Burke Sports Talk

NFL Patriots sign C Garrett Bradbury to two-year, $12 million contract Ah, my favorite caveat — this deal is worth up to $12 million. It’s probably worth more like $10 million, but whatever, we’ll go with the reported amount. Bradbury is a solid starting center — nothing more and nothing less. For New England, that’ll…

NFL Texans sign CB Derek Stingley to three-year, $90 million contract extension Finally, a significant shift at the top of the cornerback market. Stingley’s payout still doesn’t approach the wacky recent figures of Ja’Marr Chase or Myles Garrett, but he’s now the NFL’s highest-paid corner by a good margin. Despite that, this is a fine…

First Four (16) St. Francis vs. (16) Alabama State The most inconsequential game of the tournament. Each team is playing for the right to get slaughtered by Auburn. (11) North Carolina vs. (11) San Diego State North Carolina doesn’t belong in the field, but that’s due to a horrendous record against good competition, not a…

American League East Central West National League East Central West Postseason ALWC Astros 2, Twins 0Rangers 2, Yankees 1 NLWC Phillies 2, Cubs 0Padres 2, Mets 1 ALDS Rangers 3, Mariners 1Orioles 3, Astros 2 NLDS Dodgers 3, Padres 1Braves 3, Phillies 2 ALCS Orioles 4, Rangers 2 NLCS Dodgers 4, Braves 3 World Series…

NFL Ravens sign QB Cooper Rush to two-year, $12.2 million contract Rush isn’t a quarterback I’d want under center for more than a few games per year, but he’s a capable and experienced backup still in the prime of his career. The 31-year-old was overextended in 2024 with Dallas, playing in 12 games, while finishing…

NFL Lions sign WR Tim Patrick to one-year, $4 million contract Patrick missed the 2022 and 2023 seasons due to injury, so his performance last season (33 receptions for 394 yards and three touchdowns) was solid, all things considered. The 31-year-old probably won’t regain his top Broncos form, but he can still be relied upon…

NFL Bills sign DT Larry Ogunjobi to one-year, $8.3 million contract Meh. Ogunjobi is a decent player, but he’s on the wrong side of 30. This is just another example of the free agency market being overinflated. The defensive tackle posted 41 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 2024 with Pittsburgh. Grade: C- Dolphins sign LB…

NFL Colts sign QB Daniel Jones to one-year, $14 million contract I really like this for both sides. The Colts wanted to bring in competition for Anthony Richardson, and Jones is perfect for that. If we’re being honest, Jones is probably a better player than Richardson at this juncture. Will he receive a fair chance…

NFL Panthers sign CB Jaycee Horn to four-year, $100 million contract extension The cornerback market hasn’t exploded anywhere close to the degree of other positions. Maybe this extension changes that. Horn, 25, is a good young corner, but he’s not on the level of some of his exemplary peers. That could change, as Horn is…

NFL Cardinals sign EDGE Baron Browning to two-year, $15 million contract Arizona shipped out a sixth-round pick for Browning prior to last season’s trade deadline, and the move delivered decent results. The 26-year-old managed to record two sacks with the Cardinals, but the team faded from the playoff picture following the transaction. Bringing back Browning…

NFL Bills sign LB Terrel Bernard to four-year, $50 million contract extension Normally, extending players on rookie deals is good business — a tool used by smart franchises to keep continuity and young talent around. However, I’m not a fan of this extension. Although he posted 104 tackles last season, Bernard regressed from his 2023…

NFL Rams sign WR Tutu Atwell to one-year, $10 million contract Atwell, 25, posted the best season of his young career in 2024, recording 42 receptions for 562 yards. The improved production is a welcome sign, but this is a sizeable investment to make in a decent, undersized receiver. Also, with the pact lasting just…

NFL Chiefs place $23.4 million franchise tag on G Trey Smith Kansas City must really want to — and rightfully so — keep Smith around, because this tag prices him as the NFL’s highest-paid guard annually. A pillar of the three-time defending AFC Champions, Smith excels as a run blocker, but can certainly hold his…

NFL Bills sign WR Khalil Shakir to four-year, $60.2 million contract extension I said this yesterday, but there’s a new caveat with most NFL contracts. This deal is worth up to $60.2 million, meaning Shakir may or may not see the full value of this contract. This new tactic, of course, is a ploy by…

NFL Raiders sign S Isaiah Pola-Mao to two-year, $8.45 million contract This pact is worth up to $8.45 million, so I guess that makes it look a little better for the Raiders? Maybe, but this is an overpay for a replacement-level safety. Pola-Mao managed to make 89 tackles last season, a respectable figure. The safety’s…

NFL Jaguars hire James Gladstone as general manager Jacksonville casted a wide — and I mean wide — net of candidates for this position, which is ironic considering former general manager Trent Baalke had such a stronghold within the organization. In the end though, Gladstone won out, and I think it was rightful. The former…

NFL Saints hire Doug Nussmeier as offensive coordinator The fit here is good, as Nussmeier has coached with new Saints head coach Kellen Moore since 2020. Serving since then as a quarterbacks coach, Nussmeier worked for the Cowboys, Chargers and most recently, the Eagles. The Eagles’ success surely had something to do with this hire,…

NFL Eagles promote Kevin Patullo to offensive coordinator It’s hard to knock the defending Super Bowl champions for promoting from within. Patullo has big shoes to fill in replacing Kellen Moore, but he’s served as Philadelphia’s passing game coordinator since 2021, so he’s well-versed in the offense. Plus, Nick Sirianni’s hands are all over the…

NFL Panthers sign QB Andy Dalton to two-year, $8 million contract Dalton, 37, is still one of the NFL’s better backup quarterbacks. The 2011 second-round pick can’t start for a playoff team anymore, but he’s a perfect mentor and fallback option to Bryce Young. For just $4 million per year, that’s a steal for Carolina.…

MLB Padres sign SP Kyle Hart to one-year, $1.5 million contract This is interesting. Hart’s only MLB season was 2020, when the left-hander pitched to a 15.55 ERA across four outings. The 32-year-old is a much different — and better — pitcher now after excelling in the KBO, but it remains to be seen if…