Latest news with #APRookieoftheYear
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Super Bowl Winning QB Makes Bold Prediction About Jayden Daniels
Super Bowl Winning QB Makes Bold Prediction About Jayden Daniels originally appeared on Athlon Sports. A franchise quarterback has the ability and gravity to change a team's fortunes overnight. The Washington Commanders found this out after Jayden Daniels fell into their laps in the 2024 NFL Draft. Advertisement The Commanders took Daniels, a Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU, with the No. 2 pick on April 25, 2024. Nine months later, Daniels led the Commanders out at Lincoln Financial Field for an NFC Championship Game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Daniels claimed 49 of a possible 50 first-place votes for AP Rookie of the Year, and he was named to the Pro Bowl after leading Washington to 12 wins, its most in a season since 1991. Daniels was responsible for 31 total touchdowns and 4,459 total yards – and entering 2025, Daniels has the fifth-best odds to win NFL MVP. But former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Phil Simms is more than a little skeptical of the Daniels hype. He told Kay Adams on Monday that while Daniels won't endure a sophomore slump in 2025, he is not yet on the level of the signal-callers with higher MVP odds. Advertisement That's because Daniels' competition includes Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, Baltimore Ravens' Lamar Jackson and the Kansas City Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes – players who have combined for five MVP awards in the past seven seasons. "These are some guys, even if the team is not good, they're still capable of having outstanding seasons statistically," Simms, a former New York Giant, explained. More and more, the Commanders are being discussed as a trendy Super Bowl pick for 2025. Given Daniels' rapid rise as a rookie, his presence in the MVP conversation is not far-fetched at all. But it may take Washington's best season for Daniels to overcome the AFC's elite QBs in the hunt for pro football's most coveted individual award. Advertisement Related: Jayden Daniels 'Holding Commanders To A Standard' With Super Bowl Goals This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
01-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Crazy Todd Gurley stat puts into perspective just how outstanding he was with the Rams
Crazy Todd Gurley stat puts into perspective just how outstanding he was with the Rams Todd Gurley is one of the biggest 'what-if' stories of the last 10 years. He came into the NFL as a highly regarded prospect out of Georgia despite tearing his ACL in college and still managed to outperform expectations with the Rams. He won AP Rookie of the Year in 2015 in just 13 games, was named Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 and led the NFL in total touchdowns twice. He was a superstar in St. Louis and Los Angeles, but injuries robbed him of what could've been a Hall of Fame career. This mind-blowing stat shows just how productive he was in his brief time in the NFL. Since 2015, only two players have scored more rushing touchdowns than Gurley, who has 67: Derrick Henry (106) and Ezekiel Elliott (74). Rushing touchdowns since 2015 Derrick Henry: 106 (136 games) Ezekiel Elliott: 74 (135 games) Todd Gurley: 67 (88 games) Henry and Gurley came into the NFL a year later than Gurley but both are still playing. Gurley, on the other hand, hasn't played since 2020, spending the last four years in retirement. And still, he has the third-most rushing touchdowns in the league since 2015. Gurley scored his 67 career touchdowns in 88 games, while Elliott has played 135 games and Henry has played 136. The only player even somewhat close to Gurley's touchdown efficiency since 2015 is Josh Jacobs, who has scored 61 rushing touchdowns in 90 career games. Incredibly, Gurley is still only 30 years old, accomplishing all of his feats by the age of 26. In NFL history, only three running backs scored more touchdowns by the age of 26 than Gurley. Rushing touchdowns by the age of 26 Emmitt Smith: 96 LaDainian Tomlinson: 72 Jim Brown: 70 Todd Gurley: 67 That's the entire list. Gurley was on a Hall of Fame trajectory before his knee issues caused him to retire at a young age, and it's unfortunate we never got to see his prime for more than a few years. Had he been able to sustain the longevity of someone like Derrick Henry or Saquon Barkley, he would've put up massive numbers.
New York Times
29-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
NFL Rookie of the Year odds: Ashton Jeanty, Cam Ward, Travis Hunter favorites
With the completion of the 2025 NFL Draft, rosters are starting to take shape for next season. This year's rookie class carries plenty of intrigue, including reigning Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter attempting to play every down for the Jacksonville Jaguars. But despite Hunter's quest for modern NFL history by playing on both sides of the ball, the opening odds board for the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year is led by the tandem of Tennessee Titans quarterback and No. 1 pick Cam Ward and Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty. Advertisement While the two stars lead the way on the betting board, there is a talented crop of rookie classmates hoping to make an immediate impact behind Ward and Jeanty. Competition for the award on the offensive side includes wide receivers like Hunter and new Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Other lead backs like Los Angeles Chargers first-round pick Omarion Hampton are also firmly in the Rookie of the Year equation. Here's a look at how the AP Rookie of the Year races are looking in the beginning stages, with odds coming from BetMGM. Ward and Jeanty are tied atop the opening odds for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Both currently sit at +250 to win the award. Four of the last six Offensive Rookie of the Year awards have gone to quarterbacks, giving Ward the recency edge. The Titans aren't immediately naming Ward the starter after the draft. Last season's NFL leader in turnovers, Will Levis, remains on Tennessee's roster after 21 starts over the last two seasons. It's a near certainty that Ward eventually starts for Tennessee. The uncertain job status, coupled with a shaky offensive line that was 27th in sacks per pass attempt last season, means Ward is entering a difficult rebuilding situation. That's not to say Ward can't come in and work wonders. Early wins and a turnaround Titans season would make Ward the easy frontrunner to win the award. The odds for Ward will fluctuate, however, the longer Tennessee waits to name him the starter. And even when Ward takes the field, it's not a foregone conclusion he'll put up strong numbers. The Raiders and new coach Pete Carroll are hoping Jeanty's explosive career at Boise State translates quickly to the next level. Carroll, unafraid of giving lead backs a heavy workload from his time in Seattle, should give significant touches to the No. 6 pick given Las Vegas' dire situation in the backfield. Standing in Jeanty's way of winning an award is the league's worst offensive line (last in rushing yards per game and per play last season) and the Raiders' offseason acquisition of veteran running back Raheem Mostert. Advertisement Left tackle Kolton Miller is holding out, seeking a new contract extension as part of a Las Vegas offensive line that didn't receive a makeover. A more consistent passing game, thanks to the offseason acquisition of Geno Smith at QB, helps the Las Vegas offense. Even with better passing, Jeanty running behind the league's worst offensive line might still prove problematic. If Jeanty is slow in blitz pickup or running routes out of the backfield, the veteran Mostert could work third-down snaps that cut into Jeanty's touches. Only seven rookie running backs have surpassed 1,000 rushing yards in their first season following Saquon Barkley's breakout Rookie of the Year campaign in 2018. None of the seven that came after Barkley won the award. So, as a starting point, Jeanty needs incredible production from the backfield just to be in the conversation. While Ward and Jeanty are the co-front-runners for the Rookie of the Year award post-draft, both players enter their respective rookie seasons with undesirable offensive line situations. A slow start from either player potentially opens the door for other candidates to emerge. After the Jaguars traded up to No. 2 to grab Hunter, he finds himself in the top three of both the offensive (+550) and defensive (+750) Rookie of the Year odds boards. Jacksonville general manager James Gladstone expressed to The Athletic's Michael Silver that Hunter will learn wide receiver first before eventually picking up cornerback over time. The questions become how Hunter adapts to the physicality of playing every down at the NFL level and how the Jaguars plan to actually use him. Hunter electrified college football with his every-down presence at Colorado, earning acclaim as a prospect on both sides of the ball. Advertisement Before he was hired as Jacksonville's coach this offseason, Liam Coen significantly altered Baker Mayfield's career trajectory as Tampa Bay's offensive coordinator. The hope is for a revitalized Trevor Lawrence in Coen's pass-friendly offense. Even if Hunter is playing full snaps at wide receiver, second-year star wideout Brian Thomas Jr. commands plenty of targets following his stellar rookie season. Defensively, with Hunter ramping up more slowly at cornerback, it's difficult to gauge his standing among other top defensive rookies. New York Giants edge Abdul Carter (+250) is the current Defensive Rookie of the Year favorite after being selected one pick after Hunter. Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker (+900), San Francisco 49ers defensive end Mykel Williams (+1000) and Baltimore Ravens edge Mike Green (+1200) make up the next tier to start the season. Given Hunter's immediate full-time attention to offense and Jacksonville's focus on an overhauled passing game, the offensive side might be the safer play. Only three cornerbacks have won Rookie of the Year since Charles Woodsen in 1998, making it a difficult position to earn enough stats to compete for awards. The list of secondary names on the Rookie of the Year odds board drops significantly. This year's first round lacked picks featuring offensive skill positions, making it a wider gap at the top. Following the top three on the board on the offensive side, McMillan (+1300) emerges as the next name to track, followed by Hampton (+1500). Selecting McMillan is a vote of confidence for Carolina third-year QB Bryce Young and the team's developing offense. The Arizona product should be a significant part of the Panthers' passing game. It's easy to envision the 6-foot-4 McMillan becoming the new go-to target for Young in the red zone. Hampton's name carries clout in this race, playing for a Los Angeles offense that could give him plenty of opportunities. Although Los Angeles signed Najee Harris away from Pittsburgh this offseason, Hampton's high selection could give him the edge as the starter. If J.K. Dobbins can put up big numbers in a Harbaugh offense coming off of multiple lost injury seasons, it's easy to envision a first-round talent like Hampton hitting the ground running. Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins and New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (both +2000) are a pair of second-round picks given a chance. Both backs are expected to get a chance at significant touches for rebuilding teams. Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (+2200) and Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland (+2500) are next on the list. Both will compete for targets among crowded pass-catching situations. Betting/odds 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. (Photo of Ashton Jeanty: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
Fox News
12-02-2025
- Sport
- Fox News
Steve Smith Sr. fires back at Cam Newton for calling Panthers 'losers'
Former Carolina star wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. took exception to comments made by ex-teammate Cam Newton, who called the Panthers "losers" before he arrived in 2011 as the franchise's No. 1 overall pick. Newton, in an appearance on a podcast featuring University of Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter last week leading up to the Super Bowl, spoke about the pressures Hunter might face if he's selected as the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. "You could potentially be the first pick, but, bro, you have no way of impacting the game the way a quarterback does," Newton said on the podcast. "You can lock down the No. 1 receiver. You can make impact plays on offense all you want but it's still not like a quarterback. My issue is that, when I was the first pick, I went into a locker room of losers. Just honest. Guys didn't know how to win; guys didn't know how to prepare. They didn't take themselves serious to realize we was 2-14. There was a lot of 2-14 in the mentality of those guys." [Related: 2025 NFL Draft No. 1 pick odds: Should Abdul Carter be the first pick?] Those comments didn't sit well with Smith, the most productive receiver ever to wear a Panthers uniform and one of 15 finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame. Smith was a member of that 2010 team, though he struggled to produce that season due in large part to the inconsistency at the quarterback position. "53 man locker room - 1 = 52 losers. Wow… breaking news to 89," Smith wrote on X along with an angry-face emoji in response to Newton's comments. Smith, who went on to become an analyst for the NFL Network, didn't stop there. A few hours later, he posted on X: "I've watched & listened from a far as U @CameronNewton talk about @Panthers! None of us are perfect. Yes We were 2-14 before you blessed us w ur presence. The way you have talked about @panthers lately I'm very disappointed. I wish u nothing but the very best. I'm done!!!" Newton and Smith spent three seasons together in Carolina from 2011-13 and occasionally butted heads. Newton would earn AP Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 and helped build the Panthers into a winning franchise. He won league MVP honors in 2015 when he combined for 45 touchdowns and the Panthers finished 15-1 in the regular season and reached Super Bowl 50 before losing to the Denver Broncos. In that game, Newton was widely criticized for not jumping on a fumble, leading to a crucial Carolina turnover. Newton spent 10 of his 11 seasons with the Panthers and remains the franchise leader in yards passing and touchdown passes. He was 68-60-1 as Carolina's starting QB, the second-best winning percentage in franchise history among QBs with at least 25 starts, behind Jake Delhomme (53-37), who led Carolina to its first Super Bowl appearance in 2003. When a fan suggested on X that Smith has been critical of the Panthers in the past, the outspoken former wide receiver quickly responded: "I've never backed down from my words. However calling the men in the locker room losers isn't slander it's disrespectful! I disliked a lot of things that happened w/ my time there. But calling men losers naw." Newton has not responded to Smith's comments. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
Boston Globe
11-02-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Steve Smith Sr. unhappy with former teammate Cam Newton calling Panthers ‘losers' prior his arrival
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Cam Newton hopped on Travis Hunters' show and dropped a GEM about being the #1 pick 💎 — Overtime (@overtime) Advertisement Those comments didn't sit well with Smith, the most productive receiver ever to wear a Panthers uniform and one of 15 finalists for the 2025 Pro Football Hall of Fame. Smith was a member of that 2010 team, though he struggled to produce that season due in large part to the inconsistency at the quarterback position. '53 man locker room - 1 = 52 losers. Wow… breaking news to 89,' Smith wrote on X along with an angry-face emoji in response to Newton's comments. 53 man lockeroom - 1 = 52 losers Wow… breaking news to 89! 🤬 — Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) Smith, who went on to become an analyst for the NFL Network, didn't stop there. A few hours later, he I've watched & listened from a far as U talk about — Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) Newton and Smith spent three seasons together in Carolina from 2011-13 and occasionally butted heads. Newton earned AP Rookie of the Year honors in 2011 and helped build the Panthers into a winning franchise. Advertisement He won league MVP honors in 2015 when he combined for 45 touchdowns and the Panthers finished 15-1 in the regular season and reached Super Bowl 50 before losing to the Denver Broncos. In that game Newton was widely criticized for not jumping on a fumble, leading to a crucial Carolina turnover. Newton spent 10 of his 11 seasons with the Panthers and remains the franchise leader in yards passing and touchdown passes. He was 68-60-1 as Carolina's starting QB, the second-best winning percentage in franchise history among QBs with at least 25 starts behind Jake Delhomme (53-37), who led Carolina to its first Super Bowl appearance in 2003. When a fan suggested on X that Smith has been critical of the Panthers in the past, the outspoken former wide receiver quickly responded: 'I've never backed down from my words. However calling the men in the locker room losers isn't slander it's disrespectful! I disliked a lot of things that happened w/ my time there. But calling men losers naw.' I've never backed down from my words. However calling the men in the lockeroom losers isn't slander it's disrespectful! I disliked a lot of things that happened w my time there. But calling men losers naw — Steve Smith Sr. (@SteveSmithSr89) Newton has not responded to Smith's comments.
