Tom Brady breaks NFL record with 44th comeback win - Justin Verlander signs with Mets - Cubs pursuing several stars - Phillies sign Trea Turner - Panthers release QB Baker Mayfield
Tom Brady breaks NFL record with 44th comeback win
Quarterback Tom Brady led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to an improbable 17-16 victory on Monday Night Football with a 13-point comeback in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints. Brady recorded his 44th comeback in the fourth quarter, surpassing Peyton Manning for the NFL record for the most career fourth-quarter comebacks, CNN reported.
Justin Verlander signs with Mets for record contract
Justin Verlander, ace pitcher who won the 2022 World Series as a member of the Houston Astros, agreed to a two-year, $86.66 million deal with the New York Mets on Monday, the New York Post reported.
The 39-year-old three-time Cy Young award winner and free agent will receive a $43.3 million average annual value from the contract that also includes a vesting option for a third year, CBSSports reported. The salary is identical to what the Mets gave Max Scherzer last offseason, making them the only players ever to sign contracts worth more than $40 million per year, although it's predicted that Aaron Judge could sign a similar deal this off-season.
Cubs pursuing several stars
The Chicago Cubs are pursuing a number of players. The list includes Athletics' catcher Sean Murphy, as well as a number of shortstops, including Astros' Carlos Correa, Red Sox's shortstop Xander Bogaerts, and Braves' Dansby Swanson. The Cubs may sign two of the three, according to one source, CBSSports reported.
Phillies sign shortstop Trea Turner
The Philadelphia Phillies, the defending National League champions, have assigned shortstop Trea Turner to a massive 11-year contract worth $300 million, CBSSports reported. The deal has an annual value of $27.3 million.
Panthers release struggling QB Baker Mayfield
The Carolina Panthers made the decision to release quarterback Baker Mayfield on Monday. Interim coach Steve Wilks said the decision was a mutual agreement between the two sides, as Mayfield had asked for his release after learning he wouldn't be the starter or the backup moving forward, ESPN reported.
Much heralded quarterback Baker Mayfield, who was acquired by the Carolina Panthers in a trade with the Cleveland Browns in July, won the starting job in training camp over Sam Darnold, who was the third pick of the 2018 draft. However, Mayfield had a rocky start going 1-4, before a high ankle sprain sidelined him for one game. PJ Walker became the starter, as Darnold was also out from an ankle sprain in the final preseason game.