Chicago Bears
FILE -Alabama wide receiver John Metchie III (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 23, 2021, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. This year's NFL draft prospects reluctantly recall their personal COVID-19 experiences. Some consider them inspirational reminders of obstacles already overcame. Others sound more reminiscent of old war stories. And while the stories change, each comes with unforgettably vivid detail and heartfelt emotion about a challenging two-year battle to pursue their dreams.(AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
NFL draft class faced major challenges in COVID-19 battles

By Michael Marot Apr. 28, 2022 03:06 AM EDT

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Saturday, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Bears GM Ryan Poles interested in acquiring more draft picks

By Gene Chamberlain Apr. 26, 2022 04:35 PM EDT

FILE - Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Two decades have passed since the Green Bay Packers last drafted a wide receiver in the first round. The Packers have two chances and plenty of reasons to stop that trend this year. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Extra picks give Packers' Gutekunst plenty of trade options

By Steve Megargee Apr. 25, 2022 06:47 PM EDT

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields puts on his helmet during the NFL football team's voluntary minicamp at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Ill., Wednesday, April 20, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Bears seek help for Fields, CB in first draft under GM Poles

By Andrew Seligman Apr. 22, 2022 07:04 PM EDT

FILE - Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. Two decades have passed since the Green Bay Packers last drafted a wide receiver in the first round. The Packers have two chances and plenty of reasons to stop that trend this year. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Draft gives Packers opportunity to restock receiving group

By Steve Megargee Apr. 22, 2022 05:16 PM EDT

FILE - North Carolina State offensive lineman Ikem "Ickey" Ekwonu runs a drill during the NFL football scouting combine, Friday, March 4, 2022, in Indianapolis. The Jaguars have the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft for the second consecutive year. Alabama left tackle Evan Neal or North Carolina State’s Ikem “Ickey” Ekwonu seemingly make as much sense for Jacksonville as Michigan standout pass rusher and betting favorite Aidan Hutchinson.(AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)
Jags pick 1st again, but is this another slam dunk choice?

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 02:02 PM EDT

Quarterback Matt Corral passes during a drill at the Mississippi football pro day in Oxford, Miss., Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
After trade, Saints look to draft offensive playmakers

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 01:07 PM EDT

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) is interviewed on the field after the NFL Super Bowl 55 football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, in Tampa, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. Thanks to Tom Brady’s return, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren’t looking for any quick fixes in the NFL draft. The seven-time Super Bowl champion’s decision to end his brief retirement not only resolved the team’s quarterback situation, but also helped general manager Jason Licht retain most of a solid core of talent around Brady. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano, FIle)
Buccaneers aim to bolster depth, build for future in draft

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 12:32 PM EDT

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles throws out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Saturday, April 16, 2022. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Bears seek help on offense, at CB in first draft under Poles

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 11:58 AM EDT

FILE - Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) reacts to first half injury against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Baltimore. DeCosta feels the Ravens have generally been pretty conservative in the draft when it comes to injuries. That's a relevant issue after a decimated Baltimore team dropped six straight at the end of last season to miss the playoffs. The Ravens will certainly hope for better luck in 2022. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams, File)
Baltimore Ravens enter draft with 9 picks in first 4 rounds

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 11:55 AM EDT

Wide receiver Chris Olave runs a football drill during Ohio State Pro Day in Columbus, Ohio, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Vernon)
Multiple early picks should help Packers find receivers

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 11:54 AM EDT

FILE - New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 2, 2022, in East Rutherford, N.J. With NFL Draft picks Nos. 4 and 10, the team has two selections in the top 10 for the first time. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, File)
Jets enter NFL draft with 4 picks in first 38 selections

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 11:49 AM EDT

FILE - Michigan defensive back Daxton Hill (30) plays during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Northwestern on Oct. 23, 2021, in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Kansas City Chiefs lost Charvarius Ward in free agency and could use someone with enough versatility to cover the slot. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio, File)
Chiefs head into draft with 2 first-round picks, 12 in all

By The Associated Press Apr. 22, 2022 11:42 AM EDT

FILE - Denver Broncos new starting quarterback Russell Wilson, center, is flanked by coach Nathaniel Hackett, right, and general manager George Paton after a news conference March 16, 2022, in Englewood, Colo. Hackett said there's never “too high of a price on anybody that’s great" — especially when it comes to quarterbacks. Denver had been dealing with a revolving door of mediocrity at the most important position ever since Peyton Manning retired seven years ago but now has Wilson in place. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
Record 8 teams head into NFL draft without 1st-round pick

By Josh Dubow Apr. 21, 2022 12:20 PM EDT

AP-Sportlight-Week Ahead

By The Associated Press Apr. 21, 2022 10:00 AM EDT
April 22 1876 — The first official National League baseball game is played with Boston beating Philadelphia 6-5. 1945 — The Toronto Maple...

Justin Fields and the Bears are learning the Eberflus way

By Gene Chamberlain Apr. 19, 2022 06:26 PM EDT
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Many things are changing for Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields since since Matt Eberflus took over as the coach. It was...

Chiefs gather with Mahomes in Texas to begin offseason

By Dave Skretta Apr. 18, 2022 04:44 PM EDT
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The new faces of the Kansas City Chiefs offense are getting to know each other in the warm Texas sun, rather than the cold Kansas City rain,...

Bears sign veteran tight end Ryan Griffin to 1-year contract

Apr. 08, 2022 03:21 PM EDT
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears signed veteran tight end Ryan Griffin to a one-year contract on Friday. Griffin has 206 receptions for 2,158...

FILE - Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank leaves the field after an NFL football game between the Atlanta Falcons and the Detroit Lions, Dec. 26, 2021, in Atlanta. Blank said Tuesday, March 29, 2022 the team's interest in trading for Deshaun Watson before the quarterback accepted a move to Cleveland was only preliminary. Blank said more investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations made by nearly two dozen women against Watson while he was with Houston would have been necessary before Atlanta's interest could have become more serious. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Falcons sign LB Evans, OL Ifedi to add to free agent class

Apr. 06, 2022 01:39 PM EDT

Baylor, AD Mack Rhoades agree on 10-year contract extension

Apr. 04, 2022 07:12 PM EDT
WACO, Texas (AP) — Baylor announced a 10-year contract extension for athletic director Mack Rhoades on Monday, saying the deal would allow him to “complete his...