Hot Button: Ex-NHL star Ryan 'embarrassed' after arrest for intoxication ... Mulinaro sums up every team's Day 1 of camp ... Bengals' Burrow will have surgery to remove appendix

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Hot Button is a 'round-the-clock feature that covers anything across the scope of sports. We're here to bring you everything hot: News items, highlights, takes — everything but hot meals — whether local, national or international. Better yet, it’s interactive. Share your thoughts in comments, and even post your own links to interesting, safe-for-work sports stories.

So let’s go! Come on in!

RYAN ARRESTED AT
NASHVILLE AIRPORT

Wednesday, July 27: Former National Hockey League star Bobby Ryan said he is "embarrassed" after his arrest Tuesday at Nashville Airport for intoxication. Ryan, who retired in 2021 after 14 NHL seasons, won the Masterton Trophy in 2020, after returning from taking time off to treat his alcoholism.

Ryan took to Twitter Wednesday to express his regret and dedication to move forward: "I’ve had so many incredible messages today. Thank you for all of them. Today is day 1 (again). Mostly embarrassed, but I shouldn’t be. Today I’m waking up and choosing better.

My take: Substance abuse and addiction is a lifelong struggle for many and relapses are not uncommon for those in recovery. Here's hoping he has no more Day 1s. — Bob

SO WHAT IS DAY 1 OF CAMP
LIKE AROUND THE LEAGUE?

Wednesday, July 27: We can always count on comedian and sports-media personality Joey Mulinaro for some dead-on impressions. Tuesday, he decided to sum up Day 1 of every team's training camp:

My take: Brilliant. — Bob

BURROW TO HAVE
APPENDECTOMY

Tuesday, July 26: Joe Burrow will miss training camp, but it has nothing to do with a new contract holdout or injury. The reigning comeback player of the year and quarterback of the AFC Champion Bengals is scheduled to have his appendix out in the next couple of days. Recovery should be 4-5 weeks, so he is expected to be ready for Week 1, September 11, at home against the Steelers.

The indication is that Burrow's condition is not emergent. Though nothing was specified, some patients deal with appendicitis as a chronic condition treated with antibiotics, then require surgery.

My take: Nothing earth-shattering here. Burrow will get a couple weeks of practice in before Week 1, so no advantage for the Steelers. He also missed time during last year's camp as he eased his way back in after the torn ACL suffered midway through his rookie season. — Bob

SOURCES LINK JONES
TO BUCCANEERS

Tuesday, July 26: Two-time All-Pro receiver Julio Jones is signing a one-year contract with the Buccaneers. No terms are being reported at this time. He will provide outside depth for Tampa Bay behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.

Jones, 33, is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the Hall of Fame's All-2010s team. After 10 seasons with the Falcons, the 2011 sixth-overall pick played for the Titans last season but was limited to 10 games due to injury, finishing with just 31 catches for 434 yards and a touchdown.

In 11 National Football League seasons, Jones has 879 catches for 13,330 yards and 81 touchdowns in 145 games.

My take: This is a nice depth player for the Bucs. Jones, who's showing some wear and tear, could shine in a more limited and targeted role, and could slot in for either starter if there are injuries. With Rob Gronkowski retired, it might be interesting to see Jones give Tom Brady that big target down the middle out of the slot. — Bob 

CARSON RETIRING DUE 
TO NECK INJURY

Tuesday, July 26: Seahawks running back Chris Carson is expected to announce his retirement any day, due to a neck injury. He suffered the injury in Week 4 last season and is being advised by doctors to retire or risk serious or permanent injury. Carson was entering the last season of a two-year, $10.425-million deal. $5.5 million was guaranteed, with $4.5 million of that coming last year in the signing bonus.

The 27-year-old is a five-year veteran who was the third-to-last pick in the 2019 Draft, but worked his way to be the starter in the Seahawks offense ahead of his second season. Carson had two 1,000-yard rushing seasons (2018, 2019) and twice caught over 40 passes in a season.

In his 49-game career, Carson ran for 3,502 yards on 769 carries (4.6 yards per carry) with 24 touchdowns, adding 107 catches for 804 yards and seven scores.

My take: It's tough when a player is forced to retire due to circumstances beyond his control. Hopefully, he's been smart with his money and can find joy in something else. All the best to him.

LIV GOLF TO INCORPORATE
RELEGATION IN 2023

Monday, July 25: LIV Golf has a membership problem and they're looking to International club football for a solution. Beginning in 2023, LIV will relegate its bottom-four golfers and have a qualifying tournament to promote  four to replace them. The rankings will be based on earnings during the 14 tournaments the fledgling tour intends to host next year, though venues have yet to be determined.

As more players have defected from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to join LIV, the 48-player limited field has forced LIV to deny players from the original event in London spots in subsequent tournaments. LIV intends to have 48 golfers only next season, for all 14 events, to maintain the team element of the tour — golfers compete in four-man teams on aggregate score. Golfers on the top two teams each week split a winners and second-place payout, respectively.

Golfers on playing contracts, like Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, are exempt from relegation. 

My take: This isn't much different than the PGA Tour, where you have to play well to keep your card and can play your way onto the tour. This is unique, however, because of the limited field and team concepts in LIV. Gettin' curiouser and curiouser. — Bob

MLB INTERNATIONAL DRAFT 
NOT HAPPENING SOON

Monday, July 25: As part of the new collective bargaining agreement, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players' Union agreed to work toward negotiating an international draft, setting a July 25, 2022 deadline. That proposal came to an end Monday, when the union rejected what MLB termed its "final offer."

MLB offered a slot system of $191 million for a 20-round draft, plus a flat $20,000 to each undrafted free agent. The MLBPA wanted $260 million with overslot potential and $40,000 for free agents. Without an agreement, the league will retain the existing qualifying-offer system.

Latin American players were against a draft as it could reduce what players could get through signing bonuses and salaries.

My take: It was never going to work. There was never going be an agreement on terns and there were other obstacles pertaining to which countries and players were eligible for the draft. Like all things MLB, same-o, same-o. — Bob

CITY OFFERS SOLDIER FIELD
PROPOSALS, BEARS DECLINE

Monday, July 25: Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Monday three proposals for the renovation of Soldier Field, including one with a dome, but the Bears declined interest in any of them, citing their desire to move and build on land purchased recently by the team in Chicago ex-urb Arlington Heights.

The proposals, each in the $1-billion to $2-billion range, would increase luxury boxes and would expand capacity by approximately 15,000 to 70,000. 

The Bears had told the city they were leaving once the property in Arlington Heights was purchased, but Lightfoot insisted she would work to keep the team at its historic location, in continuous use since 1924. The team has a lease at Soldier Field until 2033 but can break it in 2026 at an $85-million penalty.

The Bears organization claims the new proposals will not work because they would still have to lease Soldier Field through the city and would not control associated stadium revenues like parking, concessions and naming rights.

My take: The only thing worse than the Bears moving out of downtown would be the placement of a dome on Soldier Field. It will be sad to see the ol' stadium go — I've been fortunate to see a few games and concerts in there — but it's been a great run and revenue is king. The venue will get to celebrate a centennial in two years, so at least there's that. — Bob

XFL ANNOUNCES EIGHT
CITIES FOR 2023 SEASON

Sunday, July 24: The XFL announced the home cities of the eight franchises for its 2023 relaunch, with head coaches attached, including three with Pittsburgh ties. Rod Woodson will coach in Las Vegas at a yet-to-be-determined venue. Hines Ward will lead a team in San Antonio at the Alamodome. Longtime NFL coach, Pittsburgh native and IUP grad Jim Haslett will take the reins in Seattle at Lumen Field. Team nicknames have not been announced. Other cities with their coaches are:

• Arlington, Texas: Bob Stoops
• Houston: Wade Phillips
• Orlando: Terrell Buckley
• St. Louis: Anthony Becht
• Washington, D.C: Reggie Barlow

Cities cut from the previous iteration are Los Angeles, New York and Tampa, replaced with Las Vegas, Orlando and San Antonio. The other five cities have hosted XFL franchises before.

Ward, Woodson, Buckley and Hecht are first-time head coaches at any level, Barlow and Stoops are long-time successful NCAA coaches, and Haslett and Phillips have NFL head-coaching experience.

The league will relaunch one week after the Super Bowl on February 18, 2023.

My take: Unlike the USFL, I'm kind of excited for this relaunch. Smart, too, not forcing teams into huge metropolitan areas that have not supported it well in the past. I think they'll get better players than the USFL, particularly with its ties to the NFL, and they'll kickoff just as the NFL ends. — Bob

METHCIE III ANNOUNCES
LEUKEMIA DIAGNOSIS

Sunday, July 24: 22-year-old Texans receiver John Metchie III, the team's 2022 second-round pick out of Alabama, announced Sunday that he has been recently diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia and will likely miss the entire season as he undergoes treatment. APL, according to Metchie, "is the most curable form of Leukemia."

The Texans traded up with the Browns to get Metchie at 44th overall. He was recovering from an ACL tear in December and was expected to be ready for the start the season. Pairing with Alabama teammate Jameson Williams, who went 12th overall to the Lions, they formed one of the most formidable receiving duos in FBS last season. Metchie had 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games, when the ACL injury ended his season in the SEC Championship game.

My take: Best wishes to the young man. He seems upbeat and has a curable form cancer. Here's hoping he has a full and speedy recovery era and is back healthy in 2023. — Bob

CARDS HAVE THREE UNVACCINATED
PLAYERS OUT AGAINST JAYS

Sunday, July 24: The Cardinals will be without their two best hitters when their team travels to Toronto for a two-game series Tuesday and Wednesday. All-Stars Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado will not make the trip — also catcher Austin Romine — because they are either unvaccinated or not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Reliever Johan Oviedo will miss the trip because of an expired passport.

With Goldschmidt and Arenado not on the trip, the Cardinals will be missing a couple .300 hitters with a combined 40 home runs and 133 RBIs, as well as Gold Glove defense, as they face a tough American League team in playoff position. Entering Sunday, the Cardinals are second to the Brewers in the NL Central by 1.5 games and have only a one game lead over the Phillies for the last wildcard playoff spot.

My take: I never really thought what a distinct advantage the Blue Jays have with home games. We've come to know that several prominent players throughout MLB do not meet Canada's vaccination requirement and have missed entire series' there. Got me thinking about what happens if Toronto hosts playoff games. As for Oviedo, it looks like George Costanza has a new gig in St. Louis. — Bob

AB TAKES THE STAGE,
OTHER ODD, FUN VIDEOS

Sunday, July 24: There was a bunch of news Saturday that didn't deserve its own post — Paul Goldschmidt going over 1,000 RBIs, Mookie Betts hit his 200th career home run, Matt Carpenter hit his 14th home run in just 34 games with the Yankees (with a 1.304 OPS) — and there were a few video clips that hit Saturday night, not worthy of a full post but each interesting in their own way. Let's begin with Antonio Brown rapping at a Miami music festival:

Sorry to have done that to you, but I shouldn't have to suffer alone. What else?

• A trick shot at Topgolf
• A "look what I found catch" in MLB
• Alek Manoah being Alek Manoah
• A switch hitter changing sides after every pitch
• A nine-dart round at the 2022 World Matchplay

Of all the things in sports, I'm not sure that I'll understand thousands of people packing an arena or venue to watch two people play darts, but I'm also not sure I've ever witnessed a group of people having any more fun at a sporting event. Sign me up. 

Hope you enjoyed these. — Bob

NATS LOOK FOR BIG HAUL
IN POTENTIAL SOTO DEAL

Saturday, July 23: With 11 days until the trade deadline, the Nationals are setting the bar for what they want in a trade for All-Star outfielder Juan Soto. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the asking price is said to be four or five players — any combination of top-five prospects or young, high-ceiling major-league players. Rosenthal said "teams are not offended by what the Nationals want, but they are worried they cannot beat that price.” 

Soto, 23, recently rejected a 15-year, $440-million contract offer by Washington, who previously told all teams they would never trade Soto. Once the deal was rejected, with what the team said was its best possible offer, the organization alerted other teams of Soto's availability. 

My take: The Nats hold all the cards ... and one of the leaguer's best players. Soto still has two arbitration seasons, so Washington doesn't have to move him if they don't like the potential returns. Some team's going to have to pony-up big. — Bob

RAVENS PUT SIX ON PUP LIST, 
ALL COULD PLAY WEEK 1

Saturday, July 23: The Ravens will open camp with six players on the physically-unable-to-perform list (PUP), including four starters: running back J.K. Dobbins (ACL), cornerback Marcus Peters (ACL), left tackle Ronnie Stanley (ankle) and outside linebacker Tyus Bowser (Achilles tendon). Running back Gus Edwards (ACL) and defensive back Ar'Darius Washington (foot) are the others. Only Washington avoided surgery.

Dobbins and Edwards were lost for the season early, as injuries savaged the running backs room. They are both expected to be ready for Week 1 this season, or close thereafter. Peters is also on schedule for a Week 1 return, as is Washington. Stanley and Bowser might need more time. Head coach John Harbaugh said Stanley's ankle is progressing well but it's hindering his ability to get fully into football shape. Bowser had Achilles surgery in January, which usually is a nine-month recovery. 

Baltimore is hopeful all of these players will be ready for the start of the season or by the end of the first month of games.

My take: The Ravens had quite a season with injuries and COVID last season. Getting Dobbins and Stanley back will be huge and Lamar Jackson is healthy, so the offense gets a boost. Peters will help lock down one side of the field and Bowser will bring some pressure. A bounce-back year for Baltimore? Seems like it. — Bob

JAYS POUND SOX
WITH 28 RUNS

Saturday, July 23: The Blue jays came within two runs of tying the major-league record for runs in a game, thrashing the Red Sox 28-5 Friday night at Fenway Park. Every starter in the Toronto lineup had at least two hits and left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. tied a franchise record with six hits. Center fielder Raimel Tapia, who had an inside-the-park grand slam on a ball center fielder Jarren Duran lost in the lights, and catcher Danny Jansen (two home runs) each had six RBIs.

Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi entered the game with a 3.34 earned-run average and left with a 4.30, yielding nine earned runs in 2.2 innings. Austin Davis relieved him and gave up five runs in 1.1 innings. Kaleb Ort was next in line, getting shelled for seven hits and eight runs in two-thirds of an inning, and Darwinzon Hernandez finished up the folly-filled first six innings with five runs on six hits in an inning and a third, totaling 27 runs, 26 earned in the first six innings.

The single game runs record belongs to the Rangers, who scored 30 in 2007 against the Orioles. The Red Sox are second with 29 in a game (1959), tied with the Braves (2020) and the White Sox (1955). The Blue Jays are now tied for third with the Cardinals (1929).

My take: There's not much to say after a drubbing like that except, well, this stuff happens even to good teams. There's a decent chance a Pirates opponent will challenge the record this year. Even money. — Bob

TKACHUK DEALT TO PANTHERS
FOR THREE PLAYERS, PICK

Friday, July 22: Once Matthew Tkachuk informed the Flames a few days ago he would not sign long-term deal with the team as he was scheduled for salary arbitration, he went on the trade block. Now he's making a dangerous team even tougher. Tkachuk was traded to the Panthers for forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and prospect Cole Schwindt, defenseman McKenzie Weegar, and a 2025 first-round draft pick. The Panthers also received a fourth-round draft pick.

After the trade was announced, the Panthers said they have an agreement with Tkachuk on an 8-year, $76 million contract.

Tkachuk, 24, had 42 goals and 60 assists last season for Calgary, where he was a consistent point producer since being drafted sixth-overall in the 2016 draft. In 431 career games, the left wing has 152 goals and 230 assists. 

Huberdeau, 29, brings a similar level of production to Calgary, he had 30 goals and a conference-leading 85 assists last season. A former third-overall selection in 2011, he won the Calder Trophy in 2012 and has 198 goals and 415 assists in 671 career games. He is entering the last year of his contract and will be a free agent in 2023.

Weegar, 28, had the best season of his six-year career in 2021, posting eight goals and 36 assists in 80 games as a top-pair defenseman with Aaron Ekblad.

Schwindt, 21, was third-round pick in 2019. He played three games for Florida last season, scoring no points.

My take: Florida just got a little better up front. The question's which center Tkachuk will mesh better with, Aleksander Barkov or Sam Bennett. Nice problem to have. It's not a total win for Florida, which now has a big hole on defense with Weegar's departure. Huberdeau is a very good player. Calgary did well to get value for value, but they'll need to extend Huberdeau or they basically shipped out Tkachuk for a 2025 first-rounder. — Bob

TENNESSEE FACING HUGE
PENALTIES FOR PRUITT TENURE

Friday, July 22: The NCAA issued a notice Friday alleging 18 Level 1 violations agains the University fo Tennessee football program under former head coach Jeremy Pruitt, including a combined amount of approximately $60,000 in recruiting inducements and direct payments to players and parents. It also alleges recruiting during the COVID-19 dead period and a lack of organizational oversight.

Pruitt, who was fired in January 2021 when allegations of misconduct began to surface, was even directly involved, with one of the violations being for personal ethics: "He knowingly arranged, offered and provided prospective and enrolled student-athletes and their family members or individuals associated with prospective student-athletes with improper inducements and extra benefits in the form of impermissible entertainment and cash payments to numerous individuals."

Tennessee self-imposed a scholarship reduction last year in anticipation of coming penalties, but severe penalties could be on the way. Pruitt, who issued a statement without comment on the specifics of the allegations, will face a show-cause penalty, which is the NCAA's version of suspension. A show-cause penalty would prevent Pruitt from holding any coaching position or any job in any college or university's athletic department.

My take: Pruitt should have just waited a couple years. Just about everything is OK now. It used to be you couldn't buy a recruit a burger; now they are NIL for the burger joint. Still, rules are rules, and Pruitt was egregious in breaking them. 

RAMS REVEAL SB RING,
BENGALS A WHITE HELMET

Friday, July 22: The Rams revealed the look of their Super Bowl ring Friday, claiming it is the heaviest carat-weight championship ring ever. Specifics were not released on numbers of diamonds and what they represent. Designed by Jason of Beverly Hills, the removable top of the ring boasts the team logo in front of the Lombardi Trophy and two palm trees. Under the face, as is becoming common, is revealed a replica of So-Fi Stadium, which can be viewed through stadium replica pillars on the sides of the ring. In a twist, the field is removable to show a blue oval representing the roof and scoreboard surrounded by football leather. Inside the band are engraved the scores of the team's four playoff games:

Last week, the Bengals teased a potential white helmet with their traditional black stripes. Friday, they revealed it:

My take: The ring designs are amazing, without question, but they are absolutely ridiculous. They're rings you can't wear — too big to put on and too small to display. Whatever. Wake me when they have fireworks and a laser light show included (though the recent Braves' ring at least had working stadium lights, I think). As for the Bengals helmet? Pretty much what I envisioned. They can go for a white-out look now. Many teams are turning into the University of Oregon. — Bob

SAMUEL GRINDS AXE ON
'PATRIOTS WAY', BELICHICK

Thursday, July 21: Retired All-Pro cornerback Asante Samuel denied "The Patriot Way," a term generally associated with the team's internal processes and getting players to stay for less pay, was the reason for New England's Super Bowl successes over the past 20 years, instead saying it was mainly because of Tom Brady. Samuel won two Super Bowls with New England before productive seasons with with the Eagles and the Falcons. 

Speaking on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast Tuesday, the four-time Pro Bowler who was drafted by and played five seasons for New England, said former teammates were "brainwashed" if they believed in "The Patriot Way," a term Samuel claims he can't even define. He said players were foolish if they took less money while others were seeking to enrich themselves, including head coach Bill Belichick. Besides, he insists the only reason they won those Super Bowls was Brady.

"All of this stuff is working because of Tom! ... It's one X-factor — It's Tom! This is the truth, it's because of Tom, because guys what? Tom goes somewhere else (Buccaneers) and just wins a Super Bowl."

Samuel left the Patriots on the first day of free agency after his All-Pro season in 2007-08, for a then-premium six-year, $59.7-million contract. No mention was made on whether New England tried to get Samuel to stay for less than market value, but did say in reference to Belichick, " ... when you try to hold my money back and you want all your money, I ain’t got no respect for you.”

My take: All successful teams have standards, and all of those have players who may take less to stay in a situation that's comfortable and successful — everyone's motivations different. I'm not sure what Samuel's beef is with the organization, but that was a long time ago. Guess it still bothers him. He's not entirely wrong on Brady, but there's eleven guys out there at all times. If they don't do their job, then they don't win. — Bob

CANES LOSE NIEDERREITER
TO PREDATORS

Thursday, July 21: Popular Hurricanes forward Nino Niederreiter has signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Predators as a free agent.

Niederreiter is coming off a 44-point season with Carolina (24G, 20A), his second consecutive 20-goal season. It was the last year of a five-year, $26.5-million contract. He had strong possession metrics over his four years with the Canes, posting a 60.4 Corsi For percentage (all situations) and 57.9 percent at 5-on-5.

Niederreiter, 29, was selected by the Islanders with the fifth-overall pick in the 2010 draft. The Swiss forward made his National Hockey League debut immediately to start the season but was returned to his juniors team after nine games. He played 51 games for the Islanders the following season but had only one point — a goal — in a fourth-line role and was sent to the minor leagues for the following season. Niederreiter was dealt to the Wild and flourished immediately, becoming a presence on their second and third lines over parts of six seasons before being traded to Carolina for Victor Rask.

My take: Must be tough out there with the flat cap. He took a 25-percent pay cut after one of his better career seasons. A good pickup at a good price for the Wild. No one in the Eastern Conference will miss having to play him regularly. — Bob

BROWNS PREPARE FOR TIME 
WITHOUT WATSON, SIGN ROSEN

Thursday, July 21: [Ed. note: this is an updated post] The Browns signed quarterback and former top-10 pick Josh Rosen to a one-year contract Thursday, after a workout for the team at their training facility in Berea, Ohio. He was signed to provide backup depth, not for Deshaun Watson, but for Jacoby Brissett, who Cleveland has announced as the starter, expecting a suspension for the beleaguered Watson for violation of the league's personal conduct policy. Rosen's addition gives the Browns three quarterbacks under contract, joining Brissett and Josh Dobbs. Teams usually carry four quarterbacks in camp, so two more are likely to be signed.

Rosen is now on his fourth team in as many professional seasons. He played a full season with the Cardinals as a rookie but finished 3-10 and was traded to the Dolphins in 2019, after Arizona drafted Kyler Murray. In Miami, he lost his job to Ryan Fitzpatrick and was waived after the 2020 season after the Dolphins drafted Tua Tagovailoa. He spent the 2020 season on the Buccaneers' and 49ers' practice squads, dressing for two games in San Francisco but not playing. Last season, he was cut in training camp by San Francisco after they drafted Trey Lance. He eventually signed with the Falcons, ironically after McCarron was lost for the season to injury, but was released following the season. He has a career 3-13 record with 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions in 24 games.

Six-year veteran A.J. McCarron was also named as being involved in the tryout.

My take: The reason I went deep on Rosen there is I think I would sign him just to get a high-ceiling quarterback in the next draft: Murray, Tagovailoa, Lance, and Desmond Ridder in Atlanta. Crazy career for a No. 10-overall pick. In my earlier post about the tryout I said that I'd take McCarron based on their respective careers to date, but what do I know. That first-round pedigree seems to win out every time. — Bob

CARDS' MURRAY
CASHES IN

Thursday, July 21: Kyler Murray is now the the second-highest paid quarterback in the National Football League by average annual value, agreeing Thursday to a five-year, $230.5 million contract extension with the Cardinals. $160 million is guaranteed. Murray's AAV eclipses Deshaun Watson's by $100,000 per season and trails only Aaron Rodgers' $50.2 million. Murray was entering the final year of his rookie contract, though the team had an option next season because of he was a first-round pick.

USA Today columnist Bob Nightingale had an interesting analysis following the announcement:

The 2018 Heisman Trophy winner was taken first overall by Arizona in 2019, and he was named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2020 and 2021, and helped the Cardinals return to the playoffs last season for the first time since 2015.

Murray has a career 22-23-1 record. He's thrown for 11,480 yards, 70 touchdowns and 34 interceptions in 46 games, adding 1,786 yards and 20 touchdowns rushing.

My take: This sets the market for Lamar Jackson and maybe it gets the ball rolling on that deal. The Ravens are going to have to exceed Murray's value — after all Jackson's been a league MVP — but probably don't need to eclipse Rodgers. $48-$50 million sounds about right. — Bob