Latest news with #ProFootballTalk
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shemar Stewart's agent goes public about Bengals contract standoff
The Cincinnati Bengals are closing in on Shemar Stewart being the only unsigned first-round pick in the NFL. Updates on the contract standoff over the team attempting to insert new language in regards to voiding guarantees continue to trickle in, too. Advertisement Next up are public comments from Stewart's agent, Zac Hiller. 'Obviously my job, and all agents' job, is to protect the players,' Hiller said on SiriusXM NFL Radio (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). 'Simply put, Shemar would, of course, love for his contract to be as protective as the rest of his Bengals teammates in the past. And, simply put, the way the contract currently reads is not as protective.' RELATED: Bengals, Shemar Stewart nuclear option includes 2026 NFL draft route Hiller added this, per Florio: 'If you want to make changes to your precedent, it should be a negotiation. It should be give and take. It shouldn't just be, 'Hey, we're changing this and sign it or go scratch.'' Advertisement So, at least from the player's side of things, the Bengals have attempted to change their longstanding contract precedent on this front without any sort of counterbalance to make it work. That, or what they're offering isn't good enough and justifies this very public, messy standoff. At this point, we're in he said, she said territory. Not that the Bengals say much about anything, really. What's interesting from Stewart's side is that had he been drafted elsewhere, these language quirks would've likely already been in place and none of this would've happened. Ditto for his choosing, unlike other unsigned rookies, to not participate at all this spring and early summer, before bashing the team in an interview and leaving minicamp early. Interesting from the Bengals' side, of course, is the sudden desire to change contract precedent and whether or not they're offering enough to make it worth it for Stewart to be the first. Advertisement As always, this likely ends in one side blinking and reaching across the aisle to make it work. RELATED: Bengals standouts after mandatory minicamp includes surprises This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Shemar Stewart's agent goes public about Bengals contract standoff
New York Post
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Pablo Torre says the NFL is monitoring his media appearances after collusion leak
Journalist Pablo Torre said the NFL is monitoring his media appearances after he reported on his podcast on Tuesday that the league allegedly colluded with its 32 franchises to avoid needing to give veteran star quarterbacks guaranteed money 'not long after' the Cleveland Browns signed Deshaun Watson to a fully guaranteed $230 million contract in 2022. During an appearance on 'The Dan Le Batard Show' on Wednesday, the Meadowlark Media personality alleged that the league 'fought really hard' to keep it quiet after Torre obtained a 61-page legal filing as result of an arbitration hearing. This includes witness testimony from NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray, Giants quarterback Russell Wilson, eight NFL owners, NFLPA, leaders, agents, executives and shows that the NFL attempted to collude with owners. Advertisement 'I would say that as the NFL's monitoring my media appearances, which they are, I just like that they had to listen to that as well,' Torre said without elaborating further. Pablo Torre during an appearance on 'The Dan Le Batard Show' on Wednesday, June 25, 2025. YouTube/The Dan Le Batard Show 'Look, Dan, I just need to stress that this is a document that neither the league nor the owners nor the union wanted out. They fought extremely hard. [Pro Football Talk's Mike] Florio — the sell on this is that Mike Florio is as plugged into this as anybody — he's as fluent and obsessive about this stuff as anybody, NFL palace intrigue and the law, and he couldn't get it.' Advertisement According to Torre, System Arbitrator Christopher Droney wrote in his January 2025 ruling that, ''There is little question that the NFL management council, with the blessing of the NFL commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL clubs to reduce guarantees in veterans' contracts at the March 2022 owners meeting.'' The arbitrator ultimately ruled in the NFL's favor. Goodell has yet to address the situation publicly. Advertisement 'Everybody is trying to figure out how I got this document because that's how much it means to them,' Torre added. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speaks to the media during an NFL football owners meeting, Tuesday, May 20, 2025, in Eagan, Minn. AP Torre discussed the alleged document in a statement. 'Unearthing this document unlocked one of the most fascinating stories I've ever investigated, in large part because it's about what extremely powerful people — league officials, billionaire owners, and union leaders — have fought so hard to hide,' Torre told Awful Announcing. 'And why? Because I'm a journalist, my personal philosophy is that more sunlight is needed, not less.' Advertisement In May, Torre made headlines for his investigation into UNC head football coach Bill Belichick and his 24-year-old girlfriend Jordon Hudson's relationship — alleging Belichick's family and UNC brass were concerned about the former Bridgewater State University cheerleader's influence on his career.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles' new OC might be the catalyst for Dallas Goedert's breakout season
Dallas Goedert's long-awaited breakout season may finally be unlocked by the new offensive coordinator. Time certainly flew by. A little over two months after the Philadelphia Eagles raised the Lombardi Trophy (for the first time), they made Dallas Goedert the 49th overall selection of the 2018 NFL Draft. The former South Dakota State Jackrabbits standout was a hit almost immediately. Goedert became a hit almost immediately despite his first name being the same as that of one of Philadelphia's fiercest rivals. The Birds felt so good about their young tight end that they eventually allowed a franchise legend and Super Bowl hero (Zach Ertz) to walk. Ertz's exit meant Goedert was now the starting tight end on the depth chart. Since day one in that role, it was obvious that he had the tools to be one of the best at his position. There's only one problem. More often than not, Dallas has missed time because of injury, or he has been underutilized. That brings us to the present day. Goedert is in a contract season. Might we finally get the breakout season we have always hoped for? Dallas Goedert seems thrilled about Kevin Patillo's recent promotion Believe it or not, Goedert is on the other side of 30 now. He enters his eighth NFL season, possibly his last with the only franchise he has known since entering the NFL. Yearly, we discuss Goedert's potential breakout campaign. He's a rare blend in today's NFL, the prototypical tight end who blocks and catches the ball with equal proficiency. Still, his role in this Eagles offense seems set in stone. It appears he'll probably never be more than the fourth option in the offensive attack behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley. Dallas Goedert never exceeded 1,000 yards or five receiving touchdowns in a single season before now. With so much offensive weaponry on the roster at the moment, it seems unlikely that he'll do so for as long as he continues playing in Philadelphia. Still, he's viewed by his coaches and teammates as an essential cog in the machine. Jalen Hurts has told him this, and the new offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo, has echoed that same sentiment. Goedert recently hung out on ESPN's NFL Live. He offered some high praise for Patullo. Thank NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk for providing the quote: 'I'm really excited for Kevin. He's been with us since (Nick) Sirianni got here. He's waited his turn to get this opportunity. Throughout OTAs, I've really loved what he's doing with the offense. Little changes here and there and I'm really excited for the opportunity just to — with the connection I grew with him the last four years. What he sees in me in different ways that he's going to get me the ball I'm really excited for.' For most of Goedert's career, we have often said that his next season would be the season. For various reasons, including injuries, we never saw the breakout affair that we had been waiting for. Still, if he's able to stay healthy and stay on the field for a full 18-week, 17-game slate, there's a high probability that something magical will happen from time to time.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
NFL exposed for secret plan to limit player deals as insider Mike Florio reveals explosive 2022 meeting
NFL exposed for secret plan to limit player deals as insider Mike Florio reveals explosive 2022 meeting (Image via X) A shocking new report has put the National Football League in the spotlight. Details have come out that suggest the league may have quietly pushed teams to avoid giving full guaranteed contracts to players. This information, revealed by respected NFL analyst Mike Florio, has raised many questions about how much control the league has over team spending. Mike Florio says NFL encouraged owners to act together Mike Florio, the founder of Pro Football Talk, shared on Tuesday that the NFL may have tried to quietly influence all 32 team owners during a private meeting in March 2022. This meeting reportedly took place right after Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson signed a fully guaranteed $230 million contract. The deal made headlines as one of the biggest in NFL history. — profootballtalk (@profootballtalk) According to Florio, an arbitration ruling from Christopher Droney confirmed that the league's management group, with support from Commissioner Roger Goodell, encouraged teams to stop offering fully guaranteed deals to veteran players. These discussions happened during the annual NFL owners' meeting in 2022, held in Florida. Florio quoted Droney saying, 'There is little question that the NFL Management Council, with the blessing of the Commissioner, encouraged the 32 NFL Clubs to reduce guarantees in veterans' contracts at the March 2022 annual owners' meeting.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Maharashtra Mosquito-Free Nights: Residents Share Unexpected Secret Mosquito Eliminator Read More Undo However, the ruling and full details were never shared with the public or the NFL Players Association, according to Florio. The insider claimed the league and players union decided not to release the documents or the decision. This left many people wondering why such important information was kept quiet. NFL arbitration ruling confirms collusion talks but clears teams of illegal action in 2024 case Although the ruling was made in private, the league won the case in 2024. Florio explained that during a follow-up hearing, evidence showed that teams had not followed the league's advice. Because there was no proof that teams acted on the idea, the arbitrator sided with the league. Still, the suggestion alone raised concerns. The main issue now is that a top league official may have pushed a plan that could hurt players' chances of getting fair pay. Pablo Torre, another well-known reporter, also helped bring the story forward. He confirmed parts of the report with his own sources. Also Read: Who's Leading The 2025 NFL MVP Race? Here Are The Top 5 Contenders Although the league took no action on the proposal, the study has increased pressure on the NFL to be more transparent about its decision-making process. Given money, power, and trust on the line, this narrative is probably far from over. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
"I didn't wanna go out there": Diontae Johnson confesses he didn't enter a game for Baltimore Ravens last season due to being cold
Diontae Johnson (via Getty Images) Former Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Diontae Johnson is in the spotlight today after confessing he once declined to enter an NFL game because he was too cold. Appearing on the Sports & Suits podcast, Diontae Johnson revealed a moment from Week 13 of the 2024 season when the Ravens faced the Philadelphia Eagles on December 1. Even though he was needed late in the game, Diontae Johnson admitted he said "no" because his legs were cold. Diontae Johnson once refused to enter a game—here's why The National Weather Service said the day in Baltimore reached a high of 44°F and bottomed out at 21°F—chilly, but not quite Lambeau Field "Frozen Tundra" levels. The move didn't agree with the Baltimore Ravens. Diontae Johnson reported the denial resulted in a one-game suspension, and soon he was waived. The Houston Texans picked him up, but their things only marginally improved. "End of the third going into the fourth, they were like, 'Tae, we need you.' I was like, 'Nah, I don't think it's a good idea for me.' Like, my legs are already ice cold and I didn't wanna go out there and put bad stuff on film," Diontae Johnson said. Diontae Johnson expects Kenny Pickett to be Browns' starting QB | Pro Football Talk | NFL on NBC Diontae Johnson's 2024 campaign became a whirlwind, with visits to Carolina, Baltimore, and Houston. He ended the year with 33 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns—a huge decline for the former Pro Bowl leader in receptions for multiple Steelers seasons. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 Most Beautiful Women Ever Today's NYC Undo After being reclaimed by the Ravens after his Texans release, Johnson was not eligible for postseason games and went on to become a free agent shortly after Baltimore's playoff loss. In April of 2025, Johnson was signed to a one-year, $1.17 million contract with the Cleveland Browns—a transaction now in question, given Cleveland's notoriously cold weather. Cleveland has historically averaged 4–6.5 degrees colder than Baltimore through the NFL season months, based on historical weather data. Cold feet or cold reality? NFL observers and fans are responding with a combination of laughter and dismay to Johnson's candor. On the one hand, he didn't stage an injury or pout on the sidelines—he just said he was cold and didn't want to give any bad tape. On the other hand, "too cold" is not an excuse that goes over big in NFL locker rooms, particularly in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, or Buffalo. Also read: Ice Cube defends NFL's Taylor Swift spark — but says Travis Kelce is the real showstopper And now, Johnson gets a do-over with the Browns, but how long he'll keep warm—and his head in the game—is something that could carry over into the 2025 season. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
