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USA Today
2 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles biggest reason for optimism shouldn't come as a surprise
Eagles biggest reason for optimism shouldn't come as a surprise PFF reveals the Eagles' biggest reason for optimism, and it shouldn't catch anyone off guard. For just the fifth time in their 93-year history, the Philadelphia Eagles will enter the regular season as the defending champions. Three titles preceded the 1966 NFL/AFL merger (1948, 1949, 1960). They've added two Vince Lombardi Trophies to the shelf after winning Super Bowl 52 and 59. These young Birds fans certainly haven't gotten spoiled, haven't they? Most don't know the anguish of enduring Leonard Tose. They don't remember Bryce Paup shredding Randall Cunningham's knee. Three consecutive NFC Championship Games are foreign, and so is a depressing Fog Bowl. Young Eagles fans never had to endure seeing Reggie White leave, and you know what? The older guard ought to be thankful that they didn't. It would be cruel to wish that type of pain on anyone. This is one of the best eras of football this organization has seen, and there's still reason for more optimism. Pro Football Focus would undoubtedly agree with that last point. They recently offered a refreshing take, 'One reason for optimism for every team ahead of the 2025 NFL season'. As we know, Philadelphia has several, but it's hard to argue with the answer that PFF provided. How about a round of applause for the Eagles' loaded roster? There's plenty of content to wade through following Eagles OTAs and their single-day minicamp. Thank Dalton Wasserman for providing a nice distraction as we take a break before training camp begins in July. Philadelphia tacked an extension on the end of Saquon Barkley's current deal. Most of their young roster is locked up for the foreseeable future. They have young stars on an excellent defense. All are great reasons why Wasserman lists a 'stacked roster's return as cause for Birds fans to rest easy and smile broadly. Here's his explanation. "Philadelphia ran roughshod through the NFL last season en route to its second Super Bowl victory. This year's edition of the Eagles is poised to defend their title, returning 20 of their 25 players who led the team in snaps last season. Their defense, which paced the NFL in PFF grade last season, took most of the damage but returns stars such as Jalen Carter, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell, and Cooper DeJean. The Eagles boast the best roster in the NFL heading into this season." This isn't the first time we've heard praise heaped on the Eagles' talent. The kudos are well deserved. Let's do some brief inventory. Their quarterback is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, and despite losing his first appearance in the big game, he has outplayed Patrick Mahomes on the big stage twice. Barkley is the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year. Philadelphia has the game's best one-two punch at wide receiver. They're also home to the game's best offensive line and a defense that is young and hungry, one led by one of the game's top defensive minds. Their owner is phenomenal. Howie Roseman is the best in the business. The fan support is otherworldly. One can certainly do a lot worse than being an Eagles fan. This season, Philadelphia tackles one of pro football's most demanding and challenging schedules, but they are armed well enough to handle the task of what will be a gauntlet. They return six Pro Bowlers (they should have had more). They return six All-Pros. Make no mistake. They'll be up to the challenge.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Patrick Mahomes' Mom Gets Emotional Over Family Update on Thursday
Patrick Mahomes is known as arguably the best quarterback in the NFL today, and he has put together an impressive resume at the young age of 29. Despite losing Super Bowl LIV by a wide margin to the Philadelphia Eagles a few months ago, he owns three Vince Lombardi Trophies, two regular season MVP awards and three Super Bowl MVP awards. He should have many elite years left in him, which means his final resume could be much greater than his current one. Advertisement His mother, Randi, had a post on her Instagram account about his half-sister Mia Bliss heading to high school this fall. Randi Mahomes, Instagram The younger Mahomes has been married to his wife, Brittany, since March 2022 after proposing to her in September 2020. The couple has had two daughters and one son together. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback's numbers have been down over the last two seasons, chiefly because of a changing of the guard at the wide receiver position. The team has had to adjust to trading away Tyreek Hill in 2022, and last year, rising star Rashee Rice suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. Advertisement But in a vacuum, Patrick Mahomes is still considered the best in the game by many experts, as well as one of the greatest players in NFL history. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes© Denny Medley-Imagn Images The Chiefs should be better next season with Rice expected back from his injury. In addition, speedster WR Xavier Worthy will have a full season under his belt. He caught 59 passes for 638 yards and scored nine total touchdowns as a rookie in 2024, and in that Super Bowl loss, he caught eight balls for 157 yards and two touchdowns. Related: Russell Wilson's Wife Ciara Makes Thrilling Announcement in New Post
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Games on Eagles schedule that will propel Jalen Hurts into MVP conversation
Games on Eagles schedule that will propel Jalen Hurts into MVP conversation After watching his MVP campaign fizzle in 2022 and 2023, Jalen Hurts can place the period at the end of the sentence with a dominant Eagles season in 2025. If there's a more disrespected quarterback in the National Football League than Jalen Hurts, it's becoming increasingly more difficult to identify him. Constructive criticism is okay. That comes with the territory for an NFL quarterback, especially one leading the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, the comments made about Super Bowl champions' starting quarterback and his ability more often than not venture away from 'constructive' and travel towards insulting statements. Skepticism is okay. Most can live with that, right? People are skeptical about Lamar Jackson's clutch gene and whether or not Aaron Rodgers is still elite. Jalen's story is something else entirely, though. He's been dismissed as a footnote in his own success. He's seen as someone who's 'just along for the ride' on an Eagles offense loaded with talent. Meanwhile, he's led the Birds to two Super Bowl appearances and won one of them, and arguments can be made that, had the Kansas City Chiefs' groundsman not greased the field before SB 57, Philly might be the owners of three Vince Lombardi Trophies. Jalen Hurts will return to the MVP conversation in 2025, and three key games will elevate his stock. Say what you will about Jalen Hurts. Say what you will about the NFL's 'elite tier'. It's unreasonable to try to talk the reigning Super Bowl MVP off the list. Legitimate MVP campaigns by Jalen were halted after Hurts suffered an injury and missed time in 2022, and once Philly's season spiraled out of control one year later. Remember, Hurts had the best odds to win league MVP that season after the Eagles outlasted Allen's Buffalo Bills in overtime to improve to 10-1 on the campaign. Expect a more balanced attack by the Eagles' offense after Saquon Barkley's historic 2,000-yard rushing season. History has taught us that those usually don't come in succession. Philly endures difficult stretches of football in 2025. Don't lose sleep. They'll be fine, thanks, partly, to an MVP-level season by Jalen. Here are three games that will catapult him into candidacy and elevate his stock in the race. Eagles at Kansas City Chiefs - Week 2 (September 14) It's an early test, but it's a test against one of the AFC's top teams in their house. Jalen Hurts... Patrick Mahomes... Philadelphia Eagles... Kansas City Chiefs... Andy Reid... Nick Sirianni... Vic Fangio... Steve Spagnuolo... Of course, this game will be factored into the MVP race. The winning QB, Jalen Hurts or Patrick Mahomes, will have an early lead over the other in an 18-week, 17-game race. Eagles at Green Bay Packers - Week 10 (November 10) This one will be venomous. It just feels like bad blood is brewing between these two franchises. This is one of those games Jalen will need to perform well in on the road, and he will. Doing so in primetime in front of a national audience vs. a good young Green Bay Packers team will further entrench him in the MVP discussion. Lambeau Field seemingly has that effect on people. Eagles at Buffalo Bills - Week 17 (December 28) The Nature Boy Ric Flair said it best. To be the man, you have to beat the man. Josh Allen is the reigning NFL MVP. Voters snubbed Saquon Barkley to give it to him, and it's time to set the record straight. Week 17's Eagles showdown vs. the Bills has all of the necessary ingredients for a classic, and if our math is correct, this one measures as a classic shootout that will come down to the wire. If Hurts outplays Allen, a very likely scenario, he's in the driver's seat for postseason recognition. A few sacks by Philly's defense won't hurt either. Final thoughts: Sure, Joe Burrow may have more arm talent. Yes, Josh Allen has already won an MVP trophy. Everyone knows Lamar Jackson has already won the honor twice. Jalen has a better resume than all of those guys. His career QB rating (93.5) slightly exceeds Josh Allen's (93.4). He's crafted a better record than Joe Burrow: 46-20 (Hurts) vs. 38-30-1 (Burrow). Here's an interesting nugget. Joe's lone tie came vs. Philly as a rookie. Lamar is polarizing. There's no doubt about it, but while Burrow can at least claim to have gotten to a Super Bowl, Allen and Jackson haven't even qualified for football's biggest game yet. Might we end the discussion about greatness there? Reputations are earned during the postseason. Why did everyone stop relying on that argument? Say it out loud. Jalen Hurts... 2025 NFL MVP... It has a nice ring to it.
New York Times
31-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Kansas City Chiefs NFL Draft 2025 guide: Picks, predictions and key needs
The Kansas City Chiefs have the 31st pick in the NFL Draft when Round 1 begins April 24 in Green Bay. The Chiefs own eight total picks in the seven-round draft. Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft. The Chiefs were just one victory from becoming the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Led by quarterback Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City has reached the Super Bowl five times in the past six years, winning three Vince Lombardi Trophies. Several prominent members — Mahomes, Reid, tight end Travis Kelce, pass rusher Chris Jones, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and kicker Harrison Butker — are future Hall of Famers. This year, the Chiefs have eight draft picks, including two in the third round. Advertisement Veach, who has been the general manager since July 2017, leads the draft efforts. Veach and his personnel staff have done a nice job finding several prospects who can play well under Reid and Spagnuolo. In past drafts, Veach has been aggressive in pulling off trades. He often targets prospects who are young, durable and offer plenty of upside. Pass rusher: One of the most underrated parts of the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX was how disappointing the pass rush was. Don't be surprised if Veach adds youth and talent around Jones and defensive ends George Karlaftis and Charles Omenihu. Entering the draft, the Chiefs have just five defensive tackles, none of whom are on a rookie contract. Adding another player who can learn and develop next to Jones would help. Offensive tackle: Depending on how the first round plays out, the Chiefs could consider a tackle. Even though they signed Jaylon Moore to a two-year deal in free agency to be their starting left tackle, they could find a developmental prospect for either side of the offensive line. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor is unlikely to remain on the roster in 2026. The team could save $20 million by releasing him next year with $7.4 million in dead money, according to Over the Cap. Running back: The Chiefs need a young, dynamic running back to pair with starter Isiah Pacheco to generate more production from their rushing attack. Mahomes accounted for 72.5 percent of the offense's yards last season, the most of any NFL quarterback. Another reason the Chiefs should consider selecting a running back, perhaps as early as Day 2 of the draft, is that they don't have a capable player at the position under contract for the 2026 season. Advertisement Chiefs NFL Draft big board: 26 intriguing prospects to watch after free-agency moves All-32: Each NFL team's biggest remaining need after 2025 free agency Chiefs NFL Draft big board: 20 players to watch in first 3 rounds for positions of need 2025 NFL Draft consensus Big Board: Abdul Carter holds at No. 1; Armand Membou rises 2025 NFL Draft Big Board: Who are the top 100 prospects in this year's class? March 24: Chiefs 7-round NFL mock draft Nate Taylor envisions a trade for the Chiefs to grab Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen at No. 26 March 24: Ben Standig mock draft Chiefs add to their offensive line with Ohio State OT Josh Simmons March 21: Beat writer mock draft 2.0 Chiefs address edge with Ohio State standout JT Tuimoloau March 10: Nick Baumgardner rounds 1-3 mock draft Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka leads three offensive picks for Kansas City March 5: Dane Brugler mock draft Does Oregon OT Josh Conerly Jr. make sense after the Jaylon Moore signing? (Photo of Josh Simmons: Jay LaPrete / Associated Press)
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raiders, Cowboys and Dolphins go another season long removed from their championship days
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — The sayings 'commitment to excellence' and 'just win, baby' encapsulated what the Raiders represented as they bulldozed their way to three Super Bowl titles with a take-no-prisoners style that endeared and villainized them. Dallas became the self-proclaimed 'America's Team' as the Cowboys built one of the NFL's most successful and influential teams that owns five Vince Lombardi Trophies and, similar to the Raiders, a swagger that has attracted them to a large segment of NFL fans while alienating others. And the Miami Dolphins — though without the national following of the other two teams — proved perfection could exist as the dominant team of the early 1970s that remained a top contender into the '80s. All three franchises are at least a generation removed from their glory days. The Raiders haven't played in the Super Bowl in 22 years, the Cowboys in 29 and the Dolphins in 40. Dallas' last Super Bowl appearance also was its last championship, but the Raiders are 41 years from their most recent title and it's at 51 years for the Dolphins. And none appear close to ending such droughts. This long stretch of not winning the big one was again extended this season with the Philadelphia Eagles claiming the Super Bowl with a 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Las Vegas and Dallas will enter next season with new coaches and Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel's future beyond next season is unclear after Miami took a noticeable step back in 2024. 'The goal is always to win and it has been to win playoff games and compete for Super Bowls and that will not change," Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said. "It was a very disappointing year. It was a hard year. A lot of lessons were learned, and unfortunately, I think sometimes you have to go through these to take your next step and very committed and excited for 2025 and the challenge.' The three teams can look to the Pittsburgh Steelers as hope of returning to such a prominent place. After winning four Super Bowls in the the '70s, the Steelers didn't return to the championship game for 16 years and didn't win it all for 26 years. That title began a six-year stretch in which the Steelers made the Super Bowl three times and won it twice. But it's been a struggle in the 14 seasons since to return to that prominence. The Steelers haven't won a playoff game since they made the AFC championship game in the 2016 season. This season ended with five consecutive losses that included a one-and-done playoff appearance. 'After losing five in a row, it's hard to say we're closer," Steelers President Art Rooney II said. 'I think the biggest piece of the puzzle, I keep saying this, we've got to address the quarterback position. And you look around and kind of see the teams that are at that next level, that's where they are, and they're there for that reason.' Las Vegas hasn't had a championship-type quarterback since Rich Gannon took the then-Oakland Raiders to the Super Bowl in the 2002 season. Dak Prescott was largely expected to be that caliber of QB for the Cowboys, but hasn't taken them to that level. No one has truly reminded fans in Miami of Dan Marino since he last suited up in 1999. So where do the three teams stand? Raiders The club is on its fourth full-time coach since moving to Las Vegas in 2020, having hired Pete Carroll last month. Owner Mark Davis turned over much of the coaching search to seven-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback and minority owner Tom Brady, so he hopes his presence in the organization will help it finally rediscover its championship roots. Las Vegas has nearly $100 million in salary-cap space for new general manager John Spytek, according to to make over a roster that has a number of holes, especially on the offensive side. The most notable need is quarterback, a spot the Raiders figure to address through free agency, the draft or both. 'We'll see what we build here,' Davis said. 'But it's still the Raiders. That's something everybody's got to remember.' Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones had one of the NFL's all-time dominant teams when Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin led the Cowboys to three championships in four seasons in the early to mid-1990s. Jones has been searching for that success since and he's shown patience at coach and QB. Jason Garrett got almost 10 years to try to break through and McCarthy was brought back for the final season of his contract after losing to the Green Bay Packers 48-32 in the wild-card playoffs a year ago. It was arguably the worst defeat in Jones' 35 years as owner. McCarthy will not be return next season, and whether Brian Schottenheimer is the answer at coach is far from sure. The Cowboys also have had just two starting quarterbacks — Tony Romo and Prescott — since the the middle of the 2006 season. Prescott will enter the first year of a four-year, $240 million contract, the first in the NFL to average $60 million per season. His $89.9 million salary-cap hit next season is prohibitive, meaning Dallas likely will need to restructure his contract. 'Every team who made a coaching decision was looking at how they solve for their quarterback,' Cowboys executive vice president of personnel Stephen Jones said. 'That's how you win in this league. I think we've got one of the best, if not the best, in terms of our quarterback, and he's the ultimate leader. We just have to continue to put the pieces around. We're not naive. I know our fans, they're not going to believe and there's going to be pressure until we get the job done, and certainly we didn't get the job done this year.' Dolphins Miami showed signs in 2023 that it could be making a return to contender status, going 11-6 behind McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. But some of the shine McDaniel's creative play calling came off this past season as the Dolphins went from first in yardage and second in scoring to 18th and 22nd, respectively. That drop in production forced McDaniel to answer whether someone else should handle play-calling. McDaniel didn't rule it out, but said he believed the team was better with him at the controls. Questions of whether Tagovailoa is the long-term solution at QB also have not gone away, particularly given his concussion history. 'This year, again we had high expectations," Grier said. "Injuries happen and I am not using that as an excuse. It is what it is. Every team deals with it. I would say our biggest one, no matter what happens, is obviously the quarterback. When he misses 6 1/2 games, when we miss it by a game getting into the playoffs, to me that's the difference there. "The goal is always to win and it has been to win playoff games and compete for Super Bowls and that will not change.' ___ AP Sports Writers Schuyler Dixon, Will Graves and Alanis Thames contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL:
