By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Jaguars extensions keep coming, and the latest is the biggest.

Jacksonville has signed quarterback Blake Bortles to a three-year contract, the team announced. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the contract is worth $54 million, including $26.5 million in guaranteed money. The new deal replaces Bortles’ current contract, which had one year remaining on it via the fifth-year option included in his rookie contract.

“I don’t have a whole lot of knowledge how any of this stuff works and doing all this I told Ryan [Tollner], my agent, I was like, ‘man, let’s just get it done so I can just go play football. I really would love to know and have confirmation that this is where I’m going to be, and now let’s go to work and continue to build on what we did last year and go play,'” Bortles said during a conference call to discuss the new contract. “So happy and relieved and obviously extremely excited. It’s a dream come true to be able to sign a second contract by the team that drafted me. That was one of my goals from the start. It’s exciting to get it all done and get rolling now.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Jacksonville’s leadership triumvirate produced a trip to the AFC Championship Game in its first season together, and is being rewarded for its efforts.

The Jaguars handed out contract extensions to head coach Doug Marrone, general manager Dave Caldwell and executive VP Tom Coughlin, the team announced Friday. The extensions run through 2021.

The most credit for Jacksonville’s turnaround — which took the better part of a decade — is due to Caldwell, who’s served in his current role since 2013. In that span, the Jaguars built the majority of their current roster through a combination of the draft and free agency. Caldwell constructed Jacksonville’s swarming defense with notable signings Calais Campbell, Barry Church, Malik Jackson, Tashaun Gipson and A.J. Bouye, all acquired within the last two offseasons. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Ryan Shazier‘s road back from a serious spinal injury has included plenty of rehab and occasional visits to the Steelers, including appearances at the team’s facility and late-season games.

The linebacker’s latest stop on his journey was a sit-down with teammate Roosevelt Nix, who recently received a new contract and started a podcast. Nix brought in Shazier for his third episode, and in the middle of discussing playing college ball in Ohio, their video game skills, first years in the NFL and career goals, his teammate dropped a big declaration.

“I’ve gotta get back, bro,” Shazier told Nix of his desire to return to an NFL field. “Every day, bro. Every day I’m like — right now, I’m reading a book and it’s basically saying trust the process, bro. I’m really trusting the process and I know the end goal. I’m taking it every step of the way but I’m like, I’m giving it like my football effort, like 1,000, everything I’ve got. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Andrew Luck has become somewhat of a football Sasquatch.

The quarterback hasn’t thrown on an NFL field in over a year. His Colts floundered through much of the 2017 season without him. Discussions surrounding Luck’s status turned from physical ailment to mental, back to physical. Good Morning Football‘s Kyle Brandt recently called Luck the NFL’s forgotten superstar.

And all the while, we’ve seen or heard from Luck very little, if at all. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Despite months of little-to-no movement on contract negotiations, Jarvis Landry has often stated his desire to stay in Miami.

The Dolphins used their lone tool to wipe away negotation-driven stress — at least in the immediate future — and ensure Landry won’t be lured away from Miami, placing the franchise tag on the receiver on Tuesday, the team announced.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported the tag will pay Landry approximately $16 million and is non-exclusive, meaning he’s able to negotiate with other teams, but would cost an outside suitor two first-round draft picks for the right to sign him. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Tennessee is welcoming a new coach into its fold, but won’t be doing the same at the kicker position.

The Titans have agreed to terms with Ryan Succop on a contract extension, the team announced on Tuesday. NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported the contract is for five years and worth $20 million, including $7.5 million in guarantees, according to a source informed of the terms of the contract. Continue reading →

By Jeremy Bergman and Nick Shook
NFL.com
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When Jeremy Bergman and Nick Shook graded the 2017 rookie classes of all 32 NFL teams, three earned “A” marks and 11 received “C” marks or worse. Below you’ll find what Bergman and Shook had to say about the groups that stood out and those that struggled, with the teams in each subsection listed in alphabetical order.

NOTE: Click here for the full division-by-division rookie rundowns.

EXCEPTIONAL ROOKIE CLASSES

Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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AJ McCarron is heading toward employment freedom.

McCarron has won his grievance against his current team, the Cincinnati Bengals, and will become an unrestricted free agent with the new league year in March, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported, per a source informed. McCarron is also due lost salary with interest from the 2014 season, Rapoport added.

McCarron’s grievance centered on whether his first season in the NFL, which included a long stint on the non-football injury list, counted as a year of service and thus granted him unrestricted free agent status at the conclusion of the 2017 season. With free agency now granted, the former fifth-round pick of the Bengals will be free to leave for a team of his choice for what is expected to be significant, starting quarterback money. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Jets have their new offensive coordinator, and he’s coming from inside the building.

New York promoted quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates to offensive coordinator as part of a trio of coaching changes the team announced on Wednesday. Rick Dennison was hired as offensive line coach/run game coordinator, and Steve Jackson was hired as assistant defensive backs coach, the team also announced. Continue reading →