1:24 AM ET Former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski is close to finalizing a deal with WWE, according to a report by FS1’s WWE Backstage program. Gronkowski is “deep in talks” with the pro-wrestling promotion, according to the report, though how he’ll be used on-screen is unknown. The report noted Gronkowski could pop
NFL
4:04 PM ET Two NFL teams have proposed the addition of a booth umpire to each officiating crew for the 2020 season, one of seven team-based rule changes that league owners will consider this offseason. None of the proposals have been vetted or endorsed yet by the competition committee, which will meet later this month
1:04 PM ET Cleveland Browns offensive lineman JC Tretter has been elected as the new president of the NFL Players Association, the union announced Tuesday. Tretter was elected by the NFLPA’s 32-member board of player representatives. Tretter was running for the post against New York Giants defensive back Michael Thomas and Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker
11:20 AM ET The Cleveland Browns released veteran linebacker Christian Kirksey on Tuesday. The Browns tried to renegotiate Kirksey’s contract but released him after the sides couldn’t come to an agreement, a source told ESPN. He was due to make $7.75 million in base salary this season, and $8.25 million in 2021. Releasing him will
11:52 AM ET CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers on Tuesday signed quarterback Kyle Allen, set to become an exclusive-rights free agent, to a one-year deal. Carolina now has three quarterbacks — Cam Newton, Will Grier and Allen — under contract for the 2020 season. Allen started 12 games last season after Newton reaggravated a
10:56 AM ET KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. — Veteran offensive tackle Russell Okung dropped out of the race for NFLPA president Tuesday morning, a source told ESPN. All four candidates — New York Giants defensive back Michael Thomas, Cleveland Browns center JC Tretter, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Sam Acho and Okung — gave speeches to the
10:18 AM ET PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Steelers‘ preseason is starting a little bit earlier this year with an August 6 date against the Dallas Cowboys in the annual Hall of Fame Game played in Canton, Ohio. With safety Troy Polamalu and two other members of the organization heading into the Pro Football Hall of
9:31 AM ET The NFL Players Association and the league management council have agreed to move the franchise/transition tag deadline from Thursday at 4 p.m. ET to Monday at 11:59 a.m. ET. By setting the tag deadline as noon, it allows for the period known as “legal tampering” to begin as scheduled on Monday. The
6:00 AM ET SANTA CLARA, Calif. — When the San Francisco 49ers dealt a pair of mid-round picks to the Denver Broncos for wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders in October, they believed Sanders could be the piece that pushes them over the top. At the time, the Niners and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo lacked a consistent, experienced
6:00 AM ET Ryan Fitzpatrick led the 2019 Miami Dolphins in rushing yards with 243. Let that stat sink in, along with the fact that Fitzpatrick is the Dolphins’ quarterback, and the depths of Miami’s running game woes become more clear. The Dolphins will be active in pursuing upgrades at running back this offseason. Fixing