Coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons, Joe Mixon was supposed to be the workhorse back to take pressure off quarterback Joe Burrow last year. Injuries wrecked those plans. Mixon played in just six games in 2020 due to a foot injury that wiped out the final 10 games of the season. Speaking Wednesday, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor said Mixon […]

The NFL’s 2021 salary cap is finally set. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday morning that teams are being informed that the salary cap will be officially set at $182.5 million, per sources informed of the situation. The NFL had previously set the salary cap floor at $180 million. Clubs were expecting the final figure to come […]

ESPN.com national NFL writer ESPN.com NFC North reporter, 2008-2013 Covered Vikings for Minneapolis Star Tribune, 1999-2008 The NFL and NFL Players Association agreed Wednesday to a salary cap of $182.5 million per team for 2021, a long-anticipated 8% decrease from last season, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The drop-off will force teams to make difficult roster decisions in the coming […]

As Isaac Likekele looked around the gym, he knew he belonged, no matter what the rankings said. In June 2019, 34 of the nation’s best young players descended on Colorado Springs, Colorado, with hopes of representing their country on USA Basketball’s U19 team. In a room full of former 5-stars and soon-to-be NBA players, a little-known guard from Oklahoma State might […]

Former NFL safety Matt Bowen is a veteran of four teams over seven seasons, and now provides analysis for ESPN Insider. NFL free agency kicks off next week, and it’s a loaded class, even looking beyond the players who were franchise tagged. While Dak Prescott is now off the market, free-agent quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick have a chance […]

ESPN staff writer Joined ESPN in 2011 Graduated from Central Michigan Despite the woes on the field and the 2-4 record this past season, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said Tuesday he has not given football coach Jim Harbaugh a minimum win requirement for the upcoming season and that he’s willing to think long term with Harbaugh’s employment. Manuel gave […]

The Seattle Seahawks informed running back Chris Carson that they will not place their franchise tag on him, a source tells ESPN’s Adam Schefter. he 26-year-old Carson is coming off a season in which he totaled 968 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns, but an early career trend continued as he missed four games with a foot injury. Carson has […]

The Pittsburgh Steelers have informed linebacker Bud Dupree that they will not use the franchise tag on him, a league source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Dupree, who was franchised by the Steelers last year, will now head to free agency. After hitting his stride with 11.5 sacks for Pittsburgh during the 2019 season, Dupree, who turned 28 in February, was […]

The Jacksonville Jaguars are ensuring offensive tackle Cam Robinson isn’t going anywhere in 2021. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the Jags are expected to franchise Robinson, per sources informed of the situation. The salary cap is not set, so the exact figure isn’t known, but the franchise tag for offensive linemen is expected to be around $13.6 […]

As the 2021 NFL free agency period draws nearer, here is a look at the major needs for each team in the NFC. NOTE: All cap figures are taken from Over The Cap, and all projections are current as of when this file was posted on Tuesday. Be sure to check back Wednesday for a team-by-team look at needs in […]