Latest news with #Week7
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bengals Will Wear Alternate Uniforms vs. Steelers in Week 7
The Cincinnati Bengals will wear their all-white alternate uniforms when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football in Week 7, the team announced on Wednesday. The Bengals have worn their White Bengal uniforms in every season since 2022. They are 4-1 in games where they've worn it. The Bengals beat the Steelers, 37-30, in 2022 at Acrisure Stadium when wearing the all-white unis. The Steelers' Week 7 contest against the Bengals will be their first meeting of the season. The rematch will take place in Week 11 at Acrisure Stadium. The Steelers' first AFC North game will be against the Cleveland Browns at Acrisure Stadium in Week 6. To say the least, getting the Bengals on the road in a short week after facing a division opponent will not be an easy task for the Black and Gold. The New England Patriots announced in July that they'll wear their 'Pat Patriot' throwback uniforms against the Steelers in Week 3 at Gillette Stadium. The Los Angeles Chargers will also wear their powder blue jerseys and gold pants when they face the Steelers in Week 10 at SoFi Stadium on Sunday Night Football. After the schedule release in May, team president Art Rooney II revealed that the Steelers will wear their throwback uniforms against the Green Bay Packers and Color Rush unis against the Miami Dolphins. 'We are going to have a new throwback uniform this year, and with a new helmet to go with it,' Rooney said in his statement released on the Steelers' official website. 'We're planning to wear our new throwbacks for the Packers game on Sunday night, Oct. 26. It'll be fun to wear our throwbacks against one of the older franchises in the league – that just seems to be appropriate. We'll be doing our Color Rush uniforms late in the year. I think we're going to do it for the Monday night game on Dec. 15 against the Miami Dolphins.' The Packers game and Dolphins games will be on Sunday Night and Monday Night Football, respectively. In 2019, the Steelers wore their color rush uniform against the Dolphins on a Monday Night matchup. This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Bengals Will Wear Alternate Uniforms vs. Steelers in Week 7 Related Headlines Steelers Sign Quarterback With Ties to Arthur Smith Super Bowl Champ Claims Steelers Will Make One More Addition Raiders Show Interest in Former Steelers First-Round Pick Top QB Prospect Opts Out of 2026 NFL Draft
USA Today
26-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Treylon Burks injury update: Titans WR fractures collarbone, per reports
Another member of the Tennessee Titans' offense has been injured before the start of preseason action. Wide receiver and former first-round pick Treylon Burks suffered a fractured collarbone during practice on Saturday, according to multiple reports. The news comes less than a week after the Titans announced quarterback Will Levis will miss the 2025 season with a shoulder injury. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport wrote on social media that Burks suffered the injury while making "a sick, diving catch on the sidelines." Burks was set to enter his fourth season with Tennessee in 2025. He missed the final 12 games of last year after tearing his ACL during practice before a Week 7 game with the Buffalo Bills. Now, Burks will miss more time with another injury suffered during a practice session. Titans WR depth chart Tennessee made some significant moves this offseason to invest in its wide receivers corps and build around quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward. The Titans have signed a total of six free agent receivers this offseason – including one, Matt Landers, earlier this week, as well as UDFA wideout and Ward's former Miami teammate Xavier Restrepo. They also selected two wide receivers in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft: Stanford product Elic Ayomanor and Florida's Chimere Dike. Here's the full list of the Titans' currently rostered wide receivers:
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
A timeline from Deshaun Watson's injury to training camp
Oct. 20, 2024. That's when the Browns officially began down the road to the quarterback competition that will recommence with the July 23 opening of training camp. There may have been some parts of the organization that unofficially started down the road before that date. However, when Deshaun Watson tore his right Achilles tendon with 1:22 remaining in the second quarter of a Week 7 home loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns knew there were going to have to be some changes to their quarterback room for the 2025 season. There may have been some hope held out in the moment that 2023 fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson could develop in a viable NFL starter. Instead, on March 10, he became a piece in the first move made to reconstruct the room when he was sent along with a 2025 fifth-round pick to the Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Kenny Pickett. Jameis Winston captivated Browns fans on a roller-coaster ride of highs — home wins over the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers — and lows — nine interceptions in his final four starts — but not enough to stick around for a second season in Cleveland. Instead, after being connected to trade rumors for the Atlanta Falcons' Kirk Cousins and bringing in free-agent Russell Wilson on March 13, the Browns ultimately brought back Joe Flacco on April 11 to be that veteran. The final pieces came through the draft. They took Oregon's Dillon Gabriel with pick No. 74 in the third round and traded up to pick No. 144 in the fifth round to take Colorado's Shedeur Sanders. That's the quick, short-hand trip down that road. What follows, though, is a journey through the winding road that led to this point in the words of prominent — and some minor — figures in the process. Nov. 6, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Deshaun Watson's future after initial Achilles injury 'Yeah, I'd say this, our focus again, organizationally, is on making sure that he gets healthy," Berry said at the bye week availability. "Just the reality of it is, with any season-ending injury, there is some uncertainty in terms of the recovery and so our focus is on making sure that he gets healthy and then we can move from there.' Jan. 5, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Either 'Deshaun Watson type' or 'Joe Flacco type' in 2025 QB room? "I don't think of it in those terms necessarily," Stefanski said the day after the Browns' season-ending loss to the Baltimore Ravens. "I think we need to, whatever we look at as an organization, and guys that are available and who we bring back at every position, cause I would love to bring everybody back. It's not possible. Unfortunately they have these roster rules that get in the way, but we'll see how it all shakes out." Jan. 6, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Deshaun Watson has 'setback in his Achilles recovery' "I wouldn't say that it has a significant impact," Berry said at his end-of-season media availability. "I think the reality of it is that room, it will look different next year. It may obviously impact what the room looks like as we enter the season or camp depending on the severity of the setback, but I wouldn't say that it had a significant impact." Jan. 23, Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees: QB's most important trait 'At the end of the day, the quarterback's job is to solve problems," Rees said at his introductory news conference. "You're going to be tasked 60, 70, 80 times a game to make a decision in a critical moment. And so I've always started with the ability to make quick decisions and make the right decisions. So if you said one thing over the other, I want a decision maker at that position.' Feb. 25, Atlanta Falcons GM Terry Fontenot: Keeping Kirk Cousins, even at a big salary "Yeah, we understand that it's not ideal to have a quarterback at that cap number," Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said at the NFL combine. "Now, when we gave him that contract, the expectation was for him to be the starter at this point. So, that is a good number for a starting quarterback. But now that he's the backup, when we say we're comfortable, we're talking about the total funds allocated to the quarterback position. That's already baked in. And so it was baked in for him as a starter at that point. But now as a backup again, he handled himself well at the end of the season. So, when you look at our team, we're comfortable at this point." Feb. 25, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Veteran QB's impact on draft "It could," Berry said at the NFL combine. "There is some interconnectedness. I'm not going to say that they're completely independent, but you also have heard me say that with the drafts are largely for the longer term decisions, so they could play off one another maybe slightly, but I wouldn't say that the impact would be significant in that regard." Feb. 26, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Coach's role in selecting the QB "We work collaboratively, like you said," Stefanski said at the NFL combine. "This is an organizational decision in all these things, so I'll work very closely with Andrew, with our entire staff in making these decisions." Feb. 28, Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders: What could he do for the Cleveland Browns? "Because I've done at two locations already, so it's simple," Sanders said at the NFL combine. "So that's why, when people say I'm not one of the top quarterbacks or the top quarterback, it's what are y'all going based off of? Because I did it year, year after year after year, and you see the progression. So, obviously, it's got to be some type of external hate that you have for the family, for the last name, for anything, because I know I proved myself on the field." March 13, Browns QB Kenny Pickett: Concerns about Russell Wilson potentially being brought in to compete? "No, not really," Pickett said on his introductory Zoom call. "I mean, all you want is an opportunity. It doesn't matter who else is in the room. All you can ask for is an opportunity. Then you got to go handle the rest." March 14, Browns DE Myles Garrett: Faith in Andrew Berry to find a QB "Well, I mean just leaning on AB and his expertise and knowing that he has a plan on what this team and this offense will look like going forward, and he's going to put the best offense possible out there," Garrett said at his post-extension availability. "He's going to get a QB that we all continue to have faith in and we're going to go out and do our thing on defense." March 14, Browns DE Myles Garrett: Recruiting Russell Wilson "I think it went well," Garrett said at his post-extension availability. "Him and I had a little bit conversation at the Pro Bowl, as well as here. I definitely think he'd be a valuable asset as a leader, as a mentor to those young guys. Veteran leadership can't be understated, and I think he definitely has some juice left at the position. He has plenty of arm left, he's very smart and he knows what he's capable of. So he'd be a valuable asset." March 30, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Timeline on adding another veteran QB "I wouldn't say that's necessarily the case," Berry said at NFL owners meetings. "I think that we're probably just a bit more narrow in our focus in terms of the type of veteran that we think would fit where we are from a roster perspective where we want that quarterback room to be. I think something could happen before the draft. I think, look, I wouldn't rule it out that it could happen after the draft. I think that's fair as well, but I wouldn't necessarily pin it down to any one timeframe." March 30, Browns GM Andrew Berry: 'Young vs. old' in QB room "It probably depends more on the player than the actual age," Berry said at the NFL owners meetings. "I'd say this, we'll probably skew young just to be quite frank. I think that that's probably more appropriate relative to our longer term goals." March 31, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Are two rookie QBs possible? "No, not opposed," Stefanski said at AFC coaches breakfast at NFL owners meetings. "Again, got to see how this shakes out, this draft shakes out, but I believe I've been on staffs where we've had two rookies." March 31, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam: Deshaun Watson trade was 'a big swing and a miss' "Well, I mean, let's address the elephant in the room," Haslam said at the NFL owners meetings. "We took a big swing and miss with Deshaun. We thought we had the quarterback, we didn't, and we gave up a lot of draft picks to get him. So we've got to dig ourselves out of that hole." March 31, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam: Future QB 'won't be forced' in draft "Yeah, well, you don't know who," Haslam said at the NFL owners meetings. "If you had the No. 1 pick, you could say, OK, we know what we're going to do. When you're No. 2, you don't control your own destiny. I think Andrew told you all last night he did not see us trading up. So it would be great if we could get the quarterback, but we're not going to force it. We're going to be patient, and we're going to try to accumulate as many really good football players as we can." April 1, Atlanta Falcons coach Raheem Morris: Deal would have to be 'good for the Falcons and Kirk Cousins' 'There's definitely a human side when you want to see him go out and be the best version of himself,' Falcons coach Raheem Morris said at the NFC coaches breakfast at the NFL owners meetings. 'This is not a thing where we're holding you back if the opportunity presents itself. If it's something that's good for both of us — it's good for the Falcons and Kirk Cousins — we certainly would like to see that happen.' April 17, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Joe Flacco signing doesn't impact approach to draft "No, I wouldn't say that that's the case at all," Berry said at his pre-draft availability. "We wouldn't consider signing Joe as having any real impact in terms of how we would view taking a quarterback in the draft. We firmly believe that it's not about picking a player who's ready to contribute now, it's about trying to find the player that you think is going to be the best if you have access to that player. And, look, I think you can think about Patrick Mahomes sat his whole first year. Josh Allen, it really took to year three for him to become Josh Allen. Lamar probably hit the ground running pretty quickly. Jalen Hurts, there were doubts about him until he probably hit year three. So quarterbacks mature and grow at their own pace, and our thought isn't in terms of immediacy but making the next long-term bet." April 23, Browns QB Joe Flacco: 'Exciting' to have a chance to compete for starting job "Yeah, I think it's exciting. I mean, that's all you can ask for in this league," Flacco said during an offseason availability. "I mean, I don't really have any expectations besides to go out there, be myself and kind of put my head down, work hard and kind of just do things the way I know how to. And the exciting part about it this time around is that I get to be a part of the team from the get-go and kind of make those relationships even better than they are. And I think there's a lot of fun in that." April 23, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: 'Whoever's in the room' in Browns' QB competition 'I'd say whoever is in the room is competing for the job," Stefanski said during an offseason availability. "So I guess that's one way to put it. But competition brings out the best in everybody, so we look forward to that.' April 24, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Extra 2026 1st-round pick may be 'tangentially related' to QB class 'I'd say it's maybe tangentially related," Berry said after the first round of the NFL draft. "But even with that, quite frankly, you know, unless we were going to take a quarterback there, it's a trade we probably would have done regardless.' April 25, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Cleveland Browns select Oregon QB Dillon Gabriel at pick No. 94 'Yeah, you know, like I said, we really felt strongly about Dillon throughout this process," Berry said after the third round of the NFL draft. "You know, I think he's a really strong, really, really good prospect. You know, that's not to say that we didn't meet with other quarterbacks that we thought were really talented players and good people. But, we felt strongly about Dillon. We think he's an excellent player and felt like he was the most appropriate player to pick for both.' April 25, Browns QB Dillon Gabriel: QB 'just starting out building a true relationship' with Browns 'Yeah, I think, you know, just starting out building a true relationship with them," Gabriel said on a draft-night conference call. "And I think naturally in this process, when you're around them for quite some time, you're able to talk through ball and, you know, get to know one another. And I truly felt like those relationships were built, and I'm so glad I'm a Brown. But, two, you know, I think just excited for what's to come. I know that when we talk ball and have had conversations, this is right where I need to be and it's perfect the way it played out. You know, it's kind of all that administration has done, and now I'm a Brown, so that's all that matters.' April 26, Browns GM Andrew Berry: Browns trade up to pick No. 144 to select Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders 'I just say the biggest thing for us, you know, we live by our board," Berry said after the fifth round of the NFL draft. "We felt like he was a good, solid prospect at the most important position. We felt like it got to a point where he was probably mispriced relative to the draft. Really, the acquisition cost was pretty light, and it's a guy that we think can outproduce his draft slot. So, I wouldn't say it's any more than that. You know, I think obviously Shedeur has kind of grown up in the spotlight, but our expectation is for him to come in here and work and compete. Nothing's been promised. Nothing will be given. So, I may hesitate to characterize it as a blockbuster. That's not necessarily how we thought of the transaction, but we are excited to work with him.' April 26, Browns QB Shedeur Sanders: Reasons for draft fall 'a non-factor' after being picked "I think what happened was I had a great interview and great process with the Browns and that's why they was able to pick me," Sanders said on a draft-day conference call. "So anything outside the organization is really a non-factor to me now because this is my focus and this is where my mind is is doing everything I can to make this team better. So everything outside of that, it doesn't really, the opinions don't really matter." May 9, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Browns coaches looking at 'total evaluation' of QBs "Yeah, I mean, I think for all coaches, as you can imagine, you put plans together to practice and get the guys ready for a season, but we don't have to put a depth chart out for such a long time," Stefanski said after the first day of rookie minicamp. "So it's not something that we're really focused on. How guys come off the field in terms of who gets the first shot at it, I mean, you may get the first rep of practice with the ones, but then the next period you may get the second group. So we vary it throughout. We're not as, we're focused more on the totality of this competition, if you will, at every position, not just the quarterbacks. I told the players last night and we tell them this, we're evaluating everything they do — out on the field, in the meeting room, in the weight room. We want to see how they work. So this is a total evaluation. It's not just about one rep at rookie minicamp or one rep in an OTA. It's really all about the body of work." May 10, Browns QB Dillon Gabriel: Rookie QBs 'can learn from one another' 'Yeah, I love it. I love it because of who it is," Gabriel said after second day of rookie minicamp of fellow rookie QB Sanders. "I think just for us both, you can learn from one another. But also it's not just us two in the room. At least for right now it is. But going into the year, Kenny, Joe, and even Deshaun, just a bunch of guys who played a bunch of ball that we can all learn from one another.' May 10, Browns QB Shedeur Sanders: Dillon Gabriel a 'real cool guy' "Cool. Normal," Sanders said after the second day of rookie minicamp. "Yeah, it's been normal. He's a real cool guy overall. You could tell, he always has a great mood, he's always in a good mood — I've only been around him two days though — but he always has a great mood. But overall I can tell he is a pretty good person." May 28, Browns QB Kenny Pickett: Nothing changes being in a 4-way QB competiton 'I think you just keep every competition the same," Pickett said after the Browns' first open OTA. "You're really just trying to improve daily or, you know, learning a new system, playing with new teammates. It's just a daily process of trying to improve. And, you know, all that stuff will just work itself out.' May 28, Browns QB Joe Flacco: What are QBs being mentors a 'talking point'? 'It's a talking point," Flacco said after the Browns' first open OTA. "You can kind of use it. It's a good question to bait somebody into answering, and no matter how they answer it, it kind of makes the guy that's answering it look bad. If I say I don't want to be a mentor, I look bad. If I say I do want to be a mentor, then I look like an idiot that doesn't care about being good and playing football. So it's one of those questions that no matter what I say, you guys can write what you want to write about it. And there's a lot of questions like that — that's why you end up having to try to avoid them. I tend to try to be honest, and I've said I'm not a mentor. I play football and in a quarterback room, there's a lot of times already, there's been already a ton of times where there's learning experiences and I have a lot of experience and I can talk on things and hopefully they listen. But it's not necessarily my job to make sure they listen to me. And, hey, hopefully you have a really good relationship with the guys that are in the room and you naturally want to do that. That was a long-winded answer, but that's ultimately why I think you guys ask it." June 2, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: Handling the 'external noise' in QB competition "Yeah, I think external noise is nothing new in pro sports, and whatever the noise may be, and that's kind of our job," Stefanski said at the Browns' charity golf outing. "That's the fun part for me, is I get to go into work and pull in and close the door and get to work and not focus very much on that. We understand that that exists. We understand that there's a great interest in our sport. That's what keeps us going is our fans' level of interest in our sport. So I completely get that part, but it doesn't factor into our day-to-day. We have a lot of work to do and don't really pay much attention to what's going on outside." June 4, Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees: Dillon Gabriel gets 1st-team 11-on-11 reps 'It's fluid for all those guys," Rees said after the Browns' second open OTA. "All of them have opportunities up there with the first group and, look, we're evaluating all the positions. So to say, 'Hey, this is a first group, second group, we're evaluating as we roll.' So it matters. I think there's a certain confidence level — hey, you look across, you see Jerry Jeudy there. That builds confidence. You look across, you have Po [center Ethan Pocic] calling the shots up front. That builds certain confidence. So, again, all of that is part of this process. All of that is part of the development for all these quarterbacks.' June 10, Browns QB Dillon Gabriel: Measuring success in offseason "You love to stay process driven," Gabriel said after the first day of minicamp. "I think for a lot of people, it's a results-based business, so let's not get that wrong, but you have to have a process behind it to be able to create consistent results. And I think whether it's a microwave mentality or that Amazon lifestyle of wanting it right away, sometimes it's just not the case. So being able to have a process, stick to it, continue to listen to your coaches and try to get better that way, that's what I want to do. I want to build a solid foundation so that you're banking on the process and then allowing that to have consistent results." June 10, Browns QB Shedeur Sanders: Goals between minicamp and season opener vs. Bengals 'My goal is to be the best teammate and to be as positive as I can be," Sanders said after the first day of minicamp. "So in every aspect, I view things as I got time. I got time to be able to grow and mature and be able to understand the ins and outs of the defenses and be able to get the good insight from the vets in the room. So I look at it as a plus. I got time to actually be able to really have a great understanding, and whenever it's time for me to play, then it's time for me to play. But I'm not looking too far in the future about all that. I'm looking about every day in practice. I had some misses out there today that we got to go in there and correct about reads, getting in and out drops a little bit faster from under center. So that's the main thing. I'm focused on the small things and over time the big things will happen." June 10, Browns DE Myles Garrett: Joe Flacco, who he had an 'idea' was coming back "He's a calm, cool presence in the QB room, which I think you always need when you have young guys in there," Garrett said after the first day of minicamp. "I mean, it doesn't hurt at anytime. Even if you have a veteran, there's someone to give you some sound, insightful advice to help you walk through things. That's always a great asset. So to have that in the QB room, which is the most important room in the building, that's great." June 11, Browns QB Kenny Pickett: Balancing camaraderie and competition in QB room "I don't think, like I said the first time we kind of talked about it, it's just such a natural thing that happens in all the quarterback rooms that I've been in," Pickett said after the second day of minicamp. "You just become, you're around each other for so many hours, you become friends. You are always joking about stuff. You become really good friends and you're working and competing at the same time. So it's been a natural progression in every room I've been in, and this one's doing the exact same thing." June 11, Browns QB Joe Flacco: 'Load management' in offseason carrying over "I don't know what the plan is exactly, but I trust Kevin and that he has a plan for all us and that's really all I can do," Flacco said after the second day of minicamp. "Listen, I'd love to go out there and take 120 reps a day and get in a groove and do all those things but, like I said, the coaches have a plan, Kevin has a plan, and my job is to just trust that, go out there and do the best they can." July 11, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski: When does judging QBs by what reps they get start? "We're so far away from that type of thought process," Stefanski said after the second day of minicamp. "Honestly, it's a, we're in our installation phase. It's the offseason, it's OTAs, so we're going to keep the focus there. Once you get into training camp, of course you're getting ready to play games and ultimately getting ready for playing the season. But right now that's not our focus.' Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@ Read more about the Browns at Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Browns 2025 QB question: Fom Deshaun Watson injury to 4-way camp fight
Yahoo
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Deshaun Watson, MIke Hall Jr. among those placed on PUP list
BEREA — Four Browns quarterbacks reported to Berea to begin their training camp competition to be the starter when the season opens in a month-and-a-half. A fifth reported to continue the recovery from an injury which is at least partially responsible for the four-way starting competition. Deshaun Watson was officially placed on the active/physically unable to perform list by the Browns July 22 in advance of the first full-squad workout of training camp. The move was an expected procedural move as the quarterback continues to recover from an Achilles injury. Watson wasn't the only roster move the Browns made as veterans reported, nor the only one expected. Second-year defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. was placed on active/PUP as he continues to rehab from surgery on the knee he injured in the 2024 season finale in Baltimore, while fourth-year wide receiver David Bell was placed on active/non-football injury as he continues to rehab from a dislocated hip suffered last September in Jacksonville. The Browns also announced they've waived wide receiver Jaelen Gill. Gill had a non-football injury designation. Players on the active/PUP or active/non-football injury or illnesss lists are eligible to come off at any point in training camp once they pass their physical. The expectation is that Watson and, likely, Hall will eventually be placed on the reserve/PUP list in order to prevent them from taking a spot on the 53-man roster, which would mean a minimum of four games missed. Watson initially tore the Achilles with 1:22 remaining in the second quarter of a Week 7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 20, which he had surgery for on Oct. 25. He re-tore it during the initial recovery, requiring a second surgery on Jan. 10. The veteran quarterbacks — Watson, Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett — all reported Tuesday to training camp. The Browns rookies, including quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders, have been in Berea since July 18. Watson's initial tear was expected to be a seven-to-eight-month recovery before being re-set by the second surgery, and the Browns have refused to get pinned down to a firm timetable for his return. Watson's been out of a walking boot for several months now and has around the team facility throughout his rehab, including some throwing work to wide receivers such as Jerry Jeudy. "Deshaun's, as you guys know, not practicing," Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said during minicamp on June 10, "but he's rehabbing, attacking his rehab and being a resource for young players, which I think is a great message about being a great teammate — being available to all your young players, young and old, being available to your teammates.' Watson's injury at least partially created the four-way quarterback competition that has been the story of the Browns offseason, and will be the story of the training camp. They traded for Pickett in March, signed Flacco in April and then drafted both Gabriel and Sanders. Those four quarterbacks are at the center of the on-field competition. However, Watson has been right in the middle of the off-the-field conversations that have gone on in the quarterbacks' meetings. 'He's been a guy I've connected with as well, and he's actually a guy I sit by in our (offensive) line meetings, even in our offensive unit meetings," Gabriel said of Watson at minicamp on June 10. "So just being able to be around him and nudge him and ask a question, whether it's for confirmation or his thought, but also when we're talking through concepts, I think it's super cool that we do have five guys in the room that kind of can speak to their own experience and even Deshaun this morning, talking through a concept and kind of how he sees it in the red area. And I even go back, it can change the play in a big way, just how you think of it. So appreciate him a bunch too. Just sharing all his knowledge.' Watson still has two years remaining on the fully-guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract he signed when the Browns acquired him on March 18, 2022, from the Houston Texans in exchange for three first-round picks (2022, 2023, 2024), a 2022 fourth round pick, a 2023 third-round pick and 2024 fourth- and fifth-round picks. He's a $35,971,514 cap hit this season, with another $131,163,378 in cap hits spread out between 2026 — which is when the the contract expires — and extra years created by a restructuring done late in 2024. The return on investment for the Browns has been a grand total of 19 combined starts over three seasons, with the seven starts in 2024 being the most for him in any season in Cleveland. He was suspended 11 games in 2022 for personal conduct policy violations in connection to allegations made by, at the time, 26 women through the judicial system of sexual misconduct or sexual assault during massages, while shoulder injuries cost him 11 games — including the final eight games — in 2023 before the Achilles tear cost him the final 10 games in 2024. Browns owner Jimmy Haslam acknowledged at the NFL owners meetings in March that the Watson trade was a failure, calling it a "big swing and a miss." He also said it was "an entire organization decision and it ends with (wife and Browns co-owner) Dee and I. So hold us accountable." Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@ Read more about the Browns at Follow him on X at @ceasterlingABJ This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Deshaun Watson among Browns players to open training camp on PUP list
USA Today
15-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Miami Dolphins 2025 game-by-game predictions following schedule release
Miami Dolphins 2025 game-by-game predictions following schedule release The Miami Dolphins, as well as the rest of the NFL, officially released their schedule Wednesday. Miami will play nine home games (although one will be their trip to Madrid, Spain) and eight road games. Five of those matchups will be on prime time. So how will the Dolphins do after their disappointing 8-9 finish last season? Let's gaze into the crystal ball for a glimpse at the Dolphins' 2025 season: Week 1: Dolphins 24, Colts 17 (1-0) The Colts came away the victors in a Week 7 game last season that saw the Dolphins without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins started Tyler Huntley and were forced to turn to Tim Boyle late in the game. The Colts won 16-10, in a sloppy game that saw just a reception each from Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Expect a completely different game in the 2025 opener as a fully healthy Dolphins' team, led by Tagovailoa, should be much more productive. Week 2: Dolphins 19, Patriots 16 (2-0) Miami swept these AFC East rivals in the last two seasons, and are 5-1 against the Patriots over the last three. But with new head coach Mike Vrabel and a solid offseason for New England, there are new problems for the Dolphins. Miami must contain second-year quarterback Drake Maye, and stop the run. If they can, they'd be off to a strong start with hard-fought home opener win under their belt to get to 2-0. Expect a one-score game, with some drama, and a Jason Sanders winner to walk off, 19-16. Week 3: Bills 31, Dolphins 20 (2-1) While Miami has had the Patriots' number, Buffalo has had their way with the Dolphins lately. The Dolphins have just one victory against their rivals from Upstate New York in the last 14 matchups against the Bills and they've lost six straight. Until the Dolphins can turn the tide, it's still Buffalo's division. On a short week, and after two tough wins to open the season, the Dolphins are brought back down to Earth. Josh Allen leads the Bills to another win, dropping Miami to 2-1. Week 4: Dolphins 27, Jets 13 (3-1) On the flip side, Miami has won four of its last five against the Jets and are 12-3 against them since 2017. After a long rest following a Thursday night loss, the Dolphins rebound during a Monday Night Football doubleheader. The Jets haven't won in South Florida since 2015, and you can expect the decade of Hard Rock dominance to continue against Gang Green, who could go home black and blue after losing under the lights. Look for Jaylen Waddle to continue to crush the Jets, who has a career 80.4 percent catch rate against New York. Waddle has 45 receptions on 56 targets for 531 receiving yards in seven games against the Jets. Dolphins get to 3-1 after three straight divisional matchups. Week 5: Dolphins 26, Panthers 16 (4-1) Carolina has a young, improving quarterback in Bryce Young, and a new weapon in rookie receiver Tetairoa McMillan. The duo won't be enough to beat the Dolphins, though, as Miami is simply still the more talented team. The Panthers were 5-12 last year, and Miami has enough to come away with a road win. Against one of the worst defenses of the 2024 season, Miami's attack should put the game out of reach early, but expect some fourth quarter garbage time numbers and points from Young and his new target. Week 6: Chargers 34, Dolphins 27 (4-2) The Dolphins welcome Justin Herbert to Hard Rock Stadium in a matchup of 2020 first-round quarterbacks. In what could be a stat-stuffing high-scoring affair, Miami comes up a tad short here. The Chargers have too many weapons for a Dolphins' secondary that, at the moment, will be rather thin following the eventual trade of Jalen Ramsey. Look for Ladd McConkey to make Miami miserable. Week 7: Dolphins 27, Browns 10 (5-2) The Dolphins went into a Week 17 matchup last season against the Browns and left with a win behind an admirable effort by backup quarterback Snoop Huntley. Cleveland is still trying to build a winner, and 2025 is not the year it comes to fruition. If Tagovailoa is healthy, he should be able to lift the Dolphins to a smooth sailing victory on a mild afternoon on the banks of Lake Erie. The Miami ground game will dominate the second half to close the contest. Week 8: Falcons 27, Dolphins 20 (5-3) In the second of back-to-back road games, Miami has an opportunity to take hold of the AFC East, but hit a wall in Atlanta. Second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. and running back Bijan Robinson prove too much for Miami to handle. Drake London at receiver and tight end Kyle Pitts could be a factor as well. Pitts faced Miami once so far in his career, and caught seven of his eight targets for 163 yards back in 2021. Week 9: Ravens 24, Dolphins 20 (5-4) Birds of another feather flock to Hard Rock on the eve of Halloween for a Thursday Night Football treat. Miami will look to bounce back, and hope to replicate the last time Baltimore faced the Dolphins in South Florida on a Thursday night. In 2021, Miami masterfully held quarterback Lamar Jackson in check en route to a 22-10 win. Miami must stop the mobile quarterback again, and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, who knows Jackson plenty from his Baltimore days, schemes a way to stop Jackson, or at the very least, contain him. They also must stop running back Derrick Henry, which could be a major test for rookie defensive tackle Kenneth Grant In a game that comes down to the wire, Miami puts up a solid effort, but Jackson, Henry and the Ravens are just a bit too much for the Dolphins. Week 10: Dolphins 31, Bills 30 (6-4) In the first game of round two of AFC East matchups, the Dolphins have a long week of rest following their loss to the Ravens and hope to avoid the .500 mark with a loss to the Bills. But the Dolphins even the season series against their heated rivals by figuring out how to slow 2024 MVP Josh Allen. In what could be a 'must-win' of sorts, the Dolphins rely on Jason Sanders to send them off the field winners in a 31-30 stunner. Week 11: Commanders 33, Dolphins 23 (6-5) After 10 straight weeks of action and a trip across the Atlantic, Miami has to face Jayden Daniels and the Commanders. A healthy Miami team could go toe-to-toe with Washington, but given the toll of the first half of the season, this game could get out of hand. The Commanders and Daniels deal the Dolphins a loss, as wide receiver Terry McLaurin is too much to handle. Week 13: Dolphins 35, Saints 10 (7-5) With the recent retirement news of quarterback Derek Carr, the Saints could be in trouble at the position. A room of unproven, young quarterbacks and a rookie will vie for a job. Regardless who comes out on top, the Dolphins dominate at Hard Rock after healing up on their bye week. The Dolphins should have no issues here at home and take care of the visitors in a rout. Week 14: Dolphins 19, Jets 13 (8-5) This game will be a true test of the new identity the Dolphins are trying to manifest. This matchup will be trench warfare on both sides of the ball. If the road game in the Northeast in December doesn't hinder the Dolphins, it could spell out success the rest of the season. Miami sweeps New York in a slugfest. Week 15: Dolphins 23, Steelers 16 (9-5) This will be just the second two-game road stint Miami has all season, but it's not an easy trip. Pittsburgh has won the last three times they faced the Dolphins on Monday night. It was way back in 1995 when Miami last beat the Steelers on a Monday, and in 2025, the streak snaps. The quarterback position in Pittsburgh is up in the air at this juncture, and Miami could have another opportunity to show their newfound toughness, winning on the road in the cold. Week 16: Bengals 31, Dolphins 27 (9-6) In their prime-time finale, Miami hosts Joe Burrow and the Bengals in another 2020 quarterback draft class duel (health permitting). Tagovailoa and his targets need to keep pace with Burrow, and arguably the NFL's top tandem of receivers, Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The Dolphins and Tagovailoa keep pace with the Bengals, but fall a bit short, as the offensive firepower is just a bit too much for Miami. Week 17: Dolphins 29, Buccaneers 22 (10-6) In a social media post earlier in April, Tyreek Hill called Baker Mayfield a top five quarterback. Not on Hill's list was his own, Tagovailoa. This could be late season bulletin board material for Miami and their leader at quarterback. In a game Miami must secure to have a chance at the postseason, Hill helps the Dolphins get a crucial win that sets up potential win-and-in game Week 18 on the road in New England. Week 18: Dolphins 17, Patriots 14 (11-6) With a season sweep and spot in the playoffs on the line, Miami has one more chance to solidify their newborn identity of toughness in a January matchup that could be blizzardy. The soft stigma could be smashed here, as Miami looks to its trenches to punch a ticket to the NFL playoffs. Once again, the Dolphins beat the Patriots off the foot of Jason Sanders.
