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The New York Rangers on Friday acquired forward Pavel Dorofeyev, the Vegas Golden Knights’ leading goal scorer from last season, immediately agreeing to a long-term deal with the restricted free agent.

The trade, announced by NHL commissioner Gary Bettman at the podium of the draft in Buffalo, New York, sent Vegas Friday’s No. 26 pick, as well as No. 92 later in the draft. New York also shipped its 2028 first-round selection, which is top-10 protected, to land Dorofeyev, a 25-year-old winger, who led the Golden Knights with 37 goals in 82 games last season and 27 assists.

The Rangers then agreed to a seven-year contract with Dorofeyev, at $11 million per season, sources told ESPN, confirming a report.

This past season was Dorofeyev’s second straight in leading Vegas in goals, having scored 32 times in 2024-25. And this past postseason, when the Knights lost in the Stanley Cup Final, he had 12 goals and 16 points in 22 games, though he only had two goals in Vegas’ final eight games.

Dorofeyev, who would have had arbitration rights in restricted free agency, said his next contract wasn’t on his mind during the postseason.

“My job is to just go there and play hockey,” Dorofeyev said. “I’m not thinking about it. My parents, my agent, everybody around me? That’s their job, not mine.”

Dorofeyev gives the Rangers some additional scoring on the wing, as they seek to bolster a team that finished 23rd in goals per game last season (2.87).

On the Vegas side, in a flurry of moves late into the night in Buffalo, the Golden Knights eventually moved the Rangers’ No. 26 pick to the Montreal Canadiens. Vegas landed the No. 28 pick, in return, as well as a 2027 third-round selection for New York’s slot. They then acquired No. 29, along with No. 117 this weekend, from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for No. 28. And ultimately, at No. 29, Vegas chose defenseman Juho Piiparinen from Finland.

Mason McTavish is finally on the move.

The Anaheim Ducks traded the young center to the St. Louis Blues for the Nos. 15 and 29 picks in Friday’s NHL draft.

The Ducks used the 15th pick to select Saginaw Spirit winger Nikita Klepov. They then sent the 29th pick along with the 117th to the Vegas Golden Knights for the No. 28 pick, which they used to select left wing Marcus Nordmark.

McTavish’s future has been the subject of conversations since Anaheim was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the Golden Knights.

McTavish, 23, saw his role with the team reduced during the postseason. It was a jarring development, given how some of the team’s young players, such as Leo Carlsson, Lukas Dostal, Cutter Gauthier, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov and Beckett Sennecke, took on more responsibility in the Ducks’ lineup.

After dealing McTavish, PuckPedia projects the Ducks have $44.623 million in salary cap space. That should allow them to re-sign Carlsson, Gauthier and Mintyukov, who are all restricted free agents, and look to rebuild their defense, with three of their blueliners pending unrestricted free agents.

McTavish provides a refresh to the Blues, who could undergo more changes this offseason. He gives the Blues a potential top-six option down the middle or on the wing.

McTavish had his first 20-goal season in 2024-25, when he had 52 points in 76 games while averaging 16:52 in ice time. This past season, he finished with 17 goals and 41 points in 75 games while receiving 15:19 in ice time.

Although McTavish finished with six points in 10 games during the playoffs, his ice time slipped to 12:25.

The Carolina Hurricanes are expected to be without leading goal scorer Seth Jarvis for the start of their Stanley Cup defense next season due to shoulder surgery.

General manager Eric Tulsky announced that Jarvis, 24, had a procedure on a shoulder he had previously injured and will be out “probably 4-6 months.”

Jarvis typically plays on the wing of No. 1 center Sebastian Aho. He led the Hurricanes with 32 goals in 71 games last season and was second on the team in points per game average (0.93).

But Jarvis was less effective during Carolina’s Stanley Cup run, with 4 goals and 7 assists in 19 games. He had a goal and two assists in the Stanley Cup Final against Vegas, and coach Rod Brind’Amour eventually moved him down to the Hurricanes’ third line. Several days after their Cup celebrations ended, Jarvis went under the knife.

Tulsky also said that forward Eric Robinson will miss up to 8 weeks with a procedure on his knee.

With those absences, Tulsky said the opportunity will be there for a young player to step into the Carolina lineup. Specifically, he said top forward prospect Bradly Nadeau could “get some runway” to help the roster until Jarvis returns. Nadeau had 3 goals in 12 games with the Canes last season.

SAN DIEGO — — Walker Buehler pitched one-run ball into the sixth inning for a victory over his former team, Ty France hit an early three-run homer and the San Diego Padres beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-1 on Friday night for their fourth consecutive win.

Buehler (5-3) yielded three hits and three walks with five strikeouts in his second career start against the Dodgers, his employers for his first decade in pro baseball. He made two All-Star teams and won two championship rings in Dodger Blue, recording the last out of the 2024 World Series in his final appearance.

Mookie Betts homered for the major league-leading Dodgers, whose three-game winning streak ended in the first of seven games in 10 days between these Southern California rivals.

Sung-mun Song delivered a two-run single before Rodolfo Durán and Fernando Tatis Jr. added RBI hits in a four-run eighth inning of the Padres’ sixth victory in eight games.

Roki Sasaki (3-5) gave up three runs and a season high-tying five walks while failing to get out of the fifth inning in his first start against the Padres, who were a reported finalist for his services when he came to the majors from Japan before last season.

Betts hit his 10th homer on the first pitch of the second inning. After Sasaki walked two Padres to begin his second, France put a hanging slider into the left field stands for his fourth homer in seven games.

Manny Machado and Tatis hit doubles off the wall against Sasaki before Jack Dreyer replaced him in the fifth and escaped a bases-loaded jam.

Yuki Matsui then escaped another bases-loaded jam after relieving Buehler in the sixth.

Los Angeles loaded the bases again in the eighth, but Adrian Morejon got Betts to ground into a double play.

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee Brewers starter Jacob Misiorowski threw a first-inning fastball on Friday to Chicago Cubs centerfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong that was clocked at 105.5 mph, breaking his own record for the fastest pitch recorded by a starting pitcher in the pitch tracking era (since 2008).

It’s also tied for the third-fastest pitch by any hurler, behind two from longtime reliever Aroldis Chapman (105.8 in 2010, 105.7 in 2016) and Ben Joyce (105.5 in 2024).

“It’s cool,” Misiorowski said after the Brewers 6-2 win. “I think I slipped a little bit on that pitch. My front foot slid out from under me.”

Misiorowski, 24, hit 103.1 mph on his first pitch of the game, followed by a 104.3 mph fastball before reaching 105.5 mph on the next pitch. Crow-Armstrong actually fouled that one off before striking out three pitches later.

Misiorowski went six innings, giving up a solo home run to Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki — his first allowed in 75⅓ innings. The Cubs battled him well, walking four times while driving up his pitch count. The righty threw a season high 107 pitches including his final pitch of the night — a 102.8 mph fastball — which struck out Cubs left fielder Ian Happ with the bases loaded.

“They had a gameplan coming in to battle me and foul s— off,” Misiorowski said. “They stuck with it. More power to them.”

A few moments later, Brewers centerfielder Garrett Mitchell erased a 1-0 deficit with a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth. The Brewers never relinquished the lead, scoring all six of their runs from the sixth inning on. Afterwards, Mitchell was asked about Misiorowski’s first inning velocity. He was nearly speechless.

“I have nothing else to say about it,” Mitchell said with a smile. “It’s impressive. It feels like every time he goes out there, he’s breaking a record of some sort.”

The 105.5 mph first-inning fastball broke Misiorowski’s own record for a starting pitcher achieved on June 12, when he threw 104.5 mph to Phillies DH Kyle Schwarber.

“Where does it stop?” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said with his own smirk. “I think there’s a limit there.”

In Misiorowski’s estimation, he hasn’t quite hit that limit. He was asked if 106 mph is possible.

“I definitely think it’s possible,” he responded. “Science says you can hit 108. Someone eventually is going to hit it. If that’s me, cool. I don’t think that’s something I need to focus on. Speed is cool but if it doesn’t win a ballgame it doesn’t matter.”

Misiorowski’s ERA is 1.45, third lowest by a pitcher through his first 16 starts of a season over the last 50 years, only behind Trevor Rogers (1.43) last season and Nolan Ryan (1.29) in 1981. He struck out eight Cubs on Friday while matching a season high with the four walks.

“I sprayed a little bit,” Misiorowski said. “There’s always something to work on between starts.”

It’s late June, the time of year in which established, available veterans make their pitch to contending teams.

Free agent All-Pro receiver DeAndre Hopkins did it during a Wednesday appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Cornerback Kenny Moore followed suit Thursday.

“I’m at the perfect point in my career where I really want to win, and hopefully that comes with a team that has the culture, the scheme set up for me,” Moore told SiriusXM NFL Radio. “I just don’t want to be a guy on the team, because I feel like I have so many strengths to give to the secondary or give to the team, and just be a leader. But for me, I was putting down in my notes probably two days ago, whenever I was flying in. It’s more so, whatever role I have on a team, it’s more so like perfecting that role and not really — it’s less about me. I don’t talk about me.

“I want to talk about how I can be in a new place and serve. I want to serve not just the team, not just learning the plays, but I want to serve the community and continuing everything I was doing in Indy. Where I was in Indy, it was less me and more about the team. So I want to be a team guy and I want to win and hopefully we can do that together.”

Moore has demonstrated a team-first approach throughout his career, powering a journey that began as an undrafted free agent out of Valdosta State and peaked with a Pro Bowl nod in 2021. Regarded as one of the best nickel corners in the league when at his best, Moore’s role in Indianapolis changed following the dismissal of defensive coordinator Gus Bradley, and after one season spent under new DC Lou Anarumo, it became clear the two were no longer a fit.

That prompted Moore and the Colts to mutually seek a trade. When one failed to materialize, Indianapolis released Moore in May.

He’s been looking for work ever since.

There’s no hard feelings between Moore and the Colts, who both acknowledged it was time to split. But that doesn’t mean Moore has lost his competitive fire, and as he approaches his 31st birthday in August, he’d prefer to spend his final years chasing team success.

As of late June, he’s yet to find a proper pairing. But with training camp opening a month from now, it’s fair to expect interest to pick up, especially if a team develops a need at the position before the start of the regular season in September.

Moore will be waiting by the phone, ready to answer the call, pack his bags and resume his career.

“I’m so thankful for my time with the Colts,” Moore said. “I can’t say that enough. They’re family. I can still call the people that I’ve experienced and grown with over the years, I’ve got a lot of humility, but I think I’ve just gone through growth. Just growing.

“I’m at a perfect point of my career where I really want to win.”

When folks recall the Houston Texans’ 2025 season, they might land on the nightmarish ending in the Divisional Round.

C.J. Stroud was at the center of that disaster, accounting for four interceptions in the 28-16 loss to the New England Patriots in Massachusetts. That ugly outing has defined the external sentiment regarding Stroud, but Texans offensive coordinator Nick Caley projects a much different feeling.

He believes his quarterback made strides in 2025 prior to his forgettable conclusion and is poised for an even better season in 2026.

“There was a lot of progress that C.J. and the offense made last year,” Caley said, via the Houston Chronicle. “We continued to get better from the start of the season to the end of the regular season and just continued to make progress from week to week. So we’re going to continue to build on that. It’s a new year. C.J. has done a great job out here. Looks good. Locked in.”

In order to reach the ultimate goal, Houston will need Stroud to be much better in 2026 than he was on that awful day in Foxborough. It’s not difficult to envision; all the Texans have to do is turn on the 2023 tape in order to remind themselves of Stroud’s potential.

It might also behoove the Texans to surround Stroud with a more favorable situation. So far, they’ve made efforts in that department, adding running back David Montgomery and tight ends Foster Moreau and Marlin Klein with one goal in mind: establish a more effective ground game.

That element was lacking in Houston’s offense last season, shifting a disproportionate amount of responsibility onto Stroud’s shoulders and dragging down the Texans’ offense. They’re aiming to avoid a repeat performance in 2026, starting with Caley’s approach.

“You always want balance, and each game is a little different,” Caley said. “I think we found a way to even that out as the season progressed. So finding a way to do that. And balance doesn’t come necessarily in terms of a 50-50 run-pass ratio, but it’s also the usage of different players.”

With the aforementioned additions providing a better fit for what Caley wants to do with the offense, the Texans should begin 2026 in a fashion that’s more similar to how they performed down the stretch in 2025. As the league shifts toward heavier reliance on 12 and 13 personnel — groupings that include two or three tight ends — the Texans will be able to keep up with the trend thanks to Moreau, Klein and Brevin Jordan, who is returning from injury.

“You can get bigger on the edges,” Caley said. “You can deploy different types of blocking schemes with different surfaces that you’re attacking. Tight ends are an extension of the offensive line. We can get sturdy, we can control the edges, that always is going to help.”

So too will the presence of another capable, healthy back. The injury-related loss of Joe Mixon hampered Houston significantly throughout the 2025 season. Montgomery’s arrival should stem the tide that consumed Houston’s offense early last year.

Ultimately, though, Houston’s offensive potential will still come down to Caley’s execution of his duties. If he can find success, so will Stroud, who needs a strong season to prove he can be Houston’s franchise quarterback.

Fortunately, optimism season has permeated Houston’s building, too.

“All these reps are invaluable not just for the players but for the coaches too,” Caley said. “Starting with me. I’ve had a good spring, continuing to get better, continuing to stay hungry and keep rolling and growing through training camp. For me, it’s no different than what we tell the players — it’s just continuing to work at it and being honest with yourself along the way.”

Change can be daunting for some. Don’t include Josh Allen in that group.

The Bills’ superstar quarterback is well aware that things aren’t the same in 2026 as they’d been throughout his tenure in Buffalo, but he also understands the opportunity presented by the start of a new era.

“A lot of new. We’re gonna figure things out,” Allen said during an appearance this week on NFL Network’s The Insiders. “Obviously, we go to camp July 28. That’s really where you make your team. But like you said, a lot of new faces, offense, defense, staff-wise. New stadium. New head coach. So, there is a lot of new, and we’re looking forward to getting out there and really learning each other and building that team camaraderie when we go to St. John Fisher in Rochester.

“But, yeah, it’s another tough task, but the goal remains the same, and that’s to bring a Lombardi Trophy to Western New York. And we’re going to do everything in our power to make that happen.”

The tale of the Bills has been the same for most of Allen’s career. They’re a perennial Super Bowl contender, often make deep playoff runs, but never clear the final hurdle standing between them and the sport’s greatest stage. Year after year, the same heartbreak awaits Buffalo fans in January.

After falling in the Divisional Round to the Denver Broncos, Bills ownership decided enough was enough, parting with longtime coach Sean McDermott and eventually hiring offensive coordinator Joe Brady as his replacement. If continuity was the goal of general manager Brandon Beane and owner Terry Pegula, the Bills accomplished it by hiring internally.

That doesn’t come with a guarantee of success, though, especially not with a rookie head coach.

Fortunately, Buffalo already has the most important piece in Allen. The Bills attempted to upgrade his receiving corps, too, by acquiring veteran D.J. Moore in the offseason. He could be the missing link between Buffalo and an AFC Championship Game appearance — if everything else goes right.

“I think what D.J.’s gonna bring to us, obviously veteran leadership, he’s been in the league as long as I’ve been in the league and he’s produced at such a high level for the last eight years,” Allen said of Moore. “Just really getting to know him, we’re locker mates, and to have that relationship that we already have, it’s a pretty seamless fit. I’m excited to continue to get to work with him. He’s going to be a huge help for us this next season and seasons to come.”

Buffalo has lacked an experienced, proven receiver since it traded Stefon Diggs to Houston prior to the 2024 season. The Bills have since relied on a collection of lesser names, including second-round pick Keon Coleman and the likes of Khalil Shakir, Tyrell Shavers, Josh Palmer and the (brief) return of Gabe Davis. Most of that group is back, along with Moore, rookie Skyler Bell and veteran Trent Sherfield.

At minimum, they’ll have options. If Moore proves to be worth the second-round pick Buffalo sent to Chicago in order to acquire him, it could mean the Bills have finally cleared that final hurdle.

In that moment, change will become beloved. For now, though, it’s far from guaranteed. As Allen said, plenty of work remains.

A month away from training camps kicking off around the NFL, this feels like a good time to shoot my shot on the forecasting front. While it is easy to pick the front-runners for the league’s most prestigious awards, I want to identify a handful of underrated or overlooked candidates who could walk away with some hardware at the end of the 2026 season.

Although it is unlikely that the men listed below ultimately hit the winner’s circle at next February’s NFL Honors, there is always a possibility that a long shot finds a way to steal an award with a resounding performance that captivates the football world.

With that logic in mind, here are my long-shot candidates for seven major individual awards in 2026.A month away from training camps kicking off around the NFL, this feels like a good time to shoot my shot on the forecasting front. While it is easy to pick the front-runners for the league’s most prestigious awards, I want to identify a handful of underrated or overlooked candidates who could walk away with some hardware at the end of the 2026 season.

Although it is unlikely that the men listed below ultimately hit the winner’s circle at next February’s NFL Honors, there is always a possibility that a long shot finds a way to steal an award with a resounding performance that captivates the football world.

With that logic in mind, here are my long-shot candidates for seven major individual awards in 2026.

Most Valuable Player
Kyler Murray
Minnesota Vikings · QB
The combination of Murray’s spectacular playmaking ability and Kevin O’Connell’s creative scheming could quickly remind the football world why this quarterback won the Heisman Trophy at Oklahoma and then went first overall in the 2019 NFL Draft. Injuries have plagued the former Offensive Rookie of the Year in recent seasons, but Murray’s dual-threat skills should be enhanced by the Vikings’ playmakers and play designer. After watching KOC transform a struggling Sam Darnold into a Pro Bowler in 2024, I’m confident that the coaching wizard can help the ultra-talented Murray regain his magic in Minnesota. Given the 28-year-old’s prowess as a dual-threat weapon, the Vikings could re-emerge with a potent offense to complement Brian Flores’ swarming D. If Murray makes Minnesota a true contender in a loaded NFC North, the eighth-year pro could add another major piece of football hardware to his mantel.

Offensive Player of the Year
A.J. Brown
New England Patriots · WR
Brown’s existence in Philadelphia became a soap opera drama, prompting the need for a fresh start somewhere else. Now in New England, the eighth-year pro appears motivated to prove his worth as one of the NFL’s premier receivers. He joins a squad with an MVP-caliber quarterback in Drake Maye who dominated the AFC in 2025 while adjusting to a new system and scheme in just his second pro season. With Brown slotted into the WR1 role — and surrounded by a collection of pass catchers with diverse games (possession receiver Romeo Doubs, designated deep threat Kyle Williams, dirty-work specialist Mack Hollins) — the three-time second-team All-Pro could produce a spectacular stat line that pushes him close to the 2,000-yard mark. Moreover, a bounce-back campaign would silence Brown’s critics and put the spotlight back on his dynamic game.

Defensive Player of the Year
Jalen Carter
Philadelphia Eagles · DT
Carter has been a disruptive force since entering the league, earning a pair of Pro Bowl nods in his first three seasons. But he’s been involved in on-field and off-field incidents that have overshadowed his play. When locked in and focused, Carter is a force of nature with a violent game built on strength, power and raw physicality. The fourth-year pro overwhelms opponents at the line of scrimmage, forcing offensive play-callers to use double-teams and creative schemes to prevent him from wrecking games. Despite the extra attention he receives, Carter has piled up 13.5 sacks, 66 solo tackles, 25 tackles for loss and 37 quarterback hits in 43 NFL games. If the 6-foot-3, 314-pounder avoids the distractions that impact his play, Carter absolutely could hoist the Defensive Player of the Year award next February.

Offensive Rookie of the Year
KC Concepcion
Texas A&M · Cleveland Browns · WR
The dazzling pass catcher could become a prominent playmaker for the Browns as a first-year starter. Concepcion’s speed, quickness and open-field running prowess make him an ideal fit for an offense that wants to feature more vertical routes and catch-and-run concepts under new head coach Todd Monken. With Concepcion also offering big-play ability as a punt returner, the Browns’ plans to put the ball in his hands via traditional and unconventional methods (fly sweeps, reverses and gadgets) should give him plenty of chances to post numbers that put him in the conversation as a top OROY candidate.

Defensive Rookie of the Year
Malachi Lawrence
UCF · Dallas Cowboys · OLB
The Cowboys’ rebuilt defensive lineup will put the rookie alongside a collection of veteran playmakers commanding significant attention at the line of scrimmage. With opponents forced to deal with Quinnen Williams, Rashan Gary and Kenny Clark at the point of attack, Lawrence will see plenty of one-on-one matchups on the edge, leading to regular sack opportunities. Moreover, the disruptive supportive cast could help Lawrence enhance his stat sheet with a bunch of tackles for loss and quarterback hits generated on extra effort and hustle plays. Lawrence is poised to receive plenty of exposure, given the Cowboys’ brand and the team’s six prime-time games. The rookie from UCF could swipe the award with a productive season that features a series of splash plays.

Comeback Player of the Year
Fred Warner
San Francisco 49ers · LB
Fully recovered from last October’s season-ending ankle injury, the heart and soul of San Francisco’s defense should be squarely in the mix for the league’s bounce-back award, even in a loaded field of candidates that is highlighted by numerous high-profile quarterbacks (Patrick Mahomes and Jayden Daniels, to name a couple). Warner’s energy, effort and disruptive impact jump off the screen when watching this unit play. With Warner coming off the first major injury of his NFL career, I think we’ll see a fanatical effort from the 29-year-old as he seeks to reclaim his standing as the league’s top linebacker. With new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris installing a scheme that will showcase Warner’s skills as a “see ball, get ball” playmaker, the four-time first-team All-Pro will make more than enough plays to grab everyone’s attention.

Coach of the Year
Mike McCarthy
Pittsburgh Steelers
This underappreciated, Super Bowl-winning head coach has a chance to cement his legacy with a strong run in Pittsburgh. McCarthy takes over a longtime winner that had plateaued under Mike Tomlin, but the roster still features enough veteran playmakers to make a jump from good to great under new direction. If the veteran coach can get Aaron Rodgers to play like a top-half quarterback in a system that minimizes his deficiencies as a 42-year-old — while simultaneously prodding defensive coordinator Patrick Graham to help the vaunted defense regain its swagger and suffocating style — the Steelers will make plenty of noise as contenders. Inherently, McCarthy could win his first Coach of the Year award.

C.J. Gardner-Johnson’s reputation precedes itself, for better or worse.

He’s aware of this fact. But the new Bills safety — who has spent each of the last four seasons with a different team (or teams) — believes he’s simply misunderstood.

“One of the narratives is I’m a cancer in the locker room,” Gardner-Johnson said in an interview with The Athletic. “That just came out when? After Houston? Where was that after the Super Bowl loss? Where was that after the Super Bowl win? When we do our homework and really think about it, where have I been a cancer?

“My grandma always told me, ‘You need to be patient to be cocky.’ That’s just what it is. I’ve been patient enough to be blessed, patient enough to win a Super Bowl. That’s my ultimate goal.

“I’ve been slapped in the face by the business so many times to the point where it’s, like … I don’t look at other guys no more. I look at myself and how I can affect things, just go in the building, make plays.”

Gardner-Johnson has made plenty of plays in his seven NFL seasons. He has 20 interceptions, 55 passes defensed, 370 tackles (including seven sacks) and three forced fumbles on his résumé, yet he’s bounced from team to team annually since his time in New Orleans came to an end after the 2021 season.

He’s known as a quality player with a competitive fire that can spread wildly on and off the field. His nickname, “Ceedy Deuce,” represents his on-field alter ego, one that irritates opposing players and overshadows his production.

It’s why he’s become a football nomad, routinely joining teams that end up reaching the playoffs with or without him.

He was a starter for an Eagles squad that lost Super Bowl LVII to conclude the 2022 season and, after an injury-shortened campaign with the Lions, returned to Philly for a 2024 Super Bowl-winning run.

In 2025, he went from Houston — where Gardner-Johnson claimed he was cut because he got into a spat with a friend of the Texans general manager — to Chicago, recording two interceptions and 51 tackles in 11 games as part of the Bears’ run to the Divisional Round.

Such production would earn most multiyear contracts, but not Gardner-Johnson. Judging by how multiple clubs have implemented him, his best fit is as a high-value mercenary with a short shelf life.

“I’m a firecracker, but let’s take the body of work: never legally been in trouble; never physically harmed a person,” Gardner-Johnson said. “But I haven’t been a captain ever in my life. They say, ‘You gotta lead the right way.’ My definition of leading is winning.

“There’s a lot of captains in this league — and I want this to come out — that’s just for jersey sales. I can show you three, four captains right now that I wouldn’t get behind. Why would I get behind anybody that doesn’t believe in himself? I’ve played for plenty of false captains, but I gotta fake it, like, ‘That’s my leader!’

“I’ll lead by my actions on the field. That ‘C’ don’t make me. Because when somebody comes up to me on the sideline and says, ‘We need a play from you,’ that lets me know everything I need to know.”

Gardner-Johnson is well aware of his reputation. It didn’t prevent the Bills from becoming the latest team to take a chance on him, but he also understands he walks on thinner ice than most, a reality that fuels him.

“It’s humbling. I’ve got to be humble,” Gardner-Johnson said of the Bills’ willingness to add him to their Super Bowl-contending roster. “I’ve got to be grateful because you don’t know, but s— can change! You’ve got to look at how they did the offseason here. Everybody got a nice little deal except me. That’s not a shot at the organization. That’s more so offering me a chance to get what them guys got.

“I’m going to win the next two out of three Super Bowls. How? Look where they placed me at. Look who’s my quarterback. If I got a f—— fighting chance, it’s over with.”