Rick Stroud

Bucs/NFL beat writer for Tampa Bay Times. Co-author of the Players’ Coach with Tom Moore. Host Sports Day Tampa Bay, a podcast on Apple Podcasts (ITunes)

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

I’m very proud to announce Tom Moore’s book, The Players’ Coach: From Bradshaw to Manning, Brady and beyond, which I co-wrote with him, is available on Amazon for pre-order.
He talked, I typed.
Honored to help tell coach Moore’s story. In stores Labor Day
https://t.co/qfxauTmTsc

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Never underestimate what NFL teams are willing to do with respect to stadium sites.

[David Haugh @DavidHaugh]

The #Bears are expected to announce today their board of directors have voted and they will be focused on Hammond moving forward as the future site of their stadium, two legislative sources said. @thescorechicago @mullyhaugh

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Baker Mayfield says contract talks “not close,” sets deadline for deal https://t.co/qNZYJna9bn

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Baker Mayfield says contract talks are not close and once training camp starts, “They know all the talking stops,” and he will focus on the regular season.

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Baker Mayfield on contract extension talks. “Not anywhere close to what we were thinking,” Mayfield said. “Would love to be here long term but as of right now that’s not exactly the case. But I’m under contract for 2026. The guys in that locker room, the staff know that I’m still gonna be me. I’m still going to do everything I can to help this team win a Super Bowl. TO me that’s the priority. Everything else will take care of itself. “

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Great mailbag questions answered 100 percent correctly or your money back today on Rays and Bucs. Happy Friday! https://t.co/axYr5xDYK5

[Tampa Bay Rays @RaysBaseball]

"Let's finish what we started."

Read Joe Maddon's https://t.co/2AQck9T683 column on why now is the time to finally "finish the business of where the Tampa Bay Rays will forever call home."

➡️: https://t.co/pU5NZGHemQ

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Congrats to Coach Cooper! https://t.co/j3nc1We2HZ

[Sports Day Tampa Bay Podcast @SportsDayTB]

Send your mailbag questions for tomorrow and Friday's pods. Ask @NFLSTROUD and @SteveVersnick about #RaysUp, #Bucs, #GoBolts or anything else on your mind. Send them our way now!

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Only difference is the money is coming in the front door instead of the back door. Cry me a river. Alabama had an operating revenue of $267.4 million and still had a surplus of $32.7 million. How dare those athletes get paid.

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Chris Godwin learning Mike Evans joined the 49ers. “Honestly, I didn’t believe it,” Godwin said. “There’s a bunch of stuff that you can’t really believe, AI and stuff, so I didn’t really believe it. I texted Bake and I was like, ‘Yo, is this for real?’ And he was like, ‘Sadly.’”

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Healthy Chris Godwin takes on bigger role for Bucs on, off the field https://t.co/6B83yi2zrb

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Sure, shorts and t-shirts. Not real football. But the Bucs defense kicked the hell out of the offense in OTAs Tues and let them know about it. TSA says Bucs are the priority over Rays in stadium funding and more. https://t.co/nJDbztUrDR

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Wut?

[Jordan Schultz @Schultz_Report]

I texted Aaron Donald about coming out of retirement and playing for the Rams, alongside Myles Garrett:

“I’m for sure flirting with the idea. Helluva an opportunity with the Super Bowl in SoFi this year. If I can find the fire, it’s a possibility.”

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

This is not a good development for the rest of the NFC.

[Peter Schrager @PSchrags]

Fun nugget on Myles Garrett's first day in LA--
After the flight, after the press conference, after meeting everyone--it was time to wrap up a wild day.
As they're packing up, Garrett pulls aside a Rams official...and asks if he could go to the gym and do a full workout...(1/2)

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Healthy Chris Godwin takes on bigger role for Bucs on, off the field https://t.co/6B83yi2zrb

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Bucs WR Chris Godwin, 30, on being the elder man in the position room with Mike Evans now a 49er and his reaction to losing his teammate. Godwin is entering his TENTH season.

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Bucs CB Benjamin Morrison with a pick six of Baker Mayfield in the second play of OTAs. Defense starting fast.

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Tristan Wirfs and Ben Bredeson work in tandem during offensive line drills. RT Luke Goedeke is working today after missing last Tuesday.

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Blockbuster deals in the NFL will affect two Bucs opponents. Rays fall to the Tigers 10-9, their sixth loss in the past eight games while Chandler Simpson and Taylor Walls left with injuries. https://t.co/ThG8DFeCzk

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Throwing strikes.

[Rick Stroud @NFLSTROUD]

Wow. Bucs host the Rams Jan. 3.

[Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter]

🚨🚨🚨

Bombshell: The Browns are finalizing a trade that will send two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, per @rapsheet, @TomPelissero and me.

In exchange for Garrett, the Rams are expected to send Pro-Bowl edge Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick and other draft-pick compensation still being negotiated to the Browns.