The NFLPA negotiated a new fine reimbursement system this year that it said would have put $1.7 million per year back in players' pockets over the past 2 seasons. How does it work? And what does it mean for those questionable TD celebration violations? www.nytimes.com/athletic/vid...

When the Bills opened Highmark Stadium, the first thing I noticed was the seemingly random pattern of blue and red seats. Turns out, it's not so random after all. www.nytimes.com/athletic/764...

Why does the Bills’ new Highmark Stadium mix red and blue seats randomly? (Gift Article)

The red-and-blue pattern of Buffalo's new Highmark Stadium is designed to emulate the "heat coming off the field."

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Aaron Donald is set to make his Rams debut tonight, returning from a two-year retirement. But how difficult is a comeback? Especially for a lineman? I spent the summer trying to find the answer. @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...

The challenges of making an NFL comeback: 'We're different. We're like Wagyu beef'

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Welcome back, NFL! I'm on a mission this year to answer one of the most heated debates: What is the best time zone for an NFL fan? Want to share your Sunday ritual? Send me an email JBardahl@TheAthletic.com. www.nytimes.com/shared/v1/at...

Jayna’s take on: NFL Week 1 live updates: Latest scores and highlights from Sunday’s games

Welcome back, NFL! I'm on a mission this year to answer one of the most heated debates: What is the best time zone for an NFL fan? Want to tell me about your NFL Sunday rituals? How you map out your v...

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For his entire football career, coaches have called Cam Lewis their "Swiss Army Knife." Now, with injuries across the Bears' secondary, the new Chicago DB is putting the moniker to the test. (Story is free to read at the link ⬇️) www.nytimes.com/athletic/757...

What does Cam Lewis bring to the Bears’ secondary? ‘He’s our Swiss Army Knife’ (Gift Article)

Lewis' versatility appealed to the Bears in free agency, and it will come in handy as their secondary is depleted by injuries.

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Whether it’s at safety or nickel corner or on special teams, Cam Lewis is a name Bears fans will know this season. Story on the veteran by @jaynabardahl.bsky.social

What does Cam Lewis bring to the Bears’ secondary? ‘He’s our Swiss Army Knife’ (Gift Article)

Lewis' versatility appealed to the Bears in free agency, and it will come in handy as their secondary is depleted by injuries.

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How does an NFL player make a comeback? I spent the summer talking to players who second-guessed their retirement decisions and decided to give it all another go. @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...

Tony Romo released a statement on Instagram about his July OWI arrest, saying he pleaded no contest. He also mentioned a return "in time" to CBS. The network placed him on leave after the incident. www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...

How does an NFL player make a comeback? I spent the summer talking to players who second-guessed their retirement decisions and decided to give it all another go. @theathletic.com www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...

As rumors of Aaron Donald's return swirled, I spoke with NFL players who navigated the "unretirement" process. A common thread: a desire to forgo second-guessing for a second chance, no matter the outcome. And for linemen, lots of conditioning. (Free link!) www.nytimes.com/athletic/755...

Full #NFL training camp dates and joint practice details for all 32 teams. www.nytimes.com/athletic/738...

NFL announces 2026 training camp, joint practice dates for every team

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Caleb Williams talked about the advantages he'll have in knowing what to expect this training camp. “It’s a hell of a lot more fun for me than it was last year." More on the QB's leadership on the last day of minicamp: www.nytimes.com/athletic/735...

Bears minicamp: Caleb Williams enters Year 2 with Ben Johnson a little wiser

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Caleb Williams will be the first Bears athlete featured on the cover of Madden. Here's what his teammates had to say about the news yesterday after practice.

The buzziest name out of Halas Hall on Thursday? Luther Burden III. Ben Johnson is all-in on his second-year wide receiver. www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Luther Burden III was the topic of conversation Thursday at Halas Hall for the Chicago Bears’ first organized team activities open to media. Well, to everyone besides Burden. Free story at the link below: www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Why Bears coach Ben Johnson is buying Luther Burden III stock entering Year 2

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ICYMI news: The Supreme Court denied an NFL appeal yesterday, allowing former Dolphins HC and current Vikings DC Brian Flores' discrimination lawsuit to proceed toward trial. The NFL wanted the case handled through its arbitration process. www.nytimes.com/athletic/731...

Supreme Court denies NFL appeal of Brian Flores' discrimination lawsuit

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NFL analyst @minakimes.bsky.social will host this week's Scripps National Spelling Bee. Which NFL player and coach would she like to see test their spelling knowledge? I asked her in a Q&A. www.nytimes.com/athletic/730...

Mina Kimes spells out strategy, from the NFL to ‘Jeopardy’ to the spelling bee (Gift Article)

The 'Celebrity Jeopardy' champion and ESPN analyst trades her 'NFL Live' seat for the host role at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

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The NFL is sending Jaxon Smith-Njigba a new Offensive Player of the Year trophy after his first one had a typo. Although it looked like it read "Defensive," the NFL said it was actually a misspelling of "Offensive" as "Oefensive." www.nytimes.com/athletic/729...

NFL sending Jaxon Smith-Njigba new Offensive Player of the Year trophy after typo (Gift Article)

Smith-Njigba posted a video of the trophy, showing that it appeared to call him the

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Had fun teaming up with @jaynabardahl.bsky.social on this one (major assist from @jimmydurkin.bsky.social). We spent all last evening carefully watching all 32 schedule release videos, ranking them 1-32. Here are our findings, along with summaries of each ⤵️ www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

Ranking all 32 NFL 2026 schedule release videos: Chargers, Titans again lead the way

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Every schedule release video reviewed and ranked by @SaadYousuf126 and me. Big takeaways: • Saw much more involvement from prominent players & coaches this year! • Order went out the window • 49ers substation caught some heat www.nytimes.com/athletic/728...

Ranking all 32 NFL 2026 schedule release videos: Chargers, Titans again lead the way

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Schedule release day has become the content Super Bowl for social media teams around the league. The league gives them plenty of creative freedom, but where do teams draw the line when it comes to poking fun at opponents? How far is too far? FREE LINK: www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

How NFL teams create schedule release videos: Memes, cameos and taking a joke (but not too far) (Gift Article)

How far is too far with these videos? "If you're making references to things that are happening in the world, that makes sense."

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What do Airbnb prices, weather, local sporting events and the economy have to do with NFL scheduling? More than you think ... www.nytimes.com/athletic/727...

How the NFL uses AI to help solve its schedule-making puzzle (Gift Article)

Airbnb prices, weather, local sporting events and even the economy impact an NFL fan’s likelihood to watch a game.

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The College GameDay crew just predicted KC Concepcion will be the 2026 offensive rookie of the year. I spoke with Concepcion and those close to him to learn more about his journey. www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Top NFL Draft prospect KC Concepcion aims to keep cooking — on and off the field

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The NFL Draft is one hour away! Teams will have eight minutes to make their first-round selections tonight, down from the previous 10-minute window. www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

KC Concepcion is days away from seeing a lifelong dream fulfilled. His journey to this point is defined by the small moments: cookouts, a transfer that almost didn't happen & a pre-draft process that tested his patience. www.nytimes.com/athletic/721...

Top NFL Draft prospect KC Concepcion aims to keep cooking — on and off the field (Gift Article)

Concepcion, a projected first- or second-round pick, has also made it a goal to help others who speak with a stutter gain confidence.

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Athlete profiles on LinkedIn have grown by 31 percent since 2021. So why is the website previously reserved for the corporate space spilling into the sports stratosphere? I spoke with NFL players to learn more. www.nytimes.com/athletic/719...

Football players on LinkedIn? Fernando Mendoza isn’t the only one

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The Raiders have added a veteran presence to their QB room in Kirk Cousins. Here's more on how Cousins will fit with Aidan O'Connell and (most likely) future No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

Kirk Cousins agrees to free-agent deal with Raiders

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NFLPA executive director JC Tretter opposed the use of replacement refs in a joint statement released today with the referees' union. “If player safety truly matters, trained professional officials on the field are not negotiable.” www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

NFLPA's JC Tretter opposes replacement officials, cites safety concerns in joint statement

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Five NFL rule changes approved in Phoenix: 3 involve kickoffs, but most notable is a change geared toward preparing for an NFLRA work stoppage and the use of replacement refs in 2026 www.nytimes.com/athletic/716...

All the NFL rule changes, including more replay assistance in case of replacement refs

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