Report: Patriots could pursue these free agents to bolster their offense originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston With the 2024 NFL Combine well underway, reporters around the New England Patriots are starting to get a better understanding of what the team will look to achieve this offseason. On Sunday morning, MassLive’s Karen Guregian, Mark Daniels, and Chris Mason reported on …

Napa product Bowers watches, learns from 49ers’ Kittle originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area INDIANAPOLIS — George Kittle already was an established NFL star with the 49ers as tight end Brock Bowers was working his way into one of the nation’s top recruits at Napa High. Kittle set a new pay scale for NFL tight ends in 2020 when …

The 2024 NFL Combine came to a close Sunday but not before the offensive linemen showcased their immense athletic skill at intimidating size inside Lucas Oil Stadium.  It’s a stacked offensive tackle class, and the sought after edge protectors did not disappoint. In the 40-yard dash, the jumps, or the on-field work.  Here are some of the winners and losers …

Chris Mortensen, one of the original NFL insiders whose work informed millions of football fans for decades, has died at the age of 72. After a long newspaper career, most notably at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Mortensen spent years at ESPN, working on its NFL studio shows and gaining a reputation as one of the NFL’s major news breakers. Mortensen announced …

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 …