Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has decided that, rather than hold out for more money, he'd just play under the franchise tag for the team.

This is good news not only for the Cowboys but for Pickens as well. Last summer, the Cowboys stayed in the headlines because of former linebacker Micah Parsons.

Parsons spent the whole summer holding out, and negotiations between him and the Cowboys broke down; Parsons was traded to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round draft picks.

Everyone thought Jerry Jones was insane to dump his best player, but it looks as if they did the right thing. One of the main reasons the Cowboys didn't want to sign him to a long-term contract was his injury-prone history.

Which, looking back, may have been the smart thing to do. Parsons ended up injuring himself toward the end of last season, making Jones look like a genius.

Pickens had one of his best seasons as a pro and seems to love being in Dallas, especially after spending all those years in Pittsburgh, which is probably why he is willing to play under the franchise tag.

The Cowboys want Pickens to prove he is worth the money, and Pickens is willing to do that. He knows that if he isn't picked up by the team next year, another team will; that's a smart strategy.

Prove you're worth the money, stay loyal to the team, and be rewarded, and we all know how Jerry Jones loves loyalty.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: George Pickens loyalty to the Cowboys may pay off.

Dolphins blockbuster trade rumor should be of interest to Cowboys, Bengals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

It feels as though the Dallas Cowboys’ offseason won’t be complete until they add another needle-moving linebacker to their roster. 

Dee Winters should continue his upward trajectory with the Cowboys (he recorded a career best 101 tackles and one interception last year), but Dallas shouldn’t be satisfied just yet.

ESPN’s Aaron Schultz believes the Miami Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks could soon become available and noted that the Cowboys, as well as the Cincinnati Bengals, should be interested in a trade for the 28-year-old All-Pro.

“Look, is there any point in the Dolphins keeping good players if their contracts end after the 2026 season,” Shultz wrote Thursday. “Brooks could possibly re-sign with Miami to be part of the rebuild. But he's likely gone, so the Dolphins should get something for him.”

“Brooks was a first-team All-Pro linebacker last season, leading the league with 183 total tackles and adding 3.5 sacks as a blitzer. He would be a useful addition for a team with a contending-quality offense but also a need at linebacker, perhaps the Bengals or Cowboys.”

Brooks’ ability to anticipate plays before they occur, use his elite chase-down speed to hawk down ball-carriers, and wrap up better than most has helped him emerge as one of the top linebackers in the NFL. 

The Texas Tech product’s outstanding 2025-26 campaign helped him improve his career tackle total to 839 and career sack total to 13 (he’s appeared in 97 games with the Seattle Seahawks and Dolphins since joining the NFL in 2020).

It’s difficult to envision Brooks declining rapidly anytime soon, making him a great, affordable LB option the Cowboys could explore a trade for. If Cincinnati, which was a mess on the defensive side of the ball last year, gets involved with Brooks, the Cowboys could find themselves locked in a tight battle for the former first-round pick.

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Is Seattle Seahawks star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s historic season in 2025 the first of many for him in his career?

According to ESPN’s Ben Solak in his appraisal of NFL breakout stars from the 2025 season, Smith-Njigba’s emergence as the AP Offensive Player of the Year serves as the foundation for a fruitful career of sustained excellence ahead of him, beginning with another great season in 2026.

“Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak left Seattle to become the Las Vegas Raiders head coach this offseason, and new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury might not prove as adept at building the passing universe around Smith-Njigba,” Solak said. “But even if the production does dip, I struggle to find any sound argument that Smith-Njigba will vanish back into the third tier of NFL receivers after the season we just saw.”

Smith-Njigba was already a 1,000-yard receiver from the 2024 season, where he went for 1,130 yards as a second-year pro. However, his level of play reached unprecedented heights in 2025, which helped him become the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history this offseason with his groundbreaking contract extension.

All signs point toward Smith-Njigba maintaining his status as a premier wide receiver in the league for years to come. Next season figures to produce more of what he displayed in 2025 from start to finish.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Is Seattle Seahawks WR JSN’s breakout in 2025 sign of things to come?

The Minnesota Vikings have made it a point to make sure they are protecting whoever is under center with a strong offensive line. They have done a good job drafting their bookend tackles while showing off their front office skills, while building the interior in a variety of ways.

One of those pieces is fresher to the unit, and it is Donovan Jackson. The former top pick of the Vikings in their 2025 NFL Draft class heads into a pivotal year, according to Bleacher Report's Brad Gagnon. He included the former Buckeye in his list of players who are facing an important second year in the league.

Gagnon writes, "The first-round selection was solid as a regular starter at left guard during his rookie campaign. Now it's just about taking his game to the next level and becoming more consistent for whoever starts at quarterback in 2026."

Being healthy will solve a lot for him, as he showed when he was; he is likely one of the better pieces in the group. Whoever is named the starter will need him, the running game needs him, and the Vikings as a whole will in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Donovan Jackson needs to have a strong second season for the Vikings

The Miami Dolphins have been one of the most storied franchises in the NFL since they were found in 1965, winning the division 13 times, the conference five times and the Super Bowl twice.

While the team currently has the longest playoff-win droughts in the NFL, one of the most infuriating and inconsequential aspects of the drought has been the team's jerseys.

Miami made small changes in 2018, but they did a full overhaul in 2012, which changed both the uniforms and the logo, and 15 years later people still aren't happy with the changes.

This is especially the case considering how solid some of their old uniforms were.

In fact, The Athletic's Jayna Bardahl recently identified the best and worst jerseys in Dolphins history. Her choice for the best: the 1996 white away jerseys.

"I prefer the Dolphins’ old teal, which was darker than the current aqua shade," Bardahl wrote. "But my favorite part about the uniforms from this era is the old logo on the sleeves and helmets. Give Flipper his helmet back!"

Her choice for the worst: the 2016 orange color rush.

"To be clear: I don’t hate when a team tries out a new primary jersey color," Bardahl wrote. "The 2005 Color Rush orange was more of a tangerine shade than the 2016 version, and I liked those. But the 2016 was too yellow, and the white helmets didn’t help. They also steered too close to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Creamsicle throwbacks."

Honestly, these picks are fair. The darker teal jerseys and the burnt orange jerseys in the 2000s are probably the most underrated jerseys. They might have an argument for some of the best, but the 1996 white away jerseys are great as well.

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: NFL writer identifies Dolphins best, worst jerseys ever

Jamal Adams has a lot of what the New England Patriots need this offseason.

The Patriots have been active in the open market with several marquee moves from A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs, to Alijah Vera-Tucker and Dre’Mont Jones.

However, despite New England also adding to their linebacker unit by signing K.J. Britt in free agency and selecting Namdi Obiazor in the 2026 NFL Draft, the team may benefit from solidifying that unit by adding Adams prior to the start of next season.

Last season was a down year for Adams. He switched positions from safety to linebacker and was noticeably not as effective in that role as a member of the Las Vegas Raiders. However, Adams plays with a level of physicality, as well as fire, that the Patriots need as they look to reach the Super Bowl again next season with a different result from the season prior.

Bringing Adam’s through his progression at the linebacker position, with the hopes of his style of play adding to the Patriots’ defense behind Christian Elliss and Robert Spillane, may be worthwhile for New England.

More edge, tenacity and impactful play are needed for the Patriots as they sit on the precipice of winning it all next season. A one-year, low-risk deal for Adams figures to be a sound one for the AFC East champions.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Is Jamal Adams worth benefit of doubt from Patriots in free agency?

Isaiah Stewart emerges as trade candidate as Pistons seek more shooting originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Detroit Pistons are reportedly exploring trade possibilities involving veteran big man Isaiah Stewart as the franchise looks to improve its perimeter shooting and playmaking heading into the 2026-27 season.

According to league sources, Detroit is willing to listen to offers for Stewart, who has two years and approximately $30 million remaining on his contract. The final year of the deal includes a team option, making him an appealing target for teams seeking frontcourt depth without a long-term financial commitment.

Stewart has been a valuable contributor since being drafted by Detroit in 2020. During the 2025-26 season, he averaged 10.0 points, 5.0 rebounds , and 1.1 assists while shooting 55% from the field. He also continued to expand his range, connecting on 33%  of his three-point attempts while providing physical defense and toughness in the paint.

Known around the league for his relentless energy and defensive versatility, Stewart has appeared in more than 350 career games and has become one of Detroit’s most dependable rotation players. However, with the Pistons focused on surrounding their young core with more offensive firepower, the front office appears willing to explore alternatives.

Push for playmaking and floor spacing

One reason Detroit may feel comfortable moving Stewart is the presence of veteran forward-center Paul Reed. Reed is expected to take on a larger role if Stewart is traded. Last season, Reed averaged 7.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in limited minutes while providing strong defensive activity and rebounding off the bench.

The Pistons are coming off one of their most competitive seasons in recent years and are looking to build around their emerging young stars. Adding more floor spacing and secondary playmaking remains a priority as Detroit attempts to take another step toward becoming a consistent playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.

Several teams are expected to express interest in Stewart because of his combination of age, defensive ability, and team-friendly contract structure. As the offseason trade market heats up, Stewart could become one of the more intriguing names available as Detroit continues reshaping its roster for the future.

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The NFL Draft is unquestionably the most important event on the NFL offseason calendar. Franchises are built on the backs of the scouting department putting in the work, and the front office using those reports and making the right decisions. While the round one players get all the love, the seventh-round gems are just as important to these rosters.

Daire Carragher of Pro Football Focus (PFF) has the fun idea to go and make an entire, all-NFL seventh-round roster, heading into the 2026 season. On this roster, there were multiple Minnesota Vikings who made the cut:

• Jauan Jennings, WR
• Will Fries, IOL
• Michael Jurgens, IOL

All three players taken in the seventh round of their drafts made the cut, and all three could play a key part in the Vikings' success in 2026. Jennings is expected to be the WR3, Fries has a starting guard spot, and Jurgens is a rotational piece with starting experience.

Minnesota had one seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Gavin Gerhardt, C, out of Cincinnati. With the center position being a question mark this offseason, maybe there is a pathway where someone does this kind of exercise in future years, and we see Gerhardt make the cut.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Vikings have some gems from the 7th round in previous NFL Draft

The Green Bay Packers will have 13 training camp practices open to the public, including the team's annual "Family Night" practice at Lambeau Field and a joint practice with the Arizona Cardinals, as Matt LaFleur's team prepares for the 2026 regular season.

The Packers released the full training camp schedule on Friday.

The franchise's 81st training camp kicks off with a practice at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 29 and finishes with a final open practice -- and a joint practice -- on Wednesday, Aug. 26. All practices, save for Family Night, are currently scheduled for a 10:30 a.m. start at Ray Nitschke Field.

The team's annual shareholder's meeting will be Monday, July 27, while veterans repot on Tuesday, July 28. Rookies and injured players report a day early. The Packers play three preseason games, including a home game against the Cardinals to finish out the exhibition schedule.

Packers training camp schedule

• Wednesday, July 29: 10:30 a.m. (first practice)
• Thursday, July 30: 10:30 a.m.
• Friday, July 31: 10:30 a.m.
• Sunday, Aug. 2: 10:30 a.m.
• Monday, Aug. 3: 10:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 4: 10:30 a.m.
• Friday, Aug. 7: Packers Family Night, 7:30 p.m.
• Monday, Aug. 10: 10:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 11: 10:30 a.m.
• Thursday, Aug. 13: Preseason game at Pittsburgh (6:00 p.m.)
• Sunday, Aug. 16: 10:30 a.m.
• Tuesday, Aug. 18: 10:30 a.m.
• Friday, Aug. 21: Preseason game at Denver (8:00 p.m.)
• Monday, Aug. 24: 10:30 a.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 26: Joint practice with Cardinals, 10:30 a.m.
• Friday, Aug. 28: Preseason game vs. Cardinals, 7:00 p.m.

We interrupt your summer vacation to bring you some important news@uwhealthpic.twitter.com/AH6bCbDGdS

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) June 19, 2026

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers training camp schedule: Time, dates for 13 open practices

The Minnesota Vikings have made it a point to make sure they are protecting whoever is under center with a strong offensive line. They have done a good job drafting their bookend tackles while showing off their front office skills, while building the interior in a variety of ways.

One of those pieces is entering his final year on his deal. Offensive tackle Brian O'Neill has been around the team while contract talks go on, some have started to give them replacements in mock drafts. In the eyes of Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski, the Vikings need to make it a point to give him a new deal.

Sobleski writes, "Along the offensive line, Brian O'Neill has been a stalwart at right tackle, with 120 starts in eight NFL seasons. Despite turning 31 later this year, he should be in line for one more contract extension to ensure Kevin O'Connell's offense features talented bookend blockers."

O'Neill does not get enough credit for being one of the better offensive tackles in the NFL, but Bleacher Report is taking notice. The Vikings know what they have but with a new front office now in place, it will be interesting to see how this ends up going for all parties involved.

This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Extending Brian O'Neill needs to be a priority for the Vikings

Much has been said and will continue to be said about the new leadership of the Cincinnati Bengals. 

It’s not just Joe Burrow changing up his leadership style to be a little meaner and authoritative in the locker room and on the field, either. 

One of the biggest (literally) talking points on this subject is new arrival Dexter Lawrence. 

After coming over in the blockbuster trade, Lawrence has been at everything. He’s been spotted out and around Cincinnati with Burrow, sure, but he’s also been at voluntary work right on through mandatory work. 

As Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic wrote, Lawrence is setting a new standard: “The fact that Lawrence was present at every workout and practice from the moment he was acquired in a trade until camp broke on Wednesday speaks volumes about how seriously he’s taken the responsibility of setting a standard for the defensive rebuild.”

Talk about a shift. Not all that long ago, Trey Hendrickson was giving sideline interviews while teammates practiced behind him, Shemar Stewart was bashing the team in locker room interviews and Logan Wilson, a captain, asked for a trade. 

There’s a little more nuance and blame to go around for those situations, of course. But the point stands: Lawrence is making a point to not just change how the defense performs on the field, but to give it a guiding light of leadership that won’t be questioned. 

This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Dexter Lawrence sets a new standard for Bengals leadership

No wide receiver on the Kansas City Chiefs has topped 1,000 yards in a single season yet. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid cover up many of the offensive personnel’s flaws, but the Chiefs need to add stronger supporting pieces around their star quarterback. The 2027 NFL Draft features quality wide receiver prospects throughout its ranks.  

Northwestern Wildcatswide receiver Griffin Wilde made the leap from South Dakota State to the FBS level in 2025. He led the team in receiving yards and finished sixth in the Big Ten, trailing superstars like Denzel Boston, Makai Lemon and Jeremiah Smith.

Wilde is a densely built athlete with quality size. He primarily lines up out wide but offers extensive experience in the slot, which is where he projects at the next level. Wilde is a route technician who displayed a complete tree in 2025. He manipulates the cornerback’s leverage with his route stem or shoulder and head fakes to create space for himself and opportunities to win across the corner’s face.

Feel like I’ve been talking about Griffin Wilde (@GriffinWilde1) forever, and with his transfer to Northwestern, it’s clear the jump wasn’t too big for him.

Wilde earned 3rd Team All-Big Ten honors as the Wildcats’ top receiving option, hauling in 71 catches for 880 yards and 8… pic.twitter.com/cmkGsdn200

— Bryan (@RealBGauvin23) February 10, 2026

Wilde quickly gets off the line of scrimmage, but he struggles to play through contact early in the route. Physical press-man corners succeed in re-routing and removing him from plays. Wilde creates natural separation with his route running, but he lacks the burst and top speed to threaten to stack press corners. This makes him vulnerable against man-heavy defenses.

Wilde lacks the speed to stress defenses vertically, but he uses double moves to draw cornerbacks out of position and create space over the top. He primarily wins at the intermediate level. Defenders struggle to mirror Wilde’s sharp breaks at the top of the stem. However, he rounds some dig routes, making it easier for the coverage to lock him down.

Wilde is fearless over the middle of the field and excels at finishing catches through contact. He tracks the ball and rises to meet it with natural hands. Wilde adjusts for and hauls in off-target throws. He is a trustworthy pass catcher who works back to and high points the ball.

Wilde lacks the elusiveness, speed and twitch to create significant gains after the catch. He projects as a possession-style power slot who could fall to the fourth round due to his lack of elite athletic traits.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: 2027 NFL Draft summer scouting: Northwestern Wildcats WR Griffin Wilde

Bo Nix 1 of 5 quarterbacks seen as longshot NFL MVP candidates originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix has spent the majority of the team's offseason activities discussing the health of the ankle he broke in the divisional round of the playoffs last season and there are doubters lining up behind the Broncos this season because of that ankle. 

The Broncos are seen by many as one of the most complete teams in the NFL heading into the 2026 season, but they also have plenty of critics and most of those critics don't seem to believe that Nix is a good quarterback despite the success he's found since being drafted in the first round in 2024. 

But Brad Gagnon of Bleacher Report can envision a scenario in which he wins this year's Most Valuable Player Award. Trevor Lawrence, Sam Darnold, Kyler Murray and Jaxson Dart also make that list, but here was Gagnon's analysis on why Nix could walk away with it. 

"Like (Trevor) Lawrence, Nix will be competing with the likes of Allen, Jackson and Mahomes in the AFC. In fact, the top six MVP odds belong to AFC quarterbacks.

The 2024 No. 12 overall pick is also looking to bounce back from a minor sophomore slump statistically, with his efficiency slipping into the middle of the pack among qualified passers in 2025.

Plus, he's working his way back from a second ankle surgery this offseason, a follow-up procedure to address bone spurs.

Why It Could Happen

Word is he'll be a full go at training camp, and Year 3 is often a big leap season for an NFL quarterback.

The 26-year-old should benefit from even more time in Sean Payton's system, with some potential new energy from Davis Webb at OC.

And with a jacked offensive line, a world-class defense and the arrival of veteran wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, Nix has optimal support."

It's not as crazy to suggest this as some would think. The MVP generally comes from one of the best teams and more often than not, it goes to the quarterback. If the Broncos have another strong season and push for the Super Bowl, Nix could easily be on a short list of candidates to win it. He will have to have the statistics, of course, but winning games in the NFL often translates to winning that award. 

However, Gagnon may have left out one key factor as to why it could happen... hunger. Nix is going to be incredibly hungry to make up for the fact that he had to sit on the sidelines and watch his team fall to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game last year. The Patriots won that game, played in blizzard conditions, by a field goal, due to the Broncos having no offensive push without their starting quarterback. It's widely believed that the team would have played in the Super Bowl had Nix not gotten hurt, and he is going to want to give every ounce of himself this season to get back to that spot. 

HOT READ:Broncos' recent signing labeled 'one to watch', has chance to make 53-man roster

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The Arizona Cardinals will have a joint practice this preseason with the Green Bay Packers. While this was known since head coach Mike LaFleur teased it in March, pending approval early in the offseason, the Cardinals officially made the announcement on Friday.

They will have a joint practice ahead of their preseason finale against the Packers. Their preseason matchup is Friday, August 28 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The joint practice will be two days before that on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at 10:20 a.m. Wisconsin time at Ray Nitschke Field.

Joint practices have become the norm around the league with only three preseason games. The Cardinals never have joint practices in Arizona for a couple of reasons. They hold training camp at State Farm Stadium, and that is not big enough to accommodate two teams practicing. The other option would be to practice outside in the August heat in Arizona, which no team would want to do.

The Cardinals play in the Hall of Fame Game against the Carolina Panthers, but joint practices never come before a preseason opener, and then the Cardinals are at home for the next two regular preseason exhibitions. The only opportunity they would have is against the Packers.

There are clear connections between the Cardinals and Packers. The two head coaches are brothers, and new Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon was the Cardinals' head coach from 2023-2025.

Because it comes before the preseason finale when starters rarely play anyway, it will give the players expected to make the roster controlled, competitive reps against another team. It will be their preseason action for that week before the rest of the roster competes in the preseason finale for final roster spots and practice squad opportunities.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals announce joint practice with Green Bay Packers

Broncos' recent signing labeled 'one to watch', has chance to make 53-man roster originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Denver Broncos recently dipped into the talent pool of the spring league to find a couple of new players for this year's 90-man roster to head into training camp with. Hakeem Butler and Sean Fresch, both of the St. Louis BattleHawks, will have the chance to successfully transition from the UFL to the NFL. 

But this won't be the first time Butler has had that opportunity. 

Originally a fourth-round pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2019, Butler has bounced between the NFL and the spring league for years now. He's also played in the Canadian Football League. 

Following the 2023 UFL season, he was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers. A year later, the Cincinnati Bengals brought him in to compete for a spot on the roster. In each of those cases, he was looking to beat out several veterans for a spot on the team, and in Denver, he joins a very deep group at the position. 

However, Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report feels he is a player fans should know about. 

"Shortly before the NFL draft, the Denver Broncos traded for wideout Jaylen Waddle, hoping to pair Bo Nix with a truly reliable big-play receiver.

While Denver's signing of St. Louis Battlehawks receiver Hakeem Butler earlier this week won't and shouldn't generate as much buzz, it's still noteworthy.

Over the past three seasons with the Battlehawks, Butler has shown himself to be a reliable big-play threat.

The 30-year-old led the league in receiving and was named UFL Offensive Player of the Year in both 2024 and 2026. This past season, he caught 29 passes for 641 yards and three touchdowns.

Butler, a 6'5" pass-catcher out of Iowa State, joined the NFL as a fourth-round draft pick of the Arizona Cardinals in 2019. He suffered a broken hand as a rookie and never got on the field for the Cardinals, but he did appear in two games with the Eagles in 2020.

Having turned 30 in May, Butler's upside is now limited. However, he can potentially provide Denver with a big-bodied mismatch perimeter threat", wrote Knox. 

Hakeem Butler's size gives him a chance to make Broncos' roster

What could set Butler apart in Denver is that he is a huge wide receiver. He's actually bigger than the team's starting tight end, Evan Engram. 

But Sean Payton has always had a spot for that kind of wide receiver and the Broncos, who have a lot of youth behind Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle, don't really have that kind of target. 

Mike Kadlick of Sports Illustrated gives him a 25 percent chance to make the team. Here was his assessment:

"For the second time in three seasons, Butler led the UFL in receiving yards in 2026—logging 641 on 29 receptions while scoring three touchdowns and earning UFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. The 30-year-old was a fourth-round pick by the Cardinals in 2019 and has spent time with the Panthers, Eagles, Steelers and Bengals—but has yet to latch onto an NFL roster for the long haul.

Instead, what Butler has done is tear up both the XFL and UFL over the last four years as a member of the St. Louis Battlehawks. He’ll join a Broncos wide receiver room equipped with a two-headed monster in Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle, with depth pieces in Marvin Mims, Troy Franklin and Pat Bryant also in the mix. It won’t be easy, but Butler now has another opportunity to prove he’s an NFL-caliber receiver.

Chance to make 53-man roster: 25%," wrote Kadlick. 

While a 25-percent chance doesn't seem good, it's not bad for a 30-year-old wide receiver who joined the roster in mid-June. 

HOT READ: Broncos sign two players after minicamp tryout, move on from undrafted cornerback

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When it comes to his time with the Carolina Panthers, third-year wideout Xavier Legette is likely staring at a now-or-never moment here in 2026. So, what if it's never?

Team reporter Darin Gantt was posed that question in the newest installment of his "Ask The Old Guy" mailbag series over at Panthers.com. And if Legette fails to step up behind the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan and the recently-extended Jalen Coker, Gantt opines that Carolina could fill that No. 3 spot in a number of ways:

[Chris] Brazzell can be a knock-the-top-out deep threat, but he's a different fast than [Jimmy] Horn, who can't do the things [David] Moore or even [Brycen] Tremayne do. [John] Metchie's got a rapport with [Bryce] Young going back to college that's helpful, but he's part of the bunch of guys fighting for roster spots.

My suspicion is that if it's not Legette, they'll use a collection of people in different ways, taking advantage of matchups and their varied skill sets. But most of the action is still going to go McMillan's way, and Coker's after that.

Ideally, Legette finally finds his footing (both figuratively and literally) and serves as a dynamic give-and-go threat—perhaps in the mold of a Deebo Samuel. But although the 6-foot-3, 227-pounder possesses the size and speed to do so, he hasn't proven much on the field as of yet—amassing just 10.2 yards per reception and seven touchdowns while fighting through persistent issues with drops and spacial awareness.

Nonetheless, the 2024 first-round pick seems to be inspiring a bit of hope this offseason.

"From the minute he's gotten here, he's 100 miles an hour. He's putting in the time in the playbook, he's busting his butt on the field, working on little technical skills," head coach Dave Canales said of Legette at the start of mandatory minicamp.

"We had great meetings going out of the season, great meetings when he came back in April. Talked about his plan and the things he's working on and all that. He's just aware of all the things he needs to continue to improve upon to be the player that we know he can be, and that he knows he can be."

If that isn't ultimately the case, the favorite to overtake Legette could be Brazzell—this year's third-round pick. The long 6-foot-4 rookie has brought some burst that hasn't been seen in Carolina for quite some time, and might be able to unlock more of the offense for Canales, Young and company.

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers offseason: Which WR poses biggest threat to Xavier Legette?

The next major move that the Atlanta Falcons make could be a market-setting new contract for star running back Bijan Robinson. What will that deal look like? According to Bill Barnwell at ESPN, Robinson's next deal will be somewhere in the range of four years and $82 million total.

However, a new model from Austin Mock at The Athletic has Robinson's megadeal with the Falcons coming in a bit larger than that. His projection for Robinson is four years and $87.6 million total, which would put him ahead of Philadelphia Eagles star Saquon Barkley for the highest annual salary in the NFL at the position.

"It should come as little surprise that the model sees Robinson as the league's top running back after an electric 2025 season, which saw him tally a league-high 2,298 scrimmage yards with incredible efficiency both on the ground and through the air. Given that Robinson only turned 24 in January, it makes sense he would become the new king of running back contracts with a market-setting four-year, $87.6 million deal, putting him at almost $22 million per year."

Robinson resetting the market at running back would come as no surprise, but the number that really matters in all NFL contracts is the guaranteed money portion - especially at a position with a high injury rate like Robinson's.

On that score, Mock's model has Robinson's new contract including $52 million in guarantees, which would rank a close second behind Arizona Cardinals rookie Jeremiyah Love's $53 million guaranteed.

That's a lot of cash for any player, but Robinson is the best athlete on the team and will likely be the centerpiece of their offense for at least the next several years. Handing him a lucrative long-term deal sends the right message: that the Falcons intend to reward their best players and build a winner.

This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: The Athletic has Bijan Robinson beating Saquon Barkley for RB1 money

Roger Rosengarten is not ignoring the outside praise, but he has made it clear that his next step with the Ravens will be defined more by consistency than by potential. Speaking on The Lounge Podcast, Rosengarten said the progress he made last season in pass protection and the run game has put him in a stronger position entering this year, but his focus remains on technique, alignments, and stacking better performances over time. For a Baltimore offensive line replacing key pieces and building around a detail-driven offense under Declan Doyle, Rosengarten's development matters because the Ravens need more than flashes from their young tackle. They need steady weekly execution, and Rosengarten's message centered on ensuring the results eventually match the standard he has set for himself.

“Looking back on last season and the improvements I had within pass and run,” Rosengarten said on The Lounge Podcast, “that is going to put me in a really good spot from last year to this year.”

Rather than chasing labels or outside projections, he emphasized process over perception. “I don’t really pay too much attention to it,” he said, referring to external rankings and praise. “But when you hear something positive, it feels good.”

Still, the standard he holds himself to is internal and repeatable.

“I feel like everything between my technique and alignments… I just kept going forward,” Rosengarten said.

The message he left wasn't about reaching a label; it was about eliminating inconsistency and stacking performance week after week until the results speak for themselves.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: ravens-roger-rosengarten-consistency-technique-offensive-line-growth

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson can earn another $15 million between the 2027 and 2030 seasons if he hits various incentives included in his four-year contract extension.

Per Rob Demovsky of ESPN, Watson has a total of $15.05 million available in incentives based on catches, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and Pro Bowl appearances.

The following incentives can be earned as escalators of the following year base salary, up to $3.45 million per year:

Receptions

• 75 receptions: $350,000
• 85 receptions: $750,000
• 95 receptions: $1,150,000
• Watson's career high in a season: 41 (2022)

Receiving yards

• 1,000 receiving yards: $350,000
• 1,100 receiving yards: $750,000
• 1,200 receiving yards: $1,150,000
• Watson's career high in a season: 620 (2024)

Receiving touchdowns

• 9 receiving touchdowns: $350,000
• 10 receiving touchdowns: $750,000
• 12 receiving touchdowns: $1,150,000
• Watson's career high in a season: 7 (2022)

Pro Bowl

• Pro Bowl: $250,000
• Watson has never made a Pro Bowl

Watson has previously never reached 75 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, nine receiving touchdowns or a Pro Bowl appearance during a single season since entering the NFL in 2022. Maximizing his incentive payout will be unlikely, although the Packers will gladly pay the extra money if Watson is consistently hitting these lofty statistical goals.

The base value of Watson's contract extension with the Packers is $92 million over four years, including a $31 million signing bonus. With incentives, the value can increase to $110 million.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Christian Watson contract Packers incentives catches yards touchdowns pro bowl

The Texas Tech-Brendan Sorsby gambling scandal came to an unceremonious conclusion with Sorsby opting to leave college football entirely. After fighting tooth and nail for months to overturn his gambling probe-related ban from the NCAA, Sorsby ultimately applied to the NFL’s supplemental draft, ending a lengthy legal and PR battle.

As the quarterback turns his attention to the NFL, his agent, Ron Slavin, is making his feelings clear about the media’s overarching reaction to the saga.

“Everybody loves to have an opinion. I’m so tired of watching people get on TV and blab their mouth when they have no idea what they’re talking about,” Slavin said on Shan & RJ. “Unfortunately, it’s not just in Brendan’s situation; it’s in most situations.

“Unless you’re Brendan or Brendan’s family or myself and my team, nobody really knows what happened. The opinions out there were, you would have thought this kid committed major crimes and did the horrible things. The reality is, as an 18 year old, he made some bad decisions from his dorm room when he wasn’t traveling with the team in Indiana.”

Slavin pointed toward the widespread prevalence of gambling advertisements as leaving young people susceptible to the pitfalls of betting.

“The predatory world of gambling, where you turn 18 and deposit $5 you get a free $100. Every single show on TV, every single radio show, everything is sponsored by a gambling site. So, it’s a scary world we’re living in. These kids have all been raised now with phones in their hands. So, it’s real easy to get on an app and place a bet.”

Slavin isn’t alone in this feeling. Colin Cowherd echoed his sentiment, saying on his podcast that “Sorsby’s a college kid who grew up in the first gambling generation. Of course, this was going to happen.” Pardon the Interruption’s Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon also called out the hypocrisy. Still, regardless of whether the media’s or the NCAA’s ties to gambling are a part of the cause, athletes betting on their teams and compromising the integrity of games is a symptom that has to be treated.

Sorsby’s situation has cast doubt on the NCAA’s ability to proactively do so moving forward, but if efforts to get things under control don’t start soon, Sorsby is bound to be case-zero, rather than a one-off.

The post Brendan Sorsby’s agent slams media: ‘Nobody really knows what happened’ appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Los Angeles Rams left tackle Alaric Jackson was arrested recently on suspicion of domestic violence after an alleged incident with a woman at his home, and he was facing a potential felony domestic battery charge. However, on Thursday, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office told NBC4 Los Angeles that Jackson won't face felony charges for the alleged incident.

The case was sent to the city attorney's office for possible misdemeanor charges, and it is still under review.

Jackson got into an altercation with his pregnant ex-girlfriend, and he allegedly left bruises and scratches on her body. He attempted to take her phone, causing the injuries during the struggle after she began recording his actions.

She filed a temporary restraining order against Jackson, which was granted by a judge. Jackson is ordered to stay away from her, her car and her job, and he has been forced to move out of his home, as well.

Jackson was suspended two games in 2024 for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, so if the league finds that he violated it again, he could face harsher punishment.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Alaric Jackson arrest: Rams LT won't face felony charge

Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus put together his list of six NFL coaches who will enter the 2026 season on the hot seat, and not surprisingly, the Indianapolis Colts' Shane Steichen was mentioned.

The Colts are currently in the midst of a five-year playoff drought, and Steichen has been at the helm for three of those seasons. Presumably, this is a make-or-break year for both him and GM Chris Ballard.

"The Colts re-signed both Jones and receiver Alec Pierce to monster contracts in March and have other talent like Jonathan Taylor, Sauce Gardner, Quenton Nelson and Laiatu Latu on the roster, but real questions permeate a defense that finished 21^st in success rate. It’s tough to envision Steichen making it to a fifth year in blue if Indianapolis either starts flat or doesn’t reach the postseason."

As Locker mentions, the Colts are banking on Steichen and Daniel Jones getting the offense to operate at a high level once again this season, just as they did through the first 10 games of last year.

The Colts' red-hot start to the year did showcase the full capabilities of what the Steichen offense can look like. In addition to that, while the Colts didn't win any games with Phillip Rivers, Steichen's ability to mold the offense to Rivers' game on the fly and make changes from week to week was impressive.

That said, even before Jones' injury, defenses were beginning to slow this unit down. And there are real questions still surrounding this Colts team entering the 2026 season.

Jones is coming off a major injury, and it remains to be seen if all the roster turnover at defensive end will lead to improved play. The linebacker unit features several new and young players, while a battle for the WR3 role is taking place.

Another area that Steichen must resolve is his team's performance down the stretch.

Steichen enters Year 4 with the Colts with a 25-26 record.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Why one analyst put Colts' Shane Steichen on hot seat for 2026 NFL season

The Tennessee Titans have finished off their minicamp and now set their sights on training camp with what Robert Saleh believes are the most important 40 days of the offseason.

There is no doubt the Titans are a team in transition, with a new staff and an overhauled roster, and that they have much higher expectations as they head into 2026. But even with all of the new faces, there is still room to add to the roster, and Aaron Schatz of ESPN believes that adding some more experienced depth to their secondary could be the perfect finishing touch to their rebuild.

Tennessee TitansSign cornerback Kenny Moore II

Coach Robert Saleh and coordinator Gus Bradley say that they are confident in second-year cornerback Marcus Harris handling the nickelback role. But why not bring in some veteran competition to push him during training camp? Moore was still above average in my coverage DVOA metric last season, and he has always been strong against the run.

General manager Mike Borgonzi has done a great job at adding to the secondary this offseason, but Schatz does make sense. While Harris flashed as a rookie, he is nowhere near as experienced as Moore, and the Titans have the cap room to make a move like this work and still ink Peter Skoronski and possibly Jeffery Simmons to lucrative extensions.

Moore has the ball skills and ball-hawking abilities that could be a perfect fit in Saleh’s new defensive scheme, not to mention his familiarity with the divisional rivals, the Indianapolis Colts.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans: Is Kenny Moore II a viable option for the secondary?

Bill Belichick once had to solve one of the strangest Patriots problems imaginable: replacing $5,000 worth of spoiled milk for Tom Brady.

The story, which resurfaced online this week, dates back to Belichick’s account of Antonio Brown’s short stay in New England. Brown lasted just 11 days with the Patriots in 2019, but still managed to cause a very expensive problem.

It all started because Brown, who was staying with Brady at the time, wanted to send him a nutrition-related gift.

Tom Brady $5,000 milk story resurfaces from Patriots chaos

dank on X shared the resurfaced clip of Belichick explaining how the Patriots ended up replacing the spoiled delivery.

Belichick said: “Tom’s very nutrition oriented. Antonio ordered this special milk for Brady. Cost $5,000”

He then explained how the gift became a problem inside the building: “To make a long story short, it got mixed up and ended up in the mail room for too long. The milk went bad”

That left the Patriots with a very unusual decision. Belichick said: “So we go out and get $5,000 worth of this special milk and give it to Brady from Antonio. And now we turn in an expense report for $5,000 worth of milk”

The reason was pure locker-room diplomacy. Belichick added: “I didn’t want to ruin the relationship between Brown and Brady on this spoiled milk. So we spent $5,000 to replace this milk”

Brady diet made absurd Patriots story feel believable

The exact type of milk has never been publicly revealed, which may be the funniest part of the story. Brady is famously strict about nutrition, but dairy has never been central to his TB12 approach.

His diet has long been described as mostly plant-based and anti-inflammatory, avoiding dairy, gluten, white sugar, alcohol and processed foods. Brady has also become known for unusual staples such as avocado ice cream and intense hydration routines.

That made Brown’s expensive gesture oddly logical. He was trying to connect with Brady in the language Brady cared about: preparation, health and routine.

Instead, the Patriots ended up paying thousands to keep a new receiver and franchise quarterback from starting their relationship with spoiled milk.

Read more:

The Washington Commanders wrapped up the offseason on Thursday with the completion of their three-day mandatory minicamp. However, for two individuals, their time in Washington and in the NFL has wrapped up. Area scouts Paul Skansi and Chuck Cook are retiring, as the Commanders revealed on social media, and the team wished them well.

Congrats to area scouts Paul Skansi and Chuck Cook on their retirement 👏

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 18, 2026

Both Skanski and Cook have been with Washington since 2017.

This is only part of the personnel movement for the Commanders this offseason. Earlier in the year, Tim Gribble departed the organization in January after over two decades in Washington. Gribble was the Commanders' director of college scouting. Gribble took a similar role with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which is where he's from.

Washington later hired Ryan Kessenich away from the San Francisco 49ers to replace Gribble as the director of college scouting. The Commanders officially announced that move on Thursday, too.

Here is a full list of Washington's moves, which include personnel, player health and performance, and the /football support staff. Some are outside hires, while others are promotions.

Here's the full list:

Personnel

• Ryan Kessenich: Director of college scouting
• Alberto de la Guardia: Area scout
• Miles Turner: Area scout
• Andrew Dowell: Scouting assistant
• John Waters: Scouting assistant
• Toby Junker: Scouting and R&D assistant
• Keenan Guthrie: Scouting associate

Player health and performance

• Geoff Kaplan: Senior director of player health & performance
• Jon Dignazio: Assistant athletic trainer/physical therapist
• Nick Farrell: Director of performance nutrition
• Tanner Boro: Performance dietitian

Football support staff

• Bryan Porter: Senior director of football operations
• Gayatri Nambiar: Senior football solutions developer
• Preston Biro: Senior football data scientist
• Casesse Basaraba: Video assistant
• Justin Feinstein: Equipment assistant
• Sam Walsh: Football operations assistant

There has been significant turnover throughout the organization since Josh Harris and his partners bought the team in July 2023, beginning with the hiring of GM Adam Peters in January 2024.

Here's this from Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic:

In 2022, the Commanders had only 15 people in personnel and scouting, and only 5 full-time staffers on their athletic training/medical staff.

Now they have 26 people in personnel/scouting and 15 people in player health and performance.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) June 18, 2026

The Commanders were notoriously cheap under former owner Dan Snyder. Josh Harris has proven he will spare no expense in helping turn the franchise around, including spending in some of the most important areas.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders announce several personnel changes

Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh has offered one of his clearest endorsements yet of second-year quarterback Cam Ward.

It wasn’t an elaborate statement. Saleh simply highlighted Ward’s ability to take criticism and keep moving forward, without letting it affect his self-belief. While that may sound routine—every coach values a quarterback who responds well to coaching—the context matters. Ward is heading into a pivotal season, and the Titans are relying heavily on their former top pick to deliver.

“The biggest thing is how he’s responded,” Saleh told reporters. “He understands he hasn’t been perfect. He’s made some mistakes, but it’s never gotten him down. It’s never gotten him discouraged. He’s still putting together a really nice camp.

Ward didn’t have the kind of rookie season fans were hoping for from a No. 1 pick, throwing for just 2,893 yards with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions while Tennessee went 5-12 under former head coach Mike Vrabel.

This year comes with even higher expectations – not just because it’s his second season, but because of the growing questions about whether he can live up to the billing as the franchise’s long-term answer under centre.

There are reasons behind the scrutiny

One storyline that’s emerged from Titans OTAs and minicamp is the focus on Ward’s accuracy. Throughout the spring, reports have pointed to stretches of inconsistency as Tennessee adjusts to a new offensive system under coordinator Brian Daboll. There have been overthrows, missed chances, and practice periods that looked exactly like what you’d expect from a young quarterback learning an unfamiliar scheme.

Naturally, questions have followed. Should fans be concerned? Is Ward developing fast enough? Can he make the leap Tennessee needs in his second season? The Titans aren’t ignoring those questions, nor should they.

What stood out from Saleh’s remarks was how the coaching staff sees things differently than most outside voices. Instead of zeroing in on every missed throw, they’re more interested in how Ward reacts to setbacks, and that approach says a lot about where their priorities are.

Mistakes are part of the process for young quarterbacks. Even some of today’s best passers had rough patches early on while picking up new playbooks and getting used to the speed of the NFL. What really matters is learning from those moments, and by all accounts, Ward seems to be handling that part well.

Ward’s rookie season stats show why he still has a lot of work to do

There were signs of talent, along with clear areas for growth. Ward started all 17 games, finishing with 3,169 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. There were flashes that backed up his selection as the face of the franchise, mixed in with reminders that he was still very much a work in progress.

The sack total stood out most: Ward was taken down 55 times. Some of that was down to protection issues, but some came from a young quarterback still learning just how quickly NFL windows close. The Titans made it an offseason priority to address it.

Brian Daboll wasn’t brought in to keep things the same. The Titans wanted someone who could speed up Ward’s development, and few coaches have a stronger track record of working with young quarterbacks. That’s why they moved quickly to bring him to Nashville. They never expected Ward to be a finished product straight away, but more that Daboll could help turn his early mistakes into valuable learning moments.

Ward seems to have embraced the new coaching approach, even if it means taking on more criticism, and that theme has carried through the entire offseason so far.

Saleh’s perspective is more than just another soundbite

Praise for quarterbacks typically centres around the usual traits — arm talent, leadership, competitiveness. Saleh went a different route by pointing to Ward’s ability to absorb coaching, and that choice shouldn’t be overlooked.

Quarterbacks live under a microscope in a way few other positions do, with every throw picked apart and every rough stretch turning into days of debate. The players who handle that pressure best are often the ones who can take feedback without losing confidence, and Saleh’s remarks indicate the Titans think Ward has that foundation.

None of this means Ward has arrived. Training camp will bring tougher evaluations, preseason games will provide more meaningful evidence, and the regular season will ultimately decide whether Tennessee has found its franchise quarterback. One thing is becoming clear, though. The Titans are not chasing perfection from Cam Ward so much as steady growth, and they appear convinced he has the mindset to get there.

That confidence may not quiet the criticism, but it does explain why Tennessee remains optimistic about its young quarterback. For now, the Titans are betting that Ward’s most valuable trait is his willingness to keep improving rather than the arm talent that made him the top pick.

Read more:

Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders had a rough rookie season, putting up some of the worst numbers in the league in terms of turnovers and sacks. However, his Hall of Famer father seems to think that his struggles weren’t just on him.

During a recent interview, Deion Sanders opened up about his son’s struggles during his first season in the NFL. Deion admitted that he would have liked to see Shedeur play a bit better, but he said that he “needs help” from his team and coaches to be successful.

Shedeur’s Struggles

After a high-profile slide down the draft boards last spring, Shedeur Sanders ultimately ended up with the Cleveland Browns, who selected him in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Shedeur got a chance to prove himself during his rookie season, but it did not exactly go well.

The young quarterback took 23 sacks in just eight games, marking the highest sack percentage in the NFL among players who started multiple games, even if he didn’t play enough games to technically qualify for the leaderboards.

Sanders also struggled to protect the ball, throwing 10 interceptions in just eight games to just seven touchdown passes. The young quarterback threw an interception on 4.7% of his passing attempts, which was the second-worst in the league last year behind only Minnesota Vikings first-year starter J.J. McCarthy.

Needless to say, it was certainly not a dominant rookie season for Shedeur, giving him a lot to work on.

‘A Quarterback Needs Help’

While he didn’t completely dismiss Shedeur’s struggles on an individual level, Deion Sanders recently said that Shedeur’s rough debut season was a result of team issues rather than just purely individual issues.

During an interview with D.J. Siddiqi of Covers.com, Sanders acknowledged his son’s struggles, but said that he also needs help from his team to succeed.

“I would have wanted him to perform a little better, but that’s not just an individual thing, that’s a team thing,” Deion Sanders said during the interview. “A quarterback needs help tremendously from the offensive line, from the receivers, from the running game, from the coordinators as well.”

Deion contrasted playing quarterback to his own position, defensive back. He claims that “several things” need to go right for a quarterback to be successful while playing defensive back relies more on simple individual talent.

“It’s not just a singular thing, like a defensive back,” Deion said. “I don’t care what the pass rush is, [the DB] has got to do his job. It’s a little different with a quarterback. He needs several things to go right for him to be successful.”

We’ll have to see whether or not Shedeur receives the help that Deion thinks he needs from his team this upcoming season if he is ultimately named the team’s starting quarterback.

The post ‘A quarterback needs help’: Deion Sanders says Shedeur Sanders struggles are ‘a team thing’ appeared first on The Comeback: Today’s Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

Packers could have chance to add 5-time Pro Bowler in 2026 blockbuster originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Green Bay Packers have a big season coming in 2026. The team desperately wants to make a deep playoff run and put their recent woes behind them.

However, the NFC North is arguably the toughest division in football, so it won't be easy. As is pretty typical for the Packers, the team didn't add a ton of players in free agency, and mostly seems content to rely  on internal progression. 

If the team really wants to get over the playoff hump, though, they may need to consider a big trade. Luckily, the perfect player could come available soon. 

Packers could trade for cornerback Denzel Ward

While the Packers are trying to contend, the Cleveland Browns are not. As a result, it won't be surprising if the Browns try to ship off more key pieces after recently sending Myles Garrett out. 

One such player could be cornerback Denzel Ward. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report recently predicted some trades that will be made before the next deadline, and one is for Ward to be sent to the Packers. 

Regarding that possibility, Moton offered the following: 

Entering his age-29 term, Ward wouldn't fit the Browns' timeline if they continue rebuilding their roster next offseason. He only has two more years left on his contract, and Cleveland would save $17.4 million in cap space if it trades him this year, per Over the Cap. 

The Packers could significantly upgrade their cornerback unit by acquiring Ward, who's coming off his third consecutive Pro Bowl campaign. They'll need the help in pass coverage as three-time All-Pro edge-rusher Micah Parsons works his way back into tip-top game shape from a torn ACL.

As Moton mentioned, Ward is now 29 and won't be in his prime anymore by the time the Browns are competitive again. As a result, it makes sense for the team to get what they can for him while he's still playing at a high level. 

In 2025, Ward played in 15 games and collected 39 tackles, two tackles for loss, nine pass deflections, and one interception. Ward earned his third-straight Pro Bowl appearance and his fifth overall in 2025. 

The Packers could certainly use a player of Ward's caliber. The Packers gave Nate Hobbs a big four-year deal in 2025, but cut him after just one disappointing season. Now, the team is set to rely heavily on Keisean Nixon, who struggled mightily in 2025, and rookie Brandon Cisse. 

Will Packers make a big trade? 

The Packers aren't usually quick to make blockbuster deals, but as we saw with the Micah Parsons trade, they will if it makes sense. Speaking of Parsons, the star isn't expected back until mid-October, so adding more help for the defense in general makes sense. 

If the young Green Bay secondary struggles, don't be surprised if general manager Brian Gutekunst works the phones hard. Ward wouldn't be purely a rental either, as he's under contract through 2027. 

More NFL news:

• James Gladstone keeps getting roasted for 2026 draft
• 49ers once again took a major risk during the draft 
• Blockbuster trade proposal gives Lions elite defender 
• Packers urged to trade for disgruntled star ahead of 2026 season
• Former Tennessee star could be 49ers' best UDFA
• Bengals urged to sign future Hall of Famer for offense

The Tennessee Titans just wrapped up a two-day minicamp before taking a break until training camp practice begins. While they are still months away from meaningful football, a video from minicamp has already given fans a glimpse into offensive coordinator Brian Daboll's coaching style.

A clip circulating from practice showed Daboll putting players through a drill that's not often seen, involving catching footballs without being able to see them. While quarterback Cam Ward participated in the exercise, the drill appeared to be geared primarily toward the Titans' pass catchers, including wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson.

Not sure I’ve seen this one before, with OC Brian Daboll and QB Cam Ward and WR Wan’Dale Robinson at @Titans minicamp. pic.twitter.com/dFXXZEjPHB

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) June 16, 2026

At first glance, the exercise looked unusual. However, it highlights the attention to detail Daboll and the coaching staff are emphasizing as they prepare the offense for the 2026 season.

Building awareness and trust

The purpose of the drill is to focus on awareness, reaction time, and trust. By removing a player's ability to track the football visually, coaches force them to rely on their instincts, body positioning, hand placement, and overall concentration to reel in the catch

NFL games often feature contested catches, defenders obstructing the line of sight, and situations where pass catchers must react quickly to the football arriving from difficult angles. Drills designed to improve awareness can help players become more comfortable in those moments.

The inclusion of Cam Ward was also notable. While the drill may have been intended primarily for receivers, having the franchise quarterback participate reinforces the idea that everyone is expected to embrace the coaching process.

The Titans are hoping that attention to fundamentals and awareness will translate into better execution once the regular season begins. If nothing else, that minicamp video offered fans an entertaining look at the unique methods Daboll is using to prepare his offense for the challenges ahead.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans: Brian Daboll's creative offensive approach

Ricky Pearsall showed enough in his first two NFL seasons to generate real breakout buzz heading into 2026, and Sports Illustrated believes he could be the San Francisco 49ers' next star receiver.

Sports Illustrated's Eva Geitheim identified Pearsall as the player most likely to take a significant step forward for the 49ers this season, noting that he was on his way to a big year before his mid-season PCL injury.

He was among the league’s receiving leaders through three weeks last year, recording two 100-yard receiving games before that injury. If he can stay healthy—a massive “if” for a 49ers team plagued by injuries and with an ever-looming electrical substation—he could certainly emerge as the team’s top receiving threat, even after the additions of Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and rookie De’Zhaun Stribling. Pearsall has the advantage of playing under coach Kyle Shanahan, who has long excelled at getting receivers open from Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson to All-Pros such as Julio Jones and George Kittle.

Pearsall finished his second season with just 36 receptions for 528 yards and no touchdowns in nine games, which was actually worse than his rookie year. The health caveat is real, and the receiver room is more crowded than it has been in years. Pearsall will have to earn his targets. But few coaches manufacture opportunities for receivers better than Shanahan, and Pearsall's route-running ability fits the system well.

The bigger picture is that the 49ers need him to step up. Evans, Kirk and Stribling have clear roles in the offense, but Pearsall offers a home-run threat the team doesn't have at the receiver position. His 14.7 yards per reception last year with incredible when he was heathy, and he has the skills to build on that if he can stay on the field.

At 24 years old, he's entering a pivotal season. If he can stay on the field and build on what he showed in those first three weeks last year, a breakout performance is well within reach in 2026. But on the other hand, Pearsall is reaching a tipping point in his career that could derail the former first-round pick's potential.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: 49ers WR Ricky Pearsall named top breakout candidate for 2026

The Baltimore Ravens knew Robert Longerbeam would need time. After all, the former sixth-round pick never had a chance to begin his NFL career properly. A torn patellar tendon suffered during training camp wiped out his entire rookie season before it ever truly started. Now healthy and back on the field, Longerbeam appears determined to make up for lost time. If recent reports are any indication, he is doing exactly that.

The second-year cornerback has emerged as one of the more pleasant surprises of Baltimore's offseason program. He is already creating what could eventually become one of the Ravens' most difficult roster decisions heading into September.

The Ravens' competition is fierce, and Robert Longerbeam is making plays

Recently, Ryan Mink, the Editorial Director of the Ravens' official website, identified Longerbeam as the most surprising player he observed during the offseason program. That's not insignificant praise. The Ravens have one of the deepest secondaries in football, yet Longerbeam repeatedly found ways to stand out. Mink cast his vote for Longerbeam as Baltimore's most surprisingly impactful player throughout the offseason program. During practices, he found a way to stand out and consistently find himself around the football.

"After losing his rookie year to a knee injury, Longerbeam was not only back on the field this time around, but was also one of the team's most impactful cornerbacks in practices. He got his hands on several passes throughout the four weeks."

Earlier in the offseason, Mink also highlighted an interception Longerbeam recorded after stepping in front of a pass intended for Mark Andrews. Opportunities matter. Production matters more. So far, Longerbeam has taken advantage of both. Ravens Wire recently mentioned him as one of three standouts from the spring.

The challenge isn't whether Longerbeam belongs in the NFL. The challenge is finding room for him on this roster. Assuming Baltimore keeps six cornerbacks, Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins, Chidobe Awuzie, T.J. Tampa, and Keyon Martin all appear to have strong cases to make the initial 53-man regular-season roster.

That potentially leaves one opening. Longerbeam is hardly alone in chasing it. Chandler Rivers has generated considerable buzz since arriving as a rookie. Bilhal Kone continues working his way back from injury. Other young defensive backs are also fighting for opportunities in one of the deepest position groups on the roster.

Ravens training camp could decide everything

That's what makes Longerbeam's strong spring so important. The Ravens have never been afraid to reward performance. Draft status matters less in Baltimore than it does in many organizations. The franchise has built a reputation for allowing players to earn roles through production rather than pedigree.

That philosophy should benefit Longerbeam. Training camp and the preseason will ultimately determine where he stands, but he has already accomplished something important. He has forced his way into the conversation. A few months ago, he was a forgotten prospect attempting to return from a devastating injury. Now, he looks like a legitimate contender for a roster spot.

If he continues stacking strong practices once the pads come on, the Ravens may find themselves facing an uncomfortable reality. There may not be enough room in the secondary for every deserving player. Longerbeam appears determined to ensure his name is among those discussed when those difficult decisions are made.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Robert Longerbeam seems primed to push for a Ravens roster spot

The Philadelphia Eagles weren’t a factor in the Myles Garrett sweepstakes because of their hesitancy to include Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jalen Carter in the trade.

That news seems a bit puzzling after the latest report from Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, which doesn’t paint a promising picture of Carter’s future in Philadelphia.

“The answer is yes, they are hesitant to pay him,” Breer wrote. “Philadelphia is telling you what you need to know with its actions. The Eagles have always been aggressive paying their own, in large part because they know that the earlier you do the deal, the better the price you’ll get.

“… So the fact that we’re into June without Jalen Carter having a deal is notable. And I’d guess if they do one now, before his fourth season as a pro, then it’d come with flexibility for the team. If Carter won’t give them that flexibility now, maybe he’ll just wait another year.”

Breer likened Carter’s situation with the Eagles to what wide receiver George Pickens is going through with the division rival Dallas Cowboys.

Pickens has a career year in 2025 — 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, nine touchdowns — but the Cowboys want him to prove he can do it again next season before committing a big-money contract to him.

Carter appears to be in the same boat.

Though he’s made two Pro Bowls and been selected to an All-Pro team, Carter has had some off-the-field issues that’s likely given the Eagles some pause.

He was suspended for a game last season after spitting on Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, and he was involved in a controversial street racing incident that killed former Georgia football player Devin Willock and UGA staffer Chandler LeCroy.

If Carter has another Pro Bowl-caliber season in 2026, it’ll be difficult for the Eagles not to pay him.

The New York Jets have taken the field for the start of their 2026 NFL minicamp schedule this week.

The Jets kept rolling on with Day 2 of the three-day event.

It's one of the first chances for the new defensive scheme Glenn wants to run during the 2026 NFL season to get on the same page. The same can be said for the new-look offense with quarterback Geno Smith under center.

With the dust settling on the first day of workouts, here are Jets Wire's three quick observations from Day 1 of 2026 minicamp:

Mason doesn't step up

While the Jets will likely deploy tight end sets with both Mason Taylor and rookie first-round pick Kenyon Sadiq next season, someone will be the No. 1.

Sadiq sat out minicamp with an injury this week. That left Taylor alone... however, he did not step up. His poor play included a reported drop in the end zone:

In 11 on 11: Geno Smith goes 2-for-3 in hurry up. Garrett Wilson makes a nice grab on a deep ball. Ball inside the 10, Mason Taylor drops a laser in the end zone, then Smith takes a sack (officials didn’t blow it dead; plays continues with Cisco INT). #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) June 17, 2026

Ponds pounces

Ponds was selected by the Jets at the No. 50 overall selection at the 2026 draft. The comparisons between his play style and the one head coach Aaron Glenn previously had has drawn a lot of connections.

Ponds popped up with some of that during team drills on Day 2. This interception was a strong play:

Rookie CB D'Angelo Ponds INT 🔒😤#Jets | 🎥 @nyjetspic.twitter.com/7isF4J1gFY

— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) June 18, 2026

Showing some trust

In a sign of trust and appreciation for his players, Glenn sent the Jets home early. The team opted not to have a third day of training camp on Thursday. The coach canceled it:

The players will appreciate that.

Jets scheduling update: Aaron Glenn has cancelled the last day of minicamp. Next up: Training camp (July 28). #Jets

— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) June 18, 2026

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: 3 quick observations from Day 2 of New York Jets 2026 NFL minicamp

The New York Jets have spent the offseason addressing several areas of concern. They upgraded the roster through the draft, added veteran leadership on defense, and continued building around a young offensive nucleus that includes Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and several promising newcomers.

Despite all the additions and improvements, one question continues to overshadow everything else. Recently, Fox Sports examined the biggest question facing every AFC team entering the summer.

For the Jets, the answer was both predictable and unavoidable. Will Geno Smith give New York what it needs at quarterback?

"Smith may be an upgrade over Justin Fields, but he struggled mightily last season as the Las Vegas Raiders' starter, throwing a league-high 17 interceptions. Returning to the Jets, where he started his NFL career as a second-round pick in 2013, Smith will have a promising cast of pass-catchers to throw to."

That assessment is difficult to dismiss. Quarterback remains the most important position in professional sports, and the Jets have spent years searching for stability under center. Smith's arrival was intended to provide exactly that. While his career resurgence with the Seattle Seahawks demonstrated that he is capable of playing at a high level, his most recent campaign raised legitimate questions about whether he can consistently perform as a difference-maker.

At the same time, the supporting cast around him appears stronger than many national observers realize. Arthur noted that Smith will have Garrett Wilson, Kenyon Sadiq and Omar Cooper Jr. at his playmaker disposal. That list doesn't even include several other young pieces the Jets hope will contribute to an improved offense.

The reality is simple. If Smith performs well, the Jets could surprise people. The roster appears significantly stronger than the one that struggled through a disappointing 2025 season. Aaron Glenn's coaching staff has been reinforced with experienced voices such as offensive coordinator Frank Reich, and the front office has worked aggressively to improve depth across the roster.

If Smith struggles, however, many of those improvements may become irrelevant. That is why Fox Sports arrived at the same conclusion so many Jets fans already have.

Can Geno Smith still be the quarterback who revived his career and earned two Pro Bowl selections? If the answer is yes, the Jets may have a chance to exceed expectations. If not, the search for answers at quarterback could continue for another year.

Jets Wire will continue to provide updates throughout the 2026 offseason.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: What is the biggest question still remaining for the Jets in 2026?

Week 3 brings the first full slate of CFL football thanks to the world cup, and it provides us a multitude of fascinating questions.

We are six games into the CFL season, and there are still very few things we can be certain about. One of those is Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander is one win away from setting a league record for consecutive regular-season wins to start a career.

Heading into Week 3, only the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have a bye week, meaning we have four games this weekend, including a tripleheader on Saturday. That brings a lot of questions going into the weekend. Let’s break it down.

BC’s major injury issues

The BC Lions hung in there with the defending Grey Cup Champion Saskatchewan Roughriders last Saturday, but a poorly surrendered Rouge ended up costing them a chance at tying the game in a 31-27 loss. In that loss, the Lions lost three wide receivers in Stanley Berryhill III, Seven McGee, and Jevon Cottoy. That raises a real concern about what they will do moving forward.

It doesn’t help that star wide receiver Keon Hatcher is dealing with a thigh injury, but he is expected to play on Friday night. They will be relying on some serious youth in the wide receiver room, with Jermaine Jackson, Nick Cenacle, and Silas Bolden stepping in. We know that Hatcher and Justin McInnis are both superstars, but the Tiger-Cats, even sans cornerback Jamal Peters, will have an easier job stopping them both with a lack of depth. Luckily for the Lions, they have last year’s Most Outstanding Player in Nathan Rourke and star running back James Butler. They will need to weather the storm, and with Bo Levi Mitchell capable of putting up a lot of points, it could prove crucial toward getting home-field advantage in the Western Division.

Edmonton’s free agency haul

The Edmonton Elks knew they needed to build on their big finish at the end of 2025 with quarterback Cody Fajardo. Despite starting 1-7, the Elks finished 7-11 and even flirted with a playoff spot. Under first-year head coach Mark Killam, the second half finally looked like a team that the Elks had hoped for.

The biggest thing with the Elks was their massive free agency haul. They revamped their offensive line with Brendan Bordner, Jordan Murray, and Coulter Woodmansey, along with star defensive lineman Malik Carney from the Roughriders, and wide receiver Brendal O’Leary-Orange. They paid major dividends in an Ottawa rainstorm, but bad weather paired with it being the season opener didn’t tell us much. The Alouettes will be a major litmus test for the Elks, and give us more information on where they slot in a very deep West.

Saskatchewan’s potential dominance

We didn’t just see a good Roughriders team on Saturday against the Lions, we saw dominance. Quarterback Trevor Harris looked like a version 10 years younger, dominating the Lions with a completion percentage of 83.3%, 417 yards, and three touchdowns, all of which to Samuel Emilus. The Lions tried to blitz him with cover-0 looks, and Harris torched them.

How are you supposed to stop the Roughriders? They have a trio of great wide receivers in Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker, and KeeSean Johnson, along with running back A.J. Ouellette. You can’t blitz them consistently, otherwise Harris will torch you, but you can’t let him sit in the pocket and dissect your defense. You have to get home with four, and that’s difficult to do. It’s the only way right now, and that’s a problem for the rest of the CFL.

Greg Bell’s Ottawa debut

Ryan Dinwiddie’s Ottawa Redblacks debut didn’t go as well as he had hoped, but there were some positives. They had a chance to tie the game with less than three minutes left, but quarterback Jake Maier made poor throws and decisions leading to the loss. It’s evident that the Redblacks still have a ways to go, but there was enough there to give fans some hope, especially since high-priced free agent signing, running back Greg Bell, missed the game due to injury.

With him likely playing on Saturday afternoon, it adds another dynamic to the Redblacks’ offense. They need to have him in the backfield to attack defenses laterally in the passing game and on the ground. With him healthy, it could point the arrow of the Redblacks’ season straight up.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: 4 big questions highlight Week 3 of the CFL, from maximizing Cody Fajardo to BC's developing issue

© 2026 A to Z Sports.

Baltimore Ravens defensive back Marlon Humphrey didn't have a great NFL season in 2026, but he still finished ranked No. 8 in the NFL with four interceptions. Perhaps Humphrey will have his skill set edified this summer, getting reps against the talented wide receiving core currently on the team roster.

Rookie wide receivers Ja'Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt are new men in the Ravens' offensive personnel, giving Humphrey practice reps alongside starters Zay Flowers and Rashid Bateman. Additionally, wide receiver Devontez Walker will be operative with the starters in many of offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's 11-personnel sets, meaning that both Humphrey and defensive back Nate Wiggins can expect to compete intensively at the team's upcoming training camp next month.

The Ravens are scheduled to report to training camp on Jul. 29. There, Humphrey will be looking to prove the defensive mastermind of new head coach Jesse Minter and the attention to detail of defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver true. Yet, the Ravens defense will have its work cut out for them as they look to get things precise versus quarterback Lamar Jackson, Doyle, and a plethora of young, talented wide receivers on staff.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Marlon Humphrey will enjoy NFL training camp vs. Ravens WR's

Wild Cowboys trade prediction would send George Pickens to Chiefs in NFL blockbuster originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Dallas Cowboys and wide receiver George Pickens are in an odd spot ahead of the 2026 season.

Despite posting a breakout 2025 campaign with 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns, the Cowboys decided to pass on signing Pickens to a long-term extension, opting to slap the franchise tag on the dynamic receiver instead.

Though Pickens is ready to play for the Cowboys on the tag in 2026, his future with the franchise is still a hot topic of discussion. One NFL analyst believes the 25-year-old's time in Dallas will end as soon as the trade deadline in November.

Cowboys trade prediction would send Pickens to Chiefs

In an article detailing early bold predictions for the 2026 NFL trade deadline, Bleacher Report's Moe Moton proposes a deal that would send Pickens to the Kansas City Chiefs to team up with two-time MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

"Dallas' hesitation to negotiate a long-term deal with Pickens opens up the possibility for a trade midway through the upcoming campaign. The Cowboys could trade Pickens to a receiver-needy contending team like the Kansas City Chiefs, who don't have a reliable lead perimeter playmaker," Moton wrote.

The only way Dallas would trade Pickens at the deadline is if they are struggling and get a package they can't resist.

The Chiefs have some extra future draft capital due to the Trent McDuffie trade with the Los Angeles Rams this offseason, so the team has the resources to facilitate a potential trade for Pickens with the Cowboys.

Kansas City lacks dynamic playmakers for Mahomes. Rashee Rice has shown flashes, but due to his off-the-field issues, the Chiefs can't put their full trust in him for the future.

Pickens would be an electric mid-season addition to Andy Reid's offense. The Georgia product would immediately step in as the No. 1 receiver and produce fireworks with Mahomes, who is still one of the best deep-ball throwers in the history of the sport.

The one hurdle in a possible Pickens trade for Kansas City would be signing him to an extension. The Chiefs are currently slated to be $16 million under the cap in 2027, but general manager Brett Veach has been known to do a great job in navigating the salary cap, so he could find a way to fit Pickens into long-term plans if they do acquire him in what would be a stunning blockbuster move.

Former New England Patriots edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson, who signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency, has picked up where he left off last season with his new team.

According to Commanders coach Dan Quinn, via Ben Standig, Chaisson has been one of "few players that stood out/stepped up throughout the offseason program."

He signed a one-year, $11 million deal with the Commanders in March, following a career season with the Patriots. The veteran defender recorded 10 tackles for a loss and 7.5 tackles in 16 games. He also racked up four tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and three sacks in the postseason.

During the offseason, the Patriots decided to move on with Dre'Mont Jones, leaving Chaisson to take his talents elsewhere on a one-year prove-it deal.

Dan Quinn highlighted a few players that stood out/stepped up throughout the offseason program:

Offense - RB Rachaad White, WR Van Jefferson, WR Jaden Bradley

Defense - DE T.J. Maguranyanga, DE K'Lavon Chaisson, DT Johnny Newton, LB Jordan Magee, LB Kain Medrano

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) June 18, 2026

The Patriots could probably use Chaisson with some of the questions they currently have on the edge.

Harold Landry III, who was banged up throughout the 2025 season, is still on the mend, and Gabe Jacas, the Patriots' rookie second-round draft pick, has yet to sign his contract. The hope is that Jacas' contract situation will eventually get resolved, and Landry will return at some point.

But there are no guarantees for a Patriots team that still has a clear need on the edge.

Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.

This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Former Patriots fan-favorite named offseason standout for new team

Defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary spoke highly of cornerbacks Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still, emphasizing their growth since he first worked with them in 2024 when he served as the Chargers' safeties coach.

“From when I was here in ’24 with Cam and Tarheeb as rookies to the point they’re at now, they’re true professionals," O'Leary said.

O'Leary expressed high hopes for the positional room and noted that their skill sets and personalities contribute to the group’s strength.

Drafted just three picks apart in the fifth round of the 2024 NFL Draft (Still at No. 137, Hart at No. 140), they have quickly evolved into valuable pieces of the defense.

Still, who changed his number from 29 to 4, is coming off a sophomore season in which he logged a strong 70.0 Pro Football Focus coverage grade. Hart forced 11 pass breakups, demonstrating his ball skills.

Donte Jackson, signed last offseason, rounds out the starting group. The 30-year-old Jackson amassed 12 pass breakups and four interceptions in his first season in Los Angeles.

This article originally appeared on Chargers Wire: What Chargers' Chris O’Leary said about Cam Hart, Tarheeb Still

The NFL’s biggest offseason scandal was undoubtedly the reports involving New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini. Although Russini resigned from The Athletic before the investigation concluded and Vrabel addressed the situation privately, the controversy has not faded. In fact, investigations by both The New York Times and The Athletic remain ongoing.

According to reports, the inquiry is still considered active, and a resolution does not appear imminent.

MORE: Lionel Messi’s World Cup hat-trick leaves Patrick Mahomes in disbelief

That timeline aligns with an update The Athletic provided last week. “It’s going to take a few more weeks,” Executive editor Steven Ginsberg told reporters.

“There’s just a lot to go through, and we obviously want to take our time and be careful doing that. We will update everybody when we get to the end of that. We’ve also said that if we find anything that needs to be corrected, we will correct it along the way.”

Reason for on-going investigation

At this stage, the investigation appears to focus more on the editorial process behind Russini’s reporting than on her personal conduct. The New York Times, which owns The Athletic, has established journalistic standards that investigators are likely examining closely.

MORE: Boomer Esiason makes sarcastic comments on Knicks visiting the White House

“When reporting and writing stories we do not have an agenda and it is important that our readers understand that,” the guidelines explain. “If our readers question our adherence to that basic tenet of journalism, our credibility will be at stake. To maintain the highest form of authority we should avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest and reveal those sources or affiliations that may put into question our ability to be credible.”

Since the photos surfaced in April through a Page Six exclusive, Russini has denied any wrongdoing. However, Vrabel’s acknowledgment of his actions, combined with additional information that has emerged in recent months, has fueled continued scrutiny and speculation surrounding the situation.

What consequences, if any, will come from the investigation remains unclear. Russini resigned roughly two months before her contract was set to expire, and Vrabel remains the Patriots’ head coach. The NFL has also previously stated that it will not investigate Vrabel or take disciplinary action related to the controversy.

NFL training camps begin next month, and after that are the preseason and the regular season. Between now and then, teams will make some final moves with trades, cuts or signings, although most will be small moves or final roster cuts in August.

What are some final moves that should happen?

Aaron Schatz gave his take for the final move for each NFL team for ESPN. What does he think the Arizona Cardinals should do?

He thinks they should trade pass rusher Josh Sweat.

Sweat was connected to former coach Jonathan Gannon after playing for him in Philadelphia, but the Cardinals fired Gannon in January. Meanwhile, the Cardinals have almost no chance of contending this season given the quality of their three division rivals and the questions they have at quarterback. But they have a chance to turn a player who had 12 sacks last season into a significant 2027 draft pick. A Sweat trade would help any number of playoff contenders.

Sweat would help other teams, especially playoff contenders who need a little extra help off the edge. However, the Cardinals have no sack production off the edge outside of him. Sure, they are going to be bad anyway, but the Cardinals would have to net a really solid pick for a trade to make sense.

We already know the Cardinals have no intentions of trading him, even though there appears to be a level of unhappiness from Sweat. He has three years remaining on his contract and he is arguably their best defensive player.

A trade might make sense for another team or for Sweat individually, but there is no benefit for the Cardinals to trade him now. Come the trade deadline, they probably will net more than they could now, so it would be a foolish decision to make that move before the season, especially when the rest of the outside linebackers combined for 5.5 sacks in 2025.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

This article originally appeared on Cards Wire: Arizona Cardinals urged to trade Josh Sweat in final offseason move

After taking him in the third round of the 2020 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins got some good years out of defensive back Brandon Jones, as the former Texas Longhorn appeared in 54 games and started 30 during his time in South Florida.

Over four seasons, he recorded 238 tackles (12 for a loss), 14 quarterback hits, nine passes defensed, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, three interceptions and three fumbles recovered.

Jones hit free agency in 2024 and signed a three-year, $20 million deal with the Denver Broncos that included $11 million guaranteed. With Jones entering the final year of that contract, ESPN's Aaron Schatz recently suggested that Denver should look to extend him.

"The Broncos have three members of their secondary set to hit free agency after the 2026 season," Schatz wrote. "They might be willing to let Ja'Quan McMillian leave because they have 2025 first-round pick Jahdae Barron waiting in the wings. They also might want to wait on Riley Moss and see if he can clean up some of his pass interference issues.

"That leaves safety Jones. At 28, he's the oldest of the three players, but he's an important part of this defense and a big reason Denver ranked third in DVOA against passes up the middle in 2025. It would be good to extend Jones another couple of seasons to keep the back end of the Broncos' defense strong."

Since leaving Miami, Jones has been a started with the Broncos, starting in 28 of 30 games played while recording 193 tackles, 17 passes defensed, four interceptions, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and a half-sack.

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: ESPN analyst says former Dolphins DB should be extended by new team

Between now and training camp, we will be going through the Jacksonville Jaguars' full 90-man roster, previewing each player.

Up next is wide receiver Parker Washington, who wears No. 11.

Profile

• Height: 5-10
• Weight: 204
• Age: 24
• NFL experience: 4 years
• College: Penn State

How long has Parker Washington been with the Jaguars?

Washington was drafted by the Jaguars in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Recapping Parker Washington's 2025 season

In 2025, Washington had a major breakout season. He particularly thrived towards the end of the season, passing the 100-yard mark in three of the last four games, and ended the season with 58 passes for 847 yards and five touchdowns, according to PFF.

In the final month of the season, he tied for 12th among all receivers in receptions, and was eighth in yards.

Looking ahead to 2026 for Parker Washington

All eyes will be on Washington to not only repeat his 2025 success, but to build on it. The focus has primarily been on Brian Thomas Jr., who had a disappointing season in 2025, but has so far been performing well during OTAs and minicamp.

While some might see a resurgence from Thomas as a threat to Washington, head coach Liam Coen has explained that Thomas returning to form would elevate the entire offense, including Washington.

The Jaguars have a solid trio of receivers (four, if you include Travis Hunter), and all will be expected to play at a high level in 2026.

A priority for Trevor Lawrence this offseason has been continuing to build his chemistry with each of the wideouts, including Washington.

After a strong showing last season, Washington is a contract extension candidate entering the 2026 season.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars training camp preview: WR Parker Washington

Jared Verse only spent two years with the Los Angeles Rams but it didn’t take very long for him to become a leader in the locker room. The outspoken pass rusher was well-respected and beloved by his teammates, something that hasn’t changed whatsoever in his brief time with the Cleveland Browns so far.

It hasn’t even been a month since the Rams traded Verse but he’s already made a strong first impression with his new team. His defensive line coach, Jacques Cesaire, told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that Verse has already fit in as if he’s been with the team for five years.

“The great thing about (Verse) is, I asked him, ‘Hey, what do you expect out of this? What do you want to do here?’ defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire said last Thursday on the final day of mandatory minicamp. “And the first thing he said is, ‘I want to make sure that I play so hard that everyone around me eats.’ He’s like, ‘I’m a team guy, coach.’ And right when he came in the room, obviously it’s going to be an adjustment for everybody.

“Alex Wright told me he’s been with Myles his whole career. Now all of a sudden here’s this new guy and honestly, it’s been like Jared has been here for five years. That’s how cool he is, how much of a team-first guy that he is and I’m excited about just his leadership, his development. He’s told me he has a lot to work on and we’re going to keep working together and I’m just really excited to see what he can do.”

Verse told Andrew Siciliano that shortly after he learned he was being traded to the Browns, he started watching film of his new teammates. He checked out tape of Carson Schwesinger, the Browns’ top linebacker and reigning Defensive Rookie of the Year, as well as Wright.

He was excited by what he saw and couldn’t wait to get started.

Jared was doing his research 🧑‍💻

check out BPA ➡️ https://t.co/ORJqIK72wipic.twitter.com/yyIeLtKMSb

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) June 18, 2026

Verse has a punishing bull rush that he uses often, but the Browns want to add some “different wrinkles” to his repertoire to make him a more diverse pass rusher. And they’re confident that when they do, “it’s going to be a show,” Cesaire says.

“Jared, he does have a nice repertoire right now,” Cesaire said. “We’re going to add a couple of little different wrinkles to it, but I love what he does best, which is just smash people, and that guy loves violence and he has a lot of speed and I know that when he comes out here, when we get the pads on, it’s going to be a show.”

There's no lack of excitement about Myles Garrett in Los Angeles, but Verse is still a tough player for the Rams to lose – both on the field and in terms of being a locker room guy.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Jared Verse making strong impression with Browns after Rams trade

Between now and training camp, we will be going through the Jacksonville Jaguars' full 90-man roster, previewing each player.

Up next is quarterback Carter Bradley, who wears No. 10.

Profile

• Height: 6-3
• Weight: 221
• Age: 26
• NFL experience: 2 years
• College: South Alabama

Recapping Carter Bradley's 2025 season

In late Sept. of last season, the Jaguars signed Bradley to the practice squad, where he spent the remainder of the season.

As the Jaguars' third quarterback, Bradley filled the important role in practice of being the scout team quarterback against the Jaguars' first team defense. This was a role that Bradley filled quite well.

"He's a stud. He's awesome," said defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile. "He's been so good for us in terms of giving us the exact look -- even the communication of things at the line of scrimmage. He takes it so seriously. He's got great leadership qualities at the line of scrimmage, and you can see him driving the scout guys.

Campanile continued, "He really does a great job of controlling the tempo of the practice, and giving us such an accurate look of, not only what the plays are gonna be, but the pre-snap process."

Looking ahead to 2026 for Carter Bradley

The quarterback room for Jacksonville is largely set in stone; Trevor Lawrence is the franchise quarterback, and in all likelihood, Nick Mullens will remain QB2. Bradley, then, will be competing with Joey Aguilar for a spot on the roster at QB3. Even without Aguilar, though, that could be difficult, as the Jags only rostered two quarterbacks in 2025 and put the third on the practice squad.

The best-case scenario for Bradley actually lies with Mullens, who has struggled so far during OTAs and minicamp. If he continues to perform poorly, and Bradley turns in an exceptionally strong performance, he could theoretically leapfrog past Mullens to land the QB2 spot. However, this is a long shot, and Bradley will likely be fighting just to get on the roster at all.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Jaguars training camp preview: QB Carter Bradley

The Denver Broncos hosted eight tryout players at mandatory minicamp this week, including quarterback Sawyer Robertson. It sounds like the team has made decisions on those tryout players, and Robertson won't be signed (at least not right now).

Instead, the Broncos are signing offensive lineman Reid Holskey (according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler) and cornerback Blake Cotton (according to the Denver Post's Parker Gabriel). Holskey (6-6, 306 pounds) spent time on the Houston Texans' practice squad in 2025 before joining the New York Giants in January. He was cut by New York last month. Cotton (6-2, 195 pounds) is a rookie who spent last fall at Utah, totaling 30 tackles and seven pass breakups in 13 games.

The two moves came one day after Denver wrapped up minicamp. The 91-man offseason roster was already full, so the Broncos will need to make corresponding moves to make room for Holskey and Cotton on the roster.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos news: 2 tryout players sign after minicamp

The Seattle Seahawks made several promotions within their front office ranks on Wednesday.

According to ESPN’s Brady Henderson, the Seahawks replaced former assistant general manager Nolan Teasley with their pro scouting director Willie Schneider and vice president of player acquisition Matt Berry, along with four other promotions.

“Aaron Hineline goes from director of college scouting to director of player personnel,” Henderson said. “Armani Perez goes from assistant director of pro personnel to director of pro personnel. Jason Barnes goes from assistant director of college scouting to director of college scouting.”

The Seahawks also promoted Patrick Ward to vice president and director of research and analytics as the team’s sixth appointment. All six personnel contributed toward the Seahawks winning the Super Bowl at the end of the 2025 season.

Teasley, a participant in this year’s NFL accelerator program, left Seattle to be the Minnesota Vikings’ new general manager on June 1 after being with the franchise for 13 seasons. The Seahawks respond to the move with a front office shuffle ahead of the 2026 season.

This article originally appeared on Seahawks Wire: Seattle Seahawks announce six internal promotions for key jobs

The Philadelphia Eagles wrapped up their offseason workout program with several defensive players creating momentum before training camp, including one veteran addition, one young linebacker pushing for a larger role, and one defensive lineman earning valuable first-team reps.

Spring practices are not definitive because players are not in pads and contact is limited, but offseason work still matters for alignment, communication, conditioning, and role development. For the Eagles, the defense offered several notable developments as Vic Fangio's unit continued to sort through depth, competition, and responsibility ahead of training camp.

Riq Woolen

Riq Woolen was one of the more important defensive backs to watch during the offseason program. The Eagles added him to a secondary that already features high-end young talent, but Woolen's size, length, and experience give Philadelphia another intriguing option on the outside. The Eagles have invested heavily in the defensive backfield, and Woolen's ability to adapt quickly to Fangio's system could help determine how the cornerback rotation shapes up once camp begins. His offseason work gave Philadelphia an early look at how he fits into a group built around versatility, communication, and matchup flexibility.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr.

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. also helped himself with Jihaad Campbell rehabbing from shoulder surgery. Campbell’s absence created additional first-team opportunities at off-ball linebacker, and Trotter took advantage by working with the starters in his place. Trotter entered the offseason needing to show he could handle a larger defensive role, and those reps were valuable for a young linebacker still developing his command of the scheme. The Eagles do not need final answers in June, but Trotter's ability to operate with the first group gave the coaching staff another data point before training camp tightens.

Byron Young

Byron Young was another standout after getting first-team reps along the defensive line with Jordan Davis and Moro Ojomo while Jalen Carter was out of team drills. That opportunity mattered because Philadelphia's defensive front has both star power and competition for rotational snaps. Young's work with the top unit gave him a chance to show his movement skills, physical profile, and ability to function within the Eagles' front. For a defensive line that will rely on depth over a long season, any player who can turn spring reps into summer momentum becomes worth monitoring.

Final analysis

The Eagles' defense will ultimately be judged once the pads come on, and the most important evaluations will occur in training camp and the preseason. Still, Woolen, Trotter, and Young each used the offseason program to strengthen their standing. Woolen flashed as a veteran piece in the secondary, Trotter gained important first-team linebacker experience, and Young earned a closer look up front during a key developmental stretch.

This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Three Eagles defensive standouts from offseason workouts

The contract details for New Orleans Saints edge Cameron Jordan are coming out after signing a one-year deal with the team on Tuesday, with the expectation that he'll finish out his career in black and gold.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the Saints gave Jordan a one-year contract worth $7.5 million, with $3.5 million in sacks incentives that could raise the total value to as much as $11 million. The team also gave Jordan a $6.15 million signing bonus up front. We're still waiting to see how the deal is structured, which specific sacks totals he must hit to earn those incentives, and what it means for Jordan's salary cap hit. As NewOrleans.Football's Nick Underhill observed, it's a raise from the $6.05 million base salary Jordan was paid last season after accepting a pay cut.

This deal keeps the franchise's all-time sack leader in New Orleans with an opportunity to retire as a Saint. Sixteen years into his career, Jordan is still a very impactful piece of this team, proving he can produce at a high level after recording 10.5 sacks last season. While his role may look a bit different than it did in prior years, his production, leadership, and experience remain invaluable to a Saints defense looking to take a step forward in 2026. Jordan now gets the chance to finish his storied career where it began, adding another chapter to what has already been a Hall of Fame-caliber run in the black and gold.

This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Cameron Jordan signs new Saints contract: Signing bonus, incentives

This offseason has been the busiest for the Pittsburgh Steelers in more than two decades. From the moment the regular season ended and Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach, it's been a whirlwind of activity. From hiring Mike McCarthy as the new head coach to the return of Aaron Rodgers along with a massive contract extension to EDGE Nick Herbig, the team is clearly focused on winning in 2026.

But there is still one big move the Steelers need to handle over the course of the next month before the team gets together for training camp. That piece of business is signing star cornerback Joey Porter Jr. to a contract extension. Here's what ESPN had to say about it:

Porter is a very talented cornerback who finished 10th in the league in my coverage DVOA metric last season. The problem is that Porter will want top-five cornerback money, and there isn't necessarily evidence that he belongs in that stratosphere. Hopefully, the Steelers can get him to agree to something that might be higher than they want to go but lower than what players such as Trent McDuffie and Sauce Gardner recently got paid.

We suspect the hang-up in all this is the difference between the Porter's market value and what he considers his value. As the ESPN post pointed out, the Steelers don't want to go pay him the kind of money Trent McDuffie or Sauce Gardner got but Porter and his people will push for it and the two sides will need to find some middle ground.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: 1 huge order of business left for the Steelers before training camp

We know that Puka Nacua and Davante Adams will be the Los Angeles Rams’ top two wide receivers this season, but the third spot on the depth chart is completely up for grabs. With Tutu Atwell (and his $10 million salary) out of the picture, it’s a wide-open competition at WR3, where four players will be battling for the job behind Nacua and Adams.

Jordan Whittington, Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith and CJ Daniels are the top candidates, and Torry Holt has his eye on one player, in particular. On “Up and Adams” Wednesday, Holt explained why he expects big things from Whittington this season.

“When you think about Puka Nacua, you look at Davante Adams, they love Jordan Whittington, who I think will have an opportunity to really show up this year. They kept him on the roster this long, and he’s been in, he’s been out, but when he’s there and he’s healthy, Jordan Whittington is a very, very good football player, particularly when he gets the ball in his hands. And the other thing, he doesn’t mind going in there and blocking and mixing it up. We all know Sean McVay’s wide receivers have to do that, Jordan Whittington certainly does that. I think Sean McVay and Coach Nate will give him ample opportunities to show what he is worth and what he can do, particularly when he gets the ball in his hands.”

One player to keep an eye on?

Rams WR Jordan Whittington 👀@J_Whitt3 | @RamsNFL | @AllHands81 | @heykayadamspic.twitter.com/72vSyeZ6Bb

— Up & Adams (@UpAndAdamsShow) June 17, 2026

Whittington has only gotten limited opportunities in his first two seasons with the Rams, working mostly as a blocker. He saw just 25 passes thrown his way last year, catching 18 of them for 171 yards. Those numbers were down from his rookie year when he had more targets (28), catches (22) and yards (293) in two fewer games.

The door is open for him to become the Rams’ No. 3 receiver this season but he has to prove he’s more than just a blocker and gadget player who takes handoffs and catches screens. His average depth of target last season was only 6.6 yards, by far the lowest of any wide receiver on the team; the next-closest was Puka Nacua at 9.9 yards.

There’s a role for Whittington within the Rams offense, but can he be an every-down receiver in 11 personnel? Certainly on run plays, but will he be enough of a receiving threat to keep defenses honest?

Holt is right in saying Whittington is good with the ball in his hands, almost turning into a running back the way Nacua often does. He’s strong and compact, which allows him to bounce off defenders and pick up yardage after the catch. But it’s before the catch where Whittington needs to improve.

If he can take the next step as a third-year receiver, it’ll elevate the entire Rams offense.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams legend Torry Holt expects big things from Jordan Whittington

The Denver Broncos made four changes to their 91-man offseason roster ahead of mandatory minicamp earlier this week. First, the team waived cornerback Paul Manning (injury settlement) and waived/injured wide receiver Michael Woods (who reverted to injured reserve after clearing waivers). Second, to fill those former roster spots, Denver signed two players from the UFL: wide receiver Hakeem Butler and cornerback/returner Sean Fresch.

The NFL's offseason roster limit this time of year is 90 players, but the Broncos are currently carrying 91 players thanks to an exception. Australian punter Jeremy Crawshaw gets a roster exemption as the team's designated international player. Crawshaw will count against the 53-man roster during the regular season, but Denver can carry an extra 17th (international) player on the practice squad this fall.

Here's a look at the team's 91-man offseason roster as the club wraps up minicamp.

Broncos 91-man offseason roster

1. QB Bo Nix
2. QB Jarrett Stidham
3. QB Sam Ehlinger
4. FB Adam Prentice
5. RB J.K. Dobbins 
6. RB RJ Harvey
7. RB Jonah Coleman
8. RB Tyler Badie
9. RB Jaleel McLaughlin
10. RB Cody Schrader
11. WR Courtland Sutton
12. WR Jaylen Waddle
13. WR Pat Bryant
14. WR Marvin Mims
15. WR Troy Franklin
16. WR Lil'Jordan Humphrey
17. WR Michael Bandy
18. WR Hakeem Butler
19. WR Joseph Manjack
20. WR Dane Key
21. WR Cam Ross
22. WR Kolbe Katsis
23. TE Evan Engram
24. TE Adam Trautman
25. TE/FB Nate Adkins
26. TE Justin Joly
27. TE Lucas Krull
28. TE Dallen Bentley
29. TE Caleb Lohner
30. OT Mike McGlinchey
31. OT Garett Bolles
32. G Quinn Meinerz
33. G Ben Powers
34. C Luke Wattenberg
35. C Alex Forsyth
36. OL Alex Palczewski
37. OT Frank Crum
38. OL Kage Casey
39. OL Calvin Throckmorton
40. OL Matt Peart
41. OL Nick Gargiulo
42. OT Tyler Miller
43. OL Gavin Ortega
44. OL Michael Deiter
45. OL Nash Jones
46. DE Zach Allen
47. DT D.J. Jones
48. DT Malcolm Roach
49. DE Sai'vion Jones
50. DL Eyioma Uwazurike
51. DL Tyler Onyedim
52. DL Matt Henningsen
53. DL Jordan Jackson
54. DL Jordan Miller
55. DL Kristian Williams
56. OLB Nik Bonitto
57. OLB Jonathon Cooper
58. OLB Jonah Elliss
59. OLB Dondrea Tillman
60. OLB Que Robinson
61. OLB/LB Drew Sanders
62. OLB Johnny Walker
63. OLB Dasan McCullough
64. LB Alex Singleton
65. LB Justin Strnad
66. LB Karene Reid
67. LB Lavelle Bailey
68. LB Jordan Turner
69. LB Red Murdock
70. LB Taurean York
71. CB Pat Surtain
72. CB Riley Moss
73. CB Ja’Quan McMillian
74. CB Jahdae Barron
75. CB Kris Abrams-Draine
76. CB Reese Taylor
77. CB Jaden Robinson
78. CB Brent Austin
79. CB Ahmari Harvey
80. CB Sean Fresch
81. S Brandon Jones
82. S Talanoa Hufunga
83. S Devon Key
84. S Tycen Anderson
85. S JL Skinner
86. S Miles Scott
87. DB Parker Robertson
88. LS Mitchell Fraboni
89. LS Luke Basso
90. K Wil Lutz
91. P Jeremy Crawshaw (international exemption)

Denver is also hosting eight tryout players at minicamp this week, including a quarterback. So it's still possible that the roster could change again before training camp. The Broncos will likely make decisions on the tryout players in the coming days. Training camp is expected to begin in late July.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Updated 91-man offseason roster after 4 moves

The cornerback position has been the source of a lot of concern and consternation for Green Bay Packers fans in recent times and remains a question mark entering the 2026 season.

The only player who appears to have a starting spot nailed down is Keisean Nixon, who himself has been a polarizing player within the fanbase.

While Nixon is the root of a lot of frustration, it is hard to objectively argue against the fact he has become a starting caliber corner. PFF ranked him as their 37th best cornerback among 112 qualifiers in 2025, and 31st in coverage grade.

That makes him a high end No. 2 corner, or a low end No. 1. The issue with Nixon is that he should not really be a team’s best cornerback, and it is not his fault that he was cast in that role last season for Green Bay.

Nixon can be a solid part of a cornerback rotation, but the Packers are still searching for someone to produce a higher level of performance, as they have been since Jaire Alexander began to miss a lot of time with injury issues, before eventually being released.

Maybe it was always unrealistic to think Carrington Valentine could be that player as a former seventh-round pick, and he failed to take the step many were hoping for in 2025, with PFF ranking him 58th, profiling him as a low end CB2.

The Nate Hobbs experiment was an unmitigated failure and was cut short after just one year, putting the Packers back to square one in their quest for better cornerback play.

General manager Brian Gutekunst hit the position with both barrels this offseason, signing Benjamin St-Juste in free agency and drafting a pair of corners, Brandon Cisse in the second round and Domani Jackson in the sixth.

The Packers are hoping to strike gold with St-Juste, who was PFF's 12th highest-graded corner in 2025, although it was in limited playing time, as he was only on the field for 378 snaps for the Chargers.

His career before 2025 was underwhelming, and his contract, a two-year, $9.8 million contract, does not inspire a strong belief he will be the answer. Still, it is a worthwhile bet to make on a corner with elite size at over 6-3 and 200 pounds with some impressive recent tape.

St-Juste was not able to practice during OTAs or mandatory minicamp as he instead worked with the rehab group, meaning he missed an early opportunity to impress the coaching staff.

Asked about St-Juste, head coach Matt LaFleur said: “It’s a ‘wait and see’ approach, I am excited about the player though. We’ve gone against him when he was in Washington, certainly what he put on tape last year with the Chargers I thought was impressive.

“He’s a really intelligent guy, so I’m excited about him. Obviously you can’t coach that size and length that he possesses, so he’ll definitely be in the mix."

Also in the mix will be Cisse, who is Green Bay’s biggest draft investment at the position since they took Eric Stokes in the first round in 2021.

Working against an early impact from Cisse is that he is a very young and raw corner at just 21 years old (in early July). Working in his favor is elite athleticism, by all accounts a strong work ethic, and the fact he has a genuine opportunity at an unsettled position.

On how Cisse has fared so far, LaFleur said: “He looks pretty good. Certainly he’s got a ton to learn and a lot to improve upon, as is to be expected of any young player.

“He’s just gotta continue to build on the foundation he’s set, and I think for all these guys, it’s critical when they’re away from here, the work you put in is gonna show up when training camp comes around."

A positive for the Packers is that Javon Bullard appears to have locked down the slot corner position, giving them one less spot to worry about in the defensive backfield. Bullard had the third lowest yards per snap allowed among 57 eligible slot defenders in 2025.

He impressed during the offseason program, skying to pick off a Jordan Love pass for one of the highlights of minicamp.

Discussing Bullard and his improvement over time, LaFleur said: “I think he’s played pretty damn good football the last two years. We always talk about style of play and he epitomizes what we wanna be about in terms of his effort, physicality, finish.

“I just think the longer these guys are in the league, the more familiar they are with certain looks, they understand the ‘why’ a little bit better, the detail of how you go about executing, and I think it’s been a very, very, very productive spring for Bull."

Between Nixon and Bullard, as well as Xavier McKinney and Evan Williams at safety, most of Green Bay’s defensive backfield is set. Training camp will go a long way to determining who the other outside cornerback will be, and the Packers will be hoping someone decisively asserts themselves.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Matt LaFleur talks Packers cornerbacks with jobs still up for grabs

It's no surprise given how the offseason unfolded, but the Jacksonville Jaguars were among the lowest-spending teams in free agency.

The lone outside addition made by the Jaguars during the initial free agency waves was signing running back Chris Rodriguez to a modest two-year, $10 million deal.

The team has since signed veteran running back Ameer Abdullah as well.

GM James Gladstone also re-signed a few of his own unrestricted free agents, bringing back Montaric Brown on a three-year, $31.8 million deal, along with Dennis Gardeck, who signed a two-year, $6.5 million contract.

But most of the roster turnover experienced by Jacksonville was either due to free agent departures or players being brought in through the NFL draft.

In total, the Jaguars spent $57.96 million in free agency this offseason, according to CBS Sports. This ranks 30th in the NFL.

It's also worth noting that the Jaguars did extend Travon Walker and Ross Matiscik, but those contracts are not included in the overall free agency figure.

Considering that the Jaguars are coming off a 13-win season, the lack of significant roster moves made has drawn the criticism of some NFL analysts.

That said, there are a few reasons behind this approach. One was Gladstone being mindful of the compensatory draft picks that the Jaguars are projected to receive in 2027. This team also did not have much salary cap room after taking on so much dead cap following last offseason's roster turnover.

This patient approach also speaks to the confidence Gladstone has in those already on the roster.

Perhaps more than an outside addition, potentially the biggest catalyst behind the Jaguars taking another step forward this season will be the continuity of being the same offensive and defensive systems for a second offseason.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: Where did Jaguars rank in 2026 free agency spending?

Patriots' Christian Gonzalez decision should be simple originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots are currently caught in a tough balance between what they have to do versus what they probably should do.

Christian Gonzalez's contract is creating that dilemma.

The Pats don't yet have to extend Gonzalez.

But in the interests of keeping the star cornerback happy, it may be time to make that happen.

ESPN's Aaron Schatz wrote a new article that released on Thursday in which he suggests one move each team should still make this offseason.

For the Patriots, he writes that extending Gonzalez should be the priority.

"The Patriots absolutely don't have to do this because Gonzalez still has two years left on his rookie contract once New England picks up the fifth-year option," Schatz writes. "But it's probably good to keep the best player on the defense happy, and Gonzalez skipped OTAs a couple of weeks ago because he's not pleased about being on a rookie deal while the contracts for veteran cornerbacks exploded. The Patriots have the cap space to give Gonzalez more money in the short term to make him happy in the long term."

MORE: Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson playing a funny game of chicken

The skipping of OTAs by Gonzalez is really the nudge that the Patriots should probably listen to.

Sure, by giving him a new deal after he stayed away, they're acknowledging that some of that behavior can work.

But more importantly, they'd be keeping one of their most crucial players happy.

Coming off a Super Bowl appearance, New England should be doing what it can to keep the vibes good. A Gonzalez extension would certainly qualify as that.

More NFL news:

• A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs have a Patriots, Bills, Drake Maye, Josh Allen link
• Josh Allen called out by a coach with a major losing record
• Lamar Jackson has an obvious reason not to sign right now
• Myles Garrett's Browns career comes to the most Cleveland of endings
• Will they still be called the Chicago Bears if they play in Indiana?

Cowboys to battle Bengals in Dolphins trade rumor for All-Pro originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Miami Dolphins have an All-Pro linebacker, Jordyn Brooks, whose contract expires after the 2026 season.

The Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals are both offensive juggernauts who still could use defensive upgrades.

Yep, they sound like a match for a trade.

That's what ESPN's Aaron Schatz suggests in a new article on Thursday. The premise of this segment of his article is that the Dolphins need to trade Brooks before the offseason is over to extract some value out of the pending free agent.

"Look, is there any point in the Dolphins keeping good players if their contracts end after the 2026 season?" Schatz writes. "Brooks could possibly re-sign with Miami to be part of the rebuild. But he's likely gone, so the Dolphins should get something for him."

MORE: Jahmyr Gibbs, Bijan Robinson playing a funny game of chicken

Schatz then names the Cowboys and Bengals as logical fits.

"Brooks was a first-team All-Pro linebacker last season, leading the league with 183 total tackles and adding 3.5 sacks as a blitzer," Schatz writes. "He would be a useful addition for a team with a contending-quality offense but a need at linebacker, perhaps the Bengals or the Cowboys."

It's hard to have a better season than the one Brooks just had, but even if he can come close to replicating that, he could be a star pickup for another team.

Linebackers at Brooks' level don't get traded all that often, so it's hard to know exactly what he might cost. But with just the one year of contract control, it likely wouldn't be a prohibitive price.

The Dolphins' only hold-up might be if they feel they'll be better this season than the football world generally thinks. In that scenario, they could justify keeping Brooks to maintain a higher level of play.

But even if Brooks isn't traded before the season, he'd be someone to watch as the NFL's trade deadline approached, because it's hard to see his presence being enough to make the Dolphins a winning team in 2026.

More NFL news:

• A.J. Brown and Stefon Diggs have a Patriots, Bills, Drake Maye, Josh Allen link
• Josh Allen called out by a coach with a major losing record
• Lamar Jackson has an obvious reason not to sign right now
• Myles Garrett's Browns career comes to the most Cleveland of endings
• Will they still be called the Chicago Bears if they play in Indiana?

The New York Giants had two picks in the top 10 of the 2026 NFL draft. At No. 5 overall, they selected Ohio State's Arvell Reese, whom they considered to be not only the best pass rusher in the draft but the best off-ball linebacker as well.

With the 10th overall selection, Big Blue grabbed Miami offensive tackle Francis 'Sisi' Mauigoa, a player they also had rated at the top of his class.

The Giants could not believe their good fortune on draft day. They got two players who will contribute right away and hopefully become stalwarts for years to come. Giants offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren, in his first season with the team, was overly excited when Mauigoa fell to the Giants at No. 10.

Giants OL Coach Mike Bloomgren was giddy about getting Francis Mauigoa pic.twitter.com/iLduRsNaaS

— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) May 8, 2026

"I didn't get the opportunity to run it (the draft card) up, but I can tell you nobody in the building could have been more excited than I was," Bloomgren told reporters at minicamp about Mauigoa being on the board when the Giants were on the clock at No. 10.

It wasn't Bloomgren's call to make, but if it was, Mauigoa, who is called Sisi, was his guy.

"I mean, look, you take whoever they take, you know, but how much of an addition do you think that is to the -- it's a fairly veteran group right up there," Bloomgren said. "I think it's a huge addition. You get the opportunity to evaluate all these guys for the draft, and when you have one that you feel is head and shoulders above, and you get the opportunity to actually work with him, you're going to be excited. My family thinks he's -- or my kids think -- he's their third brother. We're committed to Sisi and treat him like family, and we're so glad that he's in the building." 

Bloomgren and the Giants had their eye on Sisi long before draft day. As the draft unfolded, they had to take Reese at No. 5, then they waited patiently until they selected again five picks later. Many felt they would take Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, but they could not pass on Sisi.

"We stuck with the board," general manager Joe Schoen said on draft night. "And Sisi's another 20-year-old, believe it or not, he'll be 21 in June, so we got two young players that we're fired up about. But a powerful young man with tremendous athleticism and size. And I don't know if you guys saw his interview there on TV; they asked him what he should tell Jaxson. And that was, that's the type of kid he is."

Bloomgren is now charged with integrating Mauigoa into the veteran line, where he will play right guard, not tackle, the position he played at Miami. Bloomgren spoke about Sisi's pedigree.

"The thing that maybe allowed him to stand out more in the process for me was the fact that he's been coached by Alex Mirabal at Miami and nobody is doing better in college football than Alex. His group, the way he teaches, their foundational knowledge of this game, it's just next level," said Bloomgren.

Still, as advanced as Mauigoa seems, he's still got a bit of a learning curve to travel this summer at camp.

"Of course, he's a rookie," continued Bloomgren. "And you know, you're always scared to death with freshman -- freshman in college and rookies in the NFL. It's like the old scary movies, right? As you tell her not to go around a corner, she still does. And there's going to be some incidents like that. And there have been at practice where, as a rookie, you know, even though you told him, sometimes you have to live that moment. But the thing Sisi is doing a great job of is not making the same mistake twice." 

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants' Mike Bloomgren giddy over coaching Francis Mauigoa

There are several key members of this Jacksonville Jaguars team who are set to enter the final year of their current contracts.

In GM James Gladstone's first two seasons, there has been a lot of movement on this Jaguars roster. Year 1 featured a heavy amount of turnover, and while this offseason was quieter, we still saw Devin Lloyd and Travis Etienne sign elsewhere.

That said, Gladstone has also been very proactive in retaining key players and not allowing them to hit free agency. Logan Cooke, Jakobi Meyers, Cole Van Lanen, Travon Walker, and Ross Matiscik all received extensions.

Next up could be Parker Washington and Brenton Strange, who are entering the final year of their rookie deals. Retaining these feels like a priority for the Jaguars, but what does the future hold for these other five players in contract years?

DT Arik Armstead

Through 12 games last season, Armstead totaled 41 quarterback pressures, the third-highest mark among defensive tackles during that stretch. He was also near the top of his position group in sacks. However, Armstead suffered a hand injury, and his production would dip down the stretch.

DT DaVon Hamilton

As a run-stuffing presence, Hamilton's full impact won't always show up on the stat sheet. But his ability to generate push, eat up space, and take on blocks helps stifle the opposing run game, while creating opportunities for others.

OL Ezra Cleveland

Cleveland has provided a steady presence at left guard for the Jaguars. Among all guards in 2025, he ranked tied for 19th in PFF's pass-blocking efficiency metric and was 35th in run-blocking grade.

S Antonio Johnson

As the year progressed, Johnson's role on defense expanded. He graded out well as a run defender by PFF's metrics, held pass catchers to under 10 yards per reception this season, and came away with five interceptions and three pass breakups. He adds a versatile presence to the Jaguars' secondary.

LB Ventrell Miller

It remains to be seen what Miller can do as a full-time starter, but he has the opportunity to earn that role in the middle of the Jaguars' defense this summer. A strong showing from Miller and the Jaguars could again be looking for another starting linebacker in 2027.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 5 key starters for Jaguars entering final year of contract in 2026

The Tennessee Titans are wrapping up minicamp and will completely turn their attention to the start of training camp and the regular season.

The Titans have had a transformational offseason, which included a complete rebrand, a coaching staff overhaul, and a roster that looks nothing like it did in 2025, and appear to have the foundation to take a step forward and rise from the AFC South basement.

Will it happen? No one knows, but one analyst, Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports, believes that is a possibility, and he breaks it down in his best and worst-case scenarios for the Titans in 2026.

Tennessee Titans

Best-case: The new leadership in Nashville works. Robert Saleh's second stint as a head coach proves far more successful than his first with the Jets. Cam Ward thrives with Brian Daboll as his offensive coordinator, especially with first-round wideout Carnell Tate exploding out of the gate. Ward enjoys a strong Year 2 leap after flashing that potential during the second half of last season. With better coaching, Ward's emergence and a defense improved by key offseason additions like Jermaine Johnson II and Alontae Taylor, Tennessee becomes a wild-card team in the AFC playoff picture.

Worst-case: Ward doesn't take the leap everyone is hoping for in Year 2, and the coaching staff doesn't seem up to the task. Saleh confirms that he is a great defensive coordinator but doesn't have what it takes to lead an entire franchise, and the Titans finish last in the AFC South for the fourth season in a row.

Sullivan hits close to home, but fails to address the biggest question the Titans must answer in training camp: the offensive line. If Tennessee cannot get it right with the interior of the offensive line, no matter what the coaching staff does or how big a leap Ward takes in 2026, the Titans could struggle. Unfortunately, it won’t be until the preseason that anyone will even have an idea.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans: Best and worst case scenarios for 2026 NFL season

A former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker has returned to the Steel City brand of football following a successful stint with the United Football League.

According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, former Steelers linebacker Jacoby Windmon, who recently played for the UFL's Columbus Aviators, re-signed with Pittsburgh for what will be his third stint with the team.

LB Jacoby Windmon, who spent parts of the 2024-25 seasons with Pittsburgh, re-signed today with the Steelers.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 16, 2026

Entering the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the Steelers following the 2024 NFL Draft, Windmon was waived as part of final roster cuts but re-joined Pittsburgh's practice squad.

The Carolina Panthers signed Windmon off the Steelers' practice squad during his rookie year. He was waived by the Panthers in August 2025 but signed with the Steelers for his second stint in October of that year. He was once again released by Pittsburgh and would join the Panthers for his second stint with Carolina.

After signing a reserve/future contract with the Panthers in January 2026, Windmon was waived by Carolina on May 7, and he would join the Aviators one week later.

Windmon wasted little time making an impact in the UFL, recording 3.5 sacks, eight combined tackles, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble in just three games.

For up-to-date Steelers coverage, including any offseason moves, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.

This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers sign Jacoby Windmon for third stint with Pittsburgh

Mandatory minicamp is two-thirds of the way over already for the Cowboys, but several players have used the sessions to make a good impression on coaches before the summer break. Quinnen Williams is reportedly causing all kinds of havoc, and on offense, Marquez Valdes-Scantling is making the most of his reps temporarily filling in for George Pickens.

Elsewhere on the roster, Shavon Revel is set to show his true talent in his second season, revealing that even though he played last year, he never felt like himself. Jalen Thompson is seeing first-hand that the level of competition in Dallas is different, and Javonte Williams is setting lofty goals after meeting the NFL's rushing king... but the team is nevertheless still shopping for running back depth behind him, with an underachieving Raider coming in for a look.

Also, great insight from the Cowboys coordinators as Klayton Adams and Christian Parker speak to the media... and why is England being called the "Dallas Cowboys of the World Cup?" The answer is sure to frustrate fans of both clubs.

Meanwhile, as NFL teams prepare to make a decision on entering the Brendan Sorsby sweepstakes, we explore what the Texas Tech prospect is actually worth in draft stock. Also in the college ranks, there's news out of Texas on Arch Manning that will change how some teams are looking at their own QB rooms. And we take an early mock swing at 2027 selections: a marquee wideout, an Alabama DB, and a gritty home-state product in the first three rounds? That sounds like a very Cowboys draft.

Then checking in around the league, Vita Vea looks to be pulling a "hold-in" in Tampa Bay over his contract status, but Todd Bowles says he's not concerned about his big nose tackle. Chargers second-year ballcarrier Omarion Hampton is trumpeting a Hall of Fame comparison, and Cincinnati's Joe Burrow sees something familiar in his current Bengals squad that should scare the rest of the AFC.

Dallas Cowboys Top Headlines

• News and notes from day 2 of Cowboys' mandatory minicamp :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
• Report: Cowboys sign former Patriots pick, UFL star to DB room :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• Cowboys’ Shavon Revel Jr. sees himself becoming ‘best cornerback in the league’ :: Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Link)
• Jalen Thompson on joining Cowboys: 'It's a competition at all times' :: DallasCowboys.com (Link)
• Buggin': Cowboys DC Christian Parker using codeword play calls to improve communication :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• Cowboys RB Javonte Williams earns raves from coaches, NFL icon as he sets lofty '26 goals :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• Former Raiders' RB holds workout with the Dallas Cowboys :: Raiders Wire (Link)
• As NFL offenses trend in one direction, Cowboys, OC Klayton Adams are cutting against the grain :: Dallas Morning News (Link)
• Cowboys star Lamb, 1st-round pick Downs try hands, feet at new sports :: Cowboys Wire (Link)
• Why England is the Dallas Cowboys of the 2026 World Cup :: Fox Sports (Link)

Latest Updates from College Football

• Is Brendan Sorsby worth a first- or second-round pick in supplemental draft? :: The Athletic (Link)
• Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian just confirmed speculation about Arch Manning’s future as quarterback of the Longhorns :: A to Z Sports (Link)
• A way-too-early 2027 3-round Cowboys mock draft :: Blogging the Boys (Link)

News & Headlines from Around the NFL

• Bucs coach Todd Bowles: Vita Vea's hold-in 'not concerning' :: ESPN (Link)
• Chargers' Omarion Hampton: OC Mike McDaniel told me I remind him of Hall of Famer Terrell Davis :: NFL.com (Link)
• Why Joe Burrow claims that 2026 Bengals are very similar to 2019 LSU Tigers :: The Sporting News (Link)

Todd is on X at @ToddBrock24f7. Also, follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!

This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys News: Day 2 minicamp stars; Klayton Adams tailoring offense

Would the Carolina Panthers take a gamble on a controversial prospect?

Well, a few folks over at the worldwide leader seem to think so—as the reigning NFC South champions have been linked to quarterback Brendan Sorsby by multiple ESPN analysts. One is Benjamin Solak, who puts the Panthers at No. 2 on his list of potential fits for the Texas Tech passer.

Solak writes:

The Panthers are oddly thin at quarterback for June, as behind Bryce Young they have only Kenny Pickett, Will Grier and Haynes King. Much of what coach Dave Canales does for Young -- getting the ball out of his hands fast with big one-on-one winners on the outside -- would work for Sorsby. And Sorsby could contend with Pickett for the QB2 job while getting up to speed on the under-center aspect of Canales' offense. But if Sorsby were forced into action, Canales has run plenty of shotgun RPOs to take advantage of Young's fast release and natural footwork, and Sorsby brings much of the same.

Sorsby also brings some controversy to the table. The 22-year-old has been embroiled in a gambling scandal, having admitted to placing over $90,000 in bets during his collegiate career.

According to court documents filed by his representation, Sorsby placed at least 40 bets on his own team while attending Indiana University in 2022. With his future at Texas Tech in question, he intends to enter the NFL's upcoming supplemental draft.

Like his ESPN colleague Solak, former New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum also believes the Panthers should be interested in Sorsby. Here's what Tannenbaum had to say about it on a recent episode of Get Up:

After rostering three-time Pro Bowler Andy Dalton as Young's backup since 2023, the Panthers pivoted towards a bit of a youth movement at the position—signing 2020 first-round pick Kenny Pickett to a one-year pact at the start of free agency. A few weeks later, the Panthers cleared the path to that No. 2 role for Pickett—trading the 38-year-old Dalton to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2027 seventh-round draft pick.

Pickett hasn't exactly excelled at the pro level, having thrown for as many touchdowns as he has interceptions (16) over his four-year career. So it may not be farfetched to think that Sorsby, a second-team All-Big 12 selection, could compete behind Young.

Sorsby's dual-threat abilities might also appeal to possible NFL suitors. This past season, as the starter for the Cincinnati Bearcats, he passed for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions and rushed for 580 yards and nine more scores.

Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.

This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: ESPN heavily links Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby to Panthers

The New York Knicks are NBA Champions this season, mainly because of one signature play, forward OG Anunoby's miraculous tip-in, which gave the Knicks a historic comeback win in Game 4 of the NBA Finals last week.

The play ranks up near the top when it comes to New York Sports lore. The Knicks won their first NBA title since 1973 and captured the heart and imagination of the city in the process.

One New York sports legend, New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree, already knows where he's ranking Anunoby's basket on the list.

“I’m No. 1,” Tyree said jokingly, per the New York Post. “I’ll let everybody else argue. I would give him No. 2 because I’m a Knicks fan; it’s not even a shadow of a doubt. It’s No. 2 for me.”

Tyree, of course, is referring to his miraculous "helmet catch" that helped the Giants beat the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII. That catch stands as the greatest play in Giants' history, and is ranked near the top in the history of the NFL.

“The argument for me is it’s the Super Bowl, undefeated Patriots,” Tyree continued. “What makes OG No. 2 is you talk about the drought the Knicks had been in. That’s what makes this massively over other moments. It’s a stand-alone reality, what basketball means to New York City, what the Knicks mean to New York City. When you’re talking about football and beating an undefeated Patriots team that’s still looked at as a top 10 NFL team of all time, there’s probably more narratives in our Super Bowl.”

Tyree, who was a backup wide receiver and special teams ace for Big Blue in the early 2000's, said he can't believe he's still in the conversation when it comes to his catch and where it stands in sports folklore.

“With the Helmet Catch, I’m a part of the history — you can’t tell the history of the NFL without the Helmet Catch. I cannot boast about it, and I take it with some humility, because it’s a gift," he said.

Anunoby tipped in a rebound of a shot by Jalen Brunson to give the Knicks a one-point lead with just seconds remaining. Just like Tyree's catch on a pass from Eli Manning, onlookers -- and the opponent -- were equally stunned.

“Brunson is the Eli of the story, and OG is the Tyree of the story,” Tyree said. “When I think what’s special about a championship team is seizing opportunities that the losers don’t. The timely moments are made, when the hero needs to rise, he raises up. When the unsuspected character is in position, he makes the play.”

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants hero David Tyree thrilled to share New York lore with OG Anunoby

Jayden Daniels is tired.

At the Washington Commanders' mandatory minicamp on Wednesday, starting quarterback Jayden Daniels said he is done talking about last year. One thing is certain: Daniels is tired of talking about the 5-12, 2025 season. He was asked about it again on Wednesday, and he frankly shed light, revealing his feelings. He doesn't want to talk about it anymore.

It's tough to say what the right answer was to the question asked of Daniels. Once again, as is so often the case in life, there are two sides to each coin. The media have had so little opportunity to speak with Daniels directly since the completion of the dreadful 2025 season. Consequently, I fully understand why Daniels was asked about his struggles in 2025.

#Commanders QB Jayden Daniels on the struggles from last season:

“I’m done talking about last year. Last year was last year, moving onto this season. Whatever happened last year, is what happened last year…”

On his goals this year:

“Win football games” pic.twitter.com/hMQaGck2ia

— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) June 17, 2026

On the other hand, though Daniels has only spoken with the media at an earlier Organized Team Activity (OTA), Daniels has talked with many others in the national media, many friends, many family members, teammates, coaches, and the front office. He has relived last season repeatedly in his own mind. He watched his offensive coordinator lose his job over the 2025 season performance, the same week, Daniels' mom had spoken out about how she and Jayden loved former OC Kliff Kingsbury.

I don't know where you draw the line. Certainly, Daniels should expect to be asked about last season. He should expect questions about his missing 10 games, the many injuries to skill position players, his own injuries, and the team losing 12 games the very next season after they won 12 regular-season games. Each of those is fair game.

But for how long? Certainly, once this season begins, absolutely no one in the media should expect Daniels to be forced to talk about the disappointments of the 2025 season. When should Daniels say, 'Enough is enough, 2025 is in the past, we are moving on to 2026 now.'

Perhaps Daniels could have told the media something like, "Tell you what, guys, I will answer your questions today about 2025. But I think you should know going forward, when I am back here next month for training camp, I am only talking about this year, this season, this team, and moving forward. Everybody understand? Now, to your question about last season's struggles..."

Last Sunday, our pastor preached from the book of Proverbs. He reminded us that in our day-by-day journey, we will often find ourselves uncertain of what the right thing to do is. He then told us not to ask ourselves, 'What is the right thing to do? But rather ask ourselves, "What would be a wise thing to do?"

Perhaps that is a better way to look at this situation for Daniels. Seek to understand that the media is trying to do their job, provide them sufficient notice of when you are finished talking about last season, and then wisely, keep the boundary you have set with the media.

Oh, it is so much easier to sit out here and come up with a helpful solution when we are not the ones under the lights, isn't it?

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Jayden Daniels made himself clear about 2025

Jets among teams listed as potential suitor for Vikings’ J.J. McCarthy, but they must avoid him for obvious reason originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Jets are one of those teams that could certainly go out and make a deal for any young quarterbacks they believe have some upside. If the Jets want to be creative, bringing in multiple young quarterbacks to continue competing for backup spots isn't the worst idea, as we've seen them do over the past few years. 

One interesting point here, however, is that the Jets already have a few backup quarterbacks with Bailey Zappe and Cade Klubnik. Klubnik could be the young option the Jets are looking for, but there will be other players around the NFL who could be traded that make sense to go after.

One of them is J.J. McCarthy, who has recently been floated as an option for New York to pursue.

“Beyond Smith, the depth chart features Bailey Zappe and Brady Cook — two formerly undrafted free agents with more career interceptions than touchdowns — and Cade Klubnik, a fourth-round pick in April whose stock plummeted after a letdown senior campaign at Clemson,” Christopher Kline wrote.

“Klubnik is not untalented, and he could work his way into a position to start football games this season, but that speaks more to the dire state of New York’s roster than anything else… If New York does not feel great about its options, taking a swing on McCarthy’s development isn’t the worst imaginable use of resources.”

I don't hate the idea of taking a flyer on a guy who was once highly regarded. 

But McCarthy's obviously not that guy right now, so taking another chance on a quarterback who they'll have to replace after a year or so just doesn't make a whole lot of sense for me at this point.

More NFL news:

• Browns sent strong warning over Brendan Sorsby situation
• Browns expected to cut ties with former highly regarded WR
• Bears’ Caleb Williams makes Packers admission
• Browns make firm Brendan Sorsby decision
• Browns might have to worry about Chiefs for Shedeur Sanders replacement

Lionel Messi has only played twice at Arrowhead Stadium, but his record there is already better than many NFL stars who have spent years trying to win in Kansas City.

The Argentina captain helped his side open the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Algeria at Arrowhead, continuing a perfect record at one of the most intimidating venues in American sports.

While the result was another positive step in Argentina’s title defence, it also produced a statistic that NFL fans may find particularly amusing.

Messi’s success at Arrowhead started before the World Cup

Messi’s latest victory in Kansas City was not his first taste of success at Arrowhead Stadium. More than two years before leading Argentina to victory over Algeria, he had already won there while representing Inter Miami.

Back in April 2024, Sporting Kansas City moved an MLS fixture against Inter Miami to Arrowhead in anticipation of huge demand to see Messi in action.

The Argentine delivered, scoring in a 3-2 victory as Miami left Kansas City with all three points. He returned to the same venue for Argentina’s World Cup opener and once again finished on the winning side.

That means Messi now owns a perfect 2-0 record at Arrowhead Stadium despite making just two appearances there.

One NFL quarterback knows how difficult that achievement really is

Arrowhead has long been regarded as one of the toughest road venues in professional sports, with the Kansas City Chiefs turning it into a fortress for much of the last decade.

Few visiting players understand that reality better than Derek Carr. During his time with the Oakland and Las Vegas Raiders, Carr made repeated trips to Kansas City as part of one of the NFL’s fiercest divisional rivalries, but victories were hard to come by.

The veteran quarterback owns a 1-9 record at Arrowhead Stadium, highlighting just how difficult it can be for opposing teams to leave with a win.

That is what makes Messi’s record so remarkable. After just two visits to Arrowhead, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner already has twice as many victories at the stadium as Carr managed throughout a decade of NFL appearances there.

For most athletes, winning in Kansas City becomes a career-long challenge. For Messi, it has happened every time he has stepped onto the field.

Read more:

San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey has a shot at one of the NFL's more overlooked receiving records in two years

Sports Illustrated's Eva Geitheim identified McCaffrey as the top candidate to break Marshall Faulk's career receiving yards record for a running back. Faulk, the Hall of Fame running back who played for the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Rams, set the mark at 6,875 yards over his 12-year NFL career.

McCaffrey currently sits at 5,390 career receiving yards, leaving him 1,485 short of Faulk's record. He would need at least two more seasons of 750 receiving yards or three more seasons with at least 500 receiving yards to surpass the mark.

It's a realistic but far-from-easy target. While McCaffrey had 924 receiving yards in 2025, that was his highest mark since 2019, when he rushed and caught for 1,000 yards. It also took McCaffrey a career-high and NFL-high 413 touches, including 129 targets.

McCaffrey turned 30 earlier this month, and the durability question is real. He missed most of the 2024 and 2022 seasons with injuries, and could also see a reduced workload in 2026.

Still, the case for McCaffrey rests on what he's shown throughout his career. His pass-catching ability out of the backfield has been a cornerstone of San Francisco's offense under Kyle Shanahan, and nothing about his work ethic or preparation suggests a sudden dropoff.

Faulk's mark has stood since 2005. McCaffrey may be the best chance it has of falling anytime soon.

This article originally appeared on Niners Wire: Analyst predicts 49ers star to break long-standing NFL record

The Denver Broncos now have one of the better wide receiver rooms in the league in terms of depth.

The Denver Broncos have one of the best wide receiver rooms in the league. That's a statement that, two years ago, would have been crazy to say out loud. They have two WR1s in Courtland Sutton and Jaylen Waddle, and Waddle’s addition is going to make things insanely fun to watch.

"It creates a whole new dynamic, and that's pretty exciting," Surtain told reporters on Tuesday. "When you have a player like that on your team, iron sharpens iron, and we're looking forward to those matchups and those battles. I'm looking forward to seeing him do his thing on Sundays. It is great for our team, and for the morale of our team and everything.

"Speed, speed, speed. [He also brings] playmaking ability, and he also has a good feel for the game as well, how to beat certain coverages and certain looks. Like I said, it adds a whole different dynamic for sure. It'll be fun to watch."

Waddle has speed, as he's one of the fastest players in the league. But, he’s more than that. He catches the ball at a high rate. According to Sports Info Solutions, Waddle had an on-target completion percentage of 88%. That means, if the ball was catchable, he caught it 88% of the time. He was also 15th in Yards per Route Run, showing just how often he's sent downfield. That’s above the likes of Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, George Kittle, and AJ Brown. He's also 18th in Yards per Target at 9.1

Not only are they getting an elite player, but they’re also getting someone who's familiar with the Broncos.

Jaylen Waddle and Pat Surtain are very familiar with one another

The two players have guarded each other more than once. So, Mandatory Minicamp and the reps they do against one another in training camp won't be anything new. They have played one another twice in the league. But they also went to Alabama together.

"We have a few memories because we were roommates as well. On the field, we used to go at it each and every day on that hot Tuscaloosa field. It's pretty cool. I think we talked about this early on in our careers: that we would eventually be teammates. Now it's pretty cool, and we get to run it back," Surtain said.

The Broncos got someone who's both really good at football and already has a bit of chemistry in place.

This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain tells it how it is regarding the addition of new wide receiver Jaylen Waddle

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