Latest news with #NFCWildCardPlayoff
Newsweek
03-08-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Aaron Donald Has Officially Returned to Rams Training Camp
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Rams are currently in the midst of training camp, and the team received a massive visit. Former Rams legend Aaron Donald has officially returned. More news: Dolphins' Jalean Phillips Suffers Concerning Training Camp Injury Aaron Donald is visiting Rams practice today. — Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) August 2, 2025 Donald not only appeared at practice with the team, but multiple images showcase that the former quarterback terrorizer is in amazing shape. Aaron Donald making an appearance at #Rams camp: — Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 3, 2025 It is not rare for former players to show up to wish the team good luck and potentially help coach up the guys on the team. However, there have been plenty of rumors regarding Donald either ending his retirement or heading into coaching. Further reports showcased Donald speaking to Rams general manager Les Snead. Though the pair could be simply chatting and catching up, this could lead to more fruitful conversations. DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 14: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on from the sideline prior to an NFC Wild Card Playoff football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on... DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 14: Aaron Donald #99 of the Los Angeles Rams looks on from the sideline prior to an NFC Wild Card Playoff football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 14, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Aaron Donald might not be as retired as he says he is, according to Rams legend Marshall Faulk. MoreMore news: Chargers and Keenan Allen Reunion Could Happen Soon Donald played all 10 seasons with the Rams and was a monster pass rusher. He set a career high of 20.5 sacks in 2018 and put together a career of 111.0 sacks through those 10 seasons. Donald also secured three Defensive Player of the Year nods, 10 Pro Bowl nods, and eight First-team All-Pro nods. He should be an easy first-ballot Hall of Famer as well. Though there have been rumors that Donald could end his retirement, that might not be the case. It would be more plausible that he would instead want to come over and help to coach the defense to some degree. Either way, the Rams getting a visit from their former defensive legend was sure to fire up the team. The Rams surprised everyone in 2024 when they were viewed as a "rebuilding" team. Despite the rough start of 1-4, the team would rifle off a 5-1 record in the final six games of the regular season. Matthew Stafford played a wonderful season despite also having to deal with a severely injured offensive line. The Rams would make it to the postseason and handily beat the then-red-hot Minnesota Vikings in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. Sadly, Los Angeles' postseason berth was cut short when they lost in the Divisional Round to the eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. Things are looking up for the Rams, and the team was able to land star wide receiver Davante Adams in free agency. Also, Jared Verse is one of the most dynamic defensive players in the league and has been spending time with Donald. The pair could link up even more should Donald stick around for more time with the team. For more on the Rams and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
30-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Jalen Hurts details the ‘Special Element' Saquon Barkley has brought to the Eagles
The Eagles QB said this about Barkley, 'He brings a special element to us, and we obviously saw that last year,' Saquon Barkley is an All-Pro running back, and the biggest reason why the Eagles are the defending Super Bowl champions and why they're favored once again to win it all. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year had one of the best seasons ever for a running back after he posted over 2,000 yards last season. The move to sign Barkley away from the rival New York Giants paid dividends as he helped lead the Eagles to their second Super Bowl win in franchise history. Barkley is a dynamic player, and his teammate and quarterback, Jalen Hurts, recently detailed just how valuable the former Penn State star has been. Hurts talked to Esports Insider, D.J. Siddiqi, and highlighted the "special element" Barkley brings to the Eagles' offense. 'He brings a special element to us, and we obviously saw that last year,' says Hurts of Barkley. 'He's a hell of a player, hell of a leader. He's a force on the field.' Barkley led the league with a franchise record of 2,005 rushing yards, making him the ninth player in NFL history to post 2,000+ rushing yards in a season. Overall, Barkley logged the 8th-most rushing yards in league history, trailing only Eric Dickerson in 1984 (2,105), Adrian Peterson in 2012 (2,097), Jamal Lewis in 2003 (2,066), Barry Sanders in 1997 (2,053), Derrick Henry in 2020 (2,027), Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,008) and Chris Johnson in 2009 (2,006). Note: O.J. Simpson, in 1973 (2,003), was the other member of the 2,000+ yard club. Including playoffs, Barkley's 2,329 rushing yards (119 in the NFC Wild Card Playoff vs. Green Bay) are the 3rd-most in NFL single-season history, behind Terrell Davis in 1998 (2,476) and 1997 (2,331). He is just 148 rushing yards shy of breaking Davis' record.
Newsweek
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
NFL Analyst Compares Eagles QB Jalen Hurts to Steelers Legend
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Typically when a quarterback captures a Super Bowl and Super Bowl MVP honors, they're viewed in the upper echelon at the position. While that hasn't been the case for Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Hurts, one analyst took the time to compare him to an all-time great. Since the Eagles took down the Kansas City Chiefs last season, there has been a shocking discourse forming around Hurts. Though his stint as Philadelphia's starting QB has yielded big results, many have tried to slight him. Some bring up the fact that he's flanked by an elite wide receiver duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Meanwhile, others bring up that Saquon Barkley's historic season was a major catalyst in the Eagles capturing a title last year. The debate of Hurts only got louder earlier this month when ESPN put out their QB rankings ahead of the 2025 season. He barely cracked the top ten, coming in at No. 9. Some of the players put ahead of the Eagles QB include Jared Goff, Justin Herbert, and Matthew Stafford. Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia,... Quarterback Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles warms up prior to a game against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MoreThough many have tried to discredit what Hurts has accomplished, he isn't fazed by the outside noise. Since camp got underway, he's been adamant that winning games is far more important than his personal stats. These remarks led to one analyst comparing the reigning SB MVP to a Pittsburgh Steelers legend. Also read: Eagles Star Jalen Hurts Ranked Among NFL's Top Franchise Players While on FS1's First Things First Thursday, longtime analyst Chris Broussard gave his thoughts on Hurts. He feels the veteran QB is going to be viewed in a similar light as Terry Bradshaw when it's all said and done. "His legacy is going to be about winning. He is going to be like the Terry Bradshaw of this generation," Broussard said of Hurts. "Bradshaw was never viewed as the best quarterback in the Bradshaw in the playoffs, and in the big moments, no one was more clutch than Terry Bradshaw." 'His legacy is going to be about winning. He is going to be like the Terry Bradshaw of this generation.'@Chris_Broussard on Jalen Hurts: — First Things First (@FTFonFS1) July 24, 2025 While on FS1's First Things First Thursday, longtime analyst Chris Broussard gave his thoughts on Hurts. He feels the veteran QB is going to be viewed in a similar light as Terry Bradshaw when it's all said and done. Also read: Former Champion Rushes to Defense of Eagles Star Jalen Hurts Still fully focused on team success, Hurts is poised to lead the defending champs this season as they attempt to go back-to-back. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Caleb Williams Is Already Better Than $55 Million QB, Says NFL Analyst
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Chicago Bears didn't quite have the season some predicted they would have in 2024 after drafting former USC quarterback Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick last April. After trading Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers to take Williams with the top pick, Chicago actually regressed by two games from its 7-10 season in 2023. And though the team only won five games, Williams actually looked the part of a franchise QB. The Bears surrounded Williams with better offensive weapons than Fields had—they added Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen via trade, drafted wideout Rome Odunze with the ninth overall pick, and signed Pro Bowl running back D'Andre Swift—which led to the fifth-most single-season passing yards (3,541) by any Bears QB in franchise history. Williams also threw the fewest interceptions (six) of any Bears passer with 20 or more touchdown passes, and his 87.8 passer rating was the fifth-highest among Bears QBs who threw for 3,000 or more yards in a single season, per Pro Football Reference. More NFL: Jonnu Smith Sends Clear Message to Dolphins After Steelers Trade Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears takes off running looking for a receiver late in the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 05, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Caleb Williams #18 of the Chicago Bears takes off running looking for a receiver late in the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on January 05, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.) For those reasons and more, FS1 host Danny Parkins believes Williams is already better than one of the highest-paid QBs in the NFL — Jordan Love, whose $55 million-per-year salary puts him in a four-way tie with Cincinnati's Joe Burrow, Buffalo's Josh Allen, and Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence as the second-highest paid quarterback in the NFL, behind only Dallas' Dak Prescott ($60 million). "How about this — Caleb Williams is already better than Jordan Love," Parkins recently said on "First Things First." "How about that? No one believes that. It's OK. I'm sorry, but it's true. Jordan Love has played the majority of two seasons. Both of those seasons, double digit interceptions. "Here's the thing about Jordan Love — the guy had 11 interceptions both years that he played. Caleb Williams played 17 games last year and he had six." And while Williams and Love is more of an apples-to-oranges comparison, Parkins does raise some intriguing points about the two passers. More NFL: Patrick Mahomes Doesn't Hesitate to Name Greatest Pass-Rusher He's Ever Faced Quarterback Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers warms up prior to a game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in... Quarterback Jordan Love #10 of the Green Bay Packers warms up prior to a game against the Philadelphia Eagles during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. More"Caleb Williams' offensive coordinator was fired nine games into his rookie year with the worst offensive line in the league, and they fired his head coach three weeks after they fired his offensive coordinator," he continued. "...Jordan Love has Matt LaFleur of the Sean McVay tree. Everything in the world has been catered to him. Jordan Love." Love and Wiliams had similar completion percentages (63.1 to 62.5) last season, but Williams actually threw for more yards (3,541 to 3,389) with fewer interceptions (six to 11) than Love did in 2024, though Love missed two games early in the year. Williams also played behind a worse offensive line, as evidenced by his 68 sacks taken to Love's 14. He was also pressured on 241 drop backs to Love's 172.
Newsweek
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Eagles' Loss Predicted To Be a Huge Gift For Patriots
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Success has come at a high cost for the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason. One of their key defensive linemen from the Super Bowl season managed to hit the open market and secure a deal to become a major investment for the New England Patriots. Milton Williams showed a lot of promise in Philadelphia, despite starting in fewer than 20 games over the course of four seasons. With the Patriots, Williams will see a a role increase, as he inked a reported $104 million contract for the next four seasons with the Patriots. As New England prepares for its run with the new defensive lineman, the ex-Eagle is gaining attention as a "guaranteed riser," according to NFL analyst Marc Ross. "It can be risky paying part-time players big-time money like the Patriots did this offseason with Williams," Ross writes. "He will be tasked with turning around a defense that ranked 22nd in yards and points allowed in 2024. ... it's clear early on that Vrabel is looking for Williams to set the tone in his revamped D-line. He brings the experience to a front that features some young but talented disruptors." Since 2021, Williams has played in fewer than 50 percent of the Eagles' defensive snaps each year. He saw the field for a career-high 501 (48%) during the 2024 NFL season. In 17 games, Williams registered 24 tackles, with seven of them going for a loss. He landed 10 hits on the quarterback and picked up five sacks during the regular season. Milton Williams #93 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Milton Williams #93 of the Philadelphia Eagles reacts against the Green Bay Packers during the NFC Wild Card Playoff at Lincoln Financial Field on January 12, 2025 in Philadelphia, the stage got even bigger for Milton and the Eagles, the 25-year-old defensive lineman managed to stand out in the brightest of spotlights. He collected two sacks during the playoff run. Both of those sacks came during the Eagles' Super Bowl LIX win against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Read More: Early Results Of Eagles' Massive Gamble Looks No Good Williams and Josh Sweat were some of the Eagles' most notable losses on the defensive side of the ball. While the Eagles will miss their former homegrown prospects, the team feels confident in the growth of the others on the frontline, which is headlined by the dominant Jalen Carter. Meanwhile, the Patriots hope that Williams can double his production by increasing his workload. Although Williams joins a rebuilding Patriots squad, they are led by a defensive-minded head coach, who could help get the best out of the Eagles' former third-round pick. For more Philadelphia Eagles and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
