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Deadspin | Report: Eagles sign first-round WR Makai Lemon Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Makai Lemon is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number 20 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Wide receiver Makai Lemon reportedly became the initial first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft class to sign his rookie contract. NFL Network reported on Thursday that Lemon signed his four-year rookie deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Lemon, the 20th overall pick of the draft out of Southern California, will receive just over .81 million in fully guaranteed money that includes an .5 million signing bonus. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option. He received the Biletnikoff Award in 2025 as the nation’s top receiver, becoming just the second Trojan to win it after Marqise Lee in 2012. Lemon finished with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season with Southern California. Lemon, 21, will be looked upon to contribute right away with star wideout A.J. Brown’s departure seemingly an inevitability. DeVonta Smith likely will assume the top spot among wideouts for the Eagles, who signed both Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Report #Eagles #sign #firstround #Makai #Lemon

Deadspin | Report: Eagles sign first-round WR Makai Lemon
Deadspin | Report: Eagles sign first-round WR Makai Lemon Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Makai Lemon is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number 20 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Wide receiver Makai Lemon reportedly became the initial first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft class to sign his rookie contract. NFL Network reported on Thursday that Lemon signed his four-year rookie deal with the Philadelphia Eagles. Lemon, the 20th overall pick of the draft out of Southern California, will receive just over .81 million in fully guaranteed money that includes an .5 million signing bonus. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option. He received the Biletnikoff Award in 2025 as the nation’s top receiver, becoming just the second Trojan to win it after Marqise Lee in 2012. Lemon finished with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season with Southern California. Lemon, 21, will be looked upon to contribute right away with star wideout A.J. Brown’s departure seemingly an inevitability. DeVonta Smith likely will assume the top spot among wideouts for the Eagles, who signed both Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Report #Eagles #sign #firstround #Makai #LemonApr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Makai Lemon is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number 20 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Wide receiver Makai Lemon reportedly became the initial first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft class to sign his rookie contract.

NFL Network reported on Thursday that Lemon signed his four-year rookie deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Lemon, the 20th overall pick of the draft out of Southern California, will receive just over $20.81 million in fully guaranteed money that includes an $11.5 million signing bonus. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option.


He received the Biletnikoff Award in 2025 as the nation’s top receiver, becoming just the second Trojan to win it after Marqise Lee in 2012.

Lemon finished with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season with Southern California.

Lemon, 21, will be looked upon to contribute right away with star wideout A.J. Brown’s departure seemingly an inevitability. DeVonta Smith likely will assume the top spot among wideouts for the Eagles, who signed both Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #Eagles #sign #firstround #Makai #Lemon

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Apr 23, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Southern California Trojans receiver Makai Lemon is selected by the Philadelphia Eagles as the number 20 pick during the 2026 NFL Draft at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Wide receiver Makai Lemon reportedly became the initial first-round pick of the 2026 NFL Draft class to sign his rookie contract.

NFL Network reported on Thursday that Lemon signed his four-year rookie deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Lemon, the 20th overall pick of the draft out of Southern California, will receive just over $20.81 million in fully guaranteed money that includes an $11.5 million signing bonus. The deal also includes a fifth-year team option.

He received the Biletnikoff Award in 2025 as the nation’s top receiver, becoming just the second Trojan to win it after Marqise Lee in 2012.

Lemon finished with 79 catches for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns last season with Southern California.

Lemon, 21, will be looked upon to contribute right away with star wideout A.J. Brown’s departure seemingly an inevitability. DeVonta Smith likely will assume the top spot among wideouts for the Eagles, who signed both Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Elijah Moore.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Report: Steelers expect Aaron Rodgers decision in ‘a few weeks’ Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on after being sacked during the first half of the NFL Wild Card game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on January 12, 2026. Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan are comfortable playing the waiting game with Aaron Rodgers. At least a little while longer. Owner Art Rooney II said before the 2026 NFL Draft the timeline for Rodgers to inform the Steelers of his plans was no longer “before the draft,” as initially understood when former coach Mike Tomlin resigned and McCarthy took the helm in Pittsburgh. Rooney said in an NFL Network interview on Wednesday the franchise is expecting to hear a verdict on the 2026 season plans for Rodgers, 42, in May. “Even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks,” Rooney said. Rodgers played for McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers and has a deep and detailed understanding of his offensive system and coaching philosophy. McCarthy said that’s part of the reason he’s not even slightly worried about Rodgers missing the remedial installation periods of the offense and team plans during offseason workouts and voluntary minicamp. The Steelers have insurance, albeit in the form of unproven NFL starters, under contract. McCarthy has been highly complimentary of second-year quarterback Will Howard, and Pittsburgh used the 76th overall pick in the 2026 draft to select Penn State’s Drew Allar last week. Holdover Mason Rudolph split first-team reports with Howard during McCarthy’s first minicamp. Initial timelines from the front office suggested Rodgers could be signed by mid-March amid the first wave of free agency. At least publicly, the Steelers appear confident Rodgers is not plotting a QB sneak to sign with another team. However, ESPN reported on Wednesday that Pittsburgh exercised a tender that grants the Steelers the opportunity to match any offer Rodgers receives from another team. The tender guarantees him a one-year deal at a 10 percent increase over his 2025 salary. “We’ve been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis,” Rooney said. “He’s been keeping us up to date on his plans, and even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Report #Steelers #expect #Aaron #Rodgers #decision #weeksPittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on after being sacked during the first half of the NFL Wild Card game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on January 12, 2026.

Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan are comfortable playing the waiting game with Aaron Rodgers. At least a little while longer.

Owner Art Rooney II said before the 2026 NFL Draft the timeline for Rodgers to inform the Steelers of his plans was no longer “before the draft,” as initially understood when former coach Mike Tomlin resigned and McCarthy took the helm in Pittsburgh.

Rooney said in an NFL Network interview on Wednesday the franchise is expecting to hear a verdict on the 2026 season plans for Rodgers, 42, in May.

“Even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks,” Rooney said.

Rodgers played for McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers and has a deep and detailed understanding of his offensive system and coaching philosophy. McCarthy said that’s part of the reason he’s not even slightly worried about Rodgers missing the remedial installation periods of the offense and team plans during offseason workouts and voluntary minicamp.


The Steelers have insurance, albeit in the form of unproven NFL starters, under contract.

McCarthy has been highly complimentary of second-year quarterback Will Howard, and Pittsburgh used the 76th overall pick in the 2026 draft to select Penn State’s Drew Allar last week. Holdover Mason Rudolph split first-team reports with Howard during McCarthy’s first minicamp.

Initial timelines from the front office suggested Rodgers could be signed by mid-March amid the first wave of free agency.

At least publicly, the Steelers appear confident Rodgers is not plotting a QB sneak to sign with another team. However, ESPN reported on Wednesday that Pittsburgh exercised a tender that grants the Steelers the opportunity to match any offer Rodgers receives from another team. The tender guarantees him a one-year deal at a 10 percent increase over his 2025 salary.

“We’ve been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis,” Rooney said. “He’s been keeping us up to date on his plans, and even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #Steelers #expect #Aaron #Rodgers #decision #weeks">Deadspin | Report: Steelers expect Aaron Rodgers decision in ‘a few weeks’ Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) looks on after being sacked during the first half of the NFL Wild Card game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on January 12, 2026. Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy and general manager Omar Khan are comfortable playing the waiting game with Aaron Rodgers. At least a little while longer. Owner Art Rooney II said before the 2026 NFL Draft the timeline for Rodgers to inform the Steelers of his plans was no longer “before the draft,” as initially understood when former coach Mike Tomlin resigned and McCarthy took the helm in Pittsburgh. Rooney said in an NFL Network interview on Wednesday the franchise is expecting to hear a verdict on the 2026 season plans for Rodgers, 42, in May. “Even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks,” Rooney said. Rodgers played for McCarthy with the Green Bay Packers and has a deep and detailed understanding of his offensive system and coaching philosophy. McCarthy said that’s part of the reason he’s not even slightly worried about Rodgers missing the remedial installation periods of the offense and team plans during offseason workouts and voluntary minicamp. The Steelers have insurance, albeit in the form of unproven NFL starters, under contract. McCarthy has been highly complimentary of second-year quarterback Will Howard, and Pittsburgh used the 76th overall pick in the 2026 draft to select Penn State’s Drew Allar last week. Holdover Mason Rudolph split first-team reports with Howard during McCarthy’s first minicamp. Initial timelines from the front office suggested Rodgers could be signed by mid-March amid the first wave of free agency. At least publicly, the Steelers appear confident Rodgers is not plotting a QB sneak to sign with another team. However, ESPN reported on Wednesday that Pittsburgh exercised a tender that grants the Steelers the opportunity to match any offer Rodgers receives from another team. The tender guarantees him a one-year deal at a 10 percent increase over his 2025 salary. “We’ve been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis,” Rooney said. “He’s been keeping us up to date on his plans, and even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Report #Steelers #expect #Aaron #Rodgers #decision #weeks

Deadspin | College basketball’s tallest player Olivier Rioux heads to UC Irvine Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) greets fans after Florida’s 114-55 win over Prairie View A&M of the NCAA March Madness opening round at Benchmark international Arena in Tampa, FL on Friday, March 20, 2026. .[Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Olivier Rioux, who at 7-foot-9 is the tallest player in college basketball history, has committed to play for UC Irvine. The Canadian center redshirted for Florida during its 2024-25 national championship season and played in just 11 games in 2025-26. “Next stop, Irvine, California,” Rioux wrote Thursday on Instagram. Rioux’s exit follows the commitment of Florida stars Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon to return for the 2026-27 season. Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu has entered the NBA draft but also is expected to return. Rioux finished his Florida career with seven points, six rebounds and one assist in 16 minutes. He had a dunk in the Gators’ first-round NCAA Tournament win against Prairie View A&M on March 20. UC Irvine won the Big West Conference regular season title but lost to Hawaii in the league’s tournament. “We are excited to welcome Olivier Rioux to our program,” Anteaters head coach Russell Turner said. “Olivier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community. He embodies the values that have defined our success at UC Irvine. “We’ve built a strong relationship with Olivier and his family over the years, dating back to his high school recruitment, and that familiarity gives us tremendous belief in who he is both on and off the court. Olivier’s unique skill set and physical presence align perfectly with the tradition of dominant front court players in our program. We believe he will have an immediate impact and continue to grow within our system, and we are thrilled to have him join the Anteater family.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #College #basketballs #tallest #player #Olivier #Rioux #heads #IrvineFlorida center Olivier Rioux (32) greets fans after Florida’s 114-55 win over Prairie View A&M of the NCAA March Madness opening round at Benchmark international Arena in Tampa, FL on Friday, March 20, 2026. .[Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun]

Olivier Rioux, who at 7-foot-9 is the tallest player in college basketball history, has committed to play for UC Irvine.

The Canadian center redshirted for Florida during its 2024-25 national championship season and played in just 11 games in 2025-26.

“Next stop, Irvine, California,” Rioux wrote Thursday on Instagram.

Rioux’s exit follows the commitment of Florida stars Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon to return for the 2026-27 season. Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu has entered the NBA draft but also is expected to return.


Rioux finished his Florida career with seven points, six rebounds and one assist in 16 minutes. He had a dunk in the Gators’ first-round NCAA Tournament win against Prairie View A&M on March 20.

UC Irvine won the Big West Conference regular season title but lost to Hawaii in the league’s tournament.

“We are excited to welcome Olivier Rioux to our program,” Anteaters head coach Russell Turner said. “Olivier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community. He embodies the values that have defined our success at UC Irvine.

“We’ve built a strong relationship with Olivier and his family over the years, dating back to his high school recruitment, and that familiarity gives us tremendous belief in who he is both on and off the court. Olivier’s unique skill set and physical presence align perfectly with the tradition of dominant front court players in our program. We believe he will have an immediate impact and continue to grow within our system, and we are thrilled to have him join the Anteater family.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #College #basketballs #tallest #player #Olivier #Rioux #heads #Irvine">Deadspin | College basketball’s tallest player Olivier Rioux heads to UC Irvine Florida center Olivier Rioux (32) greets fans after Florida’s 114-55 win over Prairie View A&M of the NCAA March Madness opening round at Benchmark international Arena in Tampa, FL on Friday, March 20, 2026. .[Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun] Olivier Rioux, who at 7-foot-9 is the tallest player in college basketball history, has committed to play for UC Irvine. The Canadian center redshirted for Florida during its 2024-25 national championship season and played in just 11 games in 2025-26. “Next stop, Irvine, California,” Rioux wrote Thursday on Instagram. Rioux’s exit follows the commitment of Florida stars Thomas Haugh and Alex Condon to return for the 2026-27 season. Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Rueben Chinyelu has entered the NBA draft but also is expected to return. Rioux finished his Florida career with seven points, six rebounds and one assist in 16 minutes. He had a dunk in the Gators’ first-round NCAA Tournament win against Prairie View A&M on March 20. UC Irvine won the Big West Conference regular season title but lost to Hawaii in the league’s tournament. “We are excited to welcome Olivier Rioux to our program,” Anteaters head coach Russell Turner said. “Olivier is a high-character young man whose presence will elevate our team, our university, and our community. He embodies the values that have defined our success at UC Irvine. “We’ve built a strong relationship with Olivier and his family over the years, dating back to his high school recruitment, and that familiarity gives us tremendous belief in who he is both on and off the court. Olivier’s unique skill set and physical presence align perfectly with the tradition of dominant front court players in our program. We believe he will have an immediate impact and continue to grow within our system, and we are thrilled to have him join the Anteater family.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #College #basketballs #tallest #player #Olivier #Rioux #heads #Irvine

Deadspin | Report: Calais Campbell, 39, to sign 1-year deal with Ravens Oct 24, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell (93) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-Imagn Images Six-time Pro-Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell is returning to Baltimore to sign a one-year contract with the Ravens, ESPN reported Thursday. Campbell, who turns 40 on Sept. 1, previously played in Baltimore from 2020-22. He will suit up for his 19th NFL season in 2026. Campbell has appeared in 278 regular-season games (259 starts). The league record for a defensive lineman is 282 games, set by Minnesota Vikings great Jim Marshall from 1960-79. Campbell had 43 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 17 games (all starts) last season with the Arizona Cardinals. He has totaled 960 tackles and 117 sacks since being selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played with Arizona (2008-16, 2025) as well as the Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-19), Ravens, Atlanta Falcons (2023) and Miami Dolphins (2024). Campbell was a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and was named the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Report #Calais #Campbell #sign #1year #deal #RavensOct 24, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell (93) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-Imagn Images

Six-time Pro-Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell is returning to Baltimore to sign a one-year contract with the Ravens, ESPN reported Thursday.

Campbell, who turns 40 on Sept. 1, previously played in Baltimore from 2020-22. He will suit up for his 19th NFL season in 2026.

Campbell has appeared in 278 regular-season games (259 starts). The league record for a defensive lineman is 282 games, set by Minnesota Vikings great Jim Marshall from 1960-79.


Campbell had 43 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 17 games (all starts) last season with the Arizona Cardinals.

He has totaled 960 tackles and 117 sacks since being selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played with Arizona (2008-16, 2025) as well as the Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-19), Ravens, Atlanta Falcons (2023) and Miami Dolphins (2024).

Campbell was a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and was named the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Report #Calais #Campbell #sign #1year #deal #Ravens">Deadspin | Report: Calais Campbell, 39, to sign 1-year deal with Ravens Oct 24, 2021; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Calais Campbell (93) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-Imagn Images Six-time Pro-Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell is returning to Baltimore to sign a one-year contract with the Ravens, ESPN reported Thursday. Campbell, who turns 40 on Sept. 1, previously played in Baltimore from 2020-22. He will suit up for his 19th NFL season in 2026. Campbell has appeared in 278 regular-season games (259 starts). The league record for a defensive lineman is 282 games, set by Minnesota Vikings great Jim Marshall from 1960-79. Campbell had 43 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 17 games (all starts) last season with the Arizona Cardinals. He has totaled 960 tackles and 117 sacks since being selected by the Cardinals in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played with Arizona (2008-16, 2025) as well as the Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-19), Ravens, Atlanta Falcons (2023) and Miami Dolphins (2024). Campbell was a first-team All-Pro in 2017 and was named the 2019 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Report #Calais #Campbell #sign #1year #deal #Ravens

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