Well, if you thought you had seen it all in sports, think again. In a move that absolutely flips the script on what we thought we knew, running back T.J. Harden, fresh off being waived by our very own Seahawks on Monday, declared his intention to jump into the college football transfer portal. Yeah, you read that right. An NFL player, heading back to college. This wild development defies everything the NCAA has stood for and it’s all thanks to a court ruling granting a fifth year of eligibility to some former college athletes. Pandora’s Box? It just flew wide open.
The Portal Just Got a Whole Lot Spicier
Our guy Harden isn’t alone in making waves either. Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright became the first active NFL player to do the same thing shortly after Harden’s announcement. It feels like we’re watching a whole new chapter unfold in college sports, doesn’t it? The big question now is, who’s next? You gotta keep your eyes peeled for guys like Diego Pavia, who’s no stranger to eligibility battles already. This whole situation has college football staffers totally split on whether it’s a good thing, but SEC commissioner Greg Sankey is definitely not a fan. You can bet this conversation is just getting started, and honestly, the implications for how teams manage their rosters and draft players could be massive. The Seahawks waiving Harden was just the spark for this wildfire.
Harden’s Return and NFL Practice Fights Get Spicy
While the college portal is melting down, some big moves went down in the NBA. James Harden is heading back to the Cavaliers! After a couple of months, he finally inked a three-year, $97 million deal. That contract even includes a player option for 2028-29 and a trade kicker. By the time this deal wraps up, Harden will be the eighth NBA player to hit over $500 million in career earnings. At 37, this is almost certainly the last big long-term contract of his career. Elsewhere, the NFL preseason saw some explosive joint practices. While tempers always flare, some of these skirmishes are crossing a major line. Sure, you get your harmless scuffles, like the one involving Joe Burrow. But then you have absolute brawls like the ones that marred two other practices, leading to the NFL fining the Cowboys and Saints a whopping $500,000 each! The Giants and Dolphins could face similar penalties after removing multiple players following their all-out fight. It’s tough out there, and teams need to keep control.
What happens next with the transfer portal is anyone’s guess, but you know we’ll be watching every twist and turn. As for the NFL fines, let’s hope teams get their acts together before things escalate even more. There’s a lot to keep an eye on, so stay tuned, Emerald City!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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