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NFL notebook: Khan bids for Wembley Stadium

[April 27, 2018] Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan made a bid to purchase the team's vacation home -- Wembley Stadium in London. Khan's bid is roughly $700 million, according to the Evening Standard, and comes with the full support of the NFL.

The Jaguars play one "home" game each season in London, an agreement that extends through the 2020 season and began in 2013. Khan also owns Fulham Football Club. Wembley Stadium hosted its first American football game in 2007.

"I am very pleased to learn today that The Football Association board of directors received our offer to purchase Wembley Stadium, our home away from home in London, from the FA," Khan said in a statement. He denied that the bid is a first step in relocating the franchise overseas.

"Today's news changes none of what we envision for the long-term promise for the Jaguars here in Jax, and it changes nothing as to the goals we have for your downtown," Khan said. "If anything, today's news is the embodiment of the ethos we adopted several years ago of being proud, bold and committed."

--Wyoming quarterback Josh Allen acknowledged and apologized for years-old Twitter activity, in which he used derogatory and racist terms, unearthed on the eve of the 2018 NFL Draft.

"At the time, I obviously didn't know how harmful it was and now has become," Allen told ESPN on Thursday. "It sucks. My family is hurting. We never envisioned a day or night like this.

"That's my plan -- to show the type of person I am now. Whatever team picks me, they are going to get that from me. I will set the record straight for any team, any teammate, the media, and I think once they meet me and they're around me, see how I act and how I think, that it's not going to be a problem at all."

--The Dallas Cowboys have been in talks with the Seattle Seahawks regarding a trade for safety Earl Thomas, according to ESPN's Dan Graziano.

Per Graziano, talks are focused on the Cowboys' second-round pick (No. 50 overall), but Dallas is not moving toward a deal without figuring out whether it can sign Thomas, a native Texan, long term.

The Cowboys gained needed salary cap space by releasing wide receiver Dez Bryant earlier this month. Thomas is scheduled to earn $8.5 million in 2018, the final year of his contract.

--In the wake of their workplace misconduct investigation triggered by allegations against owner Jerry Richardson, the Carolina Panthers released a statement outlining advances they have made to address the issue.

"Since December 2017, when we commenced an internal investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct, the organization has taken the appropriate steps to remediate any misconduct and ensure a safe and comfortable work environment ...," the team said in its statement.

"Tina Becker was named COO in December," the statement continued, "and immediately began working towards addressing the issues. The team allocated significant resources towards reforming our workplace, restructured executive responsibilities and added a comprehensive training program on harassment and diversity and inclusion issues. ..."

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--The Panthers and tight end Greg Olsen agreed to a two-year extension that could be worth up to $20.1 million, according to multiple reports.

Olsen can reportedly earn up to $10.05 million per year, which would make him the highest-paid tight end in the NFL. The deal is worth $8.55 million per year base value. Olsen was entering the final season of a three-year extension signed in 2015.

Olsen caught 17 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown in seven games last season, missing time on injured reserve with a broken foot. The 33-year-old had rattled off three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons prior to last year, earning Pro Bowl nods each season.

--New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was on the field catching passes as part of individual drills at the team's minicamp.

Video caught by reporters in attendance show Beckham, who missed all but four games last season due to a broken ankle, jump to haul in a pass lobbed his way with no issue.

"It's terrific," head coach Pat Shurmur said of seeing Beckham take the field. "We all know what a great player he is. He is making progress to getting fully cleared. You can see he looks lively and is involved. He is taking all the mental reps that he can. It is great. It is great to see all of our players out there and all of them healthy as we get ready for September."

--Willie Snead officially became a member of the Baltimore Ravens when he signed his contract.

Snead confirmed the signing during a brief video released by the Ravens' Twitter account, saying, "Hey Ravens' fans, Willie Snead here. I just signed the papers. I'm officially a Raven. Excited to be here, looking forward to the season. Ravens Flock."

Snead reportedly received a two-year, $10.4 million deal from Baltimore. Snead was a restricted free agent, and his former club, the New Orleans Saints, declined to match the offer sheet.

--The Tampa Bay Buccaneers reached agreement on a one-year deal with running back Charles Sims, hours before the 2018 NFL Draft was scheduled to kick off.

Sims has spent the past four seasons with the Buccaneers after being a third-round pick in the 2014 draft. He has rushed for 958 yards and two touchdowns and caught 129 passes for 1,190 yards and six scores in 47 NFL games (two starts).

Sims had just 95 rushing yards on 21 carries last season. His best output is when he rushed for 529 yards in 2015. Sims also established career highs of 51 catches, 561 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2015.

--Field Level Media

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