MIAMI — The one thing Chris Grier’s history has taught us is that the Miami Dolphins’ general manager should have learned his lesson about drafting for need.

Let’s hope that’s the case.

Grier’s best picks have happened when he’s selecting the highest-rated player on the draft board, despite what the Dolphins’ depth chart looks ...Read more

SEATTLE — Most of us follow the ball.

That pigskin is the primary source of entertainment, and its movements are what drive the multibillion-dollar business that is the NFL.

It’s what head coaches do, too. At least during the game. Ask an HC about interior players after a contest, and he’ll usually say “I gotta watch the film.”

But ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Star quarterback Matthew Stafford is back in the fold. Star receiver Cooper Kupp remains a potential trade asset.

With one week before the start of NFL free agency, Rams coach Sean McVay is resting, if not resting easy, knowing Stafford will be leading his team for a fifth season.

“I’ve been sleeping better these last ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — More than three decades after first making the jump from the NFL sideline to a TV studio, Jimmy Johnson is retiring from his longtime role as an analyst on "Fox NFL Sunday."

The 81-year-old Johnson made the announcement Monday morning during an appearance on "The Herd With Colin Cowherd."

"The most fun I ever had in my career, ...Read more

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Brock Purdy will take his first snaps of the season in six months and look to show why he, presumably, will have signed the richest contract ever by a San Francisco 49ers quarterback.

Purdy no longer must force throws to Deebo Samuel, who will be traded to the Washington Commanders once the NFL’s new fiscal year ...Read more

There’s no roadmap from a blackboard in the Arkansas football office where this all started for Jimmy Johnson six decades ago — no roadmap through six decades of games and teams and various jobs to the phone call he made a few days ago to Fox Sports executives.

But there he was having decided his second, or maybe third or fourth, football ...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles are releasing Darius Slay, league sources confirmed Monday to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Slay, 34, had one year remaining on his contract that was set to carry a $13.8 million salary-cap hit in 2025, according to Over The Cap. A league source also confirmed that Slay’s release will be designated as a post-June 1 ...Read more

INDIANAPOLIS — Time will tell.

The early feedback on the mushrooming bond between Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson is positive. Poles is convinced he barreled up this latest big swing on reviving the team, and Johnson has injected Halas Hall with a booster shot of energy over the past month.

Poles is most ...Read more

The Philadelphia Eagles won the Super Bowl for various reasons, one of which was that they drafted exceptionally well.

And for a few seasons, it seemed as if they took Georgia players nearly every pick.

It’s a smart pipeline — UGA was the dominant force in college football then, and no one put together a better defense than Kirby Smart.

...Read more

PHILADELPHIA — It’s a time-worn Philadelphia tradition: fretting over the future rather than relishing the moment.

As the city wrings its hands over the fate of its latest Super Bowl champion, few seem to appreciate that, less than three weeks ago, the best season any Eagles team ever had ended with a blowout win in Super Bowl LIX over Andy...Read more

Deebo Samuel produced the 11th-most receiving yards in San Francisco 49ers history over six seasons, not to mention eye-opening chunks as a tackle-breaking rusher whose dual talents often came through in the clutch.

Rather than return for a seventh season and his final one under contract, Samuel is getting traded to the Washington Commanders ...Read more

The San Francisco 49ers didn’t waste any time satisfying Deebo Samuel’s request for a trade, reportedly agreeing on Saturday to send the star receiver to the Washington Commanders for a fifth-round draft pick.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was the first to report the agreement.

Wednesday during at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, 49ers ...Read more

INDIANAPOLIS — Shedeur Sanders aced his 13-minute media session and signed off.

“Thank you. Legendary.”

When it comes to the draft, there is a growing buzz at the NFL combine that general managers will respond, “No thank you. Ordinary.”

Before CU fanboys sharpen horns and yell Miss Peggy’s name in vain, understand this has nothing...Read more

SAN DIEGO — Looking forward to the 2025 NFL Draft? Here’s a breakdown of the top 100 draft-eligible players ahead of the Scouting Combine

With the NFL season in our rear view, I’ve had more time to study tape and I’ve monitored how prospects adjusted to pro-style environments across various college all-star games and practices.

Front ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — A few hours after they announced that quarterback Matthew Stafford would return, the Rams agreed to terms with left tackle Alaric Jackson on a three-year contract, a person with knowledge of the situation said Friday.

The person requested anonymity because the deal has not been completed.

Jackson, who signed with the Rams as an...Read more

FORT WORTH, Texas — Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence made it clear late in the 2024 season he wants to, and will, play in 2025, and he would prefer it to be with the only NFL team he’s ever known.

“What’s changed?” he asked on Thursday afternoon.

Other than nearly the entire coaching staff ...

On Thursday at a ...Read more

NEW YORK — With the first quarterback domino falling in the offseason, teams are beginning to adjust accordingly.

Aaron Rodgers is now one of several veteran options the New York Giants are interested in, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Friday.

Rodgers is still on the New York Jets roster, but the organization announced on Feb. 13 ...Read more

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Many fans and media members focused on how the Chiefs missed a chance at making NFL history when their Super Bowl three-peat came up short.

But here’s the thing: The Chiefs did make NFL history this past season. They were the only back-to-back champion to make it back to the Super Bowl for a third straight season.

The 40...Read more

FORT WORTH, Texas — Dallas Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence made it clear late in the 2024 season he wants to, and will, play in 2025, and he would prefer it to be with the only NFL team he’s ever known.

“What’s changed?” he asked on Thursday afternoon.

Other than nearly the entire coaching staff ...

On Thursday at a ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Matthew Stafford is a master at leading comebacks.

And, after much offseason uncertainty, the Rams’ star quarterback is staying with the team he led to a Super Bowl title and three playoff appearances in four years.

On Friday, the Rams announced that Stafford agreed to terms on a restructured contract. Terms of his adjusted ...Read more