NEW YORK — In recent years, several quarterbacks, including Baker Mayfield, Geno Smith and Sam Darnold, have experienced a resurgence later in their careers.

What gives Justin Fields the confidence that he can follow that trend with the Jets?

“Just confidence in myself,” Fields said after practice on Thursday. “At the end of the day, ...Read more

Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith, who wasn’t seen at Wednesday’s second day of OTAs, is seeking a new contract, which has led the Dolphins to engage in trade talks with Pittsburgh, the Sun Sentinel has confirmed.

The story was first reported by ESPN.

The report says Smith, the team’s lone Pro Bowl selection from 2024, prefers to remain ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — In something of a grand gesture, Caleb Williams stood at a lectern Wednesday to explain that excerpts from an upcoming book were old news. A year after scheming to avoid playing for the Bears, he is committed to turning around the franchise.

Leaping from the USC campus to the top rung of the NFL draft a year ago, Williams ...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Tarheeb Still said his farewells and was ready to leave for a three-day weekend. On a Thursday this offseason, the second-year cornerback told Ben Herbert, the Chargers' executive director of player personnel, that he would "see him Monday."

A deep voice in the background suddenly changed Still's schedule.

"Why aren't you ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Standing at the far end of the practice fields at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex, with fellow Big Ten product Will Howard to his right, Roman Wilson sprinted off the imaginary line of scrimmage, ran about 10 yards and cut to the middle.

After tracking Howard’s throw, Wilson made a slight adjustment at the end to ensure the pass was...Read more

MIAMI — Denial isn’t just a river found in northeastern Africa.

It’s an actual state of mind where coaches, players — if not entire organizations — dwell in for far too long, whether because of pride or lack of awareness And it often leads to stagnation.

Anthony Weaver seemingly doesn’t live in that space, therefore he hasn’t ...Read more

MINNEAPOLIS — Superstar receiver Justin Jefferson has returned from his offseason attending the Met Gala and F1 races to participate in a voluntary portion of Vikings spring practices that some stars might miss for extra vacation.

But Jefferson was in attendance Wednesday and has been for a couple of weeks, according to coach Kevin O’...Read more

LOS ANGELES — As the Rams went through organized-team activities on Wednesday, the players on the field were not the most compelling storyline.

The distinction belongs to a certain NFL star player who potentially could be on the roster by training camp.

Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI, remains ...Read more

FOXBORO, Mass. — Jabrill Peppers is glad to have his legal saga behind him as he enters his fourth Patriots season.

The veteran safety was acquitted of multiple assault charges in January, three months after he was arrested following a confrontation with a woman at his Braintree home.

“I’m just happy it’s over with and I get back to ...Read more

CHICAGO — For 15 minutes Wednesday afternoon, Caleb Williams worked his hardest to close the back cover on a story that raised eyebrows across the NFL.

Two weeks ago, excerpts from Seth Wickersham’s upcoming book “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback” offered new details and deeper insight into just how reluctant Williams was ...Read more

MIAMI — There often comes a point as a parent, mentor, coach, advisor where the lectures clearly aren’t working because the troublemaker continues to get in trouble.

There’s always an excuse, always a story.

Somebody’s usually out to get them. It’s never their fault.

Or they made a mistake and have learned from it.

They will do ...Read more

BOSTON — The Patriots will hold a retirement press conference for former center David Andrews on Monday at 3:30 p.m. ET, the team announced Wednesday.

Andrews, 32, was released by the Patriots in March after 10 seasons with the organization. He signed with the Patriots as an undrafted free agent out of Georgia in 2015 and went on to start 121...Read more

LOS ANGELES — Keyshawn Johnson is suing a sports agent for almost $1 million.

Johnson says he recruited several players, who are now in the NFL, to be represented by Christopher Ellison. The former NFL and USC star’s claim is based on an alleged oral agreement the men made a decade ago to pay Johnson for his efforts. Most of the $1 million ...Read more

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — One would think the Atlanta Falcons’ offense should be improved this season, assuming quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is the same guy (or better) we saw in his three starts at the end of last season.

The defense?

Relying on two rookies (first-round picks Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr.) to create pass-rush pressure ...Read more

CHICAGO — Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard didn’t bother mincing words.

“Just to be honest, this organization over the last 10 years or whatever, it’s been a losing culture,” Byard said. “We haven’t really won a lot, so you have to drastically come in and try to rearrange everything.”

Byard has been here for only one year. The ...Read more

CHICAGO — The Chicago Bears have submitted required traffic and financial impact studies to Arlington Heights, marking the next step in their quest to build a new football stadium there.

The studies are considered preliminary drafts that will be worked on further with a village consultant, so Village Manager Randall Recklaus declined to ...Read more

Interning in the Senate is not very much like playing professional football, but Jalen Travis has found some overlap.

“Grinders win. That’s something I learned on the field first and something that was reinforced during my time on the Hill,” Travis said recently, looking back on his brief stint at the Capitol. He was there only 10 weeks, ...Read more

PITTSBURGH — Comfort food comes by its name honestly. Who doesn't love a gigantic plate of their favorite fare?

Along those lines, it didn't take long for Mason Rudolph to return one of his favorite spots, DiAnoia's Eatery on Penn Ave., after re-signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers in mid-March.

"It's a great Italian meal," Rudolph said ...Read more

LAS VEGAS — How does one improve on history?

It’s a question you can ask regarding Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, whose spectacular rookie season was one for the ages.

But now it’s about taking the next step in his development. In seeing where this NFL career might take him. In wondering how terrific a player he might ultimately become....Read more

NEW YORK — Two seasons ago, the Jets’ offensive line was one of the team’s biggest concerns.

But now, at least on paper, it could be one of their biggest strength entering the 2025 season.

“Obviously, you try not to pay attention to the outside noise, but me personally, I think we can be one of the better groups in the NFL,” Jets ...Read more