With no deadlines to meet and a monthlong summer break coming up, NFL teams are in no hurry to formulate a policy on demonstrations during the national anthem.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, center, is flanked by Pittsburgh Steelers president Art Rooney II, left, and Arizona Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill during a news conference where he announced that NFL team owners have reached agreement on a new league policy that requires players to stand for the national anthem or remain in the locker room, during the NFL owner's spring meeting Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
One day after league owners mandated that players must stand for the "Star-Spangled Banner" — they now have the option of remaining in the locker room for the playing of the anthem — few of the 32 teams had done more than preliminary work on the issue.
The NFL gave teams the option of developing their own workplace rules, which many players interpreted as a backhanded way of subjecting them to fines, suspensions or loss of jobs should they carry on with the protests.
For now, other than New York Jets owner Christopher Johnson's decision to pay any fines doled out by the league without passing punishment to the players, each franchise's approach is uncertain.
After all, once mandatory minicamps end in mid-June, teams don't get together again until training camps open in late July. The opening preseason game — the first time the anthem would be played before an NFL match — is Aug. 2 when Baltimore and Chicago face off in the Hall of Fame game.
"I'm sure it's something that will be addressed, by the players and by the coaches, collectively," Lions receiver Golden Tate said Thursday.
"But right now, we don't play a game until August, and that's when it's going to be applicable in football stadiums. So we've got time to kind of brainstorm some ideas on how we could stand for justice and what we can do."
What some teams have done in the past likely indicates how they will handle disciplining players for demonstrations during the anthem — regardless of the intent. Owners Jerry Jones of the Cowboys and Robert McNair of the Texans have been among the staunchest advocates of no exceptions to standing during the anthem.
FILE - In this Oct. 29, 2017, file photo, Houston Texans players kneel and stand during the singing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File)
Others have taken a less stringent stance, emphasizing working together with the players in their communities rather than focusing on how the message about social injustice is being delivered.
"I have always believed it is the responsibility of sports teams to be very proactive in our communities," says Jeffrey Lurie, owner of the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.
"In this great country of ours, there are so many people who are hurting and marginalized, which is why I am proud of our players for continuously working to influence positive change. Their words and actions have demonstrated not only that they have a great deal of respect for our country, but also that they are committed to finding productive ways to fight social injustice, poverty and other societal issues that are important to all of us.
"We must continue to work together in creative and dynamic ways to make our communities stronger and better, with equal opportunities for all."
One certain thing: The uncertainty about how each team will deal with players who defy the NFL's mandate will last for weeks.
Not so for any league personnel such as game officials, sideline crews, et al. They will be disciplined for any violations of the anthem policy, though the exact punishments have not yet been determined by the NFL.
One organization, the National Action Network, will march on league headquarters Friday to "advocate for players' right to kneel and call on NFL owners to reverse (the) dangerous decision violating players' First Amendment rights by imposing fines for not standing during the national anthem."
Such protests could become more prevalent if teams decide to strongly discipline players who demonstrate during the anthem. But some franchises aren't sure they need their own policy. Or if that is even the proper description.
The Falcons' position is any players on the field will stand, so no need to make plans for any other outcome.
Team spokesman Brian Cearns suggested it's too strong to say they have a team policy: "The word policy sounds like it was mandated. It was discussed as a team and agreed upon as a team," Cearns said in an email to The Associated Press.
Defensive linemen Dontari Poe and Grady Jarrett knelt during an early season game at Detroit last year. Coach Dan Quinn said that was a "one-off" and, sure enough, after that game all players stood together on the sideline, with arms interlocked, the remainder of the season.
Buffalo linebacker Lorenzo Alexander doesn't expect his team "to do anything."
"I understand where they're at. And it's hard," Alexander said. "And I understand that from a business perspective trying to be socially responsible. And people can act like it's in a vacuum and say you have to pick a side. But it's not that simple. It's a very complex situation.
"And so I respect them, because I was a business owner and I understand it. It makes a big impact. I'm in this to grow the business, grow their brand, and us doing this does have an impact, whether we say it or not. That's what we want, because we're trying to bring attention to it. But they have to have a foot over here, a foot over here. It's hard."
The NFL draft madness begins early in the final edition of the AP’s 2024 mock draft.
Eight trades in the first round. Two swaps in the top five. One team moves down and back up. Another makes three trades, going down twice before a move up to snatch a quarterback. A division champion trades out of the first round.
It’s no secret the Chicago Bears are taking Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick. The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner at USC has been ticketed for the top selection for months.
The Washington Commanders are expected to choose between LSU’s Jayden Daniels, the 2023 Heisman winner, and North Carolina’s Drake Maye at No. 2.
Then, the New England Patriots are expected to take the remaining quarterback.
Or, will they?
Here’s the AP’s mock draft 3.0:
1. Chicago Bears: CALEB WILLIAMS, QUARTERBACK, USC
Williams is the consensus No. 1 pick. The Bears already traded away Justin Fields, their 2021 first-round pick, and now finally may have a long-term answer at the most important position.
2. Washington Commanders: JAYDEN DANIELS, QUARTERBACK, LSU
The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner is an ideal fit for new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who had some success with dual-threat QB Kyler Murray in Arizona.
3. Minnesota Vikings (mock trade with New England): DRAKE MAYE, QUARTERBACK, NORTH CAROLINA
Despite signing Sam Darnold to a $10 million, one-year deal after losing Kirk Cousins to Atlanta, the Vikings are looking for a franchise QB. They send picks Nos. 11 and 23 plus a 2025 first-rounder to New England for No. 3 and 2025 third and sixth-rounders.
Maye won’t have to start right away but could replace Darnold after a handful of games.
4. Buffalo Bills (mock trade with Arizona): MARVIN HARRISON JR., WIDE RECEIVER, OHIO STATE
Harrison, the son of Hall of Fame receiver Marvin Harrison, was the best WR on the field last season. His stock has slipped some because he skipped offseason workouts but his tape is enough. The Bills are under pressure to win a Super Bowl and need a No. 1 wideout after trading Stefon Diggs. This blockbuster deal sends pick No. 28, a second-rounder (60), a fourth (128), a fifth (160) and a 2025 first and second to Arizona for No. 4 and a 2025 fourth.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: MALIK NABERS, WIDE RECEIVER, LSU
New Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh loves offensive linemen but Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are gone. Justin Herbert needs playmakers. Nabers gives them a physical receiver with elite ball skills and explosive route-running ability. He caught 89 balls for 1,569 yards and 14 TDs last season.
6. New York Giants: ROME ODUNZE, WIDE RECEIVER, WASHINGTON
Odunze has size, speed and skills to be elite. He had 92 catches for 1,640 yards, 13 TDs in 2023. The Giants haven’t had a 1,000-yard receiver since Odell Beckham Jr. in 2018.
7. Tennessee Titans: JOE ALT, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, NOTRE DAME
The 6-9, 321-pound Alt is an athletic, versatile player widely considered the best blocker in a strong draft class. His father, John Alt, was a two-time Pro Bowl left tackle in Kansas City. The Titans need to protect Will Levis after allowing an AFC-high 64 sacks last season.
8. New England Patriots (mock trade with Atlanta): J.J. MCCARTHY, QUARTERBACK, MICHIGAN
After trading down from No. 3, the Patriots move up to add the Michigan quarterback, hoping McCarthy can have just a fraction of the success former Wolverines QB Tom Brady had in New England.
Despite playing in a run-heavy offense, McCarthy’s stock has been on the rise after leading Michigan to a national championship. He’s a winner who brings plenty of intangibles along with a strong arm. With veteran Jacoby Brissett back in New England, McCarthy won’t have to start immediately.
To get No. 8, the Patriots send No. 11 and a second-rounder (34) to Atlanta and get back a third (74) and fifth (143).
9. Chicago Bears: DALLAS TURNER, EDGE, ALABAMA
The Bears turn to defense after taking Williams first and get the best pass rusher in the draft. Turner is an athletic edge rusher with size, speed and burst to get after playmaking QBs.
10. New York Jets: BROCK BOWERS, TIGHT END, GEORGIA
After addressing the offensive line in free agency, the Jets give Aaron Rodgers another playmaker by selecting the best tight end in the draft. Bowers has the versatility to line up anywhere and he’s a reliable blocker.
11. Atlanta Falcons (mock trade with New England via Minnesota): QUINYON MITCHELL, CORNERBACK, TOLEDO
Mitchell ran a 4.33 second 40-yard dash at the combine and gives Atlanta a potential shutdown cornerback after the Falcons bolstered the offense in free agency, adding Cousins and WR Darnell Mooney.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (mock trade with Denver): J.C. LATHAM, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, ALABAMA
Latham is an athletic, powerful right tackle who can play the left side. He can slide into the right guard spot and eventually replace Lane Johnson at right tackle. The Eagles value offensive line strength and general manager Howie Roseman is known for being aggressive. They send No. 22, a second-rounder (50) and a sixth (210) for this pick and a fifth (136).
13. Las Vegas Raiders: TERRION ARNOLD, CORNERBACK, ALABAMA
Arnold is an exceptional cover guy tough enough to be an asset against the run and has excellent ball skills. The Raiders already made a splash on defense in free agency, signing DT Christian Wilkins.
14. New Orleans Saints: OLUMUYIWA FASHANU, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, PENN STATE
The 6-6, 321-pound Fashanu is already an elite pass blocker on the right side. He didn’t allow a sack in college.
15. Indianapolis Colts: NATE WIGGINS, CORNERBACK, CLEMSON
Wiggins has elite speed, he’s versatile and is a playmaker. He bolsters a pass defense that finished middle of the pack.
16. Seattle Seahawks: LAIATU LATU, EDGE, UCLA
Latu was the best defensive end in college last season, earning both the Lombardi and Ted Hendricks awards. He’ll give the Seahawks a pass rusher with game-changing skills.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: JARED VERSE, EDGE, FLORIDA STATE
Verse has the skills to be an elite pass rusher for a team that finished 25th in the league in sacks.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: BYRON MURPHY, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, TEXAS
The Bengals bolster the interior of their defensive line by putting the powerful Murphy in the middle.
19. Los Angeles Rams: JER’ZHAN NEWTON, DEFENSIVE TACKLE, ILLINOIS
Newton is a disruptive interior defender who brings a physical presence in the middle of the line along with outstanding ability to get to the quarterback. He’d help replace future Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, who retired.
20. Dallas Cowboys (mock trade with Pittsburgh): TALIESE FUAGA, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, OREGON STATE
The massive Fuaga, 6-6, 324, excels in pass protection and is a people-mover as a run blocker. He can play either tackle spot and the Cowboys lost two starting offensive linemen in free agency. Dallas sends No. 24, a third (87) and sixth (216) for this pick, a sixth (178) and 2025 fourth.
21. Miami Dolphins: CHOP ROBINSON, EDGE, PENN STATE
Robinson is a freakish athlete and three-down player who upgrades a defense that lost top edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips to serious injuries last season.
22. Kansas City Chiefs (mock trade with Denver via Philadelphia: BRIAN THOMAS JR., WIDE RECEIVER, LSU
Thomas had 1,177 yards receiving on 68 catches and ran a 4.33 40-yard dash at the combine. The Chiefs added Marquis “Hollywood” Brown in free agency and have won two Super Bowls since trading Tyreek Hill but can’t pass up a potential superstar.
They send No. 32, a third-rounder (95) and a 2025 third to the Broncos, who move down again.
23. New England Patriots (mock trade with Minnesota): ADONAI MITCHELL, WIDE RECEIVER, TEXAS
The 6-3 burner ran a 4.34-second 40 at the combine and gives the Patriots a true No. 1.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (mock trade with Dallas): TROY FAUTANU, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, WASHINGTON
A versatile linemen who can play tackle or fill a need at guard.
25. Green Bay Packers: GRAHAM BARTON, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, DUKE
Barton is a versatile pass protector who can play tackle or guard.
26. Carolina Panthers (mock trade with Tampa Bay): JACKSON POWERS-JOHNSON, OFFENSIVE LINEMAN, OREGON
Powers-Johnson is the consensus No. 1 center/interior offensive lineman in the draft. The Panthers send the first pick in the second round (33), a fourth (96) and fifth (141) to slide up seven spots.
27. Arizona Cardinals: TROY FRANKLIN, WIDE RECEIVER, OREGON
Franklin has elite speed and gives the Cardinals a playmaker to stretch the field.
28. Arizona Cardinals (mock trade with Buffalo): AMARIUS MIMS, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, GEORGIA
The Cardinals get a combine superstar in Mims, who has outstanding speed for a giant (6-7, 340) of a man and slots in immediately at right tackle.
29. Detroit Lions: KOOL-AID MCKINSTRY, CORNERBACK, ALABAMA
He’s a tough, physical cornerback with speed and quickness to bolster the secondary.
30. Denver Broncos (mock trade with Baltimore): MICHAEL PENIX JR., QUARTERBACK, WASHINGTON
After trading down twice to add draft capital, the Broncos move up and snag their quarterback. Penix said the Broncos were hard on him in their combine meeting, highlighting his bad plays. Playing for Sean Payton won’t get any easier for the talented southpaw QB. Denver sends No. 32, a fifth-rounder (136) and 2025 sixth to move up two spots.
31. San Francisco 49ers: TYLER GUYTON, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, OKLAHOMA
Guyton is a mammoth (6-8, 322) tackle versatile enough to play either side. Can start on the right side and eventually move over to replace Trent Williams.
32. Baltimore Ravens (mock trade with Denver): JORDAN MORGAN, OFFENSIVE TACKLE, ARIZONA
Morgan is a versatile lineman who played tackle but can move to guard.
This story has been corrected to show that the Titans had an AFC-high, not NFL-high, 64 sacks last season.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
FILE - Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt (76) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in South Bend, Ind. Alt is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Michael Caterina, File)
FILE - Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt, left, runs a drill against offensive tackle Blake Fisher, right, during NFL pro day football workouts in South Bend, Ind., Thursday, March 21, 2024. Alt is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/Michael Caterina, File)
FILE - Notre Dame offensive lineman Joe Alt looks on before an NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. Alt is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)
FILE - Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze reacts to breaking up a pass in the end zone against Arizona State during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 15-7. Odunze is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
FILE - Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze (1) makes a catch for a touchdown against Utah cornerback JaTravis Broughton (4) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Seattle. Washington won 35-28. Odunze is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
FILE - Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze talks while standing on the field during Washington's NFL Pro Day, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Seattle. Odunze is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/John Froschauer, File)
FILE - LSU wide receiver Malik Nabers jogs off the field after his touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Nabers is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt, File)
FILE - Ohio State receiver Marvin Harrison, left, catches a touchdown pass over Michigan State defensive back Chance Rucker during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Columbus, Ohio. Harrison Jr. is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)
FILE - Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) looks on during warm ups before an NCAA college football game against Rutgers, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Piscataway, N.J. Harrison Jr. is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray, File)
FILE - North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) flips the ball into the air after scoring a rushing touchdown as teammate wide receiver Gavin Blackwell (2) look on during the second overtime of an NCAA college football game against Appalachian State, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay, File)
FILE - North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) plays during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Clemson, S.C. Maye is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman, File)
FILE - North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye poses for a portrait at the NFL football combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, in Indianapolis. Maye is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft.(Doug Benc/AP Images for the NFL)
FILE - LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates with his parents on senior day, for his final home game, before an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023. Daniels is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
FILE - LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) runs for a touchdown against Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Daniels is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft.(AP Photo/Derick Hingle, File)
FILE - LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels smiles after winning the Heisman Trophy in New York, Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023. Daniels is a possible first round pick in the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, File)
FILE - Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams (13) runs during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Washington Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, in Los Angeles. Williams is expected to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File)
FILE - Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams throws a pass during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against UCLA, Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023, in Los Angeles. Williams is expected to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun, File)
FILE - Southern California quarterback Caleb Williams speaks during a press conference at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Friday, March 1, 2024. Williams is expected to be taken in the first round of the NFL Draft. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)
