NFL

What's better than prepping for voluntary NFL workouts??? If you're Aaron Rodgers ... clearly it's singing and dancing in Hawaii!!!

Here's video of the Packers star partying his face off in Kapalua just two days before he skipped out on Green Bay organized team activities ... and yeah, it doesn't seem like an end to his beef with his team is coming anytime soon.

We're told ... it all went down Saturday night when the quarterback and his fiancee, Shailene Woodley, showed up to a local restaurant and could not have had a better time.

We're told Rodgers -- along with Woodley, actor Miles Teller and his wife, Keleigh -- were all enjoying food and music when they decided to turn things up a notch.

The group requested songs, sang and danced -- and video shows they all had a helluva lot of fun!

Check out the footage, Aaron and the rest of the crew were hanging loose, belting out classics and playing the guitar -- and we're told they all partied together for about 2 hours!

Of course, back in Wisconsin, Rodgers' coaches and teammates would certainly rather see him doing all of that in the Green Bay locker room.

You'll recall, Rodgers is currently feuding with the team over his contract situation and some of its recent personnel decisions ... and he's skipped out on Monday's OTAs presumably because of it all.

We're told Aaron did not seem disgruntled in any way ... not even bringing up his football drama and instead just enjoying the moment.

NFL star Greg Olsen says his 8-year-old son, TJ, is hospitalized in North Carolina with a serious heart condition -- and may need a heart transplant very soon.

The 36-year-old tight end -- who retired following the 2020 season -- revealed the situation Monday on social media ... saying, "This past week has been exceptionally challenging for our family."

"As many of you know, our son TJ has faced serious heart issues since birth. TJ has already undergone 3 open heart surgeries and has survived with a modified heart for his first 8 years of life."

Greg and his wife, Kara, have publicly talked about TJ's condition for years -- explaining he was born with a congenital heart disease.

Olsen continued, "Unfortunately, it seems his heart is reaching its end. We are currently working through the process to determine our next steps, which ultimately could lead to a heart transplant."

Olsen says TJ is currently being treated at Levine Children’s Hospital in North Carolina -- and praised the team for the "world class care" TJ is receiving.

FYI, Greg and Kara donated $2.5 million to the Levine Children's Hospital in 2019 to help fund a pediatric cardiovascular and congenital heart outpatient clinic.

"We don’t know how long we will be within these hospital walls," Olsen added ... "We do know that we are in full control of our attitudes and our outlook."

"TJ has been a fighter since birth. We are going to get through this as a family and be better off as a result of this experience."

The Olsen Family is getting a ton of support on social media from athletes, fans, reporters and even politicians.

Erin Andrews posted, "Thinking of you guys!!"

North Carolina senator Thom Tillis added, "Susan and I are praying for your family."

It's over for Julio Jones in Atlanta -- the Falcons superstar just confirmed he wants out during a phone call on LIVE TV!

You've probably heard the rumblings about a potential breakup between the two sides ... well, so did Shannon Sharpe and he straight-up took out his cellphone and called the WR live on Monday's 'Undisputed' on FS1.

Sharpe started off the convo by asking about rumors that he wants to play for the Dallas Cowboys ... or would he rather stay in Atlanta?

"Oh man, nah ... I'm outta there, man," Jones told Shannon.

Shannon followed up -- "Ideally, where would you like to go?"

Julio replied, "Right now, I wanna win."

Shannon: "Well don't go to Dallas, you ain't winning in Dallas, Julio!"

Julio: "Man listen, c'mon, man. You already know I know! Haha!"

DAMN!!

That's a lot to unpack ... first, seems he's definitely set on leaving Atlanta and second, taking shots at the Cowboys too?!

Of course, the Falcons have reportedly been looking to trade the 32-year-old All-Pro after 10 seasons in ATL ... with both sides looking for a fresh start.

It could be tough to find a team willing to take on Jones' $15.3 million in guaranteed money this season ... but you'd have to imagine someone would want a 7-time Pro Bowler around.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says it's not as nasty as it may seem -- explaining, "[Jones] requested a trade from the organization a few months ago, sources say, and the team then agreed to listen to offers. That’s how it began and why it continues."

"This is why Julio Jones told Shannon Sharpe he’s 'out of there.' Because he knows he requested a trade and the team is open to considering it. But it doesn’t mean he will get traded."

The stands at the Nashville Predators game Sunday looked more like a frat party -- at least for a few seconds -- 'cause cameras caught Taylor Lewan chugging beers like he was in college ... and it awesome!!

The Tennessee Titans star made an appearance at Game 4 of Nashville's playoff series with Carolina ... and it didn't take long for the guy to lose his mind pumping up the crowd.

When the 29-year-old was introduced on the jumbotron, he played it cool at first -- waving with his daughter in his arms ... but a short time later, his shirt was off and beers were down the hatch!!

Check out the footage ... the Preds showed flashback video of Lewan previously going crazy at a game in 2018 -- so he did his best to one-up the show, and damn near delivered!!

Lewan chugged one beer ... and then ripped off his shirt. Seconds later, he chugged another -- and the crowd lost its mind!!

Even Predators star Ryan Johansen got a kick out of it -- laughing while staring at the insanity!!

The Preds used the energy and went on to win the game 4-3 in double overtime ... and said afterward Lewan is now required to be at every game going forward.

"HEY @TaylorLewan77," the team tweeted, "ITS MANDATORY YOU COME TO EVERY SINGLE GAME FOR NOW ON THANKS."

As for Lewan, he seemed pumped about it all ... but admitted his family wasn't too pleased with the beer spillage.

"Had a long car ride home of wynne telling me it 'wasn’t nice' to get her and mommy wet," Lewan said.

He added, though, "worth it."

Patrick Mahomes has a suggestion for the NFL to help officials more accurately call games -- PUT A MICROCHIP IN THE FOOTBALL!

"I feel like the chip in the ball has gotta happen at some point," Mahomes said this week on the WHOOP podcast ... "If you cross the line, it just tells you, touchdown!"

The KC Chiefs superstar QB says one of the biggest issues for him is the "pile" by the goal line ... and he believes microchip technology could help solve that problem.

"There is literally no way you can tell if he’s in the end zone or not and like, it’s just whatever they call."

The problem with Patrick's suggestion, as ProFootballTalk points out, is that a chip in the ball only solves half of the problem.

The other issue is ruling when a ball-carrier is considered down by contact.

In other words, if the chip in the football confirms the ball crossed the goal line -- it still leaves the question of, "When did the runner's knee hit the ground?"

So, it's not a complete solution -- but it could be a step in the right direction.

Still, Mahomes says he believes the microchip thing will "happen soon enough."

In the meantime, Patrick says he understands human error when it comes to officiating is "just part of the game" ... like balls and strikes in baseball.

Oh, and for the record ... the NFL already uses a microchip in footballs to track data for the league's Next Gen Stats program.

Ezekiel Elliott's dogs have gotten the running back in legal trouble once again ... this time, cops say the NFL star's animals -- including a Rottweiler -- got loose and bit two neighbors.

Police say three of the Dallas Cowboy's dogs escaped Elliott's Frisco, Texas home just before 9:30 AM on Thursday and attacked bystanders.

Cops say when they arrived on the scene, they were able to secure the dogs ... and put Elliott's Rottweiler into a mandatory 10-day quarantine after they determined it had done the biting.

Police say Elliott was issued three citations for "Dog at Large" (one for each dog) ... and added the two people who were bitten were treated at local hospitals with non-life-threatening injuries.

Cops say they've launched an investigation into the incident, and charges could be coming depending on the findings of the probe.

You'll recall, this is not the first time Elliott's dogs have allegedly attacked people ... remember, Elliott is currently being sued by a pool cleaner who claims Zeke's dogs bit her in March 2020.

In that case, the woman said Elliott's Rottweiler bit her arm and dragged her ... before the 25-year-old's two bulldogs began attacking her legs.

The woman claimed she had to have surgery over the incident ... and in pictures TMZ Sports obtained of her alleged injuries, you can see it all looked VERY painful.

The woman is asking for over $200,000 from the Cowboys superstar in the suit.

Elliott's attorney, Frank Salzano, had adamantly denied wrongdoing in that case -- which is still playing out in the court system.

As we previously reported, Elliott is SUPER fond of his pups ... his Rottweiler is tattooed on his forearm -- and he even introduced all of them to his followers on a Twitch stream last year.

There will be no Rob Gronkowski-like return for Julian Edelman -- not now nor ever -- so says the former Patriots star, who claims he's REALLY retired.

Rumors of a possible reunion with Tom Brady in Tampa at some point in the future have still swirled despite the 32-year-old's retirement announcement last month ... but JE insists he's seriously done.

Edelman -- who still certainly appears to have game left in his body -- broke it all down for Michael Irvin on The Michael Irvin Podcast this week, explaining he simply doesn't want to push his body any further.

“My knee's breaking down," he said. "I’m not going to sit here, you know, I got everything I want. I got three rings. Played in a magical dynasty with an unbelievable franchise, coach, best quarterback of all time, like, yo, I’m not a greedy guy."

Edelman continued, "I'm not going to sit out there and look like some old dude in an old BIKE knee brace and ankle braces -- you know the old guy? I don't want to look like that, man. I can't do that."

Some of Edelman's closest friends clearly are having a hard time believing him ... Gronk told TMZ Sports just a few weeks ago there was a "69% chance" Edelman joins him on the Bucs eventually.

And, even Brady joked about an Edelman reunion in Tampa during the NFL draft weekend last month too.

But, Edelman -- who's taken a gig as an analyst on Inside the NFL since announcing his retirement -- swears that just ain't happenin'.

Move over, Jerry World ... Dan Snyder says he's in the process of building his own massive palace for his Washington Football Team -- telling TMZ Sports he expects to have it all done by 2027!!!

The WFT owner was in Los Angeles this week scoping out SoFi Stadium to draw inspiration for the new project ... and he explained to us he's got "big plans" for the building.

The logistics, though, are still murky ... Snyder says they don't have a tentative location or any sort of blueprints yet -- but he and WFT President Jason Wright said they're fired up for it all regardless.

"We're touring stadiums," Snyder said. "We're coming West Coast and touring. There's about 12 of us and we're just looking to build a new venue back home in D.C., Virginia, Maryland."

"So, we're everywhere. Jason, our whole group, 12 of us, we're having some fun and looking at the future."

Snyder says the stadium tour will take them all the way to Europe too ... explaining they hope to get all kinds of ideas for the new "state of the art" facility in the D.C. area.

"We're taking inspiration from everywhere," Wright said. "Because if we're going to do something that our fans really deserve -- which is cutting edge and innovative -- we're going to take in all the ideas. So, we're absorbing."

As for if the team will have a new name by the time the stadium opens ... both Wright and Snyder said they weren't sure of that -- but insisted the search for a permanent moniker is going well.

IT'S TEBOW TIME IN JACKSONVILLE!!!

Tim Tebow has formally signed his 1-year contract with the Jaguars to begin his journey as an NFL tight end -- and is expected to work out with the team STARTING TODAY!!

33-year-old Tebow -- who hasn't worked out with an NFL team since a brief stint with Eagles in 2015 -- says he's ready to compete for a roster spot.

"I want to thank the Jaguars for the opportunity to compete and earn the chance to be part of this team," Tebow said Thursday morning.

"I know it will be a challenge, but it is a challenge I embrace."

He added, "I am dedicated to taking the direction of our coaching staff and learning from my teammates. I appreciate everyone's support as I embark on this new journey."

Tebow will rock #85 on his jersey for Thursday's practice -- though NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says the number could change if he makes the roster.

Tebow is facing a steep uphill battle to make the roster considering he was drafted as QB back in 2010 ... and spent the past 5 years playing minor league baseball for the NY Mets organization.

Will he be able to make an impact? NFL tight end Marcedes Lewis told us he thinks Tebow has a legitimate shot.

The man who bleeds Denver orange and Colts blue is now throwing his support behind Green Bay ... with Peyton Manning telling TMZ Sports he'd REALLY like to see the Packers resolve the drama with Aaron Rodgers.

We got the future Hall of Famer out at Dulles on Wednesday ... and he explained to us that he'd prefer it if Rodgers stayed put with the Packers.

"When I think of Aaron, I think of him as a Green Bay Packer," Manning said. "Hopefully they can get it worked out."

Of course, things currently aren't looking super promising for GB in that department ... because while Packers head coach Matt LaFleur has been begging for a Rodgers return, the star QB has been vacationing in Hawaii, seemingly dug in on his trade demands.

Manning -- who had to famously leave the Colts for the Broncos at the end of his career -- told us he knows a move could happen, but he'd really rather not see it.

"He's done such a great job there in Green Bay," Peyton said.

As for if Rodgers could -- and perhaps should -- leave it all behind to host "Jeopardy!" full-time ... Manning didn't seem to love that idea, explaining he thinks Aaron could do both!

By the way, when it comes to Manning's own off-the-field endeavors ... he still doesn't sound ready to jump into a broadcast booth or an NFL general manager role -- telling us he's content just coaching kids in baseball and flag football for now.

Though he did admit, he's had to do some explaining to parents given his history as a leader of children ...

Forget Green Bay and all the drama there ... Aaron Rodgers has just temporarily pressed eject on his beef with the Packers -- escaping to Hawaii with his fiancee!!!

The star quarterback and Shailene Woodley were spotted touching down in Oahu on Monday ... all while Rodgers' problems with the Packers continue to rage on.

But, it doesn't seem like the couple took any of that emotional baggage with them ... 'cause the two looked happy as hell hoppin' off the private jet and receiving their fresh leis!

Rodgers was all smiles ... dappin' up people on the tarmac and handing out hugs.

Of course, back in Green Bay -- it's a whole lot more stressful ... 'cause the Packers are trying like hell to get Rodgers to come back and quarterback their team.

Rodgers, though, has remained upset over his contract situation and some of the team's personnel moves ... and has reportedly already decided he doesn't want to play for Pack anymore.

Green Bay officials have insisted they won't let that happen ... declining trade offers and promising to try to meet all of Rodgers' demands by the start of the season in Sept.

In fact, head coach Matt LaFleur just told reporters last week "we want [Rodgers] back in the worst way."

Unclear if that'll happen ... but if it does go down -- we're sure Aaron's going to have the best tan in Wisconsin at this point!

By the way ... Rodgers and Woodley have been inseparable since the two announced their engagement earlier this year -- we've now seen them in Canada, Mexico, Disney World and Hawaii.

Ryan Leaf says his battle with prescription drugs all began back in 2004 ... when he was booed and jeered so loudly at a big boxing event, it sent him into a deep, downward spiral.

The former San Diego Chargers quarterback opened up about his struggles with addiction on Rex Chapman's "Charges with Rex Chapman" podcast this week ... explaining in detail the horrible night that hooked him on Rx pills.

Leaf says he was at a fight in Las Vegas (he claims it was a Mike Tyson tilt, though it seems he has his boxers mixed up because Tyson didn't fight in Vegas in '04) ... when the PA announcer began rattling off the list of celebs in attendance.

"They announced Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Charles Barkley, Dr. Dre," said Leaf, who was 27 years old at the time and had just retired from the NFL.

"The audience cheered and clapped. And, then the MC there at the MGM Grand announced my name and like the whole auditorium just booed and hissed."

Leaf continued, "My addict brain heard not only are you a terrible football player but you are an awful human being."

Ryan says that negative reception had a huge impact on him ... and when he was offered the prescription pain killer Vicodin to mix in with his booze later in the evening, he jumped at the opportunity.

And, that's when he says his fight began.

"This would be the first time I abused it and ... I didn't feel that judgment, I didn't feel that fear, I didn't feel that less than," Leaf said. "I didn't feel anything."

"I didn't feel better but it turns out I was just searching for that feeling of not feeling any of the feelings that I had been feeling for so long. I just wanted to numb out. And, that night changed."

Leaf says he went on to fight an addiction with the prescription pills for the next EIGHT years ... as he says he was "chasing that initial high from that night."

Amazing news for Albert Haynesworth -- the ex-NFL star finally got a new kidney!!!

Remember, the 39-year-old former defensive lineman revealed back in July 2019 his kidneys had failed ... and he was in dire need of a lifesaving transplant.

Nearly 2 years later, Haynesworth found his match -- a physical therapist assistant from Arkansas named Zach Penny -- and underwent successful surgery in April to receive the new kidney!!

Haynesworth recently spoke about his recovery with Paul Kuharsky ... saying, "Now, I feel better,"

"I see changes in my body. Now I am kind of discovering another new norm."

Haynesworth added he believes his kidney failure stemmed from taking anti-inflammatory shots before every game of his 10-year career.

"At 33, 2 years out of the league, my kidney function was below 50 percent," Haynesworth said. "So it has to be the junk that we were taking, like Toradol. Everybody used to line up to get their Toradol shots and take the pills afterward and all of that s***."

"I guarantee that had a lot to do with it because that really kills the kidneys."

As for Penny's willingness to help out and donate his kidney, Haynesworth calls him a "real living angel."

"This kind hearted selfless human being drove seven hours from Arkansas to give me one of his kidneys!" Haynesworth said on Instagram. "This is one of the happiest days of my life next to the birth of my kids."

New Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell is pleading with team execs to allow him to walk around the facilities with a real-life lion ... saying he's dead serious about adopting a big cat!!

"I would love to literally just have a pet lion," Campbell said. "Just a legit pet lion. On a chain -- a big-ass chain."

The 45-year-old coach explained the thought process on Barstool Sports' "Pardon My Take" podcast this week ... saying he believes the animal could help motivate his squad to win games.

"He really is my pet," Campbell said of how he'd treat the beast. "We just walk around the building. We go out to practice. We're in 7-on-7. We're behind the kicker when he's kicking. We're just -- there we are."

Campbell added, "I mean, think about it. It'd be outstanding."

Campbell says he's approached team owner Sheila Ford about the plan ... but, sadly, he admitted there might be too many issues with it all to make it actually happen.

"The problem -- I don't know if PETA is going to allow that," Campbell said. "That's going to be hard."

SPOILER -- PETA WILL NEVER EVER APPROVE THAT IN A MILLION, BAZILLION YEARS BECAUSE LIONS AREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE PETS!!

That said ... if he somehow gets a lion, Campbell promised he'd take great care of the king of the jungle ... and even said he'd let it eat his arm if it meant a Super Bowl ring!!

"That would be better," Campbell said. "'Cause it would validate -- this is a freakin' -- this is a creature now. This is an animal. This thing is from the wild."

Some scumbag tricked a former college football star into believing he had a tryout with the Atlanta Falcons ... and the guy says he was heartbroken and embarrassed when he learned it was all a hoax.

Juantarius Bryant -- an Austin Peay alum who was a 1st-team all-conference DB in 2019 -- says the horrible incident all went down last week after his phone rang with a 404 area code on the other line.

Bryant says the person claimed to be Falcons defensive coordinator Dean Pees ... and asked him to travel to Atlanta for a Falcons tryout on May 12.

The problem? When Bryant showed up to the facility ... he says the Falcons told him they never called.

And, when he put two and two together and realized what had happened, he says was crushed.

"It's definitely one of the most embarrassing things that has ever happened to me and a very humbling experience," Bryant said in a lengthy statement on Twitter.

"Just want to apologize to everyone and the Atlanta Falcons organization for the mix up. I honestly thought it was a legit opportunity on my end."

Bryant was a star at Austin Peay, playing in 43 career games and logging 242 total tackles, but went undrafted following his senior year in '19.

He's been trying to latch on with an NFL team ever since ... and says the whole experience with the Falcons imposter was "heartbreaking."

"I do not know or understand why this has happened, but I do know that everything happens for a reason," Bryant said.

Bryant though, remained hopeful his NFL dream would come true someday... adding, "I'm still striving, and still in the best shape of my life."

Leigh Steinberg -- the inspiration behind "Jerry Maguire" -- says there won't be a sequel to the classic film, but a movie about his life is very likely ... and the NFL super-agent knows which actor he wants to portray him.

It's not Tom Cruise (been there, done that) ... Leigh tells TMZ Sports he has his sights set on Zac Efron or Jake Gyllenhaal.

FYI, Steinberg currently reps Patrick Mahomes ... and is probably the most decorated football agent of all time. He's repped 12 Hall of Famers ... including Troy Aikman, Warren Moon, Bruce Smith, Howie Long and Steve Young.

"Jerry Maguire" hit theaters 24 1/2 years ago ... and Steinberg had a cameo in the film. But, his role was a lot bigger than just a few lines.

Director Cameron Crow shadowed Steinberg for about 18 months -- attending everything from Pro Days to the Draft -- to see how an NFL agent operated.

"[Cameron] went to Pro Scouting Day, USC, he came to some games with me, he came to the Super Bowl, he came to the Super Bowl Party. He spent time in my office and I told him a lot of stories."

As for a "Jerry Maguire" 2 ... Leigh says CC "doesn't make sequels," but adds he's "been approached about my own life story a number of times."

So, would Leigh be down??

"Yes, and I think eventually that will happen. We've talked to people about documentaries."