Latest news with #ex-Jet
New York Post
18 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell reveals Aaron Rodgers conversations as QB lands in Pittsburgh
During the NFL offseason, there were rumors swirling between Aaron Rodgers and the Vikings. Minnesota ultimately did not sign the ex-Jet quarterback, moving forward with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Now with Rodgers heading to the Steelers, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell gave a little peek behind the conversations with the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer in the offseason. 'Aaron and I have known each other since he lived in San Diego at the time when I was playing in the NFL. We work out together in the offseasons. Built a friendship, a rapport anytime we've kept in touch throughout seasons,' O'Connell said while on KFAN1003 on Friday. 3 Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell (left) commiserates with Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers after the match during the NFL London 2024 match between Jets and Vikings at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 6, 2024 in London. Getty Images 'So, there was an opportunity when him and I connected, just to kinda talk about, 'Hey, what would that look like…' We had a lot of great dialogue about it. But it always centered around what was best not only for the present Minnesota Vikings organization but the future. I was very honest about my feelings towards J.J. My obligation that I felt like we were going to give him the best possible situation to begin and thrive on this NFL journey and let's see where it goes. 'And we stayed in touch and had some communication, but I understand it's Aaron Rodgers. This is a Hall of Fame quarterback and a guy that you mention his name and it's probably going to be a popular thing, probably a good thing for anybody holding a microphone. I understand that. Out of respect for our friendship, that's about as much as really has kinda happened. I still talk to him, and the next time I talk to him it's going to be the same old same old. He's different than people probably think but I think that's all a part of it this day in age.' 3 Vikings' Kevin O'Connell reveals more about Aaron Rodgers conversations during the offseason. X @vikingzfanpage With Sam Darnold under center, the Vikings had a successful season in 2024, going 14-3, but they ended lost in the wild-card round to the Rams, 27-9. Darnold left for the Seahawks and a three-year, $100.5 million contract this offseason, leaving the Vikings to decide between chasing a free agent like Rodgers or going with McCarthy. The Vikings ultimately put faith in the former No. 10 overall pick in 2024, even though McCarthy missed last season due to a preseason knee injury. 3 Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) during the third quarter of their game against the Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con On Thursday, Rodgers agreed to a one-year deal with the Steelers pending a physical. Rodgers landed in Pittsburgh on Saturday, according to WTAE, to sign his contract in order to participate in Tuesday's mandatory minicamp.
New York Post
4 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Seahawks coach sounds off on ‘crazy' Sam Darnold QB controversy after $100 million star's rough practice
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald isn't opening the door to a Sam Darnold quarterback controversy. Speaking Tuesday on Seattle Sports 710-AM, the second-year coach quelled any speculation that the team's $100 million acquisition could lose the role of QB1 before the start of the season. 'No, you guys are crazy,' Macdonald replied when asked if anything except injury would loosen Darnold's grip on the job, per ESPN. 'I respect that you've got to ask it, but it's just a crazy question. It's just not going to happen. Sam's our starting quarterback. We love him. He's doing a tremendous job.' Advertisement 5 Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald in December 2024. Getty Images 5 Sam Darnold looks to pass at Seahawks OTAs on June 2, 2025. AP Darnold, 27, signed with the Seahawks on a three-year, $100.5 million pact in March following a career year with the Vikings. Advertisement Macdonald, 37, responded to Tuesday's question after Seattle took a spin on the Darnold roller-coaster at OTAs this week, when he tossed two interceptions in a brief span. The coach made it clear no one is hitting the panic button in early June with the season opener three months away. 5 Sam Darnold (r.) chats with Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (l.) on June 2, 2025. AP 'God forbid you're the worst payer of all time because you made one bad throw or one bad decision,' he said. 'That is not what we're trying to build. We want these guys to go prepare the right way and then when they go out on the practice field, go freaking let it rip and then we'll go fix it. … We've got time. It's June 3 … They're going to get plenty of reps. We'll get those things fixed.' Advertisement Darnold is starting anew in the Pacific Northwest after earning his first Pro Bowl nod in Minnesota, where he threw 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions en route to a postseason appearance. 5 Sam Darnold and the Seahawks agreed to a three-year, $100.5 million pact in free agency. AP The NFL journeyman — whose previous stops included the Jets, Panthers and Niners — came crashing back down to earth in the playoffs, with the Vikings being routed by the Rams in the wild-card round, 27-9. Darnold tossed a touchdown and an interception, and was sacked nine times. Advertisement The Vikings are moving forward with last year's first-round pick, quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed last season due to a knee injury. 5 Sam Darnold is coming off a career year with the Vikings. Bill Kostroun for New York Post Prior to Darnold's arrival, the Seahawks moved on from quarterback Geno Smith, trading the fellow ex-Jet to the Raiders in March after missing the playoffs following a 10-7 campaign. Even with the Seahawks all-in on Darnold, they do have a $37.5 million escape hatch in the event they want to get out of the union after a year. Seattle also has insurance in former backup quarterback Drew Lock, who rejoined the team in April after a stint with the Giants, and rookie Jalen Milroe, taken in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Darnold and the Seahawks host the Niners in their season opener on Sept. 7.
New York Post
23-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Mekhi Becton posts desperate tweet with mom's serious health issues
Former Eagles Super Bowl-winning guard and ex-Jet Mekhi Becton made a plea for his mother's life amid a health concern. The former Jets first-round pick posted Tuesday on X that his mother, Semone, is dealing with kidney problems and may need an implant. 4 Becton and his mother, Semone. Semone Becton/Instagram 'PSA: My Mom needs a kidney!!!! If anyone can help, please please please let me know!!!!,'' Becton pleaded in a post on X. It is not clear what the issue is with his mother's kidney or whether she was going through kidney failure, but he noted in a follow-up post that her blood type is B+. That blood type is carried by roughly eight percent of donors, according to and those with B+ blood type can receive blood from groups B and O, per the article. Some fans with O+ blood type have offered to sell a kidney to Becton, but he did not respond to any fans' replies, most of which were positive and offering up prayers. Becton was let go by the Jets prior to the 2024 season, but did have a supporter in Aaron Rodgers when he was the signal-caller during his chaotic time in New York. 4 Becton won a Super Bowl with the Eagles. AP Rodgers told Becton's mother that he 'hugs your son every day' during a particularly difficult stretch for the prized offensive lineman. Becton's mother also told The Post in an interview after he was drafted that she was his No. 1 cheerleader starting during his flag football days. 4 Becton hugs his mother during his time with the Jets. Semone Becton/Instagram Semone was 41 when he was selected with the 11th pick five years ago. 'Although it was only flag football, I remember him going out and being scared that he was going to get hit,' Semone said of her son, who started playing at age 4. 'But I've always been excited to see him play.' 4 Mekhi Becton won a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season. AP Becton then moved on from Gang Green and landed with the Eagles where he slid inside to guard and looked like a new player. After winning the Super Bowl with Philadelphia, he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers on a two-year, $20 million deal in free agency.
New York Post
21-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Steelers preparing for shock Shedeur Sanders scenario in 2025 NFL Draft
When the Steelers are on the clock Thursday with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, 'all options seem to be on the table' about taking a quarterback, particularly if said signal-caller is Shedeur Sanders. That's according to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, who detailed Monday how Pittsburgh's draft plans are evolving and why 'pressure' is building where their first-round pick is concerned, particularly as prime free-agency target Aaron Rodgers has yet to firm up his future. 'Sources said the Steelers had not been planning to draft a quarterback in Round 1, but they also were not expecting Sanders to fall out of top 10. Now, all options seem to be on the table, and they are preparing in case they have the option to draft Sanders,' Schefter wrote of the Colorado QB, whose NFL landing spot has become one of the biggest storylines entering this year's draft. 4 Shedeur Sanders is one of the most polarizing prospects of the 2025 NFL Draft. AP Further, the Steelers are among the group of teams after the Titans — essentially a lock to draft Miami QB Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick — 'that would like to address quarterback early,' according to Schefter. There's also the matter of Pittsburgh's remaining five picks after the first round and how this potentially impacts plans to move up or to trade down. Pittsburgh is without its second-rounder after shipping the pick to Seattle in March as part of its trade for wide receiver DK Metcalf. 4 The Steelers are among the teams 'that would like to address quarterback early,' after the Titans, according to Adam Schefter. AP 4 Pittsburgh has heavily pursued ex-Jet Aaron Rodgers this offseason and the QB has not yet firmed up his future. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post The move has left the franchise 'short-handed heading into the draft's early rounds' as their second-highest pick is now No. 83 overall in the third round. Because of the gap between their first- and third-round picks, it could make Pittsburgh's 'choice at No. 21 even more critical,' as the chance to take a QB may not arise again until Day 2, Schefter noted. The Browns, Giants and Saints are among the quarterback-needy teams who select high in this year's draft at Nos. 2, 3 and 9, respectively. 4 Shedeur Sanders (2) is the son of Colorado coach and NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders. AP As part of its draft preparations, the Steelers have been busy getting acquainted with Sanders, the 23-year-old son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, bringing him in for a visit earlier this month. The team continues to explore options at the position as Rodgers, 41, remains undecided on next steps while tending to challenges in his personal life. The 2024 NFL Draft begins Thursday in Green Bay. The Steelers will be on the clock with pick Nos. 21, 83, 124, 156, 185 and 229.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
New York Jets Flight Connections 03/21/25
Good morning Gang Green Nation! Tyler Conklin isn't an ex-Jet yet, but he visited the Los Angeles Chargers recently and he is not expected to be re-signed by the Jets. If Conklin leaves in free agency, the tight end group the Jets will be left with will be the worst group in the NFL. For a team that some expect to run a lot of two tight end sets, that is, shall we say, less than ideal. Fortunately for the Jets this year's tight end draft class looks pretty strong. Could the Jets take two? You never know, but given the Jets current group of tight ends, at least one seems pretty likely, and if the right guys are available at the right spots in the 2025 NFL draft, who knows? Maybe New York, New York becomes Tight End, Tight End. Here are your links to your New York Jets this glorious Friday in March: Caroline Hendershot - Josh Myers Calls Jets 'Perfect Fit' for Fifth Season in the NFL Randy Lange - 7 Things to Know About New Jets Quarterback Justin Fields Rich Cimini - New Jets regime takes moderate approach to free agency Darryl Slater - NFL Draft 2025: If Giants pass on Shedeur Sanders, might Jets pick him? Sam Robinson - Jets Made Last-Ditch Push For S Talanoa Hufanga Ely Allen - Chargers Hosting TE Tyler Conklin Nick Faria - New York Jets Analysis Details Why No. 1 NFL Draft Tight End Is Bad Fit Nick Faria - New York Jets Announce Start To Critical Top-30 Visits List for NFL Draft Adam Schultz - New York Jets' Justin Fields Makes Major Announcement With Bold 'Untapped' Claim Dharya Sharma - Jets predicted to select future Justin Fields replacement in 151-TD award-winning quarterback Nick Wojton - NFL Network Daniel Jeremiah sends Jets Armand Membou in 2025 draft mock Nick Wojton - Why Andre Cisco is happiest player to sign with Jets as free agent Nick Wojton - Contract details for New York Jets LB Jamien Sherwood Colin Keane - Jets Offensive Talent Set To Meet With Chargers; Is Deal On Horizon? Zach Pressnell - Jets' Justin Fields Signing Dubbed 'Smartest Move Of Offseason' Zach Pressnell - Jets Trade For No. 1 Overall Pick Makes No Sense: Here's Why Zach Pressnell - Jets Trade For $19 Million WR Would Make Sense With Draft Looming Patrick McAvoy - Why Ex-Bengals Playmaker Is Near-Perfect Jets Target Glenn Naughton - Scouting Jets Potential Pick at 7; WR Tetairoa McMillan Justin Fried - NY Jets' answer at RT may be sitting in free agency (and it's not who you think) Justin Fried - NY Jets' interest in drafting Jaxson Dart is gaining serious momentum Justin Fried - NY Jets news: Jets eyeing Oregon TE, Thomas Morstead competition, top-30 visits Here are your missed connections from yesterday. Enjoy the day everybody. More from Jets Lose Another One In Bryce Petty's First NFL Start Gailey Didn't Give Bryce A Chance Even With A QB Change, Jets Lose Final Score: Rams 9, Jets 6 Jets Spoke To Wilkerson Regarding Behaviour Before Long-Term Contract SNF: Seahawks vs Patriots Game Thread The Long Goodbye
