Month: June 2023

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker (3) runs out on to the field to take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Dec. 25, 2022. Nfl Tampa Bay At Cardinals Budda Baker

Cardinals S Budda Baker not holding out despite trade request

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Arizona Cardinals safety Budda Baker plans to attend training camp next month despite a trade request, his agent told NFL Network.

NFL Network cited Baker’s rep, David Mulugheta, in detailing Baker’s plan to join the team for the start of camp but wants a deal that shows he’s a “long-term part of the team.”

He attended mandatory minicamp in June but did not practice.

First-year head coach Jonathan Gannon said the situation is an “organization thing.”

Baker, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, signed a four-year, $59 million deal in 2020 and is under contract through the 2024 season. He’s the seventh-highest paid safety in the NFL. Arizona already picked up the team option for ’24.

Baker, 27, was a second-round pick in 2017. He has 650 career tackles with 7.5 sacks and seven interceptions in 93 games over six seasons, all with Arizona.

–Field Level Media

Jan 21, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet prior to an AFC divisional round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs duo beats Warriors pair in The Match VIII

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A pair of Super Bowl champions earned bragging rights over a pair of NBA champions in The Match VIII, a celebrity golf showdown on Thursday in Las Vegas.

Kansas City Chiefs teammates Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce emerged with a 3-and-2 win over Golden State Warriors teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson at the Wynn Golf Club. The scheduled 12-hole match ended after the Chiefs matched the Warriors’ birdie on the 10th hole.

Mahomes improved to 1-1 in the Match series, having previously lost alongside Josh Allen while opposing Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers in an all-quarterback showdown last June.

Curry fell to 0-2 in the event, as he and Peyton Manning lost to Phil Mickelson and Charles Barkley in November 2020.

The first two editions featured Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods, and Mickelson played in the first four editions.

–Field Level Media

Jacksonville Jaguars offensive lineman Cam Robinson (74) tears up after an apparent injury as quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) pats him on the head during the fourth quarter of a regular season NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 18, 2022 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Dallas Cowboys 40-34 in overtime. Pom Dec 09

Report: Jags OL Cam Robinson suspended 4 games for PEDs

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The NFL is suspending Jacksonville Jaguars starting left tackle Cam Robinson four games for violating its performance-enhancing drug policy, ESPN reported Thursday.

Robinson was reportedly facing a suspension of up to eight games that was dependent on the results of the 27-year-old’s B sample. It’s Robinson’s first PED offense. He’ll forfeit a total of $3,555,552 in salary.

Robinson will be eligible to return Oct. 8, the day before his 28th birthday, in Week 5 against the Buffalo Bills in London.

Walker Little is expected to replace Robinson at left tackle, according to ESPN. Rookie and 2023 first-round draft pick Anton Harrison is expected to start at right tackle.

Robinson signed a three-year, $34.25 million extension ahead of the 2022 season. He has started all 75 games he’s played in since the Jags selected him in the second round of the 2017 draft.

Robinson missed the final three games of the 2022 regular season and both playoff games with a knee injury.

–Field Level Media

Dec 12, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; New England Patriots linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley (8) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Pats signing LB Ja’Whaun Bentley to 2-year extension

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The New England Patriots and linebacker Ja’Whaun Bentley are in agreement on a two-year contract extension worth $18.75 million, NFL Network reported Thursday.

The deal includes $9 million fully guaranteed, per the report.

Bentley, 26, started all 17 games for the Patriots in 2022, racking up a career-high 125 tackles.

He has 383 tackles, 5.5 sacks, two interceptions and eight passes defensed in 65 career games (50 starts) in five seasons with the Pats, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2018 draft.

–Field Level Media

Sep 11, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon (25) walks off the field after the victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Rams signing CB Ahkello Witherspoon

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The Los Angeles Rams are signing free agent cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon, The Score reported Thursday.

Witherspoon, 28, posted four interceptions for the Pittsburgh Steelers the past two seasons in limited duty. He played in just 13 combined games, starting seven. He had 11 passes defensed for the Steelers.

The Steelers released Witherspoon in mid-May after selecting two defensive backs in April’s draft. The Steelers drafted CB Joey Porter Jr. in Round 2 and DB Cory Trice Jr. in the seventh round.

Witherspoon has eight interceptions and 35 passes defensed in 60 career games (40 starts) for the San Francisco 49ers (2017-20) and Steelers. He was selected in the third round of the 2017 draft by San Francisco.

–Field Level Media

Nov 6, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere (78) looks to block as quarterback Malik Willis (7) throws a pass during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

NFL suspends three more for ’23 season after gambling probe

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Three players were suspended for the entire 2023 season for betting on NFL games last season and Tennessee Titans starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere received a six-game suspension for betting on other sports at the team facility.

Indianapolis Colts cornerback and kick returner Isaiah Rodgers and defensive end Rashod Berry along with free agent Demetrius Taylor are “suspended indefinitely through at least the conclusion of the 2023 season for betting on NFL games in the 2022 season. These players may petition for reinstatement at the conclusion of the 2023 season,” the league said Thursday.

Petit-Frere was banned for the “first six regular-season games of the 2023 season for betting on non-NFL sports at the club facility,” the NFL said.

He is permitted to participate in all offseason and preseason practices and games.

Along with recent suspensions of multiple Detroit Lions players for gambling, the NFL said it reiterated the league policy with all teams and said the rules are “annually reviewed with all NFL personnel, including players, and prohibits anyone in the NFL from engaging in any form of gambling in any club or league facility or venue, including the practice facility.”

Petit-Frere said he didn’t know he was breaking rules.

“The betting I engaged in was NOT NFL related and was legal under Tennessee law,” Petit-Frere said in a statement. “It is only being sanctioned because it occurred at the Titans facility. I did not knowingly break the rules,” the statement went on. “Even after attending a league presentation, I was unaware about the specifics around placing bets from a team facility.”

Rookie Jaelyn Duncan, a sixth-round pick in this year’s draft, is listed behind Petit-Frere on the depth chart.

In April, the NFL suspended five players for violating its gambling policy. Detroit Lions receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore and Washington Commanders defensive end Shaka Toney were handed indefinite bans for betting on NFL games.

Detroit receivers Jameson Williams and Stanley Berryhill were given six-game suspensions for betting on non-NFL events from inside an NFL facility.

–Field Level Media

Retired Arizona Cardinal J.J. Watt speaks with the press during the 19th annual Pat's Run outside Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on April 15, 2023. Running Pat S Run J J Watt

J.J. Watt joins CBS Sports as NFL studio analyst

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt agreed to a multi-year contract to appear on CBS Sports, the network announced Thursday.

Per CBS Sports, Watt will serve as an NFL studio analyst across the network’s various platforms beginning this upcoming season.

“We are thrilled to welcome J.J. to the CBS Sports family and add one of the greatest defensive players of all time to our team,” David Berson, president of CBS Sports, said in a statement. “As he steps off the field after a Hall of Fame career, J.J. brings deep passion, unique insights and opinions from today’s NFL. We think fans will love what J.J. brings to our coverage.”

Watt, 34, announced his retirement from the NFL in December after 12 seasons.

A five-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowl honoree, Watt also was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.

“I love the game too much to be away from it entirely,” Watt said in a statement. “I’m very excited to be joining CBS Sports to contribute across all their NFL shows and platforms, including working alongside and learning from JB (James Brown), Coach (Bill Cowher), Boomer (Esiason), Phil (Simms) and Nate (Burleson) this fall. Hopefully fans will enjoy insights and knowledge I’ve gained over my 12 years in the NFL and if we’re lucky, we’ll share a few laughs along the way as well.”

Watt inadvertently provided a few chuckles while revealing the news on Twitter.

After mistakenly telling his followers that he got a job at “CVS,” Watt quickly posted another video and turned his hat around.

“A little pro tip out there for anybody starting a new job. Don’t screw up the announcement,” Watt said. “It’s not a good way to start your first day on the job — especially if that job is at a global network with millions and millions of viewers, hundreds of Emmys — you just want to start off on a better foot.

“I will be working at CBS this fall, the key was on the hat the whole time.”

–Field Level Media

Jun 12, 2023; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver DeVante Parker (1) stretching at the Patriots minicamp at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Pats reach new 3-year deal with WR DeVante Parker

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The New England Patriots and wide receiver DeVante Parker are in agreement on a new three-year contract worth $33 million, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

The deal includes $14 million in guaranteed money and per-game roster bonuses, per the report.

Parker, 30, was set to enter the 2023 season on the final year of his current contract, which would have paid him a base salary of $5.7 million.

Parker caught 31 passes for 539 yards and three touchdowns in 13 games (11 starts) for the Patriots in 2022, his first season with the team. The Patriots acquired Parker in a trade with the Miami Dolphins in April 2022.

Parker has 369 catches for 5,266 yards and 27 TDs in 106 career games (75 starts) with the Dolphins and Pats. He was selected No. 14 overall in the 2015 draft by Miami.

The Patriots also signed free agent wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster to a three-year, $25.5 million deal in March and reportedly are one of the teams in on free agent DeAndre Hopkins.

–Field Level Media

Jan 15, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook (4) during warmups before a wild card game against the New York Giants at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

Free agent RB Dalvin Cook on Miami rumors: ‘I declined visit’

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Free agent running back Dalvin Cook dispelled reports he was near a deal with the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, saying he declined a visit with the team.

Cook responded to reports he was offered a deal with the Dolphins via Twitter.

“I declined a visit so you know my guy,” Cook wrote in response to Pat McAfee hinting at the connection.

Cook said last week he would be a “perfect fit” in Miami after being released by the Minnesota Vikings on June 9. The four-time Pro Bowl selection reportedly has multiple offers from interested teams.

Miami’s AFC East rivals, the New York Jets and New England Patriots, are among the teams reportedly interested in landing Cook.

Cook had shoulder surgery on Feb. 14, the latest in a series of major shoulder issues that include a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum.

He was scheduled to earn $11 million in 2023 with the Vikings. Cook rushed for 5,024 yards and scored 43 touchdowns the past four seasons.

The 27-year-old is a Miami native and played at Florida State.

–Field Level Media

Florham Park, NJ May 31, 2023 -- Head coach Robert Sales and Aaron Rodgers during the Jets OTA.

Three weeks notice: Jets first to report to camp July 19

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Training camp kicks off in three weeks when the New York Jets become the first NFL team to report on July 19.

The Jets train at their practice facility in Florham Park, N.J., and begin workouts for rookies and veterans two days before the Cleveland Browns (July 21) open camp in Berea, Ohio. Those teams meet in the preseason opener, the 2023 Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, on Aug. 3.

Super Bowl champion Kansas City begins training camp July 22 with the first full-squad practice the next day. The Chiefs report to St. Joseph, Mo., and the campus of Missouri Western State University for their camp that wraps on Aug. 17.

Detroit also reports July 22 at the Lions’ Allen Park training facility.

Below is a full list of training camp report dates and locations provided by the NFL:

Team
Site
Location
Report date(s)

Arizona Cardinals
State Farm Stadium
Glendale, AZ
Rookies and veterans: July 25

Atlanta Falcons
IBM Performance Field
Flowery Branch, GA
Rookies: July 18 Veterans: July 25

Baltimore Ravens
Under Armour Performance Center
Owings Mills, MD
Rookies: July 18 Veterans: July 25

Buffalo Bills
St. John Fisher University
Rochester, NY
Rookies: July 18 Veterans: July 25

Carolina Panthers
Wofford College
Spartanburg, SC
Rookies: July 22 Veterans: July 25

Chicago Bears
PNC Center at Halas Hall
Lake Forest, IL
Rookies: July 22 Veterans: July 25

Cincinnati Bengals
Paycor Stadium
Cincinnati, OH
Rookies: July 22 Veterans: July 25

Cleveland Browns
CrossCountry Mortgage Campus
Berea, OH
Rookies: July 19 Veterans: July 21

Dallas Cowboys
Marriott Residence Inn
Oxnard, CA
Rookies and veterans: July 25

Denver Broncos
Centura Health Training Center
Englewood, CO
Rookies: July 19 Veterans: July 25

Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions Training Facility
Allen Park, MI
Rookies: July 19 Veterans: July 22

Green Bay Packers
Lambeau Field
Green Bay, WI
Rookies: July 21 Veterans: July 25

Houston Texans
Houston Methodist Training Center
Houston, TX
Rookies and veterans: July 25

Indianapolis Colts
Grand Park
Westfield, IN
Rookies and veterans: July 25

Jacksonville Jaguars
Miller Electric Center
Jacksonville, FL
Rookies: July 21 Veterans: July 25

Kansas City Chiefs
Missouri Western State University
St. Joseph, MO
Rookies: July 18 Veterans: July 22

Las Vegas Raiders
Intermountain Health Performance Center and Raiders Headquarters
Henderson, NV
Rookies: July 20 Veterans: July 25

Los Angeles Chargers
Jack Hammett Sports Complex
Costa Mesa, CA
Rookies: July 18 Veterans: July 25

Los Angeles Rams
University of California, Irvine
Irvine, CA
Rookies and veterans: July 25

Miami Dolphins
Baptist Health Training Complex
Miami Gardens, FL
Rookies: July 18 Veterans: July 25

Minnesota Vikings
TCO Performance Center
Eagan, MN
Rookies: July 23 Veterans: July 25

New England Patriots
Gillette Stadium
Foxborough, MA
Rookies: July 21 Veterans: July 25

New Orleans Saints
Ochsner Sports Performance Center
Metairie, LA
Rookies: July 18 Veterans: July 25

New York Giants
Quest Diagnostics Training Facility
East Rutherford, NJ
Rookies: July 18 Veterans: July 25

New York Jets
Atlantic Health Jets Training Center
Florham Park, NJ
Rookies and veterans: July 19

Philadelphia Eagles
NovaCare Complex
Philadelphia, PA
Rookies and veterans: July 25

Pittsburgh Steelers
Saint Vincent College
Latrobe, PA
Rookies and veterans: July 26

San Francisco 49ers
SAP Performance Facility
Santa Clara, CA
Rookies: July 18 Veterans: July 25

Seattle Seahawks
Virginia Mason Athletic Center
Renton, WA
Rookies and veterans: July 25

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
AdventHealth Training Center
Tampa, FL
Rookies: July 24 Veterans: July 25

Tennessee Titans
Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park
Nashville, TN
Rookies: July 22 Veterans: July 25

Washington Commanders
OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park
Ashburn, VA
Rookies: July 21 Veterans: July 25

–Field Level Media