NFL teams split an eye-popping $6 billion in revenue last season, writes ESPN.com’s Darrel Rovell, who figured out the total number by looking into the Packers’ financials. That money was divided equally among all 32 teams. The national revenue dollars the Packers and the rest of the league’s teams have received continue to climb over the years, with the total pie up 56 percent, factoring for inflation, since 2006. The most significant jump will happen next season, as new television deals with each of the league’s partners, along with the new CBS Thursday Night package, pushes the league’s media revenue from the networks alone to an average of more than $5 billion a season. More from around the NFL..
- Jaguars second-round pick Marqise Lee is only four of 256 draft picks who are unsigned and Ryan O’Halloran of The Florida-Times Union wonders why. Lee’s contract is slotted at a total value of $5.174MM over four years, including a $2MM signing bonus. A veteran agent tells O’Halloran that if agent Andrew Kessler of Athletes First is holding out for an un-slotted deal is wasting his time. Kessler could be holding out for workout money, but that would only be a disparity of $2-3K and that shouldn’t hold up a deal.
- More from O’Halloran, who writes that of the 17 undrafted rookies on the Jaguars‘ roster, there are two that stand out above the rest. Wide receiver Allen Hums has made a strong impression on coaches in the wake of injuries to others at the position. Tight end Marcel Jensen, meanwhile, has healed nicely from sports hernia surgery and is making a strong case to be on the roster.
- Andy Dalton is still trying to figure out a new deal with the Bengals and star wide receiver A.J. Green doesn’t want to work with any other quarterback, writes Kevin Patra of NFL.com. “We came in together and that is the great thing for me and him,” Green said. “I know he’s my guy. I don’t want any other quarterback throwing me the ball. I think he feels the same way about me.”
- The Patriots need a big target like Andre Johnson, writes CSNNE.com’s Jimmy Toscano. Danny Amendola, Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell, Kenbrell Thompkins, and the rest can’t be counted on to stretch the field in 2014.
- There was plenty of speculation, but Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald didn’t hear anything about the Patriots making a run for him at the trade deadline, writes Tom Pelissero of USA Today. “[I heard] nothing at all. I mean, I heard stuff that was being said. But there was never a time where the team approached me. Nothing like that,” said the wide receiver, who is friendly with quarterback Tom Brady.
- The NFL will name former Vikings and Ravens center Matt Birk as its director of football development, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Birk will work with players, coaches, and front office execs.