The NFL announced on Tuesday that they have expanded the season to 17 regular-season games, starting with the 2021 season.
With the move, teams will now play three preseason games.
“This is a monumental moment in NFL history,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “The CBA with the players and the recently completed media agreements provide the foundation for us to enhance the quality of the NFL experience for our fans. And one of the benefits of each team playing 17 regular-season games is the ability for us to continue to grow our game around the world.”
The 17th game will feature teams from opposing conferences that finished in the same place within their division the previous season.
The AFC was determined to be the home conference for the 17th game in 2021:
Away Team
Home Team
NFC East
AFC East
1. Washington Football Team
1. Buffalo Bills
2. New York Giants
2. Miami Dolphins
3. Dallas Cowboys
3. New England Patriots
4. Philadelphia Eagles
4. New York Jets
Away Team
Home Team
NFC West
AFC North
1. Seattle Seahawks
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
2. Los Angeles Rams
2. Baltimore Ravens
3. Arizona Cardinals
3. Cleveland Browns
4. San Francisco 49ers
4. Cincinnati Bengals
Away Team
Home Team
NFC South
AFC South
1. New Orleans Saints
1. Tennessee Titans
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2. Indianapolis Colts
3. Carolina Panthers
3. Houston Texans
4. Atlanta Falcons
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Away Team
Home Team
NFC North
AFC West
1. Green Bay Packers
1. Kansas City Chiefs
2. Chicago Bears
2. Las Vegas Raiders
3. Minnesota Vikings
3. Los Angeles Chargers
4. Detroit Lions
4. Denver Broncos
Under the scheduling formula below, every team plays 17 regular-season games with one bye week. Clubs will host 10 games overall – either nine regular-season games and one preseason game or eight regular-season games and two preseason games.
Home and away against its three division opponents (six games).
The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (four games).
The four teams from a division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle (four games).
Two intraconference games based on the prior year’s standings (two games). These games match a first-place team against the first-place teams in the two same-conference divisions the team is not scheduled to play that season. The second-place, third-place and fourth-place teams in a conference are matched in the same way each year.
One interconference game based on the prior year’s standings on a rotating four-year cycle (one game). These games match a first-place team from one division against a first-place team in an opposite conference division that the team is not scheduled to play that season. The second-place, third-place and fourth-place teams in each division are matched in the same way each year. The home conference for this game will rotate each season.
The official 2021 schedule, with playing dates and times, will be announced later this spring on NFL Network and NFL.com. Information on season-ticket availability and premium seating options can be found on club websites. Single-game tickets for many clubs will also be available upon the release of the schedule.
NFL Kickoff Weekend will begin Thursday night, September 9, and the regular season will end Sunday, January 9, 2022. The 2022 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, February 6 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and the season will conclude with Super Bowl LVI at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 13, 2022.
In addition, all 32 teams will be required to play internationally at least once starting in 2022.
Here’s a look at the 2021 home and away opponents for all 32 NFL clubs:
2021 SCHEDULING ROTATION BY DIVISION
AFC
Intraconference
AFC SOUTH
EAST
Interconference
NFC SOUTH
AFC
Intraconference
AFC WEST
NORTH
Interconference
NFC NORTH
AFC
Intraconference
AFC EAST
SOUTH
Interconference
NFC WEST
AFC
Intraconference
AFC NORTH
WEST
Interconference
NFC EAST
NFC
Intraconference
NFC SOUTH
EAST
Interconference
AFC WEST
NFC
Intraconference
NFC WEST
NORTH
Interconference
AFC NORTH
NFC
Intraconference
NFC EAST
SOUTH
Interconference
AFC EAST
NFC
Intraconference
NFC NORTH
WEST
Interconference
AFC SOUTH
2021 OPPONENTS
AFC EAST
Buffalo BillsHome: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Football Team.
Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans.
Miami DolphinsHome: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants.
Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans.
New England PatriotsHome: Buffalo Bills,Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans.
Away: Buffalo Bills,Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Chargers.
New York JetsHome: Buffalo Bills,Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans.
Away: Buffalo Bills,Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts.
2021 OPPONENTS
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh SteelersHome: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans.
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings.
Baltimore RavensHome: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Minnsota Vikings.
Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins.
Cleveland BrownsHome: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders.
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots.
Cincinnati BengalsHome: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers.
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets.
2021 OPPONENTS
AFC SOUTH
Tennessee TitansHome: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers.
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks.
Indianapolis ColtsHome: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers.
Houston TexansHome: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks.
Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers.
Jacksonville JaguarsHome: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers.
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Seattle Seahawks.
2021 OPPONENTS
AFC WEST
Kansas City ChiefsHome: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Away: Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team.
Las Vegas RaidersHome: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team.
Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Los Angeles ChargersHome: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers.
Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Houston Texans, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team.
Denver BroncosHome: Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team.
Away: Kansas City Chiefs, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers.
2021 OPPONENTS
NFC EAST
Washington Football TeamHome: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, Las Vegas Raiders.
New York GiantsHome: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams.
Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Dallas CowboysHome: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Las Vegas Raiders.
Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Philadelphia EaglesHome: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Football Team, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Football Team, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos Detroit Lions, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets.
2021 OPPONENTS
NFC NORTH
Green Bay PackersHome: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Football Team.
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, San Francisco 49ers.
Chicago BearsHome: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers.
Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Minnesota VikingsHome: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks.
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers.
Detroit LionsHome: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers.
Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks
2021 OPPONENTS
NFC SOUTH
New Orleans SaintsHome: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants.
Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Washington Football Team.
Tampa Bay BuccaneersHome: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants.
Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team.
Carolina PanthersHome: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team.
Away: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants.
Atlanta FalconsHome: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Football Team.
Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers.
2021 OPPONENTS
NFC WEST
Seattle SeahawksHome: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans.
Away: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Football Team.
Los Angeles RamsHome: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans.
Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants.
Arizona CardinalsHome: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings.
Away: Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans.
San Francisco 49ers Home: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings.
Away: Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Tennessee Titans.
The Buffalo Bills announced today that Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York will be the new naming rights partner for Bills Stadium. Effective immediately, the home of the Bills will now be named Highmark Stadium.
“We are proud to welcome Highmark to the Buffalo Bills family and we are thrilled to partner with them on a new naming rights deal for our stadium,” said Kim Pegula, Owner/President of the Buffalo Bills. “We are confident that Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York is committed to maintaining their status as a healthcare and philanthropic leader in our region. We look forward to many years of working together with their team creating great memories at not only NFL football games but at many other health and wellness events and community celebrations.”
“The Bills are a beloved institution in Western New York, and there is no better way for Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York to show that we plan to continue to be part of the fabric of this community than through this partnership. Together with our long-time partner, Pegula Sports and Entertainment, we envision this stadium to be an all-encompassing asset for our region and beyond,” said David W. Anderson, CEO, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York. “Highmark Stadium is the proud home of the Bills. It will also become home for future events that enhance the health and overall well-being of our community.”
Fans can expect to see the signage transformation completed over the coming months and will be in place by the kickoff of the Bills 2021 season in September.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have signed QB C.J. Beathard, the team announced on Wednesday.
Beathard, 27, has played all four of his NFL seasons in San Francisco, where the 49ers selected him in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Since then, he has appeared in 19 games with 12 starts and completed 291-of-497 passes for 3,469 yards and 18 TDs. He has also rushed for 233 yards and four TDs on the ground.
Most recently, he played in six games with two starts in 2020 and completed 66-of-104 attempts for 787 yards and six touchdowns in 2020.
The five-year veteran could be the backup to whoever Jacksonville chooses as the first overall pick in this year’s draft, which will probably be Trevor Lawrence. We’ll see what happens with Gardner Minshew, but it would be surprising if he is around after the draft. Therefore, this could be a decent opportunity for Beathard.
Beathard has a lot of interesting things going on in his bloodline. His grandfather, Bobby Beathard, spent 38 years working in the NFL, including 22 seasons as general manager of Washington (1978-88) and San Diego (1989-2000) and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018. Beathard’s brother, Tucker, is a country music singer, and his father, Casey, is a country music songwriter and has co-written singles for artists such as Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny Chesney, and Eric Church.
The New York Giants got their number one receiver on Saturday when the team announced they signed free agent wide receiver Kenny Golladay.
According to the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, it’s a four-year deal worth $72 million deal with a max of $76 million with $40 million guaranteed.
The 27-year-old Golladay spent the first four seasons of his career with the Detroit Lions. In 2020, Golladay missed Week 2-3 games with a hamstring injury and the final nine games with a hip flexor strain, but in 2018 and 2019, Golladay totaled 135 receptions, 2,253 yards – exceeding 1,000 yards in each season – and 16 touchdowns. He led the NFL with 11 touchdown receptions in 2019.
Golladay had 20 receptions for 338 yards and two scores in his injury-shortened 2020 season.
When asked what made the Giants an ideal destination for him, Golladay said the following:
“Just the pieces on offense,” he said. “Those guys actually kind of reached out to me, and I liked the vision that [Head] Coach Joe Judge had and [Offensive Coordinator] Jason Garrett, as far as the offense, and I was all the way in.”
Obviously, when you give a player the type of money New York gave Golladay, you’re going to expect a lot in return, and according to Golladay, the Giants are getting a playmaker.
“I know just as far as me, this team is going to get a competitor, a guy who’s going to come in, work, he’s going to try to push other guys and have fun with it,” he said. “I want to have fun while I’m doing this; that’s what I’m doing it for. Just a playmaker.”
The Giants are trying to give their quarterback Daniel Jones everything he needs to succeed, and adding a big-time wideout like Golladay will help him immensely. Now, let’s see if Jones has what it takes to be the team’s franchise quarterback.
Giants DE Leonard Williams got his big contract, and now it’s time to focus on football.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it’s a three-year deal worth $63 million that includes $45 million fully guaranteed.
Earlier this month, the Giants placed the franchise tag on the 26-year-old Williams for the second consecutive year, but ultimately, the two sides agreed on a new contract.
On Thursday, Williams met with the media, and according to the six-year player, he has a lot to give going forward.
“I’m 26-years-old still,” Williams said. “I think I’m still in the middle of my prime, and I think I have a lot of game left in this league, obviously. I have a lot of personal goals. I’m not trying to reach any specific stat line or anything like that, but I want to just give it my best and keep playing like the player I am and just keep bringing my best to the table.”
One of the reasons Williams got paid was because of his play in 2020. Williams had a career-high 11.5 sacks for the Giants, and he led a defense that played very well at times last season.
Williams explained why he played so well for the Giants in 2020.
“Honestly, something that me and Coach Judge, me and Coach Spencer have talked about is there was something about this year that just felt like I was back in college, back in those high school times when you’re not thinking about what the media is saying,” Williams said. “You’re not thinking about money; you’re not thinking about anything like that. You’re just thinking about the reason why we play this game is the love for the game. I’m not saying that ever left me. But this year, it was just a lot of fun playing in this system, playing with my teammates, playing with this staff. When I’m out there having fun, I just play my best.”
The Bakersfield, California native started his career in New York City after being drafted by the Jets in 2015. After this new contract with the Giants, he will continue to play in the Big Apple, which according to him, is now home.
“I never would have thought about New York being like a home to me or anything like that before,” he said. “But after being here this long and going into another three years, I definitely feel like New York is like a part of home to me. It’s a part of me, for sure. I’m glad to still be able to keep playing at MetLife and keep playing for this area. It’s been going well.”
The Minnesota Vikings have signed CB Patrick Peterson, the team announced on Thursday.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, it’s a one-year, $10 million deal.
The 30-year-old Peterson joins the Vikings after a 10-year career with the Arizona Cardinals, where he played in 154 games, all of which he started after being selected fifth overall in the 2011 NFL Draft.
In 2020, Peterson started all 16 games recording three interceptions and eight passes defensed while playing in 99% of the team’s defensive snaps. While Peterson may not still be an elite corner in the NFL and is a guy that can still play at a decent level.
A member of the 2010-19 All-Decade Team, Peterson has been selected a team captain five times and has totaled 499 tackles, 4.0 sacks, and 28 career interceptions, which ranks sixth all-time in Cardinals history.
Peterson, who has played in three career playoff games, has earned eight Pro Bowl nods (2011-18) and been selected Associated Press First-Team All-Pro three times (2011 as a returner, ’13,’ 15). His four career punt return touchdowns, all of which came as a rookie in 2011, are tied for the most ever in a single season and rank tied for 21st all-time for a career.
“Shaq has made a profound and immediate impact on our defense from the day he stepped into the building two years ago,” said Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht. “From leading the league in sacks in 2019 to leaving his mark during our postseason run to Super Bowl LV, Shaq’s contributions have been vital to our success as a team, and we look forward to continuing that success in the years ahead.”
The 28-year-old Barrett has played in and started 31-of-32 regular season games for Tampa Bay over the last two seasons, accumulating 115 tackles (30 for loss), 53 quarterback hits, 27.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles, five passes defensed and one interception. He earned both Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro honors in his first season with the Buccaneers in 2019.
Barrett played a key role in the Buccaneers pursuit of Super Bowl LV, recording eight quarterback hits and 4.0 sacks over the course of the team’s four-game title run to cap off the 2020 season.
The seven-year veteran was a focal point of the 2020 Buccaneers defense, which led the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (80.6) and finished sixth in total yards allowed per game (327.1). Between the regular season and postseason combined, Tampa Bay also led the NFL in takeaways (34), tackles for loss (107) and quarterback hits (142), while finishing tied with the Los Angeles Rams for the most sacks (58.0).
Bringing back Barrett is huge, which will only help Tampa’s chances of winning another Super Bowl. Tom Brady was huge in the playoffs, but Tampa Bay does not win a title without Barrett and that defense.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed CB Sidney Jones IV, the team announced on Tuesday.
No word on the length and money of the contract
Jones, 24, appeared in nine games with six starts with the Jaguars in 2020 after spending the first three seasons of his career with the Eagles.
The four-year veteran played well at times with Jacksonville last season. During his 2020 campaign, he totaled 25 tackles, a career-high nine passes defensed, two INTs, and one forced fumble.
On Oct. 11 against the Texans, Jones had a breakout performance as he tallied three tackles and a career-high four passes defensed and an INT, becoming the first Jaguars player to achieve the feat since 2017.
During his time in Philadelphia, Jones struggled with injuries and played in 22 contests over three seasons, including nine in 2018 and 12 in 2019. He was originally drafted in the second round of the 2017 draft by the Eagles.
This is a great opportunity for Jones, who has been a disappointment in his young career. However, he is still young and has shown some flashes, so it should be interesting to see if he can continue to impress in Jacksonville.
Rob Gronkowski will help Tom Brady try to get another Super Bowl title. According to reports, Gronk and the Buccaneers have agreed to a one-year, $10 million deal.
Gronkowski, who retired after the 2018 season, came out of retirement last season and was traded by the Patriots to the Buccaneers last April.
Last season, Gronkowski, 31, had 46 receptions for 623 yards and seven touchdowns. In the postseason, the 10-year veteran had eight receptions for 110 yards and two big touchdowns in Super Bowl LV.
Gronkowski was honored as one of five tight ends selected to the NFL 100 All-Time Team and one of two chosen for the NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame All-Decade Team for the 2010s.
Tampa Bay continues to their best to bring the group back that won the Super Bowl last season, and bringing Gronk back will definitely help.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have re-signed third-year CB Tre Herndon, the team announced on Friday. No word on the length and money of the contract
Herndon, 25, was the only undrafted rookie to make the opening day roster in 2018 and played in all 16 games in 2019 and 2020. He appeared in 43 games and made 26 starts in his three-year career in Jacksonville.
He played in 16 games (12 starts) and recorded a career-high 76 tackles in the 2020 season. He started 14 of 16 games in 2019 and registered 54 tackles, 13 passes defensed, and three INTs.
Herndon has been active in the community during his time in Jacksonville. In 2020, he and his girlfriend, Treyleanna, donated 10,000 meals to Feeding Northeast Florida to support families facing food insecurity during the pandemic.
