Browns, Garrett near deal
New Cleveland Browns general manager Andrew Berry made his position on star defensive end Myles Garrett clear earlier this offseason.
Berry wanted to secure Garrett as a long-term cornerstone of the franchise, and now the achievement of that goal is imminent.
The Browns and Garrett are close to finalizing a blockbuster contract extension.
The deal will be worth $125 million in new money over five years, a source said, adding the extension will be finalized this week and could be wrapped up in the next two days.
NFL Network first reported a five-year, $125 million extension was on the horizon and added the deal contains $100 million in guarantees, including a $50 million signing bonus.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft, Garrett will become the highestpaid non-quarterback in NFL history, surpassing Bears edge rusher Khalil Mack’s average annual salary of $23.5 million.
More football
Philadelphia officials said that fans will not be allowed to attend professional sports games — meaning the Eagles will not have spectators at any home games in 2020. Health Commissioner Thomas Farley said the coronavirus safety protocols “look pretty good,” but it would not be safe to have people in the stands.
▪ The New England Patriots hope to play home games this season in front of a significantly reduced number of fans. The Patriots hope to play in front of about 20% of Gillette Stadium’s capacity, if approved by state and local officials. The stadium’s capacity is just under 66,000.
▪ The Kansas City Chiefs and Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chris Jones agreed to a fouryear contract that could be worth up to $85 million, the latest in a lavish spending spree by the Super Bowl champions as they continue to lock up their core pieces as training camp approaches.
Colleges
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference voted to postpone the 2020 fall sports season until Dec. 31 during a meeting of the presidents of the PSAC’s 18 member schools Tuesday. According to numerous reports, the conference’s plan is to reassess the landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic on Jan. 1, with the hope that football and other fall sports can be played in the spring.
▪ The Southeastern Conference is postponing the start of volleyball, soccer and cross country competition through at least the end of August because of COVID-19.
▪ Florida AD Scott Stricklin announced that he tested positive for the coronavirus last month.
Soccer
Chris Mueller scored twice in the opening 10 minutes and Orlando City won its second game of the MLS is Back tournament in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., beating New York City FC, 3-1.
Basketball
Harrison Barnes of the Sacramento Kings became the latest NBA player to reveal that he has the coronavirus saying he has hopes to join his team at the league’s restart later this summer.