Latest news with #NFLDefensivePlayeroftheYearAward
USA Today
04-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
From College Station to Canton: Texas A&M pipeline produces NFL DPOY winners
When it comes to defensive talent wreaking havoc against offenses in the National Football League, Texas A&M is well-represented. Players such as Myles Garrett, Lester Hayes and Von Miller are just a few of the elite former Aggies who made their mark in the pros after representing the Maroon and White in College Station. Not only have they succeeded in the league, but several have racked up a string of accomplishments that have placed them among the NFL's all-time greats. Texas A&M is one of just 12 FBS schools to produce an NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, which is presented to the league's best and most productive defensive player each year. The Aggies are tied with the Tennessee Volunteers as the only Southeastern Conference schools to bring home two awards. Lester Hayes - DB - Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1977-1986) Hayes was the first Aggie to secure the award, leading the league with 13 interceptions during the 1980 regular season. That total tied him for the second-most INTs in a single season in NFL history, as he anchored the Raiders' defensive unit and helped lead them to a dominant 27-10 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XV. He also finished the season with one pick-six, two forced fumbles, five interceptions in the postseason and one INT in the Super Bowl to complete a legendary year with the Raiders. Though he wore silver and black, Hayes' Maroon and White roots ran deep. After a short stint as a defensive end during his freshman season in College Station, Hayes transitioned to linebacker and then safety. In 1975, he emerged as one of the nation's premier defensive backs. Known for his tenacious play and elite vision on the gridiron, he recorded 14 career interceptions, which was a school record that stood untouched for 14 years. Myles Garrett - DE - Cleveland Browns (2017-Current) Hayes paved the way for future defensive superstars like Garrett, who currently plays defensive end for the Cleveland Browns. Through eight seasons in the NFL, he has already established himself as a talent who wreaks havoc and causes opposing teams nightmares. In 34 games played for the Aggies, Garrett recorded 141 tackles, including 47 tackles-for-loss, 31 sacks (Texas A&M record), seven forced fumbles and five pass deflections. He was voted a First-Team All-SEC member and a unanimous All-American in 2016, which led to Garrett being picked No. 1 overall by the Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft. Since entering the league, he has been a force to be reckoned with. With 116 career tackles-for-loss, 88.5 career sacks and 15 forced fumbles, Garrett's freakish athleticism has well-earned his stripes as a future NFL Hall of Famer. He won his DPOY award in 2023 as he led the Browns with 42 total tackles and recorded 17 TFL. Garrett also posted 14 sacks during the campaign, which was tied for seventh-most in the league. He became the only player in NFL history to record more than 14 sacks or more in four consecutive seasons. The five-time Pro Bowler returns for his ninth season with the Browns in 2025 as the highest-paid defensive player in the league. Garrett signed a contract extension with the Browns in June, which averages $40 million per year and guarantees him $123.5 million. Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Dylan on X: @dylanmflippo.
USA Today
29-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Three Wisconsin Badgers crack PFF's list of the NFL's top linebackers ahead of 2025
Three Wisconsin Badgers crack PFF's list of the NFL's top linebackers ahead of 2025 A trio of Wisconsin Badgers appeared on ProFootballFocus' list of the top 32 linebackers ahead of the 2025 NFL season on Wednesday. Headlined by San Francisco 49ers superstar linebacker Fred Warner, PFF's annual hierarchy included former Badgers Zack Baun, T.J. Edwards and Leo Chenal. Baun, who emerged as the Philadelphia Eagles' defensive anchor throughout their Super Bowl-winning 2024 season, earned the outlet's No. 2 designation behind Warner. He landed ahead of Washington Commanders veteran Bobby Wagner, Baltimore Ravens star Roquan Smith and Denver Broncos star Dre Greenlaw in the top 5. In 16 starts for the Eagles, the UW alumnus tallied 151 tackles, 11 for loss, five quarterback hits, 3 1/2 sacks, four pass deflections, five forced fumbles and an interception. The superstar-caliber performance earned him first-team All-Pro honors, as well as a spot on the Pro Bowl roster. The Brown Deer, Wisconsin, native was joined T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson and Patrick Surtain II (winner) as finalists for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award. Baun also accumulated 33 total tackles (20 solo), two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one forced fumble across four playoff games, which included a team-best seven tackles (three solo) and a crucial interception in the Eagles' Super Bowl 59 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Baun's action-packed year culminated in a three-year, $51 million extension with Philadelphia, which is poised for another dominant defensive season with eyes on a second straight Lombardi trophy. Here's what PFF's staff said about Baun's place in the ranking. "Baun took the league by storm in his first year in Philadelphia. His 90.1 PFF overall grade last season was not only the best of his career, but also the highest mark in the NFL. The breakout season earned Baun a $51 million extension and a fifth-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting. Another season with that type of production will have Baun vying for Tier 1 placement in 2026." The second former Badger to earn a spot on the list was Chicago Bears starter T.J. Edwards, who spent five years in Madison from 2014-18. The Lake Villa, Illinois, native landed at No. 10 on the hierarchy behind two division foes -- Detroit Lion Jack Campbell (No. 8) and Green Bay Packer Edgerrin Cooper (No. 9). Like Baun, Edwards signed a contract extension this offseason for his contributions during the 2024-25 campaign. His new deal is worth $10 million per year with $16.6 million fully guaranteed. Edwards has started 34 consecutive contests for the team dating back to 2023 and has registered 284 total tackles (170 solo), 20 tackles for loss, 6 1/2 sacks, four interceptions and four fumble recoveries in that time. In 2024 alone, Edwards finished with 129 tackles, 12 for loss, four sacks and two fumble recoveries. Here's PFF's analysis on Edwards ahead of his third season with the Chicago Bears: "While 2024 was a year of struggles for Edwards, who earned the lowest PFF overall grade (60.7) of his career, his long track record of quality all-around grades earns him a top-10 nod heading into 2025. Across the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Edwards posted 74.0-plus PFF grades in all three major defensive facets. Even in a down 2024, Edwards charted in the 93rd percentile in box coverage grade (80.9). New Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen knows a thing or two about getting the most out of his linebackers, which will be something to look forward to for Edwards." The final Badger to appear on the preseason list was two-time Super Bowl champion Leo Chenal. The linebacker has tallied 160 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits, five sacks and three forced fumbles in three years with Kansas City. Last year, he recorded 60 total tackles and forced a career-best three fumbles en route to a third straight Super Bowl bid. With two trophies already positioned atop his list of NFL accomplishments, PFF believes Chenal has even more room for growth. "At just 24 years old, Chenal has proven to be one of the NFL's premier run-stuffing linebackers, having posted a 90.0-plus PFF run-defense grade in each of the past two seasons. However, he remains a part-time defender who played just over 500 snaps in 2023 and 2024, due to his struggles in coverage. Improvements in 2024 may point to an expanded role this season, which could push Chenal further up the list." Baun, Edwards and Chenal will all look to add to their impressive resumes when the 2025 season kicks off in September. Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Browns: Myles Garrett mega-contract extension details revealed
The Cleveland Browns and Myles Garrett have completed the beginning stages of salvaging their relationship, agreeing to a massive new contract extension that will keep the All-Pro and NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner in Cleveland until 2030. Now, the details of that contract extension have been released as Garrett has become the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. According to NFL Network's Ian Rappoport, here is the breakdown of Garrett's new mega-deal to stay in Cleveland: 4-year extension (on top of two years of roster control the Browns already had) $40 million average per year $100,000,000 million in cash to be paid out in the first three years of the contract $88.8 million in new guaranteed money on top of the guaranteed money that Garrett was already owed no trade clause Yes, that last part is the best part of the deal. After the trade request and all, Garrett has added a no trade clause to his contract with the Browns. All-in-all, this is a pretty healthy contract for Garrett and the Browns to mend their relationship. Garrett has not slowed down his production yet. Do not expect him to this year or anytime in the near future either. Garrett will go from Canton to Cleveland. This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Contract details between Browns, Myles Garrett emerge
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Wisconsin linebacker gets major payday from Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have been far from complacent after their commanding Super Bowl 59 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. The team made a major offseason move on Wednesday, re-signing former Wisconsin Badger linebacker Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract extension. The deal includes $34 million guaranteed at signing and an additional $1.5 million in incentives. The contract makes Baun one of the highest-paid players at his position. Given Baun's production during the 2024-25 season, the lucrative contract felt like an inevitability. In 16 starts as Philadelphia's defensive anchor, the former Badger registered 151 tackles, 11 for loss, five quarterback hits, 3 1/2 sacks, four pass deflections, five forced fumbles and an interception. That top-tier output earned him First-Team All-Pro honors, as well as a spot on the Pro Bowl roster. He was also a finalist for the 2024 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, along with T.J. Watt, Myles Garrett, Trey Hendrickson and Patrick Surtain II (winner). Baun was just as excellent during the Eagles' playoff run. The Brown Deer, Wisconsin, native first notched eight tackles (four solo) and one interception in his team's Divisional Round win over the Green Bay Packers. He then notched a tackle for loss and fumble recovery against the Los Angeles Rams the following weekend. In the NFC Championship game, Baun recorded 12 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery against the Washington Commanders. Finally, he led the Eagles' Super Bowl victory with a team-high seven tackles (three solo) and a crucial interception. In total, he accumulated 33 total tackles (20 solo), two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, two interceptions and one forced fumble across four playoff games. Breaking: Eagles are re-signing All-Pro LB Zack Baun to a three-year, $51 million contract, including $34 million guaranteed at signing and additional $1.5 million in incentives and escalators, per sources. The contract instantly makes Baun one of the highest-paid LBs in the NFL. — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 5, 2025 With the extension, general manager Howie Roseman, who constructed Philadelphia's star-studded unit, reaffirmed his status as the most prolific team-builder in the NFL. He signed Baun last offseason to a minor one-year deal after the former Badger had spent four seasons as a special-teamer on the New Orleans Saints. The move was key to the Eagles' success throughout the 2024 season, as well as during their title run. Before igniting his NFL journey, Baun suited up for Wisconsin from 2015-19. While he did become the program's first consensus First-Team All-American linebacker in 2019, it's safe to assume not many Badger fans predicted his rise to stardom at the professional level. Contact/Follow on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Wisconsin football Zack Baun Philadelphia Eagles contract extension
CBS News
05-03-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
Philadelphia Eagles re-sign LB Zack Baun after All-Pro season, reports say
The Philadelphia Eagles are bringing back a key member of their No. 1-ranked defense. All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun and the Eagles agreed to a three-year, $51 million contract extension Wednesday, according to multiple reports. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Baun's contract includes $34 million guaranteed with an additional $1.5 million available in incentives and escalators. Baun, 28, became one of the best linebackers in the league in the 2024 season as the Birds won the second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history in a dominant win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX. In Vic Fangio's defense, Baun had a career year and shattered expectations. Baun was a finalist for the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, which went to Denver Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II, and earned First-Team All-Pro honors. He was also named to the Pro Bowl. In the regular season, Baun played 16 games and led the team in total tackles with 151 and recorded 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss and one interception. He also forced five fumbles and recovered one. Baun's stellar play on defense continued in the playoffs. He led the team in total tackles with 33, had two interceptions, and recovered two fumbles and forced another. One of Baun's interceptions in the postseason happened in the Super Bowl against Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes as the Eagles built a decisive lead in the first half. In a clip on NFL Films after the Super Bowl, Baun called his shot and predicted he would intercept Mahomes. Baun signed with the Eagles last offseason on a one-year, $3.5 million deal on the same day the team signed running back Saquon Barkley and edge rusher Bryce Huff. Before that, Baun spent four years with the New Orleans Saints, mostly playing special teams. He had never played more than 27% of the snaps on defense before the 2024 season, but that changed when he joined Philadelphia. He thrived in Fangio's defense and played a career-high 95% of the defensive snaps for the Birds. He won one of the starting linebacker jobs with fellow linebacker Nakobe Dean in training camp. So far, the Eagles have had a busy offseason after winning the Super Bowl. The Eagles recently awarded Barkley a historic contract extension that made him the highest paid running back in NFL history. They also cut cornerbacks Darius Slay and James Bradberry with a post-June 1 designation to save cap space.
