April 2022 - Football Wiretap

Bobby Wagner, Rams Agree To Five-Year, $50M Deal

Apr 1, 2022 3:49 PM

Bobby Wagner and the Los Angeles Rams have agreed to a five-year, $50 million deal.

Wagner and the Seattle Seahawks parted ways this offseason after 10 seasons and eight ProBowls. Wagner was a second-team All-Pro in 2021 and will help the Rams replace Von Miller. 

Ian Rapoport/NFL Media

Tags: Los Angeles Rams, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Adam Schefter Signs Multi-Year Extension With ESPN

Mar 31, 2022 2:48 PM

ESPN has reached agreement with senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter to an exclusive multi-year deal.

Throughout the year, Schefter will remain on NFL Live, the network’s daily weekday NFL show, and appear regularly on SportsCenter, Get Up, First Take, and more. 

“The news cycle on the NFL has become a non-stop, year-round enterprise, and no one is more dialed in than Adam,” said Jimmy Pitaro, Chairman, ESPN and Sports Content. “Thanks to his tireless work ethic and skill, Adam is constantly delivering the latest information to NFL fans who can’t get enough. He has a profound impact on ESPN shows as well as in the social media space, and we are excited to have him continue to call ESPN home for many years to come.”

Said Schefter, “Covering the most popular sport in the United States for the leading sports media company has been a dream combination. Every day, at each show and event, I am surrounded by the best teammates – producers, directors, researchers, production staff, and so many more – who elevate everyone around them. I love my job, feel blessed to continue and thank ESPN and Jimmy Pitaro for their consistent faith in me.”

RealGM Staff Report

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Tom Brady Knew Bruce Arians Would Be Stepping Down

Mar 30, 2022 10:31 PM

Tom Brady was not blindsided by Bruce Arians' decision to step down as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brady "was informed Bruce Arians planned to step down and Todd Bowles would succeed him as head coach either the same day or a day after the quarterback announced he was ending his retirement," according to a report.

The report also states that Brady's decision to come back and play after briefly retiring had nothing to do with Arians' departure.

Rick Stroud/Tampa Bay Times

Tags: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Misc Rumor

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Patrick Peterson Re-Signing With Vikings

Mar 30, 2022 10:28 PM

Patrick Peterson is returning to the Minnesota Vikings on a one-year deal.

The cornerback broke the news on "All Things Covered," the podcast he co-hosts with Bryant McFadden.

"I'm gonna stay put in Minnesota and run it back with the guys. Keep it in the North," Peterson said.

ESPN

Tags: Minnesota Vikings, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing

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Lamar Jackson Rips 'False Narrative,' Says He Loves Ravens

Mar 30, 2022 10:26 PM

Lamar Jackson is refuting speculation that he wants to leave the Baltimore Ravens.

Amid stalled negotiations on a long-term contract and uncertainty over whether Jackson has his sights set on free agency in 2025, the quarterback tweeted that he loves the Ravens and cited a "false narrative" that he is considering leaving the franchise.

The tweet comes during a time in which Jackson has reportedly shown no interest in discussing a long-term deal.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti and general manager Eric DeCosta have both said this offseason that the team is committed to signing Jackson long term.

Jamison Hensley/ESPN

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor

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Bruce Arians Steps Down As Bucs' Head Coach, Todd Bowles To Take Over

Mar 31, 2022 3:38 PM

Bruce Arians has stepped down as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Todd Bowles replacing him in the position.

Arians told ESPN he doesn't see it as a retirement. "No, moving to the front office," he said in a text message. "I'm still working."

His new job title will be senior football consultant.

Arians went 31-18 (.633) in three seasons in Tampa Bay.

Brady, in an Instagram post Wednesday night, said Arians was a major part of his decision to play for Tampa Bay and that he'll be "forever grateful."

"You are an incredible man and coach, and it was a privilege to play for you," Brady wrote. "You are a true NFL legend and pioneer for all the work you have done to make the league more diverse and inclusive. Smart, tough, and loyal are a few of the words to describe your style. I will always remember the conversations we had when you recruited me two years ago and all of the things we discussed came true."

In his statement, Arians said that he "really began thinking about my personal transition plan earlier this offseason."

Jenna Laine/ESPN

Tags: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Misc Rumor

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Rams Planning Extensions For Sean McVay, Les Snead

Mar 30, 2022 8:51 AM

The Los Angeles Rams are planning contract extensions for both Sean McVay and Les Snead.

Both the head coach and general manager have two years left on their current deals.

"They have an amazing working relationship," Rams COO Kevin Demoff said. "You'd be foolish, when you look at how hard it is in this league to win, not to try to keep together a pair that's done it really well."

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Los Angeles Rams, Misc Rumor

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Eagles Bringing Back Kelly Green Uniforms In 2023

Mar 30, 2022 8:48 AM

The Philadelphia Eagles will bring back their classic Kelly Green uniforms during the 2023 season.

They will be worn as throwbacks. The Eagles switched from the bright shade of green to a darker green in 1996, not long after Jeffrey Lurie bought the team.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Tags: Philadelphia Eagles, Misc Rumor

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Roger Goodell: Deshaun Watson Could Still Face Discipline From NFL

Mar 30, 2022 9:28 PM

Deshaun Watson could still face discipline from the NFL under the league's personal conduct policy as a result of the 22 pending civil suits accusing him of inappropriate sexual conduct, says Roger Goodell.

Watson won't face criminal charges in the cases.

"Obviously these are serious charges, so we're looking at it seriously," Goodell said. "The personal conduct policy is something that is very important to us, and it does not need a criminal violation in order to pursue it."

The Cleveland Browns acquired Watson in a massive trade with the Houston Texans earlier this month.

Dan Graziano/ESPN

Tags: Cleveland Browns, Misc Rumor

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Ravens Owner: Deshaun Watson Contract Complicates QB Market

Mar 30, 2022 8:41 AM

Deshaun Watson's record-setting contract with the Cleveland Browns could have ripple effects for quarterback deals going forward, according to Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti.

Watson received a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract from the Browns after getting traded from the Houston Texans. That's $80 million more than the previous record for fully guaranteed money at signing.

The Ravens are looking to negotiate a contract extension with Lamar Jackson, who is entering his fifth-year option.

"I'm trying to answer that when I had a reaction to it. And it's like, 'Damn, I wish they hadn't guaranteed the whole contract,'" Bisciotti said. "I don't know that he should've been the first guy to get a fully guaranteed contract. To me, that's something that is groundbreaking, and it'll make negotiations harder with others."

Bisciotti then added, "But it doesn't necessarily mean that we have to play that game, you know? We shall see. If I was in bogged-down negotiations with Lamar, then maybe I would have a quicker reaction to that news."

Jamison Hensley/ESPN

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Misc Rumor

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John Harbaugh, Ravens Sign Extension Through 2025

Jamison Hensley/ESPN

NFL Changes Playoff Overtime Rules To Give Each Team Possession

Kevin Seifert/ESPN

Andy Dalton, Saints Agree To One-Year, $6M Deal

Adam Schefter/ESPN

49ers Expect Trey Lance To Start 'Sooner Or Later'

Nick Wagoner/ESPN

Sean McVay: Rams Remain Interested In Bobby Wagner

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Detroit To Host 2024 NFL Draft

Eric Woodyard/ESPN

Bills To Match Bears' Offer Sheet To G Ryan Bates

Alaina Getzenberg/ESPN

NFL: All Teams Must Add Minority Offensive Coach

Kevin Seifert/ESPN

Andy Reid Says Tyreek Hill Trade Was Due To Salary Cap

Adam Teicher/ESPN

49ers Don't Expect To Cut Jimmy Garoppolo

Nick Wagoner/ESPN

Fox Promotes Kevin Burkhardt To No. 1 Play-By-Play Role

Andrew Marchand/New York Post

Titans Want To Sign A.J. Brown To Long-Term Deal

Kevin Patra/NFL

John Mara: Giants Are 'Not Shopping' Saquon Barkley

Kevin Patra/NFL

Bills Don't Foresee Stefon Diggs' Contract Being As Issue

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Ronald Jones Signs One-Year Deal With Chiefs

Adam Teicher/ESPN

Panthers GM: Sam Darnold 'In The Lead' For QB Job

David Newton/ESPN

DK Metcalf: 'It's My Time In Seattle' To Lead

Kevin Patra/NFL

Second Grand Jury Declines To Charge Deshaun Watson

Cody Benjamin/CBS Sports

Suites, Seats Catch Fire At Mile High Stadium

Jeff Legwold/ESPN

Eagles Re-Sign Derek Barnett To Two-Year Deal

ESPN