Welcome to March. This is an exciting month on the sports calendar. March Madness, Spring Training, NFL free agency, and draft prep. Post-trade deadline NHL and NBA. Oh, and the weather is turning. It’ll be 56 and sunny this afternoon while I’m on the golf course for the first time this season. We will start with the Seahawks today and their “positive” progress on a Geno Smith extension.
Seahawks GM John Schneider said on Tuesday that the organization is feeling good about where their progress on an extension with Geno Smith stands with two weeks left until the new league year opens.
Smith made $7 million on a one-year prove-it deal with the Seahawks in 2022. Prove it he did. Smith took the Seahawks to the playoffs and won the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year award. He also earned a Pro Bowl selection.
The franchise tag deadline is March 7, which would cost $32.4 million on a one-year contract. Schneider noted the tag is “a tool” when asked whether the Seahawks could use it on Smith.
“All these negotiations, some go a little bit faster than others,” Schneider said. “Usually, when you’re talking about larger numbers, they take a little bit more time. Obviously much more complex than different sports with guaranteed contracts. So there’s a lot more that goes into these contracts.”
Regarding Geno Smith, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll told John Boyle of the team’s website: “We’re working it; the back and forth is all ongoing… How’s it going? I think it’s going to go in the right direction. We’ve got to get it done.”
Seahawks remain optimistic they will sign Geno Smith to long-term deal. https://t.co/EoIF7yrzVm
There’s no doubt that Tua Tagovailoa will be the starting quarterback of the Dolphins in 2023. But 2024? Miami isn’t quite ready to make that decision just yet.
May 1 is the deadline for the Dolphins to exercise their option on Tagovailoa’s contract for his fifth NFL season. Head coach Mike McDaniel was asked about that during a press conference at the NFL Scouting Combine:
“We’re probably best served to utilize the time,” McDaniel said. “That’s kind of the way we’re approaching it, but that doesn’t mean that we’re spending any long period of time not discussing it. This is something that Chris and I have been working through.”
GM Chris Grier said last month that he doesn’t believe Tua is more susceptible to head injuries than other players. However, the concussions that interrupted and ended his 2022 season will affect Miami’s decision.
The Dolphins have spent the past 6 months building around Tua Tagovailoa— in turn, he’s responded with his strongest offseason to date
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles discussed the Bucs’ plans at QB at the Scouting Combine. Bowles said that the Buccaneers “have a plan.” However, Bowles didn’t name any names or specifics of the plan.
It was reported that Tampa Bay could roll with Kyle Trask in 2023. The Buccaneers would likely pair Trask with a low-cost veteran. This jives with Bowles’ comments about “competition at every position” and knowing that Tampa is “over the cap coming into this.”
#Buccaneers HC Todd Bowles talks about their plan for the QB position, including a hint at what they might do in free agency and the draft 👀 pic.twitter.com/iOUdcmMrTP— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) March 1, 2023
Maybe the Buccaneers want a guy like Marcus Mariota to pair with Kyle Trask. Mariota is now a free agent after the Falcons cut Mariota on Tuesday. Atlanta will save $12 million in cap space by cutting Mariota.
Falcons released QB Marcus Mariota. The move saved them $12 million agains their salary cap.
Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin shot down the Tee Higgins trade rumors on Tuesday. Tobin said that he is “in the business of making the Cincinnati Bengals better” and that a trade of Higgins wouldn’t make sense.
Tobin even said, “that’s their problem; go find a receiver on your own,” to perspective teams looking for a receiver of Higgins’ caliber. Alright. Anyway, Luis wrote about the Tobin comments on Tuesday. You can check that out here:
CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reported that the Texans and wide receiver Brandon Cooks would meet this week to discuss his future. So, there’s another name to watch for on the wide receiver trade market.
I’m told #Texans WR Brandin Cooks’ agent is planning to meet with the team here in Indy soon to discuss their paths moving forward, among other matters, per league source.— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) February 28, 2023
The Buccaneers plan to release running back Leonard Fournette once the new league year opens on March 15:
The #Bucs plan to release RB Leonard Fournette when the new league year begins March 15, per sources.
GM Jason Licht mentioned recently that he felt Fournette was still a three-down back in this league. “Lombardi Lenny” is still only 28 and has plenty in the tank. pic.twitter.com/KMHiGSfG9L— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 28, 2023
Potential top pick (and Bears target) Jalen Carter is in trouble with the police:
Saying goodbye is never easy. But I gave it a shot this morning:
The #Blackhawks were the sport’s soundtrack of my 20s, and Patrick Kane was the lead singer. Kane's 16-year run with the Blackhawks came to an end on Tuesday.
Patrick grew up in Chicago's Bridgeport and Garfield Ridge neighborhoods before moving to the Western Suburbs of Chicago before eventually relocating to the Las Vegas area with his family in 2023. He started with Bleacher Nation in 2021 and has spent time as a Staff Writer and on the Chicago Blackhawks beat. He is currently a writer and editor at Bleacher Nation covering the Chicago Bears and the NFL at large and the author of the Bleacher Nation Newsletter. Patrick is a member of the Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA).
The New York Giants continue their search for consistent offensive weapons in the 2024 NFL Draft. This New York Giants 1st Round Mock Draft focuses on surrounding the Giants QBs with weapons. While Daniel Jones has shown flashes of brilliance,...
Pittsburgh Steelers 3-Round Mock Draft - The decision is far from easy. On the one hand, a strong offensive line is the bedrock of any successful team, and the long-term benefits are undeniable. On the other hand, a game-changing offensive weapon could breathe...
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2024 NFL Draft in a familiar position – contenders with a need to retool. Baker Mayfield solidified the quarterback position sans Tom Bracy, and while the Bucs boast a talented roster, key departures and...
The pressure is on for the New York Jets. With the 10th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the team faces a crucial decision that could define their future. Years of rebuilding have yielded progress, but the playoffs remain...
New England Patriots 3-Round Mock Draft - The curtain has closed on the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era in New England. The Patriots, once a dynasty of consistency, now find themselves at a crossroads. With the number three pick in the 2024 NFL Draft,...
The winds of change are howling through Halas Hall. After years (decades) of searching, the Chicago Bears appear set to finally land their franchise quarterback, Caleb Williams, with the top overall pick. This signals a new era for the Bears, but the...
With just one week until the Las Vegas Raiders are on the clock, it's crunch time leading into one of their biggest drafts in a while. The Raiders brought in veteran general manager Tom Telesco this offseason to lead the...
Las Vegas Raiders 3-Round Mock Draft - It's a new era in Las Vegas, and while they still have questions surrounding the most important position on the team, there's a lot of discussion about what the Raiders will do with their first-round selection....
The New England Patriots enter the 2024 NFL Draft at a crossroads. This New England Patriots 1st Round Mock Draft focuses on them addressing the most important position. The post-Tom Brady era has seen a carousel of quarterbacks, with none...
The New Orleans Saints enter the 2024 draft with a glaring need on their offensive line. This New Orleans Saints 1st round mock draft focuses on addressing their biggest needs. With questions surrounding the long-term health of Ryan Ramczyk and...
The New York Giants continue their search for consistent offensive weapons in the 2024 NFL Draft. This New York Giants 1st Round Mock Draft focuses on surrounding the Giants QBs with weapons. While Daniel Jones has shown flashes of brilliance,...
Following a stretch of three consecutive wins, the Philadelphia Phillies (11-8) meet the Chicago White Sox (3-15) at 6:40 PM ET on Friday.The Phillies will give the nod to Spencer Turnbull (1-0) versus the White Sox and Garrett Crochet (1-2).Phillies...
The Cincinnati Reds (9-9) and the Los Angeles Angels (9-10) play at Great American Ball Park on Friday at 6:40 PM ET. In this contest, the Reds have the chance to end a three-game skid.The Reds will give the nod...
The Boston Red Sox (10-10) kick off a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates (11-8) with a Friday meeting at PNC Park. First pitch is at 6:40 PM ET.The probable starters are Quinn Priester for the Pirates and Brayan Bello...
The Tampa Bay Rays (11-9) begin a three-game series against the New York Yankees (13-6) with a Friday matchup at Yankee Stadium. First pitch is at 7:05 PM ET.The Yankees will give the nod to Clarke Schmidt (1-0, 3.68 ERA),...
The Washington Nationals (8-10) begin a three-game series against the Houston Astros (6-14) on Friday at Nationals Park. First pitch is at 6:45 PM.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Astros will send Justin Verlander to the mound, while...
The Atlanta Braves (12-5) look to add to a four-game winning streak as they host the Texas Rangers (11-9) at 7:20 PM ET on Friday.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Braves will send Chris Sale (1-1) to the...
The Oakland Athletics (8-11) start a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians (13-6) on Friday at Progressive Field. First pitch is at 7:10 PM.The Guardians will give the ball to Triston McKenzie (1-2, 6.23 ERA), who is eyeing win No....
Today's NBA playoff slate has two quality competitions in store. Among those contests is the Sacramento Kings taking on the New Orleans Pelicans.NBA prop bets for today's games are available, so if you're interested in placing a bet or building...
Well, the rain stole one from us yesterday, which is a blessing and a curse. On the bright side, the bullpen gets an extra day of rest (on top of the day Hayden Wesneski bought them). But on the flip...
NEWSLETTER
