Watson rusty in return, Browns top Texans

"That's foreign to me," new Broncos coach Sean Payton said of former Seahawks QB Russell Wilson's entourage having access to the team's facility. "That's not going to take place here.''

New Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Monday that Russell Wilson's personal quarterback coach, Jake Heaps, won't have access to the team's facility this year. "That's foreign to me. That's not going to take place here. I'm unfamiliar with it," Payton said at his introductory press conference, according to Albert Breer of MMQB. "Our staff will be here, our players will be here, and that'll be it."

The Minnesota Vikings hired Brian Flores as their new defensive coordinator, the team announced Monday. Flores spent the 2022 season as a defensive assistant and linebackers coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was previously the Miami Dolphins' head coach from 2019-2021. The 41-year-old generated interest from multiple teams this year,...

The BC Lions are trading linebacker Jordan Williams to the Toronto Argonauts for the ninth overall pick in the 2023 CFL Draft, sources told 3DownNation's Justin Dunk. Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft, had 181 tackles, 12 special teams tackles, one sack, one interception, and three forced fumbles in 32 games with the Lions. He was named Most Outstanding Rookie after his debut campaign.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver A.J. Green announced his retirement via Instagram on Monday. The seven-time Pro Bowler posted six seasons with 1,000-plus receiving yards throughout his career. The Georgia product entered the league as a touted wideout prospect. The Cincinnati Bengals selected him with the fourth overall pick in the...

Lance Guidry is expected to be named the next defensive coordinator at Miami, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel. Guidry, 51, accepted the DC role with Tulane last month after serving in the same role at Marshall over the last two years. The Hurricanes' previous coordinator Kevin Steele took the same...

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers plans to do some unique isolation and reflection before deciding on his NFL future. The four-time MVP highlighted the importance of an upcoming "darkness retreat" as he continues to mull over whether he wants to return to the Packers for a 19th season, retire, or request a trade.

Every NFL decade has produced its own dynasty. In most, a second powerhouse team also wins multiple championships. The trend has held true since Vince Lombardi's Packers christened his namesake trophy. These dynasties won games and rings in different ways. Pittsburgh's defense, which the Steel Curtain fronted, routinely shut down...

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick complimented Tom Brady on an exceptional 23-year career. "The greatest player. The greatest career. The great, great person," Belichick said on Brady's "Let's Go!" podcast. "It was such an opportunity and an honor for me to coach Tom. I guess it's got to end at some point, you know, but it's the greatest one ever. Congratulations, Tom."

New Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown acknowledged the team had discussions with All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker about a contract extension. "Some of the stuff was started prior to me coming. We had some talks with Tucker, of course, because it's coming up on the arbitration hearing," Brown told Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "And (Cristian) Javier, he's also coming up on the arb hearing. … We've been in contact with some of the agents to get some thought process."

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy plans to undergo elbow surgery on Feb. 22 to repair his torn UCL, sources told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The procedure will allow Purdy to return for training camp in late July, Rapoport added. The rookie signal-caller - who suffered the injury in the NFC title game - reportedly sought a second medical opinion to avoid Tommy John surgery, which requires a significantly longer recovery time.

LeBron James was anticipating a reunion. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar told ESPN's Michael Wilbon in a sit-down interview Monday that he was hoping his team would land All-Star guard Kyrie Irving, who won a championship as James' teammate with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. "Well, definitely disappointed," James said...

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni will not only get a chance to win his first Super Bowl title Sunday, but he'll get to do so against the man who fired him 10 years ago. Sirianni was the Kansas City Chiefs' wide receivers coach when Andy Reid took over ahead...

The Las Vegas Raiders granted Derek Carr permission to meet with the New Orleans Saints, who recently invited the quarterback for a visit, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Carr, whose contract has a no-trade clause, will reportedly visit the Saints on Wednesday. The veteran signal-caller is doing due diligence,...

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is close to full health ahead of Sunday's Super Bowl matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said Wednesday. "Yeah, so he's been doing really well with his ankle," Reid said, according to NFL.com's Kevin Patra. "We had a fast practice a couple days ago, and he moved well. He can really do just about everything, at least everything in the game plan that we've asked him to do. I think he'll be fine today."

The Kansas City Chiefs activated running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and placed wide receiver Mecole Hardman on injured reserve, the team announced Monday. Kansas City opened the 21-day practice window to activate Edwards-Helaire on January 17. The 23-year-old suffered a high ankle sprain during the Chiefs' Week 11 win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

A familiar face returns to Toronto. The Raptors are acquiring center Jakob Poeltl from the San Antonio Spurs, sending back Khem Birch, a protected 2024 first-round draft pick, and two future second-round picks in the trade, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski. Toronto dealt Poeltl in the Kawhi Leonard trade during...

After the Houston Rockets' 140-120 home loss to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, head coach Stephen Silas expressed his frustration with his team's lack of defensive effort. "They're not getting after it like they're supposed to," Silas said postgame. "They're not getting into their man and fighting over and helping each other. They're not doing what they're supposed to do."

Washington Commanders head coach Ron Rivera said Wednesday that the team hasn't decided whether it'll pick up defensive end Chase Young's fifth-year option, according to The Washington Post's Nicki Jhabvala. Rivera said he and the team need to discuss Young's health and development before making a final decision prior to...

Last we convened, we were wrapping up the unofficial first half of the NHL season, managing a 10-10 week through six days of daily picks that netted +1 unit. Neither element of that short-term record is all that impressive, but if we managed to finish every week in the black, we'd gladly take it.