Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos Interested In Owning NFL Team
The CEO and founder of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, is interested in purchasing an NFL team, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports. While Bezos is most associated with Amazon, the mogul also recently purchased the Washington Post. The multi-billionaire is one of the richest people in the world and would not have trouble finding the capital necessary to buy an NFL franchise.
According to La Canfora’s report, Bezos has built close relationships with a number of current owners and watched last year’s Super Bowl in commissioner Roger Goodell’s suite. Considering all new owners need to receive approval from current ownership groups, it bodes well for his chances if he has allies in the league.
Bezos has become especially close with Washington’s owner Dan Snyder. His relationship with Snyder coincides with his own move to Washington, where Snyder remains a polarizing figure. Snyder, of course, has been trying to build a new stadium in downtown D.C. and given Bezos’ expanded role in the area, the two could team up on the project.
While no teams are currently up for sale, La Canfora speculates the Seahawks and Broncos as two that could be headed to the market soon. Bezos has been based in Seattle for many years, making the Seahawks a prime target.
AFC East Notes: Gronkowski, Darnold, Folk, Dolphins
It’s no secret that the Patriots have been searching for a weapon to replace the production they received from now retired tight end Rob Gronkowski. Wide receivers Josh Gordon and Antonio Brown both looked like solutions at various points earlier in the season, but neither remain on New England’s roster. However, it appears the team’s owner Robert Kraft still hopes to get Gronkowski back on the field.
When Gronkowski was cleaning out his locker after announcing his retirement in March, Kraft told him the team would remain hopeful that he would return late in the season for another playoff run, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. While it has been known that the organization hoped Gronkowski would change his mind, no one had reported Kraft’s involvement.
Rapoport notes in his story that, according to sources, Gronkowski remains content with his decision, but if he wants to return this season he has to decide soon. The deadline for retired players to return during the season and play is November 30. New England will obviously plan ahead without him, but they surely will be hoping for a change of heart.
Here more from around the AFC East:
- Kicker Nick Folk has meshed into the Patriots locker room well, according to Mike Reiss of ESPN.com. Folk already knew the man he replaced, Stephen Gostkowski, and offensive lineman Joe Thuney and Ted Karras. All four had been enrolled in some of the same classes as they worked toward master’s degrees in past offseasons. Folk was signed after Gostkowski suffered a torn labrum in his left hip. Reiss also notes that Folk suffered the same injury in 2009 and could offer Gostkowski valuable insight during his recovery.
- Jets quarterback Sam Darnold is “taking charge” in the locker room, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. After Darnold’s poor performances against both the Jaguars and Patriots, he has become more assertive in meetings with the coaching staff. Cimini reports that Darnold had previously been very deferential to head coach Adam Gase, but now offers feedback and his own opinion more readily.
- NFL draft experts and scouts were watching this weeks game between LSU and Alabama closely. The Dolphins sent an especially large contingent, which included two scouts and general manager Chris Grier, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. Miami has long been tied to Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa through the #Tank4Tua trend. However, even if Miami does have the top pick in the draft, some experts are beginning to place LSU’s quarterback Joe Burrow above Tagovailoa. It appears Miami’s top brass got an up-close look at both players on Saturday.
Giants LT Nate Solder Out With Concussion
Giants starting left tackle Nate Solder has been ruled out with a concussion for the remainder of their contest against the Jets, according to the team. After falling behind 14-0 early, the team will look to complete a comeback without their leading blindside blocker.
Solder originally left the game in the middle of the second quarter. He limped off the field directly into the medical tent, according to Art Stapleton of USA Today. However, the team’s report removes the possibility of a serious, potentially season-ending, knee injury. With that said, the team will obviously be cautious with Solder’s return and he will not have to complete the league’s concussion protocol.
The Giants poached Solder from the Patriots in free-agency prior to last season. Since signing his massive four-year, $62MM contract Solder has been one of the few bright spots on a Giants offense that has been mired in struggles. His injury further depletes an offensive line that already is missing starting right tackle Mike Remmers with a back injury. Virginia alum Eric Smith, who has never started an NFL game, will replace Solder at left tackle.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/1/19
Here are Friday’s minor moves:
New York Jets
- Signed: LB Frankie Luvu
- Activated from suspension: DL Nathan Shepherd
- Placed on IR: RB Trenton Cannon
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: LB Dekoda Watson
NFL Workout Updates: 11/1/19
The latest from the workout circuit around the league:
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions
- RB Jay Ajayi, TE Nick O’Leary, TE Richard Rodgers, RB Bo Scarbrough
Jacksonville Jaguars
- K Elliott Brown, K Jon Brown, K Chase McLaughlin, K Giorgio Tavecchio
New York Jets
- LB Vincent Rey, LB Paul Worrilow
Oakland Raiders
- RB Spencer Ware
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/1/19
Today’s practice squad updates:
Cleveland Browns
- Promoted: TE Stephen Carlson
- Placed on injured list: DT Daniel Ekuale
Detroit Lions
- Signed: RB Paul Perkins
- Released: T Casey Tucker
New York Jets
- Signed: LB James Mosley
Dwayne Haskins Will Make First Start Against Bills
Washington head coach Bill Callahan announced today after practice that rookie quarterback Dwayne Haskins will make his first career start on Sunday against the Bills, according to JP Finlay of NBC Sports. Haskins has appeared in two games on the season, but has completed only 12 of 22 pass attempts with four interceptions and no touchdowns. Callahan will hope getting a chance to start will put Haskins in a better situation to succeed.
Haskins was expected to be one of the top two quarterbacks selected in the draft, but after the Giants surprised many by selecting Daniel Jones out of Duke, Haskins fell to Washington with the 15th overall pick. Since reports have emerged that there was a strong divide in the organization on Haskins as a prospect with ownership favoring the selection.
Many in and around the organization consistently tried to tamper expectations, reiterating a belief that Haskins wasn’t ready for NFL action. However, the two quarterbacks above Haskins, Case Keenum and Colt McCoy, have both dealt with their share of struggles and injuries. Currently at 1-7 and clearly one of the three worst teams in the league, it appears Washington has decided to give their young prospect a chance to prove himself.
NFC East Notes: Williams, Gettleman, Hill
The NFL and NFLPA will conduct a joint investigation into claims made by Washington’s LT Trent Williams, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Williams has been one of the best left tackles in football since entering the league in 2010. After solidifying the blindside in Washington for nearly a decade, Williams had been holding out for all of the 2019 season.
The team refused to move Williams before the trade deadline, but the tackle finally reported to the team on Tuesday. However, he has since failed his physical and publicly accused the team of failing to recognize the severity of a cancerous growth on his head this past summer. The team has since denied Williams’ claims of wrongdoing and called for a third-party evaluation. According to Rapoport, the collective bargaining agreement calls for a joint investigation amidst such accusations.
Here’s more from around the NFC East:
- Giants general manager Dave Gettleman needs to answer for his trade deadline decisions, according to Darryl Slater of NJ.com. Since the second day of training camp in late July, Gettleman has not answered questions from any reporters. Even more concerning, a Giants spokesperson said he is not currently scheduled to address the media again this season, per Slater. Currently at 2-6, many were surprised to see the team give up draft assets for impending free agent Leonard Williams. Moreover, the team recouped no draft capital for any of their veteran players. Slater maintains it is “part of the job” for Gettleman to take questions from the media regardless of how popular his decisions are.
- Cowboys rookie second-round pick Trysten Hill has become a problem, according to Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News. Per Watkins report, the defensive tackle has recently been sent home after arriving late to practice and fell asleep in the middle of a speech by Hall of Fame basketball player Isiah Thomas. Dallas has not been publicly critical of Hill, but Watkins notes that even after losing starting defensive tackle Tyrone Crawford for the season, Hill remains outside the rotation.
AFC West Notes: Mahomes, Lock, Harris, Raiders
Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes is questionable for Kansas City’s upcoming game against the Vikings, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Mahomes, of course, was injured on Thursday Night Football of Week 7 against the Broncos during a quarterback sneak. In a freak incident, Mahomes dislocated his right kneecap.
He returned to practice just six days after the injury, but was quickly ruled out for last Sunday’s game against the Packers. While his status is still up in the air, Rapoport reiterates “At the least, he is considered to have a shot to play.” At 5-3, Kansas City has some breathing room in the AFC West divisional race. However, the chances of a high seed and a first-round bye would be greatly diminished the longer they have to stick with backup Matt Moore.
Here’s more from around the AFC West:
- While quarterback Brandon Allen is currently next in line for the Broncos after Joe Flacco‘s injury landed him on injured reserve, the team plans to play rookie second-round pick Drew Lock in Denver’s final two games against the Lions and Raiders, according Mike Klis of 9News. Flacco was diagnosed with a disk injury in his neck that requires at least six weeks to recover. Given the Broncos 2-6 record, the team decided to shut down the veteran for the season. Allen is in his fourth NFL season, but has yet to appear in a regular season game.
- After weeks of trade rumors, Broncos cornerback Chris Harris could be staying in the mile-high city beyond this season, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. With three young daughters and a fourth coming soon, Harris told Jhabvala he was “Definitely relieved and happy to be able to finish the year here.” The news comes as somewhat of a surprise given Harris’ tumultuous relationship with the organization over the past few seasons. However, according to Jhabvala, the team’s new coaching staff has meshed well with the upcoming free-agent.
- Both Raiders centers Rodney Hudson and Andre James are listed as questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Lions. They both are dealing with ankle injuries and managed to practice, but according to head coach Jon Gruden, both were “sore.”
South Rumors: Panthers, Colts, Watt
Panthers quarterback Kyle Allen will get a chance to rebound from the worst start of his career. After a three-interception performance against the 49ers, Allen will make his sixth start of the season, Ron Rivera confirmed. Cam Newton will not return from his foot injury this week against the Titans. Instead, Newton will continue to rehab, according to David Newton of ESPN.com. Newton has been out since re-injuring his foot in Week 2 against the Buccaneers.
Here’s some other notes from the South:
- J.J. Watt underwent a successful surgery on his torn pectoral muscle earlier Tuesday, according to James Palmer of NFL.com. Watt, who has consistently been one of the best players in football since entering the league in 2011, suffered a season-ending injury Sunday against the Raiders. Currently in prime playoff position, the Texans will have to make another push without Watt on the field. Houston did not have Watt for its 2016 playoff run.
- Colts ownership has given Chris Ballard full autonomy in player personnel decisions, according to Stephen Holder of The Athletic (subscription required). Owner Jim Irsay encouraged the front office to pursue an unnamed linebacker in free agency, but did not force them to join a bidding war for a defender his football operations office did not deem worth a certain price tag. “I gave (Ballard) unfettered approval …” Irsay said, via Holder. “And he still backed out. He said, ‘They went to this number and, Jim, I just couldn’t.” This doesn’t necessarily name C.J. Mosley, but the Colts were interested in the ex-Ravens standout before the linebacker signed a record-setting contract with the Jets.
- Although the Falcons have slipped well out of contention, Matt Ryan is set to return after their Week 9 bye.