Month: March 2025

The New York Giants have agreed to sign Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson to a one-year deal (per CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones). The addition of Wilson comes just days after the Giants agreed to terms with Jameis Winston, who agreed to a two-year, $8 million contract with the team last week. The Giants’ QB room now consists of Wilson, Winston and Tommy DeVito.

The contract is worth $10.5 million guaranteed and up to $21 million, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter: “The Giants and Super Bowl-winning QB Russell Wilson reached agreement today on a one-year deal worth up to $21 million, including $10.5 million guaranteed. The 10-time Pro-Bowl selection had been in discussions with the Giants, Browns and Steelers, but is opting for New York, where Wilson won Super Bowl XLVIII in MetLife Stadium. Now, Wilson is returning there as the Giants’ projected starting QB.”

Wilson, 36, had been in discussions with the Giants, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers. The QB, who won Super Bowl XLVIII in MetLife Stadium as a member of the Seattle Seahawks, posted on X: “Been here before… can’t wait to do it again. #MetLife @Giants”

Wilson, 36, was reportedly on the Giants’ radar as early as last offseason, before the former Super Bowl champion signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Fresh off an uneven 2024 campaign with the Steelers, in which he went 6-6 as a starter, including playoffs, Wilson gives New York another experienced veteran in a quarterback room that also includes former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston, who signed a two-year deal with New York last week. Wilson heads to the Big Apple as the starter, per NFL Media.

Wilson, 36, is now on his third team in as many seasons after failing to secure a new deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers (in which he went 6-6 as a starter last season, including playoffs).  The 10-time Pro Bowler’s 350 career passing touchdowns rank as the 12th-most in NFL history.

Editorial credit: Grindstone Media Group / Shutterstock.com

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard was diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right calf, and has been ruled out indefinitely. Lillard, 34, was out for the last three games with what the Bucks initially said was a calf strain, and he also sat out for more than a week in December because of an issue with the same calf.

The Bucks’ posted an official health status update on Lillard on X, with Milwaukee general manager Jon Horst sharing in a statement: “Damian’s health is our No. 1 priority. We will support him as he moves through this weekly process of strict criteria to ensure that it is safe for him to return to play. Doctors have indicated that his situation is very unlikely to occur again. We are thankful that this was identified and medicated quickly, which helps with the recovery.”   

After the news broke, Lillard released a statement to NBA insider Chris Haynes which read: “It’s unfortunate that something outside of my control would come up. Along with the Bucks’ medical staff, our priorities are to protect my health and safety. As much as I love basketball, I need to be there for my kids and my family. I’m grateful the Bucks acted quickly on this. They’ve been supportive and proactive throughout this process. I look forward to moving past this and continuing my career.”

Lillard, a nine-time All-Star, has averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game over 58 starts this season — his second with the Bucks since a 2023 trade from the Portland Trail Blazers.

Editorial credit: Keeton Gale / Shutterstock.com

Sources confirmed to ESPN‘s Shams Charania that USC star JuJu Watkins will miss the remainder of the women’s NCAA tournament after suffering a torn ACL in her right knee during the Trojans’ second-round game against Mississippi State. A team spokesperson said Watkins would undergo season-ending surgery and then begin rehab.

Watkins had to be carried off the floor just five minutes into the first quarter of USC’s 96-59 win on Monday, which sent the Trojans back into the Sweet 16 for a second straight season. Watkins, 19, was driving to the basket on a fast break chased by two defenders when she was fouled, and her right knee buckled as she planted her right leg, with the non-contact injury causing her to collapse to the floor. Watkins immediately grabbed her knee and stayed down for over a minute, with her teammates surrounding her.

The crowd in Galen Center went silent as USC coach Lindsay Gottlieb and two other USC staffers attended to the six-foot-two sophomore, who was then lifted up and taken to the locker room. The team announced at halftime that Watkins was being evaluated by medical staff and would not return. Gottlieb said after the game: “I’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t rattled seeing JuJu on the floor crying. This is a human game and so I obviously tried my best to be what I need to be for the team, but internally it’s a lot.”

MSU coach Sam Purcell said after the game: “My prayers and thoughts are with JuJu. Obviously, we’re competitors and you never want to see that, especially what she means for women’s basketball.”

Watkins has been injury-free throughout her college career, starting all 34 of USC’s games as a freshman, when she was second in scoring nationally with 27.1 points a game.  She also set a national record for freshman scoring with 920 points last season.

Editorial credit: Bryan Pollard / Shutterstock.com

Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun has signed an eight-year contract extension worth $72 million. The 26-year-old (who turns 27 on Monday) was set to be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season; he will count $9 million against the salary cap from when the new deal kicks in next season through 2033.

Chychrun was in the last year of a six-year deal he signed in 2018 with the Arizona Coyotes. The $9 million average annual value of his contract makes him the highest-paid Capitals defenseman, second behind Alex Ovechkin ($9.5 million) on the team next season.

The Capitals posted the news in a social media post which read: “ CHYCHY’S LOCKED IN The Washington Capitals have re-signed defenseman Jakob Chychrun to an eight-year, $72 million contract extension. Chychrun’s contract will carry an average annual value of $9 million. #ALLCAPS | @Shift4”

Capitals general manager Chris Patrick said in a statement: “Jakob is a proven, dynamic defenseman in the prime of his career who has established himself as one of the premier blue liners in the NHL. His work ethic, skillset and ability to excel in all situations at both ends of the ice make him a valuable asset to our team. He is a perfect fit with our culture and vision for the future, and we couldn’t be more thrilled that he will continue to be part of our organization for the next eight years.”

Chychrun’s 18 goals this season rank third in the league, and are more than Washington’s other defensemen combined. He also has 25 assists to give him a career-high 43 points in 65 games.

Editorial credit: The Bold Bureau / Shutterstock.com