Latest news with #Dianna
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Dianna Agron's New French Accent Reactions
You know Dianna Agron from a few things — especially Glee. Got it? OK, now watch this video of Dianna for Vanity Fair as she got ready for a Miu Miu-sponsored lunch at the Cannes Film Festival. Again, focus on the voice. Notice Throughout the clip, Dianna's accent It sounds a little French, even — which makes sense, on a level, because she is at Cannes, and is (very performatively) speaking French at several points. But even when she speaks English in the video, she sounds...a little European. The whole thing is, to say the least, highly confusing. And the commenters agree: Several people compared the situation to Hilaria Baldwin's very similar faux-accent trickiness: But, hey — as one person pointed out, it could be a lot worse! Will Dianna comment on the hubbub? Will she use her actual voice if she does? Time will tell!
New York Times
14-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Re-drafting No. 1 picks from 2010 to 2020, plus the Derek Carr situation
Inside: We're redrafting No. 1 picks from 2010 to 2020, explaining New Orleans' QB situation and hearing Caleb Williams' first impressions about Ben Johnson in Chicago. Let's get controversial! This article is from Scoop City, The Athletic's NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox. The buildup to the NFL Draft is months in the making. By late January, mocks begin in earnest. February is for the combine. In March, we learn the implications of free agency. April brings pro days and … news that Derek Carr's 2025 is in jeopardy. Wait, what? Let's tag in Dianna: Yes, the 34-year-old is dealing with a shoulder injury that could end up costing him the entirety of the upcoming season. While that became public knowledge on Friday, it didn't come as a surprise to Carr or to the New Orleans Saints; both player and team have known surgery is a possibility. That adds some more intrigue to the Saints' draft plans, as they own the ninth overall pick. They've drafted quarterbacks each of the past two years (Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener), but haven't drafted one in the first round since Archie Manning in 1971. Back to you, Jacob. Thanks, Dianna. It's unclear when this shoulder injury occurred (though he suffered multiple shoulder injuries in 2023). But for an example of a play that couldn't have helped: In his most recent game, Week 14 of last season, he went airborne, attempting to dive past two Giants for a first down. Ouch. His left hand took most of the impact, causing a broken bone, while his face absorbed the rest (he was also evaluated for a concussion). Heck, even his right shoulder might've been impacted by the ball. These combined with a Week 5 abdominal injury to cost Carr seven games in 2024, the first time in his 11-season career that he's missed more than two games. It sounds like 2024's trend could continue. Advertisement Amid growing uncertainty over Carr's future, it's fair to ask the obvious: Why can't the Saints just cut him? They can, but … After restructuring his contract in early March, the Saints would incur a $20.4 million dead-money hit if they release him after June 1, per OverTheCap. After counting their draft picks, they have exactly $20.5 million in effective cap space. Those numbers suggest Carr might not be long for New Orleans, but there's a complication. If cut, his dead-cap hit in 2026 is $59.6 million, per OverTheCap. Then again, if they keep him, his current 2026 cap number would be nearly $70 million (!). Maybe I'm missing something, but a cut seems possible here. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported Carr, who has a no-trade clause, was open to testing the market earlier in the offseason. On the field, Carr's absence would mean fewer dangerous catches for Chris Olave. Before then, it'd influence the Saints' draft plans at Nos. 9, 40 and 71, since Rattler (0-6, 57 percent completion percentage in 2024) and Haener (0-1, 46.2 percent) played like career backups in Carr's stead last year. New Orleans has hosted the following quarterback prospects so far: Oddsmakers currently see the Saints passing on those names for a bigger one: Shedeur Sanders, whom DraftKings favors to land in New Orleans (-110), with Pittsburgh (+350) a distant second. What about the other prospects? Derrik Klassen plays matchmaker to find the best fit for every quarterback prospect, and when it comes to Sanders, oddsmaker and matchmaker agree. Now let's re-draft some No. 1 picks. I rarely get things right the first time. My first public pronunciation of yacht was when I yelled, 'YAKT,' during a family game of Taboo. My first attempt to microwave chicken (wrapped in aluminum foil) nearly burned down my school. This gives me plenty of sympathy for general managers, who aren't perfect either. Inspired by Nick Baumgardner's brave re-draft of the 2024 first round, I re-drafted every No. 1 pick from 2010 to 2020. Quickly: 2010: Instead of Sam Bradford, the Rams draft 10-time Pro Bowl OT Trent Williams, who anchors their line for over a decade. Advertisement 2011: The Panthers again draft Cam Newton. You can debate which player is the best, but J.J. Watt, Von Miller and Cameron Heyward can't top the impact of the MVP who led Carolina to a 15-1 season and a Super Bowl appearance. 2012: There's an argument for Indianapolis again taking Andrew Luck, but I'd prefer the career of a third-rounder: the 10-time Pro Bowler, Super Bowl champion and airplane-exercising Russell Wilson. 2013: Instead of OT Eric Fisher, the Chiefs draft … Travis Kelce, two rounds earlier? There's a case for OT Lane Johnson, but Kelce leads this class in All-Pro nods (four), Pro Bowls (10), pop superstar girlfriends (one), $100 million podcasts (one), Super Bowls (three), etc. 2014: Instead of DE Jadeveon Clowney, the Texans draft future Hall of Fame DT Aaron Donald, whose eight All-Pro first-team nods top all players drafted since 1985. But this hit, though! 2015: Instead of Jameis Winston to Tampa, I'd go with third-round DE Danielle Hunter, who's recorded 10-plus sacks in six of his nine seasons and made five Pro Bowls. There's a case for Patriots WR Stefon Diggs, but Hunter's still playing at a higher level. 2016: The Rams stick with Jared Goff, believe it or not. Tyreek Hill, Chris Jones and Jalen Ramsey also went in this draft, but the debate is between Goff and fourth-rounder Dak Prescott. I tend to lean Prescott, but PFR gives Goff the edge in weighted career value, and Dak's missed a lot of games. 2017: Myles Garrett was a no-brainer at No. 1, but now the Browns draft Patrick Mahomes. As probably the best class of the past 15 years (though 2011 is close), 2017 also introduced T.J. Watt, Christian McCaffrey, Alvin Kamara, Dion Dawkins and, well, the first four years of Deshaun Watson's career. 2018: In real life, Cleveland again missed on MVP-level quarterbacks, passing on Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson only to trade Baker Mayfield to the Panthers for a conditional fifth-round pick a few years later. Rather than resume the Allen vs. Jackson debate, I'm going with Allen, the passer who has missed less time. Advertisement 2019: The Cardinals again draft Kyler Murray. There's a strong argument for Nick Bosa, as Murray's only once led an Arizona team with a winning record. Still, it's a quarterback-driven league. A.J. Brown, Maxx Crosby and Quinnen Williams deserve mentions. 2020: The Bengals keep Joe Burrow. It's even more obvious now, with the career of No. 2 pick Chase Young having unfolded. Great as a rookie, Young took a step back before an ACL tear. He's never regained his rookie form. Time allows us to reflect on the careers of players like Burrow 📈 and Young 📉 in ways that first seasons often fail to foreshadow. Just take Bryce Young, who looked overwhelmed in year one before arguably outplaying C.J. Stroud by the end of year two. This means Nick Baumgardner's 2024 redraft, an exercise without that benefit of time, couldn't have been easy. Here are four players who shot up Nick's 2024 re-draft board: Read the full article for his No. 1 pick: Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels? Teams with new coaches began their offseason training programs last week, meaning it was head coach Ben Johnson's first opportunity to lead the Bears. 'He said that you never forget your first day as a head coach,' explained QB Caleb Williams. '(He) set a precedent for what we're going to be like as a team, finding our identity and all of that.' Johnson's already challenging his quarterback. After Day 1, he was already testing Williams and the others on what they learned Monday. 'Today we had our first quiz in the QB room,' Williams said. 'Already first day in and (he's) challenging us. Everybody loves a challenge in this sport. It's one of the great things about this sport. Every day is a challenge and today we got our first one.' Kevin Fishbain has the inside scoop from Johnson's first day. 📫 Enjoyed this read? Sign up here to receive The Athletic's free daily NFL newsletter in your inbox. Also, check out our other newsletters.
New York Times
09-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The 2025 QB class: Highest ceiling, most intriguing, future Pro-Bowler
Despite the 2025 quarterback class being widely viewed as weaker than previous years, several teams still have a pressing need at the position and many signal-callers are expected to be taken off the board in Green Bay. On the latest episode of 'Scoop City', Senior NFL Insider Dianna Russini and former NFL quarterback Chase Daniel attached some superlatives to this year's rookies, including who has the highest ceiling and the most likely future Pro-Bowler. A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on YouTube below or in 'Scoop City' feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Dianna: I've got five different categories here: Highest ceiling, highest floor, dark horse Pro-Bowler, biggest X-Factor — basically the guy who might get drafted way earlier than we thought — and then the most intriguing? Chase, let's begin with the highest ceiling, which quarterback is that for you? Advertisement Chase: We're recording this on Monday, and I'm at my in-laws' place in the desert, which is a two-hour drive from San Diego. They're one of the few people who probably still get their paper delivered, and when I was looking at the paper this morning with my coffee before the show, there was a sports page. On the sports page, of course, was Cam Ward. But not only that, they also ranked this year's quarterbacks, which is funny. But Cam Ward is the one with the highest ceiling for me. Because to go number one overall, I always tell people, 'You've got to have an elite physical talent that can't be coached.' That is Cam Ward throwing the football. Coaches can teach a lot of things to a quarterback. But if you're going in the top five or top three as a quarterback, you need a physical tool that can't be coached. For me, that's Cam Ward's arm. If you watch the film, the different arm angles that he has, the way he navigates the pocket and is able to move just an inch right, or just an inch left, it reminds me of Drew Brees' pocket movement. He's just barely moving to get into a window. He's not the tallest, and sometimes he's having to throw over these guys. And at times, he gets almost too arrogant with it because he just randomly drops down sideways for no reason, and he's inaccurate. I would just tell him not to do that, and just throw it when you throw. But the way he can escape from the pocket is impressive. It's not like it was last year with Caleb Williams, but that's what I love about Cam Ward and that's why I think he's got the highest ceiling. Dianna: I think you're seeing what Brian Callahan (Tennessee Titans head coach) is seeing. They're looking at that skill set, his innate ability and that God-given talent. Alright, so who has the highest floor among these guys? Chase: I took this as the person who there's no ifs, ands or buts about it; he can be a good starter in the NFL. I've got Shedeur Sanders. When you watch his game, you know what you're going to get. He might not have that elite arm talent and angle stuff I was talking about with Cam Ward. But when you go through Shedeur's film — and I've watched 12 games so far and I'll continue to watch more — he's cool, calm and collected. Yeah, he takes a lot of sacks; half of those are on the offensive line, and half of those are on him. But he doesn't make a lot of mistakes, and that's what I like about him. He throws on time and in rhythm. You can see him going up to the line of scrimmage, changing protections and changing plays. Half of his throws are at or behind the line of scrimmage, but that's not his fault. Remember when we spoke to Sean Payton (Denver Broncos head coach) about Bo Nix. And he said, 'I had to take away 35 percent of his throws because we didn't even evaluate them. You could have gotten Joe Blow off the street to do that.' That's sort of the situation with Shedeur. Dan Orlovsky said it too. I don't want to steal all his thunder, but that's what I thought, too. You've got to take away 45 to 50 percent of Shedeur's throws, because you can't evaluate them. But the other 50 percent, you can. He's shown he can make every single throw, and you can see he's going to be a good starter in the NFL. Advertisement Dianna: Here's my question for you then. Why is it so up and down, and such a mixed bag with him? Why am I getting from some GMs that he's a top dog, while others are saying in last year's draft he wouldn't have even been a top-five pick? Chase: That is the case with Cam Ward too. If Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders were in last year's draft, there would have been five, six, seven or eight quarterbacks ahead of them. But even though there's not a ton of talent this year at the quarterback position, people are going to reach with some of these guys. There's still going to be three quarterbacks taken in the first round at least. When you look at this draft class, it's a poor class. But people do reach on quarterbacks because they need quarterbacks, and they think they can coach them and work it out. Dianna: Give me your dark horse Pro-Bowler. Who's the one that's going to come out here and put on a show for us? Chase: I love Kyle McCord from Syracuse. He's physically talented and reminds me of Baker Mayfield when you look at him in the pocket, what he's able to do with the football and the way he throws the football. He's not got the strongest arm at times on film like Baker has. But his mannerisms in the pocket and how he hitches, it's almost like he and Baker train together. It's crazy, he looks like a carbon copy of Baker. He's probably not as gifted at running or throwing the football as Baker, but the mannerisms are so similar. He also threw for a ton of yards in Syracuse. I watched four or five games of him, and he's a really solid guy. This dude in the right system and fit, just think of the Sean McVay offense. After sitting for a year or two, if he were able to come in and play in the right system, with the right coach and development program, he could be a dark horse Pro Bowler. Dianna: You used Baker Mayfield as the comp, and I remember what Baker was able to do in the McVay offense during that one year at the Rams. Alright, let's do the biggest X-Factor. The guy who might get drafted way earlier than we think, the Michael Penix Jr. of this class. Advertisement Chase: It's Jaxson Dart for sure. This might be a hot take, but it's just how I feel. I think Jaxson Dart is closer to QB2 than he is to QB3. When I watch the film and think about his upside, it's really good. Physically, he is a freaking horse running the football. He will literally run you over. That's something that needs to be talked about. He's also much more athletically inclined to take off and run than a lot of other people. And when you watch his throws, he's extremely accurate outside of the pocket. The one thing that is hard to evaluate with him is this Lane Kiffin offense, because they run like five different concepts. It's really not a pro-style offense because they run four verticals, they run four verticals with a shallow cross, they run quick game and some other stuff. I also don't know mentally how he is on the board. But the more I watch Jaxson Dart, the more I fall in love with him. And I think GMs see the same thing and think, 'Alright, I can make this work in the right scheme, fit and system.' He's also a guy who doesn't need to play right away, and all of them, other than Cam Ward, need to sit a year to take the pressure off. But if Jaxson Dart were to play, I think he'd play well. Dianna: You didn't double-dip on any of these, so we'll see if you'll be able to go through all of this without doing so. I would have thought Jaxson Dart would be your answer to this next one. Who is your most intriguing quarterback of this class? Chase: I've gone back and forth on this, but I've settled on Jalen Milroe from Alabama. Watching him throw the ball at times, it can be a tough watch. But when he sets his feet, throws on time and throws in rhythm, the ball jumps off his hand and he's accurate. You know what you're going to get running, too, because he ran 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash, even though it was an unofficial time at his pro day. But if you can harness that, think of the Lamar Jackson offense in his first or second year. Lamar has since turned into an unbelievable thrower of the football. But remember how many naysayers there were about Lamar throwing the football? Even though Jalen is more raw than a lot of people think, scouts, coaches, GMs, quarterback coaches and offensive coordinators see what he can be. So I think he's going to go higher than a lot of people think. You can listen to full episodes of 'Scoop City' for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch on YouTube. (Top Photo:)
Associated Press
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Across Borders and Boundaries: A Thousand Flying Things by Kathryn Brown Ramsperger Chronicles a Female Humanitarian's Life-Altering Journey Through War-Torn Sudan and Kenya
Set against the backdrop of war-torn Africa, Kathryn Brown Ramsperger's A Thousand Flying Things is a compelling work of multicultural fiction that weaves love, sacrifice, and self-discovery into a story that challenges perspectives on humanity, home, and healing. Kathryn Brown Ramsperger is an award-winning novelist, journalist, and creativity expert whose work delves into multicultural relationships, social justice, immigration, and global humanitarian issues. Her novels— Moments On The Edge, The Shores of Our Souls, and A Thousand Flying Things —have earned recognition from Faulkner-Wisdom, Foreword Indies, the Sarton Awards, the Washington, DC Public Libraries, and the Pulpwood Queen's International Books of the Year. A storyteller rooted in Southern tradition, Kathryn's writing is enriched by her experiences reporting and living in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. She has contributed to notable outlets such as National Geographic, Kiplinger, and The MacGuffin, and has worked as a humanitarian reporter for the International Red Cross and Red Crescent. As the creator of Step Into Your Story!™, Kathryn empowers creatives to find clarity and get unstuck to achieve their dreams. When not writing, Kathryn loves to sing, dance, and travel. A nature lover, her favorite animal is feline, her favorite flower, the snapdragon, and her favorite cuisine, French. This one-on-one interview shares Kathryn's background and experience writing A Thousand Flying Things. Tell us about A Thousand Flying Things. She's brave and tenacious. She won't be stopped by country borders, political boundaries, or illness. But decisions of the heart may just bring her to her knees. American humanitarian Dianna Calloway is educating children in the thick of war-ravaged 1990s Southern Sudan. Hampered by disease, a corrupt government, and a fierce tribal leader who is harboring a mysterious young boy, Khalil, whom she believes he's grooming to be a child soldier, Dianna's resolve endures. But her passion to help others is only complicated by the chance meeting with her long-lost love, Qasim. Dianna and Qasim couldn't be more different. He's a worldly Lebanese Muslim in his 40s, from a political family, and she's a 30-something white Christian American. Faced with the choice to protect Khalil or reconnect with the man she still holds dear, Dianna must make the most difficult decision of her life. Or must she? For nothing is as it seems. Sweeping across continents and cultures, A Thousand Flying Things, informed by my own work as a humanitarian journalist, questions long-held assumptions about helping a vulnerable world and perspectives about love, family, home, and the wisdom of the young. What inspired you to write A Thousand Flying Things? I was inspired to give readers a peek behind the curtain into humanitarian work in a war-torn country—a world I know intimately. Travel profoundly transformed my life and worldview, and I wanted to encourage others to step outside their comfort zones. Humanitarians may be heroes, but they also have feelings. At its core, A Thousand Flying Things is about the power of unconditional love to triumph over conflict. Through empathy and listening to one another's stories, we can foster understanding and connection. My goal was to craft not just a compelling adventure, but also a story with heart—one that leaves readers feeling inspired and hopeful. How did your background and experience influence your writing? My fifth-grade teacher's praise for my weekly essays sparked my lifelong passion for storytelling. By 21, after earning the equivalent of a BFA in creative writing and winning my university's annual Fiction Award, I knew I wanted to write novels. My career as a journalist has been instrumental in shaping my stories. Writing for National Geographic, Kiplinger, and scores of other magazines, as well as spending 25 years as a humanitarian reporter with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, exposed me to a world of diverse perspectives. Living and working in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, alongside people from 167 different nationalities, enriched my understanding of humanity, which I bring to every page. My first novel, The Shores of Our Souls, was inspired by a transformative relationship with a former romantic partner from Lebanon, whose story continues in A Thousand Flying Things. It taught me that you don't have to stay in a relationship for it to transform you and leave a lasting imprint on your heart. I'm deeply influenced by writers all over the world and share this passion as a YouTube podcast host and multicultural book reviewer for The New York Journal of Books. My literary inspirations include Barbara Kingsolver, Ann Patchett, Marita Golden, Jodi Picoult, Annie Dillard, Ahdaf Soueif, and Salman Rushdie. I've also read every book I could find from Charles Dickens, George Eliot, Eudora Welty, EM Forster, John Steinbeck, May Sarton, and Alice Walker. These voices continue to shape my writing and my life. What is one message you would like readers to remember? To truly help the world, we must first look within. Love is the most powerful force we possess—a force to understand, heal, and experience true happiness and fulfillment. Unconditional love, the kind that listens and seeks to understand others' perspectives, is transformative. It has the power to bridge divides, conquer conflict, and transcend even death. It connects us, reminding us that we are One Humanity. It takes us from 'Our Story' to 'Humanity's Greater Story.' I don't believe this dream is too idealistic. Whether it's the little boy gazing at the stars in Serbia, the little girl looking up at the sky in Somalia, or the parent navigating rush hour traffic in an Illinois city, we all long for the same things: love, peace, and happiness in a calmer world. It's a shared dream that begins with empathy and grows through connection. Purchasing the Book A Thousand Flying Things has received positive reviews from well-known literary organizations, authors, and reviewers around the world. Kirkus Reviews writes, ' Ramsperger's portrayal of the ravages of South Sudan is heartbreakingly vivid…a quietly meditative and insightful novel. ' Midwest Book Review writes, ' Highly recommended for libraries and readers seeking evocative works that will also fuel powerful book club discussions.' Media Contact Country: United States
New York Times
10-03-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
NFL free agency headlines as legal tampering opens, plus what are the Seahawks doing?
Inside: The biggest stories to know as the 'negotiating period' of free agency is officially open. Teams, agents and impending free agents can begin announcing agreed-upon contracts, to be signed this Wednesday. For immediate reactions, catch Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen of 'The Athletic Football Show,' already live on YouTube. Dianna and Chase Daniel also go live with Chris Branch on the 'Scoop City' podcast at 3 p.m. As for your favorite NFL newsletter (right?!), let's catch up on a busy weekend, piece by piece. This article is from Scoop City, The Athletic's NFL newsletter. Sign up here to receive it directly in your inbox. Once the Rams signed Davante Adams to a two-year, $46 million deal yesterday, I found the perfect photo of him and Cooper Kupp, whose days as a Ram had felt numbered. The 32-year-old Adams offers X receiver ability, making him a better complement to Puka Nacua, the focal point of the passing offense moving forward, as Sean McVay and GM Les Snead have made clear. Advertisement What now for the 31-year-old Kupp? Rams reporter Jourdan Rodrigue suggested the Patriots, Steelers, Chiefs or Broncos are possible landing spots for the talented slot, who hasn't played more than 12 games since 2021. Given the Rams' desire to do right by their Super Bowl MVP, Kupp could be released ahead of his $7.5 million roster bonus, due March 17, allowing him to maximize his suitors in free agency. Win-now Raiders trade for Geno Smith. Thursday night, our boss mentioned he was sensing a Smith trade. Bold, I thought, since Seahawks GM John Schneider had said at the combine that there was 'no' doubt Smith was their guy for 2025. Sure enough, shortly after we hit send on the following morning's newsletter, Smith was moved to Las Vegas for a third-round pick. The 34-year-old quarterback reunites with Pete Carroll and is likely to land an extension, likely for three years and just north of $40 million per year. This changes the focus for Carroll, minority owner Tom Brady and GM John Spytek, who will look to retain their better defensive players while improving Smith's surroundings. Running back and guard could come via the draft, where the Raiders hold picks No. 6, 37 and 68, while receiver sounds like a priority in free agency. Seattle also released staple WR Tyler Lockett and sent star WR DK Metcalf to the Steelers for a late second-round pick, thus shipping their highest-profile players seeking extensions. The Seahawks now hold five picks in the first three rounds. But don't call it a rebuild. Seattle locked up valuable defensive pieces in DT Jarran Reed and LB Ernest Jones IV, while beat reporter Michael-Shawn Duggar explains how the Seahawks plan to compete immediately, starting with an improved offensive line (finally!) and emphasis on the run. Plus, there might be more on the way … As Dianna first reported, Seattle hopes to replace Smith with Sam Darnold, who is about seven years younger and probably just as expensive ($45 million per year?). If the conversation in Seattle was either Smith or Darnold and a third-round pick, the trade makes sense, right? You can't blame them for going in that direction after Darnold made this throw in Seattle: Either way, prior to making that trade, Seattle must have felt confident in landing their quarterback. Darnold appears to be the No. 1 option, but they are also expected to speak with Aaron Rodgers, with whom Seahawks GM John Schneider worked with for five years in Green Bay. In Pittsburgh, Metcalf improves the environment for the next QB. After the trade, Pittsburgh promptly signed the 27-year-old WR to a five-year, $150 million extension. Jeff Howe graded it a B+ for the Steelers. Advertisement Paired with Pickens, Metcalf makes their offense attractive to veteran quarterbacks like Darnold or Rodgers, though beat reporter Mike DeFabo has written that 'it's become clear from team and league sources that Fields is the preferred' in-house option. They'll need to outbid the Jets, who are expected to push for the 26-year-old (whom Pittsburgh benched after a 4-2 start). Josh Allen agreed to a six-year, $330 million extension yesterday, with an NFL-record $250 million of it guaranteed, making him the first player to eclipse Deshaun Watson's $230 million. Beat reporter Joe Buscaglia explains how this could save Buffalo $10 million in 2025 cap space. Buffalo also saved more by releasing Von Miller and extending three other ascending players, including 24-year-old DE Greg Rousseau. What does this mean for RB James Cook, the potential 2026 free agent who needs to improve his pass blocking? Beat reporter Joe Buscaglia told me this: 'I think they're open to signing him long-term, but I'd guess they're not going to go overboard on it and want to see what 2025 looks like. He's very much a part of their plan this year.' Myles Garrett saga ends without a trade. He said he never intended to go from Cleveland to Canton, but after the Browns offered to make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history — at $40 million per year — he had a change of heart. Lot of that going around. Remember last week, when Albert Breer reported DK Metcalf wanted to land somewhere warm? He settled for $30 million a year and (probably) a pretty nice fireplace. As for the Giants, they remain all over the place. Beat reporter Charlotte Carroll shares the Giants' options, a list that includes Rodgers, Darnold, Fields or — my prediction — Russell Wilson. Charlotte also notes that 'less-inspiring stopgaps, including Mac Jones, Marcus Mariota, Gardner Minshew' and others are available. Oof. But hey, signing a veteran quarterback could reduce the Titans' leverage in trade talks for No. 1, as I'd expect the Giants to use an early draft pick on a quarterback. A young, promising QB like Miami's Cam Ward might be the only way for New York's regime to salvage their jobs. And finally, my faith in the Bengals' leadership: 📉. Those Garrett and Metcalf contracts will be referenced in negotiations for players like Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and — if he stays — Trey Hendrickson. That trio could've been extended for: Instead, they'll now have to pay Chase $40 million-plus, and the other two could approach $30 million each. That's about $15 million per year in cap space, sacrificed for no reason. At least re-signing TE Mike Gesicki was a positive. After all that, who is still available? Let's find out. A quick glance at salary caps (via Over the Cap) shows four teams over $70 million in cap room: Each also has a starting quarterback for 2025, so they should feature heavily in the conversations about plenty of the best available free agents. The best at each position group, with our overall rankings in parentheses: QB: Darnold (No. 4 overall). With the Seahawks, Giants and Steelers all potential landing spots, he's likely to be the first domino in a series that includes Rodgers, Wilson and Fields. Projection: Seattle for four years. Advertisement RB Najee Harris (45). You'll rarely see him do these three things: break a 20-yard run, miss time or fail to work hard. He fits any team looking for a reliable runner to pair with a speed back. Projection: Chargers sign him to a one-year deal, giving Jim Harbaugh a replacement for FAs Gus Edwards and JK Dobbins. WR: Chris Godwin (2). By far the most coveted receiver in this class, the 29-year-old was leading the NFL in yards after the catch prior to his ankle injury. Projection: Buccaneers don't let him leave, despite Jalen McMillan's late-season emergence. TE: Juwan Johnson (13). The 28-year-old Saint is a talented receiving threat and better blocker than most realize. Projection: Jets could use a Tyler Conklin replacement. OL: Will Fries (14). The 26-year-old guard started all 17 games for the Colts in 2023 before injuries limited him to five last season. If healthy, he is a top-10 guard and boon to any run game. Projection: Vikings pay up to have Fries block for recently re-signed RB Aaron Jones. DL: Milton Williams (1). The best player available has never topped five sacks in a season, but the 25-year-old former third-round pick had two sacks for the Eagles in the Super Bowl. Projection: Patriots pair him with (hopefully returning) DT Christian Barnmore, DL Keion White and recently signed edge Harold Landry to form a suddenly imposing line. Don't expect Mike Vrabel's team to stop there. LB: Josh Sweat (3). The Eagles likely lose two Super Bowl heroes (Sweat had 2.5 sacks in that game). Still only 27, he enters his eighth season as the best edge option. Projection: Cardinals reunite him with former DC Jonathan Gannon on a three-year deal. DB: Justin Reid (5). The 28-year-old is a vital chess piece in Steve Spagnuolo's defense, where he stops the run, rushes the passer and drops back into coverage. Projection: Chiefs don't let him go. Three-year deal. Advertisement Despite the weekend's onslaught of trades and extensions, there are plenty of other talented players — like edge Khalil Mack and CB DJ Reed — also listed among The Athletic's Top 150 available. Elsewhere, is more news already happening? Yes. Stay tuned to the live blog for all the latest, and we'll catch up again here tomorrow. Wait a second?! Just hours prior to the opening of the legal tampering window, draft guru Nick Baumgardner shared his updated mock draft. One pick is particularly telling: At No. 2, the Browns draft QB Cam Ward. That had to be part of their pitch to Myles Garrett, right? Check out the full mock here. 📫 Enjoyed this read? Sign up here to receive The Athletic's free daily NFL newsletter in your inbox. Also, check out our other newsletters. (Photos:, Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
