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How Lamar Jackson went from demanding to be traded to landing a lucrative 5-year deal with the Ravens

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

How did we get here?It’s a question that 56 days ago had a drastically different meaning than it does now. On March 2, Lamar Jackson told the Ravens that he wanted to be traded. Now he’s the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL in terms of average annual salary after agreeing to a five-year extension with Baltimore worth a reported $260 million, including $185 million guaranteed.“For the last few months there’s been a lot of he say, she say, a lot of nail-biting, a lot of head scratching going on,” Jackson said in a video message posted to the Ravens’ social media account shortly after the news broke. “But for the next five years, there’s a lot of ‘Flock’ going on.”How things went from a two-years-long stalemate over a long-term contract to a smiling Jackson in the back seat of a Bentley might seem surprising, but there were breadcrumbs along the way, starting with how the Ravens reacted when Jackson revealed his trade...

Chicago Bears trade down again and select Tennessee offensive tackle Darnell Wright with the No. 10 pick in the NFL draft

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

The Chicago Bears have a new offensive tackle after selecting Tennessee’s Darnell Wright with the No. 10 pick in the first round of the NFL draft Thursday night in Kansas City, Mo.Before the Bears took Wright, general manager Ryan Poles traded back one spot with the Philadelphia Eagles, who selected Georgia defensive tackle Jalen Carter at No. 9. The Bears gained a 2024 fourth-round pick in the trade.The Bears needed an offensive tackle to play opposite Braxton Jones, who started every game at left tackle in his rookie season in 2022. Quarterback Justin Fields was sacked 55 times last season, and part of building a roster that will help Fields elevate his game is shoring up the protection for him.In the 6-foot-5, 333-pound Wright, they have a player who has prototypical size and an aggressive style. He started 42 games over four seasons at Tennessee and was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2022. Some draft analysts believe he is a plug-and-play starter at right tackle.NFL Net...

Chicago Bears in the 2023 NFL draft: Top pick Darnell Wright could be an immediate starter at right tackle

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles is off and running with his draft weekend to-do list, looking to improve a last-place roster and accelerate the team’s return toward playoff contention.In a demanding and busy offseason, Poles has expressed eagerness to do his heaviest lifting through the draft. That process began in Thursday night’s first round and will continue through Saturday evening.Bears remaining picks in 2023 NFL draft (April 27-29)Round 2: Nos. 53 and 61Round 3: No. 64Round 4: Nos. 103 and 133Round 5: Nos. 136 and 148Round 7: Nos. 218 and 258As Poles and the Bears navigate the weekend, we will offer you a comprehensive look at each of the players the team selects.Catch up on pre-draft coverageWhat to know about the 2023 NFL draft: When will the Bears pick? Who are the local prospects to watch?13 players the Bears could select at No. 9Who will the Bears select at No. 9? Brad Biggs’ NFL mock draft 3.0.15 months into his ‘disciplined’ rebui...

Houston Texans, Arizona Cardinals set off NFL Draft fireworks with top 10 trades

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

The Houston Texans and Arizona Cardinals wheeled and dealed on Thursday night to create some fireworks at the top of the NFL Draft, where three quarterbacks went in the first four picks.After the Carolina Panthers took Alabama QB Bryce Young No. 1 overall, Texans GM Nick Caserio picked Ohio State QB C.J. Stroud at No. 2 overall and then traded up to the No. 3 pick with the Arizona Cardinals to land Alabama edge rusher Will Anderson Jr.Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort acquired significant capital in the trade back from No. 3: the Texans’ No. 12 overall pick, No. 33 overall in the second round, and first and third-round picks in 2024.Then, after the Indianapolis Colts picked Florida QB Anthony Richardson at No. 4 and the Seattle Seahawks got Illinois CB Devon Witherspoon at No. 5, the Cardinals traded back into the top 10.They moved up from No. 12 to No. 6 with the Detroit Lions and picked Ohio State OT Paris Johnson Jr. Arizona gave up No. 12 and No. 34 to make the move.And the top...

Yankees Notebook: Aaron Judge leaves game vs. Texas Rangers hours after saying hand feels good

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

ARLINGTON — Aaron Judge left during the fourth inning of Thursday’s game against the Texas Rangers, hours after he and Yankees manager Aaron Boone both said the right hand he injured a day earlier was doing well.Judge struck out in both of his plate appearances before exiting, with Oswaldo Cabrera taking over in right field. He appeared to wince and shake his hand after swinging through a high pitch from Andrew Heaney in the second inning.Boone said before the game he’d consider resting Judge at some point during the four-game set here but expressed confidence in the health of the slugger’s hand.“I considered giving him a day today, and I might in this series, but no, after talking through it with him and the trainers, and then once he was all right today, no, I feel good about it,” Boone said.Judge rolled up on the hand during a slide into third base in Wednesday’s 12-6 win over the Minnesota Twins. He briefly disappeared into the clubhouse...

NFL Draft 2023 Live | Eagles take Jalen Carter at No. 9

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

By The Associated PressKANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The NFL draft has begun! The Carolina Panthers kicked off Thursday night’s proceedings by taking quarterback Bryce Young with the No. 1 pick. The draft can be viewed on NFL Network, ABC, ESPN and ESPN Deportes. Follow for live updates from Associated Press reporters across the country (all times EST).What to know:— Panthers make Bryce Young top pick in the NFL draft— Mock Draft! See if your predictions are better than ours. —-EAGLES TAKE JALEN CARTER AT NO. 9Carter is a 313-pound defensive-stopper with power and quickness who collapses pockets as deftly as he splits double-teams. The Eagles selected him ninth overall but he might have gone even higher were it not for questions about his maturity and legal problems. He’s on probation after pleading no contest to reckless driving and racing, charges related to an auto accident that killed a Georgia teammate and a football staffer.—-ANTHONY RICHARD...

Colts take Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson fourth overall in NFL draft

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Former Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson bet on himself and cashed in big Thursday night during the NFL draft.Indianapolis selected No. 4, validating decision to leave after as a redshirt sophomore with just 13 career starts. He was a third quarterback taken, behind No. 1 Bryce Young of Alabama and Ohio State’s CJ Stroud at No. 2.The Colts’ decision ended speculation Richardson’s stock had dipped in recent days and will earn him $36,874,031, including a $23,817,477 signing bonus.Wearing a gray suit and white turtleneck, Richardson was among 17 players invited to attend the draft in Kansas City, Mo. After NFL commissioner Roger Goodall called his name, Richardson hugged family members including his mother, LaShawnda Cleare, and made his way to the stage, stopping first to put on a Colts hat.“I always dreamed of this,” Richardson told NFL Network. “When I got the call it made me realize I finally made it to his level.”Gators coach Billy Na...

Central Catholic stays hot, blanks North Andover, 6-0

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

ANDOVER – Ever since faltering to begin the year, Central Catholic has been firing on all cylinders.Joshua Florence, Will Norris, and Jake Bartlett all collected multiple hits while Lukasz Rondeau threw five innings of shutout baseball as Central Catholic defeated Merrimack Valley Conference foe North Andover, 6-0, on Thursday night at Greater Lawrence Tech.Since an opening day loss to Leominster, the Raiders (7-1) have won seven in a row. Their success has largely been behind the stellar starting pitching of Rondeau, Florence and Francisco Melendez.“Lukasz’s command got sharper as the game went on,” Central Catholic coach John Sexton said. “We had to get him out after five because of the pitch count North Andover made him wrack up but our arms across the board have really pitched well.”Central Catholic gave Rondeau all the run support needed in the bottom of the second. After a catcher’s interference to begin the inning, Tyler Normandie lined a double to right and Jeremy Dela...

Red Sox notebook: Boston to host Terry Francona, Guardians for three-game series

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

The Cleveland Guardians and old friend Terry Francona come to town on Friday for a three-game set.How hotly contested is the American League East? The Red Sox are 13-13 to start the season, which puts them down at the bottom of the division. By comparison, the Guardians are 12-13, which is good for second place in the AL Central.But the Guards are 3-7 in their last 10 games, including dropping their most recent series to the Colorado Rockies, and the Sox are 5-5.Here’s the weekend slate and probable pitching matchups:Friday (7:10 p.m.): RHP Nick Pivetta vs. RHP Shane BieberSaturday (4:10 p.m.): RHP Garrett Whitlock vs. RHP Zach PlesacSunday (1:35 p.m.): LHP Chris Sale vs. LHP Logan AllenOn this dayWith the NBA playoffs in full swing, it’s astounding to look back through sports history and see how much things have changed.April 27, 1963 is the perfect example, as it was the day two NBA players faced off in the same inning of a Major League Baseball game.When Gene Conley s...

2023 NFL Draft tracker: Patriots trade down from 14th overall, add 4th-round pick

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Welcome to the NFL Draft!The Patriots are scheduled to make their first selection at 14th overall, which based on past drafts, should come around 9:45 p.m.  Thursday night.Related ArticlesNew England Patriots | NFL Draft 2023 Live | Eagles take Jalen Carter at No. 9 New England Patriots | Patriots 7-round mock draft: Bill Belichick surprises in 1st round, adds WR and TE late New England Patriots | NFL Draft 2023: The Patriots’ five most likely first-round picks New England Patriots | How to watch NFL Draft 2023 on TV, streaming New England Patriots | The 10 NFL Draft prospects who best fit the Patriots after the 1st round The Pats have 11 picks total, though they are expected to package some in trades at some point during the draft.Follow along for every Patriots draft pick, trade, rumor and report throughout the draft, and read the Herald’s final 7-round Patriots mock draft here.Round 1Patri...