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The latest
Patrick Mahomes Talks About OBJ, NFL Team To Beat, and Offseason Training | Men’s Health
The Pats are Mahomes’ team to beat, but he knows they’re not the only scary squad in the remade AFC. Mahomes is well aware that Cleveland (yes, that Cleveland) could be a juggernaut this season after trading for Odell Beckham Jr. to team with Jarvis Landry and QB Baker Mayfield. “He (Odell) is such a talented player, someone who has a lot of success in the NFL,” Mahomes says. “For the Browns to make all those moves and get all those players, I know it’s an exciting time for Cleveland.”
And while the Chiefs aren’t scheduled to face the Browns next season, Mahomes could see it happening. “I’m excited to get to face those guys,” he says “Probably in the playoffs at some point.”
2019 NFL free agency: Best fits for remaining high-profile players | NFL
Justin Houston, edge rusher: Indianapolis Colts
The Colts simply don’t have enough pass rushers capable of winning one-on-one matchups. That showed up in their playoff loss to Houston’s Chiefs, a game in which Houston had two sacks, a fumble recovery and a pass defensed. Houston can still play at a high level, and the Colts have the flexibility to pay him for it.
Eric Berry, safety: Dallas Cowboys
This could take a while. An article by Yahoo Sports’ Charles Robinson indicated that Berry and his representatives were trying to avoid a “prove-it” deal and make the case that Berry’s situation is not that different than that of Earl Thomas, who signed a mega-contract with the Ravens.
29. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season and it doesn’t seem like there’s any way it’s going to get much better with the team losing Dee Ford, Eric Berry, Justin Houston, and Steven Nelson since the beginning of the month. The Chiefs signed multiple defensive players to make up for their losses, but it’s starting to feel like 2019 could turn out a lot like 2018 in Kansas City: Patrick Mahomes is going to have to put up 70 points per game for the Chiefs to compete.
Patrick Mahomes becomes first NFL player to sign deal with Oakley | Fox 4 KC
The 23-year-old announced Wednesday that he just signed an endorsement deal with Oakley. The deal makes him the first professional football player to sign with the brand. Because Oakley shades will be what the quarterback wears, we expect may more around town to pick up the trend.
2019 NFL Free Agency: 10 second-wave free agents who could be under-the-radar bargains | CBS Sports
Allen Bailey, DE
Kansas City’s defensive spending thus far this offseason makes it seem like retaining Bailey is not a priority for them. With the emergence of Chris Jones on the interior and the signing of Alex Okafor on the edge, perhaps they’re willing to just let Bailey walk. That’s somewhat odd, considering he is coming off arguably the best season of his career and doesn’t turn 30 until later this month. Bailey is known primarily for his abilities against the run, but he posted career best figures in both sacks (six) and quarterback hits (10) last season, and he’s a flexible piece on the interior defensive line who is capable of logging a heavy snap load.
In a Bild+ piece, Kansas City Chiefs and FC Dallas owner Clark Hunt mused on the National Football League using the Allianz Arena to host a game, also touching the partnership between Bayern Munich and FC Dallas and his favorite Bayern player, among any other topics.
I can easily imagine that. The NFL is in the process of enlarging its fan base. It holds regular league games in London and now also in Mexico. I know that the NFL is open to games in Germany, and not just as a one-off event, but over a longer period of time. It will definitely still take a while, but it is being worked on. Completely selfishly: I hope the KC Chiefs will be one of the first teams here.
Around the league
Saints Rumors: Ex-Raiders TE Jared Cook Nearing Contract with New Orleans | Bleacher Report
The New Orleans Saints are “nearing” a deal with free-agent tight end Jared Cook, according to Pro Football Talk. The 31-year-old veteran is coming off the first Pro Bowl selection of his career.
Cook recorded career highs in receptions (68), yards (896) and touchdowns (six) with the Oakland Raiders in 2018. He led the team in all three categories, although running back Jalen Richard tied him in 68 catches.
Broncos will meet with Drew Lock | Yahoo! Sports
Dwayne Haskins said on Wednesday that he has a private meeting lined up with the Broncos and he’s not the only quarterback prospect who will be spending time with the team in the near future.
Mike Klis of KUSA reports that Drew Lock will also meet with the team as they sift through their options ahead of the draft.
Le’Veon Bell Is All-In on Himself (and the Jets) | Sports Illustrated
Many in the NFL don’t believe Bell’s gamble was worth it; they think he’d have been better off taking the long-term deal the Steelers offered last year, or playing on the $14.5 million tag and then cashing in. His face scrunches up at this suggestion. “How didn’t I win?” he asks.
“Receivers make [roughly] $19 million per year—why can’t I make 17?” he asks. “The fact that I put that number out there, that opened it up for Todd. So when Zeke [Elliott] comes up, or Saquon [Barkley], if they’re the best running back they’re gonna beat Todd’s deal. I [took] the bullet. [We] can’t sit here just taking what y’all [offer]. It’s gonna go: 15, then 16. . . . Then at some point it’s gonna stop and 10, 12 years from now there’s going to have to be another Le’Veon Bell who’s gonna take a stand.”
Vikings sign veteran offensive lineman Kline | ESPN
The Minnesota Vikings addressed one of their biggest needs in free agency with the signing of Josh Kline, whose 46 straight starts at right guard is the longest active streak among all guards in the NFL. Prior to his signing on Wednesday, Danny Isidora was the sole guard on Minnesota’s roster.
Jets signing backup QB Trevor Siemian to 1-year deal | NFL
Sam Darnold has a new understudy on Broadway.
The New York Jets have agreed to terms with former Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian on a one-year, $2 million deal, a source told NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport. Siemian can earn up to $3 million with incentives. The team later made the signing official.
Buccaneers hire 2 female assistant coaches | ESPN
The Buccaneers have hired Lori Locust and Maral Javadifar, making Tampa Bay the first NFL team with two female coaches on staff.
Locust and Javadifar are the first full-time female coaches in Bucs franchise history. Locust is an assistant defensive line coach, and Javadifar is an assistant strength and conditioning coach, the team announced.
In case you missed it at Arrowhead Pride
What Bashaud Breeland’s signing means for Chiefs’ NFL Draft strategy
I don’t think the signing of Breeland completely eliminates cornerback from round-one consideration, but they are better positioned at this point than they are at EDGE. I would keep the situation fluid and take (or potentially trade up for) the highest-graded EDGE, cornerback or even interior defensive lineman on the board to help improve the pass rush or coverage. However you slice it, the Chiefs need a difference-maker and their focus should be getting the best defensive difference maker they can.
Dixon’s Arrowhead Pride mailbag: Tyreek, Houston coming back and Clancy awards
Any thoughts on Justin Houston coming back for less (a la Ron Parker)? Haven’t heard about any visits for him.
— Dan
On Monday night, Ian Rapoport appeared on NFL Network’s NFL Total Access and was asked about Houston. He said that as of last week, Houston had narrowed the field to three teams, but as of Monday night, there were only two teams in contention. Rapoport didn’t name the teams.
Based on that report, we could guess that Houston’s agent has received calls from at least three teams expressing interest in the former Chiefs linebacker, and Houston has been trying to decide if he wants to play for any of them. Once he’s made that decision, then it’s a matter of getting back to his first choice and seeing if his agent can strike a deal. If that doesn’t work, he’d still have at least one other team with which he could try to strike a bargain.
Chiefs should consider recruiting Keith Reaser, De’Vante Bausby back when AAF season ends
Considering Veach’s combine quote and the team’s need in the secondary, both Reaser and Bausby must be on his radar as candidates to bring back once the AAF season concludes on April 27, conveniently the same day as the end of the NFL Draft. AAF players have a window from the April championship game to December 1 of the following year to sign with an NFL team.
Reaser’s Apollos (5-1) and Bausby’s Commanders (4-2) currently have the best records in the Eastern and Western conferences, respectively, and both teams could very well go the distance.
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