Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrates after a sack in the second quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Alabama’s Dallas Turner trying to stand out in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS — Seems like more than three years ago to Dallas Turner when he rolled into the Alabama Crimson Tide weight room as a self-described “chubby” freshman walking in the shadow of Will Anderson Jr. and Chris Braswell.

One of the top-ranked edge prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft, Turner’s first steps on his pre-draft journey brought him to Lucas Oil Stadium this week where he and Braswell are pushing to stand out from a crowd of 321 like-minded dreamers who just left college.

The NFL Scouting Combine, the annual event built to establish an apples-to-apples scouting protocol for grading prospects, is much more of an emotional and physical gauntlet than the TV production might imply. Defensive linemen and linebackers arrived Sunday or Monday, went through full medical testing with league-approved doctors at one of two local hospitals, and began 30-minute meetings with general managers and coaches of NFL teams.

“I had 12 meetings on my first day,” Turner said Wednesday during the late morning media session.

He’ll have more NFL team meetings to come Wednesday night. A few of his memorable meetings were with the Houston Texans, the team that drafted Anderson No. 3 overall in 2023, the Atlanta Falcons, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers and Seattle Seahawks. Braswell also met with the Texans and Alabama alum DeMeco Ryans early in the week.

The entire linebacker position group gets a pre-dawn wakeup call for drug testing Thursday morning and on-field workouts — bench press, 40-yard dash, short shuttle, vertical jump, broad jump — and position drills start after lunch.

Workouts are where Turner feels at ease. A polished basketball player who played on the same AAU team as Raptors All-Star Scottie Barnes in Florida, Turner is leaving Nike Team Florida glory days and college football behind.

He’s competing with Florida State’s Jared Verse, Penn State’s Chop Robinson — workout freak warning — and Alabama cornerbacks Terrion Arnold and Kool-Aid McKinstry to be the first defensive player drafted in a class likely to be dominated by premium talent at quarterback and wide receiver.

Whether Turner is a 3-4 outside linebacker, his position at Alabama, or a traditional defensive end is a question Anderson heard before the 2023 draft. It will ultimately be answered by his draft position and the scheme that team operates.

Turner said he was out of shape at 260 pounds when he came to campus with “COVID weight” and played at 240 pounds as a true freshman at Alabama. He plans to play in the NFL at 255 pounds — he was 225 as a high school freshman — and feels faster now than he was in the 220s.

“That’s probably the best weight I can move at and feel comfortable and stuff like that,” Turner said. “Compared to the 225 in my freshman season and the 255 at the end of my junior season, I could tell the difference for sure in the strength, power and explosiveness. I feel good at that weight. I feel like that gave me a lot of versatility and can play in any type of scheme.”

When Turner hits the lights at his hotel adjacent the Colts’ homefield on Wednesday night, he’s going to feel like he’s been in town more than three days.

Come Thursday when the lights are on at Lucas Oil Stadium, Turner has every intention of being up for the test he trained for since signing with Alabama.

“Just the culture — I feel like going into this professional level, it probably won’t be nothing new for me because we train as professionals,” Turner said. “It’s like a day-to-day life, just having a schedule and being coached by coach (Nick) Saban every day.”

–Field Level Media

Based in part on backlash or leaked alleged results of CJ Stroud's cognitive test last year, some 2024 draft prospects could pass on taking the exam this year. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports

Prospects might take a pass on ‘cognitive tests’ at Scouting Combine

INDIANAPOLIS — From Wonderlic scores to the new S2 cognitive test, NFL teams utilize in-person psychological and IQ tests to formulate a more complete evaluation of every prospect at the annual Scouting Combine.

But the longevity of the polarizing practice has been called into question this week by prospects refusing to submit to the scantron as part of their marathon of medical evaluation, on-field testing, private interviews and media obligations required as part of the annual pre-draft gathering.

Leaked cognitive testing results before the 2023 NFL Draft discredited the processing skills of then-Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud, who reportedly scored 18 out of 100 on the “S2” test.

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said the test wasn’t a factor in any way when the franchise selected Stroud with the No. 2 pick in April. Stroud had the Texans convinced he was a franchise quarterback even before he met with them at the 2023 Scouting Combine, and only cemented his status during their interview.

“You’d see C.J. come into our room in formal interviews and just see he had that calmness about him in the room. You can tell — for me, I could tell instantly if a guy has what it takes,” Ryans said. “I saw that in C.J. when I first sat down and he began to speak to us about his background and his college experience. Then you see his teammates and how they spoke about C.J. I remember being here last year, and every Ohio State teammate that sat in our room, they spoke highly of C.J. and the type of leader he was and what he meant to them and the things that he did to those guys to help them. You can’t hide. Your true character always will show, and it showed that C.J. was a really great guy, raised the right way, and he was the same guy throughout the entire year. He didn’t change.”

Stroud became NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, leading the Texans to the AFC South division title and a playoff win over the Cleveland Browns.

His agents at Athletes First sent a letter to all 32 NFL teams before the combine to outline reasons their clients would not submit to any “cognitive or psychological testing” this week, citing a breach in confidentiality with Stroud.

Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was pleased to report no prospect opted out of their test at the 2024 combine. That’s noteworthy in part because Athletes First also represents Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur.

“It’s a very important part of our process, but it’s just a part of our process,” he said. “Really, the way our cognitive testing works, it’s not really used as much as an evaluation tool whether we’re going to choose a player or not (in the draft).

“It’s more about if we do choose a player, what are the best ways we’re going to support that player once we get him in the building.”

Gutekunst said the test the Packers use likely is different than most or all other teams. They ask prospects to participate because it provides a baseline for individual instruction and tells Green Bay coaches how that player best learns.

Bengals player personnel director Duke Tobin said Cincinnati as a franchise employs its scouting staff and position coaches to discern the information other teams are trying to gather with impersonal “cognitive” tests.

“We don’t believe in a lot of that. We put the resources in our own people to determine how well somebody will transition into our game. There’s no magic bullet and there’s no better mouse mousetrap,” he said. “The mouse still escapes some time. You can spend a lot of time on cognitive tests. And you can spend a lot of time researching the guy’s background on your own. And the results, in my opinion, are pretty similar.”

–Field Level Media

USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) and head coach Lincoln Riley watch the game from the sideline during the Spring Game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Passing prototype: Does USC QB Caleb Williams check enough boxes?

INDIANAPOLIS — Agent-less quarterbacks are an anomaly in the NFL, but Southern California’s Caleb Williams turned pro with the intent of not hiring the typical certified player representative.

With contracts for draft picks slotted for length and salary terms under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Williams would be left with only peripheral details to iron out with his first football employer after the 2024 NFL Draft in April. Offset language, which boils down to the responsibility to pay for a draft pick who is released but signs with another team, has been a sticking point in some negotiations but one NFL personnel director said the contractual elements in play are “not abundantly complex because they’re based on league guardrails, limits and precedent” for top draft picks.

With no conduit between team and player, the dynamic changes significantly in negotiations with free agents.

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta negotiated two landmark agreements with two marquee self-represented free agents in 2023. Baltimore signed linebacker Roquan Smith to a five-year, $100 million contract and quarterback Lamar Jackson to a five-year, $260 million contract. DeCosta and the Ravens applied the franchise tag to Jackson just over a year ago, and admitted there was potential for talks to get sticky when negotiating directly with players.

“When you deal with an agent, sometimes you’re able to speak very freely — position yourself a certain way. You have different arguments that you can use that maybe you wouldn’t say to a player. So, I think that’s part of it,” DeCosta said.

Williams is not working out with quarterbacks at Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday but will hold a pro day in March. He is scheduled to hold a press conference Friday morning.

Widely regarded as the presumptive No. 1 overall pick, Williams spoke on the record for the first time about his potential landing spots in an ESPN interview on Tuesday.

Another question that has been underplayed to date is whether teams are confident in Williams’ size. Listed at 6-foot-1, he’s not the traditional prototype at the position. Will his height be important to the Bears and Washington Commanders, who are in the QB market and have the No. 2 pick in the draft?

It depends on the buyer. Bryce Young, drafted No. 1 by the Carolina Panthers last April, measured 5-10 1/8, 204 pounds at the combine. Kyler Murray was the top pick in the 2019 draft, but the Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback is the same height as Young.

Broncos head coach Sean Payton coached undersized Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Drew Brees in New Orleans and Russell Wilson in Denver last season and said 6-2 is the baseline starting point for some NFL teams.

“Are you drafting prototype with the first pick of the draft? Some places I’ve been where you just have to be and that’s one of those that varies per team, per organization,” Payton said, adding that the Young-C.J. Stroud debate is “not new. The Manning-Leaf debate that goes back. There’s a lot of reports torn up after that selection process. And so it repeats itself and you really want to turn over the stones. And this is for me where analytics really comes into play a lot in the procurement of player.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 3, 2023; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson (2) reacts on the sideline during the first quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jets grant QB Zach Wilson permission to seek trade

The Jets have given quarterback Zach Wilson permission to seek a trade, general manager Joe Douglas said Wednesday.

New York took Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in 2021 and saw him go 12-21 as an on-again, off-again starter for three seasons.

The Jets have four-time league MVP Aaron Rodgers coming back from a torn Achilles to be their starter in 2024.

Douglas may have signaled that the Wilson era in New York is all but over with his remarks Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

“I’ve had good conversations with his agent, Brian Ayrault,” Douglas said. “Where we are exactly, we’ve given them permission to talk to other teams about a trade. I’m going to circle back with Brian at some point either this week or next week just to see how those conversations go. Other than that, there’s nothing else to report.”

Wilson’s trade value, according to many league experts, is worth either a sixth- or seventh-round pick in April’s NFL draft or perhaps a middle-round pick swap.

Wilson, 24, was 4-7 in 2023 and passed for 2,271 yards with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Through 34 games (33 starts), he has completed 57.0 percent of his passes for 6,293 yards, 23 TDs and 25 picks.

With Wilson on the way out, that leaves No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars as the only one of five first-round QBs in the 2021 draft class guaranteed of being his original team’s starter in 2024.

The San Francisco 49ers drafted Trey Lance third overall and traded him to the Dallas Cowboys last August. Justin Fields was the No. 10 pick by the Chicago Bears and Mac Jones went 15th to the New England Patriots, but both are on unstable ground this offseason.

–Field Level Media

Oct 15, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A Washington Commanders helmet on the sideline against the Atlanta Falcons in the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

FedEx ends naming rights partnership with Commanders

FedEx is ending its naming rights agreement with the Washington Commanders’ stadium in Landover, Md., after a 25-year partnership.

There were two years and approximately $15 million left on the deal, but FedEx is exercising an opt-out clause related to the NFL franchise’s recent ownership change.

“We continuously review our marketing programs to ensure our investments are aligned with our evolving business objectives,” FedEx said in a statement sent Wednesday to The Associated Press. “As part of this review, we have decided to not continue as the naming rights sponsor of FedEx Field as we focus on our broader NFL sponsorship and opportunities that reflect our global footprint.”

Originally opened in 1997 as Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, the 58,000-seat facility has been known as FedEx Field since previous owner Dan Snyder sold the naming rights in 1999.

FedEx founder and chairman Fred Smith was a minority owner of the Washington football team until 2021.

Snyder sold the franchise last year to a group led by Josh Harris for more than $6 billion.

The Commanders, who announced $75 million renovation plans to the stadium on Tuesday, confirmed to the AP that they are looking for a new sponsor for the naming rights.

“We have already started the process of identifying our next stadium naming rights partner — a partner who will play a crucial role in ushering in the next era of not only Commanders football but also a robust slate of top live events and concerts,” the team said in a statement.

The Commanders finished 4-13 in 2023 and missed the playoffs for the third straight season, prompting the firing of head coach Ron Rivera. Washington hired Dan Quinn as its new coach earlier this month.

–Field Level Media

Arizona State Sun Devils head coach Kenny Dillingham congratulates USC Trojans quarterback Caleb Williams (13) on his 42-28 win at Mountain America Stadium on Sep 23, 2023.

Caleb Williams ‘excited’ by Bears, intrigued by others

Former Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams told ESPN that he has no qualms if he is selected by the Chicago Bears with the top overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.

That said, Williams admitted Tuesday in his phone call with the network that he also is intrigued by other teams.

“If I get drafted by the Bears, I’ll be excited,” he said. “If they trade the pick, and I get drafted by someone else, I’m just as excited. Speaking about Chicago, they have a talented team, a talented offense and defense. For anyone to be in that situation, I think they’d be excited.”

Williams is scheduled to arrive Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Per the NFL Network, he is expected to meet the Bears, Washington Commanders (No. 2 overall pick in draft), New England Patriots (No. 3), New York Giants (No. 6), Atlanta Falcons (No. 8), New York Jets (No. 10), Minnesota Vikings (No. 11) and Las Vegas Raiders (No. 13).

“I’m not pushing any agenda,” Williams said. “At the end of the day, the Bears have the last say. Regardless of how I feel, I’m not pushing an agenda of, ‘Yeah, I want to go. Or no, I don’t want to go.’ I’m excited for whatever comes.”

The biggest consideration for Chicago is whether Williams could be a better fit at quarterback than 2021 first-round pick Justin Fields.

Should the Bears opt against selecting Williams, a homecoming with the Commanders could be on the table for the native of Washington, D.C.

“It’d be really cool because it’s so familiar,” he said. “There’s a time and place for everything. My job and my hobby is being at the facility or on the field or watching film. Or relaxing and prepping for the next day or game.

“My main goal and focus … is to go win games and stay focused on keeping the main goal the main goal.”

Williams said he is not planning to work out at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. Rather, he will throw at USC’s pro day on March 20.

Williams followed up winning the 2022 Heisman Trophy by passing for 3,633 yards, 30 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games this past season. Though his numbers were strong, the Trojans finished with a disappointing 8-5 record (5-4 Pac-12). They won the Dec. 17 Holiday Bowl over Louisville, 42-28, but Williams decided to sit out the game.

–Field Level Media

Feb 11, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (11) against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Reports: Chiefs releasing WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling

The Kansas City Chiefs are releasing wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to save $12 million against the salary cap, multiple outlets reported Wednesday.

The 29-year-old veteran won back-to-back Super Bowls with the Chiefs the past two seasons after spending his first four campaigns with the Green Bay Packers.

Valdes-Scantling caught 21 passes for 315 yards and a touchdown in 16 games (10 starts) in the regular season in 2023. He had a 16-yard TD grab in the 25-22 overtime win against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII.

A fifth-round pick by the Packers in 2018, Valdes-Scantling has 186 receptions for 3,155 yards and 16 touchdowns in 92 career games (60 starts).

Valdes-Scantling, who signed a three-year, $30 million contract with Kansas City in March 2022, would become an unrestricted free agent.

–Field Level Media

Dec 10, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA;  Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell talks with quarterback Jared Goff (16) in the first half against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports

Lions driven by painful defeat, back Jared Goff

INDIANAPOLIS — Adamant the Detroit Lions will be back to the conference championship stage on his watch, Dan Campbell vows to learn from the most painful loss of his coaching career last month in San Francisco.

“To me, you should benefit from every loss. I think if the losses don’t motivate you to not lose again, and for sure not lose an NFC Championship game, then something’s wrong,” Campbell said Tuesday at the NFL Scouting Combine. “To me, that’s the ultimate. You just don’t want to have that feeling anymore. You should do whatever it takes not to want to feel that. Absolutely we’ll benefit from that.”

Detroit won the NFC North and advanced to the conference title game for the first time since 1993, but the 49ers scored 27 unanswered points to erase a 24-7 halftime deficit and win 34-31.

The loss seemed like the likely final game with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on Campbell’s staff. He was a finalist to be head coach of the Washington Commanders and Seattle Seahawks. But Johnson surprised both teams by informing them he was returning to Detroit.

“Here’s what I know about Ben: Ben is not — when Ben is focused on this, he’s focused on this. Nothing is going to move that for him,” Campbell said. “Once this item is done, he can close it and then he’ll move on to the next one. … I know this, he’s more than capable of being a head coach. He’s qualified. By the way people have hired in this league before, he’s more than qualified. But here’s what I love about Ben: Ben’s not going to do anything he doesn’t really want to do or that he doesn’t feel like he’s ready for. I’m glad we got him back. He’s one of us.”

Johnson has been vital elevating the performance of quarterback Jared Goff, who wraps a four-year, $134 million deal at the end of the upcoming season. But the Lions are talking to Goff about a new contract now, and Campbell sounds all but certain he’s the right man at the trigger to get Detroit to the Super Bowl based largely on his growth under Johnson.

He has 9,013 passing yards, 59 touchdowns and 19 interceptions the past two seasons. Patrick Mahomes put up 9,433 yards, 68 touchdowns and 26 interceptions — and lost to Goff — with the Chiefs during the same stretch.

Of course, Mahomes has three shiny Lombardi trophies to show for his efforts and is two years younger than Goff.

During his Tuesday media session, Campbell was asked if the Lions can win a Super Bowl with Goff at quarterback.

“I get it because it hasn’t happened yet,” Campbell said, “but I don’t get it because, take the NFC Championship game, I thought he played a good game for us. He gave us a chance to win that. I just feel like, man, since he’s been here, I’ve seen a quarterback that’s gotten better and better and better, and has grown every year, and I would say has gotten better under pressure every year and really just rose to the challenge. He’s more and more confident, he’s more comfortable. So I’ve said this before, to me, Jared Goff is a winning quarterback. You can win in this league with that guy.”

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Atlanta Falcons tight end Jonnu Smith (81) takes the field before the game against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike Dinovo-USA TODAY Sports

Falcons release TE Jonnu Smith

The Atlanta Falcons released tight end Jonnu Smith on Tuesday, less than one year after trading for him.

Smith, 28, set career-high totals in catches (50) and receiving yards (582) to go along with three touchdowns in 17 games (six starts) last season. He was acquired by Atlanta on March 13, 2023, from the New England Patriots in exchange for a seventh-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft.

The Falcons will save $6.5 million in cap space with the release of Smith, who had one year remaining on his contract.

“Thankful to have had the opportunity to be apart of an amazing organization,” Smith wrote on Twitter. “This season will be one of the most memorable years during my career for many great reasons on and off the field. Special locker room and special people all throughout the building.”

Smith had 219 catches for 2,423 yards with 20 touchdowns in 107 career games with the Tennessee Titans (2017-20), Patriots (2021-22) and Falcons. He was selected by the Titans in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Sep 17, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) after scoring a touchdown against the Chicago Bears during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs focus on re-signing Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield

INDIANAPOLIS — Keeping quarterback Baker Mayfield and retaining receiver Mike Evans are major priorities for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this offseason.

Mayfield was plucked off the scrap heap and put together his top all-around season, while Evans reached 1,000 receiving yards for the 10th straight season, a record at the outset of a career and just one off the overall consecutive seasons mark held by the legendary Jerry Rice.

Evans is a legend with the franchise while Mayfield stands to earn much, much more than the $4 million he received last season.

Negotiations are continuing with the soon-to-be free agent but the Buccaneers also plan to study quarterbacks this week at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“I know he wants to be a Buc. We want him to be a Buc, so that’s usually a good starting point,” Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said Tuesday. “We want Baker back. Trust me, I can’t go two blocks in Tampa without somebody asking me that and you understand that and I totally understand it.

“He’s been great for our team. He’s been great for the organization and we would love to have Baker.”

Mayfield, 28, has a 40-46 record as a starting quarterback, including stints with the Cleveland Browns, Carolina Panthers and Los Angeles Rams. He went 9-8 with the Buccaneers while setting personal bests of 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns.

Evans, 30, caught 13 touchdown passes last season to match Tyreek Hill of the Miami Dolphins for the NFL lead. Evans had 79 catches for 1,255 yards.

“Mike did a heck of a job and he came to work every day,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. “He came to play every day, as you can see as a result from the statistics. And he’s been here for a decade and he’s done the same thing every year.

“He has been very consistent, very dynamic, yet he’s very humble off the field. But he’s a confident player. He’s one of my favorite players. I have a lot of respect for Mike and everything he does and he’s earned what he done.”

Evans just finished a five-year, $82.5 million contract with Tampa Bay.

But extension talks didn’t go well leading up to the 2023 season and the two sides didn’t reach a deal.

Licht declined to discuss where talks stand now.

“He’s an unprecedented player. We want him to be a Buc for life. We’re working towards that,” Licht said. “Obviously it takes two sides. I know he wants to be a Buc. We’ll probably have to strain a little bit (financially) but we’re working towards that right now.”

The Buccaneers also cleared close to $5 million in salary cap space by releasing outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett. The 31-year-old made the Pro Bowl twice in five seasons with Tampa Bay.

“Did not want to make that call,” Licht said. “At the same time I did — I wanted to give him some time here to look for another team if that’s what he wants to do. We can’t officially release him until the beginning of the league year, but he actually calmed me down on the call.”

–Field Level Media