NFL Rumors: Kyler Murray, Antonio Brown, CBA

Kyler Murray

Charley Casserly said the comments he heard about Oklahoma QB Kyler Murray‘s interviews at the combine were the worst he’s ever heard regarding a highly rated quarterback. 

“Well, he better hope Kingsbury takes him No. 1 because this was not good,” Casserly said, via NFL.com. “This was the worst comments I ever got on a high-rated quarterback, and I’ve been doing this a long time. I’ve probably been doing it longer than you’re alive.

“Anyway, leadership — not good. Study habits — not good. The board work — below not good. Not good at all in any of those areas and raising major concerns about what this guy is going to do. Now, people say, we’re going to compare him to [Patrick] Mahomes, we’re going to run an offense like Mahomes, we’re going to run an offense like Baker Mayfield. Well, you can’t. … Those guys are much different. Those guys, you never question about their ability on the board, you never question about their leadership ability, their work habits, they were outstanding in those areas. This guy is not outstanding in those areas. It showed up in the interview.”

• CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora continues to hear from around the league that Murray will be the No. 1 overall pick, either to the Cardinals or via trade. 
• Murray also reportedly met officially with the Lions at the Combine.  (Dave Birkett)

Antonio Brown

• CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora identifies the Raiders and the Eagles as the top two candidates in a potential trade for Steelers WR Antonio Brown.  
• La Canfora says the Titans did not make any headway in negotiations with Pittsburgh. 
• Redskins owner Dan Snyder is “most intrigued” by a deal for Brown, but others in the building are warning against it.  
• Both the Saints and Seahawks did not get past internal discussions about Brown. 
• Ian Rapoport reports that the Broncos deemed that it was too costly them for them. 
• According to Rapoport, the Jets have entered the mix for Brown as well. 
• Overall, Rapport believes there’s enough interest in Brown for him to be traded.
• Manish Mehta confirms that the Jets have reached out to the Steelers about Brown, but don’t have serious interest in him.
• Kent Somers reports that the Cardinals have no interest in trading for Brown.

CBA

• Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer says getting rid of the franchise tag is “pretty far down” the list of priorities for the NFLPA in coming CBA discussions, as it only affects a small portion of players. 
• According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, his feeling from talking with multiple league and NFLPA sources is both sides have an incentive to sit down and start negotiations early, perhaps even reaching a deal before the start of the 2020 season.