NFL

3:49 PM ET KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Soon-to-be Carolina Panthers offensive tackle Russell Okung has accused the NFLPA of negotiating the proposed CBA in bad faith taking the step of filing an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board Monday. In the filing, Okung is accusing NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith of

6:40 AM ET NFL free agency kicks off in less than a week — the deadline for teams to franchise tag players is now Monday, and teams can begin negotiating with free agents also on Monday — which means it’s time to start our annual analysis of the notable deals. Each year in this space,

7:00 AM ET FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Quick-hit thoughts and notes around the New England Patriots and NFL: 1. Open-minded approach: When receiver Phillip Dorsett entered unrestricted free agency last offseason, his first choice was to return to the Patriots and that contributed to him not visiting with other teams. As for this year? “I would

7:00 AM ET A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets: 1. Corner market: It happens every two or three years; the Jets, desperate for a CB1, pay a premium price for a big-name free agent. It was Darrelle Revis in 2015 ($39 million guaranteed) and Trumaine Johnson ($34 million) in 2018. To

10:24 AM ET A number of NFL owners are hoping the proposed collective bargaining agreement doesn’t pass next week because they believe they can negotiate a better deal with eyes on an 18-game season in the future, a league source told ESPN. “They think they can get a better deal next year,” the source said.

5:59 PM ET METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints offered a first-round tender to restricted free-agent quarterback Taysom Hill on Friday, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, meaning another team would have to cough up a first-round draft pick to sign him away. The Saints also will have the right to match any offer

2:08 PM ET The Los Angeles ‪Chargers and restricted free-agent running back Austin Ekeler have agreed to a four-year, $24.5 million deal that includes $15 million guaranteed, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday. The source said Ekeler, 24, could make up to $26 million over the course of the deal through incentives. Ekeler

Feb 14, 2020 Anthony Gulizia In the 24 years that Bill Polian was an NFL general manager, he developed a four-factor system that would help guide an organization’s philosophy on free-agent acquisitions. Whether he was guiding the Bills, Panthers or Colts, the system was generally the same. Polian and his personnel staff would consider the

5:15 PM ET The Washington Redskins have given seven-time Pro Bowl left tackle Trent Williams permission to seek a trade, multiple sources told ESPN’s Dianna Russini. “I’m just happy this situation seems to be heading towards an end,” Williams wrote in a text to ESPN. Williams has been at odds with the organization for most

12:56 PM ET Marcel Louis-JacquesESPN As NFL players prepare to cast their votes on whether to ratify the proposed collective bargaining agreement, several took to social media to voice their concerns or support — shedding light on how polarizing such a pact can be. Several of the NFL’s stars vociferously stated their plans to vote

6:40 AM ET NFL NationESPN Tom Brady has two regular-season MVPs, three first-team All-Pro appearances, four Super Bowl MVPs and six championship rings. One thing he has never done? Test NFL free agency. That changes next week, as the greatest quarterback of all time’s contract with the New England Patriots voids, allowing his agents to

7:00 AM ET GREEN BAY, Wis. — In a city that enjoyed more elite quarterback play than any other in the NFL over the past three decades, guys like James Morgan should be more than a once-every-32-years occurrence. It’s been that long, however, since a quarterback who played high school football in Green Bay, Wisconsin,

9:02 AM ET The language of the proposed collective bargaining agreement was finalized late Wednesday night and is going out to NFL players Thursday morning, a league source tells ESPN’s Jeff Darlington. The ballots were sent out at 9 a.m. ET Thursday morning, and the voting window will stay open for seven days, a source

8:40 AM ET The future came quickly for the New England Patriots. This time last year, Bill Belichick and Tom Brady were celebrating another Super Bowl victory. Brady hadn’t posted big numbers in the Super Bowl, and Rob Gronkowski was weeks away from retiring, but there was little to be concerned about in New England.

6:00 AM ET FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Let’s start with a delay-of-compensatory-draft-pick penalty flag. That will be 5 yards, kind folks of the NFL. And we’ll continue to wait patiently for the annual awarding of compensatory choices. Last year, the New England Patriots and others around the league learned about their compensatory draft picks on Feb.

3:54 PM ET The Jacksonville Jaguars have agreed to trade cornerback A.J. Bouye to the Denver Broncos for a fourth-round selection in this year’s NFL draft, league sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Tuesday. The trade cannot be processed until the new league year begins March 18. Bouye told ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he was

2:38 PM ET Turron DavenportESPN Close Covered Eagles for USA Today Covered the Ravens for Baltimore Times Played college football at Cheyney University NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Hours after tornadoes hit multiple areas in and around Nashville, the city’s sports teams are working to help the community recover. Starting at 11 a.m. CT, the Nashville Predators

11:00 PM ET NFL NationESPN With the NFL combine behind us, we’re just two weeks from the start of free agency and 52 days away from the 2020 NFL draft. And after teams spent the past week in Indianapolis talking to and evaluating prospects, things are becoming more clear at the top of Round 1.