NFL - NEWS & NOTES

Arrests are made in connection with Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce burglaries

The case is gradually being cracked.

Via ABC News, seven men have been charged by federal prosecutors with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. The allegations relate to the string of burglaries targeting professional athletes.

All seven defendants are from Chile, and they range in age from 20 to 38. They’re accused of stealing property worth more than $2 million. They face up to 10 years in prison, if convicted.

The criminal complaint links the men to last year’s burglaries at the homes of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce.

Three of the seven separately have been charged in connection with the burglary at the home of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.

The complaint alleges that the burglars identified targets based on their team’s playing schedules. They allegedly broke a window or used a crowbar to get inside. They would identify and take the highest-value items before fleeing.

PFT

 

Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, Seattle, Buffalo, Cleveland along with the Saints are all in the red also.

The Patriots are in a prime spot to do some real damage.

 

Lions WR Jameson Williams won't face NFL discipline over gun

Detroit Lions wideout Jameson Williams will not face discipline from the NFL for carrying an unlicensed gun, with a league spokesman confirming to ESPN on Wednesday that the matter is closed.

Williams, 23, avoided criminal charges for the gun, discovered by police during a traffic stop in October. He was a passenger in the car being driven by his brother when police pulled his brother over for speeding. Two guns were found, one registered to Williams and one to his brother.

Williams did not have a concealed pistol license to carry the gun at the time but obtained one later. Wayne County (Michigan) prosecutors in late November declined to charge Williams.

Williams has been suspended by the NFL two times for six games total in his first three seasons for violating gambling and performance enhancing drug policies.

He hauled in 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns in 15 games in 2024. He has 10 touchdowns in 33 career games since the Lions selected him No. 12 overall in the 2022 draft.

ESPN

 

I will never get the being STUCK stupid thing

 

NFL working to ensure field conditions are better in Brazil in 2025

The NFL announced Wednesday that the Chargers will host the league’s second regular-season game in Brazil.

Per ESPN, the NFL is working with stadium officials to ensure the field is in better condition for 2025 than it was in 2024.

On the Friday night of opening weekend last season, the poor field conditions were as much a story as Philadelphia’s 34-29 win and Packers quarterback Jordan Love’s knee injury.

Corinthians Arena in São Paulo used GrassMaster, a combination of artificial fibers with perennial ryegrass, as the playing surface, and it was slick. On the first play from scrimmage, Eagles running back Saquon Barkley slipped immediately after catching a pitch and lost 5 yards.

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts called the field challenging, saying it was “kind of rough to get traction.”

Neither team saw injuries because of the slick conditions, but the NFL is working to make sure they are better for the Chargers and their yet to be named opponent.

PFT
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I was doing something Im not good at... thinking. Wouldnt it make sense to expand to Canada if thats what the international games are for. Travel would be a piece of cake, no jet lag, no nonsense. Canadians love football, cities there are already stadium ready. Kind of a simple way to get started on seeing what might happen when the NFL inevitably expands.

 

Elijah Molden, Chargers agree to $18.75 million, 3-year deal

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Chargers signed safety Elijah Molden to a multiyear contract, the team announced Thursday.

The deal is a three-year, $18.75M contract with $13.5M guaranteed, Molden's agents CJ Laboy and Doug Hendrickson told ESPN Adam Schefter.

The Chargers traded for Molden ahead of Week 1, sending a 2026 seventh-round pick to Tennessee. He quickly emerged as one of the most essential pieces of L.A.'s defense, which finished first in points allowed per game. Molden ranked second among Chargers defensive backs in tackles (72) and interceptions (three).

It was the best year of Molden's career and his first as a full-time starter. "This is a place where I kind of revitalized my career," Molden said in January.

Perhaps Molden's most crucial role was allowing coordinator Jesse Minter to move safety Derwin James Jr. to nickel, while Molden played deep safety.

Molden's play allowed James' to play closer to the line of scrimmage and sparked a career renaissance for James after a down year in 2023. James was named an All-Pro for the first time since his rookie season and made his fourth Pro Bowl.

ESPN

 

I don't think CFL wants to compete with the NFL... Just my take. It's easy enough for Canadiens to travel to the US to catch games if they want to see American football. I don't think they want to be pushed out.