Author: Bertram Dewell

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns hold two golden tickets in the 2026 NFL Draft, but the franchise won’t use them to reset the quarterback room. Despite another losing season, Cleveland is expected to pass on a signal-caller at No. 6 and No. 24, opting instead to build a fortress around their current roster. General Manager Andrew Berry is reportedly looking to provide immediate help for a room that currently features veteran Deshaun Watson and second-year pro Shedeur Sanders. The decision marks a significant vote of confidence in new head coach Todd Monken. Since taking the reigns earlier this year, Monken…

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The gravy train might finally derail. The federal government just fired a warning shot directly at Roger Goodell. If the league continues aggressively pushing live games behind streaming paywalls, the sacred NFL antitrust exemption could collapse. FCC Chair Brendan Carr delivered the threat on Thursday, signaling a massive legal crisis for the shield. The league makes billions by selling its rights collectively, but regulators are losing patience with everyday fans footing the massive subscription bills. The Paywall Tipping Point This isn’t just standard political posturing. The sterile, fluorescent-lit conference room in D.C. lacked the roar of a…

PITTSBURGH — The clock hits zero in less than a month. The 2026 NFL Draft descends on Pittsburgh’s North Shore from April 23-25, and front offices across the league are sweating. Teams are grinding through top-30 visits, private workouts, and endless video calls. But behind closed doors, a massive rift divides general managers and head coaches. Walking around Acrisure Stadium this week, the cold wind off the Allegheny River perfectly mirrored the harsh reality setting in for several NFL coaching staffs. For the college prospects throwing at pro days, this is the culmination of a lifelong dream. For the men…

TAMPA, FL — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are officially in a new era. Following a frustrating 8-9 campaign in 2025 that saw the team lose seven of its final eight games, the “Old Guard” has moved on. With franchise legend Lavonte David announcing his retirement this past Tuesday and Mike Evans finding a new home in free agency, GM Jason Licht is pivoting. The 2026 NFL Draft is no longer about adding depth; it is about finding the next core of a roster that looked tired and slow in December. The Post-Lavonte Identity Crisis Replacing a Hall of Famer is…

NEW YORK — The New York Jets hold the second overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, and the front office is sweating. For months, the consensus was clear: Indiana’s Heisman-winning giant Fernando Mendoza was the undisputed top dog after an undefeated season. But Alabama’s Ty Simpson just blew the doors off the evaluation process. Simpson didn’t just throw at his Pro Day; he launched guided missiles, forcing scouts to rip up their big boards. The Tape vs. The Traits You could feel the tension shift across the league this week. Standing on the turf in Tuscaloosa, the chilly morning…

LAS VEGAS — Tom Brady still has the itch, but the NFL just scratched it out. The 48-year-old icon confirmed this week that he reached out to league officials to explore a potential return to the gridiron, only to be met with a cold reality: his ownership of the Las Vegas Raiders makes a comeback legally impossible under current league bylaws. The Ownership Wall Speaking with Alex Sherman of CNBC, Brady admitted he “actually have inquired” about suiting up again. The league’s response was swift and unyielding. NFL rules established in 2023 explicitly prohibit active players from holding equity stakes…

DENVER — The Denver Broncos aren’t just relevant; they are dangerous. After a dominant 14-3 regular season and securing the No. 1 seed in 2025, the Mile High City is still recovering from a frigid 10-7 AFC Championship loss to the Patriots. That defeat, played in a blinding Colorado snowstorm, proved that even a roster ranked third in points allowed needs a few more weapons to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. With the Denver Broncos 2026 NFL Draft approaching, General Manager George Paton is hunting for the finishing touches. Trading for Jaylen Waddle was a statement. By shipping their first-round pick…

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Las Vegas Raiders aren’t resting on the laurels of a record-breaking rookie season from Ashton Jeanty. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that veteran Najee Harris is scheduled to visit the Raiders’ facility this coming Thursday. The move signals a clear intent by General Manager John Spytek to find a hammer to complement Jeanty’s lightning-quick production in Klint Kubiak’s offense. Veteran Insurance for the Reigning Rookie King Las Vegas hit a grand slam in the 2025 NFL Draft with Jeanty, who racked up 1,321 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns last year. But the depth behind him remains…

PITTSBURGH — Chelsea Green doesn’t care about your medical timelines. Standing on the grass of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ practice facility, the WWE Superstar lined up a kick that would make most NFL prospects sweat. With a “broken ankle” still supposedly mending, Green swung her leg and sent the ball sailing through the uprights. She didn’t just make the shot; she took a bow and immediately demanded a raise from Triple H. Defying the Doctors in the Steel City The Steelers shared the footage of Green’s unexpected tryout on March 26, 2026, just 24 hours before Friday Night SmackDown took over…

CHULA VISTA, Calif. — Robert Griffin III isn’t done yet. The former Heisman Trophy winner and 2012 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year officially secured a spot on the Team USA men’s national flag football training roster Thursday. This move marks a stunning return to the gridiron as the 36-year-old gunslinger targets a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The Return of RGIII Griffin joins a 24-man pool invited to the U.S. national team training camp in Chula Vista next month. While he hasn’t taken a competitive NFL snap since 2020, Griffin looked sharp during recent trials in…

FOXBOROUGH — The New England Patriots aren’t interested in a “moral victory” after falling just short in Super Bowl LX. With Drake Maye cementing himself as an All-Pro caliber franchise cornerstone, the mission in the 2026 NFL Draft is clear: find the missing pieces to finish the job. Picking at No. 31 overall, the Patriots are prioritizing a defensive front that struggled to close out Seattle in February. The First Round: Clemson’s T.J. Parker Becomes the Anchor New England needs a disruptor. While the 2025 season saw the Patriots defense finish in the top ten for points allowed, the pass…

NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Saints enter the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 8 overall pick after a 6-11 finish that left the Superdome hungry for a spark. Head Coach Kellen Moore and the front office now stand at a crossroads. While the top five picks usually grab the headlines, the real value in this class lies in the “sleepers”—players whose physical traits or scheme fit could make them far more valuable than their current draft projection suggests. Jordyn Tyson: The Vertical Spark If the Saints want to fix an offense that often looked stagnant in 2025, Jordyn…

TAMPA, FL — The locker room at AdventHealth Training Center feels different this week. Following the emotional retirement of franchise legend Lavonte David on Tuesday, General Manager Jason Licht is facing his biggest challenge yet. With Mike Evans now in San Francisco and the defense lacking its longtime heartbeat, the 2026 NFL Draft isn’t just an opportunity—it is a necessity. We ran the PFF 2026 NFL Mock Draft simulator to see how Tampa Bay can reload for one last run with Baker Mayfield. Building the Fortress at Pick 15 Most analysts expected a pass rusher or a replacement for Evans…

EAGAN, MN — Minnesota is officially on the clock. On Wednesday, Minnesota Sports and Events (MNSE), alongside the Minnesota Vikings and officials from U.S. Bank Stadium, formally submitted their bid to host the 2028 NFL Draft. The move aims to bring the league’s premier offseason spectacle to the Twin Cities exactly one decade after the region successfully hosted Super Bowl LII. The bid arrives at a fever pitch for the league. While the NFL world prepares to descend on Pittsburgh for the 2026 Draft next month, and with Washington D.C. already locked in for 2027, Minnesota is looking to secure…

CINCINNATI — Joe Flacco isn’t content holding a clipboard, even if the paycheck says otherwise. The 41-year-old quarterback officially re-signed with the Cincinnati Bengals this week on a one-year, $6 million deal, but his press conference sounded more like a challenge to the rest of the league than a victory lap. Fresh off a 2025 campaign where he rescued the Bengals’ season, Flacco made it clear he still views himself as a top-tier starter. The “Unfinished Business” of a 41-Year-Old Flacco didn’t just walk back into Paycor Stadium; he stormed back with a chip on his shoulder. After the Bengals…

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Chargers officially signed veteran guard Kayode Awosika on Wednesday, providing a versatile insurance policy for an offensive front that spent much of 2025 in the medical tent. The addition comes as Jim Harbaugh continues a massive overhaul of the interior line just ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. Building the Wall for Justin Herbert Awosika joins the Bolts after a productive stint with the Detroit Lions. While he entered the league as an undrafted free agent with Philadelphia, he found his footing in Detroit, appearing in 50 career games with 11 starts. Last season,…

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans are done paying for potential that sits on the training table. In a league-wide first for the 2026 offseason, General Manager Mike Borgonzi has tied the vast majority of Tennessee Titans free agent contracts to a “pay-as-you-play” model. Out of 15 known veteran deals signed this month, 14 include specific bonuses triggered only if the player is active on game day. The Borgonzi Blueprint: No More Free Passes This isn’t just a minor tweak to the salary cap; it is a fundamental shift in how the Titans do business. Borgonzi, who learned the ropes in…

FLOWERY BRANCH, GA — The Atlanta Falcons are officially in the Tua Tagovailoa era, but the 2026 NFL Draft presents a massive hurdle: a hollowed-out opening night. Without a first-round pick following the trade with Philadelphia, GM Ian Cunningham must strike gold at No. 48. The roster is top-heavy with veteran additions like Azeez Ojulari and Austin Hooper, yet the foundation remains shaky at key spots. The Day 2 Dilemma Atlanta isn’t just looking for a body; they’re looking for a succession plan. The clock is ticking on the offensive line. Jake Matthews is 34 years old. Kaleb McGary is…

CINCINNATI — The Queen City just locked down its insurance policy. The Cincinnati Bengals officially re-signed 41-year-old veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to a one-year, $6 million deal that can reach $9 million with incentives. After Joe Burrow’s devastating turf toe injury derailed the 2025 campaign, Cincinnati refused to roll the dice again. The Joe Flacco Bengals reunion ensures the franchise has a battle-tested safety net for 2026. The 2025 Flashback: A Midseason Rescue Mission You could almost feel the collective panic inside Paycor Stadium last October when Burrow limped to the sideline. The chilly Ohio wind didn’t stop fans from…

TEMPE, ARIZ. — The Arizona Cardinals might not wait around to find their quarterback of the future. While the rest of the league watches the Las Vegas Raiders prepare to crown Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 overall, Arizona sits at No. 3 with a massive decision for new head coach Mike LaFleur. Rather than forcing a pick early, a shocking new scenario has emerged: Arizona uses its top pick on a defensive star, then aggressively trades back into the first round to secure Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. The Art of the Steal ESPN draft guru Field Yates dropped a…