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Jayna Bardahl

@jaynabardahl

NFL news/trending writer for The Athletic

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10.03.2025
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Latest posts by Jayna Bardahl @jaynabardahl

Preview
Seahawks not planning to tag Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III: Sources If the Seahawks decided to use the franchise tag on Kenneth Walker III, it would have put him on the books for $14.5 million in 2026.

The Seahawks do not plan on franchise-tagging Ken Walker, meaning the reigning Super Bowl MVP is set to become a free agent

www.nytimes.com/athletic/708...

03.03.2026 18:34 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Carson Beck talks about his formal interview with the Miami Dolphins. Beck just led the Miami Hurricanes to the CFP title game after transferring from Georgia.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

27.02.2026 16:13 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Quarterback Drew Allar on where he's at in his recovery after a broken ankle ended his season at Penn State in October. He also said he will throw at the combine, but not participate in other drills.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

27.02.2026 16:11 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Fernando Mendoza updated his LinkedIn after leading Indiana to its first national championship. So, from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, it wasn’t surprising to hear him bluntly declare his job status.

β€œRight now, I’m unemployed,” he said.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/707...

27.02.2026 16:04 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 2 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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NFL combine 2026 live updates, results: Player workouts, GM, coach interviews, schedule and prospect analysis

More on Borgonzi and other combine happenings:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

25.02.2026 18:50 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Titans GM Mike Borgonzi gave some thoughts on the top three edge prospects in this year's class: Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr. & David Bailey. Tennessee has the fourth pick.

"They bring a little bit different flavor."

25.02.2026 18:50 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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Cardinals' LaFleur has 'a lot of respect' for Kyler Murray, but QB's future is uncertain

Full story, with Mike LaFleur's impressions of Kyler Murray as an opposing coach in the NFC West

www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

24.02.2026 20:48 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort said "all options are on the table," regarding the QB situation for 2026.

"We've got (Murray), (Brissett) and (Slovis) all under contract. ... We're going to look at every avenue to improve, and we're going to continue to go through our process."

24.02.2026 20:47 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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NFL Scouting Combine primer: Why Fernando Mendoza won’t throw, players to watch, more Mendoza, like other recent projected top picks, will instead throw at Indiana's pro day with his own receivers and running backs.

Projected No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza won't throw at the Scouting Combine. So, I asked @theathletic.com draft expert Dane Brugler for other players to watch during drills this week in Indy.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/706...

24.02.2026 20:44 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Q: What makes Matt LaFleur a good coach?

A (from younger bro and new Cardinals HC Mike LaFleur): "Who says he's a good head coach?"

Then he gave Matt some credit.

"He works his tail off. If he could find the 25th hour in a day, he'll do it and he is authentically himself."

24.02.2026 20:43 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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NFL combine 2026 live updates, results: Player workouts, GM, coach interviews, schedule and prospect analysis Follow our live coverage of this week's NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis

Live updates from coach, GM availability at the NFL Scouting Combine today

www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

24.02.2026 20:42 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 1 πŸ“Œ 0
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How does the NFL franchise tag work and which players are candidates in 2026? The two-week window to use the franchise tag on players is open. We look at nine top candidates who could be tagged by March 3.

The NFL's two-week franchise tag window opened today. Here's what it means and the top players who might get tagged.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/705...

17.02.2026 20:36 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The Seahawks' season-opener as defending champs and 49ers-Rams in Melbourne will split games on Wednesday and Thursday in Week 1.

The reigning SB champs usually get to open the season, but travel logistics may result in the Melbourne game being played first.

13.02.2026 20:24 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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NFL expects to kick off 2026-27 regular season on a Wednesday: Source For the last two decades, the season opener has almost always been on a Thursday, with the defending Super Bowl champion as the host team.

The NFL will kick off the 2026 season on a Wednesday.

This was expected, a league source clarified to me. With Labor Day falling on Sept. 7, the league can't host a Friday Week 1 game (due to the Sports Broadcasting Act).

www.nytimes.com/athletic/704...

13.02.2026 20:17 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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What an amazing experience covering Super Bowl LX for The Athletic. All of the stories are here, including my review of the $180 burger ...

www.nytimes.com/athletic/aut...

11.02.2026 17:33 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Seahawks’ Kenneth Walker eyeing only a Super Bowl title, not pending free agency Walker is the league leader in postseason rushing touchdowns (four) and ranks third in yards gained (178).

I spoke to Ken Walker's college RBs coach to learn more about what motivates Walker and why the Seahawks' starting back has largely avoided the spotlight entering Super Bowl LX with a contract discussion on deck.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

06.02.2026 17:30 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Will the tush push stay? NFL executive says league is β€˜discussing it’ NFL executives are weighing the viability of the tush push due to prior controversial calls, but players are less concerned about the play.

NFL executive VP of football operations Troy Vincent said the league will discuss the tush push in the offseason after a year in which the officiating of the play was under fire.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/702...

04.02.2026 23:50 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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The Super Bowl halftime show over the years β€” as told from behind the camera A 60- to 70-person camera crew brings the Super Bowl halftime show to television screens. These are their behind-the-scenes stories.

What's it like behind the scenes of the Super Bowl halftime show? I asked camera operators to tell me stories from their POV.

β€œI’ve had people ask me, β€˜How did they do that rain effect?’ No, it was raining."

β€œWe had never thought, β€˜Oh, what if Usher falls?’”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/701...

03.02.2026 18:37 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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How Bad Bunny was chosen as the Super Bowl 60 halftime show performer Starting with Super Bowl 54, Jay-Z and Roc Nation have largely been responsible for selecting the halftime show performers.

We're one week away from Super Bowl LX! Here's a deeper look at the makings of the halftime show, and this year's selection of Bad Bunny as headliner.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...

01.02.2026 13:16 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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This fan visited every NFL stadium this season to highlight wheelchair accessibility Ortiz went to as many as four games in one weekend and saw three games in a week four times during his season-long tour.

Kevin Ortiz embarked on a journey this year to attend a home game for every NFL team.

He never attended an NFL game before this season. He’s traveling to each game completely alone. And he’s doing it all in his wheelchair.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...

01.02.2026 13:16 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Kevin Ortiz made it to every NFL stadium this season. His goal? To highlight wheelchair accessibility in each of them.

β€œWhat’s crazy is once I put it out there, everybody said, β€˜You can do it.’"

31.01.2026 20:03 πŸ‘ 192 πŸ” 18 πŸ’¬ 7 πŸ“Œ 2
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Meet the man who became college football’s oldest linebacker β€” and inspired a movie Mike Flynt returned to college football at 59 years old, finally playing out his senior season 37 years removed from his last game.

In 2007, Mike Flynt set out to right a regret that had haunted him since he first was a college player. He brought national attention to Division III Sul Ross by becoming the oldest college football linebacker in NCAA history at 59 years old.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...

19.09.2025 15:07 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Travis Kelce explains 'frustrating' collision that resulted in Xavier Worthy injury

Travis Kelce detailed the 'frustrating' collision that sent Xavier Worthy out of the game against the Chargers.

"I just got to be better, man. I’m 13 years in the league, there’s no excuse for me running into my own guys like that.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/661...

10.09.2025 17:47 πŸ‘ 2 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Why wasn't Chargers DL Teair Tart ejected after hitting Travis Kelce?

Chargers Teair Tart was not ejected for this because the hit was open-handed.

But the decision is drawing plenty of attention with the NFL supposedly cracking down on unsportsmanlike actions this season.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

06.09.2025 02:55 πŸ‘ 3 πŸ” 1 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

Worthy has now been ruled out for the rest of the game.

06.09.2025 00:56 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0

The Chargers lead the Chiefs 10-0 early in the second quarter. Live updates from
@theathletic.com

www.nytimes.com/athletic/liv...

06.09.2025 00:54 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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Xavier Worthy injures shoulder, leaves after Chiefs' first drive vs. Chargers

Xavier Worthy is questionable to return with a shoulder injury. He collided with Travis Kelce on the Chiefs' opening drive.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/660...

06.09.2025 00:54 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 1
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What to know about YouTube broadcast of Chiefs-Chargers game in Brazil Friday night's game will be the first NFL game streamed on YouTube, not to be confused with the paid YouTube TV streaming service.

Tonight's Chiefs-Chargers game will be free to watch on YouTube. Here's what you need to know:

www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

05.09.2025 22:15 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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NFL contributes to turf renovation in Brazil ahead of Chiefs-Chargers game Corinthians Arena has a hybrid grass with synthetic turf sewn in and was overhauled this summer for the first time since its 2014 opening.

Last year's Brazil game drew criticism over the slick field conditions.

The NFL invested in a renovation of the turf at Corinthians Arena to increase traction ahead of tonight's matchup.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

05.09.2025 22:15 πŸ‘ 0 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0
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2025 NFL average ticket prices decrease slightly; Eagles most expensive, Browns least Tickets for the defending champion Eagles are selling for an average of $475, according to StubHub. Browns tickets are averaging $158.

NFL average ticket prices for the 2025 season via StubHub

Eagles, Lions, Packers, Raiders, Bears among top five most expensive, all average over $400 a piece

www.nytimes.com/athletic/659...

04.09.2025 21:24 πŸ‘ 1 πŸ” 0 πŸ’¬ 0 πŸ“Œ 0