NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell twice turned to Jerry Jones when asked about his relationship with the Dallas Cowboys’ owner who tried to scuttle his contract extension.
“Jerry, do I look like I take it personally?” Goodell asked after the second question as Jones, the recent Hall of Fame inductee, winked at him. “‘No’ is the answer to that question.”
A new five-year deal for Goodell had been signed for a week when owners gathered for meetings at a luxury Dallas-area hotel Wednesday. And though Jones was conciliatory, even hugging Goodell when replacing him on the podium, the outspoken billionaire wasn’t conceding anything.
For Jones, the victory came in owners agreeing to consider changes to the power of the commissioner’s role through the league’s constitution.
“I’m very rewarded that this exercise of extending Roger has brought that about,” Jones said. “I didn’t do it. It took the will of 32 owners to get that done. It’s an antiquated constitution, an antiquated situation as to the power of the commissioner. This will address that.”
Goodell was a bit defiant on another topic, contradicting his lead spokesman who had said earlier in the day that Goodell considered the contract, a five-year extension through 2024 worth almost $200 million, to be his last.
“I haven’t made any determinations,” Goodell said. “This is something that I’m looking forward to the challenges. I think our league is in a great position, but we obviously have challenges, just like any other industry.”
Bronco hurt celebrating: Justin Simmons’ breakout season is over because of a sprained left ankle he sustained while celebrating a big play by Denver on Sunday.
The Broncos placed the strong safety on injured reserve. He was injured in Denver’s 23-0 win over the Jets, its first win in 70 days. Simmons jumped to body bump teammate Brandon Marshall following the linebacker’s strip-sack of quarterback Josh McCown, but landed awkwardly on Marshall’s right foot.
Briefly: Washington cornerback Josh Norman, who publicly questioned the direction of the franchise after Sunday’s 30-13 loss to the Chargers, missed practice. Head coach Jay Gruden said Norman’s knee was sore. The cornerback insisted nothing was wrong. Also, Washington placed tight end Jordan Reed (hamstring) on season-ending injured reserve. ... Seattle promoted linebacker Paul Dawson off its practice squad and placed offensive lineman Oday Aboushi (shoulder) on IR.