Latest news with #NFCWildCardRound
Time of India
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
New York Jets' Quinnen Williams and Minnesota Vikings' Andrew Van Ginkel join NFL Top 100 after phenomenal 2024 seasons
Quinnen Williams (via Getty Images) New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and Minnesota Vikings linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel have been recognized for their outstanding performances in the 2024 NFL season, both landing places on the NFL Top 100 list in 2025. QuinnenWilliams ranked No. 87, while Andrew Van Ginkel ranked immediately behind him at No. 88. New York Jets' Quinnen Williams and Minnesota Vikings' Andrew Van Ginkel come in at No. 87 and No. 88 on esteemed NFL list The ballot, cast by fellow players, is one of the league's most highly regarded rankings of on-field performance, and both defenders won their spots through gritty reliability, standout statistics, and leadership on underperforming and high-functioning teams alike. The New York Jets might have experienced another forgettable 2024 campaign, going 5-12 and stretching their drought to 14 years without the playoffs, but Quinnen Williams was still one of the team's few silver linings. Even with fighting the pull of a nagging hamstring injury, the veteran defensive tackle played 16 games and put up a decent line: 37 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, six sacks, and his third straight Pro Bowl selection. Quinnen Williams' sustained greatness arrives with newfound optimism under new head coach Aaron Glenn in 2025 to finally bring competitive football to New York. A whole season healthy after dominating as the 2022 First-Team All-Pro could be the Jets' long-awaited turnaround turning point. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Global Indices Are on the Move — Time to Trade! IC Markets Learn More Undo Andrew Van Ginkel's presence helped to make Minnesota a defensive force to be reckoned with. The Vikings were second against the run (93.4 yards per game allowed) and fifth in points surrendered (19.5) in their 14-3 regular season campaign, which lasted until the NFC Wild Card Round at the hands of the Los Angeles Rams. His breakthrough gained him his initial Pro Bowl selection and a Second-Team All-Pro. As a reward for his performance, Minnesota signed him to a one-year, $23 million extension—a testament to their belief that Andrew Van Ginkel can lead the team further into the playoffs in 2025. Also read: Brad Pitt praises Chiefs as NFL dynasty on New Heights podcast with Kelce brothers As the new season of the NFL dawns, both Quinnen Williams and Andrew Van Ginkel will seek to expand on their recent success and propel their respective teams—one in rebuilding, one in contending—on the strength of top-tier defensive performance. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
USA Today
28-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
What are the Packers' biggest red flags heading into next season?
Despite coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the Green Bay Packers need to take another step forward to show they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Or do they? Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports recently included Green Bay on his list of top NFL contenders in 2025. While it's positive the Packers are being mentioned in the same conversation as the Eagles, Chiefs, and Bills, the post highlighted each team's biggest red flags heading into next season. For the Packers, Benjamin believes depth and durability are their biggest flaws. "It was one thing for Jordan Love to battle multiple injuries in 2024; it was another for the quarterback to lose practically his entire receiving corps to various ailments by year's end," Benjamin wrote. "The Packers did their best to bolster their depth this offseason, spending not one but two early draft picks on receiver help, but at the end of the day, Matt LaFleur needs his arsenal to stay on the field to ensure his steady rate of postseason bids continues. That includes on defense, where Nate Hobbs will be tasked with filling the shoes of the also-oft-banged-up Jaire Alexander." Injuries were a major factor in Green Bay limping into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed and failing to advance past the NFC Wild Card Round. Two of their most important players—Jordan Love and Kenny Clark—never fully recovered from injuries they sustained in the season opener against Philadelphia. Jaire Alexander is now a Steeler because he appeared in only seven games. Winning a Lombardi Trophy next year will require some injury luck. Love getting hurt would be a worst-case scenario for Green Bay, which is why addressing the offensive line was a priority this offseason. GM Brian Gutekunst also went out and drafted two wide receivers in the first three rounds to give the quarterback more ammunition. Although the offensive line and wide receiver depth appear to be in good shape with training camp less than a month away, other positions aren't as solidified. Of course, every roster has weak spots, and the Packers' are pretty obvious, at least on paper. Edge rusher was thought to be a substantial need entering the offseason after the defense finished 26th in pass rush win rate, according to ESPN analytics. However, Green Bay didn't add a single pass rusher this free-agent cycle and waited until Day 3 to take an edge. That means they will rely on Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, and Kingsley Enagbare to hold down the edges in 2025. Gary is coming off a good but not great season, while neither Van Ness nor Enagbare have ever been full-time starters. Behind those three, the depth is questionable with Brenton Cox Jr. and newcomers Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver. Cornerback is another position that has question marks in its top three. This will be Keisean Nixon's first time entering a season as an outside corner, and playing opposite him is expected to be Carrington Valentine, who started only seven games last season. Nate Hobbs was one of the team's big free-agent splashes as a solidified slot corner. After that, things look bleak. Javon Bullard is a solid backup option in the slot, but if Nixon or Valentine goes down, the team will have to move Hobbs outside or potentially turn to Kalen King, Kamal Hadden, or Micah Robinson. King and Hadden did not log a single defensive snap in 2024, spending most of the season on the practice squad. Robinson was the 237th overall pick in the seventh round and could end up as a practice squad stowaway. Gutekunst seems confident at edge and corner, making a significant change to the roster highly unlikely unless an issue arises during training camp. Even then, you're probably not adding a difference-maker. So, what do the Packers need to do to be a contender? Staying healthy will be key, but guys stepping up at key positions like wide receiver, edge rusher, and cornerback will be equally important in deciding how far this team goes next season.
USA Today
09-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Packers officially release CB Jaire Alexander
Packers officially release CB Jaire Alexander The Green Bay Packers officially announced the release of cornerback Jaire Alexander on Monday. The roster move was initially reported on Monday morning and is now official with the league office as of Monday afternoon. Alexander's release ends a seven-year run for Brian Gutekunst's first draft pick as general manager of the Packers. "In his seven seasons with the Packers, Jaire established himself as one of the premier players in the NFL at one of the game's most challenging positions," Gutekunst wrote in a press release. "His contributions to our organization were felt on the field, in the locker room and in our community, and he will be missed. We appreciate all he gave and we wish him all the best moving forward." Alexander, a first-round pick of the Packers (18th overall) in the 2018 draft, played in 78 games (76 starts) over the last seven seasons in Green Bay. He intercepted 12 passes, returning one for a touchdown, and produced 70 total passes defensed. Alexander was a Pro Bowler and second-team All-Pro in both 2020 and 2022, and he was named to the PFWA's All-Rookie Team in 2018. Alexander also appeared in seven postseason games. He intercepted three passes in the playoffs -- two on Tom Brady in the 2020 NFC Championship Game and one on Dak Prescott in the Packers' upset win over the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC Wild Card Round in 2023. Alexander signed a four-year, $84 million contract with the Packers in 2022. However, he played in only four games in 2021, seven games in 2023 and seven games in 2024 due to injuries or suspension. The Packers now have an open roster spot as mandatory minicamp -- the final event of the offseason workout program -- begins on Tuesday.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025
Green Bay Packers cornerback and All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon admitted frustration played a part in his postgame comments following January's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he's open to being the team's kickoff returner in 2025. "I was kind of frustrated when the season was over," Nixon said Tuesday. "Of course, I'm open to it. I'm always going to do what the team needs. Also, knowing who I am as a person, if the game's on the line, I'm going to want the ball anyway." Advertisement In the minutes following the Packers' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round, Nixon -- who fumbled the opening kickoff after a helmet-to-helmet hit -- expressed a desire to be done returning kickoffs so he could focus on his increasing responsibilities at cornerback. Time provided Nixon with a different perspective as the Packers now work through the offseason workout program this spring. "That's probably a comment I could have kept to myself, for real, but it is what it is," Nixon said. "I meant what I said, but I'm also a team player. And if the coach and the team need me to do something, I'm going to do it for sure." Nixon led the NFL in kickoffs and kickoff return yards in both 2022 and 2023, leading to All-Pro honors both seasons. He averaged 29.3 yards per kickoff return in 2024 but got only 18 opportunities. Advertisement Nixon said the adjusted kickoff rules for 2025 -- which will give the offense the ball at the 35-yard line following kickoffs -- probably won't affect how teams approach kicking him the ball. "The rule change don't matter. I don't think they are going to freely kick me the ball. They would rather get the ball at the 35 than to the 50, so I think it'll be the same," Nixon said. The Packers signed veteran returner Mecole Hardman this offseason, and first-round pick Matthew Golden and third-round pick Savion Williams have kickoff return experience, so Matt LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia will have options on special teams. Hear more from the highly confident Nixon below: This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025
USA Today
03-06-2025
- General
- USA Today
Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025
Packers' Keisean Nixon open to returning kickoffs again in 2025 Green Bay Packers cornerback and All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon admitted frustration played a part in his postgame comments following January's playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and he's open to being the team's kickoff returner in 2025. "I was kind of frustrated when the season was over," Nixon said Tuesday. "Of course, I'm open to it. I'm always going to do what the team needs. Also, knowing who I am as a person, if the game's on the line, I'm going to want the ball anyway." In the minutes following the Packers' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Wild Card Round, Nixon -- who fumbled the opening kickoff after a helmet-to-helmet hit -- expressed a desire to be done returning kickoffs so he could focus on his increasing responsibilities at cornerback. Time provided Nixon with a different perspective as the Packers now work through the offseason workout program this spring. "That's probably a comment I could have kept to myself, for real, but it is what it is," Nixon said. "I meant what I said, but I'm also a team player. And if the coach and the team need me to do something, I'm going to do it for sure." Nixon led the NFL in kickoffs and kickoff return yards in both 2022 and 2023, leading to All-Pro honors both seasons. He averaged 29.3 yards per kickoff return in 2024 but got only 18 opportunities. Nixon said the adjusted kickoff rules for 2025 -- which will give the offense the ball at the 35-yard line following kickoffs -- probably won't affect how teams approach kicking him the ball. "The rule change don't matter. I don't think they are going to freely kick me the ball. They would rather get the ball at the 35 than to the 50, so I think it'll be the same," Nixon said. The Packers signed veteran returner Mecole Hardman this offseason, and first-round pick Matthew Golden and third-round pick Savion Williams have kickoff return experience, so Matt LaFleur and Rich Bisaccia will have options on special teams. Hear more from the highly confident Nixon below:
