Latest news with #ProBowl-caliber
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Jayden Daniels' Commanders 'Support System' Good Enough?
Is Jayden Daniels' Commanders 'Support System' Good Enough? originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Washington Commanders, on paper, have a good offensive group led by Jayden Daniels, and that was reinforced this offseason. Advertisement Deeb Samuel and Laremy Tunsil were traded for, upgrading two positions of need, but both come with a little unknown about what to expect in 2025. Tunsil and Samuel weren't their usual selves last season, but the Commanders are banking on them returning to their best as the franchise looks to improve on its NFC Championship appearance from last year. But as far as the group as a whole, Fox Sports' David Helman, when ranking all 32 quarterbacks and their support systems, has the Commanders at No. 16. "Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel should give the Commanders a higher ceiling than last year, but I'd like to see what it looks like," Helman writes. "Tunsil's 2024 season wasn't quite up to his lofty standard on a terrible Texans offensive line, and Samuel comes with some durability issues. Advertisement "Clearly, this isn't a bad group for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury to work with, as the Commanders reached the conference championship last season. I'm just not sure if this is one of the league's better QB support systems just yet." Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Deebo Samuels (L) and Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (R) wave to the crowd from courts wide during the game between the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream at CareFirst Arena. Geoff Burke-Imagn Images We agree with Helman. The signings of Samuel and Tunsil are good, but we need to see them in action and integrated into Kliff Kingsbury's system. If the pair is to be what many want them to be, the offense will be humming along nicely. With a solid run game led by Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler, the evergreen Zach Ertz at tight end, and Terry McLaurin, Daniels does have a good group around him, but again, we need to see how everything meshes together with an offensive line that allowed 47 sacks last year. Advertisement And if we are being truthful, Washington's 2025 success will hinge on whether Deebo and Tunsil can return to being Pro Bowl-caliber players. Related: Commanders Trade For Trey Hendrickson Pitched By ESPN Related: Commanders Jayden Not Worried About McLaurin Contract Holdout This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Packers' $77 Million Free Agent Explains Key Factor Behind Signing With Team
Packers' $77 Million Free Agent Explains Key Factor Behind Signing With Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. For the second offseason in a row, the Green Bay Packers were active players in free agency. They signed former Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs to strengthen their secondary. Along with making former San Francisco 49ers guard Aaron Banks the highest-paid guard in this year's free-agent class, they also added former Kansas City Chiefs receiver Mecole Hardman to boost the offense. Advertisement The Packers improved from a 9-8 record in 2023 to 11-6 in 2024. If that upward trend continues, they should be strong contenders for the NFC's top seed in 2025. There is a sense of urgency within the organization to compete for championships, and they have made notable strides over the past two years—reaching the postseason while being the youngest team in the league. Green Bay should be closer to a title run than most teams in 2025, and that Super Bowl belief is what drew one of their top free-agent signings to join the Packers this year. Green Bay Packers HC Matt LaFleur, left, talks with GM Brian Gutekunst during 2023 OTAs.© Mark Hoffman-Imagn Images "They've been in the playoffs every year and it's a young team and guys are only getting better," Banks said via Wes Hodkiewicz. Advertisement "As the younger guys on this team start to become older guys and then we start to bring everybody along, I just think we're really close. I think we have all the tools and all the pieces to get there, and not only get there but win it." Banks should be Green Bay's starting left guard. Elgton Jenkins will likely move to center, with Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker holding down the tackle spots. The right guard position is the most open for competition, but Sean Rhyan should start the season there. Aaron Banks has 43 career starts, including the San Francisco 49ers' 25-22 Super Bowl loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. With over 2,963 career snaps at left guard, he arrives in Green Bay to add even more physicality up front. His $77 million deal is a big bet on the Packers' part—and while the narrative this offseason has been that it was an overpay, that will not matter if he balls out and puts together a Pro Bowl-caliber season in his first year wearing green and gold. Related: Major Aaron Rodgers News Sets Up Packers For Historic 2025 Matchup This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. ranked inside the top-32 by PFF
Texans All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr. ranked inside the top-32 by PFF Derek Stingley Jr. proved that his rise in 2023 was just the beginning. Last season, the former No. 3 overall pick proved he was an elite shutdown defender who might be considered among the best players in the league for the 2025 season as the Houston Texans look to compete for a spot in the AFC Championship game. Coming off an All-Pro season, Stingley totaled five interceptions (tied for sixth most), 18 pass breakups (second most) and allowed the second-lowest completion percentage among cornerbacks with at least 200 coverage snaps (46.7%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats in 2024. That led to a new three-year, $90 million extension this offseason, making Stingley the highest-paid cornerback in the league with an annual $30 million salary. But while Stingley might have the respect from the Texans, is he the No. 1 cornerback entering 2025 based on projections? Not according to Pro Football Focus, which listed him as the No. 5 defensive back behind New York's Sauce Gardner, Denver's Pat Surtain II, Kansas City's Trent McDuffie and Chicago's Jaylon Johnson. "After a poor rookie season, Stingley has generated a 90.3 PFF coverage grade over the past two seasons — the best mark among all cornerbacks," John Koso wrote. "The 2022 No. 3 overall pick plays a high-risk, high-reward brand of football and threads that needle well, as his 12 interceptions across the past two years lead the league." Even after a down rookie season, Stingley made up for the lack of production with two Pro Bowl-caliber seasons. Fully healthy, he's been the definition of consistent when asked to line up in man coverage and an enforcer in one-on-one battles against top receivers. The highest-paid defensive back should begin the season as the top name opposite Kamari Lassiter in the AFC. In time with another dominant campaign, he should land no lower than No. 2 and compete with Surtain for Defensive Player of the Year accolades for the long haul. The Texans open the season against Davante Adams and the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sept. 7.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
The Kansas City Chiefs' jersey number no one dares to wear — and the heartbreaking reason why
In a league dominated by stats, rings, and highlight reels, the Kansas City Chiefs have chosen to honor one of their own in a far more meaningful and quiet way. While jersey retirements are often grand public gestures, there's one number in Kansas City that hasn't seen the field in over four decades — and that's by design. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Joe Delaney 's heroism transcended the game of football Jersey No. 37, once worn by Joe Delaney, holds a legacy so profound that Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and the franchise have made it an unspoken rule: no player, not even Patrick Mahomes or Travis Kelce, will ever wear it again. Delaney's NFL career may have been short, but his impact remains unmatched. Drafted in 1981, Delaney burst onto the scene with Pro Bowl-caliber talent and the heart of a warrior. But it's not his performance on the field that forever etched his name in Chiefs history — it's the selfless act that cost him his life. In 1983, Delaney jumped into a Louisiana pond to save three drowning children, despite not knowing how to swim himself. One child survived. Two did not. Neither did Delaney. His sacrifice stunned the nation and prompted then-President Ronald Reagan to say: "He made the ultimate sacrifice by placing the lives of three children above regard for his own safety." Why the Chiefs have quietly kept No. 37 out of circulation Although the team has never held a formal jersey retirement ceremony for No. 37, the number has been quietly removed from the roster for more than 40 years. Chiefs beat writer Pete Sweeney once confirmed this subtle tribute: "Head coach Andy Reid and the Kansas City Chiefs have made sure no player will ever wear No. 37 again, even if it's not officially retired." There's no banner in the stadium, no announcement at press conferences — just an unspoken, unwavering respect for what Delaney stood for. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In an era where greatness is often defined by Super Bowl wins or MVP titles, the Chiefs' decision reminds us that true heroism lies in character. Joe Delaney's story is not about touchdowns or tackles — it's about courage, sacrifice, and an enduring symbol of humanity. Also Read: By never reissuing No. 37, the Chiefs honor a legacy far greater than football. And that silent tribute might just be the loudest message of all.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atlanta Falcons post-draft position preview: Quarterback
The Atlanta Falcons left the 2025 NFL draft with five new players, including two first-round edge rushers. It was the first time in Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot's tenure that the team did not draft an offensive player in Round 1. With the 2025 season still a few months away, we thought it would be a good time to preview each position on the roster. Today, we begin by examining Atlanta's quarterback room. QB Depth Chart (3): Michael Penix Jr. Kirk Cousins Easton Stick Advertisement Penix enters the season as the unquestioned starter, but Cousins' presence still feels slightly odd. At this point, we have to believe the Falcons aren't bluffing about keeping the high-priced veteran QB. Assuming he's still on the roster, Cousins will serve as a quality backup. Easton Stick, who has 1,133 passing yards, three touchdowns and one career interception, should be the third-string QB this season. 2025 salary cap hits Cousins: $40,000,000 Penix: $5,200,599 Stick: $1,197,500 When your backup quarterback makes seven times more than your starter, it's usually a sign that somebody messed up. Cousins would likely prefer to play elsewhere, but the Falcons have no incentive to do him any favors. Unless the team can get another team to pay a chunk of Cousins' salary, it's hard to imagine him playing elsewhere in 2025. Atlanta could get out of his contract next season for considerably less. Top free agents available: Aaron Rodgers Carson Wentz Teddy Bridgewater Tyler Huntley Advertisement The Falcons have no real reason to add another veteran quarterback. The only scenario I could see them signing another QB would be if they release or trade Cousins and want to add a more established backup behind Penix. Wentz and Huntley could be options in this scenario. Predictions/expectations for 2025 Penix showed enough upside in his three starts last season that we don't anticipate any QB controversies in 2025. The former No. 8 pick in the draft has all the tools to be a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback. With a talented surrounding cast and a rifle for an arm, Penix has a real chance to lead the team to the postseason for the first time since 2017. Around Falcons Wire This article originally appeared on Falcons Wire: Falcons QB breakdown: Michael Penix, Kirk Cousins, Easton Stick
