PFT Clips
On Monday, a judge in Texas restored the eligibility of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, despite numerous violations of the NCAA’s gambling rules due to a gambling addiction. On Wednesday, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt issued a lengthy statement regarding the decision and the loud, negative response to it.
“I’ve watched the reaction to Monday’s court ruling with great respect for my colleagues across college athletics,” Hocutt said. “Many of them are people I admire. But I also owe it to Texas Tech, and frankly to the truth, to offer a few facts that seem to be getting lost in the noise.
“Brendan Sorsby has not played a single down of football as a Red Raider. He will miss the first two games of the 2026 season under the terms of the court’s ruling. What happens after that will depend, in no small part, on how his recovery continues to progress. We’re taking it one day at a time as he is. We’ll evaluate his recovery, compliance and readiness as we go. We are watching closely, we are deeply committed to his progress and well-being, and we are not operating on blind faith. We are operating on a comprehensive clinical and compliance structure that we committed to before the court ruled in Brendan’s lawsuit against the NCAA and that Brendan committed to as a condition of his return to our football program.
“Texas Tech is not a party to Brendan’s lawsuit. We did not file it. We did not fund it. A young man in treatment for a clinically diagnosed addiction exercised his legal right to seek a remedy in court, and a judge agreed with him. Our role has been to support his recovery, not to engineer his eligibility.
“I’ve heard the word ‘integrity’ used a great deal in the last 48 hours. As someone who has dedicated his career to college sports, I, too, believe integrity is central to our industry’s success. I also think integrity applies on more than one front. The integrity of sport matters. So does the integrity of how we treat a 22-year-old who sought help, entered residential treatment, and is working every day toward recovery. Those two things don’t have to be in conflict.
“I have two sons, including one who recently graduated from Texas Tech and played football. Throughout this process, I’ve kept asking myself: How would I approach this situation if this were my own son?
“Let me be direct about what Texas Tech’s position actually is: we are glad Brendan is still part of our community, because that is where we can extend him the best possible support in his ongoing recovery. Clinical care, device monitoring, financial oversight, outpatient therapy — that infrastructure exists because we take our responsibility to this young man seriously. We spent Monday after the judge’s ruling getting those systems stood up for him, not thinking about X’s and O’s. Pulling him out of a structured environment, away from his team and his support system, does not protect anyone. It might be a cleaner headline, but it wouldn’t be the right one. And it wouldn’t be true to the institutional values that guide us every day.
“To my colleagues: I understand the frustration. This situation is hard, it is new, and there is no perfect answer. The system we’re operating within is binary, but the situation is not. We are open to ongoing conversations about how to best handle these issues as an industry going forward. We will continue to be transparent in our decision-making. Most importantly, we will keep doing what we have always done, put our students first.”
While Texas Tech isn’t a party to Sorsby’s lawsuit, it appealed the NCAA’s decision to eliminate his eligibility for 2026. And Texas Tech, for basic competitive reasons, wants to have its starting quarterback available this year.
But let’s be realistic. If these facts had played out at a different school, Texas Tech would likely be among the voices opposing the outcome — and the school impacted by the potential ineligibility of its starting quarterback would be supporting it.
Still, there are two sides to this. Unfortunately, the bare-bones, four-page decision from Judge Ken Curry did nothing to explain how the specific facts of the case, the relevant NCAA rules, and the applicable provisions of Texas law came together to make a temporary injunction restoring his eligibility the fair and just result.
Cameron Jordan is currently a free agent.
But the Saints would like to have their longtime defensive end back for the 2026 season.
Head coach Kellen Moore told reporters on Wednesday that the organization “certainly” wants to have him on the squad.
“Contract offer available. Cam’s kind of navigating this thing on the personal side,” Moore said. “I think the world of Cam. Navigating it, and obviously here to help in any possible way. We know what he means to this organization, this city. So, if the opportunity presents itself and he feels comfortable and ready to go, we’ll be ready to rock and roll.,
“We have an offer [out to him] for a reason. So, we feel good about him and the production he had last year. And so, obviously, we’ll continue to navigate that the best we can.”
Moore added that the club hasn’t put any timeline or constraints on the offer out to Jordan. The club and player have been in conversation throughout the offseason.
“I think the biggest thing and most important thing is to be a resource,” Moore said. “Guys who have had the type of career he’s had, I think it’s important to be a resource and [say], hey, if you have any questions about the situation here, if you have anything that we can help navigate, then we want to be that portion.
“Cam’s earned the right to navigate this thing the best he can on a personal level and a professional level. So, we’ll see where it goes.”
Jordan, who turns 37 next month, registered 10.5 sacks with 15 tackles for loss and 15 QB hits in 2025 — his 15th season. The No. 24 overall pick of the 2011 draft, Jordan has registered 132.0 sacks with 175 tackles for loss and 248 quarterback hits in his strong career.
The House settlement hasn’t settled everything.
Via Brent Schrotenboer of USA Today, a new federal antitrust lawsuit has been filed in California against the NCAA regarding restrictions on player revenue sharing in 17 states.
The House settlement provides a $20.5 million cap on revenue sharing. The new lawsuit alleges that the limitation violates the law in states with legislation regarding the paying of college players for their names, images, and likenesses.
The lawsuit seeks relief on behalf of college football and basketball players impacted by the relevant rule.
“Defendants’ coordinated decision to implement these restrictions in violation of these states’ NIL laws . . . was not authorized by the Court,” the lawsuit contends. “If not for the Agreement, there would be vigorous competition in the NIL Rights States to pay college athletes in those states for their NIL rights. The [House settlement agreement] has thus unlawfully restrained competition, in violation of both federal antitrust law and California state law.”
The lawsuit focuses on rules applicable to donor collectives or other third parties that pay players on behalf of a given program for their NIL.
The seventeen states covered by the lawsuit are Arizona, California, Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Virginia, and West Virginia.
One of the named plaintiffs is Stanford quarterback Charlie Mirer, the son of former Notre Dame and NFL quarterback Rick Mirer.
The Patriots traded for receiver A.J. Brown, who is now unquestionably their No. 1 weapon at the position.
But could they still bring back another veteran wideout?
Mike Vrabel did not outright dismiss the possibility of re-signing free agent Stefon Diggs when asked if it’s under consideration during his Wednesday press conference. But he did not seem particularly interested in the possibility either.
“I think we [are] probably at the number that we would need right now,” Vrabel said. “I wouldn’t say anything is off the table. We would want to add anybody that could help us. I’m not going to give a percentage on it, but I think we’re happy with where we’re at right now with the numbers and the people in the receivers’ room.
“I appreciate Stefon as a person and as a player and what he did for us last year — I’ll value that. Helped us win football games. Helped us get to where we got. But right now, I don’t think that’s something that I think we’re exploring. But I would never say no.”
Diggs is arguably the best receiver available in the current market. Despite coming off a torn ACL, he caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards with four touchdowns in 17 games last season. He also had 14 receptions for 110 yards with one TD in four postseason games.
Last year, quarterback Jacoby Brissett signed a two-year, $12.5 million deal to serve as the backup to Kyler Murray. Brissett ended up starting 12 games.
This year, after a couple of months of uncertainty as to the projected top spot on the Arizona depth chart, it eventually became clear that Brissett will be the starter.
And that’s the root of Brissett’s effort to get a contract adjustment.
On Tuesday’s PFT Live, Devin McCourty (who played with Brissett in New England and still communicates with him) confirmed that, from Brissett’s perspective, it’s that simple. He arrived as a backup. He accepted a contract to be a backup. Now that the Cardinals have eased him — almost by default — into the starting role, he would like his deal to be adjusted.
It’s a fair point. And that doesn’t mean he wants to be paid at the high end of the scale. As veteran starters go, $20 million is the baseline.
And that’s a far cry from his current average of $6.25 million per year.
The question is whether the Cardinals will do anything about Brissett’s deal. They don’t have to. And holdouts have become very expensive for players, thanks to the daily fines for skipping training camp.
A hold-in is possible. But no one would benefit from that, especially since there’s a new coaching staff and a new offense in Arizona.
That could open the door for Gardner Minshew or Carson Beck to take the job. Which presumably would be fine with Brissett. He signed to be the backup. If he’s going to be the backup, his contract is fine. If he’s going to be the starter, he deserves a new deal.
When Mike LaFleur departed the Rams to become the Cardinals’ head coach earlier this offseason, there was an obvious internal replacement for his vacated position.
Nate Scheelhaase had spent the last two seasons on Los Angeles’ coaching staff, first as an offensive assistant and passing game specialist in 2024. He was promoted to pass game coordinator in 2025 and has now been promoted to offensive coordinator in 2026.
It wasn’t always clear that Scheelhaase would even be back with the Rams for this season, as he was in the mix for head coaching opportunities. But he said this week that he’s grateful to stick with the Rams while still pushing his career forward.
“It’s rare to be able to move up in the profession as far as responsibilities go and do that in one place,” Scheelhaase said Monday, via Stu Jackson of the team’s website. “So, to continue to learn alongside Sean [McVay], alongside the staff, and to continue to work with these players. It was cool and again, the transition as far as getting our players back and what that then looks like. It’s a lot of the same as adding value to what we’re trying to do every day, trying to help in any way possible. Certainly, roles and responsibilities look a little bit different, but same mentality.”
While he’s doing a different job, Scheelhaase is taking the same approach to being the club’s offensive coordinator that he’s brought to the rest of his career.
“I think having that nose down, go to work mentality and finding a way to make an impact has always been a calling card of mine,” Scheelhaase said. “I’ve learned that from the people that I’ve been around. Spending six years with [former head coach] Matt Campbell at Iowa State was largely impactful to who I am as a coach. Obviously, the last two years here with Sean being able to learn what it looks like at this level, to be able to do it with that sustained excellence over a number of years, that’s been huge as well. Those two have been impactful.
“Relationships and hard work, those are my calling cards of what I got and being able to do it in a place like this, you feel like you get to lead out of your true self in that way.”
Jonathan Taylor is heading into the final year of his contract with the Colts and he’d prefer that his stay in Indianapolis extends beyond the 2026 season.
Taylor said at a Wednesday press conference, via multiple reporters, that he wants to be a “Colt for life” and that he has expressed that position to the team. Taylor would like to secure an extension before the start of the 2026 season, but it is unclear at this point whether things will come together by that time.
The last time Taylor was up for a contract, it was a protracted process to get one done. Taylor was given permission to seek a trade during the 2023 preseason and ultimately started the season on the physically unable to perform list — he had ankle surgery that offseason — before signing a new contract in October.
Taylor ran for 741 yards in 10 games that season and has posted 3,016 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground over the last two seasons.
Keena Turner will become the 34th member of the 49ers Hall of Fame later this year.
The 49ers announced that a ceremony honoring Turner’s induction will be held during their Monday night game against the Commanders in Week 6 of the 2026 season. Turner won four Super Bowls during his 11 seasons with the 49ers and currently works as a vice president and special advisor to 49ers General Manager John Lynch.
“I am deeply humbled to be inducted into the San Francisco 49ers Hall of Fame,” Turner said in a statement. “I wouldn’t be in this position if it wasn’t for the extraordinary teammates and coaches who helped me attain success on and off the field as well as the dedicated ownership that has helped shape this franchise’s legacy. To have served this organization since 1980, one of the most iconic in all of sports, has been the honor of a lifetime. Being recognized as a piece of that history, alongside so many legends who have worn the red and gold, is a profound privilege.”
Turner was a 1980 second-round pick out of Purdue and he made one Pro Bowl during his time in the league.
The Raiders’ 2026 schedule-release video unofficially gave rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza a nickname. He now wants to make it official.
Via attorney Josh Gerben, Mendoza filed on Monday a trademark application for the term “Nandolorian.”
As Gerben notes, the move could spark a fight with Disney and Lucasfilm, which holds 16 trademarks related to the “Mandalorian,” part of the broader Star Wars universe.
One question is whether it counts as a parody. That would be Mendoza’s position, if/when Disney and Lucasfilm challenge the filing.
Like Caleb Williams and “Iceman,” Mendoza’s move is aimed at preventing others from making and selling “Nandolorian” merchandise and keeping the money. Disney would likely say that those rights are theirs to protect, if/when people begin selling “Nandolorian” gear.
The situation could get interesting if/when Disney calls its ESPN partner (the NFL) to try to get Mendoza to back down. Mendoza seems eager to please and to placate his team. If/when the NFL asks the Raiders to ask Mendoza to withdraw his application, what will he do?
It’s been more than two months since the story of the offseason landed out of the blue, courtesy of photos from the New York Post and (more importantly) clear and strong denials from the people involved.
Although the drip-drip of worthwhile developments has ended (that hasn’t stopped some from using anything/everything they can to harvest clicks and video views), there’s one unresolved issue that apparently will remain that way, into the summer.
Via Oli Coleman of the New York Post, The Athletic executive editor Steven Ginsberg recently provided an internal update regarding its investigation into the reporting of Dianna Russini, given the evidence that emerged of her relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel.
“It’s going to take a few more weeks,” Ginsberg reportedly said. “There’s just a lot to go through, and we obviously want to take our time and be careful doing that. We will update everybody when we get to the end of that. We’ve also said that if we find anything that needs to be corrected, we will correct it along the way.”
In her April 14 resignation letter, Russini repeated her strong denial of wrongdoing that blamed the media for engaging in “self-feeding speculation that is simply unmoored from the facts.” The Athletic continued its investigation after her departure.
It’s unclear why it has taken so long for The Athletic, which is owned by the New York Times, to finish its investigation. As Coleman notes, the delay is creating internal concerns.
For now, it appears that The Athletic intends to continue its investigation, to conclude it, and to share its outcome. Even if The Athletic doesn’t publish any final report, chances are that someone within the broader Times apparatus will get it, and leak it.
Even without publication of the report (or a leak of it), The Athletic may go back and “correct” past reporting.
It’s a delicate balance for The Athletic and the Times. Photos of Vrabel and Russini from March 2020, which emerged after her resignation, raise questions about the quality of the vetting process and/or the oversight of Russini. Basically, what did management know, what should it have known, when did it know it, and when should have been known? A full and transparent investigation could make the publications, which already look bad as to their initial statement on the matter, come off even worse.
Brushing it all under the rug won’t be acceptable, either. The issue highlights pre-existing tensions between the Times and The Athletic. Will the employees of The Athletic be held to the same standard as employees of the Times?
Hovering over everything The Athletic says or does is the possibility of litigation, if Russini continues to adhere to her denials and is willing to back them up by filing a defamation case against anyone who says otherwise.
