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Jets GM Joe Douglas takes legacy-defining risk by dealing Sam Darnold

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- After months of intense speculation and polarizing debate among fans and pundits, the New York Jets have arrived at The Decision -- Part I, anyway. General manager Joe Douglas has decided to move on from quarterback Sam Darnold, who was traded Monday to the Carolina Panthers only three seasons into his pro career.
This was a difficult, multilayered decision, one that sparked debate within the organization. In the end, it feels like a mistake, a blown opportunity to cash in a winning lottery ticket.
The trade means the Jets are prepared to take a quarterback with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft, probably BYU's Zach Wilson, the Zac Efron look-alike with ridiculous arm talent who raised his stock with a fantastic season against one of the softest college schedules in the country.

New-york , United-states , Alabama , Mel-kiper-jr , Bo-callahan , Joe-douglas , Zac-efron , Sam-darnold , Robert-saleh , Zach-wilson , Supreme-court , Espn

Patriots hit pause at QB with Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham ... for now

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Quick-hit thoughts/notes around the New England Patriots and NFL:
1. QB checkpoints: Timing and leverage are often two of the most important factors for striking deals, and they are at the heart of the Patriots' current quarterback decision-making approach.
Coach Bill Belichick is sometimes fond of saying
"Last time I checked, our first game isn't until September." That basically explains why the Patriots are pressing the QB "pause" button at the moment, with owner Robert Kraft expressing support for Cam Newton and Jarrett Stidham in 2021, while also acknowledging the team has to solidify the position long-term.
Here are three key checkpoints to watch:

Florida , United-states , Alabama , Ohio , Foxborough , Texas , San-francisco , California , Texans , Josh-mcdaniels , Todd-mcshay , Fred-warner

Here's why the Bengals should (or shouldn't) draft Kyle Pitts

CINCINNATI -- The Cincinnati Bengals are in one of the best positions heading into the NFL draft.
In 2020, Cincinnati selected its future franchise quarterback when they took Joe Burrow with the top overall pick. A four-win season netted the Bengals the No. 5 overall pick, which should allow Cincinnati to give Burrow some much-needed support.
That’s where things get interesting.
The Bengals, a franchise mired in a 5-year playoff drought, have a few pressing needs entering Burrow’s second season. Depending on what happens ahead of them in the draft, Cincinnati could help their second-year quarterback by improving his pass blockers, his receiving options or perhaps even trading down if the price is right.

Florida , United-states , Alabama , Oregon , Cincinnati , Ohio , Denver , Colorado , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , Kyle-pitts , Mel-kiper-jr

John Johnson would be a sensible move for the Detroit Lions in free agency

ALLEN PARK, Mich. – As the legal tampering period begins within the NFL on Monday and teams can finally start to make more concrete plans to be on their roster, the turnover churn that will be the Detroit Lions can take some shape.
The Lions are not expected to be massive players in free agency due to a multitude of factors, including cap space, the reality of a rebuild and new general manager Brad Holmes’ stated plan he would prefer to build within the draft.
But Detroit does need players – the team, in reality, has either starting or depth questions at every position other than punter – and some of those solves will come from free agency. The Lions’ own free agents may take up some of those moves, as the team has already re-signed cornerback Michael Ford, and they’ve been active in the cut-player market, signing receiver Tyrell Williams.

Tennessee , United-states , Los-angeles , California , Curtis-samuel , Kerryon-johnson , Sammy-watkins , Ndamukong-suh , Trey-hendrickson , Aaron-jones , Jamaal-williams , Samson-ebukam

Steelers could turn to tackle-heavy draft to re-tool protection for Ben Roethlisberger

PITTSBURGH -- Ben Roethlisberger is back, but in a week, at least one of the men who protected him the past six seasons likely won't be.
Pittsburgh Steelers left tackle Alejandro Villanueva, 32, will hit free agency when the league year opens on Wednesday, and the Steelers didn't give him a new contract to keep him from entering the open market. His play -- along with the rest of the offensive line's -- dropped last season. That, coupled with the tight salary cap, paves the way for a youth movement within the often veteran unit.
Rebuilding that unit in the wake of Villanueva's likely departure and Maurkice Pouncey's retirement is a priority -- especially after a season in which the run game crumbled and Roethlisberger was forced to get the ball out of his hands quickly before the pocket collapsed.

Oklahoma , United-states , Alabama , Texas , Virginia , Oregon , North-dakota , Canada , Cincinnati , Ohio , America , Zach-banner

Four possible free-agent targets for Browns to shore up their pass rush

BEREA, Ohio -- Though free agency is a week away, the Cleveland Browns already missed out on one of their free-agent targets. Despite Cleveland’s pursuit, three-time defensive player of the year J.J. Watt, who was eligible to join another team before free agency since the Houston Texans released him, signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
Finding a defensive end to pair with their own potential defensive player of the year, Myles Garrett, remains a priority for Cleveland, with Olivier Vernon, 30, unlikely to return coming off a ruptured Achilles. Fortunately for the Browns, plenty of intriguing options figure to be there once free agency officially begins.

Arizona , United-states , Ohio , Berea , Alab , Syria , Cincinnati , Texas , Texans , Kevin-colbert , Carl-lawson , Brooke-pryor

Has Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie gone too far with quarterback directives?

PHILADELPHIA -- For the second year in a row, Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie is pointing the franchise in the direction of quarterback Jalen Hurts -- raising questions and concerns in the process.
Lurie was influential in the selection of Hurts in last April's draft, according to sources. He wasn't alone on an island -- former coach Doug Pederson was seeking a young QB to develop and general manager Howie Roseman was said to be on board -- but Lurie wanted Hurts. And when bosses want something they usually get it.
Philadelphia used its second-round pick (No. 53 overall) on the Oklahoma product despite being financially committed to quarterback Carson Wentz to the tune of four years and $128 million. Hurts showed promise in four starts as a rookie, but using a high pick on Hurts, and later starting him in favor of the struggling Wentz, played a major role in the deterioration of the relationship between Wentz and the organization.

New-york , United-states , Oklahoma , Philadelphia , Pennsylvania , John-defilippo , Chris-mortensen , Russell-wilson , Jeffrey-lurie , Sam-bradford , Trey-lance , Andy-reid

Experts discuss better Dolphins WR fit: Ja'Marr Chase or DeVonta Smith?

DAVIE, Fla. -- A top Miami Dolphins priority this offseason is surrounding quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with better offensive playmakers, and their top asset is the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
The draft's top two wide receivers -- Alabama's DeVonta Smith and LSU's Ja'Marr Chase -- have to be on the short list of candidates for that pick and there's strong arguments for both to be the first receiver selected.
Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, excels with unique quickness, acceleration, route running and has a knack for separating and making plays. His 175-pound frame is the big question. Chase, who opted out of the 2020 season but was college football's best wide receiver in 2019, excels with strength, body control, technique, route running and in tight-window situations.

Miami , Florida , United-states , New-york , Alabama , Ohio , Syracuse , Brian-flores , Mel-kiper-jr , Justin-jefferson , Todd-mcshay , Louis-riddick

Joe Barry, 'scars' and all, has more to work with as Packers defensive coordinator

GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Joe Barry mentioned nearly a dozen different coaches who have influenced him during his 20-year NFL coaching career.
Tony Dungy, Jon Gruden, Monte Kiffin, Rod Marinelli, Mike Tomlin, Raheem Morris, Rich Bisaccia, Wade Phillips, Vic Fangio, Sean McVay and Brandon Staley.
So who, exactly, is the Green Bay Packers' new defensive coordinator, and what kind of system will he implement?
If you ask coach Matt LaFleur, who hired Barry last month, it doesn't sound like he's getting the same coach who coordinated statistically poor defenses in Detroit and Washington. In two-year stints as the coordinator in each spot, Barry's units ranked between 28

Washington , United-states , Joe-barry , Brandon-staley , Zadarius-smith , Rod-marinelli , Matt-lafleur , Jerry-gray , Kenny-clark , Rich-bisaccia , Tom-brady , Shaun-rogers

Breaking down three Browns first-round draft pick options with Mel Kiper Jr.

BEREA, Ohio -- The NFL draft, set to take place in Cleveland for the first time ever, is now just two months away. For the Browns, this draft will be unique in other ways, too.
Unlike the majority of recent drafts, the Browns won’t have a high pick. Instead, after winning its first playoff game since 1994, Cleveland’s first selection is slated for No. 26 overall.
Off the breakout season, the Browns clearly are headed in the right direction. Still, to become a genuine Super Bowl contender, they have work to do, especially on defense.
The Browns last year ranked seventh in offensive efficiency. But even with one of the game’s preeminent pass-rushers in Myles Garrett, Cleveland finished all the way down at 19th in efficiency on defense.

Miami , Florida , United-states , Ohio , Berea , Alab , Syria , Cleveland , Joe-wood , Gregory-rousseau , Mel-kiper-jr , Kevin-johnson