Like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, Frank Ragnow reportedly forced to repay part of signing bonus to Lions

When longtime Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnowretired last Junewithtwo years left on his contract, the franchise made the four-time Pro Bowler pay back part of his signing bonus,according to the Detroit Free Press’ Dave Birkett, who also reported Tuesday that the Lions previously forced Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson to make similar repayments.

In an interview with the Free Press at the NFL’s annual meeting, Lions president Rod Wood didn’t reveal exactly how much Ragnow had to return, but Wood reportedly confirmed that the franchise pursued “a portion” of his signing bonus proration.

Following a slew of injuries, including a fractured throat, Ragnow walked away from the game at 29 years old. Whilehe attempted a midseason comebackto help a Detroit offensive line that was struggling on the interior,he failed his physical that notably uncovered a Grade 3 hamstring strain.

“Our precedent goes all the way back to Barry Sanders,” Wood told the Free Press on March 29. “And if Barry Sanders paid back money. … And I think the reality is, they’re not paying back their money, they’re returning our money. Cause they were paid in advance for services that they hadn’t completed.”

In the spring of 2021,Ragnow signed a four-year extension reportedly worth $54 million that made him the highest-paid center in the NFL at the time. The 2018 first-round pick out of Arkansas still had two years left on his rookie deal, so the extension kicked in during the 2023 season and was set to run through 2026.

That lucrative extension, per the Free Press, included a $6 million signing bonus, which counted $1.5 million against the cap each season from 2023-26.

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Not every team seeks signing bonus prorations when players call it quits early, the Free Press reported Tuesday. And the Lions doing so after Ragnow fought through injury after injury to play for the organization during a formative seven seasons is eliciting some frustration.

Retired center Jason Kelce, who was a six-time first-team All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowler with the Philadelphia Eagles, took to X to unpack his disagreement with the Lions’ handling of the situation.

“… The whole purpose of a signing bonus is to be a guarantee up front that insures a salary irregardless of performance metrics, or most importantly injuries that could compromise your career in the future,”Kelce wrote.

Kelce later added in that post: “So while I get that the team has a right to ask for money back, in the spirit of the agreement, I think it’s bulls*** Frank is being asked to return money. This was clearly a player that the game had physically taken its toll on, and his body was clearly no longer holding up to the rigors of the NFL. It wasn’t just some player deciding he didn’t want to play anymore, it wasn’t that simple, and these signing bonuses are there to protect players from the inevitable injuries they incur on the field.”

Like Kelce, Ragnow found his way onto multiple All-Pro teams. He was a second-teamer in 2020, 2023 and 2024.

His efforts, particularly during the Dan Campbell era, have been greatly appreciated by the city and players across the league, especially the teammates he shared a locker room with. One of them, former Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone,chimed in on X as well:

Infamously, after Sanders retired just before training camp in 1999, the Lions took the Pro Football Hall of Fame running back to arbitration to force him to give back part of his signing bonus, more than $7 million of it, according to the Free Press.

That had a negative effect on his relationship with the Lions, and Johnson, a Hall of Fame receiver, had a similar experience when the franchise reportedly made him repay $1.6 million of his signing bonus after he hung up his cleats in 2016.

In the years since, Sanders and Johnson have seemingly made up with the Lions, but the franchise’s contractual stubbornness is still ruffling feathers in the football world.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 31, 2026

Like Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson, Frank Ragnow reportedly forced to repay part of signing bonus to Lions

When longtime Detroit Lions center Frank Ragnowretired last Junewithtwo years left on his contract, the franchise made the four-time Pr...

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Chiefs HC gives update on Patrick Mahomes' injury recovery

When it comes to professional athletes recovering from injuries, no news is usually good news.

That should bode well forKansas City ChiefsquarterbackPatrick Mahomes, who is working his way back from a torn ACL and LCL. WhenChiefshead coachAndy Reidspoke to reporters at the annual league meeting on March 31, he gave something of a there-is-no-update update on his star quarterback.

Asked about Mahomes' timeline to return from injury, Reid said he'll leave it to the medical team to determine whether or not the quarterback is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery.

"I'm going to defer to the experts on that," Reid said when asked if Mahomes would be limited for training camp. "So, if he's good to go, he'll go. If he's not, we'll manage that. So, we'll just cross it as we go. Everybody's different. Everybody heals different. Everybody's injuries are a little bit different. We don't have to put him in a category. We'll see, see where it goes."

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Reid added that it's been all "positive" for the passer during his rehab.

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1. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys

Prescott's $60 million AAV makes him the highest-paid player in the NFL. The Dallas quarterback signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the Cowboys on the eve of the 2024 NFL season opener.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-2. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow also signed a deal with an AAV of $55 million, however his deal was for five years and $275 million. Burrow agreed to the extension with Cincinnati on Sept. 7, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-2. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lawrence signed his own five-year, $275 million dollar extension on June 13, 2024. His AAV is also $55 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Allen's $55-million AAV ties him with Love, Burrow and Lawrence, however the Bills quarterback's extension was for six years and $330 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 6. Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins

With an AAV of $53.1 million, Tagovailoa barely beats the next few players on this list. The Dolphins signed him to a four-year, $212.4 million extension on July 26, 2024.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-7. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions

The Lions rewarded Goff with a four-year, $212 million extension before the 2024 NFL season after he helped turn Detroit into a top contender in the NFC. His deal has an AAV of $53 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-7. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft shocked the world after taking over as the 49ers QB and turned his success into a five-year, $265 million contract on May 16, 2025. Purdy will earn an average of $53 million per season.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 9. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

Herbert earns an AAV of $52.5 million after he signed a five-year, $262.5 million extension with the Chargers before the 2023 NFL season.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 10. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens

Jackson's average salary is $52 million thanks to the five-year, $260 million contract he signed on April 27, 2023.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 11. Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

The Super Bowl LIX MVP earns an average salary of $51 million. He signed a five-year, $255 million deal in April 2023 and has already paid off the Eagles' investment with a Super Bowl win.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 12. Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers

Parsons became the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history after signing a four-year, $186 million extension following his trade from the Dallas Cowboys to the Packers. His AAV is $46.5 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 13. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals

Murray earns $46.1 million on average after he signed a five-year, $230.5 million deal on July 21, 2022.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Deshaun Watson, Cleveland Browns

Despite playing just 19 games over three seasons with Cleveland, Watson's contract has an AAV of $46 million. He signed a five-year, $230 million contract after the Browns acquired him in a trade with the Houston Texans on March 18, 2022.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-15. Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons

Cousins signed a four-year, $180 million deal with the Falcons before the 2024 NFL season. Despite losing the starting QB job to Michael Penix Jr., Cousins earns $45 million on average.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-15. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Mahomes' 10-year, $450 million deal is the biggest contract in NFL history, despite his $45 million AAV ranking him 15th on this list.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 17. Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams

The Rams signed Stafford to a two-year, $84 million extension for an AAV of $42 million before the 2025 NFL season.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 18. T.J. Watt, Pittsburgh Steelers

Watt signed a three-year, $123 million deal on July 17, 2025, to briefly make him the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback before Micah Parson's extension with the Green Bay Packers. Watt earns an average salary of $41 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 19. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase became the NFL's highest-paid wide receiver after signing a four-year, $161 million extension before the 2025 NFL season. His average salary is $40.25 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns

Garrett earns a $40 million AAV. The Browns defensive end signed a four-year, $160 extension on March 9, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 21. Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

Crosby also earned his big payday in March, signing a three-year, $106.5 million contract just four days before Garrett's extension. Crosby earns a $35.5 million AAV.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 22. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Jefferson signed a four-year, $140 million extension on June 3, 2024 to make him the NFL's highest-paid non-quarterback in history at the time. He earns $35 million on average.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> T-23. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Two months after Jefferson's deal, Lamb signed a four-year, $136 million extension with Dallas. Lamb's AAV is $34 million.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 25. Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks

Darnold scored a payday with Seattle after a resurgent season with Minnesota in 2024. Darnold earns an AAV of $33.5 million after signing a three-year, $100.5 million contract on March 10, 2025.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Highest paid NFL players 2025: See where Patrick Mahomes, Micah Parsons rank

1. Dak Prescott, Dallas CowboysPrescott's $60 million AAV makes him the highest-paid player in the NFL. The Dallas quarterback signed a four-year, $240 million deal with the Cowboys on the eve of the 2024 NFL season opener.

According to an article published byArthroscopy, recovery from an ACL tear "typically spans 9 to 12 months." The "return to sport" phase ranges from 6-12 months, with the 9-12 month range listed as a likely timeline for return to competition.

Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL on Dec. 14 during a Week 15 game against theLos Angeles Chargers. He underwent surgery to repair the ligaments in his knee the following day.

On March 25 – just over three months after his operation – Mahomes posted a video of himself throwing a football with a compression sleeve on his left leg.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 31, 2026

Chiefs HC gives update on Patrick Mahomes' injury recovery

When it comes to professional athletes recovering from injuries, no news is usually good news. That should bode well forKansas Ci...

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Turkey wins European playoff, will face USMNT at World Cup

Turkey defeated Kosovo 1-0 in a World Cup playoff on Tuesday, clinching a berth in Group D alongside the U.S. men's national team.

Kerem Aktürkoğlu gave Turkey the lead early in the second half, tapping home on the doorstep after a scuffed shot from Orkun Kökçü.

That was all the visitors needed as they advanced to the World Cup for the first time since 2002.

The USMNT learned at the World Cup draw in December that it would face Paraguay and Australia in the group phase, but has been waiting to find out the identity of its third opponent.

That team will be Turkey, which defeated Romania 1-0 in a semifinal on Thursday, March 26 before victory over Kosovo on Tuesday at the Fadil Vokrri Stadium in Pristina, Kosovo.

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Turkey is ranked 23rd in FIFA's world rankings, making it the second highest-ranked team in Group D behind the U.S. (15th).

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, Mexico

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Estadio Akron –Guadalajara, Mexico

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> BMO Field – Toronto

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> BC Place – Vancouver, Canada

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Lumen Field – Seattle

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> NRG Stadium – Houston

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Levi's Stadium – Santa Clara, California

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

What stadiums are hosting the 2026 World Cup in North America? See all 16

MetLife Stadium– East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

The USMNT and Turkey have faced off five times in their history, with each team winning two games and the other match ending in a draw.

Most recently, Turkey defeated the USMNT 2-1 in a June 2025 friendly.

Turkey's win means the USMNT will enter the World Cup having faced all three of its group stage opponents within the last year. The U.S. defeated Australia in October and Paraguay in November.

Turkey World Cup group stage schedule

• June 13 vs. Australia, BC Place - Vancouver, BC.

• June 19 vs. Paraguay, Levi's Stadium - Santa Clara, CA

• June 25 vs. USMNT, SoFi Stadium - Los Angeles, CA

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Turkey to face USMNT at World Cup after playoff win

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 31, 2026

Turkey wins European playoff, will face USMNT at World Cup

Turkey defeated Kosovo 1-0 in a World Cup playoff on Tuesday, clinching a berth in Group D alongside the U.S. men's national team. ...

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Japan and Indonesia to boost energy security cooperation as concerns grow over Iran war fallout

TOKYO (AP) — Japan and resource-rich Indonesia agreed Tuesday to deepen economic ties and cooperation in energy security as the two Asian countries face growing uncertainty over oil and gas supplies prompted by thewar in the Middle East.

Japan Indonesia

“In the wake of the Iran situation, the importance of resources and energy security is being recognized globally,” said Japanese Prime MinisterSanae Takaichiin a joint news conference after holding talks with Indonesian PresidentPrabowo Subiantoin Tokyo.

The details of the agreement are yet to be made public.

The two countries signed a deal this month to boost economic collaboration on critical minerals and nuclear energy, Takaichi said Tuesday.

Under the memorandum signed on March 15, the two sides will cooperate in building a new nuclear power plant, possibly in Indonesia’s West Kalimantan, using Japanese expertise, with potential funding by development banks, according to a document released by Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Probowo also said his country invited Japanese cooperation in processing critical minerals such asrare earthelements, as well as in renewables and nuclear power

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Japan, despite the 2011Fukushima nuclear disaster, is now promoting nuclear energy and seeking to expand cooperation with Southeast Asian nations as part of its zero-carbon emissions initiative. Indonesia islooking to nuclear powerto meet surging energy demands.

Indonesia last year announced plans to build two small modular reactors on a southern Indonesian island by 2034. Officials there say Canada and Russia have issued formal cooperation proposals.

Takaichi and Prabowo also agreed to deepen cooperation to help stabilize supply chains, including liquefied natural gas, Japan's Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Resource-scarce Japan is among the world's top importers of LNG, and about 5% of its supply comes from Indonesia.

Japan, more than 90% of whose oil imports come from the Middle East, is also seeking to diversify suppliers. The country started releasing state and commercial oil reserves this month to stabilize its market.

Associated Press writer Niniek Karmini in Jakarta, Indonesia, contributed to this report.

byVaclavien Pynzarien

in

March 31, 2026

Japan and Indonesia to boost energy security cooperation as concerns grow over Iran war fallout

TOKYO (AP) — Japan and resource-rich Indonesia agreed Tuesday to deepen economic ties and cooperation in energy security as the two Asi...

Read More