Minnesota Vikings' Harrison Smith replacement is playing for Golden Gophers
And given that he'll need replacing soon enough, the Vikings are surely thinking about what's next.
Maybe they won't have to look too far.
Koi Perich is entering his sophomore season for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, and he's always wanted to play for the Vikings.
"My dream was to play for the Vikings," Perich told reporters. "I would just skip through college if I could and just gone straight to the Vikings, but... ya gotta do your three years."
MORE: Bills get a huge break toward knocking off the Chiefs
Perich has free safety skills, for sure. He picked off a Big Ten-best five passes in 2024 as a freshman.
He's also a local kid, from Esko High School.
It's a long time still before Perich is draft-eligible, but you can bet the Vikings will be keeping on eye on him.
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Yahoo
35 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Knock, knock. (Who is it?) Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, who could transform Steelers
LATROBE, Penn. – DK Metcalf heard a knock at the door shortly after he checked into his room at Rooney Hall earlier this week. 'I thought it was my front door, and it was actually my bathroom door,' Metcalf, the new Pittsburgh Steelers receiver, explained after the first training camp practice on Thursday. Surprise, surprise. Metcalf has a suite mate. And one who comes with big benefits. The knock came from Aaron Rodgers. 'He was like, 'Aw man, I was hoping it was you,'" Metcalf said. Of course, it is no mere coincidence that the legendary quarterback and big-play receiver are sharing a suite, their dorm rooms separated by a bathroom. The arrangement has Mike Tomlin's fingerprints all over it. The crafty Steelers coach has been known to sometimes assign stalls in the locker room while seeking to position new players near certain personalities, for one reason or another. So, why not in this case? That Rodgers and Metcalf will be in such close proximity during training camp – and this camp comes with the need for some serious bonding with several prominent new faces in tow – comes with the potential for all sorts of intangible benefits. 'We can talk about a lot of stuff that we see the same on the field, conversations that we might not get to talk about in the meeting room,' Metcalf said. 'He gets to listen to a lot of my music tastes or hear me yell at the video game sometimes. But it will be fun having him across the hall.' Aaron Rodgers went to Mike Tomlin's backyard cookout. There was chemistry (and good food) They will expedite the curve of getting to know each other, that's for sure. Metcalf, the seventh-year veteran obtained in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, enjoys playing video games in his spare time. Rodgers caught wind of that on Wednesday as Metcalf played an NCAA-themed game on his console. 'He walked in my room yesterday and said, 'Oh, you're gaming!'" Metcalf said. 'And then he just walked out.' Rodgers, 41, has had a healthy share of roommates and suitemates during an NFL career that began 21 years ago in the Green Bay Packers camp at St. Norbert's College. Metcalf, it seems, fits the profile for an ideal suitemate in his mind for reasons that go beyond strengthening the connection with a go-to target. 'I was here Tuesday night and not many other guys were here other than the rookies, and when I got in the room and realized we were sharing something, I was secretly hoping it wasn't a big lineman or something,' Rodgers said. 'Maybe somebody who cared about their hygiene a little bit. So, when I walked in, I saw a standard suitcase. I said, 'Oh, I think it's going to be good. This is probably DK.'" Training camp clearly provides the setting to develop chemistry, and the Steelers' old-school setup – Pittsburgh is one of the few NFL teams that still goes away to a college campus for camp, at St. Vincent's College for the 58th year – amplifies that theme. In the case of Rodgers and Metcalf, though, this chemistry was launched months ago. In March, while Rodgers contemplated his future, Metcalf flew to Los Angeles and worked out with the quarterback at UCLA. It added fuel to the speculation that Rodgers would ultimately sign with the Steelers…and laid a foundation for the current prospects. 'We talked about a lot of football stuff,' Rodgers said. 'We FaceTime, we texted during the offseason after minicamp. So, we've got a good relationship. It's going to just keep on growing.' Metcalf: 'I'm going to try to soak up as much knowledge as I can. I'm going to listen to everything. Even the criticisms he has; I'm going to be really open, searching for those answers from him. He's had great receivers in the past. I'm just trying to be among them.' There is no denying that the bond that Metcalf and Rodgers develop as a go-to connection will be essential to the best-case scenario for the Steelers offense. Yet it's also evident that Rodgers, a newcomer assuming the ultimate leadership position for an established team, has made it a priority to quickly try developing bonds throughout the team. Will Howard, the rookie quarterback, said that he's been struck by Rodgers' tendency to mingle with a wide range of players at every position. That might address one of the questions floated about Rodgers as he went through the process of committing to play this season. Some wondered whether the time he did not spend with the team during the offseason would be a hindrance. Since signing just before the team's mandatory minicamp in June, though, Rodgers has tried to make up for lost time. In the window before training camp, he hosted skill-positioned players for workouts in Malibu, Calif., where he has a home. Steelers' star pass rusher T.J. Watt got his megadeal. Now comes the hard part Also, on the day he signed his one-year contract in June, Rodgers attended a cookout at Tomlin's house and spent several hours mingling with members of the coaching staff. The next day, he went to a cookout that veteran defensive end Cam Heyward hosted at his house for players. And the day after that, Rodgers showed up at Heyward's charity golf tournament. The effort to mesh with his new team was surely noticed. 'I know it wasn't on everybody's time frame for when things were supposed to happen, but I can only speak to the man I met,' Heyward told USA TODAY Sports. 'When a guy comes to my golf outing or comes to my house and interacts with my family, with me and my teammates, that's all I can ask for. I think that's a good start.' How it ends remains to be seen for a team hoping to become a legitimate contender. Yet Rodgers seems to be all-in for the bonding – and his new suitemate can vouch for that. Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@ or follow on social media: On X: @JarrettBell On Bluesky: This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf are Steelers training camp suitemates
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Isaiah Stalbird is the Saints Player of Day 44
Stalbird brings versatility to the New Orleans defense There are 44 days until the New Orleans Saints open their 2025 season. Head coach Kellen Moore enters his first year with New Orleans, as his team hosts the Arizona Cardinals to begin their 59th NFL campaign. Wearing No. 44 for the Saints is linebacker Isaiah Stalbird, entering his second year with New Orleans. Stalbird is our Saints Player of the Day, so here's a closer look at his background. Despite being an all-state selection at Kearney High School in Nebraska, Stalbird was forced to walk on for the in-state Cornhuskers. After redshirting in 2018, he became a special teams standout for Nebraska in 2019. He'd transfer to FCS South Dakota State following that season. The Jackrabbits reached the FCS National Championship Game during the 2020-21 campaign, with Stalbird being one of their defensive stars. A safety during his first three collegiate seasons, Stalbird would switch to linebacker in 2021. He responded to the change by forcing 2 fumbles and being second on the team in tackles. His standout play continued for the next two years, as Stalbird was a key factor in the Jackrabbits winning the FCS National Championship in 2022, then him earning All-Missouri Valley Football Conference accolades during his final year in 2023. Stalbird finished his South Dakota State career with 18 passes broken up and 238 tackles, including 19 for loss. Despite the production, he was not selected in the 2024 NFL draft. Instead, New Orleans signed him to an undrafted deal. Stalbird elected to stay with the Saints despite being selected in the USFL draft by the Michigan Panthers. While he didn't make the active roster for New Orleans initially, he was kept on the practice squad. Stalbird would appear in five games with the Saints as a rookie. He wouldn't see any defensive snaps but did exhibit strong play on special teams. Isaiah Stalbird will be in the middle of fierce competition for roster spots with the Saints during training camp. He's projected to remain at linebacker, where he's undersized but possesses outstanding open field agility. Stalbird also brings the abilities of being a collegiate safety. This gives him some scheme versatility, especially in pass coverage packages.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Knock, knock. (Who is it?) Aaron Rodgers and DK Metcalf, who could transform Steelers
LATROBE, Penn. – DK Metcalf heard a knock at the door shortly after he checked into his room at Rooney Hall earlier this week. 'I thought it was my front door, and it was actually my bathroom door,' Metcalf, the new Pittsburgh Steelers receiver, explained after the first training camp practice on Thursday. Surprise, surprise. Metcalf has a suite mate. And one who comes with big benefits. The knock came from Aaron Rodgers. 'He was like, 'Aw man, I was hoping it was you,'" Metcalf said. Of course, it is no mere coincidence that the legendary quarterback and big-play receiver are sharing a suite, their dorm rooms separated by a bathroom. The arrangement has Mike Tomlin's fingerprints all over it. The crafty Steelers coach has been known to sometimes assign stalls in the locker room while seeking to position new players near certain personalities, for one reason or another. So, why not in this case? That Rodgers and Metcalf will be in such close proximity during training camp – and this camp comes with the need for some serious bonding with several prominent new faces in tow – comes with the potential for all sorts of intangible benefits. 'We can talk about a lot of stuff that we see the same on the field, conversations that we might not get to talk about in the meeting room,' Metcalf said. 'He gets to listen to a lot of my music tastes or hear me yell at the video game sometimes. But it will be fun having him across the hall.' Aaron Rodgers went to Mike Tomlin's backyard cookout. There was chemistry (and good food) They will expedite the curve of getting to know each other, that's for sure. Metcalf, the seventh-year veteran obtained in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, enjoys playing video games in his spare time. Rodgers caught wind of that on Wednesday as Metcalf played an NCAA-themed game on his console. 'He walked in my room yesterday and said, 'Oh, you're gaming!'" Metcalf said. 'And then he just walked out.' Rodgers, 41, has had a healthy share of roommates and suitemates during an NFL career that began 21 years ago in the Green Bay Packers camp at St. Norbert's College. Metcalf, it seems, fits the profile for an ideal suitemate in his mind for reasons that go beyond strengthening the connection with a go-to target. 'I was here Tuesday night and not many other guys were here other than the rookies, and when I got in the room and realized we were sharing something, I was secretly hoping it wasn't a big lineman or something,' Rodgers said. 'Maybe somebody who cared about their hygiene a little bit. So, when I walked in, I saw a standard suitcase. I said, 'Oh, I think it's going to be good. This is probably DK.'" Training camp clearly provides the setting to develop chemistry, and the Steelers' old-school setup – Pittsburgh is one of the few NFL teams that still goes away to a college campus for camp, at St. Vincent's College for the 58th year – amplifies that theme. In the case of Rodgers and Metcalf, though, this chemistry was launched months ago. In March, while Rodgers contemplated his future, Metcalf flew to Los Angeles and worked out with the quarterback at UCLA. It added fuel to the speculation that Rodgers would ultimately sign with the Steelers…and laid a foundation for the current prospects. 'We talked about a lot of football stuff,' Rodgers said. 'We FaceTime, we texted during the offseason after minicamp. So, we've got a good relationship. It's going to just keep on growing.' Metcalf: 'I'm going to try to soak up as much knowledge as I can. I'm going to listen to everything. Even the criticisms he has; I'm going to be really open, searching for those answers from him. He's had great receivers in the past. I'm just trying to be among them.' There is no denying that the bond that Metcalf and Rodgers develop as a go-to connection will be essential to the best-case scenario for the Steelers offense. Yet it's also evident that Rodgers, a newcomer assuming the ultimate leadership position for an established team, has made it a priority to quickly try developing bonds throughout the team. Will Howard, the rookie quarterback, said that he's been struck by Rodgers' tendency to mingle with a wide range of players at every position. That might address one of the questions floated about Rodgers as he went through the process of committing to play this season. Some wondered whether the time he did not spend with the team during the offseason would be a hindrance. Since signing just before the team's mandatory minicamp in June, though, Rodgers has tried to make up for lost time. In the window before training camp, he hosted skill-positioned players for workouts in Malibu, Calif., where he has a home. Steelers' star pass rusher T.J. Watt got his megadeal. Now comes the hard part Also, on the day he signed his one-year contract in June, Rodgers attended a cookout at Tomlin's house and spent several hours mingling with members of the coaching staff. The next day, he went to a cookout that veteran defensive end Cam Heyward hosted at his house for players. And the day after that, Rodgers showed up at Heyward's charity golf tournament. The effort to mesh with his new team was surely noticed. 'I know it wasn't on everybody's time frame for when things were supposed to happen, but I can only speak to the man I met,' Heyward told USA TODAY Sports. 'When a guy comes to my golf outing or comes to my house and interacts with my family, with me and my teammates, that's all I can ask for. I think that's a good start.' How it ends remains to be seen for a team hoping to become a legitimate contender. Yet Rodgers seems to be all-in for the bonding – and his new suitemate can vouch for that. Contact Jarrett Bell at jbell@ or follow on social media: On X: @JarrettBell On Bluesky:
