NFL Network's Mike Silver reports the 49ers and contract-year TE George Kittle are "far apart" in extension talks. 

Advice: "I don't care about the tight end market, I'm being paid to do a George Kittle deal," were the words of Kittle's agent. Kittle's rep referenced Kittle's elite blocking and leadership in addition to his pass-catching prowess up the seam. Kittle, understandably, doesn't want to be lumped in with Austin Hooper's recent deal. He wants to blow it out of the water and likely will.  Rotoworld.com Yesterday, 7:55 am

The NFL announced Thursday that EA Sports will remain its exclusive video-game producer through at least 2025.  

Advice: The NFL actually opened up the bidding this time around, but EA will remain the league's exclusive home, as it has been since an agreement was struck in 2004. NFL spokesman Brian Rolapp said the competition was not close. “EA made the most compelling case,” Rolapp said. "And beat out the competition pretty soundly.” EA reportedly unveiled a “plan of innovation for the next handful of years." A lack of innovation has been a common criticism, but too much innovation leads to things like the vision cone. Hopefully a happy medium can be found in the next few years.  Rotoworld.com Thursday, 1:37 pm

Speaking in a Thursday Zoom session, Ravens coach John Harbaugh said he envisions roles for all four of his running backs. 

Advice: That is Mark Ingram, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill for those keeping score at home. Harbaugh's comments came in the context of discussing Hill, whom he said he expected to "make a big jump" in 2020. "Is that really a problem?" Harbaugh asked rhetorically. "Having four guys who can break long runs and make guys miss?" They're encouraging comments for those holding onto Hill in dynasty leagues, but the reality is, it is going to be very tough for Hill to carve out a meaningful role behind Ingram and Dobbins, especially since Dobbins can also catch passes. Lamar Jackson also barely targeted his running backs in 2019. Hill remains six months shy of his 23rd birthday, but his role in the Ravens' scheme of things is hard to spot right now. He needs to run circles around Dobbins on third downs this summer.  Rotoworld.com Thursday, 1:24 pm

Jaguars OC Jay Gruden said QB Gardner Minshew has "got the intangibles you want in a quarterback."

Advice: Gruden added that Minshew, "Has shown a skillset where he can sit in a pocket, step up, make things happen outside the pocket. He’s accurate, he’s tough and obviously he’s a great leader." Minshew impressed as a rookie considering the circumstances of being thrust into the starting lineup halfway through the first quarter in Week 1 after Nick Foles suffered a broken clavicle. The 2019 sixth-round pick led the Jaguars to a 6-6 record in 12 starts, functioning as an above-average QB in adjusted yards per attempt (No. 13 among qualified QBs), QB rating under pressure (No. 10) and QB rating throwing deep (No. 1). The rushing floor might just be high enough here for Minshew to function as a solid late-round fantasy investment. Overall, only Lamar Jackson (1,206 rush yards), Kyler Murray (544), Josh Allen (510) and Deshaun Watson (413) had more yards on the ground than Minshew (344) last season. Rotoworld.com Thursday, 7:38 am

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson told reporters he sustained a groin injury in Week 2 last year.

Advice: Johnson's sports-hernia operation in February was thought to be a minor cleanup, but the 23-year-old admitted he played through the injury for most of his rookie season. He hasn't received full clearance to return to training just yet but is hopeful he'll receive word "in the next couple days" and be a full-go in June's minicamps. Johnson astonishingly led the Steelers in targets (92), catches (59), and receiving scores (5) while playing through said injury and should only improve in his sophomore follow-up after working out with Ben Roethlisberger this offseason. It's only a matter of time before his eighth-round ADP inclines even further. Rotoworld.com Wednesday, 11:45 am

Jets RB Le'Veon Bell told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler he "can't wait" to run behind the team's revamped offensive line.

Advice: Fowler asked Bell if noticed the offseason priority of adding "road-graders" to clear a path for the runner, responding with "absolutely." The running game can only improve after last season's disastrous performance, where the Jets ranked among the bottom three teams in numerous run game metrics. The additions of Mekhi Becton, guard Greg Van Roten, center Connor McGovern and tackle George Fant among others should create more yards before contact for Bell, who also has to worry about staying in favor of head coach Adam Gase. Rotoworld.com Wednesday, 10:02 am

Redskins OC Scott Turner told reporters "there's a role for the type of back" that Adrian Peterson is.

Advice: Turner added Peterson "can be good in checkdown situations or great for play action," in terms of usage in the passing game. Those situations have always been a questionable aspect of Peterson's game, and now they matter more than ever. In 31 games over the last two seasons, Peterson has just 49 targets to his name. Turner issued typical coach speak when asked how the team's running backs will be used, saying the goal is to "foster competition" and they will "play whoever gives them the best chance." Expect three backs to touch the ball each week in the Redskins offense. Rotoworld.com Wednesday, 8:17 am

According to bankruptcy filings, the XFL could return with a new owner as soon as spring 2021. 

Advice: The Athletic reports there are "dozens of bidders are looking over the league’s financials and interested in relaunching it next February." It had been rumored that Vince McMahon filed for bankruptcy with the intention of buying his old property back at a bargain price, but he insists that is not the case. Considering the coronavirus pandemic and personnel complexities, next spring would be a highly-aggressive return target for the ever-on-the-brink league.   Rotoworld.com Tuesday, 2:19 pm

Bears coach Matt Nagy said both Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky will play with the starters during the preseason.

Advice: This of course assumes that teams are cleared to return for preseason games. Nagy doesn't normally look to play his starters in August, but Chicago's "open competition" under center will force the issue at hand this year. With past experience under QB coach John DeFilippo (Jaguars, Eagles), OC Bill Razor (Eagles), and Nagy (Eagles, Chiefs), Foles is fully expected to be in the lineup for the Bears' season opener in Detroit. Rotoworld.com Tuesday, 7:51 am

The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reports the Dolphins are not opposed to playing No. 5 overall pick Tua Tagovailoa as a rookie.

Advice: Jackson writes that while it’s "likely" Ryan Fitzpatrick will begin the season as the starter, the Dolphins are open to playing Tua if he earns the opportunity at any point this year. With five years of experience with OC Chan Gailey and familiarity with the cast of supporting players around him, though, it's hard to imagine Fitzpatrick on the bench for the team's season opener in New England. The fact that Tagovailoa can't do any on-field work with Miami's coaching staff because of the lack of an offseason program is an uphill battle that could trickle into the regular season. Rotoworld.com Tuesday, 5:21 am