Category: NFL

Fernando Mendoza participates in Indiana University's Pro Day at Mellencamp Pavilion on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Fernando Mendoza not attending 2026 NFL Draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is not among the 16 prospects planning to attend the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh on April 23.

There will be a large Big Ten Conference presence without the Heisman Trophy winner. Five of the six Big Ten prospects are Ohio State Buckeyes: linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles Jr., wide receiver Carnell Tate, safety Caleb Downs and defensive tackle Kayden McDonald.

Alabama and Miami (Fla.) each have multiple players scheduled to be in the green room.

Mendoza is projected to the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. The Las Vegas Raiders pick first overall and the New York Jets are second.

The first round of the draft is held in primetime Thursday, April 23 with the second and third round the following night. Rounds 4-7 are completed Saturday.

Pittsburgh is hosting the NFL draft for the first time since 1948.

Players confirmed to attend the NFL draft:

1. David Bailey, LB, Texas Tech
2. Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami
3. Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU
4. Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
5. Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn
6. Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
7. Makai Lemon, WR, Southern California
8. Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame
9. Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (Fla.)
10. Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State
11. Kadyn Proctor, OT, Alabama
12. Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State
13. Ty Simpson, QB, Alabama
14. Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
15. Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State
16. Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

–Field Level Media

Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) shoves Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Parker Washington (11) out of bounds Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Colts open to trading CB Kenny Moore II

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Indianapolis Colts and veteran cornerback Kenny Moore II mutually have agreed to seek a trade, ESPN reported on Friday.

Moore is entering the final season of his three-year, $30 million contract.

The Colts owe Moore $9.49 million in base salary in addition to per-game bonuses in the 2026 season. A pre-June 1 trade would save Indianapolis more than $7 million in salary cap space.

“It’s all good. It’s all love,” Moore wrote in a text to ESPN of the prospect of being traded.

Moore, 30, recorded 55 tackles, two forced fumbles, one interception that was returned for a touchdown and 1.5 sacks in 14 games (seven starts) last season. He missed three games due to an Achilles strain.

A Pro Bowl selection in 2021, Moore totaled 649 tackles, 21 interceptions (four returned for touchdowns) and six forced fumbles in 132 career games (111 starts) with the Colts.

He entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017 with the New England Patriots. The Valdosta State product did not make the club’s 53-man roster out of training camp. He was claimed off waivers by the Colts and has been with Indianapolis for nine seasons.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Chase Lucas (26) after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Reports: Bucs adding CBs Chase Lucas, Kemon Hall

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are adding to their depth at cornerback with one-year contracts for free agents Chase Lucas and Kemon Hall, according to reports on Thursday.

Lucas, 29, has agreed to join the Bucs, per NFL Network, after recording nine tackles in 15 games last season for San Francisco. He played on 53% of the 49ers’ special teams snaps (204) and 10% of the defensive snaps (98).

He has played in 33 regular-season games for the Detroit Lions (2022-23) and 49ers (2025) as well as a total of four playoff games and has 15 career tackles.

Detroit selected Lucas in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Arizona State.

Hall, 28, is signing with Tampa Bay, per an ESPN report, after playing in four games last season for the Tennessee Titans and making nine tackles. He was in on 64% of the special teams snaps (70) and 30% of the defensive snaps (66).

He has played in 28 career games for the Los Angeles Chargers (2021-22), Dallas Cowboys (2024) and Titans (2025) and has 24 career tackles and one forced fumble.

–Field Level Media

Nov 2, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Amazon Prime Video's Thursday Night Football cast (L to R) Charissa Thompson and Tony Gonzalez and Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth and Richard Sherman on set before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Tennessee Titans against at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images

Report: Justice Department opens investigation into NFL

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The federal Justice Department is investigating whether the NFL’s media package has led the league to harm consumers financially by anticompetitive actions, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday.

The investigation launched after the Justice Department heard recent concerns by media companies, members of Congress, consumers and regulators. The crux of the complaint is that the NFL has agreed to media deals with partners that stretch beyond the reach of major networks and ESPN, citing the difficulty fans have in watching games on television,

Basic cable no longer is enough. In the 2026-27 season, some NFL games will stream exclusively on Netflix, Prime Video, Peacock and additional outlets, all of which require a paid subscription. The number of games going to non-traditional outlets is growing.

Prime Video, for example, took over the Thursday night package of games in 2022 and since has gained the rights to action on Black Friday and Christmas, as well as a playoff game.

The league issued a statement defending how the games are shown.

“With over 87% of our games on free, broadcast television, including 100% of games in the markets of the competing teams, the NFL has for decades put our fans front and center in how we distribute our content,” a league spokesperson said, per The Athletic. “The 2025 season was our most viewed since 1989 and reflects the strength of the NFL distribution model and its wide availability to all fans.”

At issue for the Justice Department is looking at whether the NFL has violated the Sports Broadcast Act of 1961, which gives the NFL an antitrust exemption concerning the negotiation of media rights.

The exemption allows the league to negotiate the rights on behalf of all 32 teams instead of the teams doing it themselves. By negotiating in bulk, the NFL can make sure teams get close to equal revenues and create financial parity among teams in major media markets, such as Los Angeles and New York, and smaller ones, such as Buffalo and Green Bay.

The NFL currently is in renegotiations about media rights with providers, The Athletic reported.

Brendan Carr, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, told the New York Post last month that consumers could pay as much as $1,500 a year for access to every football game. He added that if too many games are sent to streaming services, the league could lose the exemption.

–Field Level Media

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Arizona State wideout Jordyn Tyson (WO40) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images

Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson to host workout for skeptical NFL teams

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Jordyn Tyson scheduled a workout for NFL teams six days before the 2026 NFL Draft as the Arizona State wide receiver attempts to answer questions about his health, according to multiple reports.

The April 17 workout became necessary because Tyson was nursing a hamstring injury that prevented him from taking the field for testing at the NFL Scouting Combine in February.

Initially projected as a first-round pick when he declared for the draft, Tyson could fall to the second round in a draft well-stocked with wide receivers.

He played in nine games last season and had 61 receptions for 711 yards and eight TDs while fighting the soft-tissue challenges. Tyson reeled in 75 passes for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2024.

But his injury history isn’t limited to his hamstrings. A transfer from Colorado, Tyson had MCL, ACL and PCL tears with the Buffaloes in 2022 and broke his collarbone in 2024.

There were 31 teams accounted for at the Arizona State pro day on March 27, but Tyson wasn’t a participant.

He has smaller hands for his 6-foot-2, 203-pound frame and durability no doubt will be a factor as teams decide where Tyson falls on their draft board. A redshirt junior, Tyson turns 22 in August. He’s the younger brother of 2024 NBA first-round pick Jaylon Tyson, who was selected 20th overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

–Field Level Media

Sep 22, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons offensive tackle Kaleb McGary (76) leaves the field with an injury against the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Falcons OT Kaleb McGary retires, team reportedly signing Jawaan Taylor

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Atlanta Falcons starting right tackle Kaleb McGary, who missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury, announced his retirement on social media on Wednesday through his agent, Collin Roberts.

McGary, 31, had signed a two-year, $30 million contract extension in early August 2025 before sustaining a lower leg injury in practice and being placed on injured reserve.

He started 92 of the 93 games he played in six seasons after Atlanta selected him in the first round (31st overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Washington.

“I truly enjoyed my time playing alongside Kaleb,” Falcons president of football Matt Ryan, who played quarterback as McGary’s teammate in 2019-22, said in a statement. “He was an outstanding teammate and had a tremendous career as a Falcon. We are grateful for the impact he made on this organization, and we wish him nothing but the best in retirement.”

The Falcons have agreed to a one-year, $5 million contract with right tackle Jawaan Taylor with an additional $1 million in incentives, ESPN reported on Wednesday.

Taylor, 28, played the last three seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs, starting the 45 games that he played, including 12 in 2025. He was released last month.

Taylor has started all 111 of the games that he has played for the Jacksonville Jaguars (2019-22) and Chiefs.

Jacksonville picked Taylor in the second round (35th overall) of the 2019 draft out of Florida.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) looks for an open receiver in the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Falcons QB Michael Penix Jr. ‘where he needs to be’ in ACL rehab

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There is still no clear timetable for Michael Penix Jr.’s recovery from the torn ACL that ended the Falcons quarterback’s 2025 season, coach Kevin Stefanski said Wednesday.

He added that Penix is “right where he needs to be” in his recovery from the injury sustained Nov. 16 vs. Carolina.

Stefanski has previously said that Penix, the eighth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, will battle free-agent signee and former Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for the starting job once Penix is healthy.

Penix started all nine games he played in 2025, the first season he began as the Atlanta starter. He replaced Kirk Cousins as the starter midway through his 2024 rookie campaign.

Across 14 career games (12 starts), Penix has completed 59.6% of his passes for 2,757 yards, 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.

With both QBs entering a new offensive scheme led by Stefanski and offensive coordinator Tommy Rees, Tagovailoa will have an uncontested chance to lead the offense this offseason until Penix is able to return.

–Field Level Media

Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (95) celebrates as he begins his chase for the NFL sack record after sacking Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) during the second half of an NFL football game at Huntington Bank Field, Sept. 7, 2025, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Browns ‘not concerned’ Myles Garrett is absent from offseason program

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New Cleveland Browns coach Todd Monken is not worried about star defensive end Myles Garrett missing the start of this week’s voluntary portion of the offseason program.

Garrett, who broke the NFL single-season sack record last season, had the language of his contract modified this offseason and often elects to participate in his own workouts away from the team.

“Myles will be ready. I’m not worried about Myles,” Monken said Wednesday. “This is voluntary for our players to be here. I think if you asked every coach in the NFL, would they like every player to be there? Of course. I think there’s certain parts of what we do from a connection standpoint that I think is important to be here (as well as) from a schematic standpoint. From a work standpoint? Not so much.

“And it is our job to make it to where the guys want to be here. I mean, not just by the job, but by the development, the camaraderie, being part of a team. And hell, I’ve been a part of a team since I was 5 years old — there’s nothing like it. I wouldn’t miss it, because that’s me, that’s how I’m wired. But it is voluntary.”

Garrett, 30, racked up 23 sacks in 2025 in his ninth season with Cleveland, which drafted him first overall in 2017. It was the first year of a four-year, $160 million extension he signed after initially requesting a trade last offseason.

Garrett has had double-digit sacks in each of his last eight seasons but blew past his previous career high of 16 set in 2021 and 2022.

The two-time Defensive Player of the Year’s 125.5 career sacks over 134 career games (131 starts) are tied for 20th all-time and rank third among active players behind Von Miller (138.5) and Cameron Jordan (132).

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Daniel Faalele (77) looks on before a game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jessica Rapfogel-Imagn Images

Report: Giants signing former Ravens G Daniel Faalele

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Former Ravens guard Daniel Faalele is reuniting with head coach John Harbaugh and signing a one-year deal with the Giants, NFL Network reported Wednesday.

Faalele, 26, was a fourth-round pick by Baltimore in 2022 and started all 34 games over the past two seasons.

The 6-foot-8, 370-pound Australia native has played in 66 of a possible 68 career games, including 35 starts.

Addressing its offensive line before the NFL Draft, the Giants re-signed tackles Jermaine Eluemunor and Evan Neal and guards Aaron Stinnie and Joshua Ezeudu this offseason. They also signed guard/center Lucas Patrick in free agency.

–Field Level Media

Apr 28, 2023; Houston, TX, USA; From left to right, Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud (left), second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and Texans linebacker Will Anderson Jr., third overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, pose for a photo at a press conference at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

Reports: Texans exercise options for CJ Stroud, Will Anderson

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The Houston Texans exercised the fifth-year options for quarterback CJ Stroud and pass-rusher Will Anderson, multiple outlets reported on Wednesday.

The options will pay Stroud $25.904 million and Anderson $21.512 million in 2027. They were the No. 2 and No. 3 overall picks in the 2023 NFL Draft by Houston, respectively.

The Texans had until May 1 to pick up the options. Reports out of Houston said the move is a precursor to a long-term extension for the All-Pro Anderson, while the team plans to evaluate how Stroud performs this season.

Stroud, 24, has compiled a 28-18 record with three trips to the playoffs in his first three seasons as the starter. The 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has completed 63.8% of his passes for 10,876 yards with 62 touchdowns and 25 interceptions in 46 starts. He also made the Pro Bowl in 2023.

Anderson, 24, has tallied 30 sacks, 64 quarterback hits, 136 tackles, four forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in 46 games (44 starts). The 2023 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year made the Pro Bowl in 2023 and 2025 and earned All-Pro first-team honors in 2025.

–Field Level Media