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Travis Hunter reacts to his jersey retirement during Colorado's NCAA college football spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Champ Bailey eager to see Travis Hunter play offense and defense in the NFL but knows the obstacles

Arnie Stapleton, The Associated Press 6 minute read 4:44 PM CDT

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Take it from Hall of Famer Champ Bailey, the last true two-way star to come out of college, Heisman winner Travis Hunter will have his hands, feet and head full trying to play both wide receiver and cornerback in the NFL.

“It’s easy to just say, ‘Oh yeah, he can go play both,'" Bailey said. "Well, there’s so much preparation that goes into playing one thing. So, you’ve got to consider what is it going to take to do everything all the time like he did in college?”

Digesting two playbooks.

Navigating concurrent position meetings.

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After a crash course in football from ‘Last Chance U,’ Mapalo Mwansa hopes to walk NFL draft stage

Mark Long, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

After a crash course in football from ‘Last Chance U,’ Mapalo Mwansa hopes to walk NFL draft stage

Mark Long, The Associated Press 4 minute read 4:04 PM CDT

Mapalo “Maz” Mwansa’s journey to the NFL has been unique, even for a league that continues to expand its international footprint.

The 20-year-old Mwansa grew up in Peterborough, England, and played rugby, soccer, basketball, track and field and cricket in high school. He ended up at Loughborough University to study economics and finance and turned heads when he ran the 100 meters in 10.48 seconds at a “sports day” on campus.

Told American football might be an option, Mwansa “threw myself into the university team” and has worked tirelessly since to improve. Now, after a crash course that included learning from popular Netflix series “Last Chance U” and “Quarterback,” Mwansa hopes to get selected in the NFL draft.

“I would never have thought I would be doing this four or five years ago,” Mwansa told The Associated Press. “Even two years ago, football was not in the picture for me. The journey’s been a complete whistle-stop tour, and I’m trying to soak in as much as I can and just enjoy every bit of the process.

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4:04 PM CDT

In this February 2025 image provided by the NFL, Mapalo “Maz” Mwansa looks on at the IMG Academy where the NFL's International Players Program train in Bradenton, Fla. (Alexa LoPiano/NFL via AP)
In this February 2025 image provided by the NFL, Mapalo “Maz” Mwansa looks on at the IMG Academy where the NFL's International Players Program train in Bradenton, Fla. (Alexa LoPiano/NFL via AP)

Anthony Richardson embraces competition with Daniel Jones to be Colts starting QB

Michael Marot, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Anthony Richardson embraces competition with Daniel Jones to be Colts starting QB

Michael Marot, The Associated Press 4 minute read 3:02 PM CDT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson understands why he's competing for the starting job again.

He needs to be more consistent, more accurate and available to play more often. He expects more of himself, too.

Richardson returned to the team complex Tuesday saying he was happy, healthy and eager to start his third NFL season by competing with Daniel Jones for the title of QB1.

“Everybody can look at the situation differently. I would like to say I'm blessed,” he said as Indy's offseason team activities began. “Honestly, I still have the opportunity to be in the NFL, still have an opportunity to go out there and compete and win the job.”

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3:02 PM CDT

FILE - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson looks to throw a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Dec. 22, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
FILE - Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson looks to throw a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Dec. 22, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

Bears GM Ryan Poles hopes to sign Joe Thuney to extension after deals with Gordon, Edwards

Andrew Seligman, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Bears GM Ryan Poles hopes to sign Joe Thuney to extension after deals with Gordon, Edwards

Andrew Seligman, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 2:45 PM CDT

LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles was glad to sign cornerback Kyler Gordon and linebacker T.J. Edwards to contract extensions.

One more player he would like to get a deal done with is guard Joe Thuney.

“Yeah, that’s definitely, I would say, one of the priorities moving forward,” Poles said on Tuesday.

The Bears acquired the 32-year-old Thuney from Kansas City in a trade in March, one of several moves they made to overhaul a shaky offensive line and give Caleb Williams the protection he needs. The quarterback was sacked a franchise-record and league-leading 68 times after being drafted with the No. 1 overall pick last year. The Bears hope that number goes down in a big way after reinforcing the line and hiring coach Ben Johnson.

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Updated: 2:45 PM CDT

FILE - Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles talks to media during a news conference at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Ill., March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, file)
FILE - Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles talks to media during a news conference at Halas Hall in Lake Forest, Ill., March 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, file)

From 8-man football to competitive CrossFit, some prospects took a different road to the NFL draft

Michael Marot, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

From 8-man football to competitive CrossFit, some prospects took a different road to the NFL draft

Michael Marot, The Associated Press 5 minute read 12:57 PM CDT

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Former Virginia safety Jonas Sanker took a somewhat unconventional path to this week's NFL draft.

He initially drew the interest of college scouts while playing high school basketball in Charlottesville, Virginia, but then emerged as a star in eight-man football.

Sanker's rapid ascension from fast-break-style prep games to college captain to the cusp of a pro career sounds more like Hollywood, but Sanker has made it this far with hard work.

"I tried to make the most of it and then the transition to college is a little bit of a learning curve,” he said, describing the move from his high school's narrower field to a regulation-sized college field. “But I was willing to learn.”

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12:57 PM CDT

FILE - Virginia defensive back Jonas Sanker runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)
FILE - Virginia defensive back Jonas Sanker runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine on Feb. 28, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File)

Steelers say their NFL draft plans don’t rely on the unknown playing status of Aaron Rodgers

Will Graves, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Steelers say their NFL draft plans don’t rely on the unknown playing status of Aaron Rodgers

Will Graves, The Associated Press 4 minute read 12:56 PM CDT

The Pittsburgh Steelers are still waiting for Aaron Rodgers to decide whether he wants to play in 2025.

Yet coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan stressed Tuesday that Rodgers' uncertain status will not impact how they approach this week's NFL draft.

The Steelers have the 21st overall pick in Thursday night's first round and have needs across the roster, most notably along the defensive line and at quarterback, where Mason Rudolph and Skyler Thompson are the only two players under contract.

Khan said the plan is to have that number double by the time the team reports to training camp in late July, and that “all options are on the table” on how the club might add whoever those two quarterbacks end up being to the roster.

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12:56 PM CDT

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is interviewed at the NFL football annual meetings Monday, March 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin is interviewed at the NFL football annual meetings Monday, March 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Brock Purdy reports to 49ers and George Kittle stays away from offseason program

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Brock Purdy reports to 49ers and George Kittle stays away from offseason program

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 3:15 PM CDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy reported to the start of the offseason program for the San Francisco 49ers on Tuesday, while star tight end George Kittle stayed away from the start of the voluntary program.

Purdy and Kittle are both entering the final years of their contracts and are seeking extensions, leading to speculation about whether they would report for the offseason program.

The Niners have had offseason contract disputes last deep into the summer the past three seasons. Deebo Samuel missed the first few training camp practices in 2022 before signing an extension, while Nick Bosa didn’t get his deal done in 2023 until just days before the season opener and Brandon Aiyuk missed all of training camp practice last summer waiting for a new deal.

Purdy said at the end of the season in January that he hoped to have a new deal done before the start of the offseason program. That hasn’t happened yet but he chose not to hold out as he tries to help the Niners rebound from a 6-11 season.

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Updated: 3:15 PM CDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) aims a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)
FILE - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) aims a pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell, File)

NFL NextGen Stats team unveils new draft website

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

NFL NextGen Stats team unveils new draft website

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 4 minute read Updated: 1:47 PM CDT

Many NFL fans spend the weeks leading up to the draft poring over predictions to try to figure out which players their favorite teams are most likely to select.

Those mock drafts quickly become obsolete once the actual draft begins with some projected targets inevitably coming off the board before a team even makes its pick.

That was the motivation for the NFL’s NextGen Stats team to create a new draft site that adapts seamlessly with each move made before or during the draft. The site takes elements from the old draft preview magazines that presented easily digestible information.

“The draft magazine was so efficient at displaying information in a easy to digest way,” said Mike Band, the senior manager for research and analytics at NFL NextGen Stats. “In a lot of ways as we’ve optimized for mobile experiences, we’ve lost that art of a dashboard-like experience. That was the impetus for this project, creating a digital magazine that could be updated live and evolve in a dynamic way and hopefully have really fun and engaging live features.”

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Updated: 1:47 PM CDT

FILE - Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) takes part in passing drills during Colorado's NFL football pro day Friday, April 4, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski,File)
FILE - Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders (2) takes part in passing drills during Colorado's NFL football pro day Friday, April 4, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski,File)

Matthew Stafford is happy with his restructured Rams contract after he considered finding a new home

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Matthew Stafford is happy with his restructured Rams contract after he considered finding a new home

Greg Beacham, The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 7:37 PM CDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — After a second offseason of financial discontent, Matthew Stafford is glad to be back at work with the Los Angeles Rams.

The Super Bowl-winning quarterback attended the start of the Rams' voluntary offseason workout program Monday several weeks after getting a substantial raise on the contract extension he received three years ago when the Rams won it all. Stafford got a restructured deal for the second straight offseason after challenging the Rams for better terms.

The 37-year-old Stafford didn't go into many details about the standoff, which was much shorter this season after it stretched up to the start of training camp in 2024. The quarterback also acknowledged he did “due diligence” on potential landing spots in a trade before the Rams gave him what he wanted.

“There’s so many positive things about our organization, about our team," Stafford said. "Never really wanted to leave, so just happy to be back and happy that the Rams want me back, and hopefully we can move forward and have a great season.”

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Yesterday at 7:37 PM CDT

FILE - Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford warms up before an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)
FILE - Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford warms up before an NFL football NFC divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Jan. 19, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Derik Hamilton, File)

Hamilton County, Cincinnati Bengals reach preliminary agreement on stadium improvements

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Hamilton County, Cincinnati Bengals reach preliminary agreement on stadium improvements

The Associated Press 2 minute read 3:35 PM CDT

CINCINNATI (AP) — Hamilton County and the Cincinnati Bengals have reached a preliminary agreement for $185 million in improvements to Paycor Stadium for the 2026 season.

Hamilton County commissioners will vote on the agreement on April 29. The team and county agreed to a memorandum of understanding Monday night and it was discussed during a county commission meeting on Tuesday.

The agreement would be the first step toward both parties agreeing toward a new lease and up to $830 million in stadium renovations.

The Bengals have called Paycor Stadium home since 2000. It was originally named Paul Brown Stadium until the team sold the naming rights in August 2022.

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3:35 PM CDT

FILE - General view of the outside of Paycor Stadium, Jan. 26, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar, file)
FILE - General view of the outside of Paycor Stadium, Jan. 26, 2025, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar, file)

General manager says the Titans keeping and using the No. 1 overall pick to start the NFL draft

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

General manager says the Titans keeping and using the No. 1 overall pick to start the NFL draft

The Associated Press 4 minute read 5:48 PM CDT

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans know who they want to select with the first overall pick in Thursday night's opening round of the NFL draft, so stop asking them if that spot is available via trade.

New general manager Mike Borgonzi declined to say Tuesday exactly who the Titans will be taking with that draft pick.

“I guess you’ll find out Thursday night who we pick,” Borgonzi said.

The presumption has been the Titans will take quarterback Cam Ward out of Miami to fill one of many needs they have after three straight losing seasons. The Titans have fired two general managers and one head coach in this stretch.

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5:48 PM CDT

FILE - Miami quarterback Cam Ward watches a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV,File)
FILE - Miami quarterback Cam Ward watches a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Saturday, March 1, 2025. (AP Photo/George Walker IV,File)

49ers running back Christian McCaffrey says he has ‘zero restrictions’ to start offseason program

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

49ers running back Christian McCaffrey says he has ‘zero restrictions’ to start offseason program

Josh Dubow, The Associated Press 3 minute read 7:01 PM CDT

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Christian McCaffrey starts the offseason with “zero restrictions” following an injury-filled 2024 season for the San Francisco 49ers that limited him to just four games.

McCaffrey missed the first eight games of the season with Achilles tendinitis and then went down with a right knee injury that sidelined him for the final five games.

“I’m feeling great," McCaffrey said Tuesday on the first day of the offseason program for the 49ers. "It’s been such a smooth process, a lot of hard work. As soon as that injury happened in Buffalo, this was my goal to not miss a day of OTAs, be back ready to go with nothing hindering me. That’s where I’m at.”

McCaffrey said he was fully healed from the Achilles injury and the posterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in Buffalo on Dec. 1 by early in the offseason and was able to train at “full speed.”

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7:01 PM CDT

FILE - San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)
FILE - San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (23) warms up before an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke, File)

Deion Sanders laments criticism son Shedeur faces ahead of NFL draft but says he’s ‘built for this’

Arnie Stapleton, The Associated Press 5 minute read Preview

Deion Sanders laments criticism son Shedeur faces ahead of NFL draft but says he’s ‘built for this’

Arnie Stapleton, The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 4:22 PM CDT

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Deion Sanders never fretted over his own NFL draft journey. He had the leverage to go where he wanted — Atlanta — because he was also a baseball star who had been drafted by the New York Yankees a year earlier.

He's not stressing over his sons' draft odysseys, either, even as highly touted quarterback Shedeur navigates heavy doses of negativity and safety Shilo is projected to go undrafted altogether.

“You’ve got to understand, when that last name is on your back, you’re going to be attacked and ridiculed by naysayers,” Sanders said.

But, he said, his sons “are built for this.”

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Yesterday at 4:22 PM CDT

Shedeur Sanders looks on at his jersey retirement ceremony during Colorado's NCAA college football spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Shedeur Sanders looks on at his jersey retirement ceremony during Colorado's NCAA college football spring game, Saturday, April 19, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst gearing up for different kind of draft with Green Bay serving as host

The Associated Press 4 minute read Preview

Packers GM Brian Gutekunst gearing up for different kind of draft with Green Bay serving as host

The Associated Press 4 minute read Yesterday at 4:14 PM CDT

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers hold the 23rd overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, but general manager Brian Gutekunst has more to think about than just the player he wants to take.

Including, with the city of Green Bay hosting the event, how he’s going to get to his Lambeau Field office each day.

Although he didn’t have any issues on Monday.

“I rode my bike,” Gutekunst joked as he kicked off his annual pre-draft press conference.

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Yesterday at 4:14 PM CDT

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is interviewed at the NFL football annual meetings Monday, March 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst is interviewed at the NFL football annual meetings Monday, March 31, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

NFL Draft: How to watch, dates, draft order and potential top picks

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

NFL Draft: How to watch, dates, draft order and potential top picks

The Associated Press 3 minute read Yesterday at 3:25 PM CDT

Miami quarterback Cam Ward is still the favorite to be taken No. 1 overall when the Tennessee Titans kick off the NFL draft on Thursday night.

After that, it's anyone's guess.

Colorado's two-way star, Travis Hunter, and quarterback Shedeur Sanders, Penn State's Abdul Carter, Michigan's Mason Graham and LSU's Will Campbell are all expected to be selected early. There's also a bit of a running back renaissance in the NFL these days, with teams eyeing Boise State's Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina's Omarion Hampton in the first round.

Ward has tried to solidify his status as the top pick over the last few months, working out for all 32 NFL teams at Miami's on-campus pro day.

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Yesterday at 3:25 PM CDT

Boise State's Ashton Jeanty runs a drill during the school’s NFL football pro day held, Wednesday March 26, 2025, at the Caven-Williams Indoor Facility in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Kyle Green)
Boise State's Ashton Jeanty runs a drill during the school’s NFL football pro day held, Wednesday March 26, 2025, at the Caven-Williams Indoor Facility in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Kyle Green)

Russell Wilson and the Giants get to work with the focus on making this season ‘really special’

Dennis Waszak Jr., The Associated Press 5 minute read Yesterday at 3:10 PM CDT

Russell Wilson got a head start on bonding with his new New York Giants teammates the last few weeks during some casual workouts in the sun and warmth of San Diego and Atlanta.

The veteran quarterback threw passes to several of his wide receivers and tight ends during the day and shared stories and traded jokes during dinner at night.

“Spending time when there’s nobody watching, those moments, those relationships, going to dinner, talking, chopping it up, that team bonding is everything,” Wilson said during a Zoom call Monday. “It just clicks on the field that way. I think it just makes everything smooth and transition well.”

And now, the real work has started — at the Giants' facility.

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