Before we know it, new Alabama head football coach Kalen DeBoer will hit the practice field with his Crimson Tide players for the first time when spring practice gets underway in March. With the retirement of the legendary Nick Saban, there have not been this many question marks surrounding the football program since 2007 when Saban took over. Contrary to …

USATSI NFL special teams coordinators have made a proposal that if approved would drastically change the kickoff in 2024, according to NFL Media.  Here are the three biggest nuggets from the proposal, which would need 75 percent approval from league owners to be put into effect:  Onside kicks: Teams can attempt onside kicks only in the fourth quarter and if they …

Report: 49ers have ‘some’ interest in Young free-agency reunion originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Chase Young’s 49ers tenure might not be over just yet. After acquiring the star defensive end midway through the 2023 NFL season, many believed San Francisco would not retain the unrestricted free agent this offseason due to the hefty multi-year contract he is expected …

The NFL loves to tinker with the game to achieve a desired result, and it looks like they’re doing it again with kickoffs. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL is working on adjustments to onside kicks, and also considering a series of rules designed to make kickoffs “exciting again.” NFL special teams coordinators reportedly met at the NFL …

Justin Jefferson’s patience is about to be handsomely rewarded. The Vikings’ receiver is slated to receive a contract extension that will make him the highest-paid wideout in NFL history, according to ESPN.  Jefferson’s deal is expected to pay him more than $30 million annually, per the report. No wideout in league history has ever made north of $30 million annually. …

Three weeks ago today, Kyle Shanahan had a chance to make history. Before the surprise onside kick became history. In the aftermath of the kick-receive-defer decision after the 49ers won the coin toss to start overtime against the Chiefs, we suggested the possibility of choosing to kick — and of unleashing a Sean Payton in Super Bowl LIV-style surprise onside …

Getty Images Never question Barry Odom’s commitment to UNLV. He found a creative (and dangerous) way to raise funds for his football program: Riding a live bull in front of an arena packed with fans and supporters. Despite an inspired effort, Odom, who wore extra protective gear and sported UNLV colors while attempting the stunt, didn’t last long.  He just …

Bears mock draft: Ryan Poles strikes out on elite pass-catchers originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago With the NFL Combine in the rear view and free agency approaching, most experts and insiders believe that the Bears will trade away Justin Fields and move forward with a rookie quarterback. The consensus says that quarterback will be Caleb Williams. That decision will …

49ers held formal interviews with multiple O-line prospects originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area INDIANAPOLIS — The 49ers spent a considerable amount of time at the NFL Scouting Combine meeting with offensive line prospects. The organization took advantage of a loaded draft class of tackles, completing multiple formal interviews with the talented candidates in attendance, as well as a …

Report: 49ers explored possibility of hiring Spagnuolo as DC originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area The 49ers might have been looking to make a splash with their next defensive coordinator. Before the 49ers’ reported plan to promote Nick Sorensen and hire Brandon Staley, San Francisco looked into hiring Kansas City Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for the position before …

The turnover on the Miami Dolphins defense this offseason continues with one of their former first round picks, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, set to become an unrestricted free agent after the team made the decision not to tag him, per an ESPN report.  The 13th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft is the latest Dolphins defender to be looking …

Cowboys wide receiver Michael Gallup is widely expected to get cut soon, but if Cowboys owner and General Manager Jerry Jones knows for sure whether Gallup will be on the Cowboys in 2024, he’s not saying. “We don’t have a decision that we would like to talk about right now,” Jones said, via Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News. …

The New York Rangers agreed to terms Sunday on a one-year contract extension with veteran goaltender Jonathan Quick that’s worth $1.275 million for the 2024-25 NHL season. Quick, 38, joined the team he grew up rooting for on an $825,000 deal last summer after backing up for the Vegas Golden Knights on their Stanley Cup run. He has thrived as …

The emergence of San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has made the Mr. Irrelevant pick in the NFL draft relevant for bettors. In his first two seasons in the NFL, Purdy has led the 49ers to the NFC Conference Championship Game and a Super Bowl appearance. And with his early success, teams and bettors are now hesitant to overlook the …

When immersed within the NFL universe for multiple days, you pick up a few things. Here’s one thing I picked up this time around. The push to 18 regular-season games hasn’t been abandoned, health and safety concerns be damned. The first hint of it came when Browns G.M. Andrew Berry explained on PFT Live that Cleveland and other teams are …