Lamar Jackson
Earlier this week, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, who serves as his own representation, said that Friday would be the last day he’d consider extension offers from Baltimore. Well, they couldn’t come to an agreement and Jackson will play without an extension.
The 2019 NFL MVP is set to make over $23 million in his fifth-year option but will have no guaranteed money beyond this season. Since the middle of the 2018 season, the Ravens are 37-12 with Jackson as their starter and 2-5 without him. Jackson has taken more hits than any other quarterback since that time. He missed five games in 2021.
Bills Statement on TNF
I hate to overreact to Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season, but the Buffalo Bills are obviously winning the Super Bowl, after beating the defending-Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams, 31-10, Thursday night at SoFi Stadium.
After three turnovers in the first half, the Bills still went into halftime tied 10-10, and then it was all Buffalo from there. Quarterback Josh Allen finished the night 26-of-33 for 297 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions and 56 yards rushing.
Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford was sacked seven times, including twice by his teammate from a season ago, Von Miller. So, like I said, the Bills are winning the Super Bowl. Let’s talk again in February.
MLB Rule Changes
Major League Baseball continues its quest to make the game quicker, more exciting and more efficient. Personally, I could watch baseball forever, but this isn’t about me, so I’ll continue.
On Friday, MLB voted to install a pitch clock and do away with defensive shifts next season (ok, yeah, I’m into that). The league’s competition committee, which is made up of four players, six ownership-level reps and an umpire, approved a 15-second pitch clock with the bases empty and a 20-second pitch clock with runners on.
Other new rules will include increasing the size of the first, second and third base bags and pick-off move limits. The shift restrictions are that two infielders have to be on either side of second base when a pitch is released, and all four infielders are required to have both feet within the infield when the pitcher is on the mound.
Steelers to Honor Dwayne Haskins
The Pittsburgh Steelers will have a No. 3 decal on their helmets throughout the 2022 season to honor Dwayne Haskins. Haskins passed away in April after being hit by a truck on Florida’s Interstate 595.
Haskins was a first-round NFL draft pick in 2019 and was the Steelers’ QB3 in 2021. Pittsburgh had re-signed Haskins in March and was expected to compete for the Steelers’ starting job. Haskins was 24 years old.
NFL Injury News
- Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott will play on Sunday, as the Cowboys open the season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Prescott was limited in Thursday’s practice with right ankle soreness.
- San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been dealing with a groin injury and is questionable for Sunday’s opener against the Chicago Bears.
- The New York Jets have suffered another injury, as LT Duane Brown is out with a shoulder injury for Sunday’s game against the Ravens. Brown, who was brought in to replace Mekhi Becton, may have to go on IR.
- The Arizona Cardinals have ruled out Rondale Moore with a hamstring injury that he suffered in practice on Thursday. Both J.J Watt (calf) and Zach Ertz (calf) have been listed as questionable.