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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Analyst suggests Vikings add more help in the secondary ahead of training camp
Analyst suggests Vikings add more help in the secondary ahead of training camp The Minnesota Vikings appear to have a Super Bowl-ready roster. However, one of the weaker position groups on the roster appears to be in the secondary, which could spark a move before training camp begins in two months. Moe Moton of Bleacher Report went through the 32 teams and addressed one move he believed every team still needs to address this offseason. He, like many, believes the Vikings need to address the secondary. Moton says Los Angeles Rams safety John Johnson III could be the perfect addition to the unit. At safety, the Vikings have Harrison Smith and Josh Metellus in starting spots and not much behind them. Fourth-year veteran Theo Jackson and third-year pro Jay Ward have played 285 career defensive snaps combined. Johnson has experience at both safety positions, and he can also take on assignments in the slot. Last September, he suffered a hairline fracture in his scapula. Now healthy, the 29-year-old can fill multiple roles. There are a few issues with this move. The Vikings gave Jackson a contract extension this offseason that was reminiscent of the one they gave to Metellus before the 2023 season, when Metellus took on a larger role with the defense. Jackson may not have many snaps under his belt, but the coaching staff and front office believe he is ready to contribute. Therefore, the needs within the Vikings' secondary lie at cornerback, not safety, before the season begins. More importantly, Moton wants the Vikings to sign Johnson. However, according to Spotrac, Johnson is still on the Rams' roster despite his injury. The Vikings would have to trade for Johnson, and that seems unlikely for a 29-year-old coming off injury who would be sitting no higher than fourth on the depth chart. Look for the Vikings to make another significant move between now and training camp. But John Johnson probably won't be the target.
Axios
4 days ago
- Business
- Axios
How D.C. found $1.1 billion to redevelop RFK Stadium
To help redevelop RFK Stadium, D.C. freed up $395 million meant for the D.C. jail and found an additional $800 million in savings. Why it matters: The money moves show how Mayor Muriel Bowser wants to fund her legacy project to return football to D.C. The big picture: Bowser plans to spend about $1.1 billion on the RFK Stadium development, including $500 million for infrastructure at the site of a Super Bowl-ready Commanders stadium. Despite having a tough economic outlook, here's how the city is making it happen, according to Bowser's budget for next year. Follow the money: The mayor's budget director, Jenny Reed, told reporters on Tuesday that no school, library or recreation center project was delayed or cut in funding. Still, the city made some moves to free up funding: 1. Due to ballooning costs, Bowser is dropping plans for a $400 million new D.C. jail. Instead, her budget proposal would spend $5 million toward planning a replacement to the city's nearly 50-year-old jail, which advocates have said is crumbling. The city would work with a private investor to cover construction costs. 2. The District refinanced old debt, saving $800 million, officials said. "Suddenly, we are able to have more funding available," city administrator Kevin Donahue said at the Tuesday press conference. Part of Chief Financial Officer Glen Lee's job is "always looking for ways to get us better rates," said Bowser — including money that helped fund Capital One Arena's $515 million modernization, which was approved last year. 3. Paying off Nationals Park bonds early. That freed up a revenue source — the Nats Park ballpark revenue fund — to be used for the Commanders stadium infrastructure. The bottom line: The D.C. Council will have to give final approval to the budget and the RFK Stadium proposal.
USA Today
24-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Latest Aaron Rodgers leaks, rumors, speculation ahead of potential Steelers signing
Latest Aaron Rodgers leaks, rumors, speculation ahead of potential Steelers signing The Aaron Rodgers waiting game may finally have an end in sight, with Steelers OTAs and mandatory minicamp quickly approaching. From merchandise orders to insider speculation — and growing confidence within the Steelers organization — here's a timeline of every major report, rumor and leak, from oldest to newest. Adam Schefter reports Steelers are an option for Aaron Rodgers Days before free agency began, insider Adam Schefter reported that the Steelers were a legitimate option for Aaron Rodgers in 2025, per league sources. Rodgers reportedly ordered a Pittsburgh Pirates hat When the 2025 NFL free agency period kicked off on March 12, fashion designer John Geiger claimed on social media that Rodgers had asked for a Pittsburgh Pirates Misplaced Series hat. Rodgers to Vikings rumors heat up On March 15, insider Diana Russini argued that while Rodgers considered the Steelers and Giants as landing spots — the Vikings were his preferred destination in 2025. Russini stated that Rodgers viewed Minnesota as more Super Bowl-ready than Pittsburgh — but clearly the feeling wasn't mutual, as the Vikings made it clear that second-year QB J.J. McCarthy was their guy. Steelers hosted Rodgers for a visit At the end of March, Rodgers had reportedly snuck through the back door of the Steelers facility to meet with GM Omar Khan, HC Mike Tomlin, OC Arthur Smith, and others. Insider Gerry Dulac broke the news — and Rodgers later confirmed on The Pat McAfee Show that the meeting went well. Art Rooney II says all signs on Rodgers arrival are positive ESPN's Brook Pryor reported on April 1 that Steelers President Art Rooney was confident in Rodgers' imminent arrival in Pittsburgh. Rooney admitted that he didn't expect the signing to take so long — but stated the Steelers would wait "a little while longer." Big Night AHT signing rumors One of the biggest Steelers rumors this offseason was Rodgers potentially announcing his Steel City decision at Pat McAfee's Big Night AHT — but he didn't attend the event. McAfee would acknowledge that Rodgers reached out and said it was because he didn't want to take away from the other entertaining individuals that night. The Pat McAfee Show appearance On the April 17 episode of The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers finally cleared the air regarding his 2025 future — addressing his departure from the Jets, Ben Roethlisberger's Vikings speculation, retirement, and a potential Steelers signing. Ultimately, the biggest takeaway was that it came down to retirement or Pittsburgh for the four-time MVP. Rooney says Aaron Rodgers wants to come to Pittsburgh Just before Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, Rooney made an appearance on Steelers Nation Radio and commented on Rodgers' future — that the four-time MVP wants to play for the Steelers. The Steelers would go on to pass on top-QB prospect Shedeur Sanders throughout Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft — further pushing the narrative that Rodgers' arrival was imminent. Rodgers joins Pittsburgh country club rumor surfaces On May 10, Andrew Fillipponi of 93.7 The Fan claimed that Rodgers had allegedly joined Nevillewood Country Club — one of the top-rated golf courses in the Pittsburgh area. Less than eight hours later, CBS Pittsburgh's Rich Walsh shot down the rumor — stating that he had been in contact with the country club and that, while they'd love to have Rodgers, the four-time MVP had not joined. Steelers fan reportedly spots Rodgers leaving Pittsburgh hotel On 93.7 The Fan, "Brett from Southside" called in and reported that Rodgers was spotted leaving a hotel in Pittsburgh's Strip District on Friday, May 23 — just days away from the beginning of Steelers OTAs on May 27. A small rumor spark that set up for a bigger bang from Rodgers himself. Rodgers' hint at Steelers signing at Mike Stud concert goes viral Video of Rodgers' Q&A at a Mike Stud concert was uploaded on Friday, May 23 — where the four-time MVP was asked if he'd ever consider playing for the Bears. He jokingly declined and hinted at potentially facing them on the road in 2025. With the Steelers scheduled to visit Chicago in Week 12 — and other landing spots essentially nonexistent — there's little doubt which team Rodgers was referencing.
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rams expanding markets, beginning with minicamp in Hawaii
Rams President Kevin Demoff says that the team's three-day visit to Hawaii in June is the start of the team expanding its global reach along the Pacific Rim. (Kyusung Gong / Associated Press) Rams coach Sean McVay typically rewards players for their dedicated voluntary offseason work by not holding a mandatory minicamp. This year, players are apt to welcome one. The Rams and the Hawaii Tourism Authority announced on Wednesday that the Rams will hold a minicamp and other events in Maui from June 16-18. Advertisement Rams President Kevin Demoff and Hawaii Gov. Josh Green made the announcement at the Rams' facility in Woodland Hills. The Rams will conduct football activity workouts at War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku, including one open to the public on June 18, and will also participate in girls' flag football and tackle football clinics as well as community events. Rams staff and some players will also work with Habitat for Humanity to assist in the rebuilding of four homes in Lahaina that were affected by the devastating wildfire in 2023. Green noted the Rams' contribution to aid relief efforts in Maui immediately after the fire. Read more: Why the Super Bowl-ready Rams may have won the 2025 NFL draft Advertisement 'The Rams stepped up and … brought incredible resources to help us heal,' Green said. Demoff said the Rams and the HTA began working on the one-year agreement last fall, before the Palisades and Eaton fires ravaged Southern California. 'At that time we didn't know how tied together we would be,' Demoff said, adding, 'but I think that strengthened the bond.' The Rams last visited Hawaii in 2019. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the Rams played while SoFi Stadium was being built, was under renovation so the Rams played the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu. They are returning six years later with a roster that includes star receiver Puka Nacua, who is of Hawaiian and Samoan descent. Advertisement The Rams view the trip as an opportunity to further expand their brand. The NFL awarded the Rams marketing rights to Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates. The Rams will be the home team for a 2026 regular-season game in Melbourne, Australia. The opponent for the game has not been announced. The trip to Maui makes sense from a marketing perspective, Demoff said. 'Hawaii fits right into that very well as we try to grow in the Pacific Rim,' Demoff said, 'and so it checks every box and it brings our players a little bit of fun too.' Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Sizing them up: NFL rookie quarterback evaluations
Quarterback Cam Ward went from a lightly recruited college prospect to the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft after stops at three colleges. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press) Although it felt at times there was only one quarterback in last weekend's NFL draft — the slip-sliding Shedeur Sanders who tumbled to the fifth round — there were actually 14 selected over the three days. That's tied for the most taken in a draft since 2016. Considering the impact of last year's class, which included Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, Drake Maye, Michael Penix and Bo Nix, each of those quarterbacks drafted this year has to be encouraged that the window of opportunity is more than cracked open. Advertisement To get a better understanding about some of these players, the Los Angeles Times spoke to quarterback analysts Rick Neuheisel and Greg Cosell, who spend countless hours studying the position and prospects. Neuheisel, a former UCLA quarterback, went on to become an offensive coordinator in the NFL and head coach at Colorado, Washington and his alma mater. Cosell, a senior producer for NFL Films and analyst for ESPN's "NFL Matchup," spends much of his time breaking down game footage and evaluating college football players. The nephew of legendary broadcaster Howard Cosell, he's widely respected in NFL circles for his knowledge of the game. As he does every year, Cosell shared with The Times his highly detailed breakdowns of the top quarterback prospects, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses as did Neuheisel. Advertisement Read more: Why the Super Bowl-ready Rams may have won the 2025 NFL draft A look at the five quarterbacks selected before Cleveland drafted Sanders in the fifth round: Cam Ward (Miami): No. 1 overall in Round 1 to Tennessee Titans Ward played at three schools in his college football odyssey, beginning as a zero-star prospect at Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas, before moving on to Washington State and Miami. Neuheisel believes Ward has some of the cool-under-pressure qualities of Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes. That's about as lofty as praise can get. 'There's no panic reflex,' Neuheisel said of Ward. 'Which is exactly what plagued Will Levis [last season's starter for the Titans] and why Levis can't be the guy. Makes rushed decisions when things are falling apart, and Ward is the antithesis of that. He's unusually calm, sometimes to a fault, but ends up making Mahomesian plays.' Advertisement That's not to say he's a carbon copy of the Chiefs star. 'He doesn't have the arm talent that Patrick does,' Neuheisel said. 'But he has the same Houdini qualities of getting out of trouble.' A sampling of Cosell observations: Strengths: Could deliver with pace and touch when needed. Could take something off throws with precise ball placement. … Showed a poised feel to work through progressions. Drop-backs he read front side then calmly came back side. Weaknesses: Strong tendency to drift on drop-backs without setting his feet and planting with a firm base. … Too many drop-backs he was too loose in the pocket, bouncing and drifting without planting and ready to throw. Advertisement Jaxson Dart (Mississippi): No. 25 in Round 1 to New York Giants Former Mississippi quarterback Jaxson Dart will be the next hope for the New York Giants. (Gary McCullough / Associated Press) The Giants, who had the third overall pick, traded back into the first round to select Dart. Early indications are they plan to bring him along slowly, as Buffalo did with Josh Allen. Giants coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen were with the Bills for that rookie season with Allen. Neuheisel drew a comparison between Dart and outstanding Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. "There's lots to like about Jaxson Dart,' he said. 'If you look at his yards per attempt, they're Burrow-esque. So that you've got to like.' Advertisement Eight Ole Miss players were drafted this year, a school record, and Neuheisel likes that Dart recruited most of them to transfer there. 'He's got that kind of personality as a consensus builder,' he said. 'That's a trait that you like in a quarterback.' Cosell's observations: Strengths: Showed a feel for avoiding and escaping pressure in the pocket. … Efficient versus blitz. Knew where his quick answers were and got the ball out of his hands to the right receiver. Weaknesses: No experience calling plays in a huddle [a big deal] and almost no experience taking snaps under center. … Arm strength above average. He does not possess a power arm that can drive the ball with higher-level velocity. Advertisement Tyler Shough (Louisville): No. 40 in Round 2 to New Orleans Saints Tyler Shough, who finished his college career at Louisville afer stops at Oregon and Texas Tech, will be a 26-year-old rookie in the NFL. (Benjamin Fanjoy / Associated Press) Shough enters the NFL with extensive mileage on his odometer. He will be 26 at the start of the season and played for three schools — Oregon, Texas Tech and Louisville — across seven years of college eligibility. 'You don't often talk about seven-year careers,' Neuheisel said. 'We had him on the radio and said, `When you left [high school in] Arizona for Oregon, did you foresee trips to Lubbock and Louisville and all the different things that happened along the way?' And he says, 'No, this was not part of the plan.'' 'But all that stuff helps build, you know, some resilience. And in terms of — 10 years ago — this was the prototype quarterback. The 6-foot-5 guy that can stand in there and is athletic.' Advertisement Neuheisel said pairing Shough and first-year Saints coach Kellen Moore 'makes all the sense in the world.' Cosell's observations: Strengths: Significant experience with the play-action passing game and working under center with his back to the defense. … Natural sense of timing and rhythm to his pocket play that got better as the season progressed. Weaknesses: Ball placement at times not as precise as it must be on a consistent basis. He's not a scattershot but he's not exact. … At times he could be hesitant to turn it loose when the windows got a little tighter. Left some throws on the field. Advertisement Jalen Milroe (Alabama): No. 92 in Round 3 to Seattle Seahawks Former Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe will be vying for a starting spot in Seattle with veteran Sam Darnold. (Vasha Hunt / Associated Press) Milroe heads to a franchise that just signed Sam Darnold to a big deal. But that doesn't mean the door is closed for the rookie. In 2012, the Seahawks saw third-rounder Russell Wilson ascend to the starting role despite the club signing veteran Matt Flynn to a lucrative contract. At Alabama, Milroe was a threat with his arm and legs, and Neuheisel believes that Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald can use him the way Baltimore uses quarterback Lamar Jackson. Macdonald came from the Ravens. 'He had a front-row seat watching what Lamar did to teams,' Neuheisel said. 'He saw what Lamar did to defenses and how he forced them into single-high coverages and had his way with them. Advertisement 'Now, Milroe might not be Lamar, but he's not far off in terms of his ability to run. And you would say that he's actually been in more big games than Lamar was in college.' Cosell's observations: Strengths: Willing to stand and deliver in the face of pressure, especially down the field. Mental and physical pocket toughness. … Compact delivery but the natural arm strength to generate power and velocity on intermediate drive throws. Weaknesses: Too often too much head and eye movement on drop and set in the pocket. Result of not getting a clear picture. … Ball placement at times remained erratic and inconsistent. Still missed few too many throws in clean pockets. Advertisement Dillon Gabriel (Oregon): No. 94 in Round 3 to Cleveland Browns Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel threw for an FBS record 155 touchdowns during a college career that began at Central Florida. (Lydia Ely / Associated Press) Gabriel spent his first three seasons at Central Florida, then transferred to Oklahoma before spending his final college season at Oregon. He finished with 155 career touchdowns, an FBS record. He was drafted 50 picks before the Browns took Sanders. 'He had some 100-yard rushing games as well as some big throwing games,' Neuheisel said. '"I think the guy's really good. Now, obviously, he's small — a 5-10 guy. [Gabriel is listed at 5-11.] But so was Russell Wilson. So we'll see. He's efficient.' Cosell's observations: Advertisement Strengths: Showed comfortable feel for working the pocket both sliding and climbing to find space, step up and deliver. … Great feel for both manipulating defenders with his eyes and/or quickly detecting coverage indicators. Weaknesses: Arm strength falls in average category. Does not possess the arm that can drive the ball with higher velocity. … Deep balls had tendency to lose energy on the back end. That's where arm-strength limitations showed up. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
