How the Deshaun Watson contract derailed Lamar Jackson’s situation

When the Browns gave a five-year, $230 million, fully-guaranteed contract to quarterback Deshaun Watson, they surely didn’t intend to throw a wrench in the relationship between the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson. But they did. (Browns fans regard that as a collateral benefit.) In hindsight, why wouldn’t Watson’s deal create an issue between the Ravens [more]

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NBA ditches marijuana testing under new CBA; when will NFL follow suit?

Three years ago, the NFL dramatically reduced the potential penalties for marijuana use — but the league didn’t wipe out marijuana testing entirely. Maybe that day is coming. Via Shams Charania of TheAthletic.com, the new Collective Bargaining Agreement finalized Friday between the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association ditched marijuana from the drug-testing program, [more]

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Jed York explains decision to spend big on Javon Hargrave

The 49ers surprised many by signing former Eagles defensive tackle Javon Hargrave to a four-year, $84 million contract. But they’ll spend, selectively, to make the team better. “We are never going to be a huge spender, but I think when we do spend, we have to make sure it’s deliberate,” CEO Jed York said at [more]

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Bill Belichick: Jonathan Jones “epitomizes what we want in a Patriot”

Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones was only officially a free agent for a few minutes before he agreed to a new contract to stay in New England. And Bill Belichick was thrilled. Belichick said that with the retirement of Devin McCourty after 13 seasons in the Patriots’ secondary, it was particularly important to keep Jones for [more]

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J.C. Tretter: Injury data from 2022 season makes clear that grass fields are safer

NFL owners glossed over the differences between grass and artificial playing surfaces at this week’s league meeting. But the NFL Players Association is renewing its call for grass fields. In fact, NFLPA President J.C. Tretter says that the data from 2022 makes it clearer than ever that grass is safer than artificial turf. “We got [more]

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Broncos, Panthers become the two key votes in the effort to get Thursday night flexing

What the Commissioner wants, the Commissioner gets. And the Commissioner wants Thursday night flexing. Foiled for now in his effort to cram the Bezos bouquet through the recently-completed league meetings, Roger Goodell needs to flip only two teams from “no” to “yes” to make it happen. Or he can simply focus on the two teams [more]

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Jeffrey Lurie: Offenses dominate the NFL, so we want Jalen Hurts for a long time

Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie isn’t making any secret of the fact that he sees signing quarterback Jalen Hurts to a lucrative contract as a wise investment. Lurie said at the league meeting that he views having a great offense as the key to winning Super Bowls, a great quarterback as the key to a great [more]

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