Tag: News

It’s another day to be great and that means another chance to catch up with us. Welcome to The Morning After Huddle! The NFL is coming to Africa and a former Giants great is leading the charge.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Osi Umenyiora is leading the NFL’s quest for more talent. The former All-Pro DE is spearheading efforts in traveling to Ghana for the league’s first official events starting June 21. A talent identification camp will be the centerpiece of the program. ESPN’s Jason Reid has more.
• Twelve teams are conducting mandatory mini-camp this week and there are several noteworthy storylines: Seahawks WR D.K. Metcalf was not present at minicamp on Tuesday as contract talks have not yet resulted in a new deal. 49ers WR Deebo Samuel did show up, which is a good sign that things with the team are not as frayed as we think. His teammate, DE Dee Ford, did not fair as well. Coach Kyle Shanahan said Ford will report to camp to take his physical, but will not be joining the team, suggesting Ford could be released. Across the league, Colts All-Pro LB Darius Leonard underwent successful surgery for lingering back issues and is expected to miss the start of training camp. Another Colts player to monitor – Pro Bowl CB Kenny Moore II. Though he showed up to mini-camp, Moore did not participate in voluntary OTAs because he is unhappy with his current contract.
• Finally, your daily Key Signings Roundup: The Raiders are signing free agent TE Jesper Horsted. Horsted has spent the last three seasons in Chicago.

Try not to think about us too much until tomorrow’s Huddle. We promise we’ll have plenty of news you want to know!

ICYMI: Tuesday, June 7, 2022 Edition

The Morning After Huddle is back with all things NFL. California love! The Rams are dropping $40 million more reasons why they love Aaron Donald!

Here’s what you need to know:

• Aaron Charles Donald is now the highest-paid non-QB in NFL history! The Rams are reworking his current contract and he will get $95 million through 2024, with $65 million of that guaranteed. As previously reported, retirement has been a strong possibility and the Rams (rightly so) won’t let that happen. Get paid, big fella! Get paid!
• Next, Texans assistant coach Romeo Crennel is retiring! After 50 years of coaching, 39 seasons in pro football, and 5 Super Bowls, he will call it quits. “Football has been my entire life and it’s been a dream come true to coach for 50 years,” Crennel said in a statement.
• Finally, your Key Signings Roundup is on deck: WR Keith Kirkwood is re-signing with the Carolina Panthers. Kirkwood is a quality depth piece for the team. The Houston Texans announced that they have signed free agent OL Tre’Vour Wallace-Simms.

That’s it for today’s Huddle breakdown. Come back tomorrow and join us for more things you want to know!

ICYMI: Monday, June 6, 2022 Edition

Happy Monday and welcome to the Morning After Huddle, your favorite news source for NFL content. Stop us if you’ve heard this before – another lawsuit will be filed against Deshaun Watson.

Here’s what you need to know:

• On today’s episode of “As Deshaun Watson Turns”, a twenty fourth – yes, TWO-FOUR – lawsuit is expected to be filed today against Deshaun Watson. Predictably, more details about the other ongoing lawsuits spilled out over the weekend. A Houston spa owner recently testified that Watson paid her $5,000 because he’s a “nice guy.” Another plaintiff who is also suing Watson (and works for the spa owner), said that the owner facilitated massages for Watson and knew Watson was attempting to have sex with his massage therapists. The owner also invoked the Fifth Amendment when asked about text messages she exchanged with Watson. Holy strawberries, Batman! The Browns are in a jam!
• Other than that, it was a quiet weekend. Here is your Key Signings Roundup: The Browns and RB D’Ernest Johnson agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth up to $2.4 million. Johnson has carved out a role for himself with recent injuries to Chubb and Hunt.

That’s it for today’s Huddle! Jump in with us tomorrow for more news you want to know.

ICYMI: Saturday – June 4th, 2022 Edition

Welcome to your Saturday edition of The Morning After Huddle! Grab your coffee and settle in.

Here’s what you need to know:

• On National Gun Violence Awareness Day, ten teams participated in events to call more attention to recent shootings. Eagles Owner Jeffrey Lurie said, “These unspeakable tragedies wreak havoc in our communities…As we search for ways to effect positive change in our society, we pray for those grieving…”
• Next, with mandatory mini-camps on the horizon, NFL.com’s Judy Battista covers the most interesting teams and issues to watch. On her list is everyone from Kyler Murray to the Buffalo Bills and some sleeper situations.
• As you know, this might be the wildest free agency period ever and we are barely 3 months in. So, who is left and worth dropping some cash for? Alex Kay at Bleacher Report has your list.
• Finally, Let’s chat about the Key Signings Roundup: NBC is eyeing Jason Garrett to replace Drew Brees as the game analyst on Notre Dame football and possibly on “Football Night in America”.

Thanks for breaking down the final Huddle of the week with us. Of course, take it easy like Sunday morning and we’ll catch you next week!

ICYMI: Friday – June 3, 2022 Edition

Welcome to your Friday edition of The Morning After Huddle, your favorite source for NFL news. The captain of the ”all ski mask” team (seriously, the guy has made a whopping $82 million in career earnings) is finally retiring.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Fitzmagic is no more! Journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick announced his retirement. After 17 years and 9 teams, he is hanging up his cleats and (possibly) stepping into a role with Prime Video for a key part in Amazon’s NFL coverage.
• Frank Gore and Alex Mack are also retiring. Gore will sign a 1-day contract to retire a 49er. Regarding Alex Mack, hanging it up is inevitable after Mack restructured his contract in a way that is consistent with players prior to retirement.
• On today’s episode of As Deshaun Watson Turns, it was discovered in the 23rd lawsuit that Watson offered the other 22 Plaintiffs $100,000 to settle their cases. Reports notate that not all would accept that amount due to the aggressive nature of a proposed NDA. Remember, the Dolphins wanted all cases resolved before potentially trading for Watson.
• Finally, your Key Signings Roundup: The Buffalo Bills are signing Tavon Austin. Austin has played with four teams in his career, most recently with the Jaguars. The Vikings are signing DE Jonathan Bullard, adding quality veteran depth.

That was quite a lot to unpack. Take a breath and come back Saturday for more news you want to know!

ICYMI: Thursday – June 2, 2022 Edition

Welcome to your Thursday edition of The Morning After Huddle, your favorite NFL news source. It is with a heavy heart that we report Marion Barber III has tragically passed away.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Affectionately known by many as “Marion The Barbarian” because of his hard running style, Former Cowboys running back Marion Barber III passed away Wednesday. Police officers were sent out to his residence to do a welfare check and discovered Barber. At this time, details of his death remain unknown. He was 38.
• The late John Madden is gracing the cover of Madden NFL 23. In addition to the cover reveal, EA announced an update on the $5 million John Madden Legacy Commitment to Education and the dedication of a field.

• The Houston Texans and Dallas Cowboys are banding together to show support for the Uvalde community after last week’s school shooting. Texans players and owner Cal McNair have come together to raise $400,000 for the Robb School Memorial Fund. The Dallas Cowboys also donated $400,000, bolstered by a donation from the NFL Foundation.
• Bills Special Teams player Andre Smith will receive a 6-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on PEDs. Smith now has an uphill battle to make the roster, as the Bills may find someone else who can do his job while he’s out.
• Your Key Signings Roundup looks different today: Steelers DL Stephon Tuitt is signing paperwork to retire. The 29-year-old will hang up his cleats for good after the loss of his brother last June.

That’s it for today’s huddle. We’ll be back Friday with more news you want to know.

ICYMI: Wednesday – June 1, 2022 Edition

Welcome to the weekend edition of your favorite news source for all things NFL, The Morning After Huddle. The Browns must have an infinite bank account because they keep finding money to pay players.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Back up the Brinks truck! David Njoku became the fifth highest-paid TE on Friday, signing a 4-year $56.75 million deal. The deal is a contract extension that guarantees Njoku $28 million at signing.
• Shifting gears, Falcons Owner Arthur Blank’s Family Foundation has granted $100,000 each to Sandy Hook Promise and The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI). “Once again we find ourselves in the unbearable sadness of mass casualty events…”, Falcons owner Arthur Blank explained in a statement.
• Apparently, Fantasy football gets intense in MLB circles. Giants outfielder Joc Pederson and Reds outfielder Tommy Pham were involved in a pre-game altercation. Pham took exception to Pederson placing a player on IR and grabbing a replacement player, physically slapping him over the move from over a year ago.
• Finally, your Key Signings Roundup: Steelers pro scouting coordinator Brandon Hunt is leaving Pittsburgh for an executive role with the Eagles. Hunt’s “high-ranking” role on Howie Roseman’s staff is unclear.

Thanks for breaking down the huddle with us this morning! Enjoy your coffee and catch up with us on Monday for more news you want to know.

ICYMI: Friday – May 27, 2022 Edition