8 TOP STORY LINES FOR NEXT SEASON
Big names could change teams, end careers
An early look at eight things to watch on the road to Super Bowl LI in Houston.
CASHING IN
The franchise tag and new deals usually thin the top tier of potential free agents, and this year figures to be no different. Notable names to watch include Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller, Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman, New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford, Chicago Bears receiver Alshon Jeffery, New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul and Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders have a ton of spending power.
LAST STAND?
Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch plans to retire, his agent told The Associated Press. The Broncos are likely to move on from soon-to-be-40year-old quarterback Peyton Manning. And Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson is contemplating leaving the game.
CRACKING DOWN
Commissioner Roger Goodell has publicly endorsed a rule change that would yield an ejection for any player who commits two personal fouls in a game. But the competition committee and the NFL Players Association will have a lot of questions about how that would work. Would all personal fouls (including face masks and horse-collar tackles) be subject to the rule? Would fouls be reviewable? Would officials be as willing to flag a player who has one strike? A vote could come as soon as the league meetings next month. Side note: Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict’s appeal of his three-game suspension for a string of illegal hits is pending.
Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is retiring, and other stars could follow him.
BACK IN COURT
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady successfully fought his four-game Deflategate suspension in federal court. The NFL has appealed that decision, and the U.S. Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments March 3. Goodell deflected a question Friday about whether Brady’s sus-
pension would be reinstated if the league wins. If the point is to protect the collectively bargained power to discipline, it’s hard to see how letting Brady off the hook would make any sense.
WHERE’S JOHNNY?
The Cleveland Browns made it clear Johnny Manziel’s days with
Cleveland are numbered. But football should be the least of his concerns when he’s under investigation in a possible domestic violence incident and his family wants him back in rehab.
SEATS WILL HEAT
The most obvious coach under pressure is the Jaguars’ Gus Brad-
There’s no shortage of candidates for comeback player of the year. That list includes Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell, Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles, Green Bay Packers receiver Jordy Nelson, Panthers receiver Kelvin Benjamin and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs. Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham, who tore a patellar tendon in late November, faces a hard road back.