ESPN senior NFL reporter. @SportsCenter insider. IG: @JFowlerESPN
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My post-draft intel on all 32 NFL teams is up:
-Trade musings
-Top 10 chatter on how boards stacked
-Which surprise team 'killed it'
-Sleepers
-Curious moves
-QB chatter
-Injury optimism
More...
espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/4863…
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JuJu Smith-Schuster bought 100-plus Mega Millions tickets this week. As his interview concluded, he said, "I tried to win it so we could get Le'Veon back. It didn't work."
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No Big Ben.
Bell and Brown long gone.
No JuJu, no Conner, no Pouncey or Tuitt.
Fourth-string QB from training camp.
7-5.
Pretty incredible resolve from the Steelers.
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Steelers players went into Le’Veon Bell’s locker, removing his nameplate and rummaging through items. Bud Dupree says thanks for the Jordan brand cleats.
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Best story I heard from NFL combine: A small group of former Browns coaches held a fired Browns coaches party at a local restaurant in Indianapolis.
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Ryan Switzer bought this sweatshirt before the Pittsburgh shootings, but he felt “there was no more important time” than to wear it Sunday at Heinz Field.
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Le’Veon Bell currently plans to sign with one of three teams, per source: Dolphins, Chiefs, Bills. Barring change, Bell will decide among these teams as early as today. Steelers reunion unlikely at this point.
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Sources: Seahawks are bracing for Russell Wilson to miss at least a month and possibly 6-8 weeks with his ruptured middle-finger tendon that likely requires surgery. Seattle thinking about Wilson’s long-term health. Barring an unexpectedly swift recovery, it’s Geno Smith’s show.
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The Saints want to speak with Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy for the head coaching job, per sources. An interview could take place Saturday.
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This really is wild. Antonio Brown skipped work, disparaged the Steelers publicly, said he wouldn't play on a contract with three years left, then got a raise of almost $20 million with $30-plus million in new guarantees on his way to a new team. Savage power play.
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Sources: Matthew Stafford considers the Rams a viable contender in his trade market with the Lions. While it’s unclear what the Rams can do with Jared Goff’s long-term deal on the books, they’ve explored the possibilities with Stafford.
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If traded, Julio Jones wants to go to a contender, as most big-name players want, but one other thing I've heard intrigues: A big-armed QB that can deliver the deep ball. Jones wants to outrun DBs and get underneath the ball.
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As JuJu Smith-Schuster describes his block on Vontaze Burfict, Antonio Brown keeps yelling ‘Karma.'
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Source: The #Browns are going to release TE Austin Hooper as a post-June-1 designation.
A 27-year-old dual-threat tight end and two-time Pro Bowler will be on the market.
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Safety Marcus Williams is agreeing to terms with the Baltimore Ravens on a five-year deal worth $70 million, per source. Big market-shifting deal in AFC North.
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Tua Tagovailoa is now at his home in South Florida, was in 'good spirits' upon landing with the team, per source.
MRI to come, possibly second opinion. Initial tests showed no structural damage.
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The positive Damar Hamlin developments over the last 24 hours have seriously galvanized the Bills locker room. Raucous applause went off when Mario Hamlin, Damar’s dad, addressed the team via Zoom. ‘We finally started to smile after that,’ one person with the team told me.
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The #Bucs are making Teddy Bridgewater the primary backup to Baker Mayfield.
Bridgewater came out of retirement to sign with Tampa on Aug. 5. Now, he’s QB2.
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#Packers’ Rashan Gary on tandem with Micah Parsons: “Put hands on 1, I’mma get home. Put hands on 52, 1 gonna get home.’
Calls Packers ‘hungry (3x)…unproven.’
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Sources: The #Lions are receiving trade calls on running back D’Andre Swift, whose representatives have been in contact with the team about potentially moving to a new team. With Detroit drafting Jahmyr Gibbs, the talented Swift appears poised to leave Detroit.
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All-Pro free agent linebacker Bobby Wagner visited the Baltimore Ravens today, per source. Ravens have high interest in Wagner, who also visited the Rams this week.
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#Jets WR Garrett Wilson with the hardest-earned 1,000-yard season you ever will see.
He now has 1,008 yards as part of the league’s 31st-ranked passing offense
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Maurkice Pouncey said he doesn’t remember what he did after the helmet shot, essentially blacked out (got about seven punches and kicks in). Will Pouncey get a suspension? “At this point, who cares? My man got hit in the head with a helmet. I’ll accept whatever penalty it is.”
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Joe Flacco in four games as Bengals starter:
111-of-150 (74%), 1,241 yards, 11 TDs, one INT
An all-time four-game relief heater
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Wildest thing I ever saw. Was 10 yards from it. Myles Garrett completely lost it, connected the helmet square on Mason Rudolph’s head. And the Browns were celebrating the whole thing from the sideline.
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Quite the comeback in the works: TE Foster Moreau and the #Saints have agreed to terms on a three-year, $12-million deal including $8 million guaranteed and $3 million in incentives, agent @JLSports3 told ESPN.
Moreau has a positive diagnosis on his Hodgkin’s Lymphoma recovery and plans to play in 2023.
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'The Steelers have had three coaches in 55 years. The Jets have, what, two in the last two weeks.' -Michael Keaton
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All-Pro pass rusher Chandler Jones requested a trade from the Arizona Cardinals this offseason, per sources. Jones has been unhappy with his contract and future with the team. Cardinals don’t want to trade him and expect him to report to camp. But certainly a situation to watch.
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#Bears corner Jaylon Johnson has requested a trade, per source. Chicago granted permission to search for a new home before today’s trade deadline. The player and team negotiated a new contract last week but couldn’t come close to a deal. So, a talented corner is now available.
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Once-proud AFC North defense is down bad:
Total defense
Ravens: 28th
Steelers: 30th
Bengals: 32nd
The best defense in the division, Cleveland (3rd), ironically has the worst record.
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Sources: #Ravens and OC Todd Monken are finalizing a contract extension.
Baltimore led the NFL in offense, Lamar Jackson is coming off his best statistical season and Monken has had head coaching interest.
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Why JuJu Smith-Schuster didn’t make a grand entrance on Steelers reporting date? Because ‘JuJu came here to work,’ he said.
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About 150 #Bills fans holding a prayer vigil outside Highmark Stadium for Damar Hamlin. Jill Kelly, wife of Bills great Jim Kelly, is at the center.
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Tomlin was criticized for how he handled Brown, but now we know his way was the only way.
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The Steelers are re-signing linebacker Vince Williams, per sources. He had other offers but wanted to stay in Pittsburgh.
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The #Chiefs abstained from voting on the proposed AFC playoff changes, per source, with the thinking that teams directly impacted by the changes should not vote due to bias.
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The Tennessee Titans have requested permission to interview Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy and senior assistant/QBs coach Matt Nagy for their open OC job, per sources.
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Running back James White is expected to re-sign with the New England Patriots, per source. It's not done but should be pretty soon. The versatile RB with 25 touchdown catches since 2014 back in the fold for New England.
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As reporters approached Mason Rudolph in the locker room, corner Mike Hilton blurted out, ‘tell them you’re built for this s—-, Mase.’
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The Arizona Cardinals have informed several head coaching candidates that they are out of the running, per sources.
Steelers assistant coach Brian Flores, Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka and Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo are three known finalists.
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Sources: The NFL is providing three wideouts for the Colin Kaepernick workout but Kaepernick may bring up to five of his own. Former 49ers teammate Bruce Ellington, who played with Kap in 2014-15, is expected to attend.
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No other way around it: Diontae Johnson lit millions on fire. Was set to be a top-25 free agent before the issues in Baltimore.
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RB James Robinson to the #Patriots for two years and a max value of $8M, per source
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Defensive tackle Jarran Reed is expected to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs, per source. KC can pair Reed with Chris Jones to cause havoc inside.
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Former #Commanders head coach Ron Rivera is interviewing with the #Eagles for their defensive coordinator position, per sources.
The last time Rivera was a DC, his 2010 Chargers led the league in total defense.
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Source: #Patriots plan to sign quarterback Jacoby Brissett.
A reunion in New England.
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The #Giants are expected to re-sign free agent WR Sterling Shepard to a new deal, per sources. Longtime Giants staple will continue his career in New York.
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Source: Pass rusher Azeez Ojulari is signing with the #Eagles on a one-year, $4M deal.
Ojulari, who had 6.0 sacks last year, stays in NFC East with the Super Bowl champion.
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Talked to James White, who said Raiders and Patriots showed most interest. '(New England) wanted me back, that's all that matters," he said.
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#Eagles run game coordinator/OL coach Jeff Stoutland, who received interest from multiple teams for offensive coordinator positions this cycle, has agreed in principle to a contract extension with Philadelphia, per league sources. Eagles’ O-line has been elite under Stoutland.
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Marvin Jones on the notion the #Jaguars were broken after last year with Urban Meyer.
"I think one person was broken. It wasn't us," he said.
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After a strong preseason, Mason Rudolph won the Steelers' No. 2 quarterback job and will back up Ben Roethlisberger this season barring unforeseen development, per sources.
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A surprise: Multiple team execs believe #Jaguars corner C.J. Henderson -- the ninth overall pick in 2020 -- is available via trade. Jacksonville has given impression in some league circles that it's shopping Henderson, a high-pedigree player one year into rookie deal.
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Good quote from Mike Tomlin when asked about Le'Veon Bell elevating the Jets offense: 'I would hope so, you guys are paying him enough.'
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Last year, the Jesse James play changed catch rule. That call on Joe Haden might be bad enough to make some PI calls reviewable.
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Reunion in the works? Free agent safety Landon Collins is visiting the New York #Giants on Monday, per sources, returning to the place where he made three Pro Bowls and an All-Pro team. Collins would give N.Y.’s defense a hybrid linebacker/safety option if they reach agreement
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WR Phillip Dorsett is signing with the Jaguars, per source. Urban Meyer wants speed and gets it.
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Jameis Winston and the Saints are closing in on a two-year deal for the quarterback to remain in New Orleans, per source. Still details to be worked through but trending in the right direction. Winston and the Saints set to build off last year's 5-2 start together.
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#Rams coach Sean McVay, whose future is in limbo, has permitted his coaching staff to search for other jobs without resistance, per sources. McVay said in a staff meeting that he doesn’t know what he will do next year and won’t block those who want to explore opportunities
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Steelers and Cam Heyward finalizing a four-year extension with a total value of $71.4-million, sources tell ESPN. Negotiated by @PerrettM of Element Sports.
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Guard Will Fries is headed to the #Vikings for five years and $88 million, sources told ESPN.
One of the top interior linemen on the market is now off the board.
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Adam Thielen is set to return for a 12th NFL season, finalizing a revised contract with the #Panthers, per sources.
Thielen looks to add to his 8,311 yards and 64 touchdowns.
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WR/return specialist Ray-Ray McCloud is signing with the #49ers on a two-year deal, per source.
McCloud led NFL in punt return yards (367) and also caught 39 passes for the Steelers last year.
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Source: Urban Meyer and Jaguars are getting a deal done today. Meyer will be the next Jacksonville coach.
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Sources: The #Steelers and six-time Pro Bowl DE Cam Heyward have agreed to a three-year, $45M deal that includes $29 million in new money and $16 million fully guaranteed.
Heyward, 35, who had $16M left on the final year of his previous deal, is now under contract through 2026, allowing a long-time captain to retire a Steeler. His signing bonus is nearly $15M.
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Thousands of golf carts all over the state of Florida and they can’t find one for Trevor Lawrence.
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No positive tests for Titans or Patriots, per source. Both set to return to their facilities.
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Ben Roethlisberger said on his weekly radio show that his son has asked for a James Conner jersey for Christmas. Santa might have access to one of those.
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One AFC exec told me Devin Bush was his second-best player in the draft behind Kyler Murray. Steelers aren't simply filling a need. They are getting one of the better overall players in the field. He has 4.4 speed and loves to hit.
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Source: WR Mack Hollins and the #Falcons have agreed to a one-year deal.
Hollins broke out in Vegas with 57 catches for 690 yards last year.
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Sources: The #Commanders are expected to release cornerback William Jackson III if there's no trade partner by the deadline. Teams have called on Jackson but no trade has materialized and the back injury was also believed to be a factor. Jackson signed a $40.5M deal in 2021.
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Eric Bieniemy spent nearly eight hours with the Saints in-person today. Interview just wrapped up. And now New Orleans will get to work on narrowing the head-coaching search.
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Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw.
Roquan Smith and Patrick Queen.
Some teams don’t prioritize LB play on the salary cap, but it absolutely matters for contenders in January.
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Dan Quinn when told the news of Pete Carroll to the #Raiders. “That’s awesome. That makes me happy.”
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Linebacker Lavonte David, back for a 14th NFL season, is returning to the #Bucs on a one-year, $10M deal with $9M guaranteed, per source.
The decorated LB remains a career-long Buc as @Agentbutler1 of @Agency1AMG and Tampa agreed to terms.
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Source: Sheldon Rankins and the #Bengals are closing in on a contract agreement. Expected to be done tonight.
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Among ways Harrison tried to get himself out of Pittsburgh, one team source said Harrison was known to sleep in a recliner chair during position meetings and snore loudly while Joey Porter would teach.
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Steelers QB Mason Rudolph is home from a Pittsburgh-area hospital and doing well, according to a source. Good sign after suffering a concussion on the Earl Thomas hit.
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Antonio Brown likely forfeits $9M signing bonus from Patriots b/c of a contract clause calling for players to disclose situations preventing availability, per league source. This could lead to a grievance, but source says that money is 'gone.' Brown was due $5M Monday
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In the offseason, the Arizona Cardinals signed RB James Conner to a one-year, $1.75-million deal.
Conner has given the Cardinals a 16-touchdown performance on the way to his second Pro Bowl.
Great story.
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The #Vikings used the money from Danielle Hunter's departure to double down on pass rush with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel. And both have been excellent.
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The #Eagles have interviewed former Wisconsin defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard as they look to fill their DC job, per league source. Leonhard was a 10-year NFL safety who is respected in league circles.
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The Cleveland Browns are working to close a deal on Austin Hooper, making him the game's highest paid tight end, per source. Other teams can swoop in late but Browns the leader.
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The Las Vegas Raiders have been made aware that the league is discussing a potential scheduling change with the Browns game, per source. Las Vegas has been fighting it, believing that protocols over the summer were clear that teams with outbreaks had to forfeit.
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#Bills All-Pro safety Micah Hyde, placed on season-ending IR last month, recently underwent successful surgery to repair a herniated disc in his neck and has a six-to-9-month recovery ahead, per source. Surgery was performed by spine specialist Dr. Robert Watkins in Los Angeles.
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Source: #Chiefs are releasing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
Saves Kansas City $12 million on the cap.
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