Latest news with #NFLOffensiveRookieoftheYearAward
Fox Sports
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Broncos' Sean Payton Had Pause About Caleb Williams' 'Processing Speed' in Draft
National Football League Broncos' Sean Payton Had Pause About Caleb Williams' 'Processing Speed' in Draft Published Aug. 13, 2025 12:49 p.m. ET share facebook x reddit link Both the college football and NFL world were enamored with now-Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams' talent going into the 2024 NFL Draft — but not every NFL coach was head over heels about him. In the book "American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback," author Seth Wickersham revealed a conversation that he had with Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton in the 2024 NFL Draft process, with the latter giving him a critique of the USC quarterback and 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, whom Payton had doubts would "excel" in the NFL. Payton was "worried a little" about Williams' "processing speed," while feeling that there were "too many easy completions left on the field" and "open receivers that Williams fails to spot quickly," according to The Athletic. The head coach's primary concern about Williams was "existential," though Payton applauded the quarterback's arm strength. The book also noted how Payton has a "formula weighted on negative plays in college that informs his evaluations." Williams' number was higher than No. 2 pick and eventual 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award winner Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix, whom Payton and the Broncos selected with the No. 12 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. ADVERTISEMENT Williams dazzled the collegiate scene from 2021-23 (2021 at Oklahoma, 2022-23 at USC) with his dual-threat ability and raw talent. Many of Williams' highlight reel-esque moments were ad-lib plays. Of course, the Bears selected Williams with the No. 1 pick. In his rookie season (2024), Williams totaled 3,541 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, six interceptions and an 87.8 passer rating, while completing 62.5% of his passes. Williams also rushed for 489 yards. Chicago went 5-12, low-lighted by a 10-game losing streak, and has a new head coach this season in former Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. Meanwhile, Nix totaled 3,775 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, 12 interceptions and a 93.3 passer rating, while completing 66.3% of his passes. He also rushed for 430 yards and four touchdowns. Nix helped the Broncos go 10-7 and reach the playoffs for the first time since the franchise won Super Bowl 50. Williams ranked 44th among quarterbacks with a 67.6 overall grade, while Nix ranked 22nd with a 76.4 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus. Williams was the first of six quarterbacks taken in the first 12 selections of the 2024 NFL Draft, with Nix being the sixth signal-caller taken at pick No. 12. Payton is entering his third season as Denver's head coach (2023-present), a stint preceded by one year as an NFL Analyst for FOX Sports and a 15-year stint as the head coach of the New Orleans Saints (2006-11, 2013-21), which was highlighted by winning Super Bowl XLIV. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience Chicago Bears Denver Broncos Caleb Williams What did you think of this story? share
Chicago Tribune
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Bears sign veteran QB Case Keenum as an experienced voice for Caleb Williams
The Chicago Bears are adding veteran experience to the quarterback room. The team signed quarterback Case Keenum on Friday. ESPN reported the deal is for one year and $3 million. The move adds an experienced voice for starting quarterback Caleb Williams and backup Tyson Bagent. Keenum, 37, spent the last two seasons with the Houston Texans as a mentor for young QB C.J. Stroud. The Bears will be Keenum's eighth NFL franchise since entering the league as an undrafted rookie in 2012. He has appeared in 80 games, including 66 starts. Keenum started two games for the Texans in 2023 but primarily spent his time as the third-string QB behind Stroud and backup Davis Mills. It's a notable addition to coach Ben Johnson's roster. A year ago, the Bears worked hard to surround Williams with veteran coaches who had worked with the quarterback position. The players on the roster, however, were relatively inexperienced. Bagent, in his second year, was the primary backup in 2024. The only other QB with the team was practice squad player Austin Reed, who was an undrafted rookie. Bagent was the most experienced NFL quarterback of the trio. Keenum, on the other hand, has been playing in the NFL since before any of those three was in high school. In Houston, he was a mentor for Stroud, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft who went on to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. The Bears could have a similar role in mind for Keenum. Adding the veteran will give Williams someone to lean on in the locker room. This offseason has been all about providing Williams the right situation for growth. That started with the hiring of Johnson. In March, the Bears significantly bolstered the offensive line, adding veteran guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson plus veteran center Drew Dalman. They also spent significant resources reinforcing the defensive line. The goal is for all of those moves to make life easier for Williams. As for Keenum, the Bears hope he will make an impact of a different sort for last year's No. 1 pick. Originally Published: April 4, 2025 at 3:23 PM CDT
Chicago Tribune
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Bears expected to sign veteran quarterback Case Keenum as a mentor for Caleb Williams
The Chicago Bears are adding veteran experience to the quarterback room. The team is expected to sign quarterback Case Keenum to a one-year, $3 million deal, according to an ESPN report Thursday. The move will add an experienced voice for starting quarterback Caleb Williams and backup Tyson Bagent. Keenum, 37, spent the last two seasons with the Houston Texans as a mentor for young QB C.J. Stroud. The Bears will be Keenum's eighth NFL franchise since entering the league as an undrafted rookie in 2012. He has appeared in 80 games, including 66 starts. Keenum started two games for the Texans in 2023 but primarily spent his time as the third-string QB behind Stroud and backup Davis Mills. It's a notable addition to coach Ben Johnson's roster. A year ago, the Bears worked hard to surround Williams with veteran coaches who had worked with the quarterback position. The players on the roster, however, were relatively inexperienced. Bagent, in his second year, was the primary backup in 2024. The only other QB with the team was practice squad player Austin Reed, who was an undrafted rookie. Bagent was the most experienced NFL quarterback of the trio. Keenum, on the other hand, has been playing in the NFL since before any of those three was in high school. In Houston, he was a mentor for Stroud, the No. 1 pick in the 2023 draft who went on to win the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. The Bears could have a similar role in mind for Keenum. Adding the veteran will give Williams someone to lean on in the locker room. This offseason has been all about providing Williams the right situation for growth. That started with the hiring of Johnson. In March, the Bears significantly bolstered the offensive line, adding veteran guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson plus veteran center Drew Dalman. They also spent significant resources reinforcing the defensive line. The goal is for all of those moves to make life easier for Williams. As for Keenum, the Bears hope he will make an impact of a different sort for last year's No. 1 pick.
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Brock Bowers snubbed for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award
Brock Bowers snubbed for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award Georgia great and now Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers unfortunately lost the Offensive Rookie of the Year to Washington Commander quarterback Jayden Daniels. Bowers had a historic season, but it was not enough to overcome the value Daniels brought to the table for the Commanders. Daniels helped the Commanders make the playoffs and advance to the NFC championship. Continuing the tradition of Georgia Bulldogs excelling at the next level, Brock Bowers was a finalist for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. The former Bulldog tight end enjoyed a record-breaking season with the Las Vegas Raiders, shattering NFL records for rookie receptions and receiving yards by a rookie tight end. Bowers' impact extended beyond rookie records, as he finished the season as the NFL's leading receiver among tight ends with 112 receptions for 1,194 receiving yards and five receiving touchdowns. He set the Raiders' franchise record for most receptions in a season. While the 17-game schedule undoubtedly contributed to his impressive statistics, Bowers undeniably showcased exceptional talent and solidified his status as one of the most exciting young players in the NFL. Bowers' season is the best ever for a rookie tight end, but it was not enough to overcome Jayden Daniels' outstanding season. The Raiders got a steal with Bowers in the first-round of the 2024 NFL draft. Now, Las Vegas is looking for a quarterback to pair with their star tight end.
USA Today
07-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year voting: Jayden Daniels, Brock Bowers only to receive 1st place votes
Friday night the NFL Honors led out with the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award. To the surprise of no one, Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels took home the award. But he wasn't a unanimous selection. One other received a vote — Raiders TE Brock Bowers. Of the 50 votes for AP Offensive Rookie of the Year, Daniels received 49 of them. The other first place vote went to Brock Bowers. Here's the full voting results: The voting for the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year selected by The Associated Press in balloting by a nationwide panel of media: (Voting is on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis) Jayden Daniels, Washington:49-1-0-0-0: 495 Brock Bowers, Las Vegas: 1-32-11-5-1: 214 Bo Nix, Denver:… — Josh Dubow (@JoshDubowAP) February 7, 2025 Daniels had a tremendous season and was deserving of this award. He led the Commanders to the playoffs and even won a playoff game. But Bowers deserved recognition for his historic season. The main reason Bowers didn't stand a chance against Daniels was his position. Despite Bowers breaking a rookie tight end record that stood for six decades, despite setting the rookie receptions record…twice, and despite setting a new Raiders franchise receptions record (112), a tight end will always take a backseat to an elite quarterback. Bowers did, lead the way in second place votes, getting 32 — 17 more than Broncos QB Bo Nix who also led his team to the playoffs. No one else was even in the conversation.
