INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Race For Jonathan Taylor Begins To Heat Up

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At least six teams are interested in acquiring the services of the disgruntled Colts running back. After a tense training camp, which Taylor mostly away from the team, the Colts finally allowed the star player to formally seek a trade. Taylor has been one of the best running backs in the league since being drafted in 2020. He put up nearly 3000 yards and 30 touchdowns across his first two seasons and still managed 861 yards across 11 games in 2022. That was in spite of the foot injury that sidelined him down the stretch.

Despite this, the Colts have been incredibly reluctant to offer Taylor an extension beyond his rookie contract. That four-year deal ends after this season. Some sources report that Taylor had been openly told that he would likely receive the franchise tag. This is similar to what the Giants did with Saquon Barkley. The league continues to almost criminally undervalue running backs. Furthermore, they do so even if the practice only serves to hurt the team in the long run.

Read More: Reggie Bush sues the NCAA

Six Teams Enquire About Taylor

According to ESPN, six teams have spoken to the Colts about Taylor, with two putting forward a formal offer. This comes after the team told their star player that he had until the PUP deadline on the 29th to find a trade. It has been reported that the Colts are looking for a first-round pick or equivalent package for the running back. The identity of the teams interested in Taylor was not revealed by ESPN.

A lot of teams in the league would likely love to have Taylor in their backfield. However, the question is who is willing to give up a first-round pick knowing that Taylor will expect a contract extension if he is traded for. At the same time, the Colts can’t realistically keep him. They burned that bridge as they have held firm on not offering him a contract. Behind Taylor in the depth chart for the Colts is Zack Moss and rookie Evan Hull. The next few days will be very interesting to watch play out. This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.

Read More: Cowboys DE Sam Williams arrested on drug and weapon charges

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Indianapolis Cut Isaiah Rodgers Over Gambling Supension

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Sources reported earlier this week that another round of NFL players were being handed suspensions for betting-related offenses. The biggest name on the list was believed to be the Colts’ starting right-side cornerback Isaiah Rodgers.

Rodgers was a sixth-round pick out of UMass in 2020, but quickly proved his skill and ability. He made the 2020 all-rookie team and quickly earned the starting role in Indy. However, earlier this month, Rodgers acknowledged the gambling accusations against him and admitted “full responsibility” for his actions on social media.

Furthermore, it was also reported that Rodgers had directly bet on Colts games. This led pundits to believe that his punishment would be especially severe. That assumption proved to be correct.

Related: Five players suspended for gambling offenses

Rodgers Suspended Indefinitely, Cut By Colts

Rodgers, along with Colts defensive end Rashod Berry and free agent defensive tackle Demetrius Taylor, was suspended indefinitely by the NFL for violating the league’s gambling policy. Meanwhile, Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended for six games.

About an hour after the news broke, it was revealed that Rodgers and Berry had been waived by the team. 2022 undrafted free agent and all-rookie corner Dallis Flowers is now listed as RCB1. In a statement, Colts GM Chris Ballad explained the decision. “The integrity of the game is of the utmost importance. As an organization, we will continue to educate our players, coaches, and staff on the policies in place and the significant consequences that may occur with violations.”

Further details have since emerged about the nature of Rodgers’ betting. Per ESPN‘s David Purdum, Rodgers had been betting on Colts games. One particular bet of note was an over/under prop bet on rushing yards for a Colts running back.

Related: Rob Gronkowski sends cease and desist to Baby Gronk; cites his dad being too annoying as the reason

Soccer Player Gets Eight-Month Ban For Gambling

The NFL is not the only league dealing with players gambling. The Football Association (FA), which oversees soccer in the United Kingdom, handed down an eight-month ban to Brentford striker Ivan Toney in May.

According to an FA investigation, Toney breached betting rules 262 times between February 2017 and January 2021. Furthermore, Toney admitted to 232 breaches. This included 13 bets across seven matches where Toney bet on his own team to lose. However, Toney did not play in any of the games in question.

Initially, the FA had wanted to hand down a 15-month ban to Toney. However, after Toney was diagnosed with a gambling addiction, the agreed-upon 11-month ban was reduced to eight. That means Toney, who led Brentford with 21 goals last season, will be out until mid-January. On June 12, the London club paid $27.7 million to acquire German striker Kevin Schade from SC Freiburg. Schade had joined Brentford on loan for the second half of the 2022-23 season.

Related: Lionel Messi joins Inter Miami

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Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay Starts NFL Draft Rumor

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The Indianapolis Colts made the fourth selection in the 2023 NFL Draft on Thursday night. With the selection, the Colts selected Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson. Richardson had long been talked about as a top talent. As his athleticism ranked far above any other quarterback in the class. However, his performances on the field were not all that spectacular. Whatever the case may be, the franchise has selected the future of the franchise. Or have they?

Colts owner Jim Irsay has already started the speculation for night 2 of the draft. As the owner seems to be teasing a potential selection of another quarterback with his latest tweet. Irsay is more than likely having fun with his fanbase. However, if the team did select Will Levis with their second-round pick, what would that mean for Richardson? Undoubtedly, the fanbase isn’t taking the tweet seriously. However, with Irsasy, anything could be possible when it comes to this team.

Indianapolis Colts Have Early Second-Round Pick

Maybe this is just Irsay’s attempt at getting more viewers on night two of the draft. However, the NFL won’t have an issue with getting eyes on their product. The league recently sold its streaming rights to YouTube for a massive deal. The sport has become the largest in all of North America. So the draft will have plenty of people watching. However, Irsay’s comments will surely bring more intrigue to the next Colts selection. Whatever the case may be, Colts fans may have gotten a little nervous before the start of Friday’s action.

Levis waited all night on Thursday to hear his name called in the first round. Unfortunately, that moment never happened for the former Kentucky Wildcats star. However, Levis may not have to wait long to hear his name called on Friday. But hearing the Colts make the selection would cue all the drama needed for night two of the draft. Is Jim Irsay being serious with his recent tweet? Or is this just a lame attempt at getting fans to tune in? Let us know what you think in the comment section. For the latest NFL news, keep it right here with HNHH.

Shannon Sharpe Reveals Team That Needs Lamar Jackson

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Shannon Sharpe knows the talent that Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson possesses. However, it seems the rest of the league is too afraid to make a move to land the former MVP. On Thursday’s edition of Undisputed, Sharpe had one team in mind that would have massive benefits from adding Jackson. The Indianapolis Colts are in desperate need of stability at the quarterback secret. The franchise has even told the media they considered the possibility of adding Jackson to the team. However, the move was never made. Sharpe believes the move would be a perfect fit for both parties.

“They have a defense that’s ready to compete right now. They’ve been in QB hell since Andrew Luck retired,” Sharpe stated on Thursday. The Colts have been in a quarterback nightmare since the surprising retirement of Luck. However, that is to be expected when your franchise star abruptly leaves the game. But enough time has passed. The Colts quarterback play has hindered the franchise for too long. Plugging that desperate need for a talented QB like Jackson may just be the answer the franchise has longed to look for.

Shannon Sharpe Believes The Colts Are A Playoff Team With Jackson

The hesitancy on Jackson has been appalling by those around the league. Yes, the star quarterback has injury questions. However, Jackson, at 90%, is better than some starting quarterbacks in the league. The Ravens have stated they don’t plan on moving on from Jackson. The team recently brought in Odell Beckham Jr. to bolster up the receiver position. Obviously, the move was made in hopes that Jackson would happily return to the franchise. However, Jackson has yet to make a decision on his playing future.

Time is running out for the Colts to find a competent quarterback. But maybe the team is looking toward the NFL Draft to find their franchise quarterback. However, folks like Shannon Sharpe believe the answer is already in front of them. Should the Indianapolis Colts make a move for Lamar Jackson? Would Jackson make the Colts an instant Super Bowl favorite? Please give us your thoughts on the potential move in the comment section. For the latest NFL news, keep it right here with HNHH.

Colts Avoid Questions About Lamar Jackson

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The Indianapolis Colts are the team that has been most closely associated with acquiring Lamar Jackson. On paper, the fit makes sense. Indianapolis does not have a rostered quarterback considered a long-term NFL starter. The team has run a rush-heavy offense in recent seasons behind Jonathan Taylor. New head coach Shane Steichen is an offensive specialist with quarterback-specific experience. All the pieces are there for Jackson to thrive in Indianapolis.

However, acquiring Lamar Jackson is not simple. A trade would likely come at a steep price, despite Jackson’s impasse with the Ravens. Giving him an offer sheet reveals a team’s hand to the Ravens about what people are willing to pay for Jackson. Finally, the Ravens just picked up a high-caliber wide receiver in Odell Beckham Jr. While the fit for Jackson and the Colts may be strong, it’s another question about getting him there.

“We’re Focused On The Draft”

In a media session Wednesday, Colts management avoided questions about Jackson. “We’re focused on the draft and I’m focused on the guys that are in the building right now. That’s where we’re at,” Steichen told reporters. The Colts began their offseason program this week and while it is early days, it does start a timer on just how long they could hold out for Jackson. Sooner or later, they will have to make a call about who is their 2023 starting quarterback.

Another factor to consider, and one alluded to by Steichen, is the draft. If the Colts signed Jackson via an unmatched offer sheet, they would have to give the Ravens two first-round picks. Colts owner Jim Irsay was opposed to giving up that much capital. “Our belief, and my belief, has always been you build through the draft, the draft is your pipeline for success or failure,” Irsay said. The Colts currently hold the fourth overall pick in the upcoming draft. Most mock drafts project them selecting the best quarterback available at that spot. That would likely see Kentucky’s Will Levis or Florida’s Anthony Richardson head to Lucas Oil stadium. However, the Colts-Jackson rumors will not abate until the Colts finally announced their QB1.

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Lamar Jackson Gaining Interest From New Team

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Lamar Jackson is easily one of the best quarterbacks in the entire NFL. However, he is being subjected to a truly bizarre situation with the Baltimore Ravens. Simply put, they do not want to pay him his market worth. Instead, they have made the claim that he wants fully-guaranteed money. Moreover, they have hit him with the non-exclusive franchise tag, which sets his worth at $32 million. This is truly insulting when you realize that Daniel Jones is currently making $40 million.

Overall, it is a bad situation that has many wondering what the Ravens are thinking. Furthermore, it has been made even weirder as there isn’t a single team who has hit Jackson with an offer sheet. Teams seem too timid to do so, and it has led to various accusations of collusion. It is a pretty bad look for the league, and it is an especially unfortunate situation for Jackson, who is likely feeling underappreciated right now. However, there could be one team out there bold enough to make an offer. That team just so happens to be the Indianapolis Colts.

Lamar Jackson Elsewhere?

The Colts are desperate at this point for a sustainable quarterback situation. Jackson would be able to provide that, and it seems like owner Jim Irsay is ready to pay a premium. According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, the Colts are absolutely considering their options. “If the 26-year-old former MVP leaves Baltimore, there are reasons to believe the Colts would be a good fit,” Holder wrote. “Owner Jim Irsay is intent on solving a quarterback problem that’s defined Indianapolis for the past five years, and he’s proved willing to pay top dollar.”

Overall, this is bad news for the Ravens. They should just pay him what he’s worth, however, they have ultimately fractured their relationship with the team’s superstar. Even if they did offer him a fair contract, there is no guarantee that he would even want to accept it at this point. Be sure to let us know what you think of the situation, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and details from around the football world.

SOURCE SPORTS: Chicago Bears Secure No. 1 Pick in 2023 NFL Draft

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Bears QB Justin Fields Tops Michael Vick's Quarterback Regular-Season Rushing Record

Chicago Bears, you are on the clock. The Windy City football franchise is now in possession of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Bears finished their season with a 29-13 loss to the Minnesota Vikings.

Going into Sunday, the Bears were the No. 2 pick but would hop over the Houston Texans to take the leading pick after the Texans beat the Indianapolis Colts 32-31.

Now-fired Texans coach, Lovie Smith, addressed the decision to be competitive in the last game.

“This is an option that I had,” Smith said to ESPN. “So, you’re saying, ‘Hey guys, play in this last game, all that you’ve been working for your life, you play to win, forget that. Lose the game on purpose.’ Like, that will be a hard one to get by. They won’t expect me to say that. I didn’t. What we work on each week, our game plan, has been to win the game. It’s kind of simple as that. That’s what we follow through on the day.”

The Bears have the ability to trade down in the draft and receive more assets as they already have a quarterback while there are two high-profile prospects on the board. According to ESPN, this is the first time the Bears will have the first draft pick since the 1940s.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Chicago Bears Secure No. 1 Pick in 2023 NFL Draft appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Matt Ryan Traded to the Colts for a 3rd Round Pick

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Call it the Deshaun Watson effect. The Atlanta Falcons have traded former NFL MVP Matt Ryan to the Indianapolis Colts after striking out on getting Watson.

Atlanta selected Ryan with the third pick of the 2008 draft to rehabilitate the franchise’s image in the wake of the Michael Vick dogfighting scandal. Ryan would win an NFL MVP award and lead the Falcons to a Super Bowl appearance, in which the Falcons blew a 28-3 4th quarter lead to the New England Patriots.

Ryan joins a Colts team that came within one win of making the playoffs last season, and many observers blamed the performance of now-departed quarterback Carson Wentz for the team’s failure. The Colts’ odds to win the Super Bowl jumped from +3000 to +2500, per BetMGM.

For the Falcons, it’s officially rebuilding season. After three straight losing seasons, the Falcons will try to find reload and rebuild on the fly.

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Freddie Gibbs Loved That Tom Brady Used One Of His Songs To Celebrate A Win Over The Indianapolis Colts

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Freddie Gibbs 2021 ACL Music festival
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For a few years now, Tom Brady has used social media to recap the football games he’s won with both the New England Patriots and, now, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. These recaps usually feature a motivational message from the football player followed by some highlights, usually with a song from a popular artist playing in the background. For this past Sunday’s win against the Indianapolis Colts, Brady recapped the game with a video that featured Freddie Gibbs and Big Sean’s “4 Thangs” in the background. Gibbs caught wind of this development and took to social media to celebrate.

Gibbs reposted Brady’s video on Instagram and wrote, “Tom Brady bout to turn me to a Bucs fan [laughing emoji].” He also reposted the video on Twitter, writing, “My dog TB12!!!”

Gibbs, who hails from Gary, Indiana, has spoken about his distaste for the Indianapolis Colts for well over a decade, as tweets from 2010 prove. “I fux wit DA BEARS and anybody that’s that’s playin the f*ckin colts,” he wrote in one tweet while another simply read, “F*ck the colts.” Gibbs also once wrote, “All y’all n****z from Gary that know y’all grew up as BEAR fans please stop d*ck ridin’ the colts cuz they in the super bowl.” This is in reference to the Colts’ Super Bowl matchup against the New Orleans Saints, in 2010 which they lost by a score of 31-17.

Freddie Gibbs is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.