NFC East

Dallas Cowboys star Micah Parsons is doing his part to recruit free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to the team.

The linebacker tagged Beckham in a tweet:

Man obj talk to me !! @obj let’s do this shit!!! 🦁🦁 https://t.co/7x5pLHKtWn

— Micah Parsons (@MicahhParsons11) November 8, 2022

That recruiting pitch didn't go unnoticed by Beckham, who made it clear he just wants to win:

Lolol sheeeed u tell me !? U kno all the fam on my daddy side down there. Im just tryna win… wheeerever I go

— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) November 8, 2022

Earlier in the day, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan the team's trademark star "could look pretty good" on Beckham.

"We know that we should be aware that he’s coming off this injury," Jones said in reference to the wideout's torn ACL. "But he showed [his ability to return from injury] and do it well last year."

Speaking with Complex, the three-time Pro Bowler included Dallas in his theoretical list of suitors:

“Whether it’s Buffalo, Green Bay calling, the Cowboys, reunion with the Giants…”

Odell Beckham Jr. tells us what he’s looking for in a new home & the playoff teams calling. pic.twitter.com/w1QBjPZnrW

— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) November 6, 2022

No NFL team moves the needle like the Cowboys. At $8 billion, Forbes' Mike Ozanian and Justin Teitelbaum valued them as the richest sports franchise in the world.

The opportunity to be a part of the team that finally ends Dallas' 26-year Super Bowl drought is tantalizing, and the team's 6-2 start is evidence of its contender credentials.

Beckham would also be entering a situation where he's needed but not required to immediately become the No. 1 option in the passing game.

CeeDee Lamb hasn't inserted himself into the elite tier (42 receptions for 556 yards and three touchdowns) but is clearly the top target in Dallas' passing game. Much like he benefited from the attention paid to Cooper Kupp on the Los Angeles Rams, Beckham could fall behind Lamb in the offensive hierarchy while still getting plenty of looks from Dak Prescott.

Beckham signing with the Cowboys isn't a fait accompli, and even if he does, nobody knows how he'll look after a second torn ACL in two years until he's on the field. The 30-year-old might not be the same player again.

Signing with Dallas is at least a move that would make sense for both parties.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones doesn't believe there is a problem with turf fields amid the recent criticism about it causing injuries.

"Our league stats don't see issues with the type of surface that we have as opposed to natural grass," Jones said Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan (via Jon Machota of The Athletic). "We don't see issues. No facts bear that out."

The Cowboys' AT&T Stadium is among the 14 NFL stadiums to feature artificial turf. Those stadiums host half of the league's 32 teams (two stadiums host multiple teams).

Green Bay Packers linebacker De'Vondre Campbell became the latest to complain about the playing surface after his team's Week 9 road loss to the Detroit Loins:

This is two weeks in a row we’ve had players get injured on turf fields. I think it’s time y’all take some of the money y’all make off us and invest in grass fields for every team around the league. The turf is literally like concrete it has no give when you plant @NFL

— De'Vondre Campbell (@Came_Along_Way) November 7, 2022

Packers pass-rusher Rashan Gary suffered a torn right ACL in the game at Ford Field, while cornerback Eric Stokes, receiver Romeo Doubs and running back Aaron Jones also left the game with injuries.

After Odell Beckham Jr. tore his ACL in the Super Bowl, Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb created a petition that stated 90 percent of players prefer real grass:

90% of NFL Players prefer real grass, including me! In 2020 I sprained my MCL on artificial turf. #FlipTheTurf to real grass with @PenningtonLawn and sign the petition: https://t.co/Rj6Z8gzOFu #PenningtonPartner pic.twitter.com/2bV3GVSzQo

— Nick Chubb (@NickChubb) February 14, 2022

Beckham also called for a switch to grass earlier this season after New York Giants receiver Sterling Shepard suffered a torn ACL.

In 2020, NFLPA president JC Tretter penned a letter calling for all teams to switch to natural grass, citing higher injury rates on artificial turf.

Despite the repeated calls for change, team owners like Jones don't appear to be in any hurry to make a switch.

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones confirmed the team is interested in free-agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.

"Odell is someone that we have all the appreciation in the world for what he is as a competitor," Jones said Tuesday on Shan & RJ on Audacy's 105.3 The Fan. "I know the Cowboys star on that helmet when he puts it on could look pretty good."

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Sunday that Beckham was "firmly on the Cowboys' radar."

Beckham has yet to play this season after suffering a torn ACL in 2021. He said the injury occurred well before he helped the Los Angeles Rams beat the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI.

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported Sunday the three-time Pro Bowler could be medically cleared as early as this week, though it's unclear how soon he'll be back on the field. Dan Graziano of ESPN reported on Oct. 19 that mid-December was considered the time at which Beckham would be available to suit up for a new team.

Having done little to replace Amari Cooper in the offseason, the Cowboys could certainly use another wideout.

Fifth-year receiver Michael Gallup, who recovered from a torn ACL of his own, is setting career lows in yards per catch (11.3) and receiving yards per game (27.0). CeeDee Lamb (42 receptions for 556 yards and three touchdowns) hasn't taken a big step forward in Cooper's absence, either.

Per Rapoport and Garafolo, Dallas considered a trade for the Houston Texans' Brandin Cooks but balked at his $18 million salary for the 2023 season. NFL Network colleague Tom Pelissero added the Cowboys launched an unsuccessful pursuit of the Denver Broncos' Jerry Jeudy.

The trade deadline has passed, so Jones and the front office are limited in how they can address the passing game.

Between the ACL injury and going into a new offense midseason, there's no guarantee Beckham would provide meaningful help. But the Cowboys don't have many better options on the table.

At least one NFL executive believes the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles are a prime candidate for an upset early in the playoffs.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, an anonymous NFC exec wondered if the Eagles' weak schedule will leave them unprepared for the playoffs, saying: "I could see [the Eagles] being a one-and-done—they haven't had to go 15 rounds with anybody yet. I just wonder if they are battle-tested. I think a few late-season losses would actually help them."

The Eagles are the only undefeated team remaining in the NFL, but they have been criticized for a lack of tough games on their schedule, as only two of their eight wins have come against teams that are currently above .500.

One of those teams was the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys, who were without starting quarterback Dak Prescott in that game because of an injury and had to start journeyman backup Cooper Rush.

Five of the Eagles' eight wins have come against teams that are presently in last place in their respective divisions.

While Philly's level of competition leaves something to be desired, it can only play the teams on its schedule, and it has largely dominated its opponents thus far.

Five of the Eagles' wins have been by at least two scores, including each of their past three against the Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans.

They also have one impressive win on their resume: a 24-7 home victory over the now-7-1 Minnesota Vikings in Week 2.

Some of the Eagles' wins over lower-level teams have been too close for comfort, though, including three-point triumphs over the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals, and an eight-point victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Regardless of their opponents, the team stats tell the story of Philly being an elite squad. The Eagles rank third in the NFL in total offense and second in scoring offense, plus they are third in total defense and fourth in scoring defense.

The Eagles also boast an MVP candidate in quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has established himself as the team's signal-caller of the future.

Hurts has not been dominant as a passer, completing 68.2 percent of his passes for 2,042 yards, 12 touchdowns and two interceptions, but his running ability has set him apart (326 yards and six scores).

A.J. Brown, acquired from the Tennessee Titans, has provided a huge boost. He is sixth in the NFL with 718 receiving yards and tied for fourth with six receiving touchdowns.

The remainder of the Eagles' schedule looks quite favorable with four of their nine games coming against teams with winning records. Three are within their division—a rematch with the Cowboys and two games against the surprising 6-2 New York Giants.

Philly is also slated to face the 5-3 Tennessee Titans, who are led by all-world running back Derrick Henry.

Each of the Eagles' next three games is against struggling teams in the Commanders, Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers, giving them a chance to move to 11-0.

The final six weeks look tougher on paper, and whether they lose some games or go 17-0, that stretch could provide Philly with the types of challenges it needs entering the postseason.

The Washington Commanders could have a star-studded group of owners in the future.

Sara Nathan and Michael Blinn of the New York Post reported Monday that actor Matthew McConaughey will join a group that includes Jeff Bezos and Jay-Z looking to purchase the team from owner Dan Snyder.

McConaughey, who is already a co-owner of Major League Soccer's Austin FC franchise, is a longtime fan of the team

What's more, Brooklyn Nets star and Washington fan Kevin Durant could join the group as well.

"In a perfect world, I would be a part of it," Durant said. "I would love to do it. I would love to give a little bit of my money to be a part of the Commanders, but we'll see. Hopefully, it's somebody nice. I heard [Amazon CEO Jeff] Bezos and Jay-Z, but you never know."

Nathan and Blinn noted the bid is expected to come in January and could break the NFL's record for a price that was set when the Denver Broncos sold for $4.7 million last summer.

The Commanders released a statement Wednesday that suggested at least part of the team could be for sale. The Snyders retained Bank of America Securities to "consider potential transactions."

Yet Snyder has been in the news for far more than just the potential sale.

Don Van Natta Jr. of ESPN reported the United States attorney's office in the Eastern District of Virginia is investigating the team for potential "financial improprieties." The investigation stemmed from a letter the House Committee on Oversight and Reform sent to the Federal Trade Commission in April, which "alleged deceptive business practices."

Washington also previously hired attorney Beth Wilkinson in 2020 to investigate the organization's workplace culture. The league took over the investigation, which ultimately ruled the team's workplace environment fostered sexual harassment, bullying and more misconduct.

While no written report was produced, the team was issued a $10 million fine and Snyder was forced to step away from day-to-day responsibilities.

Van Natta noted attorney Mary Jo White is conducting a second investigation that is looking into the team and an allegation that Snyder sexually assaulted a woman on his plane in 2009.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy will be in a familiar place when his team travels to face the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Sunday.

"The exit, it left a dent, just to be honest, with our family," the former Packers head coach said, per ESPN's Todd Archer. "But it's been four years.

"We're so much better because of it. We've had time to process it all and it's a little unique. I mean, I don't recommend anybody that goes through it to stay in the town there while you go through it."

McCarthy was the head coach in Green Bay from 2006 until the team fired him with four games remaining in the 2018 campaign.

The 58-year-old said "the people" is what he misses most about his time with the Packers and added that he didn't take his firing personally. He even said he is "really looking forward to seeing Aaron" Rodgers even if his relationship with the quarterback was a subject of scrutiny at times during his tenure.

While McCarthy was just 4-7-1 during his last year in Green Bay, it is impossible to call his time with the iconic franchise anything but a success.

He won Super Bowl XLV, reached the NFC Championship Game four times, made the playoffs nine times and won the NFC North six times. That Super Bowl victory to cap off the 2010 campaign was the only time the Packers advanced out of the NFC playoffs with Rodgers under center even though the quarterback has enjoyed plenty of regular-season success.

McCarthy also seems to be in a better position than his former team this season, as the Cowboys are 6-2 after going 12-5 in 2021.

By comparison, the Packers are arguably the NFL's most disappointing team at 3-6 and enter the contest with a five-game losing streak. The offense in particular has been a concern and is 27th in the league in points per game (17.1).

Dallas is chasing the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC East but also has a chance to knock a perceived contender even further from the wild-card picture with a head-to-head victory Sunday.

There may even be some extra motivation from its head coach.

It wouldn't appear that Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy would be against his team making a run at free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. upon his recovery from last season's ACL tear.

"I've always been a huge fan of his. ... I've just heard so many excellent, excellent things about him," he told reporters on Monday.

However, he added, "We really love our receiver group."

It appears the Cowboys might be in the mix.

On Sunday, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reported that Beckham is "firmly on the Cowboys' radar, sources say, and they are expected to be in the mix when he's ready to pick his team upon full recovery from an ACL tear."

Fox Sports' Jay Glazer added that Beckham should be "fully cleared" in his injury recovery by the end of the week and that teams like the Cowboys, Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams were expected to be in the running for his services.

Inside Scoop with @NFLonFOX - Week 8! Scoopage on @obj‘s recovery & teams expected to be interested, why @brandincooks’s contract made him untradeable, and the @packers attempting to trade for receiving weapons. pic.twitter.com/8a7rNdpfIr

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) November 6, 2022

He added that he expects there to be a "big bidding war" for Beckham.

Alongside the teams Glazer mentioned, Rapoport and Garafolo cited the New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers as potential suitors.

While the Cowboys have CeeDee Lamb (42 catches for 556 yards and three scores in eight games), Noah Brown (25 catches for 339 yards and a touchdown) and Michael Gallup (12 catches for 135 yards and a score in five games) at the position, adding another playmaker like Beckham would make sense for a Dallas team that has gone 6-2 to start the season on the back of an elite defense and physical run game.

It's hard to imagine Dak Prescott being upset with having another weapon at his disposal, especially after Beckham had something of a career resurgence with the Rams last season after struggling for several years in Cleveland.

The 30-year-old could be a difference-maker for the Cowboys as they look to have a deep postseason run and close the gap on their undefeated NFC East rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles.

New York Giants defensive back Xavier McKinney announced Monday on social media that he injured his hand in a crash on an all-terrain vehicle during the team's bye week and will be sidelined for several weeks.

https://twitter.com/mckinney15__/status/1589650510269001729

McKinney was later placed on the reserve/non-football injury list by the Giants.

The 23-year-old is in his third season with the Giants and has started all eight games this season, registering 38 tackles (two for loss), one sack and a forced fumble.

Losing McKinney is a major blow for the Giants defense. According to Art Stapleton of NorthJersey.com, the safety has been "a leader and signal-caller on the defense, a respected teammate and emotional spark plug on game days, not to mention one of the best players on a surprising playoff contender."

The Giants, coming off their bye week, are 6-2, two games behind the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles and deadlocked with the Dallas Cowboys in a surprisingly deep NFC East.

The defense, which gives up just 19.6 points per game (ninth in the NFL), has played a big part in the team's resurgence.

With McKinney out, rookie Dane Belton could be in line for a bigger role alongside starting safety Julian Love. The team also has veteran Landon Collins on the practice squad, while special teams contributor Jason Pinnock is available for depth but has only played one snap at safety this season.

One of McKinney's best traits was his durability and reliability. Per Dan Duggan of The Athletic, he hasn't missed a defensive snap since Week 3 of the 2021 season.

While injuries are never ideal, the Giants have a relatively easy schedule the next two weeks with the Houston Texans (1-6-1) and Detroit Lions (2-6) on deck and both at home.

But things tighten up from there with four straight NFC East clashes against the Cowboys, Washington Commanders (twice) and Eagles before a trip to face the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Eve.

That five-game stretch will likely determine whether the Giants find themselves back in the postseason. The team will hope McKinney can return during that stretch.

If Dan Snyder does sell the Washington Commanders, it won't be to Jeff Bezos, according to Peter King of NBC Sports.

"It'll never happen," a source told King. "Dan Snyder detests The Washington Post. No way he'd sell to the owner of that paper."

Dan and Tanya Snyder announced last week they will "consider potential transactions" involving the team after hiring BofA Securities. Bezos, the second-richest person in the world with a net worth of $151 billion, has become an obvious candidate to buy the organization.

A source told Charlotte Triggs and Natasha Dye of People that Bezos is "looking into buying the Washington Commanders."

TMZ added that a partnership between Bezos and Jay-Z is "on the table."

Bezos is best known as the founder of Amazon, but he purchased the Washington Post in 2013 for $250 million.

The newspaper has not been kind to Snyder during his tenure leading the Washington football team, most notably in a 2020 report revealing a culture of sexual harassment and misconduct within the organization. A second report also detailed the negative experiences of numerous female employees.

It led to an NFL investigation, which resulted in a $10 million fine and Dan Snyder being removed from day-to-day operations for a year.

Snyder is also the subject of a congressional investigation into the Commanders' toxic workplace environment.

It could be enough for Snyder to avoid selling to Bezos, even if that is the highest offer.

Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported Washington's asking price will be about $7 billion.

Free agent wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. reportedly will be medically cleared this week in his recovery from an ACL tear and be the subject of a "big" bidding war around the NFL, according to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer (h/t Marcus Mosher of PFF).

Inside Scoop with @NFLonFOX - Week 8! Scoopage on @obj‘s recovery & teams expected to be interested, why @brandincooks’s contract made him untradeable, and the @packers attempting to trade for receiving weapons. pic.twitter.com/8a7rNdpfIr

— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) November 6, 2022

One of those teams is expected to be the Dallas Cowboys, with Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reporting Sunday that Beckham is "firmly on the Cowboys' radar, sources say, and they are expected to be in the mix when he's ready to pick his team upon full recovery from an ACL tear."

The Cowboys won't be the only suitors at the dance, however.

Per Rapoport and Garafolo, the Buffalo Bills, New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams are among the teams that have "been open about potential interest in Beckham," while the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs "may have interest." Glazer also mentioned the San Francisco 49ers as possibility.

While the Cowboys have CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup atop the depth chart, the team has mostly gotten by this season on the merits of its defense and run game. Some of that came down to Dak Prescott's injury, but with the star quarterback healthy again, adding another weapon to the passing game would make the Cowboys one of the most well-rounded teams in football.

The Bills would make sense for Beckham, giving Josh Allen another weapon to stretch the field and stress defenses alongside Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis. There isn't a team in the AFC that wants to see Beckham end up in Buffalo.

The Giants, meanwhile, would make for a fascinating story after Beckham started his career in New York and had his best years on the field with the team, earning all three of his Pro Bowl bids during that time. That relationship ultimately deteriorated, however, which would make a reunion pretty shocking.

Beckham won a Super Bowl with the Rams last season, and Allen Robinson II hasn't impressed as the No. 2 option in the passing game behind Cooper Kupp, so that reunion would be logical from their perspective.

Beckham was excellent with the Rams, especially come the postseason, catching 21 passes for 288 yards and two scores in the run to a title. It was his best stretch of play since he left New York.

There's been a major dearth at wide receiver in Green Bay since the Packers traded Davante Adams to the Las Vegas Raiders. Aaron Rodgers hasn't been quiet about the need for better play at the position, and before Beckham signed with Los Angeles last season, the Packers offered him the veteran's minimum because they didn't have ample cap space. It would be a surprise if they didn't make a major push to sign him this year.

Finally, the Chiefs seem like a long shot after trading for Kadarius Toney.

While Rapoport and Garafolo reported that the "plan for Beckham is to be in full health and signed by early December," it's possible that his reported clean bill of health could lead to an earlier signing this month.