Latest news with #MikeTannenbaum
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘I'm Not Convinced' Former NFL Exec Delivers Blunt Assessment of Caleb Williams
'I'm Not Convinced' Former NFL Exec Delivers Blunt Assessment of Caleb Williams originally appeared on Athlon Sports. After a season filled with flashes of promise and frustrating inconsistency, expectations remain sky-high for Caleb Williams as he enters his second year in Chicago. Despite the ups and downs, the former No. 1 pick managed to break the Bears' rookie records for both passing yards and passing touchdowns—a testament to his talent and upside. Now with a new head coach in Ben Johnson and a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, the Bears are hoping a reset will bring more consistency to their young quarterback. Advertisement Still, not everyone is sold. One former NFL executive in particular has voiced serious concerns. Mike Tannenbaum, a former general manager and current ESPN football analyst, made headlines on a recent appearance on Get Up, ESPN's weekday morning show, when he was asked directly: 'Is Caleb Williams the quarterback to bring the Bears back to glory?' Captured by Cham Sura on YouTube, Tannenbaum was candid in his evaluation: 'I am not… [convinced]. I work with Ben Johnson… the new head coach of the Bears. He is going to be a rule-based, disciplined play caller and coach.' 'When you have 68 sacks… you have to bear some of that responsibility.' 'No team has done more for their quarterback in this offseason than the Bears. We'll see if he gets better, but I am concerned by his lack of discipline and his fundamentals.' ESPN insider Dan Graziano, however, took a more measured stance: 'The word 'convinced' is a tricky one here... we don't have enough data on Caleb Williams in the NFL to be convinced one way or the other.' Now under the direction of head coach Ben Johnson and offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, the Bears are hoping for a true fresh start. Johnson, who spent the previous two seasons as offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, played a pivotal role in transforming their offense into one of the league's most productive and creative units. Caleb WilliamsGetty Images That proven track record adds optimism that he can bring similar success to Chicago's rebuild. With a strong draft class that includes dynamic tight end Colston Loveland and explosive wideout Luther Burden III, the Bears have surrounded Williams with talent. If he can capitalize on that support, year two could become a defining chapter in his development. Advertisement Related: Chicago Bears Rookie Lands Among Top Jersey Sellers Despite Inactivity Related: Bears Coach Delivers Harsh Message to Struggling Rookie This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ex-Jets GM rails against Aaron Rodgers' Steelers waiting game: ‘We want volunteers, not hostages'
While Aaron Rodgers might be indecisive about where to play next, one former NFL general manager has drawn the line. On Friday's 'First Take' on ESPN, former Jets and Dolphins general manager Mike Tannenbaum gave his take on whether the Steelers should look elsewhere and move on from their interest in the 2011 Super Bowl champion and four-time MVP. Advertisement Tannenbaum has taken Rodgers' coy play in free agency to signal disinterest, and the former NFL exec said 'it's over' for the former Jets quarterback. Mike Tannenbaum spoke about Aaron Rodgers on 'First Take.' 'He's giving us the answers to the test…Do you want your battlefield commander to be wallowing, looking at the Pacific Ocean, saying 'I'm not sure if I want to play'?' Tannenbaum said. 'Coach [Bill] Parcells used to say, 'When a player is talking about being retired, they are. And if you want to be a winning frontline quarterback withstanding the rigors of a 17-game regular season, you want someone that's in Pittsburgh right now in the offseason program, getting to know DK Metcalf, George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth. I am all in on the draft. I applaud them getting DK Metcalf. This is a team that's competing against the Baltimore Ravens, the Cincinnati Bengals. We have to be point scorers. Advertisement 'Aaron Rodgers is an all-time great. It's over, guys… Ironically, what Mike Tomlin would say, 'We want volunteers not hostages.' This is a guy that's disinterested in being an NFL quarterback, which is fine. He's earned that right. He's made hundreds of millions of dollars. It's over. We are drafting our next quarterback.' Aaron Rodgers reacts during the first half of a game last season at MetLife Stadium. Paul J Beresewill Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin answers questions from the media during the NFL Annual League Meeting at The Breakers. Jim Rassol-Imagn Images On Rodgers' recent appearance on 'The Pat McAfee Show' on Thursday, the quarterback unloaded on new coach Aaron Glenn and the Jets on his departure from the organization. He also noted that he is dealing with challenges in his personal life that have put his NFL free agency decision on hold.
USA Today
28-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New GM mock draft has Arizona Cardinals taking a WR in Round 1
New GM mock draft has Arizona Cardinals taking a WR in Round 1 ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum plays GM for every team in his mock draft and takes a WR for the Cardinals. The Arizona Cardinals wouldn't draft a receiver in the first round of the NFL draft after taking Marvin Harrison Jr. fourth overall last year, would they? Well, if ESPN's Mike Tannenbaum were the general manager, it would happen. He did a mock draft where, rather than try to project what would happen, he made picks basing on what he would do as each team's GM. For the Cardinals, with the 16th overall pick, he selected Texas receiver Matthew Golden. Despite adding Marvin Harrison Jr. in the top five last April, Arizona was 16th in passing yards per attempt (7.1) and tied for 20th in touchdown catches (21) last season. Adding another blue-chip receiver to go with Harrison and tight end Trey McBride would take this offense to the next level. Golden's incredible timed speed (4.29 seconds in the 40-yard dash) translates well to game play, and he is an excellent route runner with good hands. I think Golden has a chance to be a better pro than college player. Edge rushers James Pearce Jr. and Shemar Stewart are still on the board. The belief is that the Cardinals are going to zero in on a pass rusher, defensive lineman or an offensive lineman. It makes sense as general manager Monti Ossenfort wants to build the team through the trenches. However, wide receiver is a premium position and the Cardinals could use an upgrade at the position, and there is a lot to like about Golden. Adding someone like him might complete the offense in terms of weapons. If he is rated higher than the players on the board, it is completely viable to see this scenario happening. Picking a receiver in the first round, especially considering the perceived depth at defensive tackle and EDGE, is not a crazy idea at all. Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire's Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.
NBC Sports
14-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Rodgers holding up Steelers, Vikings, Giants plans
Mike Tannenbaum stops by the Dan Patrick Show to discuss recent NFL trades, which quarterback the Steelers should sign, and who the Titans should select in the 2025 NFL Draft.
