Offseason All-Hype Team heralds NFL's return. Plus: Shannon Sharpe out at ESPN
Good morning! We made it, kind of: NFL football is technically here today. And thus, so is Jacob Robinson, author of our excellent (and free!) Scoop City newsletter:
The NFL season is almost here, and it might ruin everything. Just as fans in Chicago and New York settle into the comfort of optimism and your favorite 49ers running back returns healthy, the preseason arrives to spoil the party. I couldn't be more excited.
Tonight, the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions kick off the 2025 preseason with the Hall of Fame game at 8 p.m. ET. Before reality exposes our offseason heroes, I've compiled my first annual All-Hype Team, which is based on a proprietary formula of meaningless highlights and tangible opportunities. Some big names on the first-team offense:
Head coach: Ben Johnson, Bears. The vibes are great in Chicago, where it's been Johnson's show since the former Lions OC agreed to join the Bears on a contract reportedly worth $13 million per year. With his offense slowly making strides and his staff — which includes former Saints head coach Dennis Allen as defensive coordinator — continuing to win over the players and fan base, is this the most optimistic Bears fans have felt since … last preseason?
Advertisement
Quarterback: J.J. McCarthy, Vikings. Surrounded by one of the league's most talented rosters, the 22-year-old has everything a first-year starter could ask for: a world-class play caller in head coach Kevin O'Connell, a stout offensive line, talented skill position players and sole control of the starting role. His progress was Minnesota's biggest question heading into training camp, and he's checked most boxes since.
Running back: Omarion Hampton, Chargers. I was skeptical of the North Carolina rookie's opportunity level in 2025, as he was set to compete with Najee Harris, the league's only running back who has played every regular-season game since 2021. But a freak fireworks accident sidelined Harris indefinitely, and now Hampton is gaining valuable first-team reps. It's hard to overstate his upside in the league's most run-heavy offense, but a Saquon Barkley-like rookie season is on the table. See for yourself, as the Chargers' first-round pick will make his debut tonight in the Hall of Fame game.
Sidebar for the best offseason moment: Jim Harbaugh in awe of his quarterback, Justin Herbert.
Receiver: Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers. Few rookies draw such universal praise as the Ohio State product, who is 'an absolute stud,' according to his quarterback, Baker Mayfield, and 'going to be an unbelievable playmaker,' per fellow receiver Mike Evans. Offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard also had glowing praise for the 22-year-old rookie. The Athletic's Nick Baumgardner even compared Egbuka to the Chargers' Ladd McConkey, who set franchise records in his rookie season. Sheesh.
Tight end: Kyle Pitts, Falcons. Positive sentiment toward Pitts always ages like milk. Yet here I am again, allowing one training camp highlight of the 24-year-old to make me declare he is in the best shape since his rookie season, when he had 1,026 receiving yards. Our Falcons beat reporter Josh Kendall examined whether Pitts can be trusted for your fantasy team. Wish me luck.
We've got plenty more preseason standouts in today's edition of Scoop City, which you can subscribe to here.
ESPN cuts ties with Sharpe
Pro Football Hall of Famer and media analyst Shannon Sharpe is out at ESPN less than two weeks after he settled a lawsuit in which his ex-girlfriend accused him of rape, The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reported yesterday. Sharpe, 57, has not been on ESPN since late April, when the suit was first filed. More details here.
Advertisement
MLB trade deadline heats up
Among the flurry of action yesterday, ahead of today's MLB trade deadline at 6 p.m. ET: The Mariners acquired slugger Eugenio Suárez (one of the most-coveted players on the market) late last night, the Phillies pulled off a blockbuster deal for star Twins closer Jhoan Duran, the Reds got third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes from the Pirates and the Mets traded for Giants reliever Tyler Rogers and Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.
Our MLB staff is grading all of the 2025 deals here; follow our trade deadline live blog today for more updates and analysis. We'll have a full Pulse breakdown for you tomorrow.
More news
📺 WNBA: Valkyries vs. Mystics
7:30 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Golden State remains on the playoff cusp (current No. 9 seed) after edging out Atlanta two nights ago, and here, the Valkyries take on the current 8-seed and attempt to get back to .500. Can they build some momentum?
📺 NFL: Chargers vs. Lions
8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock
As mentioned above, this is the preseason opener in Canton, Ohio. We're so back.
Get tickets to games like these here.
Jayna Bardahl has a great feature out today on the making of the 'NFL Top 100,' the league's annual player-driven poll, and our complicated relationship with it. Entertaining.
Zack Meisel and Yuriko Schumacher explored which MLB teams are trading pals (or foes) in this informative piece with excellent interactive data visualizations.
Five years on, Joe Vardon compiled an oral history of the NBA's pandemic bubble, with reflections from players, coaches, executives and journalists who were there with him.
Allowing MLB to institute a salary cap would be an insult to Curt Flood's legacy, as Ian O'Connor writes.
A couple of new, exciting soccer hires joined us at The Athletic this week: former U.S. men's national team forward Charlie Davies, who'll be an expert contributor, and senior writer Henry Bushnell.
Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Evan Drellich and Matt Gelb's report on the aftermath of Bryce Harper's confrontation with Rob Manfred.
Most-read on the website yesterday: The news of ESPN parting with Shannon Sharpe.
Ticketing links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Bucs' Teddy Bridgewater reflects on suspension from coaching Miami Northwestern: 'Those players became my sons'
Teddy Bridgewater retired from the NFL in 2023 after 10 seasons, in part to focus on his two sons. In his eyes, he inherited many more when he took over as the head coach of his alma mater, Miami Northwestern High School, in his native South Florida. "I'm protective, and I'm a father first before anything," a now-32-year-old Bridgewater told reporters Wednesday during his first media appearance as a Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback. "When I decided to coach, those players became my sons. And I want to make sure that I just protect them in the best way that I can." Being what Bridgewater calls "a cheerful giver" unfortunately ran him into trouble with the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). Bridgewater revealed on Facebook in July that he covered Uber rides, meals and recovery services for his players last season, a year that culminated in Miami Northwestern winning a Florida Class 3A state championship. In that post, Bridgewater asked fans to donate and help him take care of those expenses this time around. Word apparently got to the FHSAA, and then Miami Northwestern had to respond, ultimately suspending Bridgewater from coaching for allegedly providing impermissible benefits to his players. Bridgewater, who initially unretired from the NFL to rejoin the Detroit Lions late last season, is spending the 2025 season in the Bucs' quarterback room as a veteran voice and experienced backup. The former first-round pick reflected Wednesday on his suspension from Miami Northwestern, and on his motivation behind doing what he did to help his players last year. "Not enough blessings in tough neighborhood, and sometimes things can happen when kids are walking home and different things like that," Bridgewater said. "I just try to protect them, give them a ride home instead of them having to take those dangerous walks. But I just want people to continue to see me for the person that I've been, from the time I arrived in the NFL, from the time that I arrived at the University of Louisville. Just a humble guy with a good heart and a cheerful giver." According to the U.S. News & World Report, 75% of students at Miami Northwestern are considered "economically disadvantaged" and 72% qualify for the "Free Lunch Program" under the National School Lunch Act. Bridgewater was asked Wednesday about the possibility of changes to FHSAA rules. "I guess in due time those changes will happen," he said. "But until then, man, I can't change who I am because of the rules. I have a big heart. I get it from my mom. And I just always said that I was once those kids. I know what it's like to be in their shoes. I know what it's like to walk those halls at Miami Northwestern and to have your stomach growling and rumbling at 12 o'clock in the afternoon because you didn't have any lunch money or you don't get the free lunch. So I can't change who I am. I'll still give to those kids just because, man, I know what it's like. When I say 'give,' it's not even about money. It's about my time and my presence. Because a lot of times you see your idol on TV and it's like, 'Man, I wonder what it's like to be that person.' But when they see me in the flesh, and they see how I'm an open-spirited person and I'm happy I'm around them and they fit right in with me and I fit in with them — it's just hope." When Bridgewater mentioned "hope," he was referring to the source of inspiration he feels he provides to students at Miami Northwestern. He called his experience with those kids as "the way that I feed my soul." "I think now that I'm back in the league, there's actually going to be extra motivation for them as well because they'll play a game on Friday night and probably get to drive across the state and come watch the Bucs win and see coach on the sidelines," Bridgewater said. "So it's like, 'Man, Coach is just continuing to just serve as motivation and continuing to influence us in every way possible. He's showing us that he can make it to the NFL. He's showing us that he can coach, he's showing us that there are different avenues of life that you can take.' And I'm hoping that they take notice of that."
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Darren Waller's return is "tricky" with joint practices upcoming
Dolphins tight end Darren Waller remains on the active/physically unable to perform list after coming out of retirement. He is about a week away from working his way back into practice, coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday, but it's going to be "tricky" with joint practices upcoming. The Dolphins go against the Bears and Lions back-to-back. 'It's a little tricky because you're bringing a guy back, and is his first practice a joint practice?' McDaniel said Wednesday, via the South Florida Sun Sentinel. "So, it's about a week, but it's a little tricky in terms of what practice. We'll feel our way through that, and you're just trying to be smart with that.' Waller, who has not played since the 2023 season, has worked on the side in camp. His agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on WSVN this week that Waller will be ready for the start of the season. Waller is listed as the starting tight end on the Dolphins' initial depth chart.
Yahoo
21 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Texas A&M senior Edge is using his All-SEC team snub as 'fuel to the fire' this season
Texas A&M's 2025 pass rush will more than likely be led by senior edge Cashius Howell, who returned for his final collegiate season after defensive linemen Nic Scourton, Shemar Turner and Shemar Stewart departed for the NFL, leaving the former Bowling Green standout as one of the best players on the roster. However, Howell, who recorded four sacks and seven pass deflections in a rotational role last season, has been snubbed by several preseason watch lists. After Wednesday's sixth and first padded preseason practice, Howell spoke to the media members in attendance, and was asked about one of the more significant preseason snubs after he was left off the the preseason All-SEC team, which included running back Le'Veon Moss (first team) offensive linemen Ar'maj Reed-Adams, Trey Zuhn III and Chase Bisontis named to the second team. At the same time, cornerback Will Lee III and linebacker Taurean York were named to the third team on defense. While York has certainly done enough on the field to garner first or second team honors, the fact that Howell wasn't even considered a third team defensive linemen was quite surprising, esepecially after finishing the year as the team's top rated pass rusher per Pro Football Focus. However, Howell is taking the high road, and, just like his low recruiting ranking, the Missouri native isn't worried about the national perception. 'You're talking to a guy who was once rated 2,000th best player in my class. I'm used to not getting picked and overlooked so it just adds fuel to the fire for me.' At 6'4" and over 250 pounds, coach Mike Elko taking over as the program's defensive play caller is good news for Howell, who will be in perfect postion to rush the passer and eliminate stretch runs, capitalizing on his impressive play at the end of the 2024 campaign. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty. This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M Edge Cashius Howell is taking his All-SEC snub in stride
