49ers assistant Brandon Staley looks for a coaching 'reset' after firing by Chargers - NFL (2024)

The Canadian Press - May 23, 2024 / 3:01 am | Story: 488849

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 7:41 pm | Story: 488818

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The state commission that oversees the Superdome and the New Orleans Saints are at odds over the club's financial contributions to renovations scheduled for completion before the stadium hosts the next Super Bowl.

Louisiana Stadium and Exposition District board members were informed by staff at a board meeting Wednesday that the Saints have fallen $11.4 million behind on their share of payments toward the renovations since making their last installment in December.

Team executives, however, said later that the club has been withholding payment because of the commission's failure to provide requested “documentation.”

“We have reached out to the LSED on numerous occasions,” the Saints said in a written statement provided by Greg Bensel, the club's senior vice president of communications, broadcasting and community and government relations.

“When the satisfactory documentation is provided, a payment will immediately be authorized," the statement said. "Unfortunately, it was disappointing to hear the comments coming out of the LSED meeting today that the team is not acting in good faith, when, in fact, we feel the opposite is true.”

The Saints did not specify what documentation they were missing, and LSED officials stated on Wednesday night that they “do not understand what ‘documentation’ the Saints were referring to.”

“The Saints have not disputed a single invoice or requested any additional documentation relating to a pay request, including the current unpaid invoices totaling $11.4 million,” the LSED wrote in a response to the Saints' statement. “It would be helpful to the process if the Saints were more specific and identified what ‘documentation’ they are referencing.”

The amount of money at issue is small relative to the more than $530 million scope of the renovation project. But the team's delay in paying could cause cash flow problems and hinder the LSED's ability to complete remaining work — unless the state is able to find an additional funding source as a stop-gap measure until the impasse with the team is resolved.

The LSED, meanwhile, questioned whether the Saints might be delaying payment to gain leverage in negotiations for a new Superdome lease after the current one expires in 2030.

“That is a completely separate and independent agreement,” the LSED stated. “There is no legal basis to withhold payments under the Superdome Renovation Project Development Agreement based on efforts to negotiate a longer-term extension.”

Most renovations have been completed. About $58 million in work remains, with the Saints responsible for about $41 million. The Saints have committed to spending about $200 million toward Superdome renovations, the team statement said.

The project has included overhauls of stadium entrances, concourses and kitchens; installation of soaring new escalators; and the replacement of older ramps with newer staircases and elevators. Much of it was completed even before last season.

Remaining work is expected to be completed before the start of the 2024 NFL season, nearly six months before the nearly 50-year-old stadium hosts the Super Bowl on Feb. 9.

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 7:18 pm | Story: 488819

DENVER (AP) — Peyton Manning was honored for his community work at a banquet Wednesday night. Ahead of the event, he was asked if he had any desire to run an NFL franchise and he said he'd rather stick to his “Monday Night Football” Manningcast with brother Eli that just won its second Sports Emmy award.

“Eli and I really have a lot of fun doing the show. I think a big reason for that is I do it from here in Denver and he does it from New Jersey,” Manning said. “I think we’re very happy about being able to do it and be home on the weekends and be home 10 minutes after the show.”

Manning said the livecast allows the brothers to “still be a part of our kids' lives on the weekend.”

Manning and his wife have 13-year-old twins, Marshall and Mosley.

“Mosley plays volleyball and I go to her games from like 4 to 5 on Mondays and I drive over to my buddy’s garage and get to call a Monday Night Football game,” Manning said. "It doesn’t really make a lot of sense. And for some reason they’ve renewed us to do it.

“So, yeah, and this year we’re going to add Bill Belichick. Now, explain that! I was kind of wondering if I’ve been hit in the head too many times,” the Hall of Famer cracked. ”He’s being courted by the other networks and I was recruiting a guy that pretty much made a lot of my life miserable.”

Manning said he's eager for the defensive perspective the former New England Patriots coach will bring. “So, to have that different perspective on every game that Eli and I are doing this year I think will be awesome," Manning said.

Manning made his comments to reporters ahead of a receiving the 2024 Community Enrichment Award from the Mizel Institute in Denver.

“I'm not sure I'm completely worthy, but community service is something that's always been important to me,” Manning said, adding he was following in his father Archie's footsteps and heeding the advice of his former coach, Tony Dungy, in being involved in the community during his career.

Manning's philanthropic endeavors include his Peyback Foundation, which focuses on helping disadvantaged youth.

Manning said about community service that "once you retire you have more time to do it. So, I’ve just really enjoyed being a part of this community for the last 12 years and I think we’re here for the long haul.”

Same with his post-playing career focus.

As Manning headed into retirement a month after winning the Super Bowl in 2016, there was speculation he'd follow John Elway's path from quarterback great to NFL executive. But Manning instead has focused on building his Omaha Productions footprint and reiterated he has no plans to join or run a football franchise.

“No, I don't think that's anywhere on my radar by any means. But look, I love being an ambassador for the Broncos, for the Colts and the University of Tennessee,” he said.

The 48-year-old Manning said his key fob at the Broncos practice facility still works and he's enjoyed getting to know the Walton-Penner ownership group that bought the Broncos from the Pat Bowlen Trust in 2022 for a then-record $4.65 billion.

“I take seriously sort of that role of being an ambassador for all the teams that I played for, but living here in Denver maybe even more so,” Manning said, adding he's "enjoyed getting to know the Penner-Walton family, as well. So, but as far as running the team, I don't think that's on my radar anyway.”

The Broncos have rolled through 13 starting quarterbacks since Manning retired and they've yet to return to the playoffs. Coach Sean Peyton jettisoned Russell Wilson after their one season together and the Broncos acquired Zach Wilson from the Jets and drafted Bo Nix to compete with journeyman holdover Jarrett Stidham.

“It sounds like they got great competition over there, that's always good, makes everybody better,” said Manning, who called Payton's system “extremely quarterback friendly.”

Asked what advice he'd have for Nix, Manning said taking one's lumps as a rookie as he did is the best springboard for a successful career. Manning threw an NFL record 28 interceptions as a rookie with the Colts in 1998, when Indianapolis went 3-13. The following year the Colts were 13-3.

"There's no way that would have happened had I not played and kind of gone through those struggles,” Manning said.

“Yeah, they're going to play the best quarterback, but there's no question, I think any quarterback will tell you, being out there on the field, you just learn more things than you do sitting on a sideline. ... Obviously, Sean will make that decision. But I do think experience is your best teacher.”

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 4:48 pm | Story: 488820

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — With the number of stops he’s made and the number of offensive coordinators he’s worked with over the years, learning yet another new offense isn’t quite as daunting as it once was for Seattle quarterback Geno Smith.

That doesn’t mean it’s easy, though.

“When I first got into the league, all the words they meant nothing to me,” Smith said on Wednesday. “Now, 12 years, a lot of these plays I’ve run before, a lot of the ways we execute things I’ve been around. It’s just a different language. So it’s a matter of just learning the terminology and then obviously being able to recite it back to the guys in the huddle and go out there and again, make the play.”

Smith is in the beginning stages of seeing just what the Seattle Seahawks offense is going to look like under first-time NFL offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

Seattle held the third of its OTA practices on Wednesday, finally getting on the field for the type of work that can give an indication of where Smith and his teammates are in learning the system.

New Seattle coach Mike Macdonald said defensively only about 20% of the scheme installation has taken place. He said the goal is not necessarily to have everything in place before the end of the offseason program next month, but rather a baseline to build from when training camp starts in late July.

On the offensive side, Smith said he’s in a good spot at this point of the offseason.

“I feel like personally, I have a really good grasp of the offense,” Smith said. “I know there’s still things that I have to learn, but from the installs that we’ve done, really sharp with those things.”

Smith watched from afar — albeit not that far away — as Grubb turned Washington into a must-see offense over the past two seasons with Michael Penix Jr. at quarterback. While Grubb’s offense in college included a lot of shifts and motions to create confusion, its foundations were based in a traditional passing game.

“I feel like I’m a drop-back passer and this is a drop-back offense,” Smith said. “An offense that’s going to spread the ball around, trust the quarterback to make the right decisions — that’s pre- and post-snap. I feel like that’s something I’m really good at.”

Smith threw for 3,624 yards, 20 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 15 games last season in his second year as the starter under Shane Waldron. In his first year as the starter in Seattle, Smith threw for 4,282 yards and 30 TDs.

Macdonald said one area where they’re pushing Smith is taking another step both as a QB and a team leader.

“I think he’s answering the call,” Macdonald said. “Really excited about Geno up to this point, just getting to know him, but such a respect for how hard this man works at his craft.”

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 4:24 pm | Story: 488821

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott felt disrespected four years ago during the long wait for his first big payday as quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys.

The 2016 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year had been a bargain as a fourth-round draft pick, and played on the franchise tag before signing the $160 million, four-year contract that expires after this upcoming season.

This time, it's different, with talk of an extension, and no apparent progress at the start of offseason practices, two months before training camp in California.

Prescott doesn't feel disrespected, and doesn't lack patience.

“Understanding where I am, what my pay means to a team and to an organization, I don’t really take things personal,” Prescott said Wednesday. “Maybe in my first deal, maybe things were a little different than they are now. One, it’s my age and who I am, where I am in my life and I guess the fact that that first deal got done.”

Prescott, who will turn 31 during training camp, isn't the only significant contract question for Dallas this offseason. All-Pro receiver CeeDee Lamb is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract and looking for that first big payday.

Lamb hasn't attended offseason work at the Cowboys' facility, and the next question is whether he reports for mandatory minicamp in two weeks.

Star pass rusher Micah Parsons also is absent, but under different circ*mstances. He's a year away from being in Lamb's situation, and has made a habit of training on his own. Coach Mike McCarthy said he believes Parsons will participate in offseason work next week.

Prescott hasn't missed any of the offseason. The three-time Pro Bowler is prepared to play out the contract. He counts $55 million against the salary cap this season, and will be a $40 million hit in dead money next year without a new contract.

The Cowboys can't trade Prescott without his approval, and can't put the franchise tag on him. He sounds as if he won't spend much time worrying about whether a deal gets done.

“I don’t play for money,” Prescott said. “Never have cared for it to be honest with you. Yeah, would give it up just to play this game. So I (leave) that to the business people to say what it’s worth what they’re supposed to give a quarterback of my play. A person of my play, leader of my play.”

Dallas is coming off three consecutive 12-5 playoff seasons, but is the first franchise to do that without reaching a conference championship game.

Prescott's struggles early in a shocking 48-32 wild-card loss at home to Green Bay in January linger in the minds of many, as the Cowboys' streak of not getting to an NFC title game reached 28 seasons.

Still, Prescott led the NFL in touchdown passes for the first time in his career with 36, partnering with Lamb to help his No. 1 receiver reach career bests in catches (an NFL-best 135), yards receiving (1,749) and touchdowns (12).

Prescott and Lamb get together away from the team facility occasionally, part of the reason Prescott isn't fretting over missed time on task with the Cowboys desperately seeking a postseason breakthrough.

“Obviously you’re gonna miss him, miss having him around,” Prescott said. “But I’ve been in this situation. Business is business. He’s got my support and pretty much everybody in this locker room. Hopefully he’ll get all his and everything he deserves and is worth.”

Parsons spent time with Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud in China and jumped in the ring with a sumo wrestler in Tokyo.

The 2021 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year was courtside last weekend when the Dallas Mavericks beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 6 at home to advance to the Western Conference finals.

McCarthy said Parsons was at the team's facility last week as well.

“He actually looks great,” McCarthy said of the two-time All-Pro. “He’s in excellent shape. So I know what he’s been doing, where he’s been doing it, so forth. He’s fully getting ready physically, but he’s been having one-on-one meetings as far as within the structure of our operation here in the offseason program. So he hasn’t missed anything as far as what’s been installed.”

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 4:01 pm | Story: 488843

OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — A slimmer Lamar Jackson hopes to be even more agile in 2024.

His actual weight at the moment? That's something of a secret. Jackson acknowledges that he’s lighter but isn’t offering many specifics.

“I’m like two-something right now,” he said Wednesday. "I’ll say it was important enough to be able to move around a little bit extra, that’s all.”

So he's somewhere between 200 and 299 pounds — not exactly a narrow range. The Ravens currently list their star quarterback at 215, but that's the same weight they used for him in last year's media guide. Jackson wouldn't give a specific target weight he's shooting for, other than being under 230.

“He’s a pro. He knows what he’s doing,” coach John Harbaugh said. "I mean, I’m sure if he got crazy, if he came here at 250 pounds, I might be a little concerned. If he came here at 150 pounds, I’d probably be a little concerned. But, he’s going to be in there where he needs to be. He’s going to be in great shape and ready to go.”

Jackson's elusiveness looked just fine last season, when he won his second MVP award and led the Ravens to the league's best regular-season record.

However, he didn't have a run of more than 30 yards, the first time that had happened in his career. Jackson was sacked once for every 12.4 pass attempts, which is right in line with his career ratio.

He says it's been a while since he felt this agile.

“We had COVID that happened to us,” Jackson said. “It slowed us down a little, but I feel great right now.”

Jackson was at Baltimore's voluntary practice Wednesday. The Ravens will be a different team next season. Among their offseason departures were linebacker Patrick Queen, running back Gus Edwards, pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney and three starters on the offensive line. Baltimore signed free agent running back Derrick Henry and added some more potential help in the draft.

The Ravens lost in the AFC championship game last season to Kansas City, and they'll open next season on the road against the Chiefs.

“I really don’t care who we play. It really didn’t matter,” Jackson said. “At the end of the day, our goal is to make it to the Super Bowl. We lost to them in the playoffs. Just us beating them in the regular season doesn’t really do anything. It just helps us keep stacking up wins to hopefully make it to the playoffs if anything, to try to get in that same position again and hopefully be successful.”

Although the Ravens added Henry, running back Keaton Mitchell isn't expected back by the start of the season after injuring his knee in December.

“It’s not a comeback during training camp or a first game type of thing. I think we all know that,” Harbaugh said. “So, it’s not right around the corner. We shouldn’t be biting our fingernails, ‘Is he going to get back?’ But, I will say, he’s on schedule, maybe ahead of schedule. He’s doing really well. He’s always got a smile on his face."

Jackson stayed healthy all season in 2023 after injuries derailed him in 2021 and 2022. He's not concerned that shedding pounds will affect his ability to withstand the NFL's pounding.

He's also not about to share any of his weight-loss strategies. That comes with a price.

“I’m going to charge for that,” Jackson said. "Because people be doing these little plans and stuff, and they still be having their weight on them — not to offend anyone, nothing like that — but yeah, you’re going to have to pay for that.”

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 3:32 pm | Story: 488822

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The NFL is making progress on Tom Brady's bid to become a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders with Mark Davis.

How much closer the seven-time Super Bowl champ is to joining the league's club of owners remains to be seen.

Owners did not vote in March on Brady's plan to add a stake in the Raiders to his minority ownership in the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces. The league concluded its spring meetings Wednesday at a Nashville hotel without a vote on Brady’s offer that has been pending for about a year.

“The finance committee has done their work on this, and we have a little more to do," Commissioner Roger Goodell said.

NFL owners aren’t scheduled to meet again until October.

One issue is the price Brady agreed to pay to join George Halas and Jerry Richardson as only the third former NFL player to be an owner. Owners want to be sure Brady doesn’t get a discount especially with how the value of NFL franchises keeps rising.

Then there's Brady's new job. The retired quarterback joins the media this upcoming season, starting his 10-year, $375 million broadcasting contract with Fox Sports, and his first game is scheduled to be Dallas' season opener at Cleveland on Sept. 8.

TV broadcasters not only have pregame production meetings with team coaches, they can watch practices as part of their preparation. That's a lot of access for someone with a potential financial stake in one of the NFL's 32 teams.

“That was one of the factors about as a member of the media what would access be like every week as he prepares for the broadcast of the game,” Goodell said. "And we’ve addressed that also. So we’re making progress.”

The NFL also wrapped up its fifth accelerator program with 28 coaches getting training on everything from crisis management to dealing with the media while also networking and having a chance to spend some time with team owners.

The league also announced Wednesday that the 2026 draft will be in Pittsburgh.

PRIVATE EQUITY AND THE NFL

With the price of NFL teams climbing ever higher, the league has been talking about allowing private equity firms or other groups to invest in the league's clubs.

NFL rules currently prohibit such investments, limits on the number of people in an ownership group and require a lead owner to hold a certain stake.

The Washington Commanders sold for a record $6.05 billion in 2023, making it the largest price for a North American professional sports franchise. That topped the $4.55 billion Walmart heir Robert Walton paid for the Denver Broncos in 2022.

A committee has been studying potential changes to those ownership rules. Goodell said they did approve a change in how much debt a group can carry when buying a team and are making real progress.

“We are going to continue to be very deliberate, but I would expect there to be something before the end of the year,” Goodell said.

LASERS AND NOT CHAIN GANGS

Goodell was not asked about reports the NFL will be testing a high-tech tracking system to mark the line to gain across the league this preseason.

The system reportedly was approved by the competition committee in March. If everything works smoothly, the NFL could start using it as soon as this season. If adopted, the people carrying the 10-yard chain and flags to mark down and distance reportedly would remain as a backup.

The NFL has used microchips inside footballs for years.

“They want to be as accurate as they can,” Kansas City coach Andy Reid said of testing the new tracking system. “Whatever technology helps them out, they're open to as long as it's done the right way and you can keep the flow of the game going. They've been all right with that stuff.”

The best part? An index card might never be needed again.

MUSIC CITY SUPER BOWL?

NFL owners got a chance to check out "Titans House" during these meetings as the Tennessee Titans and Nashville step up their pitch to host a Super Bowl as soon as possible.

That's a showplace featuring the design elements for the Titans' enclosed stadium under construction and due to open in 2027 down to a detailed model, bar, luxury suite and one of the porch-style patios that will encircle the building.

Goodell said the stadium will be amazing, and the NFL already saw fans' passion during the 2019 NFL draft in Nashville.

Everyone wants a chance to host a Super Bowl. Currently, the NFL has New Orleans scheduled for February 2025 followed by Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, in 2026 and Los Angeles in 2027.

“I think a Super Bowl here would be very successful,” Goodell said. "But we’ll get to that once we get a little further down the line with the stadium.”

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AP Sports Writer Dave Skretta contributed to this report.

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 2:22 pm | Story: 488823

ASHBURN (AP) — Jonathan Allen as one of Washington's longest-tenured players has seen a lot of change and experienced a lot of losing.

The team has been known as three different names, he has played in just one playoff game and he's on his fourth coach.

Going into his eighth NFL season, he could not be happier.

Months after saying he did not want to be part of another rebuild, the respected veteran and longtime defensive captain is thrilled with how things are unfolding under new general manager Adam Peters and coach Dan Quinn. He has a smile on his face each day he gets to the Commanders' facility for offseason workouts and has fully bought into what the latest regime is selling.

“I love the coaching staff, I love the direction we’re moving in, I love the way we’re working,” Allen said after practice Wednesday. “It has truly been reinvigorating and just so fun to come to work every day. This is literally just a dream job right now.”

A dream following a nightmare 4-13 season that was not good for a whole lot of people around the Commanders. It certainly was not Allen's best, following Pro Bowl nods in 2021 and 2022.

A change of scenery could certainly have been in the cards, given especially that Allen has no guaranteed money left on his contract, which has two years remaining. Conversations in recent months with Peters and Quinn got them all on the same page.

“We just talked about what we want this thing to look like, and I’m on board with it,” Allen said. “Obviously I’m emotional, and last year was tough. But after time moves on, you learn from the past and get ready for the future and I’m super excited about what we’ve done.”

That included signing veteran free agents such as Bobby Wagner, Zach Ertz and Marcus Mariota and drafting Heisman Trophy-winning LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels with the second pick. The defense could also have a much different look with Quinn and new coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. in charge, and a lot has changed outside of Allen and fellow defensive tackle Daron Payne.

“Everything starts up front,” Whitt said recently. "I’m a believer of that. And that’s where we’re going, and I’m glad we have those guys because that’s where it all starts.”

Allen is not worried yet about how his role will change and acknowledged it's too early to say if this is the best he has felt about Washington going into a season. After all, the team's record since he was picked in the first round out of Alabama is 43-62-1, counting a wild-card round defeat.

“Games aren’t won in May,” Allen said. “They’re won in September, so, all I can say is we’re working really hard and I like the direction we’re going in. We still got a long way to go, I have a long way to go, so we’ll see come the season.”

FRONT OFFICE ADDITION

The Commanders on Wednesday announced David Blackburn as the director of player personnel, another change after holdover Eric Stokes left the organization. Blackburn spent the past 17 years with the Baltimore Ravens, most recently as director of college scouting.

“I’ve known David Blackburn for a number of years dating back to our days scouting the West Coast,” Peters said in a statement. “David has always impressed me with his consistent approach, talent in player evaluation and overall professionalism. He is one of the most respected scouts in the NFL and is also a top-notch person."

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 1:56 pm | Story: 488824

Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid is hoping for a much quieter rest of the offseason now that the defending Super Bowl champions have reconvened for a series of voluntary workouts, culminating with their mandatory minicamp in the middle of next month.

Whether it's been the unresolved Dallas car crash involving wide receiver Rashee Rice, the polarizing comments delivered by kicker Harrison Butker or the wild schedule foisted upon Kansas City by the NFL that has it playing every day of the week but Tuesday, there has been no shortage of headlines involving the Chiefs since their title triumph in February.

“Obviously, we don't want those things obviously to happen,” Reid said, primarily alluding to Rice's legal trouble, “but things do happen and you learn from it. And you end it. That is what's important.”

The case involving Rice, one of the breakout stars of last season, has been the biggest headache for Kansas City.

The 24-year-old faces one count of aggravated assault, one count of collision involving serious bodily injury and six counts of collision involving injury after he was accused of driving at speeds approaching 120 mph before a crash. The wreck in a speeding Lamborghini, which Rice has admitted to driving, involved six vehicles and resulted in multiple injuries.

One of his friends, Theodore Knox, was driving a Corvette involved in the wreck and faces the same charges. Both are accused of leaving the scene without providing information or determining whether anyone needed medical attention.

Earlier this week, Dallas police said a separate situation apparently involving Rice had been resolved when a man signed an affidavit of non-prosecution over an incident at a downtown nightclub. The wide receiver reportedly had been accused of assaulting the man, though Rice was never identified by Dallas police in a report of the incident provided to The Associated Press.

In the meantime, Rice continues to practice with the Chiefs during their voluntary workout program.

“We'll just let the situation play its way out,” Reid said.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was asked what advice he could provide Rice going forward, particularly with a legal case — and likely NFL suspension — hanging over his head and the start of the season less than four months away.

“It's trying to do whatever we can to teach him how to learn from his mistakes,” Mahomes replied. “Obviously, that was a big mistake. Learn from it and make sure it doesn't happen again, and do the best you can to be the best you can be for society and those around you. ... We're going to do what we can to get him on the right path to be a great football player, obviously, but we want him to be a great person, too.”

Mahomes also said that while he doesn't necessarily agree with the comments that Butker made in his recent commencement address at Benedictine College, the Chiefs' star quarterback supports the kicker's right to make them.

Among other things, Butker said most women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having kids; argued some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America;" referred to a “deadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it” in an oblique reference to Pride month; and took aim at President Joe Biden’s policies, including his condemnation of the Supreme Court’s reversal of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.

“We're not always going to agree,” Mahomes said, “and there are certain things he said that I don't necessarily agree with.”

Mahomes doesn't believe Butker's comments will be a problem in the locker room, though. Nor does he think that Rice's legal trouble will cause any sort of rift as the Chiefs chase their third straight Super Bowl title and fourth in six years.

“When you get in the locker room, it's a safe space where everyone can be themselves,” Mahomes said. "It's always good to have people here — people in Kansas City, competing — and then being as smart as we can when we're not in the building.

“I think guys understand we need to step up as a team and an organization," Mahomes added, “but we need to go out there to prove it for other people to believe it as well.”

The Chiefs would certainly do well to bond quickly. The NFL has presented them with a brutal schedule.

Along with playing on every day of the week but Tuesday — including Christmas for the second year in a row — the Chiefs will be done with their bye after Week 6 and later have a stretch in which they play three games in an 11-day span.

“Our schedule has gotten crazier and crazier every single year. We know we're going to have a lot of primetime games. We've built up a lot of equity to be in those games," Mahomes said, before adding with a wry smile: "I know I'm going to try to be better on Christmas, because last Christmas was not great."

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 1:37 pm | Story: 488825

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson handled all his quarterbacking duties flawlessly on Wednesday except for the most important one.

He didn't throw.

While following a prescribed recovery plan, Cleveland’s quarterback took a day off from passing as he recovers from right shoulder surgery in November that ended his second season with the Browns after just six starts.

For now, Watson is throwing every other day during organized team activities (OTAs), according to coach Kevin Stefanski. On Tuesday, the team posted a video on social media of Watson throwing a pass at Tuesday’s workout.

But with reporters in attendance on Day 2, Watson wasn't able to show the progress he's made since the operation, which stopped his season and altered Cleveland's. The Browns wound up making the playoffs without him.

Stefanski has been impressed with what Watson has shown on the field so far.

“He looked like himself to me,” Stefanski said after practice. “I’ve been able to watch him the last couple of weeks now that we’ve gotten into Phase 2, so I’ve seen him throw. He’s making great progress and we will continue to just follow the medical team on this, but he looks like himself.”

Watson did not speak to reporters afterward.

This is a big season for the 28-year-old, who signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract with the Browns following a controversial 2022 trade from Houston. Watson was dealing with accusations of sexual harassment and assault made against him by massage therapists at the time of the deal.

He was suspended 11 games in his first season with Cleveland, and after starting slowly and dealing with a shoulder strain early last year, Watson began playing like the Pro Bowler and franchise-changer the Browns had hoped.

He completed 14 of 14 passes in the second half of a thrilling comeback win at Baltimore on Nov. 12 before imaging tests revealed Watson had a fractured glenoid (socket) bon e and needed surgery.

Watson's doctors and the Browns' medical staff have devised the throwing plan that Stefanski said will change for minicamp next month and training camp in July.

And while he only mimicked down-field completions as backup QBs Jameis Winston and Tyler Huntley took turns, Watson stayed engaged from the break of the huddle until the completion of each play.

"It’s something we always talk about — mental reps,” Stefanski said. “When you’re not getting a rep, whether you’re the quarterback, you’re a running back, you’re trying to get a mental rep every single time.

“There’s a progression to how all of us learn, and I think as much as we can learn in the classroom and then we can learn from being out there and taking the rep, I really think you can add another element of watching it while it’s happening live.”

Newly signed Browns running back Nyheim Hines, who has been recovering from a knee injury sustained in a jet ski accident when was with Buffalo, has been doing rehab work with Watson in Los Angeles.

He said Watson is on schedule.

“Honestly, he’s still working through his rehab but sometimes doesn’t feel like it," Hines said. “I’ve caught some passes from him, they have the zip on it.”

Hines has been around Watson enough to know how he's supposed to look at full strength.

“He’s probably one of the only people I’ve seen where every time I’ve played him he’s gotten better — him and Lamar Jackson,” Hines said. "So I’m excited to work with him finally after playing against him all these years and I’m excited to see him come back.

"I think he’s going to be really special this year and lead us to where we need to go.”

NOTES: Myles Garrett, the reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, is not taking part in the “voluntary” program. Pro Bowl guard Joel Bitonio is working out at the facility but was not on the field. WR Amari Cooper is also absent.

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 1:27 pm | Story: 488826

HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Defensive end Tyree Wilson is at Raiders organized team activities this week doing something he couldn't do a year ago.

Practice.

A foot injury in his final season at Texas Tech forced Wilson, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, to sit out until well into training camp. That forced him to play catch-up last season.

Barring another injury, that shouldn't be a problem this year, giving Wilson a fresh start this week.

“It’s a big difference,” Wilson said. “You can come in not thinking about the injury you got. You can just focus on ball and your technique so you can get better every time you come on the field.”

The lack of a full offseason regimen was noticeable when Wilson began last season slowly. Wilson had seven sacks in each of his final two seasons with the Red Raiders, but didn't have one in Las Vegas until Week 7 against the Chicago Bears.

Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham moved Wilson inside during the season, going with Malcolm Koonce to join Maxx Crosby on the edge. Wilson began to show glimpses of why the Raiders made him such a high pick when he had two sacks in his final four games while coming off the bench.

“Me bumping inside really just slowed down the thinking and helped with my eyes and my hands,” Wilson said. "You really don’t have much time to think. It’s on you quick, so all you can do is react. And then when you work on the inside and then move back outside, everything slows back down.”

Graham said he likes to move young pass rushers inside because it helps get them more comfortable competing at the NFL level.

“It teaches them to use their hands because they’re dealing with the more immediate block from the guard or the center,” Graham said. “I thought that was really critical to Tyree’s development that’s going to help him out on the edge.”

How Wilson will be used this upcoming season remains to be seen, and OTAs are a key part of Graham and his staff figuring that out. Wilson might have to again find playing time as a backup.

Crosby and Koonce combined for 22 1/2 sacks last season, so Wilson likely will have a difficult time breaking into the starting lineup at end. Crosby has long been an elite pass rusher, and Koonce answered a zero-sack season the year before with eight in 2023.

The inside is pretty well spoken for as well. The Raiders pulled off one of the offseason's top free-agent signings by landing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins from Miami, and he could be teamed with John Jenkins — who started all 17 games last season — on the interior.

Wilson said he can benefit wherever he finds playing time, at end or tackle.

"I can pick Maxx’s brain, but I can also pick Christian’s brain because he plays inside and is real dominant on the technique of taking on bigger guys and being stronger and low in the gaps to be able to tackle the running back,” Wilson said.

Wilkins knows what it's like to enter the league with high expectations and experience the early growing pains common in the NFL.

The Dolphins drafted him 13th overall in 2019 out of Clemson, and though he quickly became one of the league's most dynamic run-stoppers, Wilkins took time to develop into a top pass rusher. He had 11 1/2 sacks over his first four seasons in Miami before breaking through with nine last season.

Maybe Wilson will follow a similar path, but he and the Raiders hope it doesn't take until his fifth season for him to become a consistently effective pass rusher. Fully healthy, he could show that kind of promise this season and justify why the Raiders drafted him so high.

He never had much of a chance last season after sitting out OTAs, minicamp and most of training camp.

“At the beginning was frustrating because you’re coming in from college being that guy, and then you're back at the bottom and you've got to work your way back up," Wilson said. "But as the season went on, you don’t have time to really think because the season keeps moving on and you've just got to come to work and get better.”

O'CONNELL ON NUMBER CHANGE

Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell said on Crosby's podcast, “The Rush,” that he changed his jersey number from No. 4 to No. 12 this year because he didn't want to disrespect New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr. When Carr was in Las Vegas, he wore No. 4, which was the jersey number O'Connell was given as a rookie last season.

“I didn't pick 4,” O'Connell said. “I was actually 9 and Tyree wanted 9, so they gave 9 to Tyree in the first week I was here last year. They gave me 4, and I was a rookie and (you) do what you're told. In the offseason, I felt this was Derek's number.”

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The Canadian Press - May 22, 2024 / 12:48 pm | Story: 488827

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Patrick Mahomes said Wednesday that while he doesn't agree with all the beliefs espoused by kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address, the Chiefs quarterback nevertheless respects his teammate's right to make them be known.

Butker delivered what has become a polarizing speech May 11 at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where the three-time Super Bowl champ said most women receiving degrees were probably more excited about getting married and having kids, and that some Catholic leaders were “pushing dangerous gender ideologies onto the youth of America.”

Butker also assailed Pride month, an important time for the LGBTQ+ community, and President Joe Biden’s stance on abortion.

“I've known Harrison for seven years. I judge him by the character he shows every single day,” Mahomes said after one of the Chiefs' voluntary practices in Kansas City, Missouri. “We're not always going to agree, and there are certain things he said that I don't necessarily agree with. But I know the person he is and he's doing what he can to lead people in the right direction.”

Butker's comments were delivered the same week Mahomes offered a toast to the future of women in sports at the TIME100 Gala: “I’d like to raise a glass to a new era in sports, an era when the women’s game is finally getting the attention it deserves.”

“It was pretty bad timing, I guess you would say. I shot that a couple weeks before," Mahomes said of the film spot. “That's what makes this country so great is you're able to get as much knowledge as you can and make your own decisions.”

But, Mahomes admitted, “it gets a little divisive sometimes when you get to social media and outside the (practice) building.”

Earlier in the day, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell declined to expand on the NFL’s statement distancing the league from Butker's comments. The league said that the comments and “views are not those of the NFL as an organization.”

“We have over 3,000 players,” Goodell said as the NFL concluded its spring meetings in Nashville, Tennessee.

“We have executives around the league that have a diversity of opinions and thoughts, just like America does. I think that is something that we treasure, and that’s part of, I think, ultimately what makes us as a society better."

Still, the commencement address from the 28-year-old Butker in which he said that women “have had the most diabolical lies told to you” has become a flashpoint for a number of discussions, including women in the workplace.

“Some of you may go on to lead successful careers in the world, but I would venture to guess that the majority of you are most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world," Butker said. “I can tell you that my beautiful wife Isabelle would be the first to say that her life truly started when she started living her vocation as a wife and as a mother.”

Butker said his wife embraced “one of the most important titles of all. Homemaker.“

Butker also criticized as disparaging to the Catholic Church an The Associated Press article highlighting a conservative shift in some parts of the church; he referred to a “deadly sin sort of pride that has a month dedicated to it” in an oblique reference to Pride month; and he took aim at Biden’s policies, including his condemnation of the Supreme Court’s reversal of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision and advocacy for abortion rights — a key campaign issue in the 2024 presidential race.

Chiefs coach Andy Reid said after Wednesday's practice that while he “talks to Harrison all the time,” he didn't believe he needed to discuss the commencement address with his kicker when the team reconvened in Kansas City.

“We're a microcosm of life here,” Reid said. “We're from some different areas. Different religions. Different races. But we get along. We all respect each others' opinions, and not necessarily do we go by those, but we respect everyone to have a voice.”

Mahomes doesn't believe Butker's viewpoints will become a divisive issue in the locker room, either, as the Chiefs embark on their quest for a record-setting third consecutive Super Bowl title.

“There are certain values that some people emphasize more than others. There are certain things I don't necessarily agree with,” Mahomes said. “I know what kind of person he is. I'm going to look at that first.”

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Skretta reported from Indianapolis.

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This story has been corrected to show that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes called Harrison Butker’s recent commencement address “divisive,” not “decisive.”

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