NFL News & Rumors This Week: Brandon Aiyuk, Sunday Ticket Lawsuit & More

Dynasty rookie drafts are in our rearview. Best ball season, of course, never ends. But we are right around the corner from the greatest part of fantasy football – redraft season! 

If you ask me, the Scott Fish Bowl is the unofficial “grand opening” of seasonal redraft leagues. And it starts in 10 days! The SFB Podathan is this weekend, so make sure you are subscribed to the Fantasy Cares YouTube for that. And, if you are playing in that or one of the satellites, make sure you check out our Guide to Winning SFB14 with Rankings!

As we do every Friday, we’ll hit on the major NFL news and rumors from around the league first. Then, at the bottom, we’ll share the fantasy football-related rumors, big or small, for us to obsess over. Isn’t football the best?

Jury Orders NFL To Pay Over $4 Billion In Sunday Ticket Antitrust Lawsuit

• A jury ruled in favor of the plaintiffs in an antitrust lawsuit against the NFL that would award $96 million to commercial users and $4.7 billion to residential users. The lawsuit alleges that, from 2011 to 2022, the NFL sold their package for out-of-market games at an inflated price and only via a satellite provider, which breaks antitrust laws. There are still many appeals to come before users see that money, but it’s a step in the right direction.

Report: Amazon Was Not Blocked From Commanders Purchase

• There was a lot of debate on whether Jeff Bezos was shut out in some way from buying the Commanders, either by Dan Snyder or the NFL itself. As it turns out, he was simply outbid. The report states that, had he gone up to $7 billion, the team likely would have been his. Turns out even the man with all the money in the world draws a line somewhere.

Brandon Aiyuk Trade Rumors Continue To Swirl

• It’s no secret that Brandon Aiyuk is looking for a raise. Recent rumors from Adam Schefter suggest that teams like the Buffalo Bills have shown interest in Aiyuk, but there is a difference in evaluation. Teams are looking to pay a WR2 price while San Francisco believes he’s an “elite WR”. If they believe he is so elite, however, you would think they might just pay him themselves. Aiyuk also had a meeting with the 49ers this week though it’s not clear what, if anything, came of it.

Kansas City Chiefs Release DL Isaiah Buggs

• The Chiefs have finally made the decision to cut ties with defensive lineman Isaiah Buggs. He was recently arrested twice on animal cruelty charges and then separate charges related to domestic violence. Unless there is some sort of serious exonerating evidence that comes to light, Buggs is probably done in the NFL.

Kansas Governor Signs Bill To Fund Chiefs, Royals Stadiums

• Kansas City is technically in Missouri, though it’s located directly on the border of Missouri and Kansas. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly signed a bill into law that would fund roughly 70% of the costs of the new stadium, with the team coming up with the other 30%, if they elected to move the stadiums over the border into Kansas. The Kansas City mayor in Missouri, Quinton Lucas, is confident Missouri will come up with a deal to keep them in state. For now, though, Kansas has thrown down the gauntlet.

Fantasy Football News & Rumors

This part focuses on important news related to fantasy football from different NFL offseason practices and meetings:

• It should never be surprising when rookie quarterbacks play like rookies in camp. But there are early reports of both Michael Penix Jr. and J.J. McCarthy struggling a bit in early practices.
• A recent report suggested that Isaiah Likely could find his way on the field more at the same time as Mark Andrews in a hybrid WR role.
• The Bears have suggested that Rome Odunze could be their primary punt returner. Plenty of guys like Tyreek Hill, Dez Bryant, Randy Moss, CeeDee Lamb returned punts but, as a rookie, Lamb was also the odd man out in 3 WR sets. With DJ Moore and Keenan Allen, Odunze could be on a similar trajectory.
• The hype for one of the most hyped players grows with a report that Anthony Richardson will be a full go at Colts training camp.
• Daniel Jeremiah reports that J.K. Dobbins is fully healthy and that you should draft him in fantasy football. 
• Rookie Dylan Laube reportedly got some first team reps in practice and could serve as the pass-down back and return man.
• Drew Petzing believes Trey McBride can take his game to another level this year after his year-two breakout last season.
• After letting Will Dissly and Colby Parkinson walk, the Seahawks “have plans for Noah Fant” this year.