Keenan Allen picks his next NFL team in free agency
Keenan Allen’s next NFL team is going to be his former one.
The veteran wide receiver Allen is returning to the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Tuesday. Allen had visited with the Chargers earlier this week and is now signing a deal with them for the 2025 season, Schefter adds.
Now 33 years old, Allen was originally a Chargers draft pick in 2013 (dating back to their San Diego era). He went on to make six Pro Bowl teams with the team and had six seasons of 1,000 yards receiving in a Chargers uniform.
Also the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year in 2017 after a torn ACL suffered in 2016, Allen was traded away by the Chargers in 2024. He was sent to the Chicago Bears and appeared in 15 games that season, catching 70 passes for 744 yards and seven touchdowns over 15 games.
It took Allen some time to find his next team, but it is one that he is ultimately very familiar with. While Allen still has yet to play under Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh, his return figures to be a very welcome one, even despite Allen’s mileage.
The Chargers just took a major blow last month when veteran wideout Mike Williams, a multi-time 1,000-yard receiver, made the surprising decision to retire. Now Allen should be able to slot into the position that his former teammate Williams is vacating, and he will once again be one of the top weapons for Chargers QB Justin Herbert along with Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston.
Could Shedeur Sanders be cut by Browns?
Shedeur Sanders is part of a crowded field of quarterbacks trying to make the Cleveland Browns’ roster. Could he end up as an odd man out? That’s a possibility.
The Browns have Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Sanders at quarterback, as well as Deshaun Watson. Pickett and Gabriel are dealing with hamstring injuries currently, while Sanders has a shoulder issue. The injuries led the Browns to sign veteran Tyler Huntley this week.
The Browns have also released their first depth chart for the preseason, and it had Sanders listed as the fourth quarterback. That has led to some conversation regarding Sanders’ future with the team. Bovada.com is taking wagers on whether Sanders will be cut by the Browns. They favor the 5th-round pick to remain with the team, but it’s viewed as a possibility that he won’t.
Betting on Sanders to be cut yields +300 odds, which is a 3-1 payout. He is listed at 1-5 odds (-500) to not be cut.
Sanders is actually likely to start in the Browns’ preseason opener against the Carolina Panthers. That will give him an opportunity to show the team what he can do. Sanders has the chance to surpass Gabriel on the depth chart. Flacco or Pickett are more likely to be the team’s starter in Week 1 due to their experience. Flacco, 40, went 4-1 in five starts with Cleveland in 2023 and made six starts last season.
Browns fans will tell you quicker than anyone that having multiple “meh” quarterbacks does not equal one good one.
Cubs GM seemingly admits his trade deadline gamble failed
Chicago Cubs president Jed Hoyer offered some surprisingly candid remarks about the big gamble he made at the MLB trade deadline.
Despite being linked to high-end starting pitching, the only starter the Cubs traded for was veteran pitcher Michael Soroka. A one-time top prospect, Soroka has struggled with injuries and was just 3-8 with a 4.87 ERA and 87 strikeouts over 16 total starts with the Washington Nationals prior to the trade.
Soroka made his Cubs debut on Monday, but left the game after two innings with shoulder discomfort. The team placed him on the 15-day IL on Tuesday.
With Soroka now on the shelf, Hoyer had to explain himself Tuesday, and seemingly admitted that his strategy of pursuing a less-expensive starter had backfired.
“Given the market, given the asking price…we felt it was a good bet to make,” Hoyer said, via Jesse Rogers of ESPN. “Right now, it’s not looking like a good bet…Doesn’t mean he won’t help us the rest of the year. Waiting on medical stuff.”
The Cubs have been linked to starting pitching for much of the season, as they have dealt with injuries at the position. The decision to try to plug those holes with a mediocre starter who has a history of injuries was panned by many, but Hoyer argued that the high cost of better starters was prohibitive.
The Cubs enter play Tuesday with a 65-47 record and are well-positioned to make the playoffs. Questions will linger, however, regarding whether they have the arms to make a deep postseason run.
All-Pro WR shares pessimistic prediction about Travis Hunter
At least one former All-Pro wide receiver does not feel optimistic about Travis Hunter’s durability if he plays both ways long-term.
In an appearance on “The Pivot” podcast, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams predicted that Hunter will run into injury problems if he plays the bulk of the snaps for years to come. Adams believes Hunter could do it for a season, but that the risk of serious injury will eventually grow to be too much.
“I don’t even think it’s possible to do. Not at a high level. It’s hard enough to go cover a punt and then be on one side,” Adams said. “That’s just a lot of mileage, man. I’m not even concerned so much if he can do it over the course of a game or a season. It’s more like, how long is his career going to be if he’s playing that many snaps? All you’re doing is doubling your risk of injury.
“I don’t wish any of that on him. I hope he can play an injury-free season and go ball out. But this is the reality. It’s already 100 percent injury guarantee. Once you get out there playing both sides, you gotta tackle Derrick Henry with that frame. He’s athletic as hell, but he’s gotta do some ninja s–t.”
The Jacksonville Jaguars have made it abundantly clear that they plan to let Hunter play both wide receiver and cornerback as much as possible. The question becomes whether he can do so while staying effective and injury-free. That is where Adams and many others have some doubts.
Hunter did play both sides of the ball in college at Colorado, but the jump to the physicality of the NFL will be a big one. Adams is rooting for him, but does not seem too optimistic that he will be able to pull it off for years to come.
Sophie Cunningham was fined by WNBA for her podcast comments
Sophie Cunningham has once again run afoul of the WNBA, this time with comments she made on her new podcast.
The second episode of Cunningham’s “Show Me Something” podcast was released Tuesday, and in it, the Indiana Fever guard admitted she had been fined for comments she made about the referees during the first episode.
“The WNBA fined me $1,500. I’m like, this is just the beginning. You’re kidding,” Cunningham said. “They email our GM, and she pulls me aside and goes ‘come here Soph, I have to talk to you.’ This was in front of everybody, and I was like, ‘what did I do now?’ She just smiles and goes ‘hey, they’re going to fine you again.’
“I even told (the referees) that their job was hard. I said that I would not be good at it. Look at the whole picture. What are we doing?”
sophie got fined $1500 for ref comments on ep 1 lmfaoooo
— correlation (@nosyone4) August 5, 2025
“they email our gm and she pulls me aside…and she just smiled and goes hey they’re gonna fine you again. i even told them i credited them that their job was hard! i did say that and i said that i would not be good at it.” pic.twitter.com/fEVq4kIJws
Cunningham made headlines in the first episode for comments she made about teammate Caitlin Clark. However, that is not what she was fined over.
At this point, Cunningham is pretty used to WNBA discipline. She was even fined for a joking comment she made about some referees in a recent TikTok video.
The added attention comes from Cunningham taking it upon herself to act as Clark’s enforcer, which has led to her popularity soaring. Apparently, that also comes with some added scrutiny from the league office.
Cowboys favored to land Pro Bowl RB
The Dallas Cowboys could be in the mix to land an unhappy running back.
James Cook has been holding in at Buffalo Bills camp. That means he is in attendance but not practicing with the team, which allows him to avoid being fined. Cook has only told the media that he is not practicing due to “business.”
As Cook holds in from Bills camp, Bovada has listed the odds for the running back’s next team. They have listed the Cowboys as the favorite, with NFC East competitor Washington behind them.
Here are the odds for where Cook will play his first game of the season:
– Dallas Cowboys +175
– Washington Commanders +245
– Chicago Bears +325
– Carolina Panthers +450
– Las Vegas Raiders +500
– Kansas City Chiefs +500
The Cowboys let Rico Dowdle after last season. He was their leading rusher with 1,079 yards and 2 touchdowns. They only rushed for 1,705 yards and 6 touchdowns as a team.
Cook rushed for 1,009 yards and 16 touchdowns last season by himself. He had 1,122 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns the year before, and he made the Pro Bowl in both seasons. He would likely zoom to the top of the Cowboys’ depth chart if they were to acquire him.
Dallas has rookie Jaydon Blue getting first-team repetitions in practice at training camp. They also have Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in the mix to work with the first-team offense. There is also still the possibility that the Bills work things out with Cook.
Old video resurfaces of Joe Mazzulla threatening Celtics’ new acquisition
The Boston Celtics made a move to bolster their frontcourt on Tuesday, and it is someone coach Joe Mazzulla has some history with.
The Celtics signed former Toronto Raptors center Chris Boucher on Tuesday to a one-year, $3.3 million deal, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania. The contract is fully guaranteed, and Boucher is expected to have a significant role in the team’s frontcourt.
Boucher and Mazzulla have some history. Social media quickly dug up an old clip from an April 5, 2023 game between the Celtics and Raptors. In the clip, Boucher bumps Mazzulla in the back as he heads for his bench during a timeout, prompting Mazzulla to angrily turn around and try to confront the Raptors center. Mazzulla even had to be held back by then-Celtics center Robert Williams III.
“Boucher bumps him. Watch this. Watch Coach Mazzulla, he’s going after Boucher. Gotta be held back by Rob Williams.” 😂 pic.twitter.com/hVuIvHNmLH
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) April 6, 2023
NBC Sports Boston reporter Chris Forsberg joked that Mazzulla will have the clip playing on a loop the first time Boucher arrives at the team’s facility.
Mazzulla gonna have this clip playing on a loop when Boucher walks in the facility for the first time. https://t.co/3MM77fcBzR
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) August 5, 2025
Presumably, there are no lingering hard feelings between Mazzulla and Boucher. There was never any follow-up to this, and the center does fill a glaring need for frontcourt depth in Boston.
An eight-year veteran, Boucher has spent the bulk of his career as a key reserve for the Raptors with the ability to stretch the floor. He averaged 10 points and 4.5 rebounds in 17.2 minutes per game for Toronto last season while shooting 36.3 percent from three-point range.
Report: Knicks monitoring Giannis Antetokounmpo situation ‘very closely’
Giannis Antetokounmpo has reportedly not made up his mind about whether he wants to remain with the Milwaukee Bucks, and the New York Knicks are one team that is expected to be at the forefront of the discussions should the two-time MVP want to relocate.
ESPN’s Shams Charania said on Monday that Antetokounmpo is continuing to evaluate his future and assessing whether he believes the Bucks are a legitimate contender. Some have wondered if the Knicks would still pursue Giannis after they signed Mikal Bridges to a 4-year, $150 million extension last week.
In his mailbag that was published on Tuesday, James L. Edwards III of The Athletic was asked if he believes the Bridges extension will have any impact on New York’s interest in Antetokounmpo. He said the Knicks were monitoring the situation with Giannis “very closely” even before the offseason. Edwards also noted the timing of the Bridges extension.
Players cannot be traded for six months after they sign an extension. Had Bridges not signed a new deal until Aug. 6 or later, he would not be eligible to be traded ahead of the February deadline during the 2025-26 season.
While Edwards does not believe the Knicks are set on trading Bridges, he believes it was deliberate that they extended the star forward when they did. Now, they will have the flexibility to include Bridges in a potential trade for Antetokounmpo or another star player prior to next season’s deadline.
There are very few people who believe the Bucks will trade Giannis ahead of next season, and they may not move him at all. But if the nine-time All-Star asks to be dealt, there have already been signs that he might want to play in The Big Apple.
Antetokounmpo signed a supermax extension with the Bucks in 2023. He is under contract through the 2026-27 season and has a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28.
Giannis is coming off another outstanding regular season 30.4 points, 11.9 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game. He was even better in the playoffs with 33.0 points, 15.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game, but it was not enough for Milwaukee to win a series. The Bucks lost to the Indiana Pacers in five games in the opening round.
George Kittle claims he considered retirement over new NFL rule
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle claimed Tuesday that he considered retiring over a new rule the NFL passed.
Kittle crashed an NFL Network hit to say the league had banned the use of smelling salts and ammonia packets on Tuesday. The Niners tight end is a frequent user of them and urged the league to work with players to “find a middle ground.”
#49ers George Kittle just crashed our set to break news that the NFL banned smelling salts and ammonia packets today. Says he uses them every drive.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 5, 2025
“I considered retirement. We have to figure out a middle ground.” pic.twitter.com/g8FJxJ1d5z
It is unclear what the NFL’s supposed ban entails. The league has not announced any new policies regarding smelling salts, and none have been reported on by media sources.
Many NFL players use smelling salts on the sideline, feeling that it gives them a jolt of energy when fatigue starts to set in during games. The league did face some criticism last year for seemingly clearing Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen during a concussion check even though smelling salts appeared to be the only treatment he visibly received.
Even some coaches hit the smelling salts from time to time. If the NFL has actually prohibited their use, there will be some very unhappy players, with Kittle among them.
Jordan Addison suspended by NFL
The NFL has disciplined Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison over a DUI citation he received last year.
Addison has been suspended without pay for the first three games of the 2025 regular season for violating the league’s Substances of Abuse Policy. He will miss games against the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, and Cincinnati Bengals as a result of the suspension.
Addison will still be allowed to take part in training camp and preseason games in spite of the suspension.
The discipline stems from Addison’s arrest in July 2024 for a DUI. Police officers spotted his Rolls Royce blocking traffic in Los Angeles, and the wide receiver was found to be asleep at the wheel of the car. He recently pled no contest to a lesser charge relating to the arrest.
A three-game suspension is the standard NFL discipline for a player’s first alcohol-related offense.
Addison has also had previous run-ins with police over his driving, though this discipline did not have anything to do with previous incidents.
The Vikings will miss Addison to start the season, as he occupied an increasingly prominent role in the team’s offense last season. In his first two NFL seasons, he has caught 133 passes for 1,786 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Trae Young reportedly ‘disappointed’ with Hawks
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young is reportedly feeling some frustration with the team over how they have handled his contract situation.
Young is eligible for a four-year, $229 million contract extension this summer, but the Hawks have yet to extend him that offer. Young also gained some recent attention for a response to an X post by Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons in which he urged Parsons to “get what you deserve” financially.
This why you pay the man early, when someone will take less early to stay in a place he wanted to be forever, you do it… the price only goes up now!
— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) August 1, 2025
Get what you deserve bro!
ESPN’s Marc J. Spears suggested Young is growing frustrated with the Hawks for not yet offering him the max extension he is eligible for.
“What I’m hearing now, at this point, and you can tell by Trae’s tweet, and I saw him during the NBA Finals — I think he’s disappointed that it hasn’t been offered,” Spears said. “Don’t be surprised, at this point, if he plays this out and sees what happens next summer.”
Marc Spears on a Trae extension: "What I'm hearing now at this point…I think he's disappointed that it hasn't come, it hasn't been offered" pic.twitter.com/zJ0IrmOvKs
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) August 5, 2025
Young signed a five-year, $215 million rookie max deal with the Hawks in 2021. This upcoming season will be the final guaranteed year on that deal, though he has a player option for 2026-27.
The Hawks have a new front office in place, and they do not yet appear to have made a decision on Young. The guard has been the subject of multiple trade rumors as well, suggesting the front office is not totally sold on offering him that contract extension.
Young is preparing for high eighth season with the Hawks. He has remained an elite scorer for the team with 25.3 points per game over the course of his career. Despite that, Atlanta has only made the playoffs three times with Young on the roster, and not since 2023.
Albert Breer duped by fake social media post about NBA Dunk Contest
Longtime NFL reporter Albert Breer has his hands full with training camp in full swing, but he came across some NBA news on Tuesday that he simply could not ignore. The problem is that it was not real news.
Breer was fooled by a post from a parody X account that claimed the NBA is doing away with the Slam Dunk Contest next year in favor of a 1-on-1 tournament with star players. The account is called “Scams Charnia” and closely resembles the official X account of ESPN’s Shams Charania, which is by design.
Breer shared the post about the Dunk Contest and called the change “a pretty crazy move.”
Oh no. They got Breer. 😭 pic.twitter.com/JRrLm0WUOG
— Savage (@SavageSports_) August 5, 2025
Breer quickly realized he had been duped.
“… I got Scammed. Ouch. Didn’t know what that was til a minute ago. So I guess the dunk contest is still on,” he wrote in a follow-up post.
… I got Scammed. Ouch. Didn't know what that was til a minute ago.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) August 5, 2025
So I guess the dunk contest is still on.
Unfortunately, accounts like the parody Charania account have become popular through the years. The same account recently fooled several ESPN reporters into thinking one of their legendary colleagues had decided to retire.
Breer covers the NFL for Sports Illustrated. It makes sense that he was not familiar with the NBA troll account, but he will probably be a lot more vigilant going forward.
Chris Godwin could miss start of 2025 season
Chris Godwin is coming off a year that was cut short due to a significant leg injury, and it sounds like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers star may not be quite ready to return at the start of the 2025 season.
In a training camp buzz column that was published on Monday, ESPN’s Dan Graziano said the Buccaneers have not yet committed to a return date for Godwin. While the Bucs have not ruled out Godwin playing in Week 1, Graziano says there is a chance Godwin could sit out “a couple of games” at the start of the year.
Godwin was having a huge season in 2024 before he suffered a gruesome leg injury. He had 50 catches for 576 yards and 5 touchdowns in just seven games. The Buccaneers proved this offseason that they are confident in Godwin making a full recovery when they signed him to a massive contract extension.
Though the Buccaneers expect the 29-year-old Godwin to be back making plays for them sooner rather than later, they still chose to select former Ohio State star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 19th overall pick in the draft this year. Graziano believes that decision had more to do with the fact that Mike Evans will turn 32 later this year.
Bucs general manager Jason Licht told reporters on Tuesday that Godwin is “exactly where” the team hoped the former Pro Bowl receiver would be in his recovery at this point in the offseason.
Jason Licht on Chris Godwin's recovery and potentially returning for the opener: "That, we don't know yet. He's doing very well. He's advancing through his protocols, he's exactly where they anticipated and hoped he would be at this point. He's still got a ways to go."
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) August 5, 2025
Godwin had become Baker Mayfield’s clear No. 1 target prior to the leg injury. The receiver turned down significantly more money from at least one other team to re-sign with the Buccaneers.
If Godwin is sidelined to start the year, Egbuka will likely have an opportunity to play a significant role early on. Jalen McMillan, whom Tampa Bay drafted in the third round last year, also had 8 touchdown catches and played well in Godwin’s absence last season, so he should factor in as well.
Brooke Hogan reveals what her father told her about Bubba the Love Sponge
Brooke Hogan revealed some major information Tuesday about what her father, Hulk Hogan, told her about his former friend, Bubba the Love Sponge.
Bubba, real name Todd Clem, is a radio personality who was once close with Hogan. The pair had a falling out after the infamous sex tape of Hulk with Clem’s then-wife Heather was published online in 2012. The video was recorded by Clem with his consent, but many suggested the radio personality was to blame when the tape was eventually leaked to Gawker.
Brooke Hogan called into Clem’s show on Tuesday and told him that her father had once told her that Clem was not responsible for the leak of the tape.
“I want to tell you that I was down in my dad’s gym with him back when they set up the sting operation, because somebody was going to try to extort (him) for the tape,” Brooke said. “And my dad told me that he knew it wasn’t you that leaked the tape. I’ve been watching you take the heat for it and I’ve been hearing you say sorry, and I know that you have a guilty conscience.”
Brooke added that she was aware of security footage from Clem’s home that showed one of Clem’s employees taking the tape.
Clem’s jaw dropped when Brooke made the revelation, and he was clearly overwhelmed by it.
“My life would have been so much different if he would’ve just let that be known,” Clem said. “You’re the only person that I’ve ever talked to that has stepped up. I’m almost in tears of your generosity of offering me that information.”
Brooke Hogan just revealed her dad, Hulk Hogan, told her Bubba The Love Sponge was not the one who leaked the sex tape that changed the course of the wrestling legend's life.
— TMZ Sports (@TMZ_Sports) August 5, 2025
🎥: Bubba Radio Network pic.twitter.com/bupy0ZfSdZ
The leak of the Hogan sex tape, particularly racist comments made during the filming of it, led to Hogan being dropped by WWE. As a result of the leak, Hogan sued Clem for invasion of privacy, and the two later settled with Clem offering a public apology. That was enough to lead most to believe that Clem had been behind the leak.
Despite the break in their friendship, Clem was still well-connected enough to know that Hogan had been in poor health. He recently opened up about what he felt his former friend’s biggest mistake was.
Colin Cowherd goes off on Brian Schottenheimer over backwards hat
Colin Cowherd has a bone to pick with Dallas Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Schottenheimer is entering his first season as the head coach of the Cowboys. The former offensive coordinator seems determined to lead with an engaging, laid-back style, and his choice of headwear is a representation of that. It has also infuriated Cowherd, who has made it known over the years that he doesn’t like the backwards hat look.
During Monday’s edition of his “The Herd w/ Colin Cowherd” show, Cowherd blasted Schottenheimer for always wearing a backwards visor. The longtime radio host referenced some of Schottenheimer’s press conferences where the coach is sitting in front of a Bank of America backdrop.
“I do think if you’re the head coach or the quarterback of an organization and you do press conferences, you’re not only representing yourself, that’s very selfish and narcissistic, you are representing the Dallas Cowboys and you’re representing Bank of America,” Cowherd said. “That’s probably a huge team sponsor. They probably paid $8 million or something like that, $7 million to the Cowboys.”
Cowherd ranted about how there is a reason country clubs and other prestigious places have strict dress codes. He said if he were in charge of the Cowboys, he would want Schottenheimer to dress more professionally rather than looking “like a guy that’s here to move my couch.”
“Men often don’t think of others in social situations. It’s ‘how do I look?’ I think women tend to be a little more self-aware, a little less narcissism,” Cowherd added. “So when you sit in front of a podium, you’re representing the Cowboys, you’re representing Bank of America, you’re representing a $12 billion organization. I think you gotta do better as a head coach than a visor backwards. That’s just my take.”
"You're representing a $12 billion corporation. I think you gotta do better as a head coach than a visor backwards."@colincowherd and @jasonrmcintyre have strong feelings about Brian Schottenheimer's press conference appearance pic.twitter.com/HUTSlUvc9Z
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) August 4, 2025
Many fans were quick to point out that Cowherd also works for a multi-billion dollar corporation and has made numerous on-air blunders over the years, many of which were the direct result of him not being prepared.
The Cowboys have had much bigger problems to worry about in recent weeks, so we doubt Jerry Jones is too concerned with the direction Schottenheimer’s visor is facing. Schottenheimer is also trying to help Dallas return to the postseason, and that is all that matters at the moment.
If things start to go poorly for the Cowboys this season, we can expect to hear plenty more from Cowherd about Schottenheimer’s visor.
Everyone had the same reaction to Rams extending star player
The Los Angeles Rams signed star running back Kyren Williams to an extension on Tuesday, and many people had the same reaction to the deal.
Williams has agreed to a 3-year, $33 million deal with the Rams that includes $23 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports. In addition to being great news for Williams, the contract should have a significant impact on another player who is currently seeking a new deal.
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook made the decision on Sunday to begin sitting out training camp practices amid a contract dispute with the team. When asked why he has changed his approach after practicing last week, Cook kept repeating the same one-word response.
Fans and the media believe Cook’s representation should now run back to the negotiating table with the Bills.
live look at james cook pic.twitter.com/MNHC6Omt9K
— Tyler Loechner (@LoechnerNFL) August 5, 2025
James Cook right now: pic.twitter.com/OfyyrNfNRl
— RotoBot AI (@rotobot_ai) August 5, 2025
Kyren Williams new deal caps out James Cook's worth at $12 million per, max, in my opinion.
— Patrick Moran (Talking Buffalo) (@PatrickMoranTB) August 5, 2025
if James Cook said no to three years at $11-12 million per, then he has a serious ego and/or agent problem.
Kyren Williams' 3-year, $33M deal is now a precedent and framework for James Cook. This is going to be the deal for him
— Kevin Massare (@KevinMassare) August 5, 2025
Kyren Williams contract is exactly what James Cook should take before he gets less.
— Randall Slifer (@RandallSlifer) August 5, 2025
Kyren out snapped him, had more yards, 2 less touchdowns & they are similar in the blocking game (edge to Kyren)
This is another example of the piss poor job Cook’s agent is doing #Billsmafia
The $11 million average annual salary places Williams just outside the top-five highest-paid running backs in the NFL. Cook has reportedly been seeking to become one of the highest-paid backs in the league, but his production is a lot more similar to Williams’ than it is to Saquon Barkley’s, who currently earns $20 million per year.
Williams had 1,299 rushing yards last season and 1,114 rushing yards in 2023. He scored 14 rushing touchdowns in 2024 and 12 in 2023. Williams added 388 total receiving yards and 5 total receiving touchdowns across the two seasons.
Cook had 1,009 rushing yards last season and 1,122 the year before. He led the NFL with 16 rushing scores in 2024. He has been slightly more productive than Williams in the passing game with 703 total receiving yards and 6 combined receiving touchdowns over the last two seasons.
The numbers are very comparable, so Williams’ extension should set the framework for a Cook deal.
Yankees have already demoted one of their trade deadline acquisitions
The New York Yankees were aggressive in making moves ahead of the MLB trade deadline last Thursday, but they have already demoted one of the players that they acquired.
The Yankees announced on Tuesday that right-handed reliever Jake Bird has been optioned to Triple-A. Right-hander Mark Leiter Jr. will be activated off the injured list and take Bird’s spot on the MLB roster.
Bird has made three appearances for the Yankees since they acquired him from the Colorado Rockies last week in exchange for two minor league players. Bird allowed a walk-off, three-run home run in New York’s 8-5 loss to the Texas Rangers on Monday night. He pitched a clean inning in a loss to the Miami Marlins on Saturday but gave up a grand slam in a 13-12 loss to the Marlins on Friday.
Bird had been inconsistent with the Rockies this season, but the Yankees hoped a change of scenery would help him. The 29-year-old posted a 4.73 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings across 45 appearances with Colorado.
The loss to Texas on Monday was the fourth straight for the Yankees, who have fallen to third in the AL East behind both the Toronto Blue Jays and streaking Boston Red Sox.
New York was praised for overhauling their bullpen prior to the deadline without giving up any of their best prospects, but Brian Cashman’s moves have not resulted in more wins thus far.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor announces new approach to preseason games
The Cincinnati Bengals are taking a new approach to preseason football in hopes of getting out to a fast start in 2025.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters on Tuesday that Joe Burrow and other starters will play in Thursday night’s preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Taylor said the plan is for Burrow to play multiple series and see even more action in Cincinnati’s second preseason game against the Washington Commanders next week.
#Bengals coach Zac Taylor tells reporters that QB Joe Burrow and other big name players will play several series on Thursday night and more in game two against the #Commanders. New way of doing it, with eyes on starting fast.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 5, 2025
Burrow has played sparingly or not at all during the preseason through the first five years of his NFL career. Taylor has chosen that approach either because Burrow has been recovering from injuries or to eliminate the risk of the star quarterback suffering a new one. There were also no preseason games in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The Bengals have started 0-2 or worse in each of the past three seasons. Burrow has said he would like to get more preseason reps and even take some hits so he can more easily transition into the grind of the regular season.
Burrow threw for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdown passes last season, which were both career highs. He won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award for the second time in his career after he missed much of the 2023 season with a wrist injury.
The Bengals finished 9-8 in each of the last two seasons and missed the playoffs. With the AFC North expected to be competitive again, a fast start could be the difference between making and missing the postseason. Taylor is hoping his new approach will lead to better results out of the gate.
4-time Pro Bowl LB announces his retirement from NFL
Longtime Minnesota Vikings linebacker Anthony Barr has decided to call it a career.
Barr announced on Monday through his foundation, Raise the Barr, that he is retiring from the NFL. The foundation shared the news in a Facebook post.
“After an amazing ten-year career, Anthony Barr will officially retire from the NFL in just a few weeks,” the post read. “From the start, he used his platform not just to play, but to build Raise The Barr, turning his success on the field into real impact for families like his. While his football days are coming to a close, Anthony will remain focused on the mission, because the families counting on us need support now more than ever.”
Barr played in the NFL for 10 seasons, nine of which were spent with the Vikings. He had a brief stint with the Dallas Cowboys in 2022.
The Vikings drafted Barr with the No. 9 overall pick out of UCLA in 2014. He immediately became one of Minnesota’s best defensive players and made the Pro Bowl four consecutive years from 2015-2018. Barr battled injuries in the latter half of his career, which resulted in his production tailing off.
Barr finishes his career with 554 total tackles, 18.5 sacks, 32 passes defended and 5 interceptions.
Teddy Bridgewater agrees to deal with NFC playoff team
Teddy Bridgewater is making yet another return to the NFL.
Bridgewater visited with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday with the intention of signing a contract, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
News surfaced on Monday that Bridgewater was planning to pursue another NFL comeback in the wake of his suspension from his position as the head coach at Miami Northwestern Senior High School in Miami, Fla., which is his alma mater. Bridgewater was suspended last month amid an investigation after the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) began looking into the possibility of him providing impermissible benefits to players.
The investigation seemed to stem from a social media post in which Bridgewater indicated he covered expenses for players that included $2,200 a week for pregame meals and $700 for Uber rides.
Bridgewater last played in the NFL for the Detroit Lions. The 32-year-old first signed with the team in 2023 and spent that season as a backup behind Jared Goff. He then left to coach high school football and rejoined the Lions last December ahead of the playoffs.
Bridgewater was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round out of Louisville in 2014. He started right away and made the Pro Bowl in his second season in 2015. Bridgewater then suffered a devastating knee injury during practice ahead of the 2016 season. He missed nearly two full seasons and was never the same after that.
After spending his first four seasons with the Vikings, Bridgewater had brief stints with the New Orleans Saints, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins and Lions. The last significant role he played for a team was when he started 14 games for Denver in 2021.
Bridgewater will compete for a backup job behind Baker Mayfield with the Buccaneers.
