|
| |
Good Morning 👋
After 4-point plays, penalty-kick shootouts, and a crazy 48 hours of NFL free agency, we’ve reached the mid-week mix. I’d need a full magazine to catch everything during the spring sports boom. Bullet points, it is.
Countdown to Brackets: 4 Days ⌛️ 🎥 Play of the Night Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton Hits Wild 4-Point Play to Beat Bucks (115-114)
Letter Rip! |
|
|
We’re still on the load management schedule (M-W-F), but this next week brings the biggest boom of the spring sports schedule. We'll soon have more newsletter space to cover everything during these chaotic stretches. For now, here’s what’s on the way:
🏀 Conference Tournaments (Ongoing) 🏈 NFL Free Agency (Ongoing)
🎾 Indian Wells (Ongoing) ⚽️ UEFA Champions League (Ongoing)
⛳️ The Players Championship (Tomorrow) ⚽️ NWSL Kickoff (Friday)
🏎️ Formula 1 Restart (Sunday) 🏀 NCAA Brackets (Sunday)
⚾️ MLB Opening Day (Tuesday) Next Sportsletter: Friday, March 14 Crazy hours. Speaking of booming... |
|
|
NFL Free Agent Fireworks 🎇 |
Photo: Jamie Squire / Getty Images |
Winners & Losers of NFL Free Agency After 200+ Early Transactions
The new NFL league year doesn’t officially kick off until 4:00 pm ET today, but you wouldn’t know that based on this week's free agent fireworks. By our count, more than 200 new deals were made in the last week, including more than 150 in the past 48 hours. Zero chance we can try to list them in today's edition. We’ll focus on the winners and losers (so far) and some of the most notable names in the QB carousel. Winners: 1. Bears, 2. Patriots, 3. Commanders
(1) It’s safe to say Bears GM Ryan Poles is all in. Chicago revamped their offensive line with three big moves to protect QB Caleb Williams. He was sacked a league-high 68 times last year. (2) The Patriots signed eight players (six defense) to launch the Mike Vrabel era. Four of their defensive signings were top-tier players — LB Harold Landry III, DT Milton Williams, CB Carlton Davis and LB Robert Spillane. (3) The Commanders get the No. 3 spot due to big trades for WR Deebo Samuel and OT Laremy Tunsil.
Losers: 1. Eagles, 2. 49ers, 3. Cowboys
(1) I hesitate to call them losers before GM Howie Roseman gets to the draft, but the Eagles had six defensive players fly the coop in the last 48 hours — Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Darius Slay, and others. They have some rookies to rely on, but that’s a large exodus. (2) The 49ers were also picked clean with 13 losses this week. The most notable was the trade that sent WR Deebo Samuel to the Commanders, but Dre Greenlaw, Charvarius Ward and a lot of defensive players are gone. (3) I couldn't tell you what the Cowboys are doing. Sleeping?
Notable Quarterback Deals
QB Sam Darnold (Vikings) → Seahawks Contract: 3 Years, $100.5 Million QB Justin Fields (Steelers) → Jets
Contract: 2 Years, $40 Million Other Notable Additions QB Daniel Jones → Colts DE Joey Bosa → Bills WR DeAndre Hopkins → Ravens RB Najee Harris → Chargers DT Jonathan Allen → Vikings DE Leonard Floyd → Falcons
All 200+ NFL Transactions NFL Free Agency Tracker (Team-By-Team) |
|
|
Photo: Jamie Squire / Getty Images |
Yankees’ Ace Gerrit Cole to Undergo Tommy John Surgery & Miss 2025 MLB Season
Over before it began. The Yankees had a lot to be excited about entering 2025. They were World Series runner-ups last October, and the additions of Max Fried, Paul Goldschmidt, Cody Bellinger and others helped rejuvenate the Bronx after losing Juan Soto to the crosstown rival Mets. Now this — Gerrit Cole will miss the entire 2025 season to undergo Tommy John surgery. Cole felt an “alarming” amount of pain in his elbow last Thursday night after a spring training game. The Yankees also lost Luis Gil from the starting rotation (for at least three months) after a lat strain. It’s a nightmare preseason in the Bronx.
“I have a lot left to give, and I’m fully committed to the work ahead... I love this game, I love competing, and I can’t wait to be back on the mound—stronger than ever.” — Gerrit Cole (Instagram) |
|
|
If Wove Made It, It's Going To Be Special
When it comes to most things in our world (newsletter designs, sports jerseys, shoes, etc.) customization is everything. Now, there’s a custom jewelry platform that’s changing the game. Meet WOVE, an innovative online platform that’s transforming how clients design custom jewelry. With the support of world-class designers, they make winning pieces with ethically sourced diamonds, gemstones, and 100% sustainable materials.
From athletes like golfer Michelle Wie West to the viral TNT bracelet worn by Taylor Swift, WOVE helps create iconic pieces that celebrate life’s most meaningful moments.
💍 Experience Wove’s Game-Changing Platform |
|
|
Men’s AP Poll: 1. Duke (28-3), 2. Houston (27-4), 3. Auburn (27-4), 4. Florida (27-4), 5. Alabama (24-7), 6. St. John’s (27-4), 7. Michigan State (26-5), 8. Tennessee (25-6), 9. Texas Tech (24-7), 10. Clemson (26-5)
Women’s AP Poll: 1. UCLA (30-2), 2. South Carolina (30-3), 3. Uconn (31-3), 4. USC (28-3), 5. Texas (31-3), 6. TCU (31-3), 7. Duke (26-7), 8. Notre Dame (26-5), 9. NC State (26-6), 10. LSU (28-5) |
|
|
Tonight's Must-Watch List |
|
|
Did Someone Forward You This Email? Subscribe Here
Feedback? Contact Our Editor: Jeff@TheSportsletter.com
*Sponsorship Has No Influence on Editorial Content* Not Loving The Letter? Unsubscribe Copyright © 2024 The Sportsletter
717 Market Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103 |
|
|
|
