PITTSBURGH — When Mike McCarthy was hired as Pittsburgh Steelers coach earlier this year, he was adamant that he has a lot of faith in Will Howard.

He said he was always high on Howard and always thought he has the basic pieces to become a really good starting quarterback in the NFL.

Then McCarthy doubled down Tuesday at the NFL’s winter ...Read more

The NFL offseason, above all else — above the trades, the draft, free agency, the rule changes, the scandals, above everything — is about selling hope. And much of it is false hope.

Against that backdrop, I continue to think that a much-needed culture change is happening with the Miami Dolphins, an organization that’s coming off back-to-...Read more

PHOENIX — It seems to be a unanimous opinion around the Las Vegas Raiders, this idea that having a veteran quarterback to start the season would be the most favorable of circumstances.

Makes sense. Why rush a rookie when you don’t have to?

The team is all set to select Indiana star Fernando Mendoza with the first overall selection in the ...Read more

NEW YORK — It wouldn’t have taken much for Roger Goodell and the NFL to condemn New York Giants co-owner Steve Tisch’s documented association with Jeffrey Epstein, one of the most notorious sex criminals of the modern world.

Even in the absence of any proven crime committed by Tisch, even in the naivest retelling or understanding of Tisch...Read more

LAS VEGAS — The Raiders were valued at $11 billion in the selling of a 7% stake in the team to Egon Durban, who could someday become primary owner.

The NFL approved sale of a 3.5% stake in the team to Durban, co-CEO of Silver Lake at the $11.1 billion team valuation, CNBC reported Tuesday, citing an anonymous source. Durban and businessman ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Rams star receiver Puka Nacua, who was involved in a string of off-the-field situations the last few months, including an alleged biting incident that led to a civil lawsuit, entered a rehabilitation care facility in March, his attorney confirmed Wednesday.

Last week, a woman filed a civil lawsuit against Nacua, ...Read more

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears leaders said Wednesday they want a quick resolution to their search for a new stadium, with a goal of opening a new enclosed stadium by 2030 — either in Arlington Heights or Indiana.

Team President and CEO Kevin Warren put a rough timeline on plans to build a new enclosed stadium, hoping to choose a site by this ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — One of the first women to officiate an NFL game is suing the league for gender discrimination, harassment and retaliation more than a year after she was fired.

Robin DeLorenzo filed a lawsuit last week in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York that claims she was "subjected to gender-based scrutiny, ...Read more

PHOENIX — Throw the challenge flag.

Stop the nonsense. Deflate the egos.

With the NFL preparing to lock out its officials as labor talks stall, you know who gets penalized: the players and fans.

Very little moves the needle between the flurry of free agent signings, trades and the draft, but this story deserves your attention.

The most ...Read more

PHOENIX — As was done with Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson following their sudden retirements in 1999 and 2016, respectively, the Detroit Lions have reportedly recouped a portion of the signing bonus attached to Frank Ragnow's contract.

Ragnow, a four-time Pro Bowler and a three-time recipient of All-Pro honors, retired in June 2025. He ...Read more

PHOENIX — It’s late March, the NFL draft is fast approaching, and Chicago Bears coach Ben Johnson is trying to make up for lost time. He’s got a demanding trio who are holding him accountable.

“I’m trying to win that Father of the Year Award still, even though I miss half the year (coaching),” Johnson told the Chicago Tribune during...Read more

PHOENIX — The NFL’s annual meeting wrapped up here Tuesday.

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald, general manager John Schneider and the rest of the team contingent who attended were scheduled to head back and begin concentrating on the next big event on the league’s calendar — the draft, set for April 23-25 in Pittsburgh.

Here are some ...Read more

PHOENIX — Even though it wasn’t officially on the agenda, NFL owners voiced their support of the Rooney Rule on Tuesday after comments made by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier alleging the rule was unlawful and should be discontinued.

Steelers president Art Rooney II said the league wants to have some discussions with Uthmeier, who ...Read more

Orlando, this is no longer a drill or a dream.

This is no longer speculation, rumor or civic wishful thinking. This is now official, and this is a moment this city has been building toward for decades.

The NFL is coming to Orlando.

The Teal is real!

The league announced Tuesday that the Jacksonville Jaguars will play the entire 2027 season ...Read more

PHOENIX — With the NFL and referees union at a negotiating impasse, the league has put in place a safety net in case replacement game officials are required for the upcoming season.

Team owners approved a rule Tuesday allowing the league to intervene from its New York headquarters and correct officiating errors in real time using replay ...Read more

On Monday night, Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson offered support for ex-Bulls guard Jaden Ivey on X/Twitter after Ivey was released for making anti-gay comments, which were part of what the organization deemed conduct detrimental to the team.

In his post, Henderson quoted a bible verse: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for ...Read more

PHOENIX — Eagles general manager Howie Roseman may have altered his approach to answering questions about A.J. Brown at the annual league meeting, but Mike Vrabel has not.

At his news conference on Tuesday morning, the New England Patriots head coach didn’t rule out any possibilities regarding a trade for Brown. Vrabel echoed the comments ...Read more

PHOENIX — New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn walked in with a smile on his face as he spoke to reporters at the NFL Annual Meeting.

He was asked why he was feeling “outstanding,” and it is because of all the additions the Jets have made on both sides of the ball following a turbulent 3-14 season.

“The fact that everything that was ...Read more

PHOENIX — Sean Payton knows better than anyone what the Denver Broncos need.

Better than you, Broncos Country. And certainly better than me.

Six days into free agency, the Broncos were a team trying to win a fourth Super Bowl by staying within the family.

What standout running back did they sign?

Nobody.

What tight end did they pursue?

...Read more

PHOENIX — In 19 years as head coach, Mike Tomlin never had a coordinator he hired be promoted to a head coach. The only assistant he ever hired to be promoted to a coordinator was Brian Flores, who had already been a head coach. His coaching tree was as barren as a maple in November.

Not so with Mike McCarthy.

Brian Schottenheimer was the ...Read more