Throwback jerseys could be getting an assist as early as 2021.
The NFL is considering changes to its one-helmet rule prohibiting teams from donning alternate designs above the chin strap.
“There will be no change for the 2020 season,” league spokesman Brian McCarthy told ESPN. “There are ongoing discussions for a potential change for the 2021 season, but no decisions have been made.”
Bruce Arians mentioned the idea this week. When asked about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ famous Creamsicle uniforms on “The Dan Patrick Show,” the coach mentioned the league could tweak the rule and allow such jersey comebacks.
The NFL went to one helmet per team earlier this decade to maximize head safety.
Allowing multiple helmet designs gives teams a chance to tap into nostalgia, including the
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Former Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead has signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Carolina Panthers, a league source confirmed to ESPN.
He has a $1.05 million salary, the league minimum for players with seven-plus years of experience, and a $1.45 million signing bonus, a source told ESPN.
Whitehead, who turns 30 on April 2, adds veteran experience to a linebacker corps that lost Pro Bowler Luke Kuechly to retirement after the season.
Whitehead was a fifth-round pick by the Detroit Lions out of Temple in 2012, when new Panthers coach Matt Rhule was an assistant for the Owls. Rhule went on to become the head coach at Temple from 2013 to 2016.
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NFL Network first reported the news of Whitehead’s agreement.
The Raiders released Whitehead on March 9 in a move that cleared $6.25 million in salary-cap space.
Whitehead started all 32 games for the Raiders the past two seasons. He signed with the team as a free agent after six seasons with Detroit.
He had 108 combined tackles last season, the fourth straight year he had more than 100. However, his 941 defensive snaps last season were the most in the NFL for any linebacker who failed to record a sack, an interception, a fumble recovery or a forced fumble, according to research by The Associated Press.
After the Week 5 season-long suspension of middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict, Whitehead slid over from the strong side and assumed the role of defensive playcaller by wearing the green-dot helmet and playing in the middle of the Raiders’ 4-3 base defense.
But late in the season, Whitehead was replaced at middle linebacker by Will Compton, who had been signed off the street.
ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez contributed to this report.
TEMPE, Ariz. — Running back Kenyan Drake signed his one-year tender with the Arizona Cardinals, his agency announced Saturday.
Drake was tendered Monday, which meant he could negotiate a long-term deal with other teams but Arizona would have the right of first refusal. The tender is worth $8,483,000 for the 2020 season.
Drake, 26, was traded to the Cardinals from the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 28 and played in his first game just three days later, rushing for 110 yards and a touchdown, and catching four passes for 52 yards. From there, he established himself as Arizona’s starting running back.
