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Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Nebraska coach Matt Rhule: QB Dylan Raiola 'could have taken the easy way out' and entered transfer portal
According to Nebraska coach Matt Rhule, QB Dylan Raiola was a hot commodity among other schools this offseason. In a Tuesday appearance on the Jim Rome Show, Rhule said that 'everyone' reached out to Raiola after his freshman season with the Huskers. Those inquiries could have been a reason why Raiola posted to social media in December that he was 'all-in' at Nebraska. 'He is in such a good place,' Rhule said of Raiola. 'He's got so many eyes on him. He's got the weight and pressure of an entire fanbase — an entire state — of a blue blood like Nebraska. First year, you come in, to me, if you're a big-time recruit, it's about learning how to handle the pressure. Learning how to handle the frustrating moments. I think he did that really well. Highs and lows. He finished the year on a real uptick.' 'And everyone reached out to him. He could have taken the easy way out and left and gone into the portal and gone to someplace where he could start over where he doesn't have to do as much himself. But he chose to stick it out and fight. He came back and I've been excited to see where he's at.' Advertisement Raiola was the top pro style QB in the class of 2024 and the No. 2 prospect in the state of Georgia. He originally committed to Georgia but flipped and signed with Nebraska in December of 2023 to play at the same school where his father Dominic and uncle Donovan were offensive linemen. He was also the highest-ranked recruit to sign for Nebraska in at least two decades. Raiola started right away for the Huskers in 2024 and showed flashes in his first season. Over 13 games, he was 275-of-410 passing for 2,819 yards with 13 TDs and 11 interceptions. After three multi-TD games over the first four games of his college career, Raiola threw just five touchdown passes over nine games the rest of the season.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
In-Depth Details Revealed on Aaron Rodgers' Meeting with Steelers
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 20, 2024. -- Ed Thompson / Steelers Now Tom Pelissero of NFL Network provided some in-depth details on Aaron Rodgers meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers brass last Friday. According to Pelissero, the Steelers did not plan the meeting. 'Aaron basically invited himself on a visit late last week. He was in the building for several hours, he watched tape with the coaches,' Pelissero said on the Jim Rome Show. As far as contract talks, Pelissero said an offer has been on the table for the last three weeks. Advertisement 'This deal has been in place contract-wise for weeks. They've discussed parameters. This is not going to be a financial issue at all for Aaron Rodgers,' Pelissero explained. 'If it gets done it's going to be a one-year deal. This was a get-to-know-you meeting, everything there sounds positive. I can tell you Aaron has kept a dialogue with various members of the organization, coaches, other players. There's been communication like this is something he's really going to do and at this point right now, sitting here in late March the Pittsburgh Steelers are the only opportunity that Aaron has.' Appearing on ESPN Milwaukee's 'Jen, Gabe & Chewy' on Wednesday, Adam Schefter explained that Rodgers could end up just retiring. 'I think, Chewy, that, first of all, they both need each other right now, frankly,' Schefter said about the Steelers and Rodgers. 'And that's if — that's if — Aaron wants to play, which I'm not convinced yet that he does. Until I hear him say 'I want to play' then I can tell you people are asking that question about whether he wants to play. Like, it's come up. … I'm hearing he might not wanna play. Advertisement 'By the way, again, I don't wanna speak for him because I don't wanna get called out. We're speculating. But, it shouldn't be that hard. You either wanna play for the Steelers or you don't, right? Like, what are we waiting for?' The Steelers are really Rodgers' only option. That's why it's head-scratching that a decision hasn't been made yet. 'I don't see too many free agents who go visit a team for six hours, think about something,' Schefter said. 'What's the question? What's the issue? They want you. You don't want them? Clearly, you have questions. I don't know if that's playing for that team, living in that city, playing football in general. There's something that's holding you back because they want him.' Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk thinks it's a 'safe bet' that the Steelers land Rodgers. The 'when,' however, remains a mystery. Advertisement Florio speculates that Rodgers could announce that he's signing with the Steelers at Pat McAfee's 'Big Night AHT' at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on April 9. Rodgers appears on McAfee's show every Tuesday during the season. April 21 could also be a soft deadline for Rodgers' decision, as that's when the Steelers start offseason workouts.
USA Today
08-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Colts LB Zaire Franklin makes his pitch to free agents
On an appearance recently on the Jim Rome Show, Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin was asked this question: Why is Indianapolis a destination where other guys should want to be? Why Indy?@ZiggySmalls_ makes his pitch to free agents to join him with the Colts. — Jim Rome (@jimrome) February 8, 2025 Franklin then provided a few reasons why free agents should be looking to join the Colts. 'First of all, Lou is a well-respected DC in this league. From the Pro Bowl, every single player that I met that played against him, was on the same team as him, even offensive guys from (Joe) Mixon to Ja'Marr (Chase), to all those guys, had extreme respect for Lou and talked about his defensive mind and his ability to put players in positions to succeed. Anarumo comes to Indianapolis after six seasons as the Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator, where he was dubbed the 'Mad Scientist.' Anarumo earned that nickname for operating a versatile and quick to adapt defensive scheme that emphasizes disguising coverages to keep offenses and quarterbacks guessing. The next point that Franklin made was that each level of the Colts defense, they have Pro Bowl caliber players. 'And then we got Pro Bowlers at this point, playmakers at all three levels,' added Franklin. 'You got myself, DeForest (Buckner), and Kenny Moore. So adding another dynamic playmaker to that mix, whether it's secondary, D-line or linebacker room, it's only going to add to that and help make this an all-time unit.' There were stretches last season where this Colts' defense played at a pretty high level. The defense's performance in their must-win game against Denver is one example of that and there are others. However, the season-long issue was a lack of consistency with many of the same problems, like missed tackles and explosive plays, plaguing this unit for much of the year. Pressure-wise, the Colts didn't get after quarterbacks often enough. Several opposing running backs had big days against Indianapolis and as GM Chris Ballard said after the season, the play in the secondary wasn't good enough. Lastly, Franklin brought up the offense, specifically Shane Steichen's scheme, which included three Colts receivers all eclipsing the 800-yard receiving mark in 2024. 'Offensively, Shane, everybody that is going to play for him offensively loves his scheme, loves how he gets guys the ball,' Franklin said. 'We got a lot of things going and JT of course.' Anarumo's more aggressive and disguise-heavy scheme can hopefully help with some of the heavy lifting when it comes to the Colts defense improving. But Ballard is going to have to make additions as well, which from the sounds of it, he will be more willing to do as he attempts to bolster the competition on the roster this offseason. As eluded to, the secondary play has to improve. At linebacker, the Colts need a stronger presence against the pass, which perhaps Jaylon Carlies can provide, and the depth behind Buckner and Grover Stewart has to improve. On offense, meanwhile, running back depth, a greater presence in the passing game, and competition for Anthony Richardson are all items that could be on Ballard's to-do list. The Colts will enter the offseason with just over $28 million in available cap space. From a spending power standpoint, that ranks in the bottom half of the NFL at 18th–however, Indianapolis does have the means to create quite a bit more cap space for free agency if needed.
