PACKERS CAREER RUSHING LEADER AHMAN GREEN SAYS HE HAS EARLY ONSET PARKINSON’S DISEASE
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Ahman Green, a four-time Pro Bowl running back and the Green Bay Packers’ career rushing leader, said he learned last year that he has early onset Parkinson’s disease.
The 49-year-old Green discussed his diagnosis this week on Tyler Dunne’s “Go Long” podcast.
“I know unfortunately there’s a day we eventually, where our clock stops ticking,” Green said. “The way I look at it, my clock is going to stop ticking when I want it to stop ticking.”
Green said it’s similar to the approach he took while running the ball during a 12-year NFL career in which he rushed for 9,205 yards and 60 touchdowns. His last season was 2009.
Green said his symptoms began when his feet started twitching in his sleep.
“I knew something was going on long before that,” he said.
Parkinson’s is a neurologic disease that robs people of control over their movements. It typically starts with tremors and is characterized by slow movement, a shuffling gait, stiff limbs, balance problems and slurred speech.
Green said he sometimes sleepwalks and has no recollection of it afterward. He called his short-term memory “trash,” but said his long-term memory is better.
He expressed optimism about his long-term outlook while pointing out he exercises regularly and has a “super clean” diet.
Green rushed for at least 1,163 yards each season from 2000-04 while playing for the Packers. He earned four straight Pro Bowl appearances from 2001-04.
He rushed for 8,322 yards as a Packers player, the highest total in the franchise’s storied history. He set a Packers single-season record by rushing for 1,883 yards in 2003.
Green’s NFL career began with the Seattle Seahawks, who selected him out of Nebraska in the third round of the 1998 draft. He spent two seasons with Seattle before getting traded to Green Bay in April 2000.
He played for the Packers from 2000-06, spent 2007-08 with the Houston Texans and returned to Green Bay for one last season.
Green’s announcement comes two years after former Packers teammate Brett Favre disclosed that he has Parkinson’s disease. Green said he spoke with Favre a couple of weeks ago to catch up but added that he planned to call the Hall of Fame quarterback to let him know “he has a brother right behind him.”
#####
DON’T CALL IT A REBUILD: HAFLEY’S DOLPHINS AREN’T VIEWING THIS SEASON AS A BRIDGE YEAR
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Don’t call it a rebuild. Miami Dolphins players and coaches aren’t viewing this season as one.
The team has a first-year head coach, a new general manager and a reshaped roster with a lot of young, unproven players but no one wants this to be just a bridge year.
“I don’t know how you can have a conversation with a competitive player or a competitive coach and have it sit right with them where we’re just going to say, ‘We’re just going to rebuild this year,’” Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said Thursday ahead of Miami’s second full day of training camp practice. “I mean, that’s just not the mentality of any competitor who’s made it to this level or any coach that’s made it to this level. Whether it’s practice or whether it’s a drill. I think we all want to win. And our mindset is we need to get better.”
When GM Jon-Eric Sullivan arrived in January, one of his immediate goals was to help the Dolphins out of their woeful financial situation.
More than half of the Dolphins’ salary cap space for the upcoming season will go to players who are no longer on their roster. That includes $54 million they will pay to former starter Tua Tagovailoa after cutting him in March and starting over at quarterback with Malik Willis. The move resulted in a $99 million dead cap hit, the largest in NFL history, to be split over two years.
Over the past few months, Sullivan began a process that has included trading and releasing established cornerpieces with lucrative contracts and bringing in younger players, mostly on one-year deals. The former Green Bay executive is also employing the same philosophy that he has said allowed the Packers to build sustained success over the years: by drafting a developing their own players.
Both Sullivan and Hafley have said it will take time to develop into the perennial winner they’re aiming to be, but that doesn’t mean they don’t believe they can see immediate returns from the current players on their roster.
“Everything we do is going to be about competing to get better throughout the process, and we want to win,” Hafley said. “So I just don’t think any player or any coach is going to sit here and say ‘I’m just going to throw in the towel and just rebuild.’ That’s probably why no one’s hearing that. I think if you had a group of players saying that, then I think we’ve got the wrong players.”
That mindset has trickled down to players.
“I don’t look at it as a rebuild because I’m in it and I play the game,” said veteran linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who recently signed a three-year contract extension. “I realize being in the league, everybody is super talented, and it’s not always what it looks like on paper. … I don’t really care if people think that it’s a rebuild or they think we’re going 0-17 or whatever people have been saying. I look at it as we’ve got a bunch of football players who’s hungry, super talented. Nobody in this locker room would be here if they didn’t have what it takes.”
Practices so far under Hafley have been lively and physical: characteristics the coach wants his team to embody all year.
Thursday’s session was highlighted by a forced fumble and recovery by edge rusher Chop Robinson on running back De’Von Achane early in 11-on-11 drills. Rookie cornerback Chris Johnson also forced and recovered a fumble on running back Ollie Gordon II.
Hafley has opted to forgo typical 7-on-7 drills during the first two days of training camp, instead having team drills take place in a more game-like 11-on-11 format. The former Packers defensive coordinator said he prefers it that way to build better situational down-and-distance habits.
“All those little things with the officials being there in 11-on-11 and they’re throwing the flags will send the message of ‘this is important,’” Hafley said. “If they weren’t there, and we were just doing 7-on-7 — I mean, we had a great play on defense yesterday. It was third-and-10, and our defensive end lined up offsides. That doesn’t happen in 7-on-7. Like all those things, we have to get the rust off, and that’s what training camp is all about.”
Players like it that way as well.
“It’s real life football,” said veteran center Aaron Brewer, also coming off an offseason contract extension. “We’re not here playing flag football. When you go to gameday, it’s 11-on-11 — not 7-on-7. It’s more work to translate from practice to game day. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
#####
THE EAGLES PUT THEIR FAITH IN JALEN CARTER. THEY CAN ONLY HOPE THEIR RISK IS WORTH THE REWARD
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Jalen Hurts offered a rare speck of detail into his personal life when he said his wife stuck a $5 bill into his backpack ahead of his first day of training camp.
Just a bit of an inside joke between the power couple.
Hurts skipped spending it on a vending machine snack and went straight to the Philadelphia Eagles player who might never need the smallest of loans.
“I took that $5 bill and I went and gave it to Jalen Carter, and I smacked it on his chest. And I said, ‘Let me put five on top of that,’” Hurts said.
Carter kept the petty cash. The richest of the rich can always use small bills, even as the 25-year-old Carter signed the richest deal for a defensive tackle in NFL history.
The Eagles signed Carter this week to a four-year extension that included $106 million guaranteed through the 2031 season.
Make that $106,000,005.
“I said if he would’ve signed it, it’d probably be worth $500,” Carter said. “I got it held. It’s at the house, though. I literally held it all day. It fell out of my pockets with teammates giving it to me. It was a funny moment, though.”
Carter was selected ninth overall in the 2023 draft and has been unstoppable for a defense that spurred the Eagles to a Super Bowl championship two seasons ago. He had three sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 33 tackles last season for the NFC East champions and has paired with former Georgia teammate Jordan Davis — who signed a three-year, $65 million guaranteed contract extension in March — to form a formidable defensive front.
“We felt like that was one of the strengths of our team and we wanted that to be one of the strengths of our team going forward,” Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said. “The defensive tackle position in the league, in college football, it’s a deficient position. It’s hard to find guys like that and we feel like it was a priority.”
Roseman and the Eagles believe their faith in Carter was rewarded and that he has blossomed into a player of high value on the field. They must hope he continues to make headlines only for his play.
Carter’s career biography will always include his involvement at Georgia in a crash that killed a teammate, offensive lineman Devin Willock, and a Georgia recruiting staffer, Chandler LeCroy.
Carter was given one year of probation and fined $1,000 after pleading no contest to misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and racing related to the wreck.
On the field, Carter spoiled the Eagles’ opening night ceremony of their Super Bowl win when he spit on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Carter was fined the equivalent of his game check for Week 1 because the NFL considered the punishment a one-game suspension with time served. The two-time Pro Bowler was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct before the first snap from scrimmage.
He was penalized three times in 2024 for unnecessary roughness and was benched to start a game in a disciplinary move by coach Nick Sirianni. Carter also was fined $17,445 that season for an open-handed blow to the head of Washington Commanders center Tyler Biadasz in the NFC championship game.
He’s got the cash now to cover any more damages, if necessary.
#####
BENGALS DE SHEMAR STEWART (KNEE) AVOIDS MAJOR INJURY AFTER SCARE
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart will be out several weeks with a hyperextended left knee but has “avoided major injury,” head coach Zac Taylor said Thursday.
“Very fortunate, because it obviously looked bad,” Taylor said. “The good news is we’ll be getting him back sooner rather than later.”
Stewart, a first-round draft pick in 2025, sustained the injury during 11-on-11 drills in the opening session of Bengals training camp on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on just the second rep, when Stewart became entangled with offensive lineman Cody Ford as he rushed the passer.MLB news
The 22-year-old went down immediately and was helped off the field, where trainers assessed him on the sidelines. He was carted off for further evaluation after it was determined he could not put weight on his left leg.
Stewart, the 17th overall pick in 2025 out of Texas A&M, played in just eight games (five starts) during his rookie season due to ankle and knee injuries. He recorded 11 tackles and one sack.
#####
BAKER MAYFIELD: ‘DISRESPECTED’ DURING CONTRACT TALKS WITH BUCS
Baker Mayfield told reporters Thursday that he felt “disrespected” and “undervalued” by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after failing to reach a contract extension by his self-imposed deadline.
Mayfield is entering the final season of a three-year, $100 million contract he signed in March 2024, with his $33.33 million annual salary ranked 16th among NFL quarterbacks.
“I wanted a deal done, and set the deadline, and told them it was going to be all ball after that. And I did mean that,” Mayfield said. “And I don’t know if they thought I was just going to take some of the offers that they gave. But I’m at the point of my career and understanding what I brought to this franchise — one, I’m very, very grateful for the chance they gave me, do not get me wrong on that. But I also really know what I’ve brought to this franchise leadership-wise and even play-wise. It’s been some of the best years of my career. And I think it’s only going to trend upwards. Just feeling comfortable in feeling that.
“So, disappointing in that regard to not have … to feel disrespected a little bit. And that’s really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it.”
ESPN reported the Bucs offered Mayfield a two-year contract offer that didn’t whet the appetite of the quarterback. Mayfield told the network the team was “pretty far” from the $50 million average annual value he is seeking.
“This is not a ‘poor me’ thing,” he said. “There’s a lot of other people who have it way worse off. But I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers, and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories that, I deserve to be compensated for that. I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down, here. So to not have a deal done is very disappointing.”
Mayfield joined the team on a one-year, $4 million deal ahead of the 2023 season as the Bucs tried to fill the role of the retired Tom Brady.
Mayfield, 31, earned back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in 2023 and 2024 while helping Tampa Bay capture consecutive division titles, though the team limped to an 8-9 record last season and missed the playoffs.
In eight NFL seasons with four teams, Mayfield has completed 63.5% of his passes for 28,525 yards, 197 touchdowns and 101 interceptions in 123 games (120 starts).
#####
TOP ROOKIE OF YEAR CANDIDATES
**RB Jeremiah Love, Arizona**
I shall refrain from overreacting to comments made by offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, which recently gained significant attention and appeared to diminish the enthusiasm surrounding Love. Many coaches tend to avoid hyping rookies, and it is unclear whether there is more to these remarks. Notably, no running back has received the Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) award since Saquon Barkley in 2018. Thus, it would be fitting if Love, being the first running back selected in the top five since Barkley, were to secure this prestigious honor. Love serves as an immediate focal point for the Arizona Cardinals. He exhibits remarkable skill as a ball-carrier, showcasing a dynamic playing style highlighted by an impressive spin move, and displays versatility that allows him to operate similarly to an additional wide receiver in the passing game. The Cardinals seek to enhance their offensive excitement beyond tight end Trey McBride, and Love can fulfill this need significantly. However, the franchise is also eager for victories, which may prove challenging to achieve. Mike LaFleur is entering a rebuilding phase in his inaugural year as head coach, meaning the overall offensive performance may progress slowly, potentially resulting in difficult periods throughout the season, especially given the team’s particularly challenging schedule. Furthermore, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer has reported that the Cardinals plan to moderate Love’s workload by incorporating James Conner and Tyler Allgeier into the running back rotation. Historical evidence demonstrates that Allgeier has previously siphoned red-zone opportunities from Bijan Robinson in Atlanta, which could similarly impact Love. Should circumstances take a negative turn, Love may struggle to find openings, particularly with a questionable offensive line. In conclusion, while I believe he merits his status as a front-runner due to his considerable talent and the opportunities presented to him, the path to OROY recognition may be fraught with challenges.
**WR Jordyn Tyson, New Orleans**
Tyson was selected four picks after Tate, at No. 8 overall, and whereas Tate immediately assumes the position of No. 1 wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans, Tyson enters his rookie season as the No. 2 receiver for the New Orleans Saints. Therefore, it is understandable to question why Tyson is ranked ahead of Tate on my list. The distinction rests largely on elements beyond their control. I perceive greater stability in New Orleans than exists for Tate in Tennessee. Additionally, it is advantageous that Tyson is part of a team that holds a competitive position within a division that did not yield a winning record last season. He possesses the necessary size, creativity, and ball skills to curate an impressive highlight reel in his first year. If opposing defenses concentrate on limiting the performance of Saints wide receiver Chris Olave, Tyson is likely to encounter favorable coverage opportunities and may close the anticipated production gap between the two receivers. The primary concern for Tyson remains his health, as injuries have plagued him throughout each of his four college seasons. Should he maintain his health and Kellen Moore guide New Orleans’ offense to continued improvement alongside quarterback Tyler Shough, the franchise could achieve its first OROY since Alvin Kamara was honored in 2017.
**RB Jadarian Price, Seattle**
There exists a pressing need to find a replacement for Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III within the Seattle Seahawks’ offense, and Price was drafted 32nd overall to fulfill this requirement. Transitioning from playing alongside Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame to serving as the primary running back for an NFL team contending for a title represents a significant adjustment, thus it is reasonable to expect initial challenges. However, Price has received high praise for his early performances in training camp, particularly in pass protection, which will be crucial for his utility on all three downs. As head coach Mike Macdonald has emphasized, the true assessment of the rookie’s capabilities will occur when the team engages in full-contact drills. Even if he secures the RB1 position, it is likely that he will divide playing time with Zach Charbonnet, who may return from an ACL tear sooner than anticipated, as well as Emanuel Wilson and George Holani. Consequently, Price may not achieve the same volume of opportunities as his college counterpart in Arizona, yet he will be competing within a more proficient team. This dynamic could render the competition for OROY recognition particularly intriguing.
**WR CARNELL TATE, TENNESSEE**
Carnell Tate exemplifies the emerging profile of an Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) candidate as a wide receiver selected in the top ten, specifically fourth overall. The former Ohio State University athlete is anticipated to fulfill the role of the Tennessee Titans’ primary wide receiver, and early indicators suggest that he is meeting these high expectations. It is easy to envision him successfully executing deep receptions from quarterback Cam Ward, which could contribute to substantial yardage gains, positioning him prominently among this talented cohort of newcomers. However, several factors may impede his progress, independent of his performance. The Titans’ offensive line continues to exhibit notable vulnerabilities, and when coupled with Ward’s transition to a new offensive system in his second year in the National Football League (NFL), there are legitimate concerns. Furthermore, the team has invested significantly in wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, reuniting him with Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll. Robinson has averaged 140 targets over the past two seasons while with the New York Giants in Daboll’s system. To contextualize this statistic, only Ja’Marr Chase, Trey McBride, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Justin Jefferson have received more targets than Robinson since the commencement of the 2024 season. Therefore, while Tate may serve as Tennessee’s principal outside receiver, it is plausible that he may not emerge as the team’s most frequently targeted pass catcher in 2026.
**QB FERNANDO MENDOZA, LAS VEGAS**
Prior to any potential backlash from proponents of Fernando Mendoza, I wish to clarify that my assessment of Mendoza’s standing is influenced by the Las Vegas Raiders’ apparent intention to initiate the season with quarterback Kirk Cousins at the helm while the rookie observes and develops. Should the Raiders genuinely aim to provide Mendoza with an extended period to acclimatize, his prospects for winning the OROY award would diminish considerably. Historically, since the year 2000, only three quarterbacks have secured the OROY title without starting in Week 1: Justin Herbert (2020), Vince Young (2006), and Ben Roethlisberger (2004); however, each of these quarterbacks made their first career start within the first four weeks of their respective seasons. Over the past 19 seasons, Herbert remains the sole quarterback to win the OROY award without a Week 1 start, achieving his first start in Week 2. I have positioned Mendoza centrally on my rankings, recognizing the possibility that he may enter the lineup sooner than anticipated. Should he achieve this and perform satisfactorily, the Heisman Trophy winner may enhance his accolades by the conclusion of the season.
**WR MAKAI LEMON, PHILADELPHIA**
Another slot receiver has made the list: Makai Lemon, who was selected 20th overall, becoming the third wide receiver taken in this year’s draft. The Philadelphia Eagles executed a trade to secure Lemon prior to the Pittsburgh Steelers’ selection. With established players such as DeVonta Smith, Dontayvion Wicks, and Hollywood Brown on the roster, Philadelphia possesses sufficient depth should the rookie require additional time to adjust to the professional level. However, General Manager Howie Roseman’s aggressive draft maneuver indicates a belief in Lemon’s potential impact. It is encouraging to note that Lemon participated in training camp following a hamstring injury that precluded his attendance at Organized Team Activities (OTAs). If he performs to the levels suggested by comparisons to Amon-Ra St. Brown during the pre-draft assessment, he could quickly accumulate yards after catch, rendering this evaluation conservative. Nonetheless, historical trends are not favorable for Lemon, Stribling, Concepcion, Cooper, or Williams, as no wide receiver drafted outside of the top twelve has garnered the OROY title since Percy Harvin in 2009. Furthermore, the Eagles have yet to witness either an OROY or Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) recipient in their franchise history.
**WR De’Zhaun Stribling, San Francisco**
Stribling has emerged as a more viable candidate for the award than initially anticipated. Since the commencement of training camp, the 49ers have lost two of their foremost wide receivers. Christian Kirk departed the first practice session prematurely, while Ricky Pearsall is currently experiencing swelling in his knee due to a previous PCL injury sustained last season. The team has expressed “concerns” regarding Pearsall’s injury and is “exploring all options” for potential next steps, suggesting that this may not be a short-term issue. Consequently, San Francisco may need to rely on Stribling to assume starter-level responsibilities from the outset. He was a notable prospect leading up to the draft, ultimately selected as the first pick of Round 2. His promising trajectory may very well extend into the regular season. His impressive combination of size and speed, exemplified by a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at 207 pounds, may soon be on display. With defenses likely focused on Mike Evans, Christian McCaffrey, and, when healthy, George Kittle, Stribling could find ample opportunities. Should he capitalize on these, he may transform from a long shot into a prominent contender for the award.
**WR KC Concepcion, Cleveland**
It is ambitious to expect Concepcion to ascend to a leading position, particularly considering that the Browns are facing one of the most challenging quarterback situations in the league and may be among the weakest teams in 2026. However, there is a positive aspect to note: he is the franchise’s highest-drafted receiver in the past decade, selected 24th overall, and the competition for becoming Cleveland’s most-targeted pass catcher appears open. Other players, such as Jerry Jeudy, rookie Denzel Boston—who was drafted in Round 2, 15 picks after Concepcion—and the promising second-year tight end Harold Fannin Jr. also possess the potential to emerge as primary targets in the Browns’ passing game. Boston, in particular, may excel in the red zone due to his size, thus overshadowing Concepcion in his inaugural season. Ultimately, I anticipate that Concepcion’s talent for quickly creating separation from the slot position will render him a reliable option for whichever quarterback leads the Browns, potentially translating to award-caliber production.
**Omar Cooper, NY Jets**
The Jets allocated two of their three first-round picks this year to acquiring pass-catching talent, notably drafting TE Kenyon Sadiq (16th overall) before Cooper (30th overall). Yet, it is Cooper who garners attention in this analysis. Historically, a tight end has yet to win this award, and unless Offensive Coordinator Frank Reich implements a strategy featuring two tight ends, Sadiq will likely defer to Mason Taylor for a significant number of snaps. In contrast, Cooper possesses a clear pathway to become the primary slot receiver. Additionally, data from Next Gen Stats indicates that only six quarterbacks have targeted slot receivers more frequently than the new Jets quarterback, Geno Smith, since the start of the 2022 season. While there are multiple players requiring targets in the offense, including WR1 Garrett Wilson, deep sleeper Adonai Mitchell, RB Breece Hall, and the aforementioned tight ends, it remains uncertain whether Cooper will acquire the volume necessary to contend for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award in 2026. Nevertheless, his playing style has drawn comparisons to Deebo Samuel, suggesting he will prove to be a dynamic asset on the field. It would be surprising if he does not quickly become a favored target for Smith.
**WR Antonio Williams, Washington**
In the upcoming season, it is essential for players other than Terry McLaurin to contribute in the passing game for the Commanders. There exists a distinct opportunity for Williams to achieve a high volume of targets from the slot position, given the lack of significant competition for this role. Throughout the 2024 season at Clemson, he demonstrated the capacity to generate impressive statistics, amassing 1,005 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns over 14 games. While I do not anticipate that he will replicate such numbers during his rookie NFL season, his existing opportunities along with his proficiency in evading defenders make him noteworthy in this discussion. Should he earn the trust of quarterback Jayden Daniels, the urgency for Washington to acquire or trade for a veteran receiver prior to the season may diminish. In such a case, targets are unlikely to present a challenge for this agile slot receiver.
**Quarterback Carson Beck, Arizona**
The emergence of Carson Beck as a contender for the Offensive Rookie of the Year (OROY) award may depend on either an injury to Jacoby Brissett, who has recently signed a lucrative contract, or a decline in his performance. However, it is not entirely improbable that Beck could become a significant player in this award race. Notably, last season, Saints quarterback Tyler Shough finished as the runner-up—albeit at a considerable distance—to the OROY winner, Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, despite Shough starting only nine games in 2025.
In a year where opportunities for rookie quarterbacks may be limited, a midseason promotion to the starting lineup could potentially make Beck relevant in the award competition due to the impact of his position. The Arizona Cardinals, currently in a rebuilding phase, may consider evaluating Beck’s capabilities if the team experiences a series of defeats. It is important to note that Beck currently competes with the frontrunner for this season’s OROY award, Jeremiyah Love, for attention.
One of the significant challenges that Beck and Love may face in their pursuit of the OROY award is the Cardinals’ projected win-loss record. The team is anticipated to contend with one of the most difficult schedules in the league, which includes multiple matchups against their division rivals in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Seattle, all of whom are considered serious contenders for the Super Bowl.
#####
CRISTINA ULBRICH, WIFE OF FALCONS DC JEFF ULBRICH, DIES AFTER CANCER BATTLE
The Atlanta Falcons announced Thursday the death of Cristina Ulbrich, wife of defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, who was fighting cancer.
The Falcons confirmed her passing in a pair of statements. The team called Cristina Ulbrich “a constant source of love and support to Jeff, their family, and the broader Falcons community.”
The team also released a statement from owner Arthur Blank.
“Cristina will always be an important part of our Falcons family,” Blank said. “My heart is with Jeff, Samantha, Jax, Jace and the entire Ulbrich family during this unimaginable time.
“It was always evident how deeply Cristina loved her family and how fiercely she supported them. She faced every challenge with extraordinary courage, strength and grace, inspiring so many through the way she lived and the way she fought. My family and I, along with the entire Falcons family, send our love and prayers for strength to everyone mourning her loss.
“The greatest legacy Cristina leaves behind is the family she loved so completely, and her strength and spirit will continue to shine through them.”
Funeral arrangements were not mentioned in either statement. Jeff Ulbrich had not yet joined the Falcons at the outset of training camp due to a personal matter.
Ulbrich has spent the bulk of his coaching career with Atlanta. He was on the defensive staff from 2015-20, including as interim defensive coordinator for part of 2020, before the New York Jets named him their defensive coordinator in 2021.
He spent four seasons with the Jets and served as their interim head coach for the final 12 games of 2024 following the firing of Robert Saleh. After that, Ulbrich returned to Atlanta as its defensive coordinator. The Falcons retained him this offseason despite the head coaching change from Raheem Morris to Kevin Stefanski.
#####
REPORTS: 49ERS BRING BACK WR DEEBO SAMUEL ON 1-YEAR, $7 MILLION DEAL
Deebo Samuel agreed to a one-year deal with the 49ers worth $7 million, reuniting with San Francisco following a season away from the team that drafted him.
Multiple outlets reported the agreement but it was yet to be made official by the 49ers late Thursday.
Samuel was a second-round pick of the 49ers in 2019 and was a productive, versatile weapon in Kyle Shanahan’s offense for six seasons. He played outside receiver, slot receiver and “wide back” before being traded to the Washington Commanders prior to the 2025 season.
He had 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns in his only season in Washington, where starting quarterback Jayden Daniels was in and out of the lineup with multiple injuries.
An unsigned free agent, Samuel’s phone rang when the 49ers began feeling anxious about the status of their wide receiver corps yet again. Free agent Christian Kirk (calf) and projected starter Ricky Pearsall (knee) are fighting injuries and reliable receiving target George Kittle at tight end won’t likely be ready for the opener.
The 49ers also signed Mike Evans, who turns 33 in August, after he totaled 866 receptions for 13,052 yards and 108 TD catches in 12 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
#####
SAINTS WR CHRIS OLAVE REPORTEDLY AGREES TO 4-YEAR, $132M DEAL
The New Orleans Saints and wide receiver Chris Olave agreed to a long-term extension on Thursday.
The Saints announced a multi-year deal for Olave while reports pinpointed it as a four-year, $132 million deal that includes $90 million guaranteed.
The extension puts the 26-year-old Olave under contract through 2030. The $33 million average annual salary is tied for sixth-highest among receivers with DK Metcalf of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Olave will earn $15.49 million in 2026 after the Saints picked up the fifth-year option of his rookie deal in April.
Olave participated in New Orleans’ first two training camp practices but only did individual drills and walk-throughs while negotiations were ongoing.
“I think the biggest thing is there’s the business side and there’s the football side, obviously. And we know sometimes those two overlap,” Saints coach Kellen Moore said after Thursday’s practice. “It’s inevitable. And I think communication is the key.
“As long as we all communicate and we’re all on the same page. I think we always have to remind ourselves, everyone has the same goal. Everyone’s shooting for the same things. It’s just sometimes the business side takes a little bit of a lead on this for a matter of time and we’ll work through that.”
Olave has topped 1,000 receiving yards in three of his four seasons. He had career bests of 100 receptions, 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns in 16 games last season.
Olave missed the final game of last season due to a blood clot in his lung. The clot kept him limited in offseason workouts. Blood thinners helped alleviate the issue.
Olave was limited to eight games in 2024 due to sustaining at least two concussions. He was carted off the field after taking a blow to the head against the Carolina Panthers on Nov. 3, 2024 and missed the rest of the season.
Olave was a first-round draft choice (No. 11 overall) in 2022 out of Ohio State. He has 291 receptions for 3,728 yards and 19 touchdowns in 55 NFL games (44 starts).
About The Author
