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A.J. Smith, who is the winningest general manager in Chargers' history, dies at 75
The Associated Press | Updated May 13 - 7:31 a.m. | Save Story
A.J. Smith, a longtime NFL executive who was the winningest general manager in Chargers history, has died. He was 75. His son, Atlanta assistant general manager Kyle Smith, announced in a statement released by the Falcons that his father died Sunday. Kyle Smith said his father had been battling prostate cancer for seven years. The Chargers won five division titles during Smith's 10 seasons as GM. The franchise's 98 wins, including the playoffs, were the sixth most in the league from 2003-12.
Jerry Rice's son, Chargers rookie Brenden Rice, feels as if he has plenty to prove
Joe Reedy, Associated Press | Posted May 12 - 10:49 a.m. | Save Story
Brenden Rice already had plenty to prove as the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. Not being selected until the 225th pick in the NFL draft added more fuel to the fire. Many thought Rice would be a middle-round pick. He didn't go until the seventh round, when the Los Angeles Chargers selected the Southern California wide receiver. Instead of wallowing in what he described as a frustrating draft process, Rice is trying to look ahead. With the Chargers rebuilding at wide receiver, he will have plenty of opportunities to show he deserves a spot on the roster.
Chargers sign outside linebacker Bud Dupree to help bolster their pass rush
The Associated Press | Posted May 11 - 6:25 p.m. | Save Story
The Los Angeles Chargers signed outside linebacker Bud Dupree to bolster an already formidable pass rush. The 31-year-old Dupree has 53 career sacks in nine NFL seasons, including 6 1/2 last year in his lone season in Atlanta. Dupree joins a Chargers group of edge rushers that includes Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack, who combined for 23 1/2 sacks last season. Dupree was a first-round pick of Pittsburgh out of Kentucky in 2015. He had a career-high 11 1/2 sacks for the Steelers in 2019. He also played two seasons in Tennessee.
Bo Nix gives Sean Payton fresh fodder for praise with array of impressive passes at Broncos minicamp
Arnie Stapleton, Associated Press | Posted May 11 - 6:07 p.m. | Save Story
Bo Nix was the sixth quarterback selected in last month's NFL draft but the first to sign his rookie contract. After inking a four-year deal worth a fully guaranteed $18.61 million, Nix participated in the Denver Broncos' three-day rookie minicamp. Coach Sean Payton selected the former Oregon QB with the 12th overall pick in the draft. On Saturday he praised his performance at practice and compared him to an unflappable golfer who remains cool, calm and collected. Nix found that reference funny. He said he wishes he was as even-tempered on the links as he is on the gridiron.
Patriots' No. 3 draft pick Drake Maye wraps up first taste of NFL workouts at rookie minicamp
The Associated Press | Updated May 11 - 3:07 p.m. | Save Story
lined up to his right. There wasn't live contact or a pass rush to anticipate during practice. But for Maye, it's about soaking up as much knowledge as possible.
The 49ers are counting on new defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen to get the unit back to dominance
Josh Dubow, Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 5:43 p.m. | Save Story
The San Francisco 49ers' experiment of bringing in a defensive coordinator from the outside didn't work out, with the team firing Steve Wilks after just one season. Now they're counting on the internal promotion of Nick Sorensen into that role to get the Niners back to performing at a dominant level defensively after taking a step back last season. Sorensen will get some help from another new assistant with the Niners also hiring former Chargers head coach Brandon Staley to help with the defense.
Arizona Cardinals agree to terms on 1-year deal with receiver Zay Jones, AP source says
David Brandt, Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 3:39 p.m. | Save Story
The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to terms on a one-year deal with receiver Zay Jones, according to a person with knowledge of the agreement. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal hasn't been officially announced. The 29-year-old has played the last two seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones had his best NFL season in 2022, catching 82 passes for 823 yards and five touchdowns. Jones was a second-round pick out of East Carolina in 2017 by the Buffalo Bills.
Bears coach Matt Eberflus says No. 1 pick Caleb Williams will open season as No. 1 QB
Andrew Seligman, Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 3:33 p.m. | Save Story
Caleb Williams is the Chicago Bears' starting quarterback. Just in case there was a shred of doubt the No. 1 overall draft pick is the team's No. 1 QB, coach Matt Eberflus erased it on Friday. He says there was "no conversation" and Williams is "the starter." Eberflus' comment was hardly a surprise considering the Bears have been all in on Williams since the early stages of the draft process. They made their intentions clear when they traded Justin Fields to Pittsburgh in March. Williams, the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, is widely viewed as a generational talent.
The Giants have signed first-round draft pick Malik Nabers of LSU
The Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 2:41 p.m. | Save Story
First-round draft pick Malik Nabers of LSU has signed with the New York Giants. The team announced the signing on Friday as rookies and free agents reported for a minicamp. The sixth pick in the draft last month, Nabers got four-year, $29.1 million deal that includes an $18 million signing bonus. He caught 89 passes for 1,569 yards and 14 TDs last season for LSU. The Giants also signed running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., a fifth-round draft choice out of Purdue.
Bill Callahan says it's a 'no-brainer' to work for his son coaching the Titans' O-line
Teresa M. Walker, Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 2:24 p.m. | Save Story
Bill Callahan never thought he'd work for his son in the NFL. Not at his age and after all his years in the league. Father and son talked about that possibility at length in 2023 as Brian Callahan interviewed for head coaching jobs. Then the Tennessee Titans hired Brian in January. Bill says he felt compelled to join his son. He called it a "no-brainer" decision and a rare opportunity. Brian became just the seventh son to follow his father as a non-interim head coach in the NFL. The Titans need Bill to fix an offensive line that was among the NFL's worst last season.
Commanders' Daniels and Giants' Nabers call off their $10K bet between ex-LSU teammates
Stephen Whyno, Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 2:13 p.m. | Save Story
The bet is off between Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and New York Giants receiver Malik Nabers. The former LSU teammates and friends agreed to a $10,000 wager on who would win NFL offensive rookie of the year. Each player said Friday he was educated about the league's gambling policy upon appearing at his respective team's rookie minicamp. Daniels said he and Nabers had a conversation afterward and decided it was not worth getting in trouble over the bet. Daniels is Washington's new franchise quarterback after being drafted second, and Nabers is in the same division after the Giants picked the receiver sixth.
Mark Jackson grew up playing Gaelic football. He's taking a shot at the American kind in Pittsburgh
Will Graves, Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 1:54 p.m. | Save Story
Placekicker Mark Jackson is hoping to trade one kind of football for another. The Ireland native grew up playing Gaelic football back home. He's now in Pittsburgh hoping to earn a roster spot as a kicker with the Steelers. Jackson earned an invitation to the team's rookie minicamp by winning a kicking competition in Ireland recently. The 25-year-old Jackson says there are skills between the two sports that translate and he's hopeful to show off the right leg that's made him one of the best goalkeepers in Ireland.
Lions made OT Giovanni Manu of Tonga the 1st NFL draft pick from University of British Columbia
Larry Lage, Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 1:52 p.m. | Save Story
Detroit Lions offensive tackle Giovanni Manu woke up at 4 a.m. Friday and couldn't fall back asleep. On the rookie's ride to work, he was in tears. Manu's excitement and emotions were triggered by a long and lonely path, leaving his parents on the south Pacific island of Tonga at age 11 to live with his aunt and siblings in Vancouver in the hopes of a better life. A growth spurt in high school, along with support on and off the field, led to Manu becoming a 6-foot-7, 354-pound prospect that Detroit drafted in the fourth round.
Five-time Pro Bowler Jarvis Landry trying to find out if he still wants to play football at age 31
Mark Long, Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 1:12 p.m. | Save Story
Five-time Pro Bowl receiver Jarvis Landry attended the first day of Jacksonville's rookie minicamp in hopes of finding out if he still wants to play football at age 31. Landry is trying to prove he's healthy following a nagging ankle injury that cost him part of the 2022 season. He was out of the league last year but insists he's full speed and potentially primed for a 10th NFL season. He stopped short of guaranteeing his return, saying "we've still got another day." He says "the competitor in me" wants to go out on a better note than how 2022 ended.
Falcons rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. says he is 'super blessed' to learn behind starter Kirk Cousins
Charles Odum, Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 12:52 p.m. | Save Story
Michael Penix Jr. insists he'll have no difficulty adjusting to his role as the backup to new Atlanta Falcons starting quarterback Kirk Cousins. Before taking the field for rookie minicamp, Penix was greeted by Cousins at the team's practice facility. Others have speculated there could be potential for friction between Penix, the No. 8 overall pick in last month's NFL draft, and Cousins, who about one month earlier signed with Atlanta to a massive four-year deal. Penix says Cousins told him he's happy to have the rookie. Penix says he is "super blessed" to learn from Cousins.
Two-time Super Bowl winner Chris Snee returning to New York Giants as a scout
The Associated Press | Posted May 10 - 10:12 a.m. | Save Story
Two-time Super Bowl winner Chris Snee is returning to the New York Giants as a senior scout in the personnel department. General manager Joe Schoen announced the hiring Friday, along with two promotions. Nick La Testa moved from pro scout to assistant director of pro scouting and Charles Tisch went from a football operations assistant to the manager of football administration. Snee, a guard who was a four-time Pro Bowl pick and a member of the franchise's Ring of Honor, will be involved in both college and pro scouting.
Raiders sign 1st-round draft pick Brock Bowers along with 5 other selections
Mark Anderson, Associated Press | Posted May 9 - 6:35 p.m. | Save Story
The Las Vegas Raiders signed first-round draft pick Brock Bowers. He is a tight end taken 13th from Georgia. Bowers is slotted to make $18.14 million over four years, according to Spotrac. He was one of six players the Raiders announced Thursday as having signed with the club. The only ones who remain unsigned are offensive linemen Jackson Powers-Johnson and DJ Glaze. Powers-Johnson was selected in the second round out of Oregon and Glaze in the third from Maryland.
Saints sign their top draft choice, offensive tackle Taliese Fuaga
The Associated Press | Posted May 9 - 5:28 p.m. | Save Story
The New Orleans Saints have signed their first-round draft choice, tackle Taliese Fuaga, to a four-year deal. The club announced the agreement a day before Friday's opening of the Saints' three-day rookie camp. The 6-foot-6, 324-pound Fuaga's prospects for playing are high because Andrus Peat left in free agency after finishing last season as one of New Orleans' starting tackles. Meanwhile starting right tackle Ryan Ramczyk's ability to return to form following offseason knee surgery is uncertain. Fuaga started all 12 games at right tackle in 2023 for Oregon State and he was selected first-team All-Pac-12 last season. Fuaga was drafted 14th overall and was the fourth offensive tackle drafted.
Hall of Fame defensive back Jimmy Johnson dead at age 86
Barry Wilner, Associated Press | Updated May 9 - 4:57 p.m. | Save Story
Pro Football Hall of Fame defensive back Jimmy Johnson, a three-time All-Pro and member of the All-Decade Team of the 1970s, has died. He was 86. Johnson's family told the Pro Football Hall of Fame that he died Wednesday night. Johnson was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994. He played his entire 16-year pro career with San Francisco. He played in 213 games, more than any other 49ers player at the time of his retirement.
