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• NFL, NFLPA had 'high-level' talks about 18-game regular season

  The NFL Players Association and the NFL have had "very high-level" discussions over a potential 18-game regular season, says NFLPA executive director, Lloyd Howell.

  While the talks have not reached a formal negotiation stage between the two parties, Howell noted there were plans in place for the NFLPA to present the issue to the players in the near future.

  If the plans were put into place, the 18th game would likely replace one of the three pre-season games, and push the Super Bowl back a week to Presidents' Day weekend.

  In the past, players have been opposed to expanding the schedule, with New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers publicly speaking out against a 17-game season back in 2021.

  Howell admitted there were obstacles to overcome before it could be brought to the players but remained optimistic about the chances of the fixture list expanding.

  "We have talked at a very, very, very high level superficially, with a recognition about 'Yeah, this is something that we should be talking about. And we should really kick the tires and understand what else goes into that decision-making process'," Howell told the Washington Post.

  "Many of our players have said, 'They're going to ask for more games'.

  "So, one of the things you learn in business is this applies back to the obvious - I know you're going to ask for more games because that generates more money. And to be fair, don't we all want to grow the pie?"

• Warner: Aiyuk contract dispute a 'good issue' for 49ers

  San Francisco 49ers receiver Brandon Aiyuk is currently in a contract battle with the team, and Fred Warner believes it is a "good issue to have".

  Aiyuk was in contract negotiations with the 49ers to extend his current deal but reportedly has not held talks with them since May.

  Unable to reach a deal, the 26-year-old instead asked for a trade.

  It is not the first time the 49ers have found themselves in lengthy contract disputes, going through the same process to resign Nick Bosa, Deebo Samuels and Warner himself.

  The linebacker was unfazed by the controversies though, instead choosing to focus on the positives.

  "When you're part of such a talented roster, I feel like this is something that goes on every season," Warner said via NBC Sports Bay Area.

  "It's a good issue to have because, obviously, that means that your players are performing at such a high level that you have to have these kinds of conversations."

  Aiyuk is under contract with San Francisco for 2024 in the option year of his rookie deal.

  He impressed last season on their run to Super Bowl LVIII, earning second-team All-Pro honours and ranking seventh in the NFL with a career-high 1,342 receiving yards.

  His average of 17.9 yards per catch ranked second in the league, while only the Miami Dolphins' Tyreek Hill bettered his 16 receptions of 25 or more yards.

  Overall, since being picked in the 2020 draft, Aiyuk has 269 receptions for 3,931 yards, with 25 touchdown catches in 62 games.

  As a key figure in the team, Aiyuk has been supported by his team-mates throughout the dispute, and Warner said he is ready to welcome him back when the saga is sorted.

  "It's a part of the business, and so we all just let them handle that. And when he's back, he's back. We'll welcome him with open arms."

• 'Jackson will become greatest ever quarterback' - Harbaugh passionately defends Ravens' star man

  Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh believes Lemar Jackson will become the "greatest quarterback ever to play in the history of the NFL".

  In February, at 27, Jackson became the youngest-ever two-time NFL MVP since the AFL merger.

  Since he joined in 2018, he has led the Ravens to their best records in the league, going 14-2 in 2019 and 13-4 last year. In the regular-season, Jackson has the second-best record at 58-19 (.753).

  However, he has been known to struggle in the postseason, losing four of his six playoff games, including the AFC Championship game against eventual Super Bowl winners Kansas City Chiefs last season.

  When asked about Jackson's failure to reach the showpiece game, Harbaugh passionately defended the quarterback, reiterating the team's faith in him.

  "There's a lot of great things said about Lamar, but there's a lot of stuff that's said that you just got to scratch your head about and kind of wonder, 'What's that person even thinking?'" Harbaugh said on Sunday. "But we take it personally.

  "All his life, Lamar Jackson has been a guy who's been answering those same questions.

  "I'm talking about since he was a kid. Junior high, high school, college, the draft. The success he's had in the [NFL], again, it still comes up.

  "OK, now he's still growing. He's got a growth mindset. He's going to get better and better, no doubt. But what does he have to do to prove himself to some people? Right?"

  "The vision that we have together is that Lamar Jackson is going to become and be known and be recognized as the greatest quarterback ever to play in the history of the National Football League.

  "It's going to happen by Lamar, his work ethic and his brilliant talent, by all of us pouring into that effort together as a team and by the grace of God and God's goodwill."

  Since being picked by Baltimore in the 2018 NFL draft, Jackson has run more yards than any other quarterback (5,258) and has thrown 125 touchdown passes in 77 starts.

  The Ravens will kick off the new season against the Chiefs on September 6.