The NFL kickoff will be different in 2024 since the league’s competition committee added new rules this offseason.  These new rules came to be because touchbacks became more expected on kickoff returns than actual returns themselves. The rules incentivize action and returns — and tackling — will be more important than ever, particularly on the last line of defense for …

Getty Images The 2024 transfer portal cycle hasn’t been short on drama. There were a lot of impact players who decided to transfer and that led to some intense, albeit, short recruitments. Take a look at the five biggest recruiting wins of the 2024 transfer portal cycle. MORE FRIEDMAN: How first-year coaches have utilized the portal ***** TRANSFER PORTAL: Latest …

Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson, one of the most dependable members of New England’s offense the past three seasons, has agreed to a four-year contract extension, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press on Thursday. The new deal is worth a maximum of $36 million and includes $17 million in guarantees, according to the person who …

The Saints are bringing in a New Orleans native. Per multiple reports, safety Roderic Teamer is signing with the club on a one-year deal. Teamer, 27, participated in New Orleans’ minicamp on a tryout basis. He was previously with the Raiders until he was cut after being arrested for DUI in November of last season. Teamer entered the league with …

Michigan State is the latest power four program to show interest in a Pennsylvania prospect in the 2026 class. Cameron Brickle of Malvern, Penn. announced earlier this week that he’s received an offer from the Spartans. Brickle is a defensive lineman in the 2026 class. Brickle is currently listed as an unranked prospect in the 2026 class, according to 247Sports. …

Getty Images A member of the Cleveland Browns is in trouble with the law, as defensive end Lonnie Phelps was arrested Wednesday night in Key West, Florida, and charged with drunken driving and damaging property, according to a police report obtained by Cleveland.com. Phelps was officially waived by the Browns on Thursday afternoon.  Phelps reportedly crashed his SUV into a restaurant …

Greg Wyshynski, ESPNJun 20, 2024, 04:07 PM ET CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. EDMONTON — Connor McDavid thought the Stanley Cup Final would feel more magical. “You spend your life working to get into a position like this. You get here and expect there to be this magic feeling, but to be honest, it’s all been pretty normal,” …

Running back Rhamondre Stevenson and the New England Patriots reached agreement on a four-year, $36 million contract on Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The deal includes $17 million in guaranteed money. Stevenson, 26, was the Patriots’ leading rusher in 2022-23, tallying 1,040 yards (averaging five yards per carry) with five touchdowns. He was also an effective receiver, catching 69 …

With the current rules as it pertains to the transfer portal, it’ll be a rare sight to see an incoming freshman spend all four or even five years with the same program. It’s difficult for fans to get attached to the players and coaches often don’t see the fruits of their labor as the player develops and then makes an …

Trevor Lawrence insists his new contract, which makes him one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in NFL history, won’t create any added pressure. Lawrence signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension Thursday, a week after agreeing to the deal. It includes $142 million fully guaranteed and a $37.5 million signing bonus. “Being a starting quarterback in this league is a big …

Five more burning questions the Patriots need to answer this summer originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston We hit you on Wednesday with five of our 10 burning questions facing the Patriots this summer. Now, we are back at it again with the next five. Less of a preamble this time. Less fixation on the offense as well. Away we …

Big things were expected when 2023 Phenix City (Ala.) Central four-star wide receiver Karmello English made an early signing day commitment to Michigan football. And English managed to see some early playing time with 68 snaps in six of the first seven games. But English never saw the field again while wearing a winged helmet, and he ended up entering …

USATSI Rhamondre Stevenson is the latest NFL running back to receive a hefty contract extension. Stevenson and the New England Patriots have agreed to terms on a four-year, $36 million extension that will included $17 million guaranteed, according to ESPN.  Stevenson, 26, is entering his fourth season with the Patriots, who selected him with the 120th overall pick in the …

While he may have skipped his team’s mandatory minicamp, Aaron Rodgers is still very much in the good graces of Jets owner Woody Johnson.  Johnson recently shared his optimism for Rodgers and the upcoming season by posting the following message on X that included slow-motion footage of the four-time MVP quarterback slinging passes during OTAs.  “[Rodgers] looked as good as …

The top of the 2024 NFL draft class was stocked with talented quarterback play. Six of the first 12 picks were quarterbacks, including Oregon’s own Bo Nix who was selected by the Denver Broncos. But back on the college level, those teams that had a top signal-caller move on to the pros needed to replace the highly-skilled quarterback and while …