The Colts released a trailer to kick off the season on Sunday, narrated by franchise legend Edgerrin James, that remembered Irsay. He died at age 65 on May 21.

"This season hits different," James says in his opening remarks. "The big man ain't walking through that tunnel. Big man, you gave your heart to this city. Now it's on us to carry the weight, to carry your name, to carry your legacy."

The video shows city skyscapes, game action and Irsay cradling the Super Bowl trophy won following the 2006 season.

At age 24, Irsay was named general manager of the Colts when they relocated from Baltimore. He took over ownership of the team when his father, Robert Irsay, died in 1997.

"It started with one man," James says of Irsay, "but this ain't about one man. It's about all of us. ... This is foundation. A foundation built by the big man.

"This season. For the city. For the boss. For the (horse) shoe."

The Colts open the season at home against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 7, and will be inducting Irsay into the team's ring of honor during the game. Irsay's three daughters have taken over management of the team.

At $23 million per season, Bland's average annual salary is the fifth-highest among cornerbacks in the NFL, per Spotrac. According to media reports, the contract includes $50 million in guaranteed money.

Bland, 26, was due to earn $5.346 million in 2025 as he entered the last year of his rookie contract.

The reported signing comes three days after the Cowboys traded two-time All-Pro linebacker Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027.

After leading the league in 2023 with nine interceptions -- including an NFL-record five picks returned for touchdowns, Bland totaled 41 tackles in seven games (all starts) last season. He missed the team's first 10 games while recovering from surgery to repair a fractured foot.

Bland has recorded 14 interceptions in 41 career games (30 starts) since being selected by the Cowboys in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Fresno State.

Sanders found notoriety following the blow delivered to tight end Zach Davidson in the Buccaneers' preseason contest with the Buffalo Bills on Aug. 23. Sanders was ejected for the play, and Tampa Bay released the rookie free agent defensive back a day later.

"You can't throw punches in this league," Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. "That's inexcusable. They're going to get you every time. Gotta grow from that."

The 25-year-old Sanders had been a long shot to make the roster, listed as a third-string safety on the team's depth chart. He contributed four solo tackles during exhibition play.

During six college football seasons -- two at South Carolina, two at Jackson State and two at Colorado -- Sanders appeared in 52 games with 33 starts. He amassed 217 tackles, six interceptions and five forced fumbles. Shilo played for his father, Deion Sanders, at Jackson State and Colorado.

Jordan was in hospice and passed away in Dallas of kidney failure, his son David told the Dallas Morning News.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Jordan was named to the Cowboys' Silver Anniversary team. He also was inducted into the team's Ring of Honor in 1989.

"With fearless instincts, leadership and a relentless work ethic, Jordan was the embodiment of the Cowboys spirt," team owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. "Off the field, his commitment to his community was the centerpiece of his life after retiring in 1976. His legacy lives on as a model of dedication, integrity and toughness."

A three-time Super Bowl champion, Jordan recorded 32 interceptions -- including three that were returned for a touchdown -- and 19.5 sacks in 187 career games (174 starts) with the Cowboys. He was selected by the team with the sixth overall pick of the 1963 draft out of Alabama.

Terms of the deal were not announced by the team for Renfrow, who spent the offseason with the Panthers. The South Carolina native and Clemson product also appeared in two preseason games with Carolina.

Renfrow, 29, sat out last season while dealing with ulcerative colitis.

Also on Saturday, the Panthers announced they plan to place second-year wide receiver Jalen Coker on IR with a quad injury. Coker sustained that injury during practice on Thursday.

Coker, 23, played in 11 games (four starts) as a rookie last season and caught 32 of 46 targets for 478 yards and two TDs.

Renfrow made the Pro Bowl with 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns while playing with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2021. He played a diminished role the next two seasons with a combined 61 catches for 585 yards and two scores in 27 games (four starts).

Renfrow has 269 catches for 2,884 yards and 17 TDs in 73 games (23 starts) since the Raiders drafted him in the fifth round in 2019.

The wide receiver agreed to the pay cut to help the Vikings with their salary cap and because, simply, he wanted to go home, per the report.

Thielen, 35, is a lifelong Minnesotan. Born in the state, he played collegiately at Minnesota State before signing with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

A two-time Pro Bowl selection, Thielen was released by the Vikings to save salary cap space in March 2023, and he signed a three-year, $25 million deal the same month with the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina traded him on Aug. 27 along with a seventh-round 2026 pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Minnesota for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

He was due to earn a $6.25 million base salary this season and had a variety of incentives in his contracts based on receptions, receiving yards and playoff appearances.

Thielen missed seven games last season after sustaining a hamstring injury while laying out to reel in a 31-yard touchdown reception in the Panthers' 36-22 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sept. 22.

He finished with 48 catches on 62 targets for 615 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games (all starts) during his second season with the Panthers.

Thielen has 685 receptions for 8,311 yards and 64 touchdowns in 162 regular-season games (128 starts).

Parsons returned to social media en route to Wisconsin to ask if he should select jersey number 0 or 1 after the 12th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft shed the No. 11 and layers of drama that led to his departure from the Cowboys.

Parsons and Reggie White are the only players in NFL history with at least 12 sacks in their first four NFL seasons, which dates to 1982 when the league made it an official statistic.

To pry Parsons from Dallas, the Packers traded former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks to the Cowboys on Thursday. He'll sign a record-setting contract worth $188 million and immediately alter the game plan for the Packers' Week 1 opponent, the NFC North champion Detroit Lions.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones won't have to wait long to see what he's missing in Parsons. The Packers play in Dallas next month in a primetime Sunday showdown that is likely to have both sides circling Sept. 28 on their calendars.

Clark said he was getting ice cream with his daughter when he found out it was time to pack his bags. He said in his introductory press conference at The Star he's ready to get to work where he's "wanted."

"No nonsense, you're going to get a dawg, somebody that's just all about football," Clark said. "I'm here to ball. I'm here to be my best self. I feel like when I'm my best self, there's nobody messing with me. That's what I bring to the table -- I'm here to play my ass off."

Teammates in Dallas were left stunned by the move. Cornerback Trevon Diggs posted a broken heart emoji with no caption and wide receiver/return man KaVontae Turpin posted: "Yeah this league (s--) crazy."

Jones proclaimed the deal was "best for the organization" in a press conference Thursday confirming the swap and closing the book on a friction-filled month with one of the top defensive players in the NFL.

Subtracting Parsons leaves Dallas lighter at the edge positions but Jones didn't rule out using the newfound draft capital to improve the team immediately.

Matching Parsons' production will be next to impossible. His 18 multiple-sack games in his first four career seasons are second all-time to White (23).

The Packers know all about White. After playing for the Eagles, he signed with Green Bay as a free agent in 1993, then posted 68.5 sacks in six seasons.

Peppers, 29, signed a three-year, $24 million extension with the team last summer and was named a team captain. He has $4.32 million guaranteed remaining on his deal for this season.

Peppers played in just six games last season due to both injury and time on the commissioner's exempt list after he was the subject of a domestic violence charge. He was acquitted of multiple assault charges in January.

"I had to be quiet for three months," Peppers told reporters outside the courthouse in January in Braintree, Mass. "This was all I could think about. This was the first time in my life where football wasn't the most important thing on my mind. I had to just sit through everybody pouring dirt on my name. Everybody, for the most part, actually thinking that I did these things. But, to me, crimes against children and women are the most egregious things that you could do. And to be accused of that, it just hurt."

With the expected departure of Peppers, veteran Jaylinn Hawkins, fourth-round pick Craig Woodson, Kyle Dugger, Dell Pettus and special teamer Brenden Schooler are the remaining safeties in New England.

Peppers has totaled 511 tackles, seven interceptions, 5.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries in 99 career games (85 starts) with the Cleveland Browns (2017-18), New York Giants (2019-21) and Patriots. He was selected by the Browns with the 25th overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft out of Michigan.

The Cowboys, already a seven-point underdog to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL's kickoff game next Thursday, saw that number rise to 7.5 shortly after the blockbuster trade, via BetMGM and DraftKings.com. Per BetMGM, 80 percent of the money is on the defending Super Bowl-champion Eagles to cover.

It should be noted, the number previously was as low as 6.5 points given the uncertainty of Parsons' availability given his contract dispute.

That reportedly was solved rather quickly as well, with Parsons agreeing to a four-year, $188 million extension that includes $136 million guaranteed, according to multiple reports.

The deal makes Parsons the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. His $47 million annual average easily eclipses the contract extension T.J. Watt signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which averages $41 million per year.

FanDuel Sportsbook thinks Parsons will thrive with the Packers, listing him at +500 to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. That's ahead of Detroit's Aidan Hutchinson (+750), Watt (+850), Cleveland's Myles Garrett (+850), San Francisco's Nick Bosa (+1400) and Los Angeles Rams star Jared Verse (+1500).

As for the Packers, BetMGM opened with them as a 1.5-point underdog against the Lions in their season opener on Sept. 7 prior to the addition of Parsons. Green Bay is now a 2.5-point favorite, however the sportsbook notes that 74 percent of the money is on the Lions to cover.

BetMGM listed the Packers' Super Bowl odds going from +2200 to +1300 after the trade, with 25 percent of bets and 11 percent of money being wagered on the Packers to walk away with the Lombardi Trophy. ESPNBet saw Green Bay's odds go from 20-to-1 to 14-to-1 after the trade.

Green Bay's odds to win the NFC went from +1100 to +650 following the trade, including 29 percent of bets to accomplish the feat.

The Packers also went from +260 to an NFC North-best +170 to capture the division title, although 58 percent of bets and 80 percent of money remain on the Lions.

Green Bay's win total rose from 9.5 to 10.5 (under -130) following the trade that saw the Cowboys acquire three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kenny Clark and first-round draft picks in 2026 and 2027.

BetMGM didn't think Dallas benefited from the deal, and it showed in the odds.

The Cowboys' Super Bowl and NFC Championship odds ballooned from +5000 to +6000 and +2000 to +3000, respectively. ESPNBet saw Dallas' odds to win the Super Bowl go from 50-to-1 to 60-to-1.

Dallas' odds to win the NFC East remained at +675, although its win total dropped from 7.5 to 6.5 (over -150).

Tonyan, 31, has 148 catches for 1,549 yards and 17 touchdowns in 90 career games (24 starts) with the Green Bay Packers (2018-22), Chicago Bears (2023) and Minnesota Vikings (2024).

Edwards-Helaire, 26, won two Super Bowls with the Chiefs after they drafted him in the first round (32nd overall) in 2020.

He has gained 2,680 yards from scrimmage with 19 touchdowns in 50 games (32 starts) with Kansas City (2020-23) and the New Orleans Saints (2024).

Also added to the practice squad were defensive ends Ethan Downs and Tyreke Smith, defensive tackles Brodric Martin and Zacch Pickens, and safety Jammie Robinson.

Crow, 37, was being held in Broward County's main jail without bond as of Friday morning.

Details that led to the battery arrest in Fort Lauderdale were not immediately available.

"We are aware of the serious matter involving Ryan Crow and currently gathering more information," the Dolphins said in a statement. "Ryan has been placed on administrative leave effective immediately. We have been in communication with the NFL and will reserve further comment at this time."

Crow joined the Dolphins as an outside linebackers coach prior to the 2024 NFL season. He spent his previous six seasons with the Tennessee Titans, with the last three as an outside linebackers coach.

The league announced that this year's preseason averaged a record 2.2 million viewers per game across NFL Network, ESPN, CBS, NBC and FOX. That mark is 17 percent up from last year and the league's highest since 2018.

NFL Network, which handled the majority of the live games, averaged 1.8 million viewers for those broadcasts, which is the network's highest total ever for the preseason and up 26 percent from last year.

The preseason numbers may point to a good sign after last season's disappointing viewership decline. Last year saw the NFL's regular-season viewership fall by 2.2 percent from the previous year to 17.5 million viewers per game.

The inaugural game of the preseason saw a huge spike in viewership to kick off the well-watched preseason. The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on July 31 -- featuring the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions -- averaged a whopping 6.9 million viewers, which was a 40 percent bump from the 2024 Hall of Fame Game.

The NFL regular season starts with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles kicking off Sept. 4.

However, Broncos head coach Sean Payton said on Thursday that testing showed Mims avoided serious injury and that he's expected to be back at practice on Monday, six days before the team's Week 1 opener vs. the Tennessee Titans Sept. 7.

"On Marvin, good news, he'll be back to practice," Payton said. "We have a bonus practice Monday, and he'll be at work Monday. So, we're fortunate."

Mims, a second-round pick for the Broncos in 2023, took a step forward in production in his second NFL season. He was one of rookie quarterback Bo Nix's primary targets, finishing the season second on the team in receiving yards (503) and touchdown catches (six).

He's also made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two NFL seasons as a return specialist, averaging 16 yards per punt return over his career with a kick-return touchdown as a rookie in 2023.

The Packers will send two first-round picks and a player to Dallas in the blockbuster, according to NFL Network.

As for the disgruntled Parsons, the staredown with Jones over his contract ends with him receiving a four-year, $188 million extension that includes $136 million guaranteed, the reports said.

Parsons will visit Dallas in a Green Bay uniform when the Packers play the Cowboys on "Sunday Night Football" in Week 4.

Reports earlier Thursday said that the Cowboys were finally willing to listen to trade offers for Parsons, with several teams having reached out.

Based on the talent and depth assembled by Super Bowl champion Philadelphia, the Eagles are still viewed as the team to beat in the division. Upstart Washington came out of nowhere to beat the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Detroit Lions, and crashed the NFC Championship game in January.

The Commanders weren't satisfied with the climb and continued to overhaul the roster, acquiring Pro Bowl talents in left tackle Laremy Tunsil from Houston and wide receiver Deebo Samuel from San Francisco. Still, the armor of the East runners-up is not without perceived flaws that could prove critical.

Dallas gets the first swing at the Eagles in the prime-time regular-season kickoff game Sept. 4, but will All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons be present? A training camp hold-in over his contract and public trade demand puts Parsons and the Dallas defense on tenuous footing.

And the Giants might finally be in position to puff out their chests and stand toe-to-toe with the contenders in the division with stability at quarterback and another game-changing pass rusher -- first-round pick Abdul Carter -- positioning New York for its best defense in years.

Challenges for the Eagles are plentiful, starting with a minefield for a schedule and injury concerns on the offensive line.

1. Philadelphia Eagles (11-6 predicted record)

Schedule

W1 Thu Sep 4 - vs Dallas Cowboys

W2 Sun Sep 14 - at Kansas City Chiefs

W3 Sun Sep 21 - vs Los Angeles Rams

W4 Sun Sep 28 - at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

W5 Sun Oct 5 - vs Denver Broncos

W6 Thu Oct 9 - at New York Giants

W7 Sun Oct 19 - at Minnesota Vikings

W8 Sun Oct 26 - vs New York Giants

W9 Bye

W10 Mon Nov 10 - at Green Bay Packers

W11 Sun Nov 16 - vs Detroit Lions

W12 Sun Nov 23 - at Dallas Cowboys

W13 Fri Nov 28 - vs Chicago Bears

W14 Mon Dec 8 - at Los Angeles Chargers

W15 Sun Dec 14 - vs Las Vegas Raiders

W16 Sat Dec 20 - at Washington Commanders

W17 Sun Dec 28 - at Buffalo Bills

W18 TBD - vs Washington Commanders

Calendar crush: Five of the Eagles' nine wins in the conference last season were against division opponents. The Commanders appear primed to contend in 2025 after playing at Philadelphia in the NFC Championship Game. The Eagles might catch the Cowboys at the right time to start the season but both the NFC East and conference as a whole stand to be stronger in 2025. If it comes down to Philly and Washington again, the teams meet twice in the final three weeks of the season.

Ringo's star on rise: Cornerback Kelee Ringo is easily overlooked in Philadelphia's loaded defense and a secondary with big expectations. But at 6-foot-2, he's a size and speed freak (4.36 40-yard dash) with a significant role in his third pro season. If not Ringo, there's a lot of summertime love being thrown the direction of pass-rush specialist Jalyx Hunt, whose rookie season was hindered by a wrist injury.

Roster weak spot: Head coach Nick Sirianni attempted to spare Saquon Barkley when given the chance last season. He had 345 carries in the regular season, 91 more in the playoffs and caught 46 passes including his 13 grabs in four playoff games. Barkley produced in spades and was never caught with his tongue wagging. But given his injury history and the daunting schedule ahead, an established timeshare early in the season could give the Eagles' repeat bid legitimate legs.

2. Washington Commanders (9-8)

Schedule

W1 Sun Sep 7 - vs New York Giants

W2 Thu Sep 11 - at Green Bay Packers

W3 Sun Sep 21 - vs Las Vegas Raiders

W4 Sun Sep 28 - at Atlanta Falcons

W5 Sun Oct 5 - at Los Angeles Chargers

W6 Mon Oct 13 - vs Chicago Bears

W7 Sun Oct 19 - at Dallas Cowboys

W8 Mon Oct 27 - at Kansas City Chiefs

W9 Sun Nov 2 - vs Seattle Seahawks

W10 Sun Nov 9 - vs Detroit Lions

W11 Sun Nov 16 - at Miami Dolphins (Madrid)

W12 Bye

W13 Sun Nov 30 - vs. Denver Broncos

W14 Sun Dec 7 - at Minnesota Vikings

W15 Sun Dec 14 - at New York Giants

W16 Sat Dec 20 - vs Philadelphia Eagles

W17 Thu Dec 25 - vs Dallas Cowboys

W18 TBD - at Philadelphia Eagles

Predicted breakout: Head coach Dan Quinn might be guilty of hyperbole from time to time, but there is no hiding his genuine belief in Jer'Zhan Newton. The 2024 second-rounder was Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year at Illinois and missed a lot of his first offseason in the NFL recovering from a foot injury. Short but strong and explosive, Newton has power and pass-rush moves to be a constant disruptive force in a scheme that demands blockers to ride rushers off the edge.

Time to get home: Maybe Von Miller has more in the tank than showed in his final season with the Bills. The Commanders are quite literally banking on it. Otherwise, Washington's modest pass rush remains a glaring weakness. NFL Next Gen Stats credited Miller with the fastest time off the line of scrimmage among all defensive players at 0.69 seconds last season, and he was in the top five with a 17.9 percent pressure rate in a niche role.

3. New York Giants (9-8)

Schedule

W1 Sun Sep 7 - at Washington Commanders

W2 Sun Sep 14 - at Dallas Cowboys

W3 Sun Sep 21 - vs Kansas City Chiefs

W4 Sun Sep 28 - vs Los Angeles Chargers

W5 Sun Oct 5 - at New Orleans Saints

W6 Thu Oct 9 - vs Philadelphia Eagles

W7 Sun Oct 19 - at Denver Broncos

W8 Sun Oct 26 - at Philadelphia Eagles

W9 Sun Nov 2 - vs San Francisco 49ers

W10 Sun Nov 9 - at Chicago Bears

W11 Sun Nov 16 - vs Green Bay Packers

W12 Sun Nov 23 - at Detroit Lions

W13 Mon Dec 1 - at New England Patriots

W14 Bye

W15 Sun Dec 14 - vs Washington Commanders

W16 Sun Dec 21 - vs Minnesota Vikings

W17 TBD - at Las Vegas Raiders

W18 TBD - vs Dallas Cowboys

Sophomore jumps: The two biggest beneficiaries of competent line play and consistent, effective quarterback performance are running back Tyrone Tracy and tight end Theo Johnson. Tracy emerged as a starter as a fifth-round rookie last season but the Giants are more stable on the offensive line and should get more out of the deep passing game with Russell Wilson never afraid to let it fly. A borderline dominant WR1 in Malik Nabers leaves defenses no choice but to make someone else move the sticks. Johnson, drafted a round earlier than Tracy last year, caught 29 passes but didn't have the benefit of knowing where the ball was going -- or who was throwing it -- much of his first season.

Roster weak spot: The lunchpail offensive line rates as a worry because of modest depth, uncertainty on the interior and a replacement-level starter at right tackle.

4. Dallas Cowboys (8-9)

Schedule

W1 Thu Sep 4 - at Philadelphia Eagles

W2 Sun Sep 14 - vs New York Giants

W3 Sun Sep 21 - at Chicago Bears

W4 Sun Sep 28 - vs Green Bay Packers

W5 Sun Oct 5 - at New York Jets

W6 Sun Oct 12 - at Carolina Panthers

W7 Sun Oct 19 - vs Washington Commanders

W8 Sun Oct 26 - at Denver Broncos

W9 Mon Nov 3 - vs Arizona Cardinals

W10 Bye

W11 Mon Nov 17 - at Las Vegas Raiders

W12 Sun Nov 23 - vs Philadelphia Eagles

W13 Thu Nov 27 - vs Kansas City Chiefs

W14 Thu Dec 4 - at Detroit Lions

W15 Sun Dec 14 - vs Minnesota Vikings

W16 Sun Dec 21 - vs Los Angeles Chargers

W17 Thu Dec 25 - at Washington Commanders

W18 TBD -- at New York Giants

Catch them if you can: Trade acquisition George Pickens gives the Cowboys a true threat at the No. 2 wide receiver position with CeeDee Lamb on the opposite side, easing some worry about an unproven running game and offensive line. Pickens easily defeats man coverage and represents the best downfield option Dak Prescott has ever had in this role.

Passing lanes: Donovan Ezeiruaku was a productive pass rusher at Boston College and as a sidekick to Micah Parsons, he would be the beneficiary of constant one-on-one blocking. Parsons, scheduled to play on the fifth-year option of his rookie contract, hasn't been on the practice field for the Cowboys to understand the reality of this vision. The predicament piles pressure on a second-round pick to generate enough heat around the pocket for new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus to position the many sticky hands in his secondary to flip the field. Without Parsons, Ezeiruaku's expectations can be tamed.

Roster weak spot: More pressing issues pushed the Cowboys toward the offensive line in the first round of the draft for the third time in four years. That leaves the run defense to wallow well below mediocrity and counting on more than should be reasonably expected from the collective interior run defenders. A repeat of last season -- 137 rushing yards per game, 25 rushing TDs allowed -- invites a similar result (10 losses).

Dallas is scheduled to kick off the season next Thursday at Philadelphia, and Parsons hasn't been a participant in a full practice since last season.

Parsons requested a trade in one of the multiple escalatory landmarks in the ongoing staredown with Jones over his contract. The Cowboys have held firm that Parsons is under contract and should be on the field now and during the 2025 regular season if he wants to address a long-term deal.

Parsons played the first four years of his career with the Cowboys. This season, he's on the fifth-year option in his rookie contract worth $21.324 million in 2025. He reportedly filed a grievance earlier this year, arguing he should be viewed as a linebacker -- not a defensive end. The option salary for a linebacker is $24 million.

Jones, who made clear he prefers to talk contracts directly with his players and not their paid representatives or agents, stated publicly that he and Parsons agreed to the parameters of a deal in the spring. ESPN pegged the terms of the five-year extension at an average of $40.5 million per season.

The highest-paid defensive player in terms of average annual value is Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt ($41 million). Browns defensive end Myles Garrett signed a new deal earlier this year to increase his annual average pay to $40 million.

A premium on proven pass rushers guarantees the asking price for the 26-year-old Parsons will be astronomical.

The closest scenario in recent years brought outside linebacker Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears in a 2018 trade that fetched the Raiders a treasure trove of draft picks: a pair of first-rounders, a third-round pick and a sixth-rounder. The Bears received Mack, then 27 years old, a second-round pick and a conditional draft pick before signing him to a six-year contract worth $141 million.

Beyond the team-exercised and fully guaranteed contract option for 2025, the Collective Bargaining Agreement allows Jones and the Cowboys to use the franchise tag in successive years (2026, 2027), which is the fine print behind Jones' math that Parsons is under team control for the next three years.

Parsons appears to have soured on the idea of playing in Dallas during a tumultuous month with his only pro football employer to date. On Aug. 1, Parsons posted a statement to social media that he "stayed quiet but again after repeated shots at myself and all the narratives I have made a tough decision I no longer want to play for the Dallas Cowboys. My trade request has been submitted to Stephen Jones personally."

More recently, he eliminated references and images containing the Cowboys and their logo from his social media accounts.

Parsons' profiles in his Twitter and Instagram pages both tout his Penn State background with a "TBD" now in place of the Cowboys as his employer. And on TikTok, he posted a video that contained a photo gallery of Parsons, in his Cowboys uniform, that contained game photos that could have been taken as the All-Pro both waving goodbye and blowing kisses.

In the background played the audio of words once spoken by retired NBA great Allen Iverson as he discussed trade rumors:

"Imma win wherever I go," Iverson is heard saying. "Wherever I go, imma win. I don't care where I go. I don't give a damn what team I go to, imma win. Imma win regardless, it don't matter."

That total would represent an 8.5 percent increase over the $27.6 billion wagered on the NFL in the 2024 season.

The estimate for 2025 includes what was wagered on preseason games, as well as futures bets made as early as March.

According to the report, legal sports wagering is available in 39 states, as well as Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Missouri will become the 40th state later this year.

California and Texas are two of the 10 states that have yet to legalize sports wagering.

Top sports wagering providers in the United States include DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars Sportsbook, bet365, Fanatics and ESPN BET.

The NFL season officially kicks off next Thursday when the champion Philadelphia Eagles play host to the Dallas Cowboys. The Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers will play one day later at Sao Paulo, Brazil.

The Super Bowl for the upcoming season is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2026, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., home of the San Francisco 49ers.

Last season, the Bills were perfect at home (8-0) and won 13 games in the regular season before another painful dismissal from the playoffs at the hands of Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Quarterback Josh Allen won the MVP award in a tight race with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, hushing questions about the need for a legitimate No. 1 receiver.

Miami (8-9 in 2024) was the runner up in a division race that didn't make it to December. The Dolphins failed to replicate the dynamic offense of 2023 and began taking on water, barely floating through a month without Tua Tagovailoa following a three-INT game -- and 31-10 home loss -- against the Bills in Week 2.

Changes in the division since last season ended are noteworthy.

Former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel was hired as head coach in New England, ending a one-year trial without Bill Belichick that proved a fantastic flop. Jerod Mayo, another former linebacker under Belichick, had separate losing streaks of six games and went 4-13.

The disciplined, defensive-minded Vrabel pushed for heavy investments along the offensive line to give 2024 No. 3 pick Drake Maye a fighting chance.

And the Jets have a third head coach in less than a year, bringing back one of their former defensive players, Aaron Glenn, most recently the defensive coordinator of the Detroit Lions -- to call the shots for the first time.

Glenn dismissed Aaron Rodgers and the Jets signed former Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields as their QB1.

Our look at the AFC East entering the 2025 season with predicted record and order of finish:

1. Buffalo Bills (12-5 predicted 2025 record)

Schedule

W1 Sun Sep 7 - vs Ravens

W2 Sun Sep 14 - at Jets

W3 Thu Sep 18 - vs Dolphins

W4 Sun Sep 28 - vs Saints

W5 Sun Oct 5 - vs Patriots

W6 Mon Oct 13 - at Falcons

W7 BYE

W8 Sun Oct 26 - at Panthers

W9 Sun Nov 9 - vs Chiefs

W10 Sun Nov 9 - at Dolphins

W11 Sun Nov 16 - vs Bucs

W12 Thu Nov 20 - at Texans

W13 Sun Nov 30 - at Steelers

W14 Sun Dec 7 - vs Bengals

W15 Sun Dec 14 - at Patriots

W16 Sun Dec 21 - at Browns

W17 Sun Dec 28 - vs Eagles

W18 TBD - vs Jets

Outlook: With RB James Cook signed to an extension, the Bills have the makings of an explosive offense yet again. They could very well need all the points they can get. Buffalo's demise in the postseason was the inability to come up with critical stops. Credit Allen for the playoff win over Jackson and the Ravens, but check the video for what could have easily been a Ravens' celebration that chilly January day if only Baltimore's skill players made expected plays.

Take a breakout ... WR Keon Coleman might not emerge as the top target in Buffalo's offense, but he's destined to become the big-play machine Allen covets when safeties crowd the line to contend with Cook and tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. Coleman's size, bounce and above-the-rim ability in traffic equate to splash plays dead ahead.

Roster weak spot: Nevermind the No. 1 wideout label, the Bills are still absent a genuine dog at safety and overall depth in the secondary is likely to again keep head coach Sean McDermott up at night.

Circle the date: It is Super Bowl or bust for the Bills. Their Dec. 28 collision with the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles could have some bearing on the AFC order of finish and home-field advantage.

2. Miami Dolphins (9-8 predicted record)

Schedule

W1 Sun Sep 7 - at Colts

W2 Sun Sep 14 - vs Patriots

W3 Thu Sep 18 - at Bills

W4 Mon Sep 29 - vs Jets

W5 Sun Oct 5 - at Panthers

W6 Sun Oct 12 - vs Chargers

W7 Sun Oct 19 - at Browns

W8 Sun Oct 26 - at Falcons

W9 Thu Oct 30 - vs Ravens

W10 Sun Nov 9 - vs Bills

W11 Sun Nov 16 - vs Commanders (Madrid)

W12 BYE

W13 Sun Nov 30 - vs Saints

W14 Sun Dec 7 - at Jets

W15 Mon Dec 15 - at Steelers

W16 Sun Dec 21 - vs Bengals

W17 Sun Dec 28 - vs Buccaneers

W18 TBD - at Patriots

Cold road ahead: Ending the season in January in the Boston area wouldn't be the ideal scenario for a franchise with historical brutal results in sweater weather. South Floridians need no reminder about the de facto division title game loss at home to Buffalo in Week 18 of the 2023 season that pushed Miami from a home game to a wild-card visit to subarctic Kansas City. They lost 26-7.

The Dolphins have lost 11 games in a row with a kickoff temperature 40 degrees or below with an average margin of defeat more than 17 points.

Yet again the make-or-break part of the season for the Dolphins has a slippery stretch of potential cold-weather games at the Jets (Dec. 7) and at Pittsburgh (Dec. 15). Fortunately for the Dolphins, they visit Buffalo in Week 3 before the tundra is frozen.

Achane the Machine: RB De'Von Achane could be used in an every-down role in Miami, which means massive production -- if he stays healthy. Despite a preseason calf injury, he is expected to play in Week 1. As for big-picture expectations, Achane might not approach prime Christian McCaffrey levels, but the 49ers former offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel does know how to use a home-run threat at the position. Last season, Achane had 78 receptions for 592 yards and six touchdowns, and his rushing totals were 203-907-6.

Roster weak spot: Did the Dolphins attempt to settle the OL issues that haunted McDaniel's offense last season? They did. But with Terron Armstead retiring, there's uncertainty and limited cohesion for the front five. A lot hinges on the left side of tackle Patrick Paul (three career starts) and rookie second-round guard Jonah Savaiinaea. Paul, a second-rounder in 2024, is a massive man (6-foot-5, 326 pounds) for whom Miami has large expectations.

3. New England Patriots (7-10)

Schedule

W1 Sun Sep 7 - vs Raiders

W2 Sun Sep 14 - at Dolphins

W3 Sun Sep 21 - vs Steelers

W4 Sun Sep 28 - vs Panthers

W5 Sun Oct 5 - at Bills

W6 Sun Oct 12 - at Saints

W7 Sun Oct 19 - at Titans

W8 Sun Oct 26 - vs Browns

W9 Sun Nov 2 - vs Falcons

W10 Sun Nov 9 - vs Buccaneers

W11 Thu Nov 13 - vs Jets

W12 Sun Nov 23 - at Bengals

W13 Mon Dec 1 - vs Giants

W14 BYE

W15 Sun Dec 14 - vs Bills

W16 Sun Dec 21 - at Ravens

W17 Sun Dec 28 - at Jets

W18 TBD - vs Dolphins

Division by subtraction: Not since 2019 have the Patriots gone better than .500 in a division New England owned with a streak of 11 consecutive AFC East crowns from 2009-19. Head coach Mike Vrabel wants to reestablish an edge in the East to separate the Patriots from the pack. New England's first division game comes Sept. 14 at Miami, where the Patriots are 0-5 since 2020.

On the rise: Vrabel brought in multiple familiar faces to boost the defense, but his prized pupil could be edge rusher Keion White, a second-round draft pick in 2023. Overlooked nationally because New England has been easily dismissed as a bottom-five team back-to-back seasons, White already has top-of-the-scouting-report status in the AFC. The 26-year-old had 5.0 sacks last season but double digits is realistic in his third NFL season.

Roster weak spot: Worry might not be the right word and Vrabel might never admit it, but the offensive line remains a concern. Drafting left tackle Will Campbell was a major upgrade. We can't say the same about the other four spots on the line. Right tackle Morgan Moses has been solid for years and credit the 34-year-old for steady play with the Jets last season, but he's no longer a pillar. For context, he played his first NFL game a few days after Maye's 12th birthday in 2014.

4. New York Jets (6-11)

Schedule

W1 Sun Sep 7 - vs Steelers

W2 Sun Sep 14 - vs Bills

W3 Sun Sep 21 - at Buccaneers

W4 Mon Sep 29 - at Dolphins

W5 Sun Oct 5 - vs Cowboys

W6 Sun Oct 12 - vs Broncos (London)

W7 Sun Oct 19 - vs Panthers

W8 Sun Oct 26 - at Bengals

W9 - BYE

W10 Sun Nov 9 - vs Browns

W11 Thu Nov 13 - at Patriots

W12 Sun Nov 23 - at Ravens

W13 Sun Nov 30 - vs Falcons

W14 Sun Dec 7 - vs Dolphins

W15 Sun Dec 14 - at Jaguars

W16 Sun Dec 21 - at Saints

W17 Sun Dec 28 - vs Patriots

W18 TBD - at Bills

Ready or not: The Jets are glad to go into the season with a franchise-familiar game plan of trusting their championship-caliber defense to keep them in games. Aaron Glenn was aggressive as a cornerback in this uniform and as a defensive coordinator with the Lions. The potential pratfall based on early returns could be the inability of the offense to hit the accelerator. The passing game isn't equipped to trade blows with the teams on the early schedule -- Buffalo, Tampa Bay, Miami and Dallas are all capable of 30-point explosions. How does Glenn counter?

Pick your poison: Circle the primary target from the front seven of the Jets ... not many are picking right end Jermaine Johnson. That's soon to be a problem for offensive linemen. Johnson is returning from torn Achilles on the other side of the new 4-3 front the Jets will deploy from outside linebacker Will McDonald IV. His wingspan eliminates the option of quick blocks from offensive linemen fearing defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, and if he recovers the first-step explosiveness post-op, Johnson might be unstoppable.

Roster weak spot: We are willing to apologize if the Jets make the trio of interior offensive line positions into a strength this season. Preseason and training camp didn't inspire any level of confidence with the blitz-happy Steelers up as a stern live experiment in Week 1.

The Cowboys have a record valuation of $13 billion. That serves as a 29-percent increase from last August when "America's Team" became the first pro sports club to reach the $10 billion mark.

Sportico valued the Cowboys at $12.8 billion earlier this month.

On a broader scale, the NFL's 32 teams are worth an average of $7.1 billion, according to Forbes. That represents a 25 percent increase from last year.

The Cowboys have an estimated 2024 revenue of $1.234 billion while posting an operating income of $629 million.

Jerry Jones' club, however, has company in terms of other teams that have eclipsed the $10 billion valuation. The Los Angeles Rams ($10.5 billion) and the New York Giants ($10.1 billion) have now reached the mark.

The New England Patriots ($9 billion) and San Francisco 49ers ($8.6 billion) round out the top 5, just ahead of the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles (8.5 billion).

The Jacksonville Jaguars ($5.6 billion), Arizona Cardinals ($5.5 billion), Detroit Lions ($5.4 billion), New Orleans Saints ($5.3 billion) and Cincinnati Bengals ($5.25 billion) bring up the rear.

Fuller, 27, was released by the Falcons on Tuesday after signing with the team in March.

He recorded 54 tackles in nine games (all starts) during an injury-riddled season in 2024 with the Carolina Panthers.

A Super Bowl champion with the Rams, Fuller has totaled 333 tackles, seven interceptions and five forced fumbles in 57 career games (55 starts) with Los Angeles (2020-23) and Carolina (2024). He was selected by the Rams in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Ohio State.

Trice, 24, was selected by the Falcons in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft out of Washington. He sustained a torn ACL in his first preseason game as a rookie and spent the 2024 season on injured reserve.