AFC West

Kansas City Chiefs cornerback L'Jarius Sneed has been cleared of any wrongdoing or involvement after his vehicle was shot at in Louisiana on Friday.

According to TMZ Sports, police in Minden, Louisiana, said Sneed's Ford Bronco was hit by multiple bullets, although Sneed was not in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

Sneed's agent, Saffarah Lawson, released the following statement regarding the shooting, noting that Sneed was questioned, but never arrested:

Sources told TMZ that two of Sneed's friends were driving the vehicle at the time of the shooting, and the belief is that it was a random act of violence.

Per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, a Chiefs spokesperson said the organization was aware of the situation and would not make any further comments presently.

The 25-year-old Sneed is a Minden native who played his college football at Louisiana Tech before being selected by the Chiefs in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft.

It didn't take Sneed long to become an important part of Kansas City's secondary, as he started six of the nine games he appeared in as a rookie and finished with 41 tackles, three interceptions and two sacks.

Last season, Sneed started all 15 games he played and recorded 76 tackles, two picks and one sack.

The secondary is considered something of a weak link for the Chiefs, which led to them selecting cornerback Trent McDuffie in the first round and safety Bryan Cook in the second round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Given that the Chiefs are set to rely on some young and inexperienced defensive backs in 2022, Sneed figures to be a hugely integral piece, given that he has been a starter for parts of two seasons.

With regard to the shooting, a spokesperson for the Minden police said an investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been made.

Few people in the world are as qualified as Corey Linsley to compare Aaron Rodgers and Justin Herbert, and the Los Angeles Chargers center sees plenty of similarities between the two quarterbacks.

"Aaron has the same thing, that fire, perfectionist-type attitude," Linsley said of Herbert on SiriusXM NFL Radio (h/t Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk). "When Aaron was on, and he can't be stopped, and you weren't on, he was gonna let you know. Because he has that perfectionist, competitive fire inside of him. And that's what Justin has."

Linsley went on to say Herbert brings his desire to be the best to every aspect of the game, including the weight room and while watching film.

The veteran center played for the Green Bay Packers from 2014 through 2020 and was an All-Pro selection in his final year for the NFC North team. He helped Green Bay make the playoffs in five of the seven years he snapped the ball to Rodgers and continued his excellent career in 2021 with a Pro Bowl selection in his first season with Herbert and the Chargers.

Rodgers is one of the all-time greats as a Super Bowl champion, four-time MVP and 10-time Pro Bowler, so any similarities for Herbert should be welcome news for Chargers fans.

The Oregon product was the Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2020 and a Pro Bowler in 2021 and will look to add a playoff appearance to his resume in 2022.

The Kansas City Chiefs want Orlando Brown protecting star quarterback Patrick Mahomes for years to come, and the franchise is said to be "optimistic" about working out a long-term contract for the veteran offensive tackle, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. 

However, Fowler notes it could take some time for the sides to agree to terms because Brown does not have an agent.

That said, this process wasn't expected to go by quickly. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach told reporters in April before the draft that there was "no rush on either side" to hammer out a deal. 

Brown is slated to play 2022 a one-year, $16.7 million deal after being franchise tagged. It's unclear how much money he's looking for on his next contract. San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams and Green Bay Packers left tackle David Bakhtiari are the NFL's highest-paid offensive tackles, making $23 million per year, according to Spotrac. 

The Chiefs acquired Brown in a deal with the Baltimore Ravens ahead of the 2021 campaign, parting ways with their first-, third- and fourth-round picks in the 2021 draft and a fifth-rounder in 2022 as part of the deal.

Brown started 16 games last season and was a key piece along Kansas City's offensive line, which includes Joe Thuney, Creed Humphrey, Trey Smith and Andrew Wylie. If the Chiefs are unable to lock up Brown to a long-term deal, they'll have a significant hole at left tackle after the 2022 campaign. 

Considering the Chiefs already lost two major playmakers this offseason in wideout Tyreek Hill and safety Tyrann Mathieu, losing Brown after the 2022 season wouldn't be ideal for a franchise that has hopes of winning another Super Bowl in the near future. 

Los Angeles Chargers star Derwin James is due to hit free agency in 2023, but that might not remain the case for much longer.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Wednesday the Chargers are "open" to an extension with James and that the team "definitely believes this will get done."

James was an All-Pro right out of the gate as a rookie in 2018 but then made just five appearances between the next two seasons. A stress fracture in his foot kept him out for most of 2019, and then he missed all of 2020 because of a torn meniscus in his right knee.

James bounced back in a big way in 2021. He finished with 118 tackles, two sacks, three forced fumbles and two interceptions in 15 games. In addition to earning his second Pro Bowl nod, he was third in the voting for Comeback Player of the Year.

In short, the 25-year-old reminded the Chargers why he should still be considered a critical piece of the defense in the short and long term.

Head coach Brandon Staley explained to Pro Football Focus' Doug Kyed in March how the team's offseason moves were done with James in mind:

Derwin means so much to us and a lot of people talk about arming quarterbacks but we wanted to arm Derwin with some weapons that would really bring out the best in him. I think that when you have Khalil up front and Derwin James in your secondary, that’s a good place to start. And then we were able to get JC, and now you feel like you’re a lot closer to what you want to be. Then Joey Bosa, we all know Joey’s one of the top players in the game and for him to team up with Khalil, man, what could that look like?

Because of the foot and knee injuries, there's an obvious level of risk in extending James before the 2022 season kicks off. But waiting until next offseason carries some possible downsides of its own. Should James continue on his current track and contend for Defensive Player of the Year, his price tag will only climb.

Having to spend a few extra million on a new deal for James takes that money away from strengthening the roster around Justin Herbert.

Between Fowler's report and Staley's comments, it won't be surprising if the two sides strike a bargain this summer to end any contract drama.

The Los Angeles Chargers have positioned Justin Herbert to become one of the most accomplished NFL players through his first three seasons. He has a chance to achieve Offensive Rookie of the Year, Pro Bowl, All-Pro and MVP honors before his 25th birthday. 

Herbert has already checked off the first two accolades. With some continuity, offensive balance and a playmaking defense, the latter two are well within reach.

While Herbert would probably prefer to win a Super Bowl rather than achieve any individual feat, we cannot ignore his historic career start. In 2020, he broke rookie records for completions (396) and passing touchdowns (31), and then built on that momentum in his second year. 

Per Pro Football Focus, Herbert sits atop the list in multiple passing categories through a player's first two seasons:

Despite changes in the Chargers' coaching ranks—from former head coach Anthony Lynn to Brandon Staley—Herbert has taken a rocket ship to NFL stardom. In 2022, he'll have a chance to grow in second-year offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi's offense, which Staley pointed out during an interview on The Rich Eisen Show:

"I think he's such a hard worker and I think that he puts so much into the game. He makes the improvements because of how much he puts into it. And then, obviously, there's a lot of talent to work with. ... This is the first time in six years that he's had the same offense going in. It just doesn't happen for this guy, and that's what makes him so unique. But I think that comfort zone of being in the same offense, being in rhythm where we can go over the plays that he's actually run and build on that, build that chemistry with our receiving corps, tight ends, backs."

On the collegiate level, Herbert started for four terms and had to overcome instability in his early years at Oregon. He had three different head coaches: Mark Helfrich, Willie Taggart and Mario Cristobal.

Herbert played under Cristobal's staff for two full seasons, and that's when he saw significant growth, blossoming into one of the nation's top prospects with 61 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions between 2018 and 2019. On top of that, he avoided injury after missing five games in 2017.

On the pro level, Herbert could take his game to even greater heights with consecutive seasons in the same system, which bodes well for a Chargers offense that ranked fifth in scoring and racked up the fourth-most yards last year.

On the subject of stability, Los Angeles re-signed wideout Mike Williams to a three-year, $60 million deal. He'll pair with Keenan Allen, and they'll likely continue to produce as one of the league's best wide receiver duos after both pass-catchers eclipsed 1,137 receiving yards in 2021.

Beyond the two wideouts, Austin Ekeler has emerged as one of the top dual-threat running backs in the league.

Herbert doesn't have to force the ball downfield. He can toss a high-percentage pass to Ekeler, who's racked up 282 receptions for 2,726 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns through five seasons.

Aside from his top three offensive playmakers, Herbert has also developed a connection with Jalen Guyton and Joshua Palmer, who provide the wide receiver corps with the necessary depth. He'll look to do the same with Gerald Everett, an athletic pass-catching tight end coming off his most productive season after logging 48 catches for 478 yards and four touchdowns primarily as a starter for the Seattle Seahawks.

Though we often see Herbert use his mobility to extend plays and big arm to thread the needle 40 yards downfield, he has a stout offensive line that allows him to stand in the pocket and throw darts.

As a rookie, left tackle Rashawn Slater earned a Pro Bowl nod. In his first season with the team, All-Pro center Corey Linsley didn't give up a sack across 1,076 offensive snaps, per Pro Football Focus.

In this year's draft, the Chargers selected Zion Johnson and Jamaree Salyer in the first and sixth rounds, respectively. According to Pro Football Focus, they allowed 10 quarterback pressures combined last year.

Johnson projects as the opening-week starter at right guard, though he played on the left side of the offensive line at Boston College. If necessary, the coaching staff can move him to left guard and shift Matt Feiler to right tackle, where he has previous experience while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Salyer, who played right guard at Georgia, could become an option to fill that same position in Los Angeles. 

At right tackle, the Chargers have an open competition between Storm Norton and Trey Pipkins III. If Johnson struggles on the right side, Feiler can become the solution to the lone uncertainty along the offensive line while the rookie moves to a familiar spot in a personnel grouping that may provide Herbert with optimal pass protection.

Furthermore, rookie running back Isaiah Spiller's physical style could be a nightmare for opposing defenders as he runs behind a strong front line. In three years at Texas A&M, Spiller averaged 5.5 yards per carry. The 6'0", 217-pound tailback can complement Ekeler and open up passing lanes. 

This season, opponents may have to pay a little more attention to the Chargers ground attack, which potentially creates opportunities for Herbert to convert more big plays downfield when a safety drops into the box. 

Herbert has help on the other side of the ball as well. The Chargers' new-look defense could allow him to capitalize on shorter drives to the goal. 

The front office made a concerted effort to improve a defense that gave up the fourth-most points in 2021. Los Angeles acquired edge-rusher Khalil Mack from the Chicago Bears and signed cornerback J.C. Jackson. The Chargers should have a stronger unit with the addition of an All-Pro defender in the front seven and a true ball-hawking cover man in the secondary.

As new additions to the interior of the defensive line, Sebastian Joseph-Day, who played under Staley when he served as the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Rams in 2020, and Austin Johnson can bolster the run defense.

Before anyone paints a sunset of Mack's career after his injury-riddled 2021 campaign, keep in mind that he only missed two games prior to last year. Don't place him in the category of injury-prone players yet. If healthy, the 31-year-old can significantly bolster the Chargers run defense and wreck offensive lines with new pass-rushing partner Joey Bosa. After all, the 2020 Pro Bowler registered nine sacks and three forced fumbles just two seasons ago.

As for Jackson, his ability to track the ball and force turnovers can provide the Chargers with extra offensive possessions. He's recorded 25 interceptions—tied for the most in NFL history through a player's first four seasons. 

The Chargers have done just about everything possible to aid Herbert in his rapid ascension to the top of the quarterback hierarchy. He has the offensive weapons, quality pass protection and perhaps an improved defense that can force more three-and-outs or take the ball away and give it back to the offense.

Los Angeles has done exactly what teams should do with a quarterback on a rookie deal: Support him with high-end playmakers all over the field. 

If you thought Herbert had an electrifying start to his career, watch him put together an MVP-worthy 2022 season with the help of a stable operation and a loaded roster.

College football statistics provided by cfbstats.com.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.

The NFL reportedly considered moving the then-Oakland Raiders to St. Louis in 2014 amid plans to move the Rams from St. Louis to Los Angeles.

Austin Huguelet, Joel Currier and Katie Kull of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the news Saturday in the wake of the NFL and the Rams releasing records regarding the Rams' move from St. Louis to L.A.

The records show that the NFL discussed moving the Raiders to St. Louis with restructured ownership and a brand makeover, but it never happened, and the league moved the Raiders to Las Vegas instead in 2020.

Last year, the NFL settled for $790 million with the city of St. Louis in relation to moving the Rams to Los Angeles in 2016.

Within the documents acquired by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, it was revealed that Rams owner Stan Kroenke began preparing for a move to Los Angeles in 2013 and that the NFL knew of the plans that year despite NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saying he wasn't aware.

The Rams, Chargers and Raiders all filed paperwork to move to Los Angeles, but the Raiders were left out when the Rams and Chargers were chosen for relocation.

Now, the Rams and the Chargers share SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Moving the Raiders to St. Louis would have eased some of the sting that came along with the Rams moving. The NFL reportedly also wanted to focus on a "special diversity initiative" in relation to a Raiders relocation to St. Louis.

Instead, Raiders owner Mark Davis reached a deal to build Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, and the move became official for the 2020 season.

The Raiders spent their first season in Vegas without fans in attendance because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but last season they gave their fans plenty to cheer about by going 10-7 and reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

Meanwhile, the Rams have reached the Super Bowl twice since relocation from St. Louis to L.A. in 2016, and they won it all last season thanks largely to the acquisition of quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions.

With the Rams moving and the Raiders' relocation falling through, St. Louis is left without an NFL team and has only two major professional sports franchises in the NHL's Blues and MLB's Cardinals.

A former Las Vegas Raiders human resources employee alleged this week that the organization created a toxic work environment.

Speaking to Ken Belson, Jenny Vrentas and Kevin Draper of the New York Times, Nicole Adams said of the Raiders, "If anyone complained, they were let go."

Adams, who worked for the Raiders for nearly five years, added that she was pushed out of the organization in 2020 but decided against signing a severance agreement since it would have prevented her from talking about her time with the Raiders.

In the New York Times article, it is alleged that when Raiders employees brought up concerns about the team's operations, they were "often ignored or pushed out and given settlements and nondisclosure agreements to keep them quiet."

Adams also said former Raiders executive Dan Ventrelle "joked he would be ready to settle if anyone came forward with a charge" during his time with the team.

Ventrelle joined the then-Oakland Raiders in 2003 and eventually rose to the title of executive vice president and general counsel. After team president Marc Badain resigned in July 2021, Ventrelle became interim president, and he was promoted to full-time president at the end of the 2021 season.

Less than a year after Ventrelle took the role, Raiders owner Mark Davis released a statement last week announcing that Ventrelle was no longer with the organization:

Ventrelle subsequently released said he was fired after taking employee complaints to the NFL after Davis was dismissive of them.

According to Vincent Bonsignore and Mick Akers of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Ventrelle said in a statement:

"I have committed almost 18 years of my life to the success of the Raiders as general counsel and president. I take that responsibility very seriously, which is why multiple written complaints from employees that Mark created a hostile work environment and engaged in other potential misconduct caused me grave concern.

"[He] did not demonstrate the warranted level of concern. Given this, I informed the NFL of these issues and of Mark's unacceptable response. Soon thereafter, I was fired in retaliation for raising these concerns."

Ventrelle added: "I firmly stand by my decision to elevate these issues to protect the organization and its female employees. I remain committed to doing everything in my power to support the Raiders and the Las Vegas community I now call home."

A statement from the NFL said it "recently became aware of these allegations and take them very seriously."

The Raiders are about seven months removed from Jon Gruden resigning as head coach of the team after the discovery of him using anti-gay and misogynistic language in emails.

At the conclusion of the 2021 season, the Raiders hired former New England Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels as their new head coach and former Patriots executive Dave Ziegler as their general manager.

The Raiders have yet to publicly comment on Ventrelle's allegations, and the exact nature of the allegations made by Raiders employees has yet to be made public as well.

The Arapahoe County district attorney intends to charge Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, despite the victim in his case saying he was not a threat to her. 

The victim in Jeudy's case addressed the situation during a court appearance on Friday morning. 

Per ESPN's Jeff Legwold, Jeudy was arrested Thursday on a misdemeanor charge of second-degree criminal tampering with a domestic violence enhancer.

According to Legwold, Arapahoe County Sheriff Tyler Brown said the dispute between Jeudy and the mother of his one-month old daughter "solely involved property" and there was no physical contact made between the two. 

Brown noted "there was no damage to the property" in the dispute. 

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Harvey Steinberg, Jeudy's lawyer, said his client shouldn't have been arrested nor held in custody overnight. 

"Brown said that per Colorado law, the domestic violence enhancer was added to the charge because of the relationship between Jeudy and the woman," Legwold wrote. "Also per Colorado law, the domestic violence enhancer prevents release at least until an appearance before a judge."

Brown said Jeudy prevented the woman from retrieving several items, including her wallet, medical information for the child and a car seat.

Per the police report submitted to the court (h/t Legwold), the woman told an Arapahoe County sheriff's deputy that she wanted to go to Virginia but couldn't leave without collecting those items from Jeudy's car. 

The Broncos issued a statement in the aftermath of Jeudy's arrest: "We are aware of the matter involving Jerry Jeudy and are in the process of gathering more information."

Jeudy is entering his third season with the Broncos. The 23-year-old was selected with the No. 15 overall pick by the organization in 2020. He has appeared in 26 games over the past two seasons.