Latest news with #49ers'
Fox News
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Lords of the Ringless: Ranking 10 QBs Poised for Super Bowl Breakthrough
"One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." — Gandalf, "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." In the NFL, he with the ring rules. Quarterbacks are judged by the number of Super Bowl rings on their mantle, with the elites separating themselves from the pack by winning the title game in February. And yet, there are a surprising number of superstar quarterbacks without any bling on their resumes. So which ringless QB is best positioned to claim their first Super Bowl win this season? We rank them. 10. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Todd Bowles has quietly assembled a title contender in Tampa with Mayfield leading the way. The former No. 1 overall pick has 73 touchdowns since his arrival, exhibiting the patience, poise and performance that few envisioned when he replaced Tom Brady as the Buccaneers' franchise quarterback. With general manager Jason Licht adding another electric playmaker (Emeka Egbuka) to a WR room that already features a pair of Pro Bowlers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin) with extraordinary size and skill, the Buccaneers have surrounded Mayfield with a "basketball" team on the perimeter. Additionally, the emergence of the running game, spearheaded by Bucky Irving, forces the opponent to make tough decisions when crafting a game plan for the four-time defending NFC South champions. 9. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers The 49ers' disappointing 2024 season could lead to a worst-to-first bounce-back under Purdy's direction. The recalibration of an offense that is undergoing a makeover on the perimeter will put more pressure on the newest member of the "$50 Million Club" to put the team on his back this season. Though the presence of Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle will help the 49ers wait on Brandon Aiyuk's return and Ricky Pearsall's on-field maturation, Purdy will need to find various ways to keep the offense on schedule with his pinpoint passes and exceptional game management. As the team rediscovers its identity as an "exotic smash mouth" team with a potent passing game, the 49ers' QB1 will need to show the football world he is more than a caretaker at the position. 8. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals The extended holdouts of Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart could make it challenging for Burrow to lead the Bengals on a Super Bowl run. Though the offense is loaded with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins locked in on new deals, the lack of defensive support could force Burrow to throw the ball all over the yard to keep the Bengals in games. Moreover, the sixth-year pro has to play nearly flawless football to chalk up wins in the ultra-competitive AFC. Given the one-dimensional approach the Bengals must employ to win consistently this season, the odds are stacked against Burrow emerging as a Super Bowl champion in 2026. 7. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans Do not let Stroud's so-called "sophomore slump" overshadow his potential as a franchise quarterback. The third-year pro carves up opponents with surgical precision, showcasing pinpoint accuracy and impeccable timing, throwing darts to Nico Collins and Co. With the team adding Christian Kirk and a couple of young playmakers (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel) to a group that features Tank Dell, John Metchie and Braxton Berrios, the Texans have a diverse group of pass catchers with the potential to create and exploit mismatches on the perimeter. As Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb command attention as rugged runners between the tackles, the Texans have the potential to combat any tactics with their collection of playmakers. Considering how Stroud has made H-town pop since his arrival, the Texans' supporting cast could enable the young QB1 to take another step in 2025. 6. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions Despite the loss of a brilliant offensive play-caller in Ben Johnson, the Lions should remain a viable contender with Goff leading the way as a pass-first point guard dishing the rock to a collection of dynamic playmakers. Whether throwing the ball around the yard to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta or handing the ball to Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the Lions have the firepower to light up scoreboards around the league. Though it might take some time to adjust to new offensive coordinator John Morton's schematic tweaks, the Lions' superior personnel should make it a smooth transition for Super Bowl contenders. If Morton quickly adapts the call sheet to accentuate Goff's game, the Lions' QB1 will take his second NFL team to a Super Bowl berth. 5. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers After reaching the playoffs five times in Matt LaFleur's first six seasons, the pressure is on the Packers to make a Super Bowl run behind an emerging superstar in Love. The sixth-year pro has shown flashes of brilliance as a two-year starter with 7,548 passing yards, 57 touchdowns against 22 interceptions in 32 starts. Though he put up those numbers without a true WR1 on the field, Love must take his game up a notch with Matthew Golden joining Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Savion Williams vying for pole position as the No. 1 option in the passing game. As the gunslinger finds his groove with his young receivers, while LaFleur takes advantage of Josh Jacobs' skills as a multi-faceted playmaker, the Packers have the pieces in place to make a move as a title contender. 4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers As Jim Harbaugh transforms the Chargers into a title contender, the pressure is mounting on Herbert to perform like a top-five quarterback in premier games. Despite passing for the most yards by a quarterback in NFL history through five seasons, the Chargers' ball-control attack prioritizes efficiency over high-volume production. As the team breaks in a young collection of pass catchers (Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris) around Herbert, the new and improved run game could alleviate some of the pressure on Herbert to carry the team into the championship rounds. If Jesse Minter's defense continues to perform at an elite level, the Chargers' title hopes will hinge on their QB1's performance in the playoffs. 3. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year nearly carried the Commanders to a Super Bowl with a limited roster. Although Daniels relied heavily on Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz, the addition of Deebo Samuel gives the offense an added dimension with the "catch-and-run" specialist. With Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly poised to upgrade the offensive line, the Commanders have the firepower to maximize the young quarterback's talents. As the defense rounds into form with Von Miller, Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise, Jonathan Jones,and Will Harris adding experience and expertise to a defense that should improve significantly in Dan Quinn's second season, the Commanders are built to make a deep postseason run in Daniels' sophomore season. 2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills The reigning MVP is a "one-man show" who can win with or without a stellar supporting cast. Last season, he carried the Bills to the AFC Championship Game without an established WR1 on the perimeter. Although Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are a formidable quartet, the addition of Josh Palmer should enable Allen to pick apart opponents with a "dink-and-dunk" approach that stretches the defense from sideline to sideline. Moreover, defensive coordinators struggle defending a mobile playmaker who runs from the pocket or on the perimeter as a rugged runner with a nose for the goal line. 1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens It is "now or never" time for the two-time MVP. Jackson steps into 2025 with the best roster in football, including a former NFL rushing champion (Derrick Henry) and a prolific pass catcher (DeAndre Hopkins) with exceptional hands and ball skills. Throw in a handful of emerging offensive playmakers (Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely and Rashod Bateman), and the Ravens are loaded with enough firepower to set the NFL ablaze. If the defense continues to progress under second-year coordinator Zach Orr, the Ravens should make an early RSVP to the Super Bowl with a QB1 boasting a .744 winning percentage and an electric game. Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks.
USA Today
8 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Major questions linger at position that will set tone for 49ers' defense in 2025
There was a lot of movement happening on the San Francisco 49ers' roster this offseason. The changes they underwent may be best described through the battle happening at linebacker in training camp. What has been a largely rock solid group for San Francisco since 2019 was actually a source of weakness on the 49ers' defense a season ago. Dre Greenlaw's Achilles injury in Super Bowl LVIII threw the group into flux and they never really recovered while trying to piece together a unit around him. With Greenlaw's exit in free agency, the 49ers elected not to sign an established veteran and will instead hold a competition for the two open starting jobs. How those battles shake out and the quality of players who emerge will set the floor for the 49ers' defense in 2025. Here are some of San Francisco's key questions at LB going into camp: Who were the 49ers starting LBs last year? Fred Warner started in the middle of the 49ers' front seven. His three-down running mate for most of the year was veteran De'Vondre Campbell. The third LB spot changed throughout the year with Dee Winters, Tatum Bethune and Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles all getting time there. Winters led that group with 398 defensive snaps. Flannigan-Fowles played 150. Did the 49ers lose any key LBs? They sure did. Greenlaw leaving in free agency to join the Denver Broncos is arguably the biggest offseason loss for San Francisco. Flannigan-Fowles is also no longer with the club after spending his entire six-year career with the 49ers. His loss will be felt more on special teams than on the defensive side. Do the 49ers have any injuries at LB? There's nothing major to start camp. Warner is healthy after playing through an ankle fracture last year, and the rest of the group appears poised to hit the ground running when camp opens Thursday. Who are San Francisco's starting LBs? This is one of the top questions they'll answer in camp. Warner will take his usual Mike LB spot. The Will LB job is up for grabs between Winters and rookie third-round pick Nick Martin. The Sam LB job could go to a player like Bethune or former seventh-round pick Jalen Graham. Which LBs are frontrunners for roster spots? Warner will be on the roster, and Winters and Martin can both be penciled in. Bethune appears to be in line for one of those spots, and Luke Gifford has an inside track to the roster because of his special teams contributions. One name to watch will be Curtis Robinson. The team likes him and he plays a ton of special teams, but he's returning from a torn ACL and may not start the season on the active roster. We'll pencil him in to stay on the PUP list to start the year with a return at some point after Week 4. Which LBs are on the 49ers' roster bubble? There's a lot of uncertainty at this position, so we're going to put every LB who isn't Warner, Winters or Martin on the bubble. That includes Bethune and Gifford, along with Graham, Chazz Surratt and undrafted rookie Stone Blanton. More 49ers: Potential starter's injury shouldn't hinder key training camp battle for 49ers
Fox Sports
8 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Lords of the Ringless: Ranking 10 QBs Poised for Super Bowl Breakthrough
"One ring to rule them all, one ring to find them, one ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them." — Gandalf, "Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring." In the NFL, he with the ring rules. Quarterbacks are judged by the number of Super Bowl rings on their mantle, with the elites separating themselves from the pack by winning the title game in February. And yet, there are a surprising number of superstar quarterbacks without any bling on their resumes. So which ringless QB is best positioned to claim their first Super Bowl win this season? We rank them. 10. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers Todd Bowles has quietly assembled a title contender in Tampa with Mayfield leading the way. The former No. 1 overall pick has 73 touchdowns since his arrival, exhibiting the patience, poise and performance that few envisioned when he replaced Tom Brady as the Buccaneers' franchise quarterback. With general manager Jason Licht adding another electric playmaker (Emeka Egbuka) to a WR room that already features a pair of Pro Bowlers (Mike Evans and Chris Godwin) with extraordinary size and skill, the Buccaneers have surrounded Mayfield with a "basketball" team on the perimeter. Additionally, the emergence of the running game, spearheaded by Bucky Irving, forces the opponent to make tough decisions when crafting a game plan for the four-time defending NFC South champions. 9. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers The 49ers' disappointing 2024 season could lead to a worst-to-first bounce-back under Purdy's direction. The recalibration of an offense that is undergoing a makeover on the perimeter will put more pressure on the newest member of the "$50 Million Club" to put the team on his back this season. Though the presence of Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle will help the 49ers wait on Brandon Aiyuk's return and Ricky Pearsall's on-field maturation, Purdy will need to find various ways to keep the offense on schedule with his pinpoint passes and exceptional game management. As the team rediscovers its identity as an "exotic smash mouth" team with a potent passing game, the 49ers' QB1 will need to show the football world he is more than a caretaker at the position. 8. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals The extended holdouts of Trey Hendrickson and Shemar Stewart could make it challenging for Burrow to lead the Bengals on a Super Bowl run. Though the offense is loaded with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins locked in on new deals, the lack of defensive support could force Burrow to throw the ball all over the yard to keep the Bengals in games. Moreover, the sixth-year pro has to play nearly flawless football to chalk up wins in the ultra-competitive AFC. Given the one-dimensional approach the Bengals must employ to win consistently this season, the odds are stacked against Burrow emerging as a Super Bowl champion in 2026. 7. C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans Do not let Stroud's so-called "sophomore slump" overshadow his potential as a franchise quarterback. The third-year pro carves up opponents with surgical precision, showcasing pinpoint accuracy and impeccable timing, throwing darts to Nico Collins and Co. With the team adding Christian Kirk and a couple of young playmakers (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel) to a group that features Tank Dell, John Metchie and Braxton Berrios, the Texans have a diverse group of pass catchers with the potential to create and exploit mismatches on the perimeter. As Joe Mixon and Nick Chubb command attention as rugged runners between the tackles, the Texans have the potential to combat any tactics with their collection of playmakers. Considering how Stroud has made H-town pop since his arrival, the Texans' supporting cast could enable the young QB1 to take another step in 2025. 6. Jared Goff, Detroit Lions Despite the loss of a brilliant offensive play-caller in Ben Johnson, the Lions should remain a viable contender with Goff leading the way as a pass-first point guard dishing the rock to a collection of dynamic playmakers. Whether throwing the ball around the yard to Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta or handing the ball to Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, the Lions have the firepower to light up scoreboards around the league. Though it might take some time to adjust to new offensive coordinator John Morton's schematic tweaks, the Lions' superior personnel should make it a smooth transition for Super Bowl contenders. If Morton quickly adapts the call sheet to accentuate Goff's game, the Lions' QB1 will take his second NFL team to a Super Bowl berth. 5. Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers After reaching the playoffs five times in Matt LaFleur's first six seasons, the pressure is on the Packers to make a Super Bowl run behind an emerging superstar in Love. The sixth-year pro has shown flashes of brilliance as a two-year starter with 7,548 passing yards, 57 touchdowns against 22 interceptions in 32 starts. Though he put up those numbers without a true WR1 on the field, Love must take his game up a notch with Matthew Golden joining Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Savion Williams vying for pole position as the No. 1 option in the passing game. As the gunslinger finds his groove with his young receivers, while LaFleur takes advantage of Josh Jacobs' skills as a multi-faceted playmaker, the Packers have the pieces in place to make a move as a title contender. 4. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers As Jim Harbaugh transforms the Chargers into a title contender, the pressure is mounting on Herbert to perform like a top-five quarterback in premier games. Despite passing for the most yards by a quarterback in NFL history through five seasons, the Chargers' ball-control attack prioritizes efficiency over high-volume production. As the team breaks in a young collection of pass catchers (Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston and Tre Harris) around Herbert, the new and improved run game could alleviate some of the pressure on Herbert to carry the team into the championship rounds. If Jesse Minter's defense continues to perform at an elite level, the Chargers' title hopes will hinge on their QB1's performance in the playoffs. 3. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year nearly carried the Commanders to a Super Bowl with a limited roster. Although Daniels relied heavily on Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz, the addition of Deebo Samuel gives the offense an added dimension with the "catch-and-run" specialist. With Laremy Tunsil and Josh Conerly poised to upgrade the offensive line, the Commanders have the firepower to maximize the young quarterback's talents. As the defense rounds into form with Von Miller, Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise, Jonathan Jones,and Will Harris adding experience and expertise to a defense that should improve significantly in Dan Quinn's second season, the Commanders are built to make a deep postseason run in Daniels' sophomore season. 2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills The reigning MVP is a "one-man show" who can win with or without a stellar supporting cast. Last season, he carried the Bills to the AFC Championship Game without an established WR1 on the perimeter. Although Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox are a formidable quartet, the addition of Josh Palmer should enable Allen to pick apart opponents with a "dink-and-dunk" approach that stretches the defense from sideline to sideline. Moreover, defensive coordinators struggle defending a mobile playmaker who runs from the pocket or on the perimeter as a rugged runner with a nose for the goal line. 1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens It is "now or never" time for the two-time MVP. Jackson steps into 2025 with the best roster in football, including a former NFL rushing champion (Derrick Henry) and a prolific pass catcher (DeAndre Hopkins) with exceptional hands and ball skills. Throw in a handful of emerging offensive playmakers (Zay Flowers, Isaiah Likely and Rashod Bateman), and the Ravens are loaded with enough firepower to set the NFL ablaze. If the defense continues to progress under second-year coordinator Zach Orr, the Ravens should make an early RSVP to the Super Bowl with a QB1 boasting a .744 winning percentage and an electric game. Bucky Brooks is an NFL analyst for FOX Sports. He also breaks down the game for NFL Network and as a cohost of the "Moving the Sticks" podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BuckyBrooks. recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Kyle Shanahan's confidence in 49ers rising star could set table for new Super Bowl window
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan tied his future with the 49ers to quarterback Brock Purdy when the club signed Purdy to a massive five-year extension this offseason and erased all doubt about his status as their franchise QB. Shanahan on Tuesday in a press conference talked about his expectations for Purdy in 2025 and made it clear he doesn't believe the 25-year-old has played his best football yet. Purdy's continued ascension will ultimately determine whether the 49ers have a new Super Bowl window, or if there will be an overhaul of the coaching staff and front office in the not-so-distant future. 'I think Brock's played at a very high level since he's been here, since his first game in to his last game," Shanahan said. "I think Brock's played at an extremely high level and that's why he's earned that contract. I think the hardest thing with this League and the amount of money and the amount of coverage when people get contracts, there's all this other expectation of now what do they have to do? Brock needs to keep playing how he's always played and continue to get better like everyone does. You get better or worse, you don't stay the same. "So like, Brock has had a hell of a short career so far, he had a hell of an offseason. When you have a guy who is to me real in those ways, it hasn't been fake, the way he works, who he is as a man, what he's put on film, what we see every day, he will keep getting better and that's what we saw throughout OTAs.' It's pretty simple from the 49ers' perspective. Purdy isn't always going to be surrounded by a slew of All-Pros and Pro Bowlers. At some point he'll need to elevate his game and help carry the club that paid him $100 million guaranteed. That elevation is what the 49ers and Shanahan are banking on. Last season didn't instill a ton of confidence as Purdy put together his worst stretch of football at a time when the team was dealing with injuries to some of its top playmakers like Christian McCaffrey and Brandon Aiyuk. It doesn't sound like Shanahan is worried about additional regression this year. It's a catastrophe if there is. If Purdy does continue getting better like Shanahan believes he will, it puts the 49ers in a great spot to quickly continue competing for championships with Shanahan at the helm. More 49ers: Potential starter's injury shouldn't hinder key training camp battle for 49ers
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
49ers injury designations give disgruntled WR more leverage in contract talks
The San Francisco 49ers on Friday lost a little bit of leverage in Jauan Jennings contract talks when they placed two of their top wide receivers on the Physically Unable to Perform list. Ricky Pearsall and Brandon Aiyuk both went on the PUP list as they recover from injuries ahead of training camp. Aiyuk starting camp on PUP isn't a surprise. He tore his ACL and MCL, and took additional damage in his knee in Week 7 last season. It doesn't sound like the club is eager to rush him back, so a training camp return isn't likely. Pearsall landing on PUP changes the dynamic of the 49ers WR room and gives Jennings additional leverage as he seeks a contract extension with San Francisco. We've already explored the 49ers' shaky WR depth and how there's a strong chance Jennings could land in the WR1 role like he did last season when he led the team's WRs with a career-best 975 yards. A potential holdup for the 49ers in dishing out a more lucrative contract to the 2020 seventh-round pick is what his role looks like in the future. Paying him as a WR1 or WR2 isn't something they were banking on after giving Aiyuk a massive extension last offseason and drafting Pearsall in the first round of last year's draft. There were question marks about Pearsall's ability to stay healthy after he missed virtually all of last year's camp with hamstring and shoulder injuries. Those question marks resurfaced again in OTAs this year when Pearsall sat out because of a hamstring injury. Head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated during OTAs that Pearsall's absence was cautionary and that he'd be ready for training camp. That Pearsall is on PUP to start camp is a significant red flag for the second-year WR. It also puts the top of the 49ers WR depth chart into more flux. Jennings' claim to a new contract hinges on the stability he brings to a group clouded by uncertainty. He's been on the 49ers' active roster for four seasons and has played in 60 games. In 2023 he missed four total games, but outside of that he's never missed more than two in a season. It appears going into camp this year that Jennings will be the 49ers' WR1 by a significant margin. Even if Pearsall returns and has a strong preseason, his injury questions will linger and there's still no certainty around Aiyuk for this season and beyond. The 49ers may have been able to justify not extending Jennings if they could stand behind Pearsall as WR1 and Aiyuk as an eventual WR2 this season. That becomes much more difficult to do with Pearsall out to begin camp. There's a significant risk in potentially losing or rocking the boat with Jennings and sending the 49ers' WR corps into a tailspin that derails their offense into 2025. That dramatically outweighs the risk of financial complications with a new contract for Jennings. If the answer wasn't clear for San Francisco before, the PUP list designations should help. More 49ers: 49ers need huge year from their non-QB MVP if they're going to return to playoffs in 2025
