And It Was All Red

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And It Was All Red

What's going on: NFL free agency deals are rolling out now — but one player’s fate has already been sealed. After weeks of headlines about Travis Kelce’s future, the Kansas City Chiefs tight end confirmed — in the only way he knows how — that he’s keeping his red jersey for a 14th NFL season. (Hear that? That’s the collective sigh of relief from Swifties.) The fine print in his contract scored extra points — eight figures, to be exact. The three-time Super Bowl champion signed a one-year, $12 million deal that’s worth up to $15 million, according to reports. Forget girl math, this is football math. And it’s likely the payday could’ve been even larger. (Thankfully, he didn’t take a page out of Aaron Rodgers’s offseason playbook.) Safe to say QB Patrick Mahomes is counting his blessings.

Our take: Kelce is coming off a disappointing 6-11 season. If you need a reminder of just how bad things got last year, never forget his angry sideline outburst or when he got butterfingers at the worst possible moment. Still, the 36-year-old often ranks among the top five tight ends in NFL history — and he could be on track to even beat one Hall of Famer if all goes well this year. His star power also extends beyond the field, putting an even brighter spotlight on the league. Win or lose next season, we’re just hoping for more Taylor Swift game-day ’fits.

Related: Donna Kelce’s Alleged Home Renovation Has Sparked All the Memes (Today)

Pick Six

More sports talkers you don't want to miss.

😬 The NBA put the kibosh on one team’s strip-club-themed night. Finally, the officials made the right call.

👀 Jessica Alba and Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow are dodging dating rumors after that viral photo. Proof that what happens in Vegas doesn’t stay there.

🎶 Never underestimate the New York Knicks’ love for Natasha Bedingfield. New hype song unlocked.

🌭 The Miami Open’s caviar-topped hot dog (and price tag) will stop you in your tracks. But is it better than Costco’s hot dog? 

📷 Paige Bueckers channeled the class picture day energy we wish we had. Yep, this photo is going on the mantle. 

🫶 Not to be dramatic, but the Adidas denim soccer jersey is what dreams are made of. Did we mention it’s the ultimate throwback?

Timeout...

Our Well Played co-hosts and friends of the show tackle listener Qs.

March Madness is just around the corner. What are some of the biggest bracket mistakes people make?

Overthinking it … I think the reason [the tournament] is still so magical is because anything can happen … You have to get comfortable getting uncomfortable with picking upsets … A lot of them are going to happen in rounds one and two … Recency bias will always play a part. The Big Ten Conference championship will happen literally minutes before Selection Sunday, and people will be like, ‘This is the best team in America.’ I think that’s a trap. Do not have four number one seeds in your Final Four. A number two seed may lose early, and a number one seed may lose before the Elite Eight. My rule of thumb: have two number one seeds in the Final Four.

Psst…There’s more bracketology where that came from. Catch the full interview on this week’s Well Played episode.

Related: Eating Lemons on the Sideline? Don’t Rule Out This Game-Winning Superstition (ESPNW)

We're Baaaaack

Cue the comeback and grab the champagne. For the second year running, we’re back on the pitch as an official media partner of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Expect even more athlete interviews, can’t-miss match highlights, and plenty of behind-the-scenes tea to remind you the players are human, too (just way better at sprinting for 90 minutes straight). Catch it all in your inbox and on our Well Played podcast. The Washington Spirit and Portland Thorns kick off the NWSL season Friday, March 13, on Prime Video. Game on.

Don't Miss a Moment

These Paralympic events should be on your radar (all times ET and on Peacock). For more, check out theSkimm’s full Paralympic schedule here.

🥌 Thurs., March 12: USA vs. Canada (mixed team) wheelchair curling at 1:35 pm.

❄️ Sat., March 14: Women’s slalom para alpine skiing (medal event) at 8 am.

 🥅 Sun., March 15: Sled hockey gold medal final at 11 am.

Psst…here’s the latest medal count.

In Our Rotation

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

Struggling to get your eight hours of sleep? These supplements work to put you to sleep and keep you that way, according to our insomniac editor.

The countdown to the World Cup has officially begun. Get into the spirit with these FIFA candles, available in USA-, Canada-, and Mexico-inspired scents. (If you’re curious, USA smells like grass and bergamot.) 

Pro tip: Keep a bottle of hypochlorous acid spray in your gym bag and spritz it on your face and body before you get dressed — it can help ease breakouts.

Skimm'd by Maria del Carmen Corpus and Kylie McConville. Fact-checked by Jordan Mamone.