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NFL reportedly could discuss making change after Vikings-Rams face-mask controversy
After a clear miss of a defensive penalty robbed the Minnesota Vikings of a chance to complete what would've been a remarkable game-tying drive late in Thursday night's contest at the Los Angeles Rams, multiple members of the NFL community suggested the league should at least consider making face-mask penalties subject to replay review.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, league owners could discuss the topic this winter.
"It’s likely that face mask will come up this offseason," chief NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Florio Friday.
On Friday afternoon, The Athletic's Jacob Robinson and Dianna Russini mentioned how a missed face-mask "played a crucial part" in the Atlanta Falcons earning a come-from-behind win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 5 of the ongoing season. Robinson and Russini argued the league has millions, if not billions, of reasons to alter what can and cannot be reviewed via video replay as soon as possible.
"With fans estimated to wager $35B on NFL games this year, we can wait a few minutes [or seconds] for a face-mask review in a scoring situation," Robinson and Russini wrote. "The referees' egos will survive. And with players risking their health on every play, the 'human element' is never removed."
Additionally, media insider Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated shared how Thursday's events predictably sparked conspiracy theories among fans posting on social media about the NFL allegedly wanting certain games "fixed." Some may scoff at such takes, but people who wager on player performances and contest outcomes see little humor in the league, letting massive mistakes impact bets.
The NFL has business relationships with multiple sportsbooks and features ads for gambling companies during every game that airs via its media partners. Neither the league nor those sportsbooks want potential bettors to think for even a second that anything about the action is predetermined.
"Instant replay and what plays should and should not be reviewable is part of the conversation every offseason, and it’s anticipated it will come up again," McCarthy continued. "Teams may propose a rule change and there have previously been a variety of proposals on which plays or if all plays should be reviewable."
Fans, along with some individuals associated with NFL teams, hope such conversations lead to a significant rule change that is announced before preseason games get underway in August 2025.
More must-reads:
- Watch: Vikings robbed of potential game-tying drive by blatant missed facemask
- NFL community calls for rule change after Vikings face-mask controversy
- The '100 catches in an NFL season for each team' quiz
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New report sheds light on how Cowboys view Micah Parsons situation
It is no secret that the relationship between Micah Parsons and the Dallas Cowboys is not on solid ground, but that does not necessarily mean it is tarnished beyond repair. On the latest episode of his podcast, which was released on Tuesday, ESPN's Adam Schefter predicted that Parsons and the Cowboys are "headed towards divorce." Schefter said the two sides have not spoken since April and that it seems like a matter of when — not if — they part ways. Longtime NFL reporter Josina Anderson was told the situation is not quite that grim, at least from the Cowboys' perspective. Anderson reported on Tuesday evening that the relationship between Parsons and Dallas "has not deteriorated to the point of an imminent divorce." "I did not detect any obvious tones of concern in my sourced conversation when I recently asked about ESPN's Adam Schefter's report stating he sees 'these two sides headed towards a divorce, in time.' ... I just feel Dallas has so much history with protracted (and) sensitive negotiations, thus my current impression is the club remains unrattled, at this time," Anderson wrote in a post on X. Parsons is earning just over $24M in the final year of his rookie contract this season. The 26-year-old had 12 sacks in 13 games last season and has 52.5 sacks in 63 career games. Parsons is arguably the best pass-rusher in the NFL when healthy. Although Parsons has formally requested a trade, the Cowboys maintain that they have no intention of dealing their four-time Pro Bowl defensive end. The only real leverage Parsons has is creating a headache in Dallas. He remains under contract, and the Cowboys also can use the franchise tag on him in each of the next two seasons. If Parsons were to sit out regular-season games, his contract would eventually toll. Even with Jerry Jones publicly taking shots at Parsons, one massive contract offer could change everything.
Texas' Arch Manning reacts to grandfather Archie's 2026 NFL Draft prediction
Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning should keep his family group chat updated about his decision for the 2026 NFL Draft. He doesn't want it tipping his plans, especially when they're not confirmed. Manning's grandfather, former New Orleans Saints QB Archie, told Texas Monthly his grandson isn't going to declare for the 2026 draft in a story published at the beginning of August. The 21-year-old passer, however, clarified he's keeping his options open. "I don't know where he got that from," Manning said Tuesday, via CJ Vogel of OnTexasFootball. "He texted me and apologized about that, but I'm really just taking it day-by-day right now." Manning attempted just 95 passes in his first two seasons at Texas but is already viewed as a potential No. 1 pick in the 2026 draft. In a story published Tuesday, The Athletic's Dane Brugler tabbed him as his top QB entering the season. Still, it would reportedly take a special circumstance for Manning to declare for the draft in 2026. He would want to play for a team that has a stable head-coaching situation and front office. Most franchises that are picking near the top of the draft don't have that. More importantly, Manning must prove he's worthy of the No. 1 pick. Despite his family name, he doesn't have a large enough sample size to show he's pro-ready. "If his last name were 'Smith' and he were a three-star recruit instead of a five-star blue-chipper, would he still appear this high early in draft rankings? Who knows," wrote Brugler. "However, what he has put on film so far has been very impressive. Now, scouts need to see it consistently each week, especially against the top opponents on Texas' schedule." Manning faces an elite opponent in Week 1. The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes host the No. 1 Longhorns on Aug. 30 at noon ET (Fox). The QB should probably tell his family to deflect questions about the draft until he's ready to make a decision. Speculation about his future could create even more pressure, which he doesn't need.
Russell Westbrook already made his biggest free-agency mistake
A first-ballot Hall of Famer whenever he decides to hang it up, Russell Westbrook has long been revered as one of the NBA's premier point guards, both with his aggressive play and infectious energy. Despite the former MVP's impressive resume, though, he remains unsigned nearly two months after free agency opened on June 30. It's no secret that Westbrook is no longer an All-Star-caliber player, but it's certainly jarring to see his name alongside the summer's other leftovers. Over the last two seasons, Russ has willingly accepted a bench role and shown his ability to contribute even without being the offense's focal point. He finished top-10 in Sixth Man of the Year voting with both the Los Angeles Clippers in 2023-24 and the Denver Nuggets in 2024-25. The Nuggets may have been Westbrook's most seamless fit since the 36-year-old left the Oklahoma City Thunder, which brings us to the key mistake he made this offseason: He decided to bet on himself when his career was trending south. It's understandable why Westbrook decided to decline his player option with Denver. $3.5 million is pocket change relative to today's NBA salaries, so it's possible the nine-time All-Star expected to land a bigger payday on name brand alone. But that's no longer the case with Westbrook. The Nuggets, like several teams before them, took a chance on Westbrook, whose play has been nothing short of a wild card in recent years. Alongside Nikola Jokic, though, he found success operating off-ball by utilizing his natural explosiveness, a sensible calling card for one of basketball history's most athletic playmakers. It seemed like the perfect spot for Westbrook to finish out his career. Instead, he has continued to seek out a more lucrative deal with a team that is looking to give him more offensive freedom. While the Sacramento Kings and New York Knicks are both reportedly interested in adding his services, neither team can offer both a higher salary and an expanded role. It also seems unlikely that Westbrook will find a more seamless fit for himself than what he had in Denver. Whether it's due to his erratic offensive tendencies or his relentless determination to involve himself in every action, it's easy to see why teams have to talk themselves into Westbrook at this point in his career. It appears that Russ will finally be picked up soon, but the damage has already been done. The two-time scoring champion already gave up his best chance at winning a title once he departed from Denver.
Angel Reese has profane taunt for opponent during her return
Angel Reese made the most of her return to the court on Tuesday night. The Chicago Sky star Reese, who was playing in her first game in three weeks due to a back injury, went viral for her profane taunt of Seattle Storm opponent Dominique Malonga. In the second quarter of the game between the two sides at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, Malonga got the ball down low and tried to score one-on-one against Reese. Reese read Malonga’s post move all the way though and swatted her shot right out of bounds. As Reese made the rejection, she yelled out loud, “Give me that s–t!” Here is the video (but obviously beware of the audible cursing). Malonga is a 19-year-old rookie who was the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s WNBA Draft (behind only Paige Bueckers). Thus, it looks like Reese was trying to give Malonga her “welcome to the WNBA” moment there. In the end however, it was the Storm who got the last laugh over the Sky. While Reese (19 points and seven rebounds) won the individual battle over Malonga (15 points and seven rebounds), it was Seattle that defeated Chicago by a final score of 94-88. Not a lot has gone right for the Sky this season as they are now a horrid 8-26 on the year. But at least Reese is now back in the lineup, her statistics look good (14.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game overall), and she is adding again to the many viral moments that she has produced this season.
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