Patriots head coach Jerod Mayo tried to walk back comments about the team’s plans to “burn some cash” in free agency this week, but that doesn’t mean they’re going to pinch pennies. One of the things they appear to be ready to spend some money on is a new deal for impending free agent safety Kyle Dugger. Karen Guregian of …

INDIANAPOLIS — With the NFL Scouting Combine playing out just blocks away, college athletics leaders are moving closer to adopting some of their bigger brother’s ideas. In a long-expected move, administrators Friday are expected to finalize a recommendation for the adoption of a player-to-coach helmet communications system, the use of tablets on the sideline as well as in the halftime …

The Cowboys will keep Trey Lance for at least one more year to see what they have in the quarterback. As expected, Dallas will exercise the $4.25 million roster bonus for 2024, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports. The money is due this summer. That means Lance will count $5.3 million against this year’s salary cap. The Cowboys …

AMES – The best advice someone can offer Taylor Mouser, Iowa State’s new offensive coordinator, is nestled within these three words: Overthinking not allowed. The Cyclones are loaded on offense. Playmakers are throughout the depth chart, starting with freshman All-American quarterback Rocco Becht. If a veteran offensive line can keep improving (and yes, it improved throughout most of last season), …

What we learned from Caleb Williams’ NFL combine interview after first Bears meeting originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago INDIANAPOLIS — The wait finally ended Friday in Hall J of the Indiana Convention Center when USC quarterback and presumptive No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams stepped to the microphone and fielded questions for 15 minutes at the NFL Scouting Combine. …

A former Texas A&M wide receivers coach from the Jimbo Fisher era has found a new home. According to 247Sports & CBS Sports national college football reporter Matt Zenitz, Dameyune Craig is expected to be hired as an offensive assistant coach at Georgia State per sources. Craig spent the last six seasons in College Station coaching the Aggies wideouts since …

Linebacker Leighton Vander Esch was limited to five games during the 2023 season because of his latest neck injury and there’s been speculation about whether those will be the final games of his NFL career. Vander Esch missed time in previous seasons with neck issues and Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that he is expected to retire …

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian might finally be getting his wish, along with a few other rule changes. Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported Friday that administrators are expected to finalize a recommendation for the adoption of a player-to-coach helmet communication system, the use of tablets for halftime and on the sidelines, and a two-minute warning in college football. “Everybody write an …

Eagles release Kevin Byard, shed huge 2024 salary originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia In what will go down as the least-surprising roster move of the offseason, the Eagles on Friday released veteran safety Kevin Byard, a league source confirmed. The move was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The 30-year-old Byard, acquired from the Titans in October, had one …

Bit by bit, college football is inching closer to mirroring its professional counterpart in operation and structure, and the latest change is coming in the wake of Michigan football’s drama during the 2023 season. The proposed change would add player-to-coach helmet communications to college football, eliminating the use of relaying signs from the sidelines to the huddle using signs. Other …

Gore Jr. details differences between his, father’s running styles originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area INDIANAPOLIS — Frank Gore has worked in the 49ers’ front office in an advisory role for nearly a year. But that does not mean his namesake gets the privilege of any inside information. “Nah, he can’t do that,” said Frank Gore Jr., a draft …

Defensive back depth is a massive priority for the Eagles, and that’ll be the position to watch on Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. Howie Roseman is looking to retool the roster following Philadelphia’s historic collapse, finishing the season 1-6 after a 10-1 start. There could be decisions on cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry in the coming days, while …

Darren Waller will return for a second season with the New York Giants after reportedly contemplating retirement following a disappointing 2023 campaign. Waller, 31, missed four games due to injury in 2023 and has been unable to stay healthy on a regular basis since the 2020 season when he was with the Las Vegas Raiders. In 12 games during his …

The Ravens are in Indianapolis for the NFL combine, and GM Eric DeCosta will be front and center to watch the defensive backs and tight ends work out. Cornerback depth will be a massive priority for Baltimore, and there will be changes this offseason with Ronald Darby, Arthur Maulet, and Rock-Ya-Sin all pending free agents. With Day 2 of on-field …

How 49ers passing on Mahomes in 2017 draft led to Purdy selection originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area A seemingly unrelated series of events from the 2017 NFL season eventually led the 49ers to obtain the last pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, where San Francisco selected quarterback Brock Purdy. As ESPN insider Adam Schefter detailed on the “Pardon …