Latest news with #FreeAgency
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Steelers center Zach Frazier on the indecisive Aaron Rodgers: 'Chemistry is important, I'll say that.'
Steelers center Zach Frazier on the indecisive Aaron Rodgers: 'Chemistry is important, I'll say that.' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Nobody in the Pittsburgh Steelers wants to rip free agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers over his indecisiveness. Advertisement Today, he's a guy many of them grew up watching on TV, a 41-year-old faded icon. But tomorrow? He may be their teammate - and given his track record, good and bad, their self-proclaimed leader. At the same time, Rodgers is the No. 1 "Steelers story'' going ... nationally and otherwise. And as the 2025 team works at OTAs in part with the goal of building a rapport with one another ... Eventually, somebody is going to say something. Indeed, with subtlety, somebody just did. Steelers starting center Zach Frazier is a young fella but he also has leadership traits. And this week, while he certainly didn't "call out'' Rodgers - again, soon enough, Frazier and Rodgers might be working in unison snapping the ball 65 times a game - Frazier did issue a comment that can be taken as a message to ... Advertisement Well, to anyone who will bother to listen. 'It's not up to me, so I don't really know,' Frazier said of progress being made toward Rodgers accepting the one-year, $30 million contract that has been on the table for months. 'Chemistry is important, I'll say that.' Indeed. Whatever "chemistry'' Rodgers brought to the New York Jets last year - we would argue "not much'' - they finished a dismal 5-12. This doesn't mean he's devoid of attributes. But a relationship with teammates (not to mention with the playbook) would be advantageous. Without that? Even with Rodgers eventually showing up, and theoretically playing well enough, the Steelers may be starting from behind. Advertisement And Frazier cannot be alone in this locker room in his understanding of that. Related: Aaron Rodgers Reveals 'Inner Circle' Cancer Battles Impact on Contract Signing This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Philadelphia 76ers free agency: Will Andre Drummond return on option?
The Philadelphia 76ers will be looking to move forward in the offseason after a miserable year in 2024-25 as injuries decimated the roster. The Sixers do have the No. 3 pick in their possession so that is what will be helpful for them as they look to bounce back. With that being said, one has to wonder what free agency will look like for Philadelphia. The Sixers have 11 free agents they have to take care of. The cap space will be a bit limited in 2025 after the big spending spree in 2024, so don't expect the Sixers to be major players in free agency, but they will be looking to keep a number of key free agents. Advertisement Up next in this free agency series is big man Andre Drummond who has expressed his desire to return for the 2025-26 season. Here is some details on Drummond's free agency: Drummond's free agency Free agency status: Player option for $5 million 2024-25 stats: 7.3 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 0.9 apg, 1.0 spg, 50% FG Prediction: Stays Reason for the prediction The Sixers do expect Drummond to return per President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey. The front office appears to expect the three players who have player options to exercise them and keep them around for the future. Either way, the big man is important to what Philadelphia wants to do. He provided the Sixers what they were looking for when he was available which was rebounding and solid production around the basket on the offensive end in the pick-and-roll game. With that being said, it was a bit of a down year for him in terms of rebounding. His 7.8 rebounds per game were well below his career average of 12.1. That can be attributed mostly to the toe injury that limited him in the 2025 portion of the year. Advertisement Drummond is an important piece in the locker room as well. One can always see him talking to the youngsters--specifically Adem Bona--giving them all advice on how to handle the NBA and the lessons he has learned along the way. There is a great benefit for having him on the roster both on the floor and in the locker room as a mentor. This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Philadelphia 76ers free agency: Will Andre Drummond return on option?
National Post
19-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
RICK VAIVE: If you can't stand the heat in Toronto, time to go
If you're going to have a high-profile role as a Toronto Maple Leaf, be ready for all the attention that comes with it. Article content Article content I know that times have changed and players are more coddled, but I have to think the Toronto-area guys on this team know full well what's expected of them. Now that their season is over again, it's getting clear a player such as Mitch Marner isn't cut out for it. Article content I watch him during the national anthem and he seems nervous, I see his interviews and he's uncomfortable. When you get into a high-stakes playoff series against a team such as Florida, that's not a good look. Article content I think Mitch gets intimidated. You look at him going for the puck and he's like a figure skater, afraid to get hit. As I've said before, a change of scenery will do him good, at the same time understanding how much he loves Toronto. Article content His agent, Darren Ferris, is known for letting his top clients test free agency. Mitch will certainly be desirable as a free agent and I can just see one of the Western teams in the U.S. with cap space who need to put people in the seats paying him good money. The Leafs could then use Marner money for something else. Article content It's a little different with John Tavares, another local guy. He's much older than Mitch, he's already moved his family once. Yes, there's a contract to be worked out with him, but he doesn't need the money after his last big deal. I predict he stays. Article content Article content It's too bad we're discussing break-ups and changes again after just two playoff rounds, but you have to give Florida credit. They exit the zone so well, took away space from Toronto's offence and when they come at you and play heavy. It's a combination that is hard to beat. Article content Article content That said, what a terrible effort for a Game 7. A few Leafs looked afraid to touch the puck, such as Marner and William Nylander. Matthews played as well as he can — I still think he was hiding an injury — but as Auston said, too many passengers. Article content I did like the job Craig Berube and his assistants did this season. It's not easy to win one of the hardest divisions in the NHL. But his challenge looking ahead is to get a buy-in from everyone. That might not be possible with this group without some changes. Article content The Toronto Sun thanks former Leafs captain and three-time 50-goal scorer Rick Vaive for contributing again to our playoff coverage. He played 16 NHL and WHA seasons and is the author of 'Catch 22: My Battles in Hockey and Life.' He can be heard on Squid and The Ultimate Leafs Fan podcast with Mike Wilson and special guests. Article content
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What is the Jaguars' weakest position group?
Now that the 2025 NFL offseason has more or less concluded, it's time to evaluate how well each team filled their respective and what holes may yet still remain. For the Jaguars it is no different. While the Jags added more talent this offseason than just about any other front office, there are still questions and concerns that remain about the roster as OTAs begin today, May 19. Advertisement What is the Jaguars' weakest position group? Tight End Jaguars' GM James Gladstone took a big risk letting Evan Engram walk. While Brenton Strange showed promise in 2024, Engram had been the Jaguars' most consistent receiver throughout the Trevor Lawrence era. >>> STREAM ACTION SPORTS JAX 24/7 LIVE <<< Now, the Jags will look to Strange to fill some big shoes. He will likely never produce the nutty receiving stats Engram did in Jacksonville, however, Strange can still be a huge asset both as a receiver and as a blocker in 2025. Oh yeah, Brenton Strange was pretty dang good at forcing missed tackles last season. In fact, Strange's 22.5% missed tackle rate ranked fifth among the 36 tight ends with at least 30 receptions. Advertisement Defensive Tackle In what might be the most surprising turn of events this offseason, Gladstone and the Jaguars added ZERO interior defensive linemen between Free Agency and the NFL Draft. The team seems intent on running it back with the same group in 2025, Arik Armstead's transition back inside aside. The late emergence of Maason Smith last season was exciting, however, the Jags are really pushing their chips all-in. They are betting on Smith and Armstead to be able to fix the Jaguars' interior unit, which ranked last in pass-rush win rate, according to Pro Football Focus. Safety While the Jaguars' safety group similarly disappointed last season, the front office did make an attempt to find talent to replace and upgrade the unit. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< Advertisement Gladstone signed former Houston Texans' Eric Murray and then drafted Tulane cornerback Caleb Ransaw, who figures to slide over to safety. That said, it still is a lot of projecting. Murray isn't exactly a playmaker on the back end and Ransaw isn't an immediate fix to the problem either. Last season, the Jaguars allowed 71 explosive pass plays, nine more than the next closest team. The group consists of Murray, Darell Savage, Andrew Wigard, Antonio Johnson, and now Ransaw. There is a lot of potential, however, it is far more potential than it has been production at this point. Pro Football Focus recently ranked the Jaguars' safety unit as the worst in the NFL. Summary Gladstone and company did a remarkable job adding talent to the Jacksonville roster, bringing in more players than any other front office and smartly too. Advertisement They took calculated risks every step of the way, however, only so much can be done in a single offseason. The Jaguars' tight ends, defensive tackles, and safeties are among the team's weaker units. However, if one or more of these young players can blossom into their full potential, these weaknesses might just become strengths soon enough [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
National Post
15-05-2025
- Sport
- National Post
RICK VAIVE: Mitch Marner's time with Toronto Maple Leafs likely at an end
When I was traded to Chicago in 1987, it was hard to imagine I had played my last game as a Maple Leaf. Article content Article content I have to think that's what's rolling around in Mitch Marner's head before Game 6. Article content Hey, I think he's a hell of a player who has averaged 90 to 100 points every year. But the bottom line, if the Leafs lose this series to Florida, is that you have to look at everything. And what myself and lot of people see is a Core Four who've been together eight or nine years and haven't got it done at playoff time. Article content Article content It's the old saying about the definition of insanity, making the same mistakes over and over. Now you have Mitch coming up on a new contract and he wants his turn at big money, around $13 million US a year. But if you're running Leafs, you have to think 'what else could we spend that money on?' Article content Article content You can get a tough right winger who would also be a good fit with Auston Matthews. Maybe you have a few million left over to add another defenceman. Article content Right now, Marner holds all the cards. There hasn't been any word on contract talks and I know his agent wants to test the market. Article content I honestly believe if he hits July 1 as a free agent, they should let him go. Article content Maybe it's going to be best for him to get a change, even though this is home and he has tried hard to make it work. He'll get his money and the team and the fans can look at something different. Article content The Leafs are now at the stage where what happens in regular season, with all their scoring records, doesn't matter. It's all about 'what have you done for us in playoffs?' I'm not just talking about 58 years without a Stanley Cup, but 21 years with just two series wins. Article content Marner leaving could be just one of many changes we'll see. The difficult part is that Kyle Dubas handed out all those big deals with no movement clauses when he was GM. Think of Marner stopping the trade for Mikko Rantanen from Carolina, a big winger who is a proven scorer in playoffs. Article content I would never give those kinds of no-movement deals. At most, let the player give me a list of 10 teams he doesn't want to be traded to. That still gives me 21 to work with. You just can't tie a GM's hands like they are now in Toronto. Article content I'm still hoping for the best result in Florida on Friday. The Leafs have to be a hell of a lot better than Game 5, which was pretty pathetic and disturbing. A game that important and there were a lot of no-shows. Article content They were out-hit again, which is Florida's M.O. They come at you heavy and Toronto's defencemen will feel that as the series goes along. Article content Article content All-time bad giveaway by Mitch Marner. — Avalanche Forever (@citchmook) May 15, 2025 Article content The Leafs were below 50% on faceoffs for the first time in a while in playoffs and then came the giveaways, 21 of them, blind stuff up the middle. Article content Article content At the very least, you want to go down fighting. Article content
