texas, 6-foot, 216 pounds)

Brooks is a former...Read more

NEW YORK — No news is not good news for Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.

In February, GM Joe Douglas and the Jets gave Wilson permission to seek a trade. However, two months later, Wilson remains on Gang Green’s roster.

Then last month, at the NFL owners meetings in Orlando, Fla., Jets owner Woody Johnson said they would not release Wilson if...Read more

We're a week away from the NFL draft (April 25-27) kicking off in prime time in the Motor City.

This is my penultimate mock draft of the season. My final version will be posted next week.

I'm not factoring trades into this version, but I will be discussing the possibilities throughout.

There's still plenty of uncertainty (outside of the first...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — Bill Belichick reportedly was voted off Falcons Island. Apparently, he never even made onto Eagles Island.

Not yet, anyway.

An ESPN.com report published Wednesday recounted, with glee, the repeated rejections fired Patriots coach Bill Belichick endured this offseason during his “Failed Job Hunt,” or so read the headline.

...Read more

Editor's note: The Union-Tribune's Eddie Brown is breaking down prospects, position by position, leading up to the NFL draft (April 25-27). Here are his top 10 tight ends, plus "bonus" players he believes will be drafted or signed as a priority free agent:

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— 1. Brock Bowers (Jr., Georgia, 6-foot-3, 243 pounds)

Bowers is one of ...Read more

DETROIT — The NFL has reinstated five players, including four former Detroit Lions, from indefinite suspensions stemming from violations of the league's gambling policy last year, according to multiple reports.

The league lifted the bans for wide receiver Quintez Cephus, safety C.J. Moore, defensive end Rashod Berry, defensive lineman ...Read more