NFL Hot News: Commanders' $6 Billion Offer, Thursday Game Change, Number Zero Approved and More!

2023-03-29 07:00:00

hot news

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Two 6 billion offers for Commanders

Pushed towards the exit, Dan Snyder, the current sulphurous owner of the Washington Commanders may have found a credible buyer. According to Adam Schefter for ESPN, a group led by current Philadelphia 76ers owner Josh Harris, has officially filed a $6 billion bid to acquire the franchise. This group is also supported by billionaire Mitchell Rales, as well as legend Magic Johnson.

This offer would correspond to the amount expected by Snyder. It would explode the previous record, held by the sale of the Broncos and its 4.65 billion dollars.

Minutes after the first offer was announced, ESPN reported a second offer, also for $6 billion. This time, it was the Canadian Steve Apostolopoulos who drew the checkbook.

Teams may play multiple matches on Thursday

The NFL and the owners took advantage of their meeting of the week to modify the conditions of participation in Thursday games. From now on, a team will be able to play twice on this space during the season. And since Thanksgiving games do not count as Thursday games (avoid looking for logic…), the total can therefore even go up to three times for certain franchises.

“We want exposure for all of our teams. But we also believe these national exposure windows are for teams that are playing well,” Brian Rolapp, the league’s chief media and affairs officer, told ESPN.

Except that the league could not go to the end of its ideas. A proposal to be able to modify the Thursday posters 15 days before their scheduled date was finally rejected. Thanks in part to John Mara, owner of the Giants, who remembered something the league seems to forget…

“At some point, can we have a little respect for the people who come to see the matches? “, launched Mara. “People plan to come to these games weeks or months in advance. And 15 days before, we will say to them: “Sorry guys, the match you planned to come and see with your children on Sunday at 1 p.m. has been moved to Thursday evening? “What are we thinking about? »

Number zero is coming!

After the upheaval in jersey numbers two years ago, a further textile change will take place in 2023. Owners voted on Tuesday to allow number zero to be worn. In addition, kickers and punters will now have the right to wear all numbers between 0 and 49, then between 90 and 99.

Calvin Ridley immediately announced that he will be the first player to wear number zero.

Members of the Bengals, Bills, Vikings and many others will be able to proudly display the number of Super Bowls won by their franchise on their jerseys.

The bets arrive in the stadiums

If Calvin Ridley is going to be the first to take advantage of number zero, he will surely laugh out loud when he learns that the owners have also voted to allow bookmakers installed in stadiums to remain open on match days. This is reported by The Athletic.

For the moment, the Commanders are the only ones who have a betting point in their stadium. But it could quickly accelerate with this measure.

Falcons: Desmond Ridder already confirmed

The Draft hasn’t passed yet, but Desmond Ridder (QB, Falcons) obviously doesn’t have to worry too much.

“The plan is for Desmond to start,” Arthur Smith told ESPN on Tuesday. “That’s our plan for the future. »

Selected in the third round last year, Ridder has started the last four games of the past season.

injuries

– To The Athletic, Frank Reich explained that his recently signed receiver, DJ Chark (Panthers), had ankle surgery. This should not deprive him of part of the training camps this summer.

– At a press conference on Tuesday, Sean McVay gave news of Matthew Stafford (QB, Rams). After a disastrous 2022 season, plagued by injuries, the former Lions quarterback would be healthy again. He would even be ready for the first camps which will begin next month.

Transactions

The main signatures of the day

Buccaneers : Chase McLaughlin (K)
Falcons : Scotty Miller (WR)
Raiders : DeAndre Carter (WR)

The main re-signatures of the day

Buccaneers : Deadrin Senat (DT)

And bref

– The “brutality on the smuggler” will still not be reviewable on video next season. The proposal had been filed by the Rams, but the majority of owners voted against the measure at their meeting on Tuesday.

– There will only be one deadline for pre-season cups. While teams have been reducing the number of players in several phases until now, the owners have adopted a resolution which sets the day of the final cuts to the Tuesday following the last preseason game. It is at this time that it will be necessary to have reduced the workforce to 53 names.

– Newly arrived in Dallas, Stephon Gilmore (CB) already has his number. According to the Dallas Morning News the former Colts will benefit from the departure ofEzekiel Elliot (RB) to steal the number 21 from him.

Zac Taylor wants to keep Jonah Williams

Signing Orlando Brown (Bengals, LT)Cincinnati vexed Jonah Williams (OT, Bengals) who would have asked to be exchanged. But his coach, Zac Taylor, is not ready to lose his player. As he explained on the official franchise website, he hopes to see Williams move to the other side of the offensive line and thus field him at the same time as Brown.

“I love everything Jonah represents. I can’t wait to see him again and fight for the position of right tackle. He was always what we wanted him to be. We never had a problem with him. I hope we can solve this problem, and that he comes to fight for the position of right tackle. That’s what we hope for him. It has never been a problem, and I don’t think it will be. »

In the fifth year of his rookie contract, Williams will earn $12.6 million this season. If he is not traded in 2023, he will be free to commit wherever he wants in 2024 anyway.

Dan Campbell confirme Jared Goff

Obtained in the exchange with Matthew Stafford, Jared Goff (QB, Lions) was not intended to be a lasting solution. After two seasons in Detroit, the former Rams begins to convince, including his head coach. In an interview with Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Dan Campbell praised the qualities of his quarterback.

“Look, I feel really good about this. Goff? I love him, he’s our guy. I think he has proven in the last two years that he was made for us. He had to endure a lot just like us. I think he played at his best last year and that’s not going to change this year. I feel good about it. I love where we are at quarterback right now. »

At a press conference on Tuesday, Campbell also confirmed that he was not interested in Lamar Jackson (QB, Ravens). However, he did not rule out the possibility of the Lions selecting a quarterback in the draft.

Trey Lance will have to fight to start

Selected with the third pick of the 2021 Draft, Trey Lance (QB, 49ers) was set to become the face of the California franchise in the years to come. Plagued by injuries, the former North Dakota has launched only 102 balls in two seasons. Without him, San Francisco advanced, reaching the NFC Conference Finals twice. At a press conference, Kyle Shanahan returned to his young quarterback, and does not seem ready to give him the keys to the truck without guarantees.

“I think it will be more difficult for him to start. Brock [Purdy] played 8 games. Trey had this position at the start of last season and if he had played 8 games like that, no one would have been able to take his place. But with Brock’s injury, it gives him a chance. »

Matt LaFleur doesn’t want to put too much pressure on Jordan Love

Green Bay fans have been spoiled for over 30 years. Since 1992, the two starting quarterbacks of this franchise have been Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. What to see the show, even if it only allowed them to obtain “only” two Super Bowls over this period. Inevitably, going after these two legends of the franchise, Jordan Love (QB, Packers) will be highly anticipated. Matt LaFleur is well aware of this and wanted to protect his young quarterback at a press conference on Tuesday.

“He’s going to have a different role this year and I think we all need to lower our expectations of him. It’s different to come in during the match, or to start it as a starter. I don’t think a quarterback can go it alone in this league.

Everyone will have to rally around him, and try to play at their best level so that he can be in the best possible mood. […] I think we are mistaken if we think he is going to play at the level of an Aaron Rodgers. This guy is unique, a generational talent. »