NFL sends memo on college-returning player eligibility

Wright was a UDFA this year. He signed with the Eagles, was cut, then joined the Browns. After Cleveland released him, Wright intended to rejoin LSU, becoming the first NFL player to return to college football. The SEC then passed a rule banning NFL players from returning. The NFL followed that up with a memo banning players who return to college football from signing in the NFL once again in the same year. As Schefter notes, Wright never officially signed with LSU, so he may be eligible to stay in the NFL after all. Wright is unfortunately caught in the middle of a legal nightmare brought on by the NCAA. It will likely prevent him from playing football anytime soon.

The news was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Goodell’s new extension runs through the 2030 season and expires at the end of March 2031, the same time that the current Collective Bargaining Agreement is also set to expire. Goodell, 67, succeeded Paul Tagliabue as NFL Commissioner in 2006.

We’re sad to see the Pro Bowl go, but this move has been several years in the making. Players consistently opted out of the event, forcing the league to name underwhelming alternates. Those who did play rarely took the game seriously. The NFL switched to a flag football format four years ago. This alleviated some injury risk for players but further separated the declining event from traditional football. Now the league will simply award 88 players across offense, defense, and special teams with the Pro Bowl designation. An in-person celebration of the Pro Bowl roster will be held in February.

Earlier this week, Front Office Sports’ Mark Maske reported that NFL owners expect to finalize a contract extension with Roger Goodell “in the coming months.” The current CBA runs through March 2031, but the NFL is negotiating new broadcast deals and is apparently hoping to install an 18-game schedule during the current CBA. Keeping the commissioner in place makes sense in that regard.

Goodell’s current contract will expire in March 2027. According to Maske, who said he spoke with “four people familiar with the owners’ views,” Goodell’s next contract will keep him in place as the league negotiates new broadcasting deals and a CBA expected to include an 18th regular-season game. Goodell will be 68 when his current contract expires and has served as the NFL’s commissioner since 2006. While we don’t know the exact timeline for a deal, Maske did say that “it does not appear there are any major stumbling blocks” in the way for an extension eventually getting done.

The league announced in May that Washington, D.C., would be the host site for next year’s draft. Now, the league has announced that the three-day event will kick off on Thursday, April 29th, and conclude on Saturday, May 1st, with the National Mall serving as the primary backdrop for the weekend. This will be the first draft the Nation’s Capital has hosted since 1941 when it was hosted at the Willard Hotel.

League officials, according to Florio, are “still holding out hope” that they can tack on yet another game to the NFL regular season, but time is running out before the league must schedule the Super Bowl in early 2028. NFL players and the players union have pushed back against the idea of another regular season extension, citing player safety. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has acknowledged this in statements on the potential for an 18-game season. “One, safety has to be the primary concern, right?” Goodell said in late April. “If you can’t do it safely for our players, we’re not gonna do it. And that’s why I would say it’s not inevitable.”

Any concerns about replacement referees can be laid to rest, as the league and its officials finally agreed to a deal ahead of the May 31st expiration date of the current deal. Included in the new agreement, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, is a “joint commitment with the officials to improve performance and increase accountability,” which will include “increased access to officials in the offseason, development of a ‘bench’ of officials, and a new formal training program” that will include minicamps, training camps, and joint practices. The deal was approved with a 116-4 vote, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Transferring to Ole Miss after two productive seasons at Virginia Tech, Wright (6’4/246) tallied 66 receptions for 1,029 yards and nine touchdowns from 2024-2025. He made splash plays often, tallying 12 receptions over 20 yards while nursing an injured right shoulder last season. According to PFF, Wright averaged 10.9 yards after catch per reception, No. 2 among qualifying FBS tight ends. The speed he possesses threatens safeties downfield; he can stretch the field vertically while a compact frame allows him to shake off defenders. Wright is a bit inconsistent as a blocker, needing improvement in technique to be trusted in the run game. His athletic receiving ability is his best tool heading into the draft. Wright will need development before he can start for an NFL team, but he can certainly join a tight end room as a pass-catcher slowly earning reps through improving blocking ability.

These replacements will undergo training next month to be ready to officiate offseason practices in June. According to the memo obtained by Pellisero, the league reiterated that it “remains committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement with the NFL Referees Association but will be fully prepared should the current agreement expire” on May 31. While Goodell and the rest of the league certainly don’t want actual games to be reffed by replacement officials, the league and the NFLRA are seemingly at an impasse in their negotiations. It’s unclear if they will get a deal done before Week 1.