Latest news with #contractdispute
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Bills superstar sensationally drops out of game after warming up with team amid a contract dispute
Amidst a contract dispute with his team, Buffalo Bills running back James Cook showed up for work - but didn't take part. Cook took to the field on Saturday for pregame warmups - in full uniform - seemingly ready to compete in a preseason game against the New York Giants. But after taking part in 11-on-11 drills in the warmups, Cook came out without his helmet on and did not take a single snap of action. Bills coach Sean McDermott admitted that he wanted Cook to take part in the game, but the rusher didn't relent - wearing a beanie on his head throughout the contest. Cook - who is in the final year of his rookie deal - is trying to agree to a contract extension with the Bills and has taken drastic measures. This includes Saturday's demonstration - but he's also passed on participating in the last four practices in the previous six days. After the game, McDermott told reporters that he spoke to Cook on Friday and described it as 'a good conversation'. In that discussion, Cook agreed to warm-up with the team before the game but to not play. 'We wanted him to play. I wanted him to play, but I don't really want to go into it any further,' McDermott said. 'There is really no change at this point in time from what it was going into this weekend and the game today, so he warmed up, like I said, but at this point, due to the situation and position he's in, he was not willing to play, so that's where we're at. Again, it was a good conversation, but really no change overall.' While Cook didn't comment to ESPN, the rusher's agent - Zac Hiller - told the outlet, 'I don't know what else he can do to show he only wants to play for the Bills. Hopefully we can figure this out and refocus all energy on bringing a Super Bowl to Buffalo.' Last season, Cook put up some of the best numbers in his career. His 1,009 yards on 207 carries included a career-best 16 touchdown rushes. With the exception of quarterback Josh Allen and a few others dealing with injuries, a majority of the Bills' starters participated in the preseason defeat in some capacity. As a result, the Bills fell to the Giants after quarterbacks Jaxson Dart, Jameis Winston, and Tommy DeVito all completed touchdown passes to beat Buffalo 34-25.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cam Heyward Declines Interview, Makes Cryptic Instagram Post
Steelers four-time All-Pro defensive tackle Cam Heyward hasn't fully participated in practice yet this summer as he awaits a restructured contract that has not gotten done, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Heyward did not practice on Thursday, and he declined media requests after practice. He also mad a cryptic post on Instagram shortly after practice. The post read, 'When you take things for granted, the things you are granted get taken.' To say the least, it appears Heyward is not happy with the Steelers right now. Heyward is scheduled to make $14.75 million this season, with $13.45 million of that already having been earned as a roster bonus in March. Heyward is seeking a raise in a defensive market that has experienced a reset this offseason. Heyward and the Steelers have addressed this privately, but have not made any progress on any reworked deal, Schefter notes. Heyward is currently the 22nd highest-paid interior defensive lineman in the NFL by average annual value. The Steelers saw Heyward's career resurgence in 2024. This came after an injury-plagued 2023. Pro Football Focus recently ranked him as the third-best interior defensive lineman. He ranked only behind Kansas City's Chris Jones and New York's Dexter Lawrence. The 15-year veteran is coming off of a remarkable turnaround from one of his best seasons last year. Heyward, who turned 36 this past month, finished 2024 with eight sacks, 20 quarterback hits, and a career-high 11 pass deflections. This effort earned him his seventh career Pro Bowl and fourth All-Pro honors. Despite drafting Derrick Harmon in the first-round and Keeanu Benton two years ago, Heyward doesn't see this year as a 'passing of the torch. 'I think you don't really think about passing the torch right now,' Heyward said at OTA's. 'I think it's about, 'How can we make this team the best it can be?' It's not about holding secrets or anything. It's about making sure we're all growing at a pace that, by Week 1, we're ready to kick this thing up.' Heyward came in at No. 83 on the annual NFL Top 100 list. He was ranked No. 98 in 2024 and No. 45 in 2023. 'The old man is doing it good right now. I can't describe it,' Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen said of Heyward. 'I think it's what, Year 15 for him? It's just crazy.' This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Cam Heyward Declines Interview, Makes Cryptic Instagram Post Related Headlines Bell: Six Steelers to Watch for in Preseason Opener Former Steelers Wide Receiver Cut By NFC Contender NFL Week 1: The Jets Cover at Home Former Steelers Defensive Lineman Defends Cam Heyward over Contract Dispute
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders rumors: Why everybody is still ‘feeling good' about Terry McLaurin situation
The post Commanders rumors: Why everybody is still 'feeling good' about Terry McLaurin situation appeared first on ClutchPoints. All eyes are on the Washington Commanders right now after Terry McLaurin requested a trade amid his contract dispute with the franchise. However, despite the concerns, rumors suggest that the organization is feeling positive about McLaurin's situation. There is some speculation that the Commanders, along with McLaurin's representation, feel optimistic that a deal will eventually come to fruition, said JP Finlay of NBC Sports in a discussion he had with The Athletic's Dianna Russini. From the sounds of it, both sides appear to want to reach a deal. 'Everyone feels good that this is going to get done, it's just when and how do they land there…Yes, he asked for a trade, but does anybody really think he wants to go somewhere else? No.' Rumors suggest that Terry McLaurin is seeking a contract similar to the one DK Metcalf got from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Metcalf signed a four-year, $132 million extension with $60 million guaranteed after being traded to Pittsburgh. So, we'll see if that's something the Commanders give McLaurin. The 29-year-old wide receiver experienced another fantastic season in the 2024-25 campaign with Jayden Daniels stepping in at quarterback. He was able to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the fifth time in his career while also recording a career high in touchdowns. Terry McLaurin ended last season with 82 receptions, 1,096 receiving yards, and 13 touchdown grabs. Assuming he returns to Washington next season, we should expect those kinds of numbers from McLaurin once again. Even with Deebo Samuel likely receiving his fair share of targets as well. Overall, the Commanders are in a position to make some noise next season, as the front office managed to improve the roster around its young quarterback. It's still early in August, but getting Terry McLaurin signed to a new contract is likely one of the top priorities right now for the club. Ideally, they'll have him signed soon; if not, then a potential trade could happen. The Commanders are set to take on the New York Giants in Week 1 in the season opener, with or without McLaurin. Related: Jayden Daniels' fantasy football outlook for 2025 NFL season Related: What Commanders' Jayden Daniels 'knows' about Terry McLaurin trade drama
Fox News
3 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Micah Parsons hints at move to Rams in latest contract dispute twist, and Aaron Donald teases NFL return
While the Dallas Cowboys have long played home games in Texas, Micah Parsons is familiar with putting on a helmet and shoulder pads while he is in California. For years, the Cowboys have held training camp in Oxnard, California, about a 90-minute drive from the Los Angeles Rams' home stadium. As this year's training camp nears its conclusion and Parsons' contract dispute with the Cowboys continues, the star pass rusher is fueling speculation he could end up in Southern California. Former Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald took notice of a doctored social media photo of Parsons wearing a Rams jersey and noted that if Parsons is traded to the Rams, he might "get in football shape." Donald spent his entire standout NFL career with the Rams, retiring after the 2023 season. Parsons caught wind of Donald's comment and responded by saying, "Don't tell me info like that." The exchange with Donald came after Parsons requested a trade. The four-time Pro Bowler has one year remaining on his rookie contract and is seeking a long-term extension. Parsons attended Cowboys practices during training camp but has not participated in any team drills. On Thursday, ESPN reported that "for the first time in training camp, Micah Parsons was not on the practice field." Sources told the network Parsons was experiencing back tightness. Parsons missed four games last season but still finished the year with 12 sacks. He has recorded double-digit sacks in each of his four season in the NFL. The Rams and Cowboys face off in both teams' 2025 preseason opener Saturday.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Steelers DT Cameron Heyward not participating in team drills while seeking revised contract
LATROBE, Pa. — For the second training camp in a row, Steelers defensive co-captain Cameron Heyward is in a contract dispute. The 36-year-old interior defensive lineman suited up for each of the first 12 practices and participated in individual drills, but has not taken part in team drills. What appeared on the surface to be the Steelers saving a veteran for the regular season can now be characterized as a 'hold-in.' Heyward is seeking a revision to his contract, league sources told The Athletic on Thursday. On Thursday, Heyward did not dress for practice as word of his dispute spread. He posted cryptically on Instagram, 'When you take things for granted, the things you are granted get taken.' Cam Heyward is not dressed for practice today — Mike DeFabo (@MikeDeFabo) August 7, 2025 Last offseason, Heyward was entering the final year of his contract and was looking for an extension. He had little leverage at the time, as he was coming off a 2023 campaign in which a core muscle injury (and the subsequent surgery) limited him to 11 games. Even when he was on the field in 2023, he was not 100 percent, as he tallied two sacks and 33 tackles (six for loss). Advertisement The 2024 training camp negotiations lingered until nearly the 11th hour before Heyward eventually inked a three-year, $45 million deal that runs through the 2026 season. 'Before the season, I told him, 'Don't even sign a contract, honestly,'' his brother and Steelers tight end Connor Heyward told The Athletic in January. 'Bet on yourself.' The current contract pays Heyward $14.5 million per season. That's less on an annual basis than 21 other interior defensive linemen. His production on the field exceeded his paycheck last season, as he earned first-team All-Pro honors for the fourth time in his career. Among interior defensive linemen, Heyward finished the 2024 regular season tied for sixth in sacks (eight), fourth in pressures (56, per TruMedia) and fourth in tackles for loss (12). He also had two more batted passes (11) than any other defensive lineman. His presence in the middle of the defense was probably the biggest reason the Steelers went from 21st in yards per carry allowed in 2023 (4.3) to fifth-best last year (4.1). The Steelers drafted defensive tackle Derrick Harmon in the first round of the 2025 draft and Yahya Black in the fifth round to strengthen their defensive front and plan for life after Heyward. However, Heyward is still a key cog of the NFL's highest-paid defense. Heyward's current frustration puts the Steelers in a tough spot. The team has handed out several big-money contracts this offseason, including a three-year contract extension worth $123 million for 30-year-old outside linebacker T.J. Watt and a four-year, $132 million extension for 27-year-old receiver DK Metcalf. They also acquired 30-year-old defensive back Jalen Ramsey, who counts $19.5 million against the cap this year. The Steelers, who previously were reluctant to give new money to players on the other side of 30, have broken their precedent by signing and acquiring many aging veterans. However, the Steelers need to weigh how much they're willing to commit to the oldest player on the roster not named Aaron Rodgers. According to latest projection, the Steelers have an estimated $19.2 million in cap space. However, the team traditionally likes to save about $10 million for in-season moves and may still be interested in adding a player elsewhere before the season begins. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
