Clutch Play

🟣🏈 Zay Flowers isn't thinking about playing anywhere else.

The Ravens wide receiver recently said that his goal is to spend the rest of his NFL career in Baltimore, making it clear that he'd love to remain with the franchise long term.

Flowers is coming off a breakout campaign in which he set career highs with 86 catches, 1,211 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns. As he prepares for the upcoming season, he's also taking on the challenge of learning a completely new offense under offensive coordinator Declan Doyle.

According to Flowers, the system includes concepts, route combinations, and methods of getting open that he's never encountered before. While the offense is reportedly more advanced and demanding, the coaching staff believes it can help elevate his game even further as he continues his rise among the NFL's top receivers.

Baltimore has already exercised Flowers' fifth-year option, ensuring he's under contract through the 2027 season. Still, if his production continues to climb, the Ravens could find themselves paying significantly more if they wait too long to negotiate a long-term extension.

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Denzel Ward has shut down any talk of wanting out of Cleveland.

Even after the Browns traded his close friend and longtime teammate Myles Garrett to the Rams, Ward said he still sees his future with the organization and remains fully committed to the team.

The veteran cornerback admitted Garrett’s departure was a shocking development, calling it a “crazy trade,” but stressed that the Browns must keep moving forward. Ward echoed the mindset that it’s “Ohio against the world,” emphasizing that the team is focused on proving doubters wrong and bringing success to the city.

With Garrett gone, Ward now becomes the longest-tenured player on Cleveland’s roster. The former No. 4 overall pick has spent his entire NFL career with the Browns since being drafted out of Ohio State in 2018.

Ward is entering the final two years of the five-year, $100.5 million extension he signed in 2022 and remains one of the league’s highest-paid cornerbacks. Although he could have used this offseason to seek a fresh start elsewhere, he instead made it clear that his loyalty remains with Cleveland.

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📈 Myles Garrett is projected to experience a significant jump in earnings after his move to the Rams, with his total income expected to rise well beyond what he made in Cleveland.

Industry projections suggest that elite athletes can see endorsement growth of roughly **25–50%** when shifting into major markets like Los Angeles, though Garrett’s increase may be more moderate compared to global superstars such as Luka Dončić.

Still, the financial upside is clear. The Rams are one of the NFL’s most valuable franchises, with a **$10.7 billion valuation (CNBC, 2025)** and approximately **$250 million in annual sponsorship revenue (2024)** second only to the Cowboys.

Between the LA spotlight, Super Bowl expectations, and expanded national exposure, Garrett’s marketability is expected to climb sharply in the coming years both on and off the field. 📊🐏

❄️ Caleb Williams is convinced that the Madden Curse won't be stopping him.

While attending a Madden event on Thursday night, the Bears quarterback was asked by a fan if he planned to become the latest victim of the infamous curse after landing the cover of Madden 27. Williams didn't hesitate.

“Damn right,” he replied, pointing at the fan before walking off the stage.

Williams has also made his stance clear, saying: “No more of this Madden Curse.”

The concern isn't completely unfounded. Recent Madden cover athletes have struggled to replicate their previous success. Christian McCaffrey, the face of Madden 25, was sidelined by injuries for most of the 2024 season and appeared in only four games. Saquon Barkley, who graced the cover of Madden 26, saw his production fall sharply in 2025 after posting career-best numbers the year before.

Williams, meanwhile, is coming off the best season of his young career. The 24-year-old threw for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns, and just 7 interceptions while leading Chicago on a playoff run that reached the NFC Divisional Round.

Now, the Madden 27 cover star has publicly embraced the challenge. The question is whether Williams can back up his confidence and become one of the rare players to silence the Madden Curse narrative.

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😬 Last July, A.J. Brown admitted that he was jealous of Cooper DeJean’s famous “Cooooop!” chant and wanted Eagles fans to have a signature chant for him too.

During a social media livestream, Brown explained that with football season approaching, he was trying to think of a way to get fans more involved whenever he made a big play or scored a touchdown.

“I was just thinking, because football season is approaching and I want to get the fans involved, so I’m like, man, what can I do to get the fans involved?” Brown said. Seeing fans yell “Cooooop!” for DeJean inspired him to come up with something of his own.

Brown first suggested “1K!” as a chant, referencing his trademark 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He said he had considered fans yelling “Brown,” but felt it didn’t quite sound right.

He then pitched another idea tied to his nickname, “Always Open.”

“How about A.O. for always open? So, ‘Aaaaaa-Ooooo!’ Like that’ll be lit. I like that. I like that, I can’t lie,” Brown said while asking fans for their thoughts.

Despite the brainstorming session, neither “1K!” nor “Aaaaaa-Ooooo!” ever gained momentum with Eagles fans during the 2025 season. Now, with Brown no longer on the roster, the chants have become a funny footnote from his time in Philadelphia. 🤧🏈

🚨 Long before the Rams pulled off their blockbuster trade for Myles Garrett, they were already willing to pay a massive price for elite pass-rushing talent.

According to reports, Los Angeles approached both the Panthers and Raiders before the 2022 trade deadline with offers that included **two first-round draft picks** for Brian Burns and Maxx Crosby, respectively.

The Rams were determined to find another dominant edge defender after feeling the impact of Von Miller’s departure and aggressively explored multiple avenues to upgrade their pass rush.

Despite the substantial compensation being offered, neither Carolina nor Las Vegas was willing to part with their star defenders, shutting down the potential deals.

Those failed pursuits highlight just how long the Rams have been searching for a premier pass rusher. After years of trying and missing out on several top targets, Los Angeles ultimately landed the biggest prize available by acquiring Myles Garrett.

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(via Albert Breer)

🫡 Jared Verse reportedly showed plenty of class after learning he was being traded from the Rams to the Browns.

When Rams head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead informed Verse of the move shortly before a team meeting, the young defensive end had just one thing on his mind: making sure his teammates heard the news directly from him.

Rather than letting word spread around the facility, Verse asked if he could address the locker room himself and explain the situation before the team's scheduled meeting. The Rams quickly granted the request.

According to Snead, Verse handled the difficult conversation with impressive maturity and professionalism, earning respect from everyone involved.

The report also revealed that Los Angeles tried to keep Verse out of the blockbuster Myles Garrett trade for as long as possible. However, Cleveland remained firm throughout negotiations, insisting that Verse be included in the package before agreeing to the deal.

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(via Albert Breer)

🚨 BREAKING: Chicago has finalized a deal with first-round pick Dillon Thieneman, signing the talented safety to a fully guaranteed rookie contract.

The agreement spans four years and is worth $19.5 million, with Thieneman receiving a $10.6 million signing bonus as part of the package.

Selected 25th overall in the draft, Thieneman now becomes the latest member of the Bears' young core to officially join the roster, with all contract details now completed.

The signing also means Chicago has successfully secured its top draft selection ahead of training camp, ensuring one of the franchise's most important offseason additions is officially under contract.

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(via Mike Garafolo)

🚨 DEVELOPING: Baker Mayfield says there is still considerable distance between him and the Buccaneers in ongoing extension negotiations, raising uncertainty about his long-term future in Tampa Bay.

The veteran quarterback, who is entering the final year of his current three-year, $100 million contract, revealed that discussions have started but are not currently close to meeting his expectations.

Mayfield stressed that he and his family have strong ties to Tampa and envision remaining there for years to come. However, he also made it clear that he has a strict deadline in mind: once training camp begins in July, contract talks will be put on hold and his full attention will be on the season.

If the two sides cannot reach an agreement before camp opens, Mayfield plans to play out the remainder of his contract and revisit negotiations at a later date.

Currently earning $33.3 million per season, Mayfield ranks outside the NFL's highest-paid quarterbacks, and any new deal would likely need to reflect a significant increase to align with the market's top veteran passers.

The 31-year-old is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he threw for 3,693 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions while adding 382 rushing yards and a score on the ground across 17 starts.

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🚨 BREAKING: Broncos pass rusher Jonathon Cooper was taken into custody Thursday night in Colorado and is facing serious legal allegations, including two domestic violence charges and one count of criminal mischief.

Reports indicate that Cooper, 28, was booked into jail shortly after 2:30 a.m. local time. He is expected to appear in court today, with a follow-up hearing already scheduled for Monday.

The development comes at a significant time for Cooper, who was one of Denver’s key defensive contributors during the team's playoff campaign last season. He finished the year with 50 tackles, 8 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, and 4 passes defended.

Cooper is also entering Year 2 of the four-year, $60 million extension he signed with the Broncos in late 2024, making him an important piece of the franchise's long-term plans.

Additional details are expected as court proceedings continue.

(via TMZ) 🚨🏈