Latest news with #Seahawks'
USA Today
an hour ago
- General
- USA Today
Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon secures elite placement on PFF's CB list
Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon secures elite placement on PFF's CB list RANKING THE TOP 32 CBs IN THE NFL 🔒 — PFF (@PFF) June 3, 2025 Seattle Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon has strung together two elite seasons since being drafted at No. 5 overall. Witherspoon has made Pro Bowls in both of his completed campaigns and enters the 2025 season as one of the most dominant defenders in the league. Witherspoon was a difference-maker for Mike Macdonald as a sophomore in 2024. The former Illinois standout recorded 98 tackles as a do-it-all versatile defender in a brand-new scheme. Witherspoon is arguably the most important player on the entire Seahawks roster. Pro Football Focus recently released their cornerback rankings. Witherspoon clocks in at No. 12 overall. New York Jets corner Sauce Gardner took home the top spot. "Witherspoon placed 13th in PFF advanced coverage grade in 2024 and ranks eighth over the past two years," John Kosko wrote. "He has also been one of the best run-defending cornerbacks in the NFL. His 90.3 PFF run-defense grade over the past two seasons ranks second, contributing to his eighth-ranked 84.5 PFF overall grade." Witherspoon will continue playing a versatile role as the nickel in Macdonald's defense. Riq Woolen and Josh Jobe are the starters at boundary cornerback. The Seahawks' 2025 defense is largely dependent on Witherspoon staying healthy and effective.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A QB controversy in Seattle? Maybe coaches don't want it, but I'm all for it
For several reasons, I hope Jalen Milroe is the Seahawks' starting quarterback when they play their first regular season game against the 49ers on Sept. 7th. If that happens, it would mean the next three months would be filled with all kinds of uncertainty and upheaval featuring lackluster Sam Darnold practices and preseason performances along with shining moments for Milroe. And heck, I even forgot about Drew Lock being here for the second time with the Seahawks - who in the world knows why they brought him back? Wait, I'll answer that question, it must be insurance against Milroe being so bad with his accuracy that they couldn't possibly go into the season with him as the backup quarterback. The Seahawks opened their Organized Team Activities last week, but this week is the first time the media was allowed to watch. At Monday's practice, the News Tribune's Gregg Bell noted that Lock looked the best of the three QBs with Darnold throwing two red zone interceptions and Milroe being largely off-target with his passes. In the Seahawks' ideal scenario, they must hope that Darnold seizes the first-string QB job and justifies the $100.5 million, three-year deal they gave him. That would allow Milroe time to develop as a possible starter in time. Maybe it's my sports radio background that fuels a different kind of ideal scenario for me - I'm all in on a quarterback controversy, and I don't care if they paid Darnold a fortune, indicating initially that they'll go with him no matter what. This situation is ripe for questions about who should start for the Seahawks. Let me be clear about this - I'm terrible at gauging quarterback battles. Three years ago I bet $500 with Jason Puckett, my former partner at KJR-FM, that Lock would beat out Geno Smith for the starting job. Geno won that competition by a mile, maybe even a mile and a half. There's a reason why Milroe lasted until the third round - he struggled with consistency as a passer but more than made up for it with his legs, rushing for 20 touchdowns at Alabama, a skill set that makes him highly appealing at the NFL level. Maybe he could be the next Lamar Jackson or Jalen Hurts. Then again, maybe he'll flame out like Trey Lance. I just think Milroe will flash often enough in preseason games to give the Seahawks a tough decision. And part of that has to do with not completely buying into Darnold as a QB you can trust. It sounds stupid to say that about a guy who threw for 4,319 yards and 35 TDs as he led the Vikings to a 14-3 record. Imagine saying you weren't all in on Darnold after he passed for 347 yards and five TDs against the Falcons last year. But he ruined his beautiful season by creating doubts in his last two games. In the final regular season game against Detroit with the No. 1 NFC playoff seed on the line, he went 18 for 41 for 166 yards in a 31-9 loss. Then in the Vikings' first and only playoff game, Darnold was sacked nine times and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown. After that abysmal game, FOX analyst Troy Aikman said Darnold's poor play would have a big impact on his future. 'These are the games that matter,' Aikman said. 'That's what you're judged on.' Before the game against the Lions, Darnold was projected to get a contract averaging in the neighborhood of $50 million a season - he ended up at $33.5 million. And think about this for a second: If he were so damn good, why did the Vikings let him go to free agency? Yeah, I know, they want to give the job to J.J. McCarthy, but to hand it over to an untested rookie instead of a seasoned veteran who just led your squad to a franchise record 14 wins? In that Rams' game, Darnold looked like the quarterback who said he was seeing ghosts in 2019 when he played on Monday Night Football against the Patriots. The Jets lost that one 31-0 with Darnold throwing four interceptions. He never really distinguished himself in his stops in New York, Carolina and San Francisco before landing in Minnesota. Perhaps he's turned the corner and become the QB he was expected to be when he was drafted No. 3 overall in 2018. Or perhaps he'll always show signs of why he's bounced around to five teams in seven years. I'm guessing head coaches don't like quarterback controversies, but Mike Macdonald didn't help matters by saying after the draft that Darnold would take more than 90 percent of the snaps this year. That tells us Milroe will be on the field for 7 or 8 percent of the snaps with the Seahawks wanting to take advantage of his speed. Will Milroe be used in the red zone? Will he be given a series in the second quarter as a changeup to Darnold, maybe to give defenses more to think about? If I'm Darnold, I'm out on any of these options. I'm thinking why the hell did you give me $100 million if you're not going to give me 100 percent of the snaps? We all know this wouldn't be precedent-setting if Milroe starts over Darnold. In 2012 the Seahawks drafted Russell Wilson in the third round after signing free agent Matt Flynn in the offseason. Flynn was supposed to start until he somehow came down with what was termed a 'soggy' arm before a preseason game in Kansas City. Wilson was spectacular against the Chiefs and won the job. Milroe was also drafted in the third round. The similarities to Wilson 13 years ago could end there or maybe we'll see it happen again and Milroe will become a franchise quarterback right out of the gate. Sign me up for that. No sense in going with a place-holder if you have a difference-maker who's ready to go in Jalen Milroe. Jim Moore has covered Washington's sports scene from every angle for multiple news outlets. He appears Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 10 a.m. on Jason Puckett's podcast at He writes a Substack blog at You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) @cougsgo.
NBC Sports
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
NEWLY ACQUIRED SAM DARNOLD (SEAHAWKS) AND GENO SMITH (RAIDERS) HEADLINE EPISODE 3 OF CHRIS SIMMS' QUARTERBACK COUNTDOWN, NOW ON 'CHRIS SIMMS UNBUTTONED' AND 'PRO FOOTBALL TALK'
Simms' QB Countdown Continues Today with Next Tier - 'Escaped from New York' - and Culminates with the Top Five QBs on Monday, June 9; In-Depth Breakdowns for Each Ranking Weekly on Chris Simms Unbuttoned Podcast 'I don't see a ton of issues physically but it's his [lack of] feel and experience, just having more of a backyard sense.' – Simms on Seahawks' Sam Darnold 'His arm is crazy strong, he's versatile, he can throw off his back foot, sidearm, anything you want. That is also one of his problems.' – Simms on Raiders' Geno Smith STAMFORD, Conn. – May 28, 2025 – NBC Sports' Chris Simms continues his list of the top quarterbacks in the NFL on the Chris Simms Unbuttoned podcast and on 'PFT Live' today, featuring 2025 Pro Bowler Sam Darnold of the Seahawks and 2022 AP Comeback Player of the Year Geno Smith of the Raiders, who are both entering their first seasons with their respective teams. This year's countdown features a new format, with Simms focusing on tiers and groups of quarterbacks as opposed to specific numeric rankings until the later rounds. Continuing the countdown, Simms unveiled his quarterbacks ranked in the next tier today, with QBs in the 'Escaped from New York' tier. Continuing today and culminating Monday, June 9 with his top five quarterbacks, Simms will unveil a group of quarterbacks on each Chris Simms Unbuttoned episode and discuss his rankings on 'PFT Live' with Mike Florio. Simms, a third-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2003 NFL Draft who played eight NFL seasons, will also offer in-depth player breakdowns and rankings explanations throughout each week on Chris Simms Unbuttoned. Simms has had success in projecting college quarterbacks – including naming Jayden Daniels, who was named AP's 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year following a season that saw him lead the Washington Commanders to the NFC Championship Game, as his No. 2 QB prospect in 2024. Additionally, Simms named C.J. Stroud, who was named AP's 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year, as his top QB prospect in 2023, Patrick Mahomes as his most exciting prospect in 2017, Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen as his top-two QBs in 2018, and Justin Herbert as his No. 2 QB in 2020. The rankings will continue next Monday, June 2, on the next episode of Chris Simms Unbuttoned. The following are highlights from this week's edition of Chris Simms Unbuttoned: Escaped from New York Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks 'A lot of good here. His season started off on a really high note throwing the ball all over the field and you went, 'Wow!' The good is his incredibly quick release; really gifted short-to-intermediate thrower of the football because he can get it out so quick. He's got more power in his arm than I think he gets credit for. This year, he got better at deep ball throwing. A lot of the things I'm going to talk about negatively with Sam Darnold is experience related. He was so spoiled by (Vikings head coach) Kevin O'Connell and the offense earlier in the year that when he got to the latter part of the year, those first reads weren't always open every time like the first few weeks. His internal clock, because of some of the big moments, was a little thrown off. I don't see a ton of issues physically but it's his [lack of] feel and experience, just having more of a backyard sense.' Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders 'This is a hard one….I don't think it was his best year but let me tell you this, with Geno Smith, the physical ability is real. His arm is crazy strong, he's versatile, he can throw off his back foot, sidearm, anything you want. That is also one of his problems though, because, like Darnold with his first read, Smith is not too different in that way. He has more confidence in his arm and throwing into tight windows than Darnold but that gets him in trouble. He puts the ball where he wants to, but he's taking too many chances. You see that in his worst games and his worst moments. That's what it always came down to. There has to be a better 'get out of jail' plan with Geno Smith. As a quarterback, it's your job to go and attack, but if all fails, you need to know where you're going to get the ball to keep the team in a good position.' To listen to the full player breakdowns on Chris Simms Unbuttoned, click here. -NBC SPORTS-
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Navigating the QB Wilderness! Which WRs have made their way out and which WRs are lost?
Matt Harmon and Alfredo Brown discuss the wide receivers leaving and entering the QB wilderness on this episode of Yahoo Fantasy Forecast. Has DK Metcalf's arrival to Pittsburgh sent him into the wilderness? What will the New Orleans Saints' QB situation mean for Chris Olave? Can Brock Bowers, George Pickens & Davante Adams capitalize in their new situations in Las Vegas, Dallas and Los Angeles? Matt and Alfredo then discuss wide receivers still wandering the wilderness. How will Justin Fields' arrival affect Garrett Wilson's production in New York? Can any of the Colts pass catchers break through this season with the uninspiring tandem of Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones under center? Later, Matt and Alfredo chat receivers that may be leaving the QB wilderness. With Sam Darnold's arrival, will Jaxon Smith-Njgiba be able to mark his arrival as the Seahawks' top receiver? How will QB situations affect DJ Moore, Drake London & Calvin Ridley? (3:00) - WRs entering the wilderness: DK Metcalf & Chris Olave (15:00) - WRs leaving the wilderness: Brock Bowers & Davante Adams (26:00) - WRs still stuck in the wilderness: Garrett Wilson & Malik Nabers (42:00) - WRs at a fork in the road: Drake London, DJ Moore & more 🖥️
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Navigating the QB Wilderness! Which WRs have made their way out and which WRs are lost?
Matt Harmon and Alfredo Brown discuss the wide receivers leaving and entering the QB wilderness on this episode of Yahoo Fantasy Forecast. Has DK Metcalf's arrival to Pittsburgh sent him into the wilderness? What will the New Orleans Saints' QB situation mean for Chris Olave? Can Brock Bowers, George Pickens & Davante Adams capitalize in their new situations in Las Vegas, Dallas and Los Angeles? Matt and Alfredo then discuss wide receivers still wandering the wilderness. How will Justin Fields' arrival affect Garrett Wilson's production in New York? Can any of the Colts pass catchers break through this season with the uninspiring tandem of Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones under center? Later, Matt and Alfredo chat receivers that may be leaving the QB wilderness. With Sam Darnold's arrival, will Jaxon Smith-Njgiba be able to mark his arrival as the Seahawks' top receiver? How will QB situations affect DJ Moore, Drake London & Calvin Ridley? (3:00) - WRs entering the wilderness: DK Metcalf & Chris Olave (15:00) - WRs leaving the wilderness: Brock Bowers & Davante Adams (26:00) - WRs still stuck in the wilderness: Garrett Wilson & Malik Nabers (42:00) - WRs at a fork in the road: Drake London, DJ Moore & more 🖥️
