Scoring was down in the NFL to 43.5 points per game, and the NFL attributes more backup quarterbacks starting games as one of three reasons for that. The league saw 66 different quarterbacks start for teams this season. One way to protect quarterbacks (and increase scoring) is to change the grounding rules, something the Competition Committee is considering. The league …

Clemson coach Brad Brownell is convinced the Big 12 has figured out how to manipulate the NCAA NET rankings. “They’re playing 300-level teams and winning by 40 and 50 points to increase their offensive and defensive efficiency numbers, which is a big part of the NET tool,” Brownell recently said. The conference has three teams in the top 10, according …

The biggest question of the Steelers offseason has to do with how they’ll handle the quarterback position and somewhere behind that is what they’ll do regarding their option on running back Najee Harris’ contract for the 2025 season. Picking up the option would set Harris up to make $6.79 million during his fifth NFL season. Harris has posted 3,269 rushing …

The 2024 college football season is inching closer and closer as March approaches, meaning spring practices are now just mere weeks away. With plenty of storylines to keep you entertained, SEC Media Days is also around the corner, as the yearly event has now moved to Dallas, Texas, for the first time after taking place in Nashville, Tennessee, last year. …

Jordan Schultz reports Bears, Jaylon Johnson ‘inching closer’ to an extension originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago One of the major boxes the Bears must check this offseason is bringing back Jaylon Johnson. Recently, NFL insider Jordan Schultz provided new, key insights into where the Bears and Johnson stand in their negotiations for an extension. Remember, those talks stalled during …

Mark Richt’s name was called the other night, and he haltingly approached the stage. It wasn’t due to the awkwardness of the moment, though it was a little weird. A prominent member of the Georgia and FSU and Miami royal football families was being honored by the Florida Gators? Well, the actual university wasn’t lauding Richt. It was a more …

Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz and senior NFL insider Charles Robinson discuss the rumors that some NFL teams are souring on the North Carolina quarterback, and the former favorite to be the No. 1 overall pick could fall in the first round. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” – part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast – and subscribe on Apple …

Former Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was pure electricity on the field during his two-year career in College Station, and outside of the extracurriculars that led to his short NFL career, Aggie fans remember the young man who elevated the program nationally. This week, ESPN’s Bill Connelly released its “Top 80 quarterbacks of the 2000s” rankings (subscription required), including nearly …

Colorado star Nathan MacKinnon had a goal and an assist, giving him 100 points in 61 games this season, as the Avalanche beat the lowly Chicago Blackhawks 5-0 on Thursday night. MacKinnon scored his 36th goal with 2:28 left in the third period, sending a wrist shot between Petr Mrazek’s legs. He joins Peter Stastny (7), Joe Sakic (6), Michel …

The NFL has reportedly tested optical technology to track first downs in multiple games, including at February’s Super Bowl. If approved and implemented, the technology would replace the long outdated and oft-criticized system of sideline chain crews that invites human error and guesswork into high-stakes first-down measurements. This is according to multiple reports from the NFL scouting combine on Thursday, …

It’s the time of year when football recruits begin loading up their spring calendars with official visits. Florida is preparing to host a ton of recruits over the coming cycle, including Guyer (Denton, Texas) defensive tackle Xxavier Ukponu. After stopping by The Swamp in February for an unofficial visit, Ukponu has locked in Florida as one of his upcoming official …

Odds for Justin Fields to land with the Falcons shoot up … again originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago One day after the Falcons’ odds to land Justin Fields took a commanding lead over the rest of the field, they shot up … again. Indeed, the betting odds shifted from -300 to -425 for Fields to land in his hometown …

AUBURN — Auburn football’s Hugh Freeze felt a void when attending the latest SEC coaches meeting, and he’s still looking for someone to step into it. “In our most recent SEC head coaches meeting, there wasn’t a guy that was willing to yell and scream as much,” Freeze said Thursday when asked about former Alabama coach Nick Saban’s retirement. “We’ve …

Potential 49ers NFL Draft target wows with historic 10-yard split originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area A potential 49ers draft target put on a historic performance at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine on Thursday at Lucas Oil Stadium. Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson — who ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. mocked to the 49ers at No. 31 overall in …

Greg Wyshynski, ESPNMar 1, 2024, 12:11 AM ET CloseGreg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. The Toronto Maple Leafs acquired Anaheim Ducks defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin on Thursday night in a three-way trade that also involved the Carolina Hurricanes. Anaheim received Toronto’s 2025 third-round pick and retained 50% of Lyubushkin’s salary. Carolina received a 2024 sixth-round pick to retain 50% of …