Rams, WFT and Browns avoided forfeits

As COVID-19 surged by means of the NFL this 7 days and compelled the rescheduling of a few games, many sources included in talks concerning the league place of work and NFL Players Affiliation advised Yahoo Sports activities that 3 teams have been on the verge of obtaining to forfeit Week 15: The Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams and Washington Football Group.

It was a staggering truth that began to sink in for the league and gamers union by Thursday, pushing the two sides into a rescheduling negotiation that the NFL was adamant about preventing heading into this period. The about-experience grew to become more and more important as all 3 groups struggled to patch with each other a gameday roster that could perform safely, a position that grew to become relating to enough for the Rams that players engaged in a midweek dialogue about not playing. In the long run, that issue led to the NFLPA pressing the NFL for a schedule alter, arguing that the spate of uncontrolled infections happened inside of all 3 franchises in spite of the groups meeting vaccination benchmarks and next proper protocols.

Hovering overhead it all was the fact that a few forfeits would proficiently wipe three video games off the television agenda and direct to the decline of game checks for the six groups that would have faced off. That was part of the parameters laid down by the NFL this earlier summer time, when the league notified franchises that failing to area a video game would guide to the forfeiture of activity checks for both of those teams. That usually means not only would gamers for the Browns, Rams and Washington franchise have lost their fork out for this 7 days, it also would have stripped a week of pay out

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2022 NFL draft order and team needs: WFT moves into playoff picture, down draft board after third straight win

There were some big changes to the draft order following another wild week in the NFL. As we enter Week 13, the draft is drawing nearer, and it’s time to take a look at how things stack up.

But first, each week, Ryan Wilson, Chris Trapasso and I produce mock drafts for CBSSports.com. In Wilson’s latest, he has the Texans, Falcons and Saints taking quarterbacks in the first round. Trapasso has Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett skyrocketing up the board. It was almost a consensus that Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux would be taken No. 1 overall by the Lions. For a more extensive draft discussion beyond the mock drafts, check out our weekly show every Tuesday on YouTube

Here is the updated 2022 NFL Draft order, via Tankathon.com:

1. Lions (0-10-1)

Team needs: WR, CB, OG, LB, DT
Notable free agents: WR Kalif Raymond, S Tracy Walker, WR Josh Reynolds, LB Alex Anzalone, DL Da’shawn Hand

2. Texans (2-9)

Team needs: QB, TE, OG, CB, S
Notable free agents: S Justin Reid, RB David Johnson, RB Phillip Lindsay, DT Maliek Collins, QB Tyrod Taylor

3. Jaguars (2-9)

Team needs: OT, C, LB, DT, TE
Notable free agents: OT Cam Robinson, WR D.J. Chark, OG A.J. Cann, DT Taven Bryan, CB Tre Herndon

4. Jets (via trade with 3-8 Seahawks)

Team needs: CB, EDGE, OT, LB, TE
Notable free agents: S Marcus Maye, WR Keelan Cole, WR Jamison Crowder, OT Morgan Moses, OL Conor McDermott

5. Jets (3-8)

Team needs: CB, EDGE, OT, LB, TE
Notable free agents: S Marcus Maye, WR Keelan Cole, WR Jamison Crowder, OT Morgan Moses, OL Conor McDermott

6. Giants (4-7)

Team needs: LB, EDGE, OG, C, TE
Notable free agents: TE

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Jon Gruden mulling legal options following settlement with Raiders; NFL’s handling of WFT emails in question

Jon Gruden Raiders
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Former Raiders coach Jon Gruden continues to mull his legal options with several lawyers advising those close to him that they would be willing to take on a lawsuit against commissioner Roger Goodell and the NFL over the handling of emails that resulted in Gruden resigning a few weeks ago.

Raiders owner Mark Davis revealed to the media at last week’s owners meetings that he had reached a settlement with Gruden; sources said the former Super Bowl winning coach is out roughly $50 million in future salary. Gruden has kept a low profile since emails including racist and homophobic language he sent over the course of several years while an ESPN employee came to light as part of the NFL’s inquiry into the toxic work climate at the Washington Football Team. Gruden was corresponding with WFT executive Bruce Allen; Allen was also engaged in several legal disputes with WFT owner Dan Snyder, with emails obtained as part of the discovery in that process.

The NFL has maintained that it did not leak any emails to the media, but Davis has raised several issues about the handling of the matter to associates, and he called for a written report of the WFT investigation to be produced last week as well. The timing of when the emails were revealed — in-season rather than at any point in the long NFL offseason — and the nature of what has been released thus far (only Gruden has faced job ramifications as part of the league’s inquiry into WFT thus far) has raised significant issues for those close to the coach.

“This is anything but over,” as one league source put it.

Some lawyers have asserted that Gruden could have a tortious interference case, claiming the NFL influenced his ouster for private emails

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