This NFL offseason has washed in a wave of new wide receiver contracts, resetting the top of the market position. One player hoping to ride this wave is Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill, who said he was thinking about his next deal and is thrilled to see what his new pay standard would mean for him. “I’m very excited to just be a part of the old wave, which was $30 million, and Justin Jefferson came and surpassed that, man,” Hill said, via Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston. “So, very proud of those guys, happy for obviously my teammate (Jaylen) Waddle getting his new deal. For guys like me, that’s great. I’m 30 years old, also looking for a new deal. So, very, very excited to see where I fit into that category. It’s amazing.” When Hill signed his present four-year, $120 million extension with the Miami Dolphins after joining through a trade from Chiefs, his $30 million annually average was at the top of the rankings for the position. But only in the last three months, three players have exceeded that average, according to Over the Cap. This includes Minnesota Vikings’ Jefferson, who set the new high mark with his $35 million per year average. Hill’s teammate Waddle also signed a three-year $84.75 million extension that is just below his average. Hill is set to receive $19.665 million in 2024, the last year with guaranteed money, indicating that the time has come for him to get an extension to put his salary more in line with current standards for a player of his calibre. He has been one of the best at his position joining the Dolphins, earning first-team All-Pro honours both years while also continuing his streak of making the Pro Bowl each of his eight seasons.  This most recent year, Hill led the league by averaging 112.4 yards per game, with a total of 1,799 yards, just short of his goal of becoming the first WR to break 2,000 yards in a season. But, how paying him fits into the Dolphins’ future plans could be complicated because the team is spending money in other places. For now, Hill said he is not focusing on the money, and his immediate priority still remains leading his team to postseason glory, which has eluded them despite succeeding in the regular-season. “Oh yeah, for sure, so very excited for it, man, but the real goal is to win the Super Bowl,” Hill said. “It’s cool to get paid and all that, but you know being able to win a Super Bowl and bring something special to the city of Miami, that’s something that can live with us forever. I believe that’s very monumental for all of us. Create greatness, man.”

NFL teams and players have joined in with other Americans on social media to celebrate the Fourth of July; the USA’s Independence Day. Here is a collection of some Independence Day posts on social media from around the league:

The Kansas City Chiefs are making a movie in 2024 with Hallmark, and Patrick Mahomes will not be headlining. Kansas City and Hallmark are collaborating with the NFL and Skydance Sports to produce a holiday movie. Tyler Hynes, Hunter King and Ed Begley Jr. will star in the Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story. The film is slated to premier on the Hallmark Channel this winter during the 15th annual Countdown to Christmas programming event. “We are honoured to partner with Hallmark on a project as unique as this,” Chiefs president Mark Donovan said in a statement. “As a club, we pride ourselves on exploring new ways to grow our brand, as well as connect with new audiences. This partnership unites two passionate fan bases and gives us an opportunity to show Chiefs Kingdom’s energy and tradition on one of the most-watched channels during the holiday season.” Production will start in July and film in Kansas City, Missouri, locations, including GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium (the Chiefs’ home stadium). “With Hallmark and the Kansas City Chiefs both homegrown, rooted in values, tradition and community, there is a special alchemy between these two iconic organisations,” Hallmark chief brand officer Darren Abbott said in a statement. “By blending the warmth of Hallmark storytelling with the excitement of professional football, we are thrilled to give audiences a front-row seat to this community’s spirit, rich traditions and passionate fans that define Kansas City, all wrapped up in the comforting and uplifting Hallmark way.” While the Chiefs are on their quest to three-peat, Kansas City fans may see the Lombardi Trophy or may two later this winter.

Tom Brady had a dedicated approach to football during his career in the NFL that was well documented.  During an interview with “The Pivot’’ podcast, the seven-time Super Bowl winner shared some regret about his fierce method. “What I would have changed was, ‘OK, there’s part of me that still loves …’ You see these young players. I see, like, Patrick [Mahomes] out there at quarterback, laughing, having fun,” Brady told former NFL players and current podcast co-hosts Ryan Clark, Fred Taylor and Channing Crowder in May.  “I’m like, ‘I used to be like that!’ What the hell happened to me? I just got too serious.” Brady appeared to have a serious and debatedly robotic approach that the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick had during the franchise’s unprecedented era of success. Whenever Brady got emotional, he would get in his teammates’ faces to yell at them on the sideline or smash a table. But he got less uptight when he left the Patriots to join the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020. Brady announced that he would retire from the NFL “for good’’ after the 2022 season. The NFL icon is now gearing up to join the broadcasting booth. He, and NFL on FOX play-by-play man Kevin Burkhardt, will call the Dallas Cowboys Week 1 game against the Cleveland Browns on September 8th. The game will mark his debut as FOX Sports’ lead NFL analyst. Brady also stepped into the broadcast booth during last month’s UFL Championship match. As Brady prepares for the next step in his career, he also reflected on the things he could have done differently. “You just learn from it, and go, ‘OK, now the next phase of life, enjoy it a little more,’” Brady said. He also talked about the challenges he faced during the early years of his career. “So much [of], I think, the early part of my career was trying to fulfil people’s new expectations of me and me still being the 14-year-old boy that wanted to fit in. I was like, ‘I just want to go to the field and play,’” Brady said. “Now, there were all these other things to choose from. “Next thing you know, you’re overwhelmed because you didn’t sleep, you didn’t eat right, you were partying. I’m like, ‘I don’t really like the way I’m feeling.’” Brady had an eventful few months leading up to his highly awaited transition to broadcasting. New England held a star-packed Hall of Fame induction ceremony for him at Gillette Stadium in June.

The Dallas Cowboys pursue their first Super Bowl title since 1995 and like any other team that sees itself as a championship contender, they had to make some tough choices about what to do as some of their key players’ contracts come to an end. This decision somehow involves Micah Parsons. Quarterback Dak Prescott is possibly the most pressing case, as the league’s leader in touchdown passes in 2023 is entering the last year of his deal in 2023. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb hopes to reset the market for his spot, but Dallas have not clarified his future too with free agency looming. Parsons is another key player who will need a new contract with the Cowboys, but he may be disheartened to learn that he will need to be a bit patient. Cowboys safety Malik Hooker recently sat with ex Dallas receiver Keyshawn Johnson on FOX Sports’ “All Facts No Break.” He told Johnson that if he were Jerry Jones, he would rather extend Lamb and Prescott’s contracts, before coming to two-time All-Pro Parson’s deal. “I feel like CeeDee should be paid first for the simple fact of what he does for us, how valuable he is for us, the leader he is for us as a team,” Hooker said in comments that could upset Prescott as well as Parsons. Lamb, who delivered 12 touchdowns last year, could become a free agent after the 2024 campaign if Dallas does not give him a contract. Parsons has a little time to wait after the Cowboys picked up the fifth-year option on his rookie deal. His contract expires after 2025, and Hooker’s comment may just be a reflection of this reality. However, Parsons could use Hooker’s comments as motivation in 2024. The edge rusher finished second or third in Defensive Player of the Year voting in all of his three NFL seasons, and if he  wins that award in year four, his contractual status will become hard to ignore.

The City of Jacksonville approved a $1.4 billion “stadium of the future’’ on Tuesday that should keep the Jaguars in one of the league’s smallest markets for at least another 30 years. This will end decades of speculation about the team being a potential candidate for relocation. City council members voted 14-1 (two abstained) in favour of the proposal, which moves to NFL owners for final approval. Owners are scheduled to convene in Atlanta in October, with 24 of 32 votes needed to finalise the deal. The Jaguars do not expect much resistance from the NFL although the 50-50 financial split is higher than what most league owners contribute for new or renovated stadiums.  The stadium proposal requires each side to contribute $625 million to the $1.25 billion project. Jacksonville will not levy any new taxes to fund the rebuild, and would chip in another $150 million in deferred maintenance to get EverBank Stadium ready for construction in 2026. This pushes the city’s contribution to 55% of the total bill.  Construction would start following the 2025 campaign. The Jaguars would play in front of a reduced capacity (no upper deck) in 2026 and then host home matches in Gainesville or Orlando the following year. The proposal will include a 30-year lease, a non-relocation agreement and a provision that limits the number of matches the Jaguars can play outside the city. Under the new lease, the team would play all preseason and postseason home matches in Jacksonville. They would continue to play one home match a year in London, likely at Wembley Stadium. Both sides expect the renovated stadium to give way to more high-profile events. The Jaguars agreed to sponsor all construction cost overruns, take over daily operations of the stadium and foot 80.4% of game day expenses going forward.  The proposed 63,000-seat, open-air stadium incluses a translucent covering that feels like “wearing shades in the sun,’’ team president Mark Lamping said. It is expected to lower outside temperatures by 15 degrees.  Capacity could be increased to 71,500 to host the annual Florida-Georgia rivalry, the Gator Bowl, a College Football Playoff game or the Final Four. Pools and a part deck would stay in the north end zone. Jacksonville and the Jaguars hope to add substantial development to the surrounding area, which is expected to contain a University of Florida satellite campus that would bring in 10,000 graduate students. The city and the team the environs surrounding the stadium crucial to the long-term prosperity of Jacksonville’s downtown. The city intends to fund its portion of the deal by moving $600 million from a capital improvement plan and using revenue from an existing, half-penny sales tax to fund the build in a pay-as-you-go campaign. Jacksonville says it would save $1.5 billion in debt-services fees over the life of the lease. The Jaguars plan to fund its portion with funds from the NFL’s G-4 program, which offers financial assistance from stadium projects. Funding through the program is seen as a loan and is repaid from the visiting team’s share of certain seating. A team applying for the loan is required to put up matching dollars. 

Calais Campbell is not retiring, although he is going to Florida. Campbell, a six-time Pro Bowler and former Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year, is signing a contract with the Miami Dolphins to play his 17th season. NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported. Having contemplated retirement in past seasons, Campbell is now bound for his fifth NFL franchise as he goes to the Sunshine State. This is where he had his most successful run with the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2017-2019, securing Pro Bowl accolades and his only All-Pro honour. Calais was originally selected in the 2008 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals, he also played for the Baltimore Ravens and Atlanta Falcons last season. Now, he has a homecoming to look forward to, as the University of Miami product will provide the Dolphins with a boost on a defensive line that has a touch of youth and experience, alongside injury concerns.  Both Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips suffered season-ending injuries in 2023 and Miami allowed Christian Wilkins walk in free agency, where he joined the Las Vegas Raiders. Campbell, who has always brought a positive energy to the locker room, should bring veteran leadership, the versatility to play inside or on the edge and still has some pass-rushing punch left. He’ll join a group that includes Zach Sieler, Teair Tart, Da’Shawn Hand, Shaquil Barrett and rookie first-rounder Chop Robinson. Campbell secured 6.5 sacks last year for the Falcons and had 10 tackles for loss, each his best numbers since his final year in Jacksonville. Calais is the ranked 50th on Gregg Rosenthal’s Top 101 free agents list, and his the newest addition to a made-over Miami defence, that includes veterans Barrett, Jordan Poyer, Jorydn Brooks, Kendall Fuller and others. There is also Anthony Weaver the new defensive coordinator, who Campbell spent some seasons with in Baltimore.  It might be Campbell’s last season or not. Either way, he is returning to Miami, hoping to bring some of that veteran experience to a Dolphins squad for their third straight playoff spot.

Cam Sutton is coming back to Pittsburgh. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Wednesday, that Sutton is signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers later announced a one-year contract, releasing receiver Izaiah Gathings in a similar move. Sutton spent his first six seasons in Mike Tomlin’s system before signing in Detroit last offseason. He struggled greatly on the field in 2023. Off-field issues this offseason led the Lions to release him in March. That was after an arrest warrant was issued for him for an alleged domestic violence incident. Sutton turned himself in to the police and reportedly started a pretrial diversion program on misdemeanor battery charges. Corner depth was a challenge for Steelers this offseason. Joey Porter Jr. showed the physical ability to be No.1 CB. The trade for Donte Jackson gave Pittsburgh an excellent top-two, but there was little else beyond. Sutton’s last season in Pittsburgh was his best. According to Nex Gen Stats, he permitted a career low 44.4% completion rate and -8.5 receptions over expected. If he comes back to anything close to that level, the Steelers secondary will be solid in 2024.

In his first interview since being traded from Buffalo Bills to Houston Texans, Stefon Diggs took the high road.  Diggs showed gratitude for his career with the Bills, where he caught 445 passes for 5.372 yards and 37 touchdowns to become a perennial Pro Bowler. He recognized Josh Allen for his efforts in their partnership. And eventually, explained where everything went wrong. “He was an intricate piece of my career,” Diggs said Tuesday of Allen, the two-time Pro Bowl quarterback of the Bills. “At that point, when I left Minnesota, I was a good player. But I always felt more for myself. I felt like I was better than that — that I could be better than that. And kind of up to that point, I was just like ‘S—. I’m going to roll the dice and bet on myself.’ “When I got to Buffalo, Josh was and still is my guy. People don’t really understand what it’s like to be out there. He really embraced me. He kind of had that southern hospitality. We spent a lot of time together and I probably wouldn’t be right here if it wasn’t for him. I got a lot of love for that boy, so y’all give him a hug and a kiss for me.” Diggs bloomed in Buffalo, where in four seasons he passed his totals recorded in five years in Minnesota. But his leaving was foreseen. He showed his disappointment and frustration with the Bills’ constant failures to finish deep playoff runs with Super Bowl matches. During a compulsory minicamp in 2023, a short absence caused an internal problem that forced Allen to respond for his teammate. Still, the production justified the shenanigans and the $104 million due to Diggs for four years. When this was no longer feasible, like when Joe Brady replaced Ken Dorsey as offensive coordinator during the 2023 campaign and Diggs usage dropped drastically, the time came to trade him. He said he felt in 2023 a parting would happen at some point. “We had some ups and downs especially after the first eight (games). We got a coaching shift and different things going different ways, different schemes,” Diggs said. “You know the ups and downs of it. But for me, you kind of felt it in the air a little bit. When I got traded, I was happy. I was in a good place. Like I said, I told God to light my path and here I am. So, he makes no mistakes.” The Texans did not only take Diggs through trade, but also concluded the move by tearing up his existing contract. They signed him to a new one-year deal that gave him a chance to earn another payday in 2025, should he prove his worth in 2024. “What I’ve seen is a guy who I thought we would get,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said of Diggs on Tuesday. “A guy who’s made plays and every time we’ve thrown him the ball, he’s come down with it. Sure-handed guy. A really good teammate, a great energy around the building and in a locker room with the guys. So I’m excited to continue to see his growth.” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud set the NFL on fire in his rookie season, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in a landslide. He even got some outside votes for NFL Most Valuable Player. If Stroud begins 2024 by picking up where he left off last season, the new partnership will produce large numbers for both parties. “He has been fitting in great. He came in with his head down and just working,” Stroud said of Diggs. “He’s helping me out a lot. … He’s come in and been a leader, which I’m proud of him for. He has really been unselfish and wanted to see other guys eat. That was his main thing — he wanted to be around other dogs. He stepped into that role where there’s a dog everywhere. He wanted that and that’s what we bring to the table.”

The NFL Players Association (NFLPA) wants to push for changes to the offseason workout program.  It is working to finalise a proposal to overhaul the offseason starting as early as 2025. This will eliminate voluntary on-field work in the spring in favour of a longer training camp ramp-up, with platers reporting in mid-June to early July. NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday.  A formal proposal from the NFLPA is expected this summer. Under new management since July 2023, the NFLPA has asked players for feedback on adjusting the offseason schedule. Majority supported the changes, Pelissero reported. The present offseason workout program, which is generally bargained, is a voluntary nine-week offseason program, split into three phases. It includes meetings (Phase One), on-field individual drills (Phase Two), and organised team activities (Phase Three). Teams can perform one mandatory minicamp for veterans during Phase Three.  For most teams, the offseason program begins in mid-April and runs through mid-June. A roughly six-week summer break lasts until training camps begin in mid- to late July. Since offseason work rules are collectively bargained, any changes by the NFLPA will require an agreement with the NFL. According to Pelissero, the NFLPA has consulted medical and performance experts to provide a solution to reduce injuries and maximise players’ recovery time. Under the potential proposal, virtual classroom work would still be allowed in the spring, but no practices until camp. Restructuring the NFL’s offseason could break up the calendar, giving players an in depth layoff following a grinding season and a longer ramp-up period before the start of the campaign. This could prove helpful in avoiding soft-tissue injuries some players suffer during training camps under the current structure.