10:43 AM ET The NFL has hired Maia Chaka as a game official for the 2021 season, making her the first Black woman to join the league’s on-field officiating staff. Chaka will join Sarah Thomas as the only women to officiate an NFL game. Thomas was hired in 2015 and was part of the crew
NFL
9:59 AM ET The Washington Football Team on Friday released quarterback Alex Smith, who won the 2020 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award in helping the franchise win the NFC East. Washington, which went 7-9 in 2020, wants to upgrade at quarterback this offseason and, with Smith turning 37 years old in May and
10:12 AM ET ASHBURN, Va. — Alex Smith‘s release doesn’t change the Washington Football Team‘s offseason plans, because it was already in the market for a starting quarterback. The move just made clear which direction it didn’t want to go to find one. Washington has two quarterbacks under contract — Taylor Heinicke and Steven Montez.
9:45 PM ET A Tom Brady rookie card sold for a record $1.32 million on Thursday on PWCC Marketplace, an online auction house and repository for cards. The autographed 2000 Playoff Contenders Championship Ticket card was graded an eight with a 10 grading on the signature. It was purchased by James Park, a known card
6:52 PM ET KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman announced his retirement from football on Thursday. “Kansas City, thanks for all the memories,” Sherman said in a video he posted to Twitter. “It’s been a great run: eight years, Super Bowls. But it’s on to the next chapter.” Thank you Chiefs Kingdom #deputysheriff
3:50 PM ET ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — With a decision about Von Miller‘s future looming, Denver Broncos general manager George Paton said Thursday that the team wants the linebacker back for 2021 but is waiting to hear more on potential legal issues Miller may have and did not rule out a discussion about a pay cut
4:13 PM ET METAIRIE, La. — The New Orleans Saints have released Thomas Morstead, who has been one of the NFL’s best punters over the past 12 years and was responsible for one of the most iconic moments in franchise history. Morstead was the one who executed the Saints’ surprise onside kick as a rookie
1:13 PM ET PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger is officially back with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 2021 season. The Steelers announced a new contract for the quarterback Thursday afternoon but did not disclose the terms. “It is my greatest honor to be a Pittsburgh Steeler and give my all for this organization,” Roethlisberger said in
1:14 PM ET The Detroit Lions have told cornerback Desmond Trufant that he will be released at the start of the league year, which begins on March 17, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Trufant signed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Lions before the 2020 season to be the team’s replacement for Darius
6:00 AM ET FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — There have been a few notable years in coach Bill Belichick’s two-decade tenure when the New England Patriots have spent big at the start of NFL free agency. Linebacker Rosevelt Colvin (2003), linebacker Adalius Thomas (2007) and cornerback Stephon Gilmore (2017) immediately come to mind. It wouldn’t be a