By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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With the franchise tag deadline arriving Monday, it looks like Kirk Cousins is again going to be playing under the tag, with which both sides are OK.

The two sides reached this point before spring became summer, despite the tone of contract talks picking up in recent months, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported, according to a person informed of negotiations. Washington’s most recent offer in May failed to secure the quarterback long-term, and Cousins appears to have the rare privilege of being in the catbird seat in these discussions.

Cousins and Washington have long been engaged in long-term extension talks, with differences in money previously keeping the two sides apart. Washington upped the ante with its May offer, which topped a previous offer of an average of around $20 million per year, Pelissero reported. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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For the first time in more than a decade, the Raiders are a hot item in the offseason hype sale.

A 12-4 finish in 2016 coupled with a young core of talented players will do that. The support of some Hall of Fame alumni helps, too.

“They’re a very good football team,” Hall of Fame receiver Tim Brown said at the Gene Upshaw Memorial Golf Tournament in Truckee, California. “I think they proved last year that they are to be reckoned with. If not for the injury, who knows how last year turns out. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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In the latest edition of I’ve never felt better offseason declarations, we bring you Demaryius Thomas.

The Broncos receiver is 29 years old and has posted five straight 1,000-yard-plus seasons, so it’s easy to say he’s felt pretty darn good over the last half decade. But he admitted in April that he dealt with a hip problem in 2016, which he recently said has been alleviated and truly has him feeling at his peak. He also added in a little nugget about his football lifespan, which is interesting, because it’s not all that long. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Jerry Jones received the invitation to football immortality back in February. His wife will be the one leading him there in August.

The owner of the Dallas Cowboys has selected his wife, Gene, as his presenter for his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio, the team announced in a news release Wednesday. The two celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2013 and have three children, all of whom work as executives in the Cowboys‘ organization. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The NFL’s top defense has stars on each end of its defensive line. We don’t need to name them.

But a name you likely heaven’t heard much of is D.J. Reader. The defensive tackle started in seven games as a rookie last season for Houston, recording 22 tackles and one sack in the regular season. You might remember him as the unknown defensive tackle who made Oakland’s Menelik Watson look foolish before sacking Connor Cook in the Wild Card round. We’ve placed that video above for your enjoyment. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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A new contract for someone else made Gabe Jackson‘s life as a Raider uncertain last offseason.

The arrival of Kelechi Osemele forced Oakland’s staff to ask Jackson to move to the right side of the line, something with which he wasn’t exactly comfortable. Jackson flourished, though, and a year later is on financial cloud nine after a big payday of his own. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Eric Weddle was a key actor in Baltimore’s sales pitch to Tony Jefferson during free agency.

According to the veteran safety, the effort is already paying dividends. Continue reading →