Jori Epstein

    Senior NFL reporter

    Jori Epstein is a senior NFL reporter for Yahoo Sports and the author of The Upstander: How Surviving the Holocaust Sparked Max Glauben's Mission to Dismantle Hate. She previously reported for USA TODAY and The Dallas Morning News. Follow Jori on Twitter @JoriEpstein.

  • Inside Saquon to the Eagles, NFL launches tampering investigations | Inside Coverage

    Jason Fitz is joined by Senior NFL Reporters Jori Epstein and Charles Robinson to go behind the scenes on the biggest news around NFL free agency. The trio start off with the news that the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons are under investigation for their tampering in the signings of Saquon Barkley and Kirk Cousins, respectively. In other news, Desmond Ridder was traded to the Arizona Cardinals (and may be part of the team's long-term plans), and Calvin Ridley got a massive contract with the Tennessee Titans. The Eagles never pay big money for running backs, but they bucked that trend by signing former New York Giant Saquon Barkley. The trio do a deep dive on how this came about, and Jori outlines the Eagles' thought process as to why Barkley was the right guy to go after. Later, Charles takes us through the huge ripple effects left by Kirk Cousins' contract, as Justin Fields will now likely have to accept a backup role this season (and Charles has a new favorite landing spot), and quarterbacks who are negotiating extensions (Tua Tagovailoa and Jared Goff in particular) just saw their price tag go up.

  • Will Eagles, Falcons be punished for tampering? | Inside Coverage

    Yahoo Sports' Jason Fitz, Charles Robinson and Jori Epstein explore the potential tampering violations surrounding the signings of quarterback Kirk Cousins in Atlanta and Saquon Barkley in Philadelphia. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • Here's why NFL is investigating potential tampering by Eagles, Falcons for pursuit of Saquon Barkley, Kirk Cousins

    How likely is the NFL to impose consequences on the Eagles, Falcons or both? NFL sources were split regarding the vigor with which an investigation would move forward.

  • Why did the Eagles buck their financial history to sign Saquon Barkley? Ask the 49ers

    The Eagles don't usually pay big money for running backs, but they see Barkley as a true difference maker, much like Christian McCaffrey has been for the 49ers.

  • Russell Wilson's hurried deal with Steelers may say a lot about his intentions, and Pittsburgh's

    Wilson's announced deal with Pittsburgh went down before free agency even began. Why were both sides so quick to link up?

  • What’s going on with Dak Prescott's contract? | Inside Coverage

    Yahoo Sports' Jason Fitz and Jori Epstein dive into the potential reasons behind the delay in Dak's contract talks. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • Will the Atlanta Falcons land Kirk Cousins? | Inside Coverage

    Yahoo Sports' Jason Fitz and Jori Epstein discuss the Atlanta Falcons potentially making a move for the Vikings' starting QB. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • Free Agency Preview: Tackling the biggest rumors and whispers from the Combine

    As one Yahoo NFL senior reporter calls it, the Scouting Combine is the 'Biggest NFL news gathering conference' of the year. That very reporter, Jori Epstein, joins Matt Harmon on the Free Agency preview pod to discuss and dissect the biggest rumors and whispers from last week's Combine to set the stage for next week.

  • Franchise tag deadline winners & losers, teams we trust to get QB right | Inside Coverage

    Jason Fitz is joined by Senior NFL Reporter Jori Epstein as the duo go behind the scenes on the biggest NFL stories. The duo kick things off with Dak Prescott's contract negotiations with the Dallas Cowboys and whether or not we could see something get done soon. The franchise tag deadline has come and gone, and Jori sees some clear winners and losers. Fitz and Jori point out Chris Jones and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as winners, while the Denver Broncos and Russell Wilson, the New York Giants and the free agent running backs are losers. Later, Fitz and Jori put quarterback-needy teams under the spotlight as they determine their level of trust in the franchises to execute their quarterback plan this offseason. They discuss the Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants and Tennessee Titans.

  • Winners and losers from NFL franchise tag deadline: Russell Wilson or the Broncos? Saquon Barkley or the Giants?

    An NFC executive had predicted to Yahoo Sports that the salary-cap bump wouldn't impact which players team considered tagging but would push some over the fence. The nine tags suggest that happened.

  • As Russell Wilson, Broncos divorce, where will he land next? NFL voices weigh in – and on another key question

    “Russ is easy to sign cuz he’s at the minimum,” one agent texted. “Russ is hard to sign cuz he’s Russ.”

  • Caleb Williams isn’t throwing at NFL combine, but another decision he made may tell us even more

    The USC QB, who's the overwhelming favorite to go No. 1 overall, is opening the circle of trust on another key evaluation to a select few. Here's what it means for him, and perhaps the NFL Draft cycle.

  • As ominous free agency again looms for RBs, NFL insiders wonder if the tides will ever change

    Teams continue to hesitate to pay big money to running backs, and many around the league don't see that changing anytime soon.

  • How soon will Broncos make decision on Russell Wilson? Sean Payton sets timeline

    The ease and specificity with which Payton referenced a "next” quarterback Tuesday did not resemble that of a coach thinking down the line.

  • What's the best landing spot for Russell Wilson in 2024? | Inside Coverage

    Yahoo Sports' Jason Fitz and Jori Epstein select the teams they think should target the Broncos quarterback - who now will be released by Denver when the 2024 league year begins. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • What does NFL salary cap increase really mean? Three league executives weigh in

    One particular group of players on the market might be most impacted, while it's also important to look at percentage over raw cap numbers.

  • Where Justin Fields’ social media analogy falls short | Inside Coverage

    Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz and Jori Epstein discuss the Bears quarterback’s decision to unfollow the team on Instagram, his analogy comparing the move to a relationship and why it was always going to up for public interpretation. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • Favorite landing spots for NFL free agent QB’s | Inside Coverage

    Yahoo Sports’ Jason Fitz and Jori Epstein look at a trio of the top signal callers who will be available this offseason - Kirk Cousins, Baker Mayfield & Russell Wilson - and choose their preferred destinations for the 2024 season. Hear the full conversation on “Inside Coverage” - part of the “Zero Blitz” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.

  • Favorite landing spots for the top 2024 NFL free agents | Inside Coverage

    Jason Fitz is joined by Yahoo Sports Senior NFL Reporter Jori Epstein to discuss the latest news around the league as the NFL world prepares for the NFL Combine before diving into their favorite landing spots for the top 2024 free agents. Fitz and Jori start off with Justin Fields' comments on a podcast about why he unfollowed the Chicago Bears on social media, and the duo discuss whether his explanation is valid or if he was intentionally sending a message. Next, the two hosts prep for the NFL Combine next week by going back and forth on the news that Athletes First will have its clients abstain from cognitive testing and how NFL evaluators might be putting too much stock in what happens in Indianapolis instead of the years of football experience the prospects have put on tape. Later, Fitz and Jori run down the list of the top available free agents in 2024 and give their ideal landing spots for Kirk Cousins, Chris Jones, L'Jarius Sneed, Baker Mayfield, Josh Allen, Tee Higgins, Brian Burns, Christian Wilkins, Antoine Winfield Jr, Tyron Smith and soon-to-be free agent Russell Wilson.

  • Travis Kelce’s passion threatened to derail Chiefs’ Super Bowl win. Instead, Andy Reid harnessed it

    The fiery exchange looked problematic from the outside. From the inside, Reid and Kelce had grown too much together to let it snowball. By the end of the night, the beef was off, and the celebration with Taylor Swift was on.