Sam Darnold
File-This Jan. 3, 2021, file photo shows the NFL logo on the field before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Las Vegas Raiders in Denver. The NFL and NFL Players Association have updated COVID-19 protocols to loosen restrictions for fully vaccinated players and to encourage others to get the vaccine. Unvaccinated players must continue to get daily testing, wear masks and practice physical distancing. They won’t be allowed to eat meals with teammates, can’t participate in media or marketing activities while traveling, aren’t permitted to use the sauna or steam room and may not leave the team hotel or interact with people outside the team while traveling. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey, File)
NFL loosening many COVID restrictions for vaccinated players

By Rob Maaddi Jun. 16, 2021 03:48 PM EDT

Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold runs a drill during NFL football practice in Charlotte, N.C., Tuesday, June 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)
Anderson: QB Sam Darnold has different 'aura' in Carolina

By Steve Reed Jun. 15, 2021 05:21 PM EDT

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, Clemson's Trevor Lawrence greets fans as he arrives for the team's NCAA college football game against Georgia Tech in Clemson, S.C. Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are expected to be the top two picks selected in the NFL Draft on Thursday, April 29, 20212, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro, File)
NFL draft: No suspense as 3 QBs dominate early picks

By Barry Wilner Apr. 29, 2021 09:07 PM EDT

FILE - Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II participates in the school's Pro Day football workout for NFL scouts in Evanston, Ill., in this Tuesday, March 9, 2021, file photo. Newsome is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft, April 29-May 1, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
The Latest: SEC, Alabama dominate first round of NFL draft

By The Associated Press Apr. 29, 2021 06:59 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, file photo, Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis (84) runs with a touchdown reception against the Detroit Lions during the first quarter of an NFL football game, in Nashville, Tenn. On Monday, March 15, 2021, the Jets agreed to a deal with former Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis. (AP Photo/Brett Carlsen, File)
AP sources: Jets agree with DE Lawson, WR Davis, LB Davis

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Mar. 15, 2021 04:51 PM EDT

FILE - Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady leaves the field an NFL divisional round playoff football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, in this Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021, file photo. om Brady has agreed to a contract extension with the Buccaneers that provides the Super Bowl champions with much-needed salary cap relief and will help the seven-time NFL champion reach a goal of playing until he’s at least 45. Brady posted a picture of himself on Twitter, signing the extension Friday, March 12, 2021, with the message: “In pursuit of 8 ... LFG@ Buccaneers we’re keeping the band together.” (AP Photo/Brett Duke, File)
Nobody comes for free in NFL free agency that begins Monday

By Barry Wilner Mar. 13, 2021 01:20 PM EST

FILE - San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) passes against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., in this Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020, file photo. The Matthew Stafford-Jared Goff trade not only has whet fans' appetites for big deals, it's caused a social media frenzy about which quarterbacks are headed elsewhere. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar, File)
NFL carousel will spin soon, and not just for quarterbacks

By Barry Wilner Feb. 10, 2021 12:10 PM EST

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2020, file photo, San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh cheers on his team from the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. One year ago, Saleh and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy missed out on the coaching carousel despite being coordinators of the two Super Bowl teams. The two figure to be near the top of many of the lists of possible head coaching candidates again this offseason when the NFL is hoping some new rules lead to more opportunities for minority coaches.(AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)
For non-playoff teams, important NFL offseason is underway

By Rob Maaddi Jan. 06, 2021 02:42 AM EST

Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) throws under pressure from Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Justin Jones during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Broncos staying the course in 2021 after another bad year

By Arnie Stapleton Jan. 01, 2021 05:57 PM EST

Denver Broncos outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, front, and linebacker Anthony Chickillo take part in drills during NFL football practice at the team's headquarters Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2020, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Chubb's comeback culminates with first Pro Bowl honor

By Arnie Stapleton Dec. 23, 2020 04:14 PM EST

Buffalo wide receiver Antonio Nunn (41) is stopped by Ball State cornerback Antonio Phillips (21) during the first half of the Mid-American Conference championship NCAA college football game, Friday, Dec. 18, 2020 in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
Shrunken bowl season makes it more important to watch'em all

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 21, 2020 06:16 PM EST

Green Bay Packers kicker Mason Crosby (2) celebrates his field goal with teammate during the second half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Latest: Steelers get AFC berth, Packers clinch NFC North

By The Associated Press Dec. 13, 2020 12:17 PM EST

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) catches a pass in front of Detroit Lions cornerback Amani Oruwariye, right, during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)
NFL increasing grants to military organizations

By The Associated Press Nov. 13, 2020 10:10 AM EST

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) runs in a touchdown against New York Jets free safety Marcus Maye (20) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in East Rutherford. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Murray runs for TD, throws another, Cardinals rip 0-5 Jets

By Tom Canavan Oct. 11, 2020 06:13 PM EDT

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf, left, catches a pass from quarterback Russell Wilson near the end zone, but the ball was knocked loose by Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
The Latest: Hamstring injury sidelines Bucs WR Godwin

By The Associated Press Sep. 27, 2020 03:24 PM EDT

New York Jets quarterback Sam Darnold (14) looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Gase: Struggling Jets need to go on 'hyperdrive' to improve

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Sep. 21, 2020 06:40 PM EDT

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) warms up before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
The Latest: Newton wins with new team but Brady, Rivers lose

By The Associated Press Sep. 13, 2020 02:35 PM EDT

FILE - In this Sept. 4, 2020, file photo, The playing field and seating areas of SoFi Stadium, future home for NFL football's Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers, is viewed in Inglewood, Calif. Welcome to Sofi Stadium, Stan Kroenke's billion-dollar palace where the Rams and Chargers will call home. The fans will be at home due to COVID-19, and look for huge TV ratings for this prime-time affair. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
Life at 40-plus: Brady vs Brees is tastiest of NFL matchups

By Barry Wilner Sep. 11, 2020 12:12 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 27, 2019, file photo, New York Jets head coach Adam Gase, right, talks to quarterback Sam Darnold (14) on the sideline during the second half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville, Fla. Gase sees — and hears — a clear difference in Darnold each time he opens his mouth. The Jets coach will start calling a play during practice, and the quarterback routinely finishes his sentences. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack, File)
Digging it: Bills unveil new wrinkle in opening against Jets

By John Wawrow Sep. 10, 2020 03:12 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 25, 2020, file photo, New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas speaks during a news conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis. Douglas is not going to start patting himself on the back after a busy offseason. Douglas made several moves to help the team get better, but he knows they're still very much a work in progress. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
Jets GM Douglas won't be happy 'until we win the Super Bowl'

By Dennis Waszak Jr. Sep. 07, 2020 07:45 PM EDT