Marv Levy looks forward to celebrate turning 100 at Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio
'Well, I'd prefer to be turning 25, to tell you the truth,'
the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach said,
with a laugh, his distinct booming voice resonating over the phone from his hometown of Chicago last week.
Acknowledging his age is actually a switch for Levy. It wasn't until years after landing the Buffalo Bills head coaching job in 1986 when it was revealed how Levy shaved three years off his age out of fear NFL teams wouldn't hire a 61-year-old.
'But no, I'm very appreciative,' Levy said of his milestone birthday, which is on Sunday. 'I've been very fortunate with all the people I've associated with, including my dear wife Frannie and my daughter Kimberly.'
And many of those associates — family, friends, former players, coaches and executives — will all be on hand in Canton, Ohio, on Friday, when the Hall of Fame hosts a party to celebrate Levy's 100th birthday.
He'll be arriving in first class, with officials hiring what Levy called 'a special vehicle' to make the six-hour drive.
'I'm overwhelmingly complimented. It'll be fun to see so many of my former cohorts and enemies,' he said, laughing.
Hall of Fame festivities
The list is large, in part because there'll be plenty of Hall of Famers already there, as his birthday coincides with the annual induction festivities.
This year's class features
Antonio Gates, Jared Allen, Eric Allen, and Sterling Sharpe.
Among those making the trip specifically for Levy include former players, staff, and Mary Wilson, the wife of late Bills Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson.
'How could you miss it? I love him so much,' Wilson said. 'What a gentlemen. He's so gracious and I admire him. I'm so happy he had this wonderful relationship with Ralph, and I'm just thrilled I can be there.'
Levy's career dates to coaching football and basketball at Country Day School in St. Louis, Missouri, in the early 1950s, before moving on to the college ranks with stops at New Mexico, California and William & Mary.
And while he moved on to the pros and won
two Grey Cup titles with the CFL Montreal Alouettes
in the 1970s, Levy's claim to greatness began with his arrival in Buffalo.
Making his mark in Buffalo
It was during his 12-year stint when Levy made a lasting impression for overseeing a star-studded Jim Kelly-led team to eight playoff appearances and four consecutive Super Bowl berths,
all ending in losses
.
'Fortitude and resilience. He preached that continually,' said Hall of Fame executive Bill Polian, the Bills GM who hired Levy. 'That message among the many that he delivered sunk in. His sense of humor and his eloquence just captured everybody from the day he walked into the meeting room.'
Levy's more memorable messages included citing Winston Churchill by saying, 'When you're going through hell, keep on going.'
And his most famous line, which became the title of his autobiography and a rallying cry for the Bills and their small-market fans was: 'Where else would you rather be than right here, right now.'
Author, poet and avid history buff, Levy can lay claim to having seen plenty of history over the past century as someone who served in the Army Air Corps during World War II and had a front row seat in seeing the NFL become North America's dominant sports league.
His first NFL break came as a 'kicking teams' coach with Philadelphia in 1969, and he spent five seasons as the Kansas City Chiefs head coach. After retiring in Buffalo following the 1997 season, he returned to the Bills for a two-year stint as GM in 2006, with Ralph Wilson referring to the then-octogenarians as 'the two golden boys,' and Levy calling himself 'an 80-year-old rookie.'
Levy has outlived many of his contemporaries, from coach George Allen, whom he worked under in Washington, to AFC East rival Don Shula. He's among the few Cubs fans who can boast outlasting the team's World Series drought in attending their Game 7 loss in 1945, before celebrating their World Series return and title in 2016.
The one thing missing is a Super Bowl title for his beloved Bills, who have returned to prominence under coach Sean McDermott and quarterback Josh Allen. Levy likes Buffalo's chances this season, and stays in touch with McDermott, a former William & Mary player.
'I'll take any advice he wants to give me. It's been huge,' McDermott said. 'It's one of the great honors of coaching the Buffalo Bills is to follow a coach like Marv Levy.'
Campaigning for Tasker
This will be Levy's first trip to Canton in two years, when at 98, he insisted on leading the seven-block Hall of Fame Walk. He was ready to make the walk back before being coaxed into a golf cart.
And Levy has an agenda upon his return in resuming his campaign for former Bills special teams star Steve Tasker's induction.
'Marv's a hall of famer in every sense of the word. He's a hall of fame human being and a hall of fame coach,' Tasker said. 'And if his campaign to get me in the hall of fame keeps him alive, I hope I never get in.'
Hall of Fame historian Joe Horrigan is from Buffalo and described Levy's era as uplifting for turning around a losing franchise and spurring a Rust Belt community struggling through an economic downturn.
'To see the legacy he has left just makes you feel good to be there,' Horrigan said of celebrating Levy's birthday. 'You know, there's no place I'd rather be than right there, right then.'
Levy is humbled by the attention, grateful people are still interested in his story, and ended the phone call with a familiar farewell: 'Go Bills.'
___
AP NFL:
https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
14 minutes ago
- USA Today
30 Most Important Chicago Bears of 2025 roundup
The Chicago Bears are gearing up for an exciting 2025 NFL season, which features some new faces within the organization poised to get the franchise back to its winning ways. That starts with the hiring of Ben Johnson as head coach, as well as overhauling the interior offensive line, adding pieces on defense and a potenital impactful rookie draft class. Every day from now right up through training camp, we're counting down our 30 Most Important Bears for the 2025 season. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to 2025 and tackle the biggest question facing them this year. Here's a look at our complete list: 1. HC Ben Johnson Johnson was the most-sought after candidate in this coaching cycle, where the Bears, Las Vegas Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars were all clamoring for his services. But, for Johnson, Chicago was always the team. Reports even indicated that he was interested in the job the previous offseason (when the Bears opted to retain Matt Eberflus). Now, with Johnson leading the charge, the expectation is Chicago will develop into a disciplined, talented football team poised to make an impact perhaps as early as 2025. The Bears do have the second-most difficult strength of schedule, but this is a team that should be able to compete with the right coaching staff now in place. No one is expecting Chicago to become a Super Bowl contender immediately, but it's not out of the question for playoff contenders to be the expectation. -- Alyssa Barbieri 2. QB Caleb Williams On paper, the Bears did pretty much everything they could to put Williams in a situation that was more ideal than the one he came into a year ago. General manager Ryan Poles landed Ben Johnson, the offensive guru from the Detroit Lions who has been the hottest coaching candidate for the last two years. They then overhauled the offensive line with signings and trades, including landing All-Pro guard Joe Thuney. Finally, the Bears spent their first three draft picks on offensive players, including tight end Colston Loveland, wide receiver Luther Burden, and tackle Ozzy Trapilo. With a new scheme, a coach that has a history of getting the most out of the quarterback, and quality players at crucial positions, everything should be in place for Williams to take a leap in Year 2. -- Brendan Sugrue 3. LG Joe Thuney The Bears focused on overhauling the offensive line this offseason, including the additions of guard Jonah Jackson (via trade) and center Drew Dalman (in free agency). But their biggest addition was Thuney, who was acquired in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round pick. Shortly after, Chicago signed him to a two-year, $35 million deal to keep him through 2027. Thuney has the potential to have the biggest impact given his resume and proven production. He's coming off an All-Pro season where he even kicked out to left tackle, but he thrived at left guard protecting Patrick Mahomes. Now, Thuney brings that experience, production and leadership to a revamped Chicago offensive line that will be crucial to quarterback Caleb Williams' success. And if rookie Ozzy Trapilo wins the starting left tackle job, Thuney will be even more crucial for Trapilo as he acclimates to the pro game. The Bears will only go as far as Williams takes them. And Williams will only go as far as his offensive line allows. Thuney will play an integral role in the offensive line's success. -- Alyssa Barbieri 4. DC Dennis Allen Despite his shortcomings as a head coach, Allen was one of the more highly regarded defensive minds on the market. Prior to taking over for Sean Payton as the Saints head coach, Allen was an excellent defensive coordinator. He got the most out of a number of Pro Bowl players and helped develop stars such as Trey Hendrickson and Marshon Lattimore. The Bears saw the potential to pair Allen with new head coach Ben Johnson to give him a veteran presence to work with, while also providing the defense with a proven coach who can get the most out of the unit. -- Brendan Sugrue 5. WR Rome Odunze With Keenan Allen departing in free agency, Odunze is set to take on an expanded role as the second receiver behind DJ Moore. And with the arrival of new head coach Ben Johnson, Odunze is poised to be one of the biggest beneficiaries. He should benefit from the coaching additions of Johnson and receivers coach Antwaan Randle-El, as well as continuing to build his chemistry with Caleb Williams. Chicago used a premium draft selection on Odunze with the belief that he can develop into a playmaker for this offense for years to come -- and serve as a dynamic duo with quarterback Caleb Williams. Perhaps Odunze fills the Amon-Ra St. Brown role in this Ben Johnson offense. And there are some who believe Odunze could even pass up Moore as WR1 at some point this season. -- Alyssa Barbieri 6. CB Jaylon Johnson As one of the few holdovers from the Ryan Pace era, Johnson has experienced so much change. Entering 2025, he will be on his third head coach and fifth defensive coordinator (six if you count Matt Eberflus) in just six years. Through it all, Johnson has succeeded and elevated his game to become one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. That shouldn't change when he works under Dennis Allen and secondaries coach Al Harris. Johnson has continuity in the secondary as Kyler Gordon and Tyrique Stevenson are back for a third year, while safeties Jaquan Brisker and Kevin Byard are returning as well. The only thing Johnson needs to worry about is getting healthy, as he's expected to be out for a few weeks with a knee injury. When he returns, expectations remain high for the Bears' shutdown corner. -- Brendan Sugrue 7. C Drew Dalman New Bears head coach Ben Johnson made it clear that he wanted to build from the trenches, which is why the team prioritized the offensive line in a huge way. After trading for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and guard Jonah Jackson, Chicago wasted no time signing Dalman to a three-year, $42 million contract at the start of free agency. Dalman replaces Coleman Shelton, who started all 17 games in 2024, at a position that's snakebitten the Bears. Protecting second-year quarterback Caleb Williams is the top priority this season, and Dalman will play a key role in Williams' success. Dalman will serve as the quarterback of the offensive line, where he'll help with setting projections and relieving some of the pre-snap burden. Solid communication will be key for Williams and Dalman, and the quarterback-center relationship will be just as important as head coach and quarterback. -- Alyssa Barbieri 8. DE Montez Sweat Many returning Bears players would like to forget the 2024 season after all that went down, and Sweat is no exception. He's already off to a good start, as general manager Ryan Poles singled him out for his constant offseason work and preparation inside Halas Hall. Sweat also has the chance to shine in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system as a bigger defensive end, and the hope is he can take advantage of more one-on-one blockers with the additions of Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett. There's a chance Sweat also lines up across the line in unique packages to take advantage of mismatches, which could lead to an increase in production. Regardless, Sweat is a pivotal piece of the defense. -- Brendan Sugrue 9. RT Darnell Wright Wright is the only starting offensive lineman guaranteed to start under this new regime in 2025. He's entering his third year as the starting right tackle, and this is easily the best supporting cast he's had since being drafted by Chicago. The Bears overhauled the entire interior with guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and center Drew Dalman. Now, Wright will anchor the right side with Jackson, where protecting quarterback Caleb Williams is the most important thing. While there was a brief moment where it appeared the Bears might consider moving Wright to left tackle, with Braxton Jones sidelined by injury, Wright is too valuable at right tackle and there's now an open competition on the left side. Wright has consistently been a solid pass protector and run blocker, and this could be the year where he takes a massive step in what could be a key year for his future in Chicago. -- Alyssa Barbieri 10. CB Kyler Gordon The Bears' new coaching staff has big plans for Gordon. Almost immediately after coming on board, both head coach Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen singled him out for his excellent play and skill set. The front office showed it wasn't just cheap talk, either. Earlier in the summer, general manager Ryan Poles signed Gordon to a three-year extension worth up to $40 million, with over $31 million guaranteed, marking the first for the 2022 team draft class. It's a sign of faith for the young playmaker, who should play an important role in the secondary this year. And given Gordon's difficult position that he has to man, the fact he will most likely return with the same starting cornerbacks and safeties from the previous season should be a boost for the defense's overall chemistry. -- Brendan Sugrue 11. WR DJ Moore Moore remains the undisputed No. 1 wideout with the Bears as new head coach Ben Johnson steps in to run the offense. Despite a down year where he finished just shy of 1,000 receiving yards, Moore has the potential to thrive in Johnson's offense. At times last year, Moore looked frustrated and body language is something this new coaching staff has already emphasized. Winning should also help that. But, with some young players in that receiving room, Moore needs to step up as a leader. There will be no shortage of weapons for quarterback Caleb Williams, but Moore figures to be one of his favorites as the pair continue to build their chemistry. While there are a lot of mouths to feed on offense, if Moore returns to form, he could be eyeing his fifth 1,000-yard season. Any way you look at it, Moore appears poised for a bounce back season in Johnson's first year. -- Alyssa Barbieri 12. LT Braxton Jones Jones' 2025 season is up in the air for multiple reasons. For one, he's still rehabbing from his ankle injury and has had to miss the spring practices while he heals up. There's real concern he won't be ready for training camp, and he could start on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Two, Jones may not even be the starter when he's fully healthy. General manager Ryan Poles has talked about the need for competition at left tackle, and Jones has a couple of challengers who are threatening to take his spot. To make matters even more complicated, Jones is entering the final year of his rookie contract. There's no doubt he'll want to cash in next offseason, and riding the bench won't help him out. -- Brendan Sugrue 13. LT Ozzy Trapilo The Bears selected Trapilo with the 56th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft, which marked their fourth big move (after trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson and signing center Drew Dalman in free agency) at offensive line this offseason. While Trapilo started at right tackle in his final two years at Boston College, he also has experience at left tackle having started 10 games in college. The Bears opted to try Trapilo at left tackle, and the result is an open competition for the starting left tackle job between Trapilo, incumbent starter Braxton Jones and second-year pro Kiran Amegadjie. Trapilo has actually gotten a head start in the competition, along with Amegadjie, as Jones recovers from surgery after fracturing his fibula late last season. Trapilo rotated with Amegadjie with the first-team offense during OTAs and minicamp, and that's expected to continue this summer. If Trapilo can win the starting job, he'll serve the most important role of all Bears rookies this season protecting Caleb Williams' blindside. -- Alyssa Barbieri 14. TE Colston Loveland The Bears didn't spend a top-10 pick on a tight end just to feature him sparingly his rookie year. Loveland will be a big factor in the Bears' offensive plans as someone who can line up in the slot as well as on the line. Chicago can get creative with Loveland and veteran Cole Kmet, lining both up in 12 personnel and creating mismatches on passing downs. Tight end is a difficult position to learn for young players, but Loveland's route running is exceptional for his age and experience. Johnson will throw as much as he can at the 21-year-old, and he should become a favorite target of quarterback Caleb Williams sooner rather than later. -- Brendan Sugrue 15. RB D'Andre Swift Swift enters the 2025 season entrenched as the lead back in a room including Roschon Johnson and rookie Kyle Monangai. The former Detroit Lion is also reunited with his former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has an understanding of how to utilize Swift. Following a disappointing first season in Chicago, Swift is looking to bounce back -- and he'll get to do so behind a revamped offensive line that includes newcomers Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson. When looking at Johnson's offense, the run game is a vital component, and Swift has the potential to play a key role. With Johnson, new running backs coach Eric Bieniemy and an improved offensive line, Swift could be poised for a bounce-back season. -- Alyssa Barbieri 16. DT Gervon Dexter Sr. The defensive line got better as a whole both on and off the field with the arrival of Grady Jarrett, and Dexter could be the biggest beneficiary of his presence. Dexter spoke about modeling his game after Jarrett when he was younger and now gets to learn from him personally. The two have trained together earlier in the spring, and the former Pro Bowler thinks Dexter's ceiling is sky high. With Jarrett and rookie Shemar Turner added to the mix, along with Billings back and ready to go, Dexter has the chance to shine in Dennis Allen's defense. Once again, he's a popular breakout candidate at just 23 years old when the season starts. -- Brendan Sugrue 17. DT Grady Jarrett Shortly after Jarrett was released by the Falcons, the Bears wasted no time signing him to a three-year, $43.5 million deal to anchor the interior defensive line. Jarrett comes to Chicago with a wealth of knowledge and experience that will make him a vital mentor for young players, including Gervon Dexter Sr., as well as his proven track record as a run defender and interior pass rusher. Jarrett was the first addition for new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who witnessed Jarrett up close during his time with the New Orleans Saints and played the Falcons twice a year. Jarrett is expected to start along the interior, alongside Dexter, to anchor a defensive line that will be key to the defense's success. While Dexter had a down year in 2024, coming off a torn ACL, another year of rest and rehab on that knee should have the soon-to-be 32-year old veteran primed to contribute in a big way in 2025. -- Alyssa Barbieri 18. TE Cole Kmet You'd be hard-pressed to find someone else on the Bears whose 2025 outlook changed as drastically as Kmet's following the draft. The Bears opted to select Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with their first-round pick, which immediately raised questions regarding Kmet's status. While the addition of Loveland will create some intriguing problems later on, Kmet is still going to be a productive player on offense. It takes time for rookie tight ends to develop, and Loveland is already playing catch-up due to being out with his offseason shoulder injury. While the Bears will deploy both tight ends in various packages, it's very possible Kmet outproduces Loveland in 2025. -- Brendan Sugrue 19. LB T.J. Edwards The Bears rewarded Edwards with a two-year, $20 million contract this offseason as they locked down their top linebacker through 2027. While Edwards left plenty to be desired on the field last season, as did many, the move is a testament to the veteran linebacker's importance on defense. With new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen stepping in, it's certainly noteworthy that Chicago opted to extend Edwards to a multi-year deal. That doesn't necessarily mean his future beyond 2025 is safe, especially if he struggles and the Bears find a better option. But, right now, Edwards is poised to return as 1-2 punch with Tremaine Edmunds for Year 3 in Chicago. The expectation is Edwards will be back at weak side linebacker, where he's thrived, but it's certainly noteworthy that Allen flipped Edwards and Edmunds during OTAs, which could mean something or could mean nothing. -- Alyssa Barbieri 20. S Jaquan Brisker For a while, there was real concern that Brisker may not be able to resume his playing career due to the concussion. Thankfully, he was cleared over the winter and has been a full participant during organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory mini camp. Brisker has also been working out separately with fellow teammates such as Jaylon Johnson and Kyler Gordon, doing everything he can to get back to his old self. If he can stay healthy, Brisker has the chance to flourish in Dennis Allen's new defense. The Bears' new defensive coordinator was eyeing Brisker during the 2022 NFL Draft when he was head coach of the New Orleans Saints. Now the two get to work together three years later, and Brisker can become a versatile chess piece in the secondary. It also helps that the entire starting defensive back room is returning for the 2025 season, giving Brisker some familiarity as he works his way back to action. -- Brendan Sugrue 21. S Kevin Byard The Bears defense is welcoming some new faces to the roster -- and coaching staff -- this season, but Byard will provide stability in a talented secondary looking to anchor this unit. Byard is coming off an encouraging first season with Chicago, where he played most of the year without Jaquan Brisker and aided by reserves Jonathan Owens and Elijah Hicks. Now, Byard is back with Brisker for the first year under new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who's looking to instill a violent, aggressive mentality on defense. Byard's best ability was availability as he started every since game in 2024, which was sorely needed with Brisker missing 12 games. Outside of production, Byard will be relied on to once again serve as a veteran leader on this defense and team, a role that he thrived in amid chaos last season. The hope is this year will possess the stability lacking last season. -- Alyssa Barbieri 22. DE Dayo Odeyingbo Odeyingbo comes to the Bears on a three-year deal worth up to $48 million guaranteed and is slated to start opposite Montez Sweat at the edge position, taking over DeMarcus Walker's old spot. At 6-foot-6 and 286 pounds, Odeyingbo's profile fits new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen's system when it comes to edge rushers, giving the Bears an interesting chess piece to work with across the line. Odeyingbo may move around the line a bit, playing some defensive tackle with the likes of Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings, and Grady Jarrett. The Bears liked what they saw from Odeyingbo during his tenure with the Colts, but they're betting on his future at just 25 years old. Odeyingbo is just now reaching his prime, and his best football is still ahead of him. -- Brendan Sugrue 23. LB Tremaine Edmunds Edmunds is entrenched as the Bears' starting middle linebacker alongside T.J. Edwards heading into the 2025 season, and he'll be key to the success of this defense. Edmunds should benefit from the addition of new defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who employs the kind of defensive scheme that could make him a formidable force in the middle of the field. Following a so-so first couple of seasons in Chicago, Edmunds needs a big year to justify his lofty contract and prove that he's worthy to remain on the roster in 2026. -- Alyssa Barbieri 24. RG Jonah Jackson With Jackson falling out of favor in Los Angeles, he became a predictable trade target early in the offseason. The Bears swooped in and acquired him for a 2025 sixth-round pick to be their starting right guard. The Bears also added a year to Jackson's deal, keeping him under contract through the 2027 season. This will be Jackson's third different position on the offensive line in three years, which could pose a challenge as he gets reacclimated to playing the right side regularly. He made one start at right guard to end the 2024 season. Jackson's best seasons came with Johnson as his offensive coordinator from their days with the Lions, so hopefully he can return to form as one of the better interior protectors in the conference. -- Brendan Sugrue 25. WR Luther Burden III The Bears landed a huge steal in Burden in the second round of the NFL draft, which gives Ben Johnson another weapon to utilize on offense. While Chicago already has its top two receivers in DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, Burden has the potential to make a significant impact as a rookie if utilized to his full potential. Johnson has talked about the importance of the slot receiver in his offense, as that's where the ball typically goes. While Johnson will move guys around, it's worth noting that Burden ran 88% of his routes from the slot over the past two seasons at Missouri. Burden is a speedy, explosive receiver who can line up inside, outside or even out of the backfield. -- Alyssa Barbieri 26. CB Tyrique Stevenson Many returning Bears players were happy to wipe the slate clean with a new coaching staff this offseason, but Stevenson has to be among the most excited. He gets a fresh start with a defensive staff that should be ideal for his skillset. New defensive coordinator Dennis Allen likes to have defensive backs play man coverage, which should suit Stevenson. His new position coach, Al Harris, will also play an instrumental role in his continued development. During his time with the Dallas Cowboys, Harris helped cornerbacks Trevon Diggs and DaRon Bland earn All-Pro seasons. He's one of the best position coaches, and Stevenson will only benefit from his tutelage. Stevenson will need to earn his playing time, however. -- Brendan Sugrue 27. DT Andrew Billings The Bears have a new defensive coordinator in Dennis Allen, who is looking to employ an aggressive, violent defense that certainly fits Billings' style as he's been an enforcer along the interior. Chicago bolstered their interior defensive line this offseason with veteran Grady Jarrett, who brings experience and leadership, as well as second-round rookie Shemar Turner, who serves to benefit from Jarrett and Billings. The Bears will likely employ a three-player rotation between Gervon Dexter, Jarrett and Billings at defensive tackle with Billings continuing to play a key role in Chicago's run defense, which struggled in his absence last season. Allen could also look to kick Dexter outside on some downs, which would give the Bears an opportunity to feature a defensive front with Montez Sweat, Dexter, Jarrett and Billings to make life difficult on opposing offenses. -- Alyssa Barbieri 28. K Cairo Santos Entering his sixth consecutive season with the Bears, we have a pretty good idea of who Santos is as a kicker. He has excellent accuracy with a limited range. His longest field goal of 54 yards in 2024 was tied for 29th in 2024. That being said, Santos is the most accurate kicker in Bears history and has continuity on his side going into 2025. Despite the Bears overhauling their coaching staff over the winter, the special teams unit remained relatively unchanged. Richard Hightower is returning as special teams coordinator, while Daly and Taylor are back at long snapper and holder, respectively. Kickers love consistency, and Santos will have it for the upcoming season. -- Brendan Sugrue 29. QB Case Keenum The Bears signed Keenum this offseason to serve as another voice inside the quarterback room for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. Keenum played a key role during Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud's rookie season, when he was dubbed Offensive Rookie of the Year. Now, alongside new head coach Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle and quarterbacks coach J.T. Barrett, Keenum will serve as a sounding board for Williams and help him maximize his potential. But outside of that, Keenum will also be competing for the backup quarterback job with Tyson Bagent, who's been QB2 for the past two seasons. For what it's worth, Keenum has been taking reps with the second-team offense throughout the offseason program, according to the media in attendance, so it certainly feels like it's his job to lose at this point. But it's also something to monitor heading into training camp. -- Alyssa Barbieri 30. RB Roschon Johnson Entering his third season, Johnson hasn't become the starting-caliber running back some thought he could be when he was drafted out of Texas. That doesn't mean he still doesn't have an important role to fill. Despite rumors swirling that they could overhaul the position during the offseason, the Bears only made a minor addition at running back when they drafted Kyle Monangai in the seventh round. That gives Johnson a strong shot to earn important carries for the 2025 season. As of now, the Bears are expected to lean on Swift as their RB1, but Johnson has a relatively clear path in front of him to spell him. The Bears need a bruising back to carry the ball in between the tackles in key situations, and it would be surprising if Swift is the right man for the job. That's where Johnson could shine once again. -- Brendan Sugrue
USA Today
14 minutes ago
- USA Today
Sean Payton says Broncos can win Super Bowl, and he expects Bo Nix to become a top-5 QB
Sean Payton has big expectations for the Denver Broncos in 2025. After going 10-7 with a rookie quarterback in 2024 and qualifying for the playoffs as a Wild Card team, Payton expects quarterback Bo Nix and the entire squad to take a big leap forward this fall. 'The short-term goal is winning the division,' Payton said in a recent interview with Yahoo's Charles Robinson. 'But this is a team capable of winning the Super Bowl. I've coached six teams that I thought could win the Super Bowl. Some went to championship games, some to the playoffs. This is my seventh team that I think has that.' Denver had one of the best defenses in the NFL last season, led by cornerback Pat Surtain, the league's Defensive Player of the Year. This offseason, they added linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga during free agency and used their first-round draft pick to select cornerback Jahdae Barron. On offense, the Broncos' main weakness in 2024 was the ground game, and that should be improved this year after the team signed veteran running back J.K. Dobbins and used a second-round pick to add RJ Harvey. And, of course, Nix appears poised to take the next step after impressing as a rookie. 'He's going to be one of the top four or five quarterbacks in the league the next two years,' Payton told Robinson. 'That's what we're seeing right now. He doesn't take sacks. He's got exceptional arm strength. … He threw the longest ball — [67] air yards against Cincinnati. He can run. He can throw in funny body angles.' Nix topped 4,200 yards from scrimmage last fall and scored 34 total touchdowns and only took 24 sacks. Payton seems to think the QB will take a big leap over the next two seasons, and the coach has set Super Bowl expectations for his roster going into the 2025 campaign. Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
New York Post
14 minutes ago
- New York Post
Saquon Barkley ‘shocked' to hear name on Trump's sports council after turning it down
Eagles running back Saquon Barkley said he did not accept President Donald Trump's invitation to serve on his council on sports, fitness and nutrition as part of the newly signed executive order to to restore youth physical fitness across the United States. Barkley told reporters after Monday's practice that he was 'shocked' to find out that his name was mentioned, and that he declined the opportunity after speaking with his family. 'A couple months ago it was brought to my team about the council. So I'm not really too familiar with it,' Barkley said. 'I felt like I am going to be super busy so me and my family thought it would probably be of best interest to not accept that. I was definitely a little shocked when my name was mentioned. I'm assuming it's something great so I appreciate it but was a little shocked when my name was mentioned.' Advertisement 3 Saquon Barkley #26 of the Philadelphia Eagles smiles during the Philadelphia Eagles Training Camp at NovaCare Complex on July 28, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images Trump signed the executive order on July 31, was joined by Vice President JD Vance, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., as well as American athletes including golfing greats Bryson DeChambeau and Annika Sörenstam, NFL icon Lawrence Taylor, Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker and WWE's Triple H. It comes a few months after Barkley hung out with Trump at the National Golf Club Bedminster in New Jersey and flew with Trump back to Washington D.C., on Marine One. Advertisement 3 President Donald Trump speaks with reporters before boarding Air Force One at Lehigh Valley International Airport, Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025, in Allentown, Pa. AP 3 Anna Congdon and Saquon Barkley pose for photographs on the Green Carpet during the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl ring ceremony at The Battery on July 18, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Getty Images He spent time with the president a day before the team's April 28 visit to the White House to commemorate their 40-22 rout of the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. Advertisement Barkley addressed backlash he received at the time, saying he respects Trump. 'lol some people are really upset cause I played golfed and flew to the White House with the PRESIDENT,' Barkley wrote on X. 'Maybe I just respect the office, not a hard concept to understand.'
