Latest news with #ProBowl
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL insider Ian Rapoport gives latest on Jonnu Smith trade rumors: 'He wants a lot'
NFL insider Ian Rapoport gives latest on Jonnu Smith trade rumors: 'He wants a lot' Jonnu Smith is angling for a new contract, but NFL Network's Ian Rapoport isn't convinced that means he'll be traded by the Miami Dolphins anytime soon. "He is actually a part of what the Dolphins want to do," Rapoport said of Smith in a Friday appearance on The Pat McAfee Show. "It feels to me like he wants more money, but would like to stay [in Miami]. I know he wants a lot. We'll see what they end up doing. "But going back to the [Jalen] Ramsey thing. If they are able to trade Jalen Ramsey, that's $21 million -- some of the $21 million will come off the books, depending on how much they pay. Trading Ramsey might help Jonnu Smith get the contract he wants, as well." Smith, 29, earned Pro Bowl honors in 2024 after breaking Dolphins franchise records for receptions (88), receiving yards (884), and receiving touchdowns (8) by a tight end. However, he ranks 32nd among tight ends sorted by average salary per year. While nine tight ends are earning at least $12 million per year, Smith is set to play on the second season of a two-year, $8.4 million contract. It's no surprise that Smith wants a sizable pay bump. How high he sets his asking price could be what determines whether or not he's dealt elsewhere.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
2008 NFL draft do-over has the Saints passing on a former first-round bust
How do you define an NFL draft bust? Is it someone who doesn't last long in the league, or a player who just doesn't meet expectations? Depending on how harshly you grade draft picks, your opinion could fall between either one of those extremes. And that brings us to former New Orleans Saints first-round draft pick Sedrick Ellis, who the team traded up to get back in 2008. Pro Football Focus analysts Max Chadwick, Dalton Wasserman, and Trevor Sikkema spun the clock all the way back for a do-over of that draft class using the benefits of hindsight. And they didn't have the Saints trading up three spots from No. 10 to pick Ellis, or even drafting him at all. Instead, they went with future three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Advertisement PFF's explanation? Surrounding Drew Brees with more weapons to start his Saints career, adding Jackson to a receiving corps that already featured Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and Devery Henderson, plus running backs Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas. The Saints also had Robert Meachem coming off of rookie-year knee surgery but Jackson would've given the receiving corps significantly more juice. While Ellis wasn't taken in the first round of this redraft (which isn't too surprising; he washed out of the league after playing out his five-year rookie contract with the Saints), one of his teammates was. Carl Nicks was picked in the fifth round by New Orleans but in this do-over went at No. 18 overall to the Houston Texans. Here's why: Nicks was forced to retire after just six seasons due to a MRSA infection. He was named a first-team All-Pro once, a second-team All-Pro once and a Pro Bowler twice. He earned an 83.0-plus PFF overall grade in each of his four seasons with New Orleans, and even recorded 77.0-plus PFF overall grades in each of his seasons with the Buccaneers before retiring. He is one of the best value picks in this draft. If not for that unfortunate injury Nicks may have made his case for the Pro Football Hall of Fame just like his tag-team partner Jahri Evans did. It's a shame his career didn't last longer in New Orleans. He was one of three members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who were diagnosed with MRSA infections, two of whom had their careers cut short by it. Playing for Houston or staying with the Saints may have made a world of difference for him. This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Saints dodge draft bust, miss potential HOFer in 2008 draft do-over
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Steelers had trade talks with Dolphins to acquire Pro Bowl TE Jonnu Smith
Steel City trade buzz has begun to heat up! On Thursday, insider Adam Schefter reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers had trade talks with the Miami Dolphins to acquire Pro Bowl TE Jonnu Smith. Schefter explained that these trade talks arose from Smith's desire for a reworked contract: Advertisement "Those talks came after Smith expressed an interest in reworking his deal that is scheduled to pay him $4.8 million this season. With Smith seeking a new contract, Miami has sought a trade partner." The longtime NFL insider also hinted that Smith prefers to stay with the Dolphins on a reworked deal — but a trade to Pittsburgh could be in the cards, as the tight end has a strong connection to Steelers OC Arthur Smith. The 29-year-old Pro Bowler spent time with Pittsburgh's offensive coordinator during their days in Tennessee, when Arthur was the Titans' tight ends coach and later offensive coordinator. They reunited again in Atlanta for the 2023 season — before Arthur was fired on January 8, 2024. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers had trade talks to acquire Dolphins Pro Bowl TE Jonnu Smith
New York Post
11 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Trey Hendrickson considering drastic options in Bengals contract standoff
Several people believe Bengals star defensive end Trey Hendrickson might sit out the final year of his contract if a long-term deal isn't reached, ESPN reported Thursday. Both sides are in prolonged negotiations as trade talks with several teams about Hendrickson, who is seeking marking value and a long-term deal, have stalled. 'He's extremely dug in,' a source said told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, who wrote that Hendrickson 'very well might follow through on his promise to miss games or even the season' if no deal occurs. Advertisement 4 Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson speaks to the media during NFL football practice on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, in Cincinnati. AP The Bengals granted Hendrickson's trade request this offseason and denying a separate request in 2024. Hendrickson explored the market before free agency and the NFL draft, and multiple teams initially showed interest in signing the 30-year-old to a long-term contract, but nothing materialized, according to ESPN's Ben Baby. Advertisement 4 Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) during the second quarter of a game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. on October 13, 2024. Bill Kostroun/New York Post Hendrickson, who has a base salary of $15.8 million for 2025, has not participated in any voluntary workouts this offseason. He missed Cincinnati's offseason OTA workouts May 27-29, with another session set for June 2-4. Hendrickson, 30, has already been informed he could be fined if he misses the mandatory minicamp, which will take place June 10-12. Advertisement 4 Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) walks off the field following an a game against the Tennessee Titans on December 15, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. AP His deal remains in limbo after the Bengals locked up their two offensive weapons, signing wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term contracts in March. The Bengals have $27.6 million in cap space for 2025. 4 Cleveland Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (17) is pressured by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) during a game on December 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. AP Advertisement Hendrickson has made it clear that he won't play if his contract situation isn't resolved. He played coy when asked if he was willing to skip games in the interim. Hendrickson was the NFL's sack leader in 2024 with 17.5 sacks — and accounted for 48 percent of Cincinatti's sack total last season. Last season, he was named to the Associated Press All-Pro team and made the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight time.
USA Today
11 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts drawing trade interest from NFL teams, per report
Falcons TE Kyle Pitts drawing trade interest from NFL teams, per report Show Caption Hide Caption NFL players can now partake in Olympic flag football Olympic flag football, which will make it's debut at the 2028 summer games, just got bumped up a level after the NFL agreed to let its players partake. Sports Pulse Starting May 27, the Atlanta Falcons are back in pads for the first week of organized team activities (OTAs). Atlanta's entering Year 2 under coach Raheem Morris following an 8-9 campaign in 2024 that saw them miss the playoffs for the seventh year in a row. The offense took a step forward to become a top-10 unit by yards under the new coaching staff despite starting two quarterbacks during the season in veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Michael Penix. The Falcons were aggressive in the 2025 NFL Draft by trading back into the first round to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr. from Tennessee after selecting Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker earlier in the round. A new report says that might not be the last big move they make this offseason. Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz reports that multiple teams have reached out to the Falcons about trading for tight end Kyle Pitts. Schultz's report states the Falcons would like to keep the former No. 4 overall pick and it would take at least a Day 2 draft pick for Atlanta to be interested. No teams were specified in his report to be interested in Pitts. Pitts made the Pro Bowl as a rookie with 68 catches for 1,025 yards and one touchdown on 110 targets. He has yet to meet those marks in catches and yards since then. He did produce a career-high four touchdowns in 2024. Atlanta picked up Pitts' fifth-year option last offseason to secure his services for 2025. He'll be making $10.878 million against the salary cap this season but, at the time of this publishing, does not have an extension keeping him in Atlanta beyond 2025.
