Aaron Rodgers Suggests Upcoming NFL Season Could Mark His Retirement
What version of Aaron Rodgers will we see with Steelers? 'GMFB'
"GMFB" debate what version of quarterback Aaron Rodgers will we see with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
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Fox News
15 minutes ago
- Fox News
Eagles running back AJ Dillon embraces mental challenges of chess to prepare for 'perfect' opportunity
A.J. Dillon wants to make a good impression when he takes the field with the reigning Super Bowl champions on Sept. 4. The running back spent his first five years in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers, sharing touches with Aaron Jones for most of his tenure. Dillon missed the 2024 season with a neck injury, but the Philadelphia Eagles signed him in free agency - and it is obvious to see why he joined the Birds. "Coming off a Super Bowl, best offensive line in football, Saquon [Barkley]'s a guy I've known for a long time, so it really worked out perfect," Dillon told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. "I'm loving my role there, getting to know my teammates, Philly's a great city, they got awesome fans, food's great, football's great, and it's a great city. It's awesome to be out there, and I'm looking forward to the season." However, earlier this month, in an effort to fire up his mind before heading to training camp, Dillon joined several other NFL stars, including Justin Herbert, Kyler Murray and eventual winner Justin Reid in the BlitzChamps tournament. Reid also won the tournament last year. Dillon's results were not what he was hoping for, saying, "there's some chess sharks in the league," but he added the game of chess is an ideal mental warm-up for football. "I think the mental piece in football is such a big thing. I think when you talk about what sets people apart, because obviously, everybody's talented at the college level, and at the NFL, everyone's big and strong, but it's that mental piece," Dillon continued. "How quickly can you gather information? How can you think back into the scouting report, and so forth? "You can only do so much football, so still trying to challenge your mind, but also get your mind off of football. Chess is a great way, and trying to stimulate the mind in different ways, chess does that in a way where you're really thinking strategically, and there's a lot of correlations between chess and football, I think." Dillon was also able to raise money for his charity, which he started last year. "Being able to not only play chess and have fun, but also be able to have extra money to donate to a great cause like everybody else will be able to do for whatever they represent this is a huge blessing in itself," he added. The competitive nature in Dillon will not let him phone it in after one subpar tournament appearance, either. "Next time, I'll be a lot better. It definitely made me hungry. I'm a competitor," Dillon said. "It's OK, my first time. I know what the competition is like, so I gotta step it up. I got the app downloaded on the phone, so when I got some down time, definitely will play some exhibition matches and things like that. Definitely looking at shake up the tables next year." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
USA Today
21 minutes ago
- USA Today
Tyler Shough reveals when he learned about Derek Carr's surprise retirement
The biggest news of the New Orleans Saints offseason wasn't the team hiring Kellen Moore as head coach, or their decision to draft Kelvin Banks Jr. in the first round. It was Derek Carr's surprise retirement due to a serious shoulder injury. The Saints drafted Carr's replacement in the second round, and for his part, Tyler Shough is excited to seize the opportunity Carr's retirement creates for him. Shough sat down with Amon-Ra St. Brown and his brother Equanimeous on the St. Brown Podcast to talk about his college career, the start of his NFL journey, and his experience with the Saints so far. He was asked about learning the news of Carr's retirement and what that opportunity meant for him. "Kellen told me before they announced it (before) practice, which was good. I think I had media later that day and they didn't want me to go in blind," Shough reflected. "But like you said, the word 'opportunity' just sticks in my head. Regardless (of whether Carr retired or not) I think it would've been great just because of who he is and how high of a level he's played at, to come in and learn from, I'm going to come in and compete regardless and try to get better. I think for me and what I've been through, I've been carted off the field, I've been booed, I've been the MVP, I've been the starter, I've been the backup to (Justin) Herbert." It's clear that Shough is keeping perspective about all this, finishing: "I'm still a rookie. I may be older but I've got to earn the respect of everybody and do my job." Amon-Ra St. Brown made note of that -- he and Shough were part of the same high school class and their birthdays are only separated by a month, but he's already played in 70 NFL games (including the playoffs) and is preparing for Year 5, while Shough's career is just starting. To that point, Shough said it's important that guys not compare themselves to each other. "I think the biggest thing from that, is just like, high school kids, college kids watching, don't compare yourselves to others. Do it from a competitive standpoint but don't let it shut you down. I always thought I was better than the guys in my class coming out at the Opening. That's innate, my innate belief, and you see guys like Trevor Lawrence -- three-year career, win a national championship, and I'm like, 'Man that would have been sick.' And year after year you see guys get drafted like, 'Man I'm better than this dude, I'm better than this dude.' But you kind of have to go through your own circumstance and opportunity to grow as a person and a player because if I would have had three-years, four-years career who knows? I may be entitled or I may be out of the league at this point," Shough said. It's a great stance to take; it's natural to feel competitive and use that as fuel, but development isn't linear, and everyone takes their own journey. Shough's maturity shines through in moments like this. Maybe it makes a difference as he prepares to compete with Spencer Rattler to start in Carr's place this summer.
USA Today
36 minutes ago
- USA Today
Bears All-Quarter Century Team: Offensive line
Twenty-five years of Chicago Bears football are in the books since the turn of the century. Since the calendar turned over to 2000, the Bears have seen some success, but also plenty of woeful stretches. Early on, Chicago became a defensive force, claiming four division titles and reaching only their second Super Bowl in franchise history from 2000 to 2010. Since then, however, a 14-year playoff victory drought that is still ongoing and a one-sided fight with their rival Green Bay Packers have taken the spotlight. For all the ups and downs the Bears have seen, however, they had plenty of talent over the years across offense and defense. Multiple former Bears players are already in the Hall of Fame, while many more provided years of incredible play in the navy and orange. Here at Bears Wire, we're celebrating the best Bears players at each position over the last 25 years. We're going position by position to name the Bears' All-Quarter Century Team for those who played from 2000 through 2024. Rounding out the offense is the offensive line, a group led by one of the best centers in NFL history. Offensive tackle Offensive tackle hasn't exactly been a position of strength for the Bears over the last 25 years, but they have had some studs put together stellar seasons, beginning with James "Big Cat" Williams, a player who didn't even begin his NFL career as an offensive tackle. Though the majority of his career took place in the 1990s, Williams ended his Bears tenure strong at the turn of the century. He helped pave the way for running back Anthony Thomas in 2001, earning Pro Bowl and Second-Team All-Pro honors as the Bears captured a division title. A few years following Williams' retirement, the Bears had big holes to fill at both tackle spots. They took a big swing to fill one of them with John Tait, and the move paid off. Chicago signed Tait to a six-year deal in 2004 away from the Kansas City Chiefs, and he immediately provided stability up front. Tait played both sides on the line but primarily lined up at left tackle. He played in 73 games across five seasons and was a critical piece of the 2006 Super Bowl team that featured a powerful rushing attack. Though he never received any Pro Bowl accolades, Tait was one of the best and most important signings of the Jerry Angelo era. In the 2010s, the Bears found a gem in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL Draft when they selected Charles Leno Jr. out of Boise State. What seemed to be a borderline practice squad player turned into a reliable starting left tackle within just one season. Leno took hold of the left tackle job in Week 4 of the 2015 season and never missed a start for the rest of his Bears career. While Leno earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2018, he was never a star protector in the league. Still, the Bears had a revolving door at left tackle for a long time, and Leno was the solution. Honorable mention: Fred Miller Offensive guard In 2013, then-general manager Phil Emery shocked Bears fans by selecting a 25-year-old guard with their first-round pick. It turned out to be a great decision. Kyle Long became the Bears' best lineman in the 2010s as he settled into the right guard position, starting as a rookie. Long quickly became one of the league's best young offensive linemen, earning Pro Bowl nods in each of his first three seasons. He was a stud on the interior, and while he and the Bears experimented with him playing right tackle, guard was his best spot. Unfortunately, injuries took their toll, and Long's career didn't last as long as expected, but his prime was the best we have seen from a Bears guard this century. While Long was a successful draft pick, these next two players were successful veteran signings. The Bears took a flyer on Roberto Garza, who signed a one-year deal in 2005 as a backup offensive lineman and potential stopgap. His stint wound up being a decade, as Garza's solid play and versatility were a welcome addition in Chicago. Garza primarily played right guard in the 2000s but filled in on the left side as well. He was a key member of three playoff squads and wound up taking over at center following Olin Kreutz's departure after the Bears couldn't find a suitable outside replacement. Garza was a consummate pro and a team leader, something they needed during that time. Prior to finding Garza, the Bears made a bigger splash with Ruben Brown, one of the best guards from the 1990s and someone who still had enough gas left in the tank during the 2000s when he signed a three-year deal. Brown made eight straight Pro Bowls with the Buffalo Bills and signed in Chicago in 2004. Though injuries limited him to just 45 games over four years, Brown was dominant when healthy and made the Pro Bowl in 2006 during his healthiest season in Chicago. Honorable mention: Chris Villarrial Center There is no debate as to who the Bears' best center of the last 25 years has been. Olin Kreutz was the heart and soul of the team for the vast majority of his career. His leadership and stellar play were a key reason why Chicago became a winning franchise in the mid-2000s. Kreutz anchored the interior of the line for all four of the Bears' playoff appearances in the 2000s, earning First-Team All-Pro honors twice in 2005 and 2006, and making the Pro Bowl six years in a row from 2001 through 2006. He was also named to the NFL's 2000s All-Decade Team. Kreutz was arguably the best and most important player on offense since the turn of the century. Though there's a sizeable gap between Kreutz and the next-best center, the Bears found a good one when they drafted Cody Whitehair in 2016. Whitehair wound up filling it at center due to injuries and became a fixture at the position. While he also played guard in the back half of his career, Whitehair started at center in every game for his first three years, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2018. Whitehair did everything that was asked of him and did it well. He, like Leno, wasn't a star player on the line, but he brought consistency and reliability. Honorable mention: Roberto Garza Bears All-Quarter Century Team Follow Bears Wire on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
