Football Wiretap

NFL's Christmas Games Expected To Sell For At Least $50M Apiece

Mar 28, 2024 9:52 PM

The NFL will open biding for its two new Christmas Day games for the 2024 season in the $50 million range, which will be played on a Wednesday.

The league plans to open the bidding to all of its media partners.

The games are more likely to appear on linear TV networks than streaming platforms.

Prime paid $100 million for exclusive streaming rights to the NFL's first Black Friday game and will pay $120 million for the rights to its first playoff game this season. 

Former ESPN executive John Kosner believes the games could sell for $75 million to $100 million apiece. 

The NFL’s Christmas Day tripleheader in 2023 generated record TV audiences last season. CBS drew an average of 29.6 million viewers for an early-afternoon game between the Chiefs and Raiders. Fox drew 29 million for its late-afternoon broadcast of Giants-Eagles, and ESPN pulled 27.1 million for a prime-time Ravens-49ers game. The NBA, meanwhile, had an average audience of 2.86 million for their five competing games on Christmas Day.

Michael McCarthy/FrontOfficeSports

Tags: Legal

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Jets Owner Calls Report On Argument With Head Coach 'Absolutely False'

Mar 28, 2024 5:51 PM

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson used social media Thursday to rebut a claim by an NFL Network host that he and coach Robert Saleh engaged in a "very heated conversation" earlier this week at the NFL's annual league meeting in Orlando, Florida.

"All this nonsense about a heated argument between Coach Saleh and me at the league meeting is absolutely false," Johnson said on X. "It is yet another irresponsible report from NFL Network. Please disregard."

It's unusual for Johnson, 76, to respond in this manner, but he evidently felt compelled after a comment by NFL Network's Colleen Wolfe gained traction late Wednesday.

espn.com

Tags: New York Jets, Misc Rumor

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Adam Thielen: 'Everything Was Stacked Against' Bryce Young

Mar 28, 2024 8:55 AM

Bryce Young had a rough rookie season, something Adam Thielen says wasn't entirely his fault.

The No. 1 overall pick in 2023, Young played behind a struggling offensive line and received little help from the running game.

"Yeah, well, I'll say this: I mean, I think everything was stacked against him last year, unfortunately," receiver Adam Thielen told Good Morning Football. "And I'm not gonna get into detail as to why that was, but I'm just really excited for him to have a fresh start, an ability to have a good coaching staff that's gonna put a good plan together to help him be successful, and also to put people around him to help him be successful."

Kevin Patra/NFL

Tags: Carolina Panthers, Misc Rumor

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J.K. Dobbins To Visit With Chargers

Mar 28, 2024 8:52 AM

J.K. Dobbins is set to meet with the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, according to a report.

Dobbins tore his Achilles in Week 1 of last season. The running back has played just nine out of a possible 51 games in the past three seasons, also missing the entire 2021 campaign due to a torn ACL.

He spent his first three years with the Baltimore Ravens under Greg Roman, who signed on as Jim Harbaugh's offensive coordinator in L.A. this season.

Kevin Patra/NFL

Tags: San Diego Chargers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Report: Giants Will Have Private Workout With J.J. McCarthy

Mar 28, 2024 8:48 AM

The New York Giants are set to work out J.J. McCarthy privately in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Sunday, according to a report.

McCarthy's stock has been rising, with many believing he'll be the second quarterback to come off the board behind Caleb Williams.

New York has the sixth overall pick.

Charean Williams/Pro Football Talk

Tags: New York Giants, Draft, Misc Rumor

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Jadeveon Clowney Agrees To Two-Year Deal With Panthers

Mar 28, 2024 1:00 AM

Free agent pass-rusher Jadeveon Clowney has agreed to a contract with the Carolina Panthers, the team announced Wednesday.

Terms were not disclosed but sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter that Clowney agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract that can be worth up to $24 million.

espn.com

Tags: Carolina Panthers, Free Agent Rumor, Terms Agreement

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Eagles Lose Salary Cap Executive Jake Rosenberg

Mar 27, 2024 2:31 PM

Jake Rosenberg will leave the Philadelphia Eagles next month when his contract expires.

Rosenberg is the Eagles' long-time salary cap expert and one of Howie Roseman's closest aides. Rosenberg is leaving the Eagles in hopes of someday becoming a general manager. 

“Over a pretty extended period of time I have just thought to myself that if it doesn’t seem like it’s in the cards for me to advance in this league, and have a chance to keep pushing and growing, that at the end of the day, what is involved to do this in terms of a life perspective, it’s not going to be worth it,” Rosenberg told The Inquirer.

Rosenberg and Roseman have been friends since elementary school.

“Over the last 12-plus years, Jake has been so important to our team and a big part of our success,” Roseman said this week at the NFL meetings. “More importantly, he’s a true friend who has built lifelong relationships here, throughout this league and beyond. While I hate to lose him, I wish him nothing but success going forward.
 
“I wish we could keep him, but he and I have always discussed how important it is to continue to grow and look for new challenges. He deserves the opportunity to become a free agent and whatever he decides is next, I know he’s going to be successful.”

Jeff McLane/Philadelphia Inquirer

Tags: Philadelphia Eagles, Misc Rumor

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Josh Reynolds, Broncos Agree To Two-Year Deal Worth Up To $14M

Mar 27, 2024 2:30 PM

Josh Reynolds has agreed to a two-year deal with the Denver Broncos worth up to $14 million. 

Reynolds caught 40 balls for 608 yards and five touchdowns last season with the Detroit Lions. 

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Saquon Barkley First Considered Texans In Free Agency

Mar 27, 2024 1:26 PM

Saquon Barkley made headlines when he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this month.

However, Barkley admitted on the "New Heights" podcast with Jason and Travis Kelce that the Eagles weren't the first team he considered when he realized he'd be leaving the New York Giants.

"I'm gonna be honest here, that's what the show is for. The first team that had my real interest was Houston [Texans]," the running back said. "I got to communicate with C.J. [Stroud] and a couple of those boys. But this was before you could actually put offers on the table and talk to teams."

The Texans ended up acquiring Joe Mixon in a trade with the Cincinnati Bengals and signing him to a contract extension.

RealGM Staff Report

Tags: Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Brian Daboll May Take Over Play-Calling Duties For Giants

Mar 27, 2024 8:11 AM

Brian Daboll admitted Tuesday that he's considering taking over play-calling duties for the New York Giants.

"It's something I'm looking into," Daboll said. "I think there's 20 head coaches at this point in time that call plays in the league (either offensively or defensively). … There might be a little bit more. I've been doing a bunch of research, but no decision has been made. I'm still going through that process, thinking about what we need to do."

The Giants struggled offensively in 2023. Since Daboll was hired in New York, offensive coordinator Mike Kafka has primarily been the man calling the shots.

Daboll considering returning to his roots as a play-caller underscores the importance of the 2024 season. 

"Certainly," he said. "I did it for a long time. There's a lot of things that go into it. Part of the evaluation that I talked about, there are some other things that I'm looking into. I take my time and do what I think is best for the team."

Kevin Patra/NFL

Tags: New York Giants, Misc Rumor

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Titans Sign L'Jarius Sneed To Four-Year, $76.4M Deal

Ian Rapoport/NFL Network

NFL Approval Of Tom Brady's Raiders Bid 'Making Progress'

Jeremy Fowler/ESPN

NFL Moves Trade Deadline Back One Week

Kevin Seifert/ESPN

Tre'Davious White, Rams Agree To One-Year, $8.5M Deal

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Dak Prescott To Play Out Contract, Become Free Agent In 2025

Ian Rapoport/NFL Media

NFL To Play Two Games On Christmas Day In 2024

RealGM Staff Report

Chiefs Will 'Explore All Options' For 2031 If April 2 Vote Fails

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Vikings Want To Contend Amid Quarterback Change

Kevin Seifert/ESPN

Giants Ownership Gives OK To Draft Quarterback

Jordan Raanan/ESPN

Arthur Blank: 'Don't Believe' Falcons Tampered For Kirk Cousins

Michael Rothstein/ESPN

NFL Owners Approve Ban On Swivel Hip-Drop Tackle

ESPN.com

49ers Say Brandon Aiyuk Not Available For Trade

ESPN.com

Sean McDermott: 'Narrow-Minded' To Say Buffalo Hasn't Had Success

Coral Smith/NFL

Jerry Jones 'Absolutely' Expects A Hip-Drop Tackle Ban

Jori Epstein/Yahoo Sports

Multiple Teams Interested In Trade For Haason Reddick

Josina Anderson/CBS Sports

Report: Commanders Fielding Calls For No. 2 Pick

ESPN

Mike Tomlin: Russell Wilson in 'Pole Position' To Be Steelers QB1

ESPN.com

Patriots 'Still Open' To Trade Talks For No. 3 Pick

ESPN.com

Titans Acquire L'Jarius Snead From Chiefs For 2025 3rd Rounder

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Odell Beckham, Dolphins Have 'Strong' Mutual Interest

Barry Jackson/Miami Herald