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USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Vikings training camp notebook, day 4: Metellus extended, McCarthy shines
Letting it riiiiiiiiiip 🎯🎯@jjmccarthy09📺: Back Together Weekend on @nflnetwork The Vikings roster has reported to Eden Prairie, and as a result, they have started their journey into the 2025 season. It starts at home in Minnesota, but they hope it ends on the road in Santa Clara, where they have a chance to raise the Lombardi Trophy for the first time. Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Kevin O'Connell have new extensions, as do their assistants and coordinators. J.J. McCarthy is finally healthy and ready to take over the controls of a franchise that trusted him enough to stick with him when so many other options presented themselves. All in all, the coaching staff remains essentially unchanged, while the roster sees some position groups infused with youth and talent to solidify them. The fourth day of training camp has wrapped, though, and it was action-packed. We saw a new extension for a fan favorite in Josh Metellus, and fans got to see firsthand how well J.J. McCarthy is developing. J.J. McCarthy has the fanbase behind him The fans got to have their eyes on the 2025 version of the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday, and as a result, they got to see their favorite team look impressive up close and personal. In the process, they got to do the Skol Chant with Hall of Famer Cris Carter, they saw the defense look impressive, but most importantly, they saw J.J. McCarthy. After months away from the spotlight, at least on the field, McCarthy returned with a vengeance. He unleashed velocity, quick decisions, tight window throws, you name it. What stole the show, though, was another deep ball touchdown to Jordan Addison downfield. It seems those two have a strong connection early in camp, with Justin Jefferson's absence that is likely to keep growing. Brian Flores is in his bag early in camp The questions around the defense have focused on the secondary and the usage of sophomore pass rusher, Dallas Turner. On Saturday, the Vikings extended their Swiss Army knife defender, Josh Metellus, and Dallas Turner was reported to be used on the field in a variety of ways as well. The biggest news, as it relates to Turner, is that he was on the field while Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel were also present. Opposing offenses struggled to get consistent blocking done while handling Van Ginkel and Greenard; throwing Dallas Turner into the mix makes things almost impossible. Expect to see more consistent usage of the former Crimson Tide defender as camp progresses. T.J. Hockenson is looking healthy Last year, the Vikings' star tight end T.J. Hockenson was coming off a torn ACL at the hands of Lions safety Kerby Joseph. Coming back from a knee injury in the middle of the season is never easy, and we saw Hockenson struggle to find the momentum and success he was accustomed to. Fast forward to Vikings training camp on Saturday, reports indicate that Hockenson is back to his old self. On Saturday, he was hit down the field by J.J. McCarthy, and it got a big pop out of fans. While no one wants to see Justin Jefferson miss time, it will help him build his connection with those around the offense.
USA Today
18-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Insider breaks down how T.J. Watt's record deal with Steelers came together
From The Insiders on @nflnetwork: From T.J. Watt's ✌🏼 pic to the 💪🏼 shot today, the #Steelers stayed calm and confident a contract extension would get done. And it did. Fans may have been growing nervous over the months-long T.J. Watt contract talks — but insider Mike Garafolo reported the same can't be said for the Steelers organization. On Thursday's episode of NFL Network's The Insiders, Garafolo discussed how training camp impacted Watt's new three-year, $123 million contract extension — and how the Steelers were confident throughout the negotiations that a deal would get done: "I remember talking to people in the [Steelers] building then, and I mentioned this on The Insiders, they said, 'Look, [Watt] probably just doesn't want to come to minicamp. Like, he'll be here for training camp because we feel really good about the offer we put out there right now. It is right there at the top of the market.' "At the time, Myles Garrett had been done at $40 million dollars per year, so they understood what they were going to have to do here. And nobody was panicking because the thought was, 'Once we get closer to training camp, that will be the pressure point that eventually gets this done.'" Garafolo's report that the Steelers weren't 'panicking' is supported by Mike Tomlin's previously unwavering stance on Watt remaining with the team — and there's little evidence to suggest Pittsburgh was ever nervous about a deal not getting done. Still, it's exciting, to say the least, that both sides can finally put this chapter behind them and focus on training camp — which kicks off next week on July 23, when the Steelers report to Latrobe. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shedeur Sanders makes his case to be the No. 1 pick. Do you buy it?
The competition to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft figures to be fierce, and quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are top candidates to go first overall. Amid rumblings that his stock could be falling, the Colorado QB made his case to go first overall for a team that wants an impact presence while speaking to reporters at the NFL scouting combine on Friday. "If you ain't trying to change the franchise or the culture, don't get me," Sanders said with a smile, via "You should know history repeats itself over and over and over... It should be no question why NFL franchises should pick me." "If you ain't trying to change the franchise or the culture, don't get me."@ShedeurSanders is confident he's going to be a game changer. 💯📺: 2025 #NFLCombine continues at 3pm ET on @nflnetwork📱: Stream on #NFLPlus — NFL (@NFL) February 28, 2025 Each of the three teams picking at the top of the draft — the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and New York Giants — undoubtedly needs a player who can change the culture, and would likely prefer he be a quarterback. That comes with expectations, which Sanders dealt with plenty at Colorado. He showed he could shoulder the hype with Colorado drawing national attention because of head coach Deion Sanders. He may have been under even more pressure to show that he wasn't didn't just play the team's most important position because his father was the coach. Last season, Sanders completed 74% of his passes, best in the nation, while throwing for 4.134 yards, 37 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Every Shedeur Sanders passing touchdown in the 2024 season — Pitless (@pitlessball) January 3, 2025 By comparison, Ward completed 67.2% of his passes for 4,313 yards, 39 TDs and seven INTs for Miami. Yet even though he played high-stakes games as the Hurricanes ran out to a 9-0 start, Ward arguably didn't face the same pressure to fulfill expectations that Sanders did because of the hype surrounding Colorado. However, Sanders' success wasn't just due to his physical gifts or the Buffaloes designing their offense to showcase his skills. The 23-year-old says he has the mental fortitude to lead a team and be the face of a franchise as well, comparing himself to one of football's all-time greats. "It's extremely important to keep your mental in the best place because that's where my game is played," he said. "What's Tom Brady's best trait? His mental. He's able to think. So, if you have those traits of greatness and I know where I'm headed, then why wouldn't a franchise pick me? You've got the ultimate cheat code." What many could perceive as cockiness could turn many fans and media off from Sanders. But will NFL executives and evaluators feel the same way? Quarterbacks need to be confident, they need to be leaders — especially playing for bad teams that could struggle initially. Someone who will willingly take that burden on, much as Sanders did with Colorado, is likely viewed as a crucial trait for a top pick. Yahoo Sports' latest mock draft has Sanders going No. 3 to the Giants, one selection after Ward to the Browns. But that could certainly change as both quarterbacks go through team interviews and tests, in addition to what they show at their respective pro days. It's one thing to talk a big game, but Sanders — just as his father did during his Hall of Fame career — also played to the standard set by his bravado. That could matter greatly to a team looking to turn its fortunes around and make a significant investment in its future on-field leader.
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Is Eagles center Cam Jurgens playing today? Injury update for NFC Championship Game
We're just hours from kicking off the NFC Championship game, and Eagles Pro Bowl center Cam Jurgens will test out his injured back, which will be a game-time decision. Tight end Dallas Goedert (ankle) and Jurgens (back) returned to practice on Friday. There is a real concern Eagles Center Cam Jurgens (Questionable: Back) will not play today. Update here…@NFLGameDay @nflnetwork — StaceyDales (@StaceyDales) January 26, 2025 Goedert declared that he was 'good to go.' He was a full participant and has no game status designation for Sunday. Jurgens, meanwhile, was a limited participant and is questionable for Sunday. Landon Dickerson took reps at center this week in case Jurgens cannot play. Quarterback Jalen Hurts (knee) was a full participant on Friday and has no game status designation. The Eagles ruled out two players on Injured Reserve, who have returned to practice – wide receiver Britain Covey (neck) and defensive tackle Byron Young (hamstring). Covey's absence means that Cooper DeJean will continue to handle punt returns.
