March 2023 - Football Wiretap

Raiders Owner Mark Davis: 'You Gotta Have Patience'

Mar 31, 2023 9:14 AM

The Las Vegas Raiders went 6-11 in 2022 despite entering the season with high expectations following the acquisition of Davante Adams.

Since the end of the disappointing season, the Raiders have moved on from Derek Carr and brought in Jimmy Garoppolo.

"Unfortunately, every time you change there is going to be changes that those people are going to see but you have to give them time to understand the changes," owner Mark Davis said. "I know that a lot of people can watch film and think that they know it all, but watching film doesn't give you all the answers. You need to watch the games and be there to get the full picture.

"So, yeah, you gotta have patience."

Kevin Patra/NFL

Tags: Las Vegas Raiders, Misc Rumor

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Steelers Signing Keanu Neal To Two-Year Deal

Mar 31, 2023 9:10 AM

The Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to sign safety Keanu Neal to a two-year deal, according to his agent.

Neal was a first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2016. He's since played for the Dallas Cowboys and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Nick Shook/NFL

Tags: Pittsburgh Steelers, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Signing, Terms Agreement

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Jets Now Own Longest Playoff Drought In American Sports

Mar 31, 2023 9:06 AM

The New York Jets haven't made the playoffs in 12 years, which is the longest playoff drought in the NFL.

Now that the NBA's Sacramento Kings have clinched a playoff berth, ending their 16-year drought, the Jets own the longest drought in North American professional sports.

The Jets have just one winning record during that stretch (10-6 in 2015), enduring seven consecutive losing seasons.

Jeff Kerr/CBS Sports

Tags: New York Jets, Misc Rumor

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MetLife Gets New Turf After Widespread Criticism

Mar 31, 2023 9:02 AM

A new playing surface has been installed at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets, where the previous turf had become an object of widespread criticism.

While not grass, the new surface is believed to be an improved synthetic turf that will decrease the number of injuries that occur at the stadium.

The two New York teams will now play on an updated version of FieldTurf -- a recent edition called FieldTurf Core system, which is the first multilayer dual-polymer monofilament fiber.

Jordan Raanan/ESPN

Tags: Misc Rumor

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Owners Vote To Allow Stadium Sportsbooks To Take Bets During Games

Mar 30, 2023 9:00 AM

NFL owners have voted to allow physical sportsbooks to operate at the league's stadiums beginning in 2023, according to a report.

The new resolution will allow teams to have brick-and-mortar sportsbooks at stadiums in states where sports gambling is currently legalized.

With 33 states currently allowing legal sports gambling, roughly 17 NFL franchises will be permitted to host on-site sportsbooks, the revenue from which they will be able to keep up to a certain threshold.

Currently, the Washington Commanders are the only team in the NFL that has a physical sportsbook within their stadium.

The Athletic

Tags: Misc Rumor

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Marvin Jones Reunites With Lions

Mar 30, 2023 8:57 AM

The Detroit Lions are expected to sign Marvin Jones to a one-year, $3 million deal, according to a source.

The wide receiver's contract could be worth up to $5 million.

Jones, 33, caught 119 passes for 1,361 yards and seven touchdowns the past two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Tags: Detroit Lions, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Terms Agreement

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Bill Belichick Clarifies Remark: Pats 'Not Resting On Past Laurels'

Mar 30, 2023 8:53 AM

Bill Belichick said Wednesday that the New England Patriots' championship success in his 23-year tenure isn't part of his mindset when looking ahead to the 2023 season.

"We're not resting on our past laurels; that's not the message to the team or the fans," Belichick said. "We have never operated that way and aren't now."

Belichick's remarks came two days after he held a Q&A session at the NFL's annual meeting in Phoenix. Toward the end of that 28-minute media session, Belichick was asked what he would say to fans to give them a reason to be optimistic for what's ahead.

He responded: "The last 25 years."

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Tags: New England Patriots, Misc Rumor

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NFL Issues $1.27 Billion In New Debt

Mar 29, 2023 12:09 PM

The NFL has issued $1.27 billion in new 2023 term notes under the league-wide credit facility.

At the same time, the league is increasing the amount of money available through one if its revolving credit lines to $4.113 billion. 

The notes are backed by the NFL’s national television broadcast revenue, which equals $318 million per team this year, or $10.176 billion overall. 

The new notes probably carry a fixed interest rate and will be due, according to Fitch, starting in 2028 and extending out as far as 2043.

Brendan Coffey/Sportico

Tags: Legal

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Patriots Won't Pursue Lamar Jackson

Mar 29, 2023 11:05 AM

The New England Patriots will not pursue a trade for Lamar Jackson, a source told Jeff Howe of The Athletic

The Baltimore Ravens placed the $32.4 million franchise tag on Jackson.

If the Patriots signed Jackson to an offer sheet, they would ship their next two first-round draft picks to Baltimore if the Ravens didn’t match the terms. The Patriots would also have to sign Jackson to a long-term contract. Jackson is seeking a fully guaranteed deal.

New England will start Mac Jones at quarterback in 2023, but Bailey Zappe will push Jones.

Jeff Howe/The Athletic

Tags: Baltimore Ravens, New England Patriots, Free Agent Rumor, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Titans GM Rejects 'Erroneous' Derrick Henry Trade Rumors

Mar 29, 2023 9:16 AM

Tennessee Titans general manager Ran Carthon is rejecting the idea that he's actively shopping Derrick Henry.

"There's nothing new to report," Carthon said. "There was an erroneous report that came out. I've spoken to Todd (France), Derrick's representative, and we're in a good place. So, there's nothing new to report from there.

"I know Derrick trains like crazy in the location where he trains -- I know the location, I don't want to put it out there -- but Derrick is going to be Derrick. He's going to take his time away and do what he has to do to make sure that he's ready to go. So, feel we're in a good place."

Kevin Patra/NFL

Tags: Tennessee Titans, Misc Rumor, Trade Rumor

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Jets Want Protection In Trade Should Aaron Rodgers Not Play In 2024

Yahoo Sports!

Eagles Will Wear Kelly Green Alternate Jerseys In 2023

Michael David Smith/Pro Football Talk

Jets Owner 'Anxious' To Finalize Aaron Rodgers Trade

Rich Cimini/ESPN

NFL Will Now Allow Players To Wear No. 0

Mike Reiss/ESPN

Falcons Agree To One-Year Deal With Calais Campbell

Michael Rothstein/ESPN

Justin Herbert, Chargers Open Extension Talks

Lindsey Thiry/ESPN

Kyle Shanahan: It Will Be Harder For Trey Lance To Win Starting Job

Myles Simmons/ProFootballTalk

Steve Apostolopoulos Submits $6 Billion Bid For Commanders

Adam Schefter, Brian Windhorst/ESPN

Harris/Rales Group Bids $6 Billion For Commanders

Adam Schefter/ESPN

Robert Kraft: Jerod Mayo 'Strong Candidate' To Replace Bill Belichick

Josh Alper/Pro Football Talk

Eagles Hopeful Jalen Hurts' New Deal Will Be Done 'Relatively Soon'

Tim McManus/ESPN

Colts Will Consider Trading For Lamar Jackson

Stephen Holder/ESPN

Packers GM: Talks With Aaron Rodgers 'Never Transpired'

Rob Demovsky/ESPN

Bengals, Irv Smith, Jr. Agree To One-Year Deal

Ben Baby/ESPN

Brock Purdy 'Leader In Clubhouse' To Start At QB For 49ers

Michael David Smith/ProFootballTalk

Lamar Jackson Requested Trade From Ravens On March 2nd

RealGM Staff Report

Owners To Vote On In-Stadium Sports Books Remaining Open On Game Days

Albert Breer

Mike Tomlin 'Excited' About Kenny Pickett's Potential

Brooke Pryor/ESPN

49ers Acquire Zane Gonzalez With Robbie Gould Era Likely Over

Nick Wagoner/ESPN

Broncos Not Trading Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton

ESPN.com