Latest news with #edgeRusher
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee Titans signing veteran LB Jihad Ward
Just two days after the Tennessee Titans announced that veteran edge rusher Lorenzo Carter had decided to hang up his cleats, the team moved to add some edge depth to the roster by signing veteran outside linebacker Jihad Ward. NFL insider Jordan Schultz was the first to report the news. At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, Ward fits the mold of what the Titans are looking for in their edge players in their revamped unit and should come in and compete for a rotational spot. The nine-year veteran has been a steady contributor for multiple teams since joining the league as a second-round pick of the Las Vegas Raiders in 2016. Ward spent 2024 as a rotational edge for the Minnesota Vikings, playing in all 17 games, recording 10 tackles, 14 quarterback hits, and one sack for the defense while adding some special-teams value. The Titans will become Ward's seventh team since entering the NFL. Over his career, he has recorded 168 tackles, 19.0 sacks, 73 quarterback hits, eight passes defensed, and three forced fumbles with six different franchises. The big-bodied edge will join Dre'Mont Jones, Arden Key, Jaylen Harrell, Ali Gaye, and rookie Femi Oladejo in the Titans' new-look edge unit. To make room for Ward, the Titans released defensive tackle Keondre Coburn. Ward should be in Nashville and join the team when they take the field for their second training camp practice on July 24. This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans signing veteran LB Jihad Ward
Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers' T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig go viral in new training picture ahead of record deal
T.J. Watt is here to stay — and just hours before his record-setting deal made headlines, he was already making waves on social media with fellow Wisconsin Badger and Steelers OLB Nick Herbig. Pittsburgh's superstar edge rusher took to Instagram to post a workout photo alongside Herbig. Grinning ear to ear next to his protege, it was clear Watt already knew his historic extension was set in stone and would be reported later in the day. Watt, who just became the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL with his new three-year, $123 million extension, has continued to mentor Herbig under his wing since the Steelers drafted the young outside linebacker in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. The two Steelers will team with starting ROLB Alex Highsmith and rookie Jack Sawyer to form one of the most stacked edge-rushing units in the NFL — made possible for the foreseeable future now that Watt has put pen to paper with Pittsburgh. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' T.J. Watt, Nick Herbig go viral in new training picture
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Commanders Signing 10-Year Edge Rusher Pitched As Dan Quinn Move
Commanders Signing 10-Year Edge Rusher Pitched As Dan Quinn Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports. If there is one position group - one major issue - that the Washington Commanders must address before the start of the regular season, it's their need for a quality edge rusher. Advertisement Dante Fowler Jr. and Jonathan Allen's departures have left a gaping hole in Washington's defensive line, which has yet to be addressed through free agency, just as it wasn't via the 2025 NFL Draft. But there's a long way to go before the season kicks off, and there are still plenty of options for Washington to target. Bleacher Report writer Matt Holder thinks 10-year veteran edge rusher Za'Darius Smith would be an excellent fit for the Commanders. "The Commanders are striving to take advantage of Jayden Daniels' rookie contract by adding veterans to push for a Lombardi Trophy," Holder said. "However, Dante Fowler, who led the team in 10.5 sacks last year, returned to the Dallas Cowboys during free agency. Advertisement "So, the Commanders' defense could use a pass-rusher to help replace that production." Smith is a three-time Pro Bowler and even received All-Pro honors in 2020. He may not be the player he once was with the Green Bay Packers or Baltimore Ravens - he will be 33 in September - but he can still rush the passer at a high rate. That is something Washington is desperate for. Fowler, now with the Dallas Cowboys, was the lone player on Washington's defense to finish the season with over 10 sacks. They enjoyed career years from other players like Frankie Luvu, but we bet coach Dan Quinn knows they need to find a more dependable performer who they can rely on throughout an entire season. Advertisement Smith could be that player. Related: Giants' Malik Nabers Talks 'Smack' About Commanders Instant Rivalry Related: Commanders Urged to Sign Three-Time Pro Bowler to Add To Dan Quinn's Defense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' Defensive Weakness Offers Trade Answers on T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson
Eagles' Defensive Weakness Offers Trade Answers on T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson originally appeared on Athlon Sports. At the start of the offseason, it took just a couple of weeks for the Philadelphia Eagles to lose several key edge rushers from their Super Bowl roster. Advertisement Bryce Huff, Brandon Graham, and Josh Sweat have all left the organization for various reasons. Their departures have raised significant concerns for the team's top-ranked defense. But that doesn't mean Philadelphia's weakness will be at edge rusher this year. On paper - and amid trade speculation regarding big-name NFL contract holdouts T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh and Trey Hendrickson in Cincinnati - hey have plenty of stars to make up for some of their losses. Philadelphia at this time has a young and energetic group, including third-year edge rusher Nolan Smith, second-year phenom Jalyx Hunt, and their collection of free agent pickups like Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari. Advertisement In the case of Smith and Hunt, their development took a massive turn for the better during their playoff run last season. The Georgia product recorded four sacks during Philadelphia's run to the title. Hunt, meanwhile, recorded 1.5 sacks, including a half-sack in Super Bowl LIX. If both Hunt and Smith can find a way to build on their playoff success, the Eagles' biggest perceived question mark or "weakness'' may not be as weak as originally thought. Add in Uche and Ojulari, two veterans with a penchant for rushing the passer, and the Eagles' defensive line could be just as good as they were last season. It's customary with any team for a position group that lost three quality veterans in free agency to take a step back. Advertisement But Philadelphia has developed a reputation for, well ... development. A superstar addition (at a price tag of over $30 million APY) would be appealing. But ... The Super Bowl champs generally seem equipped to move past their offseason losses and now likely believe they have the next-gen players on the roster with the ability to push for a repeat. Related: Eagles First-Round Rookie Passes Major Off-Field Test Related: Eagles Pro Bowler Speaks Out on Impressive 'Draft Steal' Rookie This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Would the Commanders be an ideal fit for T.J. Watt if he and Steelers can't reach a deal?
One of the biggest needs over the offseason for the Washington Commanders was finding a true edge rusher. They brought in Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Wise Jr., and while they are both capable defenders, the Commanders lack a true game-changing edge rusher. You know, someone like T.J. Watt. Watt becomes a free agent in 2026, but he'd like an extension before that, so he has not participated in any offseason workouts to date for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Similar to the Commanders' situation with Terry McLaurin, both the Steelers and Watt want to see a deal done. In the event that doesn't happen, though, Fox Sports named the Commanders a potential landing spot for the veteran linebacker. Pittsburgh Steelers edge T.J. Watt: Washington CommandersAgain, I'm not buying that the Steelers would do this. Watt is an iconic piece of that franchise — and that word carries weight in Pittsburgh. Furthermore, even with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the Steelers' hopes of accomplishing anything this season will still rest on their defense. Advertisement Then, the author suggests trading away one of the Commanders' most loyal players: Scary Terry. Why not indulge one delusional fantasy with another? If Washington were to trade Terry McLaurin, they'd be opening some financial wiggle room to add another lucrative player. They could get at least two, if not three, years of play out of Watt before they have to worry about extending Jayden Daniels. They definitely need the pass rush help. Watt would give Dan Quinn a blue chip player, which he doesn't really have right now, on his Commanders' defense. Adding him to a pass rush that currently includes Frankie Luvu, Dorance Armstrong, Deatrich Wise and Clelin Ferrell would upgrade the Washington pass rush from "so-so" to outright dangerous. Sure, maybe it's a mixed message to hinder the offense by trading McLaurin only to add T.J. Watt. But, with all due respect to Scary Terry, I think it's a bit harder to find a DPOY-level edge rusher than an All-Pro caliber receiver in today's NFL. It doesn't just hinder the offense to trade McLaurin, it hinders Jayden Daniels' development, which is far more important than any pass rusher. Adding T.J. Watt will deplete the Commanders' remaining cap space and require additional financial adjustments to make it happen. But let's be real, letting McLaurin go is not an option the Commanders want to take. Besides, everyone knows Watt isn't leaving Pittsburgh, and McLaurin isn't leaving Washington. Most likely. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders named landing spot for T.J. Watt if Steelers moved him
