The Wolf Sports Newsletter is a weekly newsletter giving an efficient update on the recent happenings in the world of sports. In an era where Twitter is a primary news source for many sports fans, you can think of The Wolf Sports Newsletter as a Tweet Sheet delivering key information every Monday. The focus is on football, but big news from other sectors of sports will also be included to keep you in the loop with all the action to start the week.
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Before jumping into the news, be sure to check out last week’s 2023 NFL Expansion Team series, which gives an in-depth look at what the 33rd team might look like each year:
Part I: City, Branding, Staff
Part II: The Expansion Draft
Part III: Free Agency
Part IV: 2023 NFL Draft
🗡️ The Titans are signing former All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
- Doug Kyed was the first to report the news, and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport says it’s a two-year, $26 million deal worth up to $32 million with incentives.
- The Patriots were thought to be the other most serious suitor for Hopkins, with the Chiefs and Bills speculated as other potential options if a discount was possible.
- It appears the Titans offered the best contract, and Hopkins joins and offense with Derrick Henry, Treylon Burks, Kyle Philips, and Chigoziem Okonkwo in Tennessee.
Free-agent WR DeAndre Hopkins is expected to sign with the Titans, per source. Deal is expected to become official over the next few days.
— Doug Kyed (@DougKyed) July 16, 2023
The #Titans are giving star WR DeAndre Hopkins a 2-year, $26M deal worth up to $32M with incentives, source said.
He gets a base of $12M in Year 1 with a chance to get to $15M. https://t.co/4Vsy2sF1zG
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 16, 2023
I dunno if you’ve heard the news that DHop is signing with your Titans @CoachVrabel50..
"I actually knew the news yesterday" 😂😂
You’ve been sandbagging us ALL DAY pic.twitter.com/mJCfFyX3OD
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 16, 2023
✈️ HBO’s Hard Knocks is set to feature the Jets.
- The announcement still has not been officially made, perhaps partly due to the Jets’ stubborn stance on not wanting to be featured on the show.
- However, no team volunteered, and the Jets were one of the teams that could be forced on to Hard Knocks this summer—so it felt very likely.
- The Jets not only added Aaron Rodgers this offseason after 18 years with the Packers, but they have a roster with exciting and entertaining players like Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, and Breece Hall.
- Expect an announcement very early this week, with the Jets reporting to camp tomorrow.
NFL and NFL Films have selected the New York Jets to serve as this year’s team on Hard Knocks, per sources.
Jets report to training camp one week from today, July 19, and the cameras will be rolling in full force. pic.twitter.com/v9A7Pb9GP2
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 12, 2023
The last time the Jets were on Hard Knocks, head coach Rex Ryan delivered an unforgettable speech. 🤣🍨pic.twitter.com/SboNktKEv7
— Wolf Sports (@wolfsports) July 12, 2023
💰 Sticking with the Jets, All-Pro defensive lineman Quinnen Williams signed a four-year, $96 million contract extension.
- It’s the second biggest contract ever for a defensive tackle at $24 million per year, and it includes $66 million guaranteed.
- Williams sticks with his brother and linebacker Quincy, who re-signed with New York earlier this offseason.
The #Jets and All-Pro DT Quinnen Williams agreed to terms on a four-year, $96 million megadeal — the largest second contract ever for a defensive tackle, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Williams gets $66 million in guarantees in the deal negotiated by @AgentNicoleLynn. pic.twitter.com/onRE29sJx0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 13, 2023
Williams Bros staying in NY together 🤞@QuinnenWilliams | @quincywilliams_ pic.twitter.com/riVhjnOoJU
— NFL (@NFL) July 13, 2023
Hey @QuinnenWilliams
— Woody Johnson (@woodyjohnson4) July 13, 2023
Let’s kick some ass this year 🙏🏽💪🏽 thanks so much 🤞🏾
— Quinnen Williams (@QuinnenWilliams) July 13, 2023
🧐 Saints running back Alvin Kamara pleads down Las Vegas incident to a no contest on a lesser misdemeanor charge.
- Kamara’s felony charge from the February 2022 incident in which he and three others allegedly badly beat a man outside of a nightclub the night before the Pro Bowl.
- A private settlement was reached between Kamara and the victim.
- Kamara must do community service and pay $100K for the victim’s medical bills.
- The legal process concluding opens the door for the NFL to hand down its discipline when they are finished their own evaluation of the situation.
- Most expect Kamara to be suspended for four-to-six games.
#BREAKING: New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara agrees to plead no content to misdemeanor charge of breach of peace for Las Vegas nightclub beating. He will have to do community service and pay $100K to victim for medical bills, per @kyleJpaine. https://t.co/amO1tjFexR
— David Charns (@davidcharns) July 11, 2023
Saints RB Alvin Kamara is still subject to a possible suspension by the NFL, which has punished several players in the past even when they weren’t convicted or charges were dropped. But this should pave the way for league to hand out discipline. https://t.co/wcDpj8sXGZ
— Mike Triplett (@MikeTriplett) July 11, 2023
From @NFLprguy on #Saints star Alvin Kamara: “We have been closely monitoring all developments in the matter which remains under review.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 11, 2023
🗓️ Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs tells Pewter Report that he believes the NFL should add another bye week.
- Wirfs notes that a 17th game was added but that another bye week was not.
- We’ve long wanted the NFL to do an 18-week, two-bye schedule giving the league 18 regular season television weeks but more time off for players.
- The issue with adding another bye is presumably that it weakens the weekly schedule with so many byes, which can hurt overall NFL ratings—potentially hurting in TV deals even for by far the most dominant “show” in the United States.
- Additionally, two bye weeks is likely more of a challenge to implement logistically.
***NEW #Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs Lobbies For Extra Bye Week
An extra in-season game didn't come with an extra bye week. @TristanWirfs78 wants the @NFL to make it happen. @matty4_matera has the story.#Buccaneers#GoBucs@NFL_DovKleiman @ProFootballTalk https://t.co/d0mkJC9yKX
— PewterReport 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) July 10, 2023
🐅 Bengals running back Joe Mixon restructures contract to remain with the team.
- Mixon is taking a pay cut to remain in Cincinnati, and his agent Peter Schaffer says it helps attempt to accomplish the goal of winning a Super Bowl and staying with the team for his entire career.
- There was a lot of speculation about Mixon’s status with the Bengals this offseason, but it was difficult to see him leaving after Samaje Perine left for the Broncos during free agency.
- The bottom line is Mixon is still a very talented runner and a key part of Cincy’s Super Bowl aspirations—he had a five-touchdown game last season and racked up 105 yards and a touchdown in the snow during last season’s Divisional Round win at Buffalo.
Bengals’ RB Joe Mixon, who had $9.4 million non-guaranteed base salary, agreed tonight to restructure his contract to remain in Cincinnati. “Joe’s goal is to win a Super Bowl and play his career in Cincinnati and this is the best way to accomplish these goals,” said his agent… pic.twitter.com/AbMNhDteDL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 14, 2023
Details:
— Joe Mixon took a $4.39M pay cut this year and a $4.67M pay cut next year.
— The 2023 base is $5.51M and he can make an extra $2M per year in incentives.
— This opens up the possibility of him sticking around next year, too. https://t.co/FUHy7Zpw6h— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) July 15, 2023
Joe Mixon looks to climb Bengals all-time lists heading into his seventh season.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) July 15, 2023
💸 Tight end Evan Engram agrees to three-year contract ahead of franchise tag deadline.
- It’s a big three-year, $41.25 million extension with $24 million guaranteed for the former first-round pick of the Giants.
- After a strong 64/722/6 rookie season, Engram was somewhat up and down and dealt with injuries during his time in New York.
- The Ole Miss product had a very strong 2022 campaign in Jacksonville, particularly toward the end of the season, posting 73 receptions for 766 yards and four touchdowns.
Congrats @eazyengram agreeing to a 3 year deal with the @Jaguars
— Mike McCartney (@MikeMcCartney7) July 16, 2023
BREAKING: #Jaguars and Pro Bowl TE Evan Engram have agreed to a 3-year, $42.5M deal with $25.5M guaranteed, ahead of tomorrow’s deadline, per sources.
Engram comes off a career-high 73 catches and 766 yards last season. pic.twitter.com/5QcXAU4KZ5
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) July 16, 2023
I’m home 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/yJdu1hVX8l
— Evan Engram (@eazyengram) July 16, 2023
Other Sports Updates
🔍 Northwestern fires head football coach Pat Fitzgerald following an investigation into widespread hazing allegations in the program.
Sources: Northwestern has parted ways with Pat Fitzgerald.
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) July 10, 2023
⚾️ National League beats the American League in the MLB All-Star Game for the first time since 2012.
The drought is over! The National League wins the #AllStarGame for the first time since 2012! pic.twitter.com/CytyuQWT00
— MLB (@MLB) July 12, 2023
💪 Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wins the MLB Home Run Derby, making the Guerreros the first father and son duo to both win it.
Just like his pops. 💙
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. wins the 2023 @TMobile #HRDerby! pic.twitter.com/T8Ke59qQ59
— MLB (@MLB) July 11, 2023
🎾 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz beats Novak Djokovic to take Wimbledon title.
A new name. A new reign. 🇪🇸@carlosalcaraz, your 2023 Gentlemen's Singles champion#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/3KNlRTOPhx
— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 16, 2023
📰 The New York Times has disbanded its sports department and will rely on their recent purchase of The Athletic for their sports coverage.
Breaking News: The New York Times will disband its sports department and rely on its website The Athletic for coverage of teams and games, both online and in print. Newsroom leaders said there were no planned layoffs. https://t.co/tMXXmwXa92
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 10, 2023
In Case You Missed It
-Building A 2023 NFL Expansion Team, Part I
-Building A 2023 NFL Expansion Team, Part II
-Building A 2023 NFL Expansion Team, Part III
-Building A 2023 NFL Expansion Team, Part IV
-2023 Fantasy Preview: Minnesota Vikings
-2023 Fantasy Preview: New England Patriots
-2023 Fantasy Preview: New Orleans Saints
-2023 Fantasy Preview: New York Giants
-2023 Fantasy Football Mock Draft 6.0