Professional football
FILE - In this Jan. 22, 2020, file photo, AFC linebacker Von Miller, of the Denver Broncos ,smiles during NFL football practice at the Pro Bowl in Kissimmee, Fla. Prosecutors said Friday, March 5, 2021, that Broncos star linebacker Von Miller won't face criminal charges following an investigation by police in a Denver suburb. (AP Photo/Gregory Payan, File)
Prosecutors won't pursue criminal charges against Von Miller

13 hrs ago

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2020, file photo, the NFL logo is displayed at midfield during an NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. There are some very rich people about to get a whole lot richer. Who else but NFL owners? Probably within the next week, those 32 multi-millionaires/billionaires will see their future earnings increase exponentially. The league is on the verge of extending its broadcast deals with its current partners, and with a new full-time rights holder in Amazon likely acquiring streaming rights. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger, FIle)
Analysis: NFL's very rich owners about to get much more rich

By Barry Wilner 15 hrs ago

NFL, NFLPA seek alternatives to opioids for pain management

By Rob Maaddi 17 hrs ago
The NFL is taking steps to learn more about different ways to help players manage pain. Last month, the NFL and NFL Players Association...

NFL hires first Black female game official, Maia Chaka

20 hrs ago
NEW YORK (AP) — The NFL has hired Maia Chaka as the first Black female official in league history. She will work games during the 2021 season. ...

FILE - Washington Football Team quarterback Alex Smith (11) plays in an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, in this Monday, Dec. 7, 2020, file photo. Washington has informed Alex Smith the team is releasing the veteran quarterback, according to a person with direct knowledge of the decision. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Friday, March 5, 2021, because Smith’s release was not yet official. The NFL's Comeback Player of the Year hopes to continue playing next season at age 37. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Washington releases Comeback Player of the Year Alex Smith

By Stephen Whyno 21 hrs ago

Denver Broncos want Miller back but legal, money issues loom

By Arnie Stapleton Mar. 04, 2021 08:36 PM EST
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — New general manager George Paton said Thursday the Denver Broncos want Von Miller back in 2021, but they want to hear more about an off...

FILE - New York Giants wide receiver Golden Tate (15) talks into a television camera after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during an NFL football game in East Rutherford, N.J., in this Monday, Nov. 2, 2020, file photo. The New York Giants announced Thursday, March 4, 2021, that they have cut Golden Tate in a move that clears $6.1 million in salary cap space and says goodbye to a wide receiver who never panned out after signing a $37 million contract as a free agent in 2019. (AP Photo/Brad Penner, File)
Giants cut WR Golden Tate, LB Dave Mayo in salary cap moves

Mar. 04, 2021 03:33 PM EST

FILE - Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) has a laugh with teammates in drills during an NFL football practice in Pittsburgh, in this Tuesday, May 21, 2019, file photo. Ben Roethlisberger is returning for an 18th season with the Pittsburgh Steelers and is taking a pay cut to do it. The team and the two-time Super Bowl winner announced on Thursday, March 4, 2021, they have agreed on a new contract that assures the 39-year-old will be back in 2021.(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, File)
Steelers, Roethlisberger agree to new deal for 2021 season

By Will Graves Mar. 04, 2021 02:59 PM EST

Davis, Olsen signing 1-day contracts to retire as Panthers

Mar. 04, 2021 11:58 AM EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Linebacker Thomas Davis and tight end Greg Olsen are signing one-day contracts to retire as members of the Carolina Panthers. ...

FILE - In this Sept. 13, 2020, file photo, Sheila Ford Hamp, Detroit Lions principal owner and chairman, watches during the first half of the team's NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit. It took Hamp about one second to respond when asked about the potential for women in key roles in the NFL. “The sky is the limit for anything females want to do,” said Hamp, who spoke at the league's fifth annual Women's Careers in Football Forum late last month. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez, File)
Female owners encourage young women to pursue football path

By Barry Wilner Mar. 04, 2021 02:09 AM EST

FILE - In this Dec. 9, 2012, file photo, New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith appears before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J. Cardell Hayes, who fatally shot former NFL star Smith following a 2016 traffic collision, has a bond hearing scheduled Thursday, March 4, 2021, seeking freedom after his manslaughter conviction in Smith's death was overturned because his trial jury's vote was not unanimous. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)
Bond hearing for man who killed ex-Saints star Will Smith

Mar. 04, 2021 01:06 AM EST

Bears re-sign exclusive rights free agent OL Alex Bars

Mar. 03, 2021 06:45 PM EST
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Bears re-signed offensive lineman Alex Bars as well as four other exclusive rights free agents on Wednesday. ...

FILE - In this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021 file photo, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit. Minnesota Vikings general manager Rick Spielman says the team has no plan to move on from quarterback Kirk Cousins. Spielman's comments were his first on the team's roster since the season ended. (AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)
Vikings GM: 'Kirk Cousins is our quarterback'

By Dave Campbell Mar. 03, 2021 06:38 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2019, file photo, Oakland Raiders offensive tackle Trent Brown (77) protects a gap in the offensive line during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, in Oakland, Calif. Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock says the “jury is still out” on whether highly paid right tackle Trent Brown will be back in 2021 after being limited by injuries in his first two seasons with the team. (AP Photo/Peter Joneleit, File)
Raiders GM Mike Mayock: 'Jury is still out' on Trent Brown

By Josh Dubow Mar. 03, 2021 06:20 PM EST

FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 1, 2021 file photo, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against Ohio State during the first half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football game in New Orleans. The last NFL event not impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic was the 2020 combine in Indianapolis. A year later, with the 2021 combine canceled, the league has released a list of players who would have merited invitations. From such high-profile quarterbacks as Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields to guys who sat out last season such as Oregon tackle Penei Sewell, there are 323 players from 100 schools. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Despite no combine, NFL releases list of who merited invites

By Barry Wilner Mar. 03, 2021 04:47 PM EST

FILE - New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold rolls out to pass against the New England Patriots in the first half of an NFL football game in Foxborough, Mass., in this Sunday, Jan. 3, 2021, file photo. The 23-year-old quarterback was considered an untouchable player on the roster only a year ago. General manager Joe Douglas has backed off that stance, though, and it could signal a major change at the position as free agency and the NFL draft approach. “I will answer the call if it's made,” Douglas said Wednesday, March 3, 2021, when asked if he'd listen to offers for Darnold from other teams. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)
Jets' Douglas praises Darnold, but open to trading QB

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Mar. 03, 2021 03:32 PM EST

FILE - Washington Football Team cheerleaders perform before an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Landover, Md., in this Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, file photo. The Washington Football Team will not have cheerleaders for the 2021 season as part of an organizational rebranding. Washington hired Petra Pope, who managed the "Laker Girls" and brings three decades of NBA experience as an adviser to take on the task of reinventing the group.(AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr., File)
Washington replacing cheerleading team with coed dance team

By Stephen Whyno Mar. 03, 2021 11:25 AM EST

Kellen Winslow II appears via video at his sentencing hearing at the Superior Court North County Division on Wednesday, March 3, 2021 in Vista, Calif. Winslow was sentenced to 14 years in prison on rape and other charges. (Eduardo Contreras/The San Diego Union-Tribune via AP, Pool)
Ex-NFL player Kellen Winslow II gets 14 years for rapes

By Julie Watson Mar. 03, 2021 12:03 AM EST

Jets release DE Henry Anderson, save $8.2 million on cap

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Mar. 02, 2021 08:18 PM EST
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Jets released defensive end Henry Anderson, an expected offseason move that will save the team $8.2 million on the salary cap. ...

File-This Sept. 17, 2020, file photo shows Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, in Cleveland. Stefanski's first season as an NFL coach was sublime, almost storybook. He ended Cleveland's long playoff drought, won a postseason game _ while watching from his basement as he recovered from COVID-19, and guided his team around endless obstacles in a global pandemic to almost the AFC championship. An unforgettable year, indeed. And as far as Stefanski's concerned, nothing to celebrate.(AP Photo/Ron Schwane, File)
Stefanski, Browns back at 'square one' after '20 turnaround

By Tom Withers Mar. 02, 2021 07:08 PM EST