Latest news with #2025Season
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Caleb Williams (No. 2)
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. We're down to the final pair and at No. 2 is quarterback Caleb Williams, who needs to show he has what it takes to be the franchise quarterback under Ben Johnson. Background Position: Quarterback Age: 23 Experience: 2nd season 2025 cap hit: $8.9 million 2024 recap Arguably no rookie player had more hype coming into the league than Williams after he was selected No. 1 overall by the Bears. Armed with numerous weapons at the skill positions, a veteran coaching staff, and a talented defense, Williams seemed to be entering one of the more favorable situations a No. 1 overall pick had ever been in. That wasn't the case. Despite showing promise and guiding the Bears to a 4-2 start, the wheels fell off for the team in every possible way. The Bears fired offensive coordinator Shane Waldron and then head coach Matt Eberflus while also dealing with injuries on the offensive line. The staff was a hindrance to Williams' development while he persevered as best he could. Williams played in all 17 games for the Bears, and while he set rookie records with over 3,500 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and just six interceptions, he also was sacked a league-high 68 times. Williams made magical plays on the move but also struggled with his deep passes and holding onto the ball too long. Year 1 was a mixed bag that still has many wondering what Williams' future holds. 2025 outlook 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. Big question: Will Caleb Williams take the leap in Year 2? That's the question of the year for the Bears and their fans. It always comes down to the quarterback and whether or not he can be the transcendent signal caller that has eluded this franchise for years. While Williams has plenty to clean up going into this season, he set the bar higher than any other Bears rookie quarterback ever has. No quarterback in team history ever had a season with 3,500 passing yards, at least 20 touchdowns, and fewer than 10 interceptions before Williams. Add in that Johnson and his staff are working to break Williams of his bad habits and play within structure, and the stage is set for a leap forward in production. Just a few days into training camp, it's impossible to tell whether or not Williams will succeed. He has the tools and the resources to get there, though, and much of the Bears' success will hinge on his development. 30 Most Important Bears of 2025 #30 - RB Roschon Johnson #29 - QB Case Keenum #28 - K Cairo Santos #27 - DT Andrew Billings #26 - CB Tyrique Stevenson #25 - WR Luther Burden III #24 - RG Jonah Jackson #23 - LB Tremaine Edmunds #22 - DE Dayo Odeyingbo #21 - S Kevin Byard #20 - S Jaquan Brisker #19 - LB T.J. Edwards #18 - TE Cole Kmet #17 - DT Grady Jarrett #16 - DT Gervon Dexter #15 - RB D'Andre Swift #14 - TE Colston Loveland #13 - OT Ozzy Trapilo #12 - OT Braxton Jones #11 - WR DJ Moore #10 CB Kyler Gordon #9 - OT Darnell Wright #8 - DE Montez Sweat #7 - C Drew Dalman #6 - CB Jaylon Johnson #5 - WR Rome Odunze #4 - DC Dennis Allen #3 - LG Joe Thuney #2 - QB Caleb Williams #1 - Coming 7/29 This article originally appeared on Bears Wire: 30 Most Important Bears of 2025: Caleb Williams (No. 2)
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Miami Dolphins' player under most pressure entering 2025 NFL season
The post Miami Dolphins' player under most pressure entering 2025 NFL season appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Miami Dolphins have been the talk of the NFL offseason. Weeks ago, the Dolphins made a blockbuster trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers that sent off cornerback Jalen Ramsey and, surprisingly, tight end Jonnu Smith. In return, Miami received safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. However, in an even more shocking move, to alleviate Smith's loss, they traded with the New York Giants to acquire Darren Waller. That only added to the mounting drama surrounding Miami's roster, which appears rather suspect entering the 2025 season. As a result, nearly everyone within the organization has been put on notice — from head coach Mike McDaniel to starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Those two go hand-in-hand, though, as they'll ultimately dictate the success or failure of this Dolphins team. And that's what makes it clear: the player under the most pressure this season is Tagovailoa, who has a lot to prove to doubters both inside and outside the building. Tua Tagovailoa's availability — and Miami's faith — may be running out Tagovailoa has flashed star-level potential at times throughout his five-year NFL career. But more often than not, injuries have gotten in the way. Despite a respectable 38–24 record as a starter, Tua has only played one full season. His inability to consistently stay on the field has raised serious questions about his long-term viability as a franchise quarterback. That's what makes the structure of his contract so telling. Despite the Dolphins handing him a four-year, $212.4 million extension last offseason, none of his playoff-based incentives kick in unless he plays at least 50% of regular-season snaps. According to Spotrac, he can earn $250,000 for a Wild Card win, $500,000 each for a divisional and conference championship win, and $1 million for a Super Bowl — but only if he's available to earn it. It's a bet on his health, and a cautious one at that. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted that while Tagovailoa's deal is fully guaranteed through 2026, a coaching change could quickly shift his future in Miami. 'If the Dolphins fall flat and change coaches, the next coach likely will want a fresh start at quarterback,' Florio wrote. 'The next coach (and the next GM, if owner Stephen Ross cleans house) may want to rip the Band-Aid off in one motion.' That scenario may not be far-fetched. The Athletic's Jim Ayello added that while cutting Tua would come with a massive $79 million dead cap hit after the season, 'it's maybe not as crazy as you think.' 'Imagine if the up-against-the-cap Dolphins struggle to a five- or six-win 2025 season,' Ayello wrote. 'Ownership decides it's time for a hard reset, and the new GM and coach don't see Tagovailoa, with his concussion history and limitations as a pocket passer, as a franchise QB.' For now, the Dolphins are still riding with Tua. But if things go sideways again in 2025, this could be his last year in Miami — whether he's ready or not. Tua Tagovailoa must save Mike McDaniel's job, too Head coach Mike McDaniel enters his fourth season in Miami with a 28–23 record and back-to-back playoff appearances in his first two years. But after finishing 8–9 last season and missing the postseason entirely, McDaniel finds himself squarely on the hot seat. USA Today's Jacob Camenker ranked McDaniel as the second-most embattled coach heading into 2025, behind only the New York Giants' Brian Daboll. 'McDaniel will be under pressure to earn his first playoff win in 2025,' Camenker wrote, 'and could find himself in trouble if he can't find more ways to support — or succeed without — Tua Tagovailoa.' That's the challenge for both men. If McDaniel can't win with Tua, he's likely gone. If Tua can't stay healthy or make a playoff run under McDaniel, he might be gone, too. CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan described McDaniel as one of the coaches with 'one of the hottest seats in the NFL,' with all eyes on how he handles this version of the Dolphins roster — especially after the controversial trades that shipped out Ramsey and Smith, brought in an aging Waller, and added Fitzpatrick despite recent struggles. Bleacher Report's Alex Kay went as far as suggesting that the uncertainty surrounding both McDaniel and Tagovailoa has made the Dolphins an undesirable landing spot. 'Given the issues surrounding McDaniel, Tagovailoa's health concerns, and potential for a rebuild in the near future, players should do their best to avoid being dealt to the Dolphins,' Kay wrote. If that's how players view the franchise from the outside, imagine the internal pressure to fix it. Dolphins' playoff win drought adds urgency The Dolphins haven't won a playoff game since December 2000. That's going on a quarter of a century of postseason frustration. With McDaniel and Tagovailoa leading the way, the team has made progress, but not enough. Now, after a rocky offseason filled with questionable personnel decisions, a shaky offensive line, and limited depth, this year feels like a fork in the road. Can Tua stay healthy? Can McDaniel finally win in January? Or will this season mark the end of the road for both? For Tagovailoa, the pressure is immense. He's got the contract. He's got the opportunity. But without the wins — and without staying on the field — it might not be enough to keep his job, or his coaches. Related: 10 greatest Miami Dolphins teams of all time Related: Dolphins' Tyreek Hill still ranks No. 3 on ESPN despite worst season since 2017
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aaron Rodgers shares expectations for Steelers in '25
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shares what his expectations are for Steelers during the 2025 NFL season.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aaron Rodgers shares expectations for Steelers in '25
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers shares what his expectations are for Steelers during the 2025 NFL season.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Vikings starter from 2024 makes NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 list
The NFL has started rolling out its Top 100 Players for the 2025 Season. They are doing it exclusively on social media this year, compared to specials on NFL Network, compared to years past, in hopes of garnering more engagement, one can assume. That leads us to the latest player to make the list, the first being Aaron Jones at the 98 spot, followed by Andrew Van Ginkel at the 88 spot. They are now joined by one of their 2024 teammates who left in free agency, Sam Darnold, who earns the 72 spot in the rankings done by his fellow NFL players. Darnold stepped up when the Vikings needed him most in 2024 when their top draft pick, quarterback J.J. McCarthy, went down with a knee injury in the preseason. While many people expected the season to be doomed, Darnold led the Vikings to a 14-3 record and was one game away from winning the NFC North. The former USC Trojan is now back out west with the Seattle Seahawks, whom the Vikings will play in 13. This article originally appeared on Vikings Wire: Former Vikings 2024 starter makes NFL Top 100 Players of 2025 list
