• Robert Kraft Withdraws Support From Columbia Over Protests

    Robert Kraft Withdraws Support From Columbia Over Protests
    The New England Patriots owner said this week that he was “no longer comfortable supporting” Columbia University, his alma mater, which has been disrupted by protests.
  • Robert Kraft’s Fight Against Antisemitism Began Long Before Oct. 7

    Robert Kraft’s Fight Against Antisemitism Began Long Before Oct. 7
    The New England Patriots owner said this week that he was “no longer comfortable supporting” Columbia University, his alma mater, which has been disrupted by protests.
  • ‘The Dynasty’ Got the Secretive New England Patriots to Speak

    For an Apple TV+ docuseries, the tight-lipped sports franchise provided insight into six Super Bowl victories as well as darker moments.
  • Bill Belichick’s Best Partner Wasn’t Tom Brady

    The way this 24 year relationship came to an end tells us everything we need to know about why it succeeded.
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  • Bill Belichick Had Legendary Success With The New England Patriots

    The head coach of the Patriots, who has parted ways with the team after 24 years, won six Super Bowls with a taciturn approach that rewarded performance over potential.
  • How Belichick Helped Patriots Go From Laughingstock to Economic Powerhouse

    For most of its existence, New England was a terrible team. But a two-decade run of success turned it into one of the most recognizable sports brands in the world.
  • The End of the Bill Belichick Hoodie Era

    The Patriots coach is out. And so is his trademark sweatshirt.
  • The Best Sentences of 2023

    Here are dozens of journalism’s gems from a year when we badly needed them.
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  • N.F.L., on Lookout for Growth, Finds Open Arms in Germany

    N.F.L., on Lookout for Growth, Finds Open Arms in Germany
    Football was introduced to the country by U.S. soldiers after World War II, but interests soared when the N.F.L. played its first regular-season game there last year.
  • Sione Takitaki: I feel like I can make a big comeback from torn ACL

    Sione Takitaki: I feel like I can make a big comeback from torn ACL
    Browns linebacker Sione Takitaki set a career high with 71 tackles during the 2022 season, but the year did not have a happy ending.The Browns finished with a 7-10 record and Takitaki missed the final five games of the season after tearing his ACL. During an appearance on the Browns' in-house Best Podcast Available, Takitaki updated where things stand with his rehab and said that he thinks he is going to be able to bounce all the way back during the 2023 season. "I am excited," Takitaki said. "
  • CBA dramatically limits ability of franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals after mid-July

    CBA dramatically limits ability of franchise-tagged players to sign long-term deals after mid-July
    As the annual deadline for franchise-tagged players signing multi-year deal contracts arrives, it's a good time to address a couple of interesting wrinkles regarding what comes next. One is potentially relevant to this year's franchise-tagged players. One is not, but could have been. And there's a third one to file away for future reference, possibly.First, a reader asked last week whether a team could rescind the franchise tag after the mid-July deadline and then sign the player to a long-term
  • DeAndre Hopkins motivated to prove his "haters and doubters" wrong in Tennessee

    DeAndre Hopkins motivated to prove his "haters and doubters" wrong in Tennessee
    Titans wide receiver Deandre Hopkins is motivated this season to prove he's still an elite playmaker.After agreeing to a contract with the Titans on Sunday, Hopkins wrote on Twitter that those who doubt him fuel him."I always loved having haters and doubters but I appreciate it even more now. Titan up!!" Hopkins wrote.It's not unreasonable to doubt that the 31-year-old Hopkins will ever again play at the level he played at in his 20s. He's been injured the last two years and had his two lowest
  • DeAndre Hopkins can earn up to $3 million a year in incentives with Titans

    DeAndre Hopkins can earn up to $3 million a year in incentives with Titans
    Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins can earn up to $3 million a year on his two-year contract if he meets certain incentives.To get the full $3 million, Hopkins needs 95 catches, 1,050 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those are all totals Hopkins has reached in his career, although he hasn't reached the catches and yardage totals since 2020, and hasn't reached the touchdown total since 2018.Via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Hopkins' contract calls for him to receive $250,000 for 65 catches, $500,000 fo
  • Bill Belichick loses face-off with Mike Vrabel for DeAndre Hopkins

    Bill Belichick loses face-off with Mike Vrabel for DeAndre Hopkins
    Friendship, smiendship.Patriots coach Bill Belichick and Titans coach Mike Vrabel have had a great relationship over the years. They surely still do. But, on Sunday, Vrabel won the face-off with Belichick for receiver DeAndre Hopkins.Both teams wanted him. Hopkins wanted more than either team was offering. Eventually, he accepted what likely was the better financial offer — reportedly, two years, $26 million with $12 million this year and potential incentives of $3 million. (t's not known
  • DeAndre Hopkins agrees to sign with Titans

    DeAndre Hopkins agrees to sign with Titans
    DeAndre Hopkins has found his new home.Betting odds shifted this week to make the Titans the favorites to land the veteran wide receiver and anyone who wagered that way appears to be on their way to a payday. According to multiple reports on Sunday, Hopkins has agreed to a deal with the AFC South club. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that he has agreed to a two-year deal worth $26 million with another $6 million available in incentives. He is set to have a base salary of $12 million for the 2
  • DeSean Jackson hints he is retiring

    DeSean Jackson hints he is retiring
    Longtime NFL wide receiver DeSean Jackson appears ready to call it a career.Jackson posted on Instagram today, "Did it my way 15 years strong!! Neva anotha like it!" in a message that has been widely perceived as a retirement announcement, although Jackson didn't specifically say that.Realistically, the 36-year-old Jackson may be done whether he wants to be or not. Last year he managed just nine catches while playing for the Ravens, his sixth NFL team.Jackson will be remembered as one of the be
  • Despite new representation for Saquon Barkley, Giants aren't willing to re-set talks

    Despite new representation for Saquon Barkley, Giants aren't willing to re-set talks
    As previously reported, the Giants had an offer on the table for running back Saquon Barkley before the franchise tag was applied. As we've recently heard, the Giants had another offer on the table during the offseason program. Barkley, represented exclusively at the time by Roc Nation Sports, accepted neither offer.So what impact will his recent involvement of CAA have on the ongoing discussions? From the Giants' perspective, none whatsover.Per a league source, the Giants aren't inclined to re
  • Jaguars, Evan Engram agree to three-year contract

    Jaguars, Evan Engram agree to three-year contract
    One of the franchise-tagged players has agreed to a long-term deal just before Monday's deadline. According to multiple reports, tight end Evan Engram and the Jaguars have agreed to a three-year contract worth $41.25 million with $24 million guaranteed. Engram would have made $11.345 million if he'd played on the franchise tender in 2023. A Giants first-round pick in 2017, Engram signed a one-year, $9 million contract with the Jaguars last March. He went on to have arguably his best season as a
  • Report: Josh Jacobs, Raiders believed to be too far apart to reach deal

    Report: Josh Jacobs, Raiders believed to be too far apart to reach deal
    Word last week was that Raiders running back Josh Jacobs will not be reporting to training camp if he does not strike a deal with the Raiders on a long-term extension and it looks like that report will be put to the test. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that the feeling around the team is that the gap between their offer and Jacobs' desired contract is too large to bridge by Monday afternoon's deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign multi-year deals. That's no s
  • PFT's top ten coaches for 2023, No. 6: Sean Payton

    PFT's top ten coaches for 2023, No. 6: Sean Payton
    Of the men making the 2023 PFT list of top 10 head coaches, only one didn't coach at all in 2022. He nevertheless did enough during his years before 2022 to land at No. 6.Sean Payton — offensive expert, Bill Parcells disciple, quarterback whisperer, and Super Bowl XLIV champion — will try to add another label to his football story: Russell Wilson fixer.That's the challenge for Payton in 2023, the thing that will cement his status or jeopardize it. Then again, if Wilson doesn't impro
  • Tweaks to the redesigned PFT continue

    Tweaks to the redesigned PFT continue
    It's been nearly three weeks since we flipped the switch on a redesigned PFT experience. As you might have noticed, we've been making plenty of tweaks on the fly.One of the first adjustments related to the headlines. There are more of them on the home page, in both the desktop and mobile versions of the site. Most recently, you possibly have noticed that the full headline of the lead story now shows up on all devices and in all browser sizes.The masthead has more conspicuous PFT signage. Also,
  • In 18 seasons of preseason Hard Knocks, 18 teams have avoided the show

    In 18 seasons of preseason Hard Knocks, 18 teams have avoided the show
    As the Jets prepare to be the first team in the history of the Hard Knocks series to submit against their will, it's worth noting that most teams have managed to avoid the assignment altogether.As noted by Mike Reiss of ESPN.com in his excellent Sunday rundown of Patriots-related news and notes, the Pats are one of 18 teams that have yet to have Hard Knocks at their doorstep.That was a surprise, so I went down the rabbit hole of Hard Knocks history. It started in 2001, with the Ravens. That was
  • Robbie Gould says he's ready to play this year, hoping for a training camp invitation

    Robbie Gould says he's ready to play this year, hoping for a training camp invitation
    Free agent kicker Robbie Gould hopes he won't be a free agent much longer.The 40-year-old Gould, who played for the 49ers the last six seasons, says he's eager to play in 2023 and hoping he'll be in a uniform when training camps open at the end of the month.“I know training camp is coming up and I’m ready for the next opportunity,” Gould told NBCSportsBayArea.com. “And I’m sure these teams will give these young kids a chance and find out who has a chance to compete
  • Aaron Curry uses his failures as a player to help him as a Steelers assistant coach

    Aaron Curry uses his failures as a player to help him as a Steelers assistant coach
    Aaron Curry is one of the biggest draft busts in NFL history. A linebacker out of Wake Forest, Curry went to the Seahawks with the fourth overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft, and he was seen as a sure-thing prospect. Instead, he was a major disappointment in Seattle until the Seahawks traded him to the Raiders for a seventh-round pick, and after 13 games with the Raiders his career was over.Now Curry is in his first year as the Steelers' inside linebackers coach, and he thinks he's uniquely posi
  • Kirk Cousins had undisclosed rib injury prior to the November 2022 win over the Bills

    Kirk Cousins had undisclosed rib injury prior to the November 2022 win over the Bills
    The excellent Quarterback series on Netflix devotes an entire episode to the bumps and bruises that go along with playing the most important in pro football. Titled Kings of Pain, the third installment discloses some injury information about Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins that never made it to the official injury report.Before the Vikings faced Buffalo in Week 10, the biggest question regarding quarterback health related to Bills quarterback Josh Allen, who had suffered an elbow injury agains
  • Tyreek Hill says he'll get 2,000 yards and a Super Bowl this year

    Tyreek Hill says he'll get 2,000 yards and a Super Bowl this year
    Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has very high hopes for the 2023 season.Hill said on his podcast that he believes he's going to get 2,000 receiving yards, and that the Dolphins will win the Super Bowl."I will break 2,000 yards next year," Hill said. "2,000 yards was on my bucket list to get before I leave this league. You all think Cheetah gonna leave without doing something he promised himself he was going to do as a kid? 2,000 yards and another Super Bowl. We're getting that. Believe that.
  • Blake Martinez left the NFL for a multimillion-dollar Pokemon business

    Blake Martinez left the NFL for a multimillion-dollar Pokemon business
    Former NFL linebacker Blake Martinez made nearly $30 million during his seven-year career, but after retiring last season, he's making plenty of money in a very different field.Martinez has started his own business in the world of Pokemon card sales, and he says that world is becoming as lucrative for him as football was.Martinez told TheAthletic.com that his retirement came when he realized he could do very well financially in the Pokemon business, and do so without risk of injury.“I jus
  • C.R. Roberts, fullback who stood up against segregation, dies at 87

    C.R. Roberts, fullback who stood up against segregation, dies at 87
    C.R. Roberts, a star at USC whose very presence on the field for a 1956 road game in Texas challenged the segregated South, has died at the age of 87.When Texas scheduled a game against USC, the Longhorns didn't want Roberts and USC's one other Black player to attend, and USC struggled to find a Texas hotel that would house them. But Roberts didn't just defy segregation, he turned in one of the great performances in college football history.In that game at Texas, Roberts carried 12 times for 25
  • Patrick Mahomes said Bengals were better than Bills before playoff matchup

    Patrick Mahomes said Bengals were better than Bills before playoff matchup
    During the last postseason, when the Chiefs had won their divisional round game and knew they'd be playing the Bengals-Bills winner in the AFC Championship Game, Patrick Mahomes felt the Bengals were the better team.Although Mahomes didn't say it publicly, he did say it privately, in comments that aired on the new Netflix documentary series that followed him through the 2022 season.“I think the Bengals are better, but I think with all those injuries on the o-line that the Bills have a cha
  • Trevor Lawrence showed unprecedented improvement from Year 1 to Year 2

    Trevor Lawrence showed unprecedented improvement from Year 1 to Year 2
    Has any quarterback ever benefited from a coaching change more than Trevor Lawrence, who went from Urban Meyer in his first season to Doug Pederson in his second?Statistically, there's a case to be made that Lawrence's improvement was unlike any other player's in NFL history.Via NFL Research, Lawrence's improvement from a passer rating of 71.9 in 2021 to 95.2 in 2022 is the largest increase in NFL history for any quarterback who threw at least 400 passes in each of his first two seasons.The swi
  • Kirk Cousins on Justin Jefferson not calling him a Top 5 QB: "People have to be honest"

    Kirk Cousins on Justin Jefferson not calling him a Top 5 QB: "People have to be honest"
    Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson was recently asked to name the Top 5 quarterbacks in the NFL. Kirk Cousins didn't make the cut.Jefferson named Patrick Mahomes, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen, in that order. The audio wasn't entirely clear, but it sounded like he then mentioned Cousins after Allen, but still, his Top 5 were clear, and Cousins wasn't one of them.Asked about it, Cousins said he's fine with it."I didn't even see it. This is the first time hearing about
  • Would Giants, Raiders rescind franchise tags from Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs?

    Would Giants, Raiders rescind franchise tags from Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs?
    In an offseason full of decisions made — good, bad, or otherwise — the smartest move might have come from Cowboys running back Tony Pollard.Recovering from a broken ankle while the running back market cratered, Pollard quickly opted to accept his franchise tender of $10.1 million, making the salary for 2023 fully and completely guaranteed. While it removed any leverage he might have had to, for example, skip the offseason program in an effort to get a long-term deal, it's not as if
  • Jordan Love working with Packers' skill players in California

    Jordan Love working with Packers' skill players in California
    With training camps set to open in a couple weeks, Packers quarterback Jordan Love has organized some advance work with his teammates.Love is working out in California with a group of Packers teammates that includes running back Aaron Jones, wide receiver Christian Watson, wide receiver Jayden Reed, wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks, wide receiver Jeff Cotton and backup quarterback Danny Etling, according to Matt Schneiderman of TheAthletic.com.Love is heading into his fourth season with the Packe
  • Joe Mixon takes pay cut to stay with Bengals

    Joe Mixon takes pay cut to stay with Bengals
    At a time when running backs are getting squeezed financially across the league, Bengals running back Joe Mixon has agreed to take a pay cut to stay with the Bengals this season.Mixon and the Bengals have agreed to a new deal that will pay him a base salary of just under $6 million with incentives that could earn him up to $8 million a league source tells PFT.Although Mixon had been due more than $9 million this season, that was non-guaranteed, and Mixon decided it was better to re-work his con
  • Nikola Kalinic signs with Rams

    Nikola Kalinic signs with Rams
    The Rams have signed free agent tight end Nikola Kalinic, the team announced Friday.The Colts waived Kalinic in May, and he had workouts with the Packers, Browns and Falcons.Kalinic, 26, spent last season with the Colts, earning a promotion from the practice squad to the active roster during the season. He played seven games with two starts and his only stat was one kickoff return for 15 yards.Kalinic played 47 snaps on offense and 42 on special teams in 2022, his first career NFL action.The Ha
  • Summoned to the league office in 2011 over criticism of officiating, Jon Gruden refused to go

    Summoned to the league office in 2011 over criticism of officiating, Jon Gruden refused to go
    The recent ESPN article regarding the connection between the Jon Gruden emails and Daniel Snyder's essentially forced sale of the Commanders delved into the animosity between Gruden and the league office. It started during his first stint with the Raiders, and it grew over the years.The fact that he worked directly for the late Al Davis didn't help matters. Davis had long been an irritant to the league, suing his partners for antitrust and believing there was a persistent bias against the Silve
  • Kyle Rudolph will call Big Ten games for NBC

    Kyle Rudolph will call Big Ten games for NBC
    Tight end Kyle Rudolph remains a free agent, but he is working on a second career.Rudolph told Pete Sampson of TheAthletic.com that he will call select Big Ten games for NBC this fall. Rudolph got his feet wet as an analyst this offseason, calling some USFL games and Notre Dame's spring game.Rudolph credits his career at Notre Dame with his post-playing-career opportunity."One hundred percent. It was without question the reason why," Rudolph told Sampson. "I'm an anomaly. Played 12 years in the
  • Rams sign Byron Young to wrap up draft class

    Rams sign Byron Young to wrap up draft class
    The Rams have all of their draft picks under contract. Field Yates of ESPN reports that third-round edge rusher Byron Young signed his four-year deal with the team on Friday. The agents for third-round defensive tackle Kobie Turner announced their client had signed earlier in the day. Young had 37 tackles, 12 tackles for loss and seven sacks for the Volunteers last season. He spent two years at the SEC school after going to junior college. Young and Turner were two of 14 players drafted by the
  • Breece Hall: I've been saying I'll be ready for the first game

    Breece Hall: I've been saying I'll be ready for the first game
    Jets running back Breece Hall missed the final 10 games of his rookie season after tearing his ACL, but he doesn't think the injury will cost him any more games this season. Hall and Jets head coach Robert Saleh both sounded optimistic about Hall’s chances of being ready to roll at the start of the season when they spoke to reporters near the end of the team's offseason program. During an appearance on NFL Network this week, Hall sounded even more confident about being in the lineup for t
  • Report: Long-term contract for Evan Engram "up in the air"

    Report: Long-term contract for Evan Engram "up in the air"
    In April, Jaguars General Manager Trent Baalke expressed optimism at getting tight end Evan Engram under contract long term. But as the Monday deadline approaches for franchised-tagged players to sign a long-term deal, there are no signs the sides are closing in on one.Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports that a long-term deal for Engram is "up in the air." They may get a deal done. They might not get a deal done.Stay tuned.If they don't get a long-term deal completed by Monday, Engram would ge
  • Kyler Murray: The sky is the limit for me, this team

    Kyler Murray: The sky is the limit for me, this team
    The Cardinals are betting favorites to have the worst record in the NFL in 2023. Arizona is a +225 favorite to finish the regular season with the fewest wins, via BetMGM, with Tampa Bay next at +850 followed by Houston at +900.The Cardinals, of course, expect to be better — much better — than anyone outside the organization believes.The return of quarterback Kyler Murray will play a part in the team's outcome this season. Murray is working his way back from a torn anterior cruciate
  • Adrian Phillips: Mac Jones is competing, we'll ride with whoever's out there

    Adrian Phillips: Mac Jones is competing, we'll ride with whoever's out there
    Patriots head coach Bill Belichick has resisted referring to Mac Jones as the team's starting quarterback this offseason and one of the team's defensive players didn't take the bait when asked recently about Jones' grip on the job. Safety Adrian Phillips was more than willing to talk about the quarterbacks that the Patriots will be facing during the 2023 season during an appearance on NFL Network, but he was less forthcoming when asked about Jones being the team's No. 1 signal caller. "Man, you
  • DK Metcalf: Geno Smith matured and changed when he became the starter

    DK Metcalf: Geno Smith matured and changed when he became the starter
    At this time last year, the Seahawks had not named a starting quarterback but wide receiver DK Metcalf had a pretty good idea of which way they were going to go. Metcalf knew Geno Smith from Smith's three years as a backup to Russell Wilson in Seattle and he said during an appearance on Fubo Sports' Getcha Popcorn Ready with T.O. & Hatch that Smith could "chill" in that role because he wasn't leading the offense. After Wilson was traded, Metcalf and Smith worked out together and the wideout
  • Rams agree to terms with third-round pick Kobie Turner

    Rams agree to terms with third-round pick Kobie Turner
    The Rams drafted 14 players this spring. All but one now is under contract or has agreed to terms.Universal Sports Management announced Friday that third-round defensive end Kobie Turner has agreed to terms with the team.Third-round defensive end Byron Young remains the Rams' only unsigned rookie.The Rams selected Turner out of Wake Forest with the 89th overall selection. He wasa third-team All-ACC performer in his lone season with the Demon Deacons.Turner totaled 38 total tackles, including 10
  • Tariq Woolen says his knee is getting right after offseason surgery

    Tariq Woolen says his knee is getting right after offseason surgery
    Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen watched from the sideline during Organized Team Activities after having arthroscopic knee surgery for an offseason injury. But he says he's making progress.Woolen posted a video of himself sprinting and appearing to move well, and he wrote that his knee feels good."The knee is getting right," Woolen wrote.Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has said he expects Woolen to be on the field at the start of training camp.Woolen was a 2022 fifth-round draft pick who started al
  • Larry Ogunjobi sees "true growth" in Kenny Pickett's confidence and demeanor

    Larry Ogunjobi sees "true growth" in Kenny Pickett's confidence and demeanor
    Quarterback Kenny Pickett had a promising rookie season for the Steelers and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi believes his teammate will be even better the second time around. During an appearance on The Sick Podcast, Ogunjobi said that he's always thought that players make their biggest improvement between their first and second seasons in the NFL. Ogunjobi said the lack of pre-draft workouts, extra meetings with your team, and other things that are specific to a rookie year allows players mor
  • Justin Simmons: Russell Wilson has my full trust and confidence

    Justin Simmons: Russell Wilson has my full trust and confidence
    The Broncos need a bounce-back season from quarterback Russell Wilson and another teammate has expressed confidence it's going to happen. In a recent interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio, safety Justin Simmons noted the time Wilson has put in to be better in 2023. “I know he’s one of the hardest workers, if not the hardest worker I’ve ever been around and that I’ve seen, and his attention to detail and his preparation has already made me a better player, being his teammate,
  • AJ Dillon: Everyone would run through a wall for Jordan Love

    AJ Dillon: Everyone would run through a wall for Jordan Love
    Jordan Love is in his first season as the Packers starting quarterback, but he's not in his first year with the team and running back AJ Dillon believes that has made a difference in how the team has responded to him this offseason. Dillon and Love were both part of the team's 2020 draft class and Dillon noted on SiriusXM NFL Radio that there has already been "a couple of times throughout his career already where he's had to step up and he's had to play" when Aaron Rodgers was out of the lineup
  • Arbitrary franchise-tag deadline for doing long-term deals needs to go

    Arbitrary franchise-tag deadline for doing long-term deals needs to go
    On the surface, it might seem odd for franchise-tagged players like Giants running back Saquon Barkley and Raiders running back Josh Jacobs to be threatening to not show up for future events like training camp and/or the start of the regular season when those things are still weeks into the future. The NFL's odd rule regarding the tag makes it a necessity, however.The league and the union agreed that players saddled with the tag can't sign multi-year contracts after July 15. (This year, it's Ju
  • Aaron Rodgers on Hard Knocks: "They forced it down our throats"

    Aaron Rodgers on Hard Knocks: "They forced it down our throats"
    For the first time in the history of the Hard Knocks series, the NFL has made a team do it when that team didn't want to do it.On Thursday, new Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers made it clear that it's an assignment the team would rather avoid.Speaking to KPIX-TV from the American Century Championship in Lake Tahoe, Rodgers talked about the upcoming stint on HBO."I understand the appeal with us," Rodgers said. "Obviously, there's a lot of eyes on me. A lot of eyes on our team. A lot of expectation
05 Dec 2024

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