It won’t be long before the 2023 NFL season is underway. Teams are already working together to prepare for another shot at a title. While the biggest NFL betting news stories occur during the regular season, that doesn’t mean there aren’t big things in this offseason.
Teams have begun shaping their rosters, making some other moves as well. Here is a look at some of the biggest football stories over the last few days.
Bills Break Ground
The Buffalo Bills have now broken ground on a new Orchard Park stadium, set to be completed in 2026. The team has worked with New York State on this project. Signs of construction can be seen where the new stadium is to be built, which is next door to the current one.
It’s an arrangement that’s only made possible after the Bills agreed to sign a 30-year lease and a non-relocation agreement. The non-relocation clause was very important to the deal. Buffalo is currently the league’s second-smallest market and may have been a candidate to move.
Buffalo will be playing in a new stadium in 2026 but with the same name. During the ceremony, it was revealed the new stadium is going to be the second incarnation of Highmark Stadium.
The cost of the natural-grass-surface project is now over $1.54 billion. Highmark Stadium II is not going to come with a dome, but the stadium plans have fans element-protected by an overhang.
Cowboys Release Callaway
The Dallas Cowboys have released wide receiver Antonio Callaway after his arrest in Miami. Callaway was charged with a driving (suspended license) violation.
Dallas had signed Callaway to the practice squad last November but wasn’t active at any point during the regular season or playoffs. Callaway was thought to have a shot of making the team this season. He is now hoping some other team looks past this “transgression.”
Dallas didn’t leave the roster spot open long, as the team agreed to terms with Tyron Johnson, Johnson has seen some time in the league. There were six other players who worked out with the team, but the ‘Boys felt Johnson met their needs best.
Dallas is currently 14-1 (+1400) to win the title, according to Super Bowl LVIII odds.
Floyd a Bill
Breaking ground on a new stadium isn’t the only big Buffalo Bill news this offseason. The team also signed seven-season veteran linebacker Leonard Floyd. This will be a one-year deal given to Floyd, and the former Ram will help the pass rush.
Floyd was released by the Rams back in March. LA was hoping to find a partner via trade, but the 30-year-old Floyd didn’t attract any interest.
Floyd has been a solid player in the league when healthy, 47½ sacks and 103 quarterback hits during his career.
Priced at 9-2 (+450), Buffalo is a co-second choice to win the AFC, as per NFL conference odds by BetUS Sportsbook.
Cornerback Under Investigation
It’s no secret that the league has been cracking down hard on players making illegal bets. The latest victim appears to be Indianapolis Colts’ cornerback Isaiah Rodgers. The team acknowledged an investigation was in progress, but it’s unclear how or when Rodgers might have broken the rules.
Things were even more serious Monday night. Rodgers apologized on Twitter, seemingly admitting to the mistake. Rodgers was a sixth-round choice by Indy in 2020, entering the final year of his contract.
Sources have indicated more than 100 bets were placed by Rodgers during the 2022 season, including some on games involving Rodgers. The last few years have seen the NFL come down hard on guilty parties.
