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Heidi Fang/Las Vegas Review-Journal/TNS

Noah Hiles: The connection between Patrick Graham and his defense could define the Steelers' season

Sports / Football /

PITTSBURGH — It makes sense that the focus on this year’s Pittsburgh Steelers team centers around the offense. That side of the ball has been a problem — for years. There’s a new play-caller in town, one not only familiar with the starting quarterback but also has a history of developing young passers.

The scheme will look different, as...Read more

AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post/TNS

Broncos All-Pro rusher Nik Bonitto works on his next evolution as NFL opponents increasingly key on him

Sports / Football /

DENVER — At last, Nik Bonitto’s right hand is just a hand again. No cast. No splint. No Bionic Man.

When asked last week at a charity event if it felt good to have the brace off, Bonitto grinned and grunted in affirmation. Eight months earlier, a split-second expression of frustration completely altered his season. Bonitto slammed his hand ...Read more

Joe Cavaretta/Sun Sentinel/TNS

Dave Hyde: The fundamental trait Hafley understands and Dolphins coaches have lacked

Sports / Football /

MIAMI — More than a changed offense, more than a new defense, more than introducing a super-sized offensive line, more than tryouts at edge rusher — more than anything to come out of the Miami Dolphins’ first May practices, nothing matters more than coach Jeff Hafley’s answer on quarterback Malik Willis’ leadership.

“My main focus ...Read more

Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America/TNS

Scott Fowler: Panthers' first radio voice applied for NFL job. The rejection letter made him laugh.

Sports / Football /

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Bill Rosinski, the original radio voice of the Carolina Panthers, got rejected for the Baltimore Ravens’ NFL play-by-play job Wednesday. And when he opened the rejection email that broke this news to him, he started laughing in disbelief.

The form letter read, in part: “At this time, we have decided to pursue other ...Read more

Stacy Revere/Getty Images North America/TNS

Giants sign GM Joe Schoen to multiyear extension in concerning start to John Harbaugh Era

Sports / Football /

NEW YORK — The New York Giants paid John Harbaugh $20 million a year to change their organization, only to extend the general manager that drove their franchise far enough into the gutter to require such a desperate hire.

The team signed GM Joe Schoen to a multiyear extension on Thursday and announced it through the national media outlets ...Read more

David Crane/Los Angeles Daily News/TNS

Rams QB Matthew Stafford agrees to 1-year, $55 million extension

Sports / Football /

Quarterback Matthew Stafford has signed a contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams, the team announced on Thursday.

The deal, which adds one year and $55 million to his current contract, will keep Stafford with the Rams for the 2026 and 2027 seasons.

Stafford, 38, was acquired in a 2021 trade with the Detroit Lions and immediately led the ...Read more

John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/TNS

Key lawmaker says suburban Bears stadium deal is dragging due to hopes team will reconsider Chicago site

Sports / Football /

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A key Illinois lawmaker spearheading negotiations on legislation to keep the Chicago Bears playing their home games in Illinois said Wednesday night he’s facing fresh opposition from some legislative colleagues who believe the team has expressed newfound openness to building a new Bears stadium in Chicago.

Democratic ...Read more

Dustin Satloff/Getty Images North America/TNS

John Harbaugh admits Malik Nabers Week 1 availability is an uncertain goal

Sports / Football /

NEW YORK — The New York Giants’ goal with Malik Nabers is to get him back on the practice field during training camp and ready for their Week 1 regular season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

But they might not hit that goal right on the mark.

Head coach John Harbaugh acknowledged Thursday after the team’s third OTA practice that ...Read more

Robin Buckson/The Detroit News/TNS

Lions sign star linebacker Jack Campbell to contract extension

Sports / Football /

DETROIT — The Detroit Lions have signed linebacker Jack Campbell to a contract extension through the 2030 season, the team announced Thursday. Financial details are not yet known.

Campbell has developed into one of the NFL's best linebackers since he was selected with the 18th overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, especially as a run defender. ...Read more

Charles McQuillan/Getty Images North America/TNS

Noah Hiles: The NFL's international schedule has gone too far

Sports / Football /

PITTSBURGH — Let’s start here: I’m very much a fan of international travel. While I personally haven't logged many trips outside these United States, I’m all for embracing the exploration of new places and cultures.

I should also note I love the game of football. This, similar to the one above, isn’t exactly a unique stance. There’s...Read more

Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS

Greg Cote: Dolphins will be better than you think in '26. Here's why.

Sports / Football /

MIAMI — In case you thought this whole ”rebuilding” thing was part of a bad dream or perhaps a concoction of the negative media, the Miami Dolphins apparently will go 1-16 this coming season, the worst record in the franchise’s 61 years.

This is according to initial game-by-game betting odds with the NFL schedule now out. The Fins as of...Read more

John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/TNS

Gov. JB Pritzker says he updated NFL commissioner as Arlington Heights, Indiana sites remain at forefront

Sports / Football /

CHICAGO — With days left until a deadline to pass legislation this spring, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged he had recently spoken with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and maintained that the Chicago Bears and NFL are only considering a new stadium in Arlington Heights or Indiana — not Chicago.

“It was good. It was short. I wanted ...Read more

Nick Cammett/Getty Images North America/TNS

Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers announces the 2026 NFL season will be his last

Sports / Football /

PITTSBURGH — Aaron Rodgers said he had “some doubt” about returning to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the opportunity to be reunited with coach Mike McCarthy opened his mind to coming back for a 22nd NFL season.

His final season.

In his first public comments since returning to the Steelers, Rodgers said on Wednesday he “came to the ...Read more

Jason Miller/Getty Images North America/TNS

Jim Souhan: Hosting the NFL draft is a big deal for Minneapolis. It didn't used to be.

Sports / Football /

MINNEAPOLIS — The NFL draft will be held in downtown Minneapolis around U.S. Bank Stadium in 2028.

Of all the big events Minnesota has hosted so well over the years, this will be one of them.

The draft is a spectacle for the speculative.

There will be NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell becoming a human Snuggie, wrapping himself around every ...Read more

Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun Sentinel/TNS

Omar Kelly: Building an offense around Malik Willis' skills presents promise, and challenges

Sports / Football /

MIAMI — Even though it was a windy day, one where the flags at the end of the goalposts were extended consistently, the spiral was tight.

There was very little wobble to Malik Willis’ passes on Tuesday during the Miami Dolphins (Shop Dolphins Fan Gear)’ second OTA practice session.

With the flick of the wrist the football was headed in...Read more

Emily Curiel/ecuriel@kcstar.com/Kansas City Star/TNS

Sam McDowell: Rashee Rice did not make just one mistake. The pattern has become the story.

Sports / Football /

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Rashee Rice is sitting in a northern Texas jail for the next 30 days, some 500 miles from the life many would give everything to lead — but the one he’s done just about everything to throw away.

He’s alone there, left only to his own thoughts, but there’s something perfectly symbolic about that image.

His own ...Read more

Kenneth K. Lam/Baltimore Sun/TNS

Mike Preston: Don't panic about Ravens QB Lamar Jackson yet

Sports / Football /

BALTIMORE — Ravens star quarterback Lamar Jackson didn’t show up for Tuesday’s voluntary organized team activities, the first open to the media this offseason.

Yawn. And yawn some more.

Jackson and several other veterans didn’t participate, and none of it was surprising, especially for a list that included defensive lineman Calais ...Read more

Emilee Chinn/Getty Images North America/TNS

Five things to know about the 2028 NFL draft coming to the Twin Cities

Sports / Football /

ORLANDO, Fla. — Following a vote by owners Tuesday morning at the NFL’s spring meeting, Minnesota is officially set to host the 2028 NFL draft.

Here are five things to know about the event, whether you’re a Vikings fanatic, NFL-curious or are just curious about the projected impact on the region.

What is the NFL draft?

The NFL draft is ...Read more

E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune/TNS

Bears' proposed stadium site in Indiana would be built on giant slag heap, near hazardous waste sites

Sports / Football /

CHICAGO — As the mayor of Arlington Heights, Jim Tinaglia leads the charge to build a Chicago Bears stadium there. In his private job as an architect, Tinaglia said he would be very leery of building on the rival proposed site in Hammond, Ind.

“I would throw up the red caution flags immediately,” he told the Chicago Tribune. “I’ve ...Read more

Steph Chambers/Getty Images North America/TNS

Interest in buying Seahawks not 'soft,' says NFL commissioner

Sports / Football /

SEATTLE — NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday refuted a report that interest from potential new owners of the Seahawks has been “soft" during remarks made at the league’s spring meeting in Orlando, Fla.

“There have been some reports that I would say are not accurate with respect to the amount of interest," Goodell said. “It’s ...Read more