Category Archives: football

New Patriots WR Romeo Doubs explains why he chose New England in free agency

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“It was a great opportunity I felt like I couldn’t pass on.”

FOXBOROUGH — Romeo Doubs was coveted by several teams at the start of NFL free agency this week. And for good reason. The 25-year-old wideout is not only just entering his prime, but he was Green Bay’s most productive pass-catcher in 2025, reeling in 55 catches for 724 yards and six touchdowns.

Even though Doubs reportedly weighed an offer from the Washington Commanders this week, he ultimately chose to cross the t’s and dot the i’s on a four-year deal with the Patriots worth up to $80 million. Speaking to reporters at Gillette Stadium on Thursday, the soft-spoken wideout acknowledged that the chance to team up with quarterback Drake Maye stood as one of the top draws for signing in New England.

“I spoke with Drake. He’s an amazing person to be around,” Doubs said. “I love his personality, and I just love who he is as a person.”

Beyond the potential of being one of the top targets for an established MVP candidate like Maye, Doubs praised the Patriots organization “from the top down,” noting that Mike Vrabel and his staff have built a winning culture that has earned high praise across league circles.

“It was a great opportunity I felt like I couldn’t pass on,” Doubs said. “I know I’m going to be around a great group of guys. Going to be around a great young quarterback in Drake, great coaching staff in Vrabel and Josh [McDaniels].”

It remains to be seen if Doubs generates the same stats that Stefon Diggs produced in 2025 (85 catches, 1,013 yards, four touchdowns). But the former Packers wideout should be a reliable option for Maye on short and intermediate routes while also bolstering New England’s red-zone woes, having scored 18 touchdowns over the last three seasons.

“I think he can play outside, inside, he blocks, he can play Z, he can play X,” Patriots executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf said of Doubs’ skillset. “He’s good on the short routes, he’s good on the deep routes, he’s good with the ball in his hands.

“He has a lot of route variance that we liked strong for the ball. There’s some things that he can improve upon that we’ll try to help him with. But overall, just the competitor, the person.”

Doubs has the entire spring and summer to build a rapport with Maye and learn McDaniels’ playbook. But Wolf was quick to note that the young receiver is already getting a head start on that preparation.

“I don’t know if you guys saw him up here, like, he was already in the playbook,” Wolf acknowledged. “He was on his iPad, learning the formations while I was trying to get him to sign his contract this morning. So, it was pretty cool.”

Doubs could be in line for a large role in New England as the top wideout currently on the depth chart. But the talented receiver also isn’t placing an added emphasis on directly replacing Diggs and the expectations that might come with his new team.

“I’ll be really honest with you, I would love to stay true to just understanding where I am and coming into a new system under our offensive coordinator,” Doubs said. “And yeah, I wouldn’t really specify that I’m gonna go in with this amount of targets or that amount of targets, because I’ve come from a place where that didn’t really mean much. I give credit, obviously, to New England welcoming me with open arms and Green Bay just based off the history and the situation that we were in while I was there.”
https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2026/03/12/new-england-patriots-romeo-doubs-wide-receiver-green-bay-packers-free-agency/

5 possible trade targets for Patriots outside of Maxx Crosby, A.J. Brown

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Several players at positions of need for the Patriots are rumored to be trade candidates in the coming weeks. Raiders edge rusher Maxx Crosby is the top prize on the NFL trade market this offseason, and Eagles wide receiver A. J. Brown has been linked to the Patriots for quite some time. But they aren’t the only notable players who might get traded this offseason. Several other players at positions of need for the Patriots are rumored to be trade candidates in the coming weeks. There seems to be a handful of wide receivers, in particular, who could hit the trade market due to a variety of reasons. Of course, the Patriots could add in free agency as they have roughly $40 million in cap space, or they could swing a deal for one of the top two trade candidates this offseason. But if the Patriots opt to address some of their key needs on the trade market, here are five other players that would make sense for them to consider. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Colts Pittman might be the odd man out in Indianapolis between his massive salary cap number ($29 million) and the team’s potential pursuit to keep wide receiver Alec Pierce. However, Pittman is still a quality player. The 28-year-old wide receiver logged 80 receptions for 784 yards and seven touchdowns this past season. While Pittman’s receiving yards were the fewest since his rookie season in 2020, he logged at least 800 receiving yards in each of the previous four seasons with some pretty bad-to-mediocre quarterback play. He’s had a pair of 1, 000-yard seasons as well, logging 109 catches for 1, 152 yards in 2023. Pittman has played on the outside for most of his career, but he’s also played a fair number of snaps in the slot, too. Roughly one-third of his snaps came in the slot last season, and he’s graded out as an OK run blocker in his career. So, he could be a reasonable candidate to replace Stefon Diggs if the Patriots move on from the veteran this offseason. If the Patriots were to make a deal for Pittman, they might have to extend him or rework his contract. Any team that trades for him this offseason would be on the hook for a $24 million cap hit in 2026, which is still a pretty big number. DJ Moore, WR, Bears Similar to Pittman, Moore is being rumored as a possible trade candidate because the Bears have to rearrange some of their assets. Moore, who’ll turn 29 in April, had a productive year in 2025, even if it was statistically the worst year of his eight-year career. He logged 50 receptions for 682 yards and six touchdowns as the Bears’ offense took a much more balanced approach on offense. Before last season, Moore recorded at least 90 receptions and over 900 receiving yards in each of the previous two seasons. Also like Pittman, Moore has largely played on the outside in his career, but has played a fair number of snaps in the slot and been a decent run blocker. Still, he’s been best utilized as a deep threat over the years, logging 16 touchdown grabs on deep throws (20-plus air yards) over the last four seasons. And just like Pittman, trading for Moore would also likely require some contract adjustment. Whoever trades for Moore this offseason would take on a $24. 5 million cap hit, which might be a bit too rich for any team. Walker Little, OL, Jaguars It’s obvious that the Patriots could improve their offensive line this offseason. Unfortunately for them, there aren’t many standout veteran offensive linemen who become available for trade or in free agency. Little would be an intriguing addition, though. The 26-year-old has mostly played at left tackle in his career, but he struggled this past season as he allowed nine sacks and 45 pressures in 14 games this past season, per Pro Football Focus. However, Little battled a hamstring injury as he had the worst season of his five-year career. While Little has largely played left tackle, he also has experience at guard and right tackle. He hasn’t allowed a sack in the five games he’s played at guard in his career, showing he can at least handle playing on the interior of the offensive line. So, if Will Campbell is the Patriots’ left tackle moving forward, Little could slot in at left guard. Whoever trades for Little this season would be on the hook for $12 million. That isn’t an outrageous number, and he’s under contract through the end of the 2027 season. Uchenna Nwosu, EDGE, Seahawks It’s rare to see a productive player on the defending Super Bowl champion appear on a list like this. But the Seahawks have a handful of key players set to hit free agency this offseason, and Nwosu would seem to be a logical trade candidate considering his age (29) and cap hit ($20. 7 million). So, Nwosu would be a strong target for the Patriots if they were to lose K’Lavon Chaisson in free agency this offseason. Nwosu had seven sacks this past season, logging 46 pressures, per PFF. While he didn’t have a sack in the postseason, Nwosu had nine pressures in the postseason, including four in the Seahawks’ Super Bowl LX win over the Patriots. He also had the pick-six that essentially sealed Seattle’s win. Nwosu dealt with multiple injuries in the 2023 and 2024 seasons that forced him to play just 12 games over those two years. However, he’s clearly been productive when healthy as he had 9. 5 sacks in 17 games for the Seahawks in 2022. Any team that trades for Nwosu this offseason would take on a $11. 5 million cap hit. That’s certainly a reasonable number for a player of his caliber, but he’s also entering the final year of his current deal. That means he’ll probably want a new contract this offseason, regardless of whether he gets traded. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jaguars Thomas is arguably the top player on this list. He certainly has the highest upside as he’s only 23 and already has a 1, 000-yard season to his name. But there’s also a reason why Thomas is on this list. He had an underwhelming Year 2, logging 48 catches for 707 yards and just two touchdowns. Some questioned if he’s a fit in head coach Liam Coen’s offense, as the team still had a strong year. Others wondered if Thomas didn’t try as hard as he should’ve this past year, with multiple plays showing the wide receiver appearing to give a less than stellar effort on some routes. There’s still clearly some talent in Thomas, though. He had 1, 282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie, proving to be a big-play threat on the outside. He’d certainly add an element to the Patriots’ offense that they currently lack with his ability to make big plays consistently. Considering Thomas is just two years removed from being a first-round pick, it wouldn’t be a shock if the Jaguars asked for similar value back in a trade. ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently floated the idea of the Bills trading wide receiver Keon Coleman and their 2026 first-round pick for Thomas and a fifth-round pick. So, that might be what the Patriots have to give up in order to hand Drake Maye a star wide receiver.
https://www.boston.com/sports/new-england-patriots/2026/02/21/patriots-nfl-trade-rumors-candidates-targets/

Commanders hire D.J. Williams as quarterbacks coach

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The Washington Commanders are hiring D. J. Williams as their new quarterbacks coach, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Media.

Williams is the son of franchise legend Doug Williams, who was the Super Bowl XXII MVP during Washington’s 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos. Doug Williams continues to serve the team as a senior advisor to the General Manager.

D. J. Williams most recently worked as the quarterbacks coach for the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons parted ways with head coach Raheem Morris following the season. Earlier in his career, Williams played quarterback under his father at Grambling State University and began his NFL coaching journey as an assistant with the New Orleans Saints in 2019.

In 2024, Williams joined the Falcons as an assistant quarterbacks coach and was promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2025.

The Commanders were in need of a new quarterbacks coach after promoting David Blough to offensive coordinator. Blough took over the role after the team fired Kliff Kingsbury at the end of the season.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/commanders-hire-d-j-williams-as-quarterbacks-coach

Studs and Duds: The next-man-up 49ers beat the Eagles with depth early, stars late

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49ers Grit Their Way Past Eagles, 23-19, Advancing to Second Round

Postseason football is defined by grit and narrow margins, and the San Francisco 49ers looked right at home in that environment. They defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 23-19 in a raucous Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday. Entering the contest as the No. 6 seed in the NFC, Kyle Shanahan’s squad defied the odds, the hostile environment, and, most critically, the tough-to-stomach Achilles tendon injury to George Kittle to move on to a second-round rematch with the Seattle Seahawks.

Here are the studs and duds from a game that won’t be forgotten anytime soon:

STUDS 💪

Demarcus Robinson, WR
Because it’s the San Francisco 49ers and nothing about them makes a lick of sense, Robinson—one of the worst man-to-man receivers in the NFL this season per routes per yard run—sparked the 49ers’ first touchdown. He scored it by beating arguably the best cornerback in the NFC, Quinyon Mitchell, man-to-man for 63 yards on the second play of the game. Of course, the touchdown he followed was also against man-to-man defense. Robinson didn’t stop there; he was the Niners’ No. 1 target on the day, catching six passes for 111 yards.

Brock Purdy, QB
Purdy delivered some sweet layered passes in this game and gave the Niners a fighting chance in a contest where they couldn’t effectively run the ball until late. Yes, Purdy threw two interceptions, but he was far and away the better quarterback on the field and the main reason the Niners won. He finished with 262 yards passing, two touchdowns, and 24 key rushing yards.

Jauan Jennings, WR
After Kittle’s injury, Jennings stepped in as the de facto tight end in the run game. He caught a 45-yard pass and also threw a beautiful 29-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey to give San Francisco a 17-16 lead in the fourth quarter. He’s a hell of a football player.

Christian McCaffrey, RB
It took a while, but McCaffrey saved his best for last, showing serious burst on late runs, making an all-world catch on the touchdown pass (while battling the wind) from Jennings, and then catching the game-winning touchdown with five minutes remaining.

Upton Stout, NB
The Niners’ best defender over the last month-plus continued his strong play on Sunday to the point where the Eagles stopped testing him altogether.

Marquese Sigle, FS
The biggest mystery of the 2025 San Francisco 49ers has been why Sigle wasn’t on the field in the second half of the year. When forced into action Sunday due to Ji’Ayir Brown’s injury, Sigle was exceptional against both the pass and run games.

Eric Kendricks and Garret Wallow, LBs
The Niners started two linebackers signed to the roster only in recent weeks for this playoff game—and they looked really good. Kendricks, in particular, was fantastic and made the game-winning pass breakup.

DUDS 📉

Kendrick Bourne, WR
It’s Week 19 of the season. Why does Bourne still not know the plays? This week, a costly mistake surfaced: the Niners had to use their third timeout of the first half after Bourne lined up incorrectly during a two-minute drill. Had the Niners retained that timeout, they likely could have kicked a field goal before halftime.

Deommodore Lenoir, CB
The Niners put Lenoir on the boundary (short) side of the field, breaking with their usual practice of playing him solely on the right side (offensive perspective). That didn’t work. The Eagles attacked Lenoir relentlessly, and he gave up big plays early and often.

Colton McKivitz, RT
The Niners’ most steady and reliable offensive lineman this season was worked over by Jaelen Phillips in this contest. Purdy did a good job avoiding pressure from the right side, but it was a constant battle.

All 49ers’ Defensive Tackles (except C.J. West)
The Eagles have a one-read quarterback with a noodle arm. Despite that, the Eagles routinely ran double teams and wham blocks against the Niners’ defensive tackles, neutralizing their impact for much of the game.

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The 49ers showed tremendous resilience to overcome adversity and will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming playoff matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
https://www.mercurynews.com/2026/01/11/studs-and-duds-the-next-man-up-49ers-beat-the-eagles-with-depth-early-stars-late/

Jaelan Phillips Lands with the Eagles – How It Shifts the NFC East Power Balance

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**Miami Dolphins Trade Jaelan Phillips to Eagles in Blockbuster Deal Ahead of Trade Deadline**

*Published: Nov. 5, 2025, 2:00 a.m. ET*

The Miami Dolphins sent shockwaves through the NFL trade market on Monday by shipping edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2026 third-round draft pick. This blockbuster move, finalized just 24 hours before the trade deadline, marks another aggressive step by Howie Roseman’s front office to fortify their defense and strengthen their pursuit of back-to-back Super Bowl titles.

For the defending champions, currently sitting at 6-2 and holding the No. 1 seed in the NFC, this acquisition was not a luxury — it was a necessity that could redefine how their defensive line dominates playoff opponents as the season heads into November.

### Dolphins Shock with Jaelan Phillips Trade to Eagles

The 26-year-old Phillips brings immediate credibility to the Eagles’ pass rush rotation, a unit that has ranked in the bottom third of the NFL this season with just 16 sacks through eight games. What makes this deal particularly intriguing is the reunion factor: Phillips will reconnect with Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, who served as Miami’s defensive coordinator in 2023.

That season proved to be a revelation for Phillips, who recorded 6.5 sacks in just eight games before suffering a torn Achilles that derailed his momentum.

For those looking to leverage Philadelphia’s defensive improvements in the betting market, monitoring the Eagles’ defensive performance through platforms offering competitive angles—such as exploring bonuses like the bet99 promo code to access enhanced odds on defensive outcomes—provides a strategic edge as the team’s line strengthens down the stretch.

### A Defensive Game-Changer

Phillips’ availability sparked a firestorm among contenders, with the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots also expressing genuine interest. However, the Eagles moved swiftly to secure a player they knew intimately.

Earlier in 2023, Phillips had terrorized Philadelphia’s offensive line, including a memorable moment when he drove straight through five-time All-Pro Lane Johnson to pressure quarterback Jalen Hurts. Now, that same aggression will line up alongside Josh Sweat, who returns as the Eagles’ primary edge threat following a turbulent offseason that saw Brandon Graham retire and other departures.

Phillips’ statistical profile is compelling: he has already recorded three sacks this season across nine games, accumulated 25 tackles, and logged seven quarterback hits. While his injury history—including a torn Achilles in 2023 and a season-ending knee injury in 2024—raises durability concerns, the fact that he has remained healthy throughout the 2025 campaign suggests his body is responding well.

More importantly, his presence alongside Sweat creates a nightmare scenario for NFC East rivals, particularly the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys offense will face its most formidable challenge yet when these division rivals meet next.

Dallas’ offensive line ranks 23rd in the league, and adding another elite edge rusher to an Eagles front already led by All-Pro Jalen Carter gives offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer precious few answers. Quarterback Dak Prescott will have minimal time in the pocket against a defense now fortified with cornerbacks Michael Carter II and Jaire Alexander — transformations Roseman orchestrated during the same week-long trading spree.

### How the Trade Elevates Philadelphia’s Super Bowl Odds

This acquisition lifts Philadelphia’s Super Bowl odds, currently sitting at +1000, placing the Eagles comfortably in the conversation alongside contenders like Green Bay (+950) and Detroit (+900). The Eagles are signaling to the rest of the conference that their 2024 championship wasn’t a one-year anomaly; it was the foundation of a dynasty-caliber run.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins recognized that their 2-7 record and organizational upheaval necessitated rebuilding. Shipping out Phillips, who was heading into free agency anyway, allowed Miami to accumulate draft capital while saving salary cap space.

New interim general manager Champ Kelly’s first move signals a complete reset in South Florida.

With Phillips now donning midnight green, the Eagles have transformed their pass rush from a liability into a legitimate strength. The NFC East just became significantly less competitive, and Philadelphia’s path to another Super Bowl just became considerably more achievable.
https://radaronline.com/p/jaelan-phillips-lands-with-the-eagles-how-it-shifts-the-nfc-east-power-balance/

“Una decepción personal”: Raphinha reconoce su frustración por no ganar el Balón de Oro

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El Balón de Oro, el premio individual más codiciado del fútbol, a menudo genera debates y frustraciones entre quienes se sienten merecedores del galardón. Este año, la figura que expresó abiertamente su decepción fue el atacante brasileño Raphinha, quien tuvo una campaña estelar, pero se quedó corto en la votación.

El futbolista, que milita en el FC Barcelona, confesó que su exclusión del palmarés de la France Football lo impactó a nivel personal, pues había cifrado grandes esperanzas en la victoria tras su notable rendimiento. La sinceridad del brasileño Raphinha, conocido por su velocidad y capacidad de desequilibrio en el campo, no ocultó que su ambición pasaba por recibir el máximo reconocimiento individual.

Raphinha fue muy explícito al hablar del vacío que le dejó la derrota, aunque lo enmarcó en su alta autoexigencia. “No ganar el Balón de Oro fue una decepción personal, no lo voy a negar.” El jugador admitió que trabajó toda la temporada pensando en ese objetivo, lo que hizo que la derrota fuera especialmente difícil de asimilar, a pesar de reconocer el gran nivel de sus competidores.

“Había puesto mucho empeño y ambición en ese objetivo. Estar entre los nominados es un honor, pero la meta era ganarlo”, añadió.

### Los números de una temporada estelar

Si bien el premio finalmente fue para Ousmane Dembélé, las estadísticas de Raphinha en la temporada 2024-2025 fueron de élite y justificaban su candidatura.

En total, el brasileño tuvo 35 contribuciones de gol, repartidas en 21 goles y 14 asistencias, cifras que reflejan su gran impacto en el campo y motivan el debate sobre su exclusión del palmarés.

Raphinha continúa siendo una pieza clave para el FC Barcelona y promete seguir dejando huella en próximas temporadas.
https://eldiariony.com/2025/11/04/una-decepcion-personal-raphinha-reconoce-su-frustracion-por-no-ganar-el-balon-de-oro/

Justin Fields makes feelings clear on Woody Johnson’s criticism after handing Aaron Glenn’s Jets 1st win of 2025 NFL season

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After eight tries, the New York Jets finally secured a victory. On Sunday, Aaron Glenn’s squad defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 39-38 on the road, ending their 0-7 start to the season.

Quarterback Justin Fields delivered a strong performance, completing 21 of 32 attempts for 244 yards and a touchdown to Tyler Johnson. The win was especially important for Fields following some less-than-favorable comments from Jets owner Woody Johnson earlier in the week. After the game, Fields addressed those remarks:

“That’s outside noise at the end of the day. I get that he’s the owner of the team, but that’s outside noise.”

The Jets’ offensive highlight was running back Breece Hall, who rushed 18 times for 133 yards and two touchdowns. Hall also threw the decisive touchdown to Mason Taylor in the fourth quarter, showcasing his versatility.

On the Cincinnati side, Joe Flacco led the offense, completing 21 of 34 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns. He also contributed with a rushing score.

### Jets Head Coach Aaron Glenn Reacts to First Win of 2025 Season

Following the Jets’ first victory, head coach Aaron Glenn shared his thoughts on what he described as a “very, very exciting” game. He praised his team’s resilience and grit, especially after a difficult start to the season.

“I told my guys at halftime, these are the games where I really can tell the mental and physical toughness of our team, the grit we’ve been talking about having to play with to win these games. I’m proud of the way we fought,” Glenn said.

He continued, “There were a number of things we did today that didn’t put us in position to lose and put us in position to win. We had a number of guys who made plays at crucial times. Now it’s our time to consistently do that.”

Glenn also addressed the criticism the team has faced throughout the season:

“These guys, this staff, this team get criticized for so much. And I understand why. We were 0-7 and we brought a lot on ourselves. But a lot of it I feel was unwarranted. I’m just so happy for these guys and our coaches. We still have a long way to go. I’m going to enjoy this win.”

### Looking Ahead

The Jets will now enter their bye week, taking some time to regroup. Their next game is scheduled against the Cleveland Browns on November 9, with kickoff at 1 p.m. ET on CBS.

—

**About the Author**
Andre Castillo is an NFL journalist at Sportskeeda with over seven years of experience. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in Journalism, Andre has covered a variety of sports including MMA and wrestling. He follows the New York Jets and Washington Commanders closely, with a personal interest in tight ends like Mark Andrews and Travis Kelce. Outside of writing, Andre is a professional licensed teacher and enjoys UFC, MotoGP, playing piano, and traveling.

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For the latest updates, check out the [New York Jets Schedule](#) and dive into the [Jets Depth Chart for NFL Season 2024-25](#).
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/news-justin-fields-makes-feelings-clear-woody-johnson-s-criticism-handing-aaron-glenn-s-jets-1st-win-2025-nfl-season

C.J. Stroud has 300 yards, two TDs as Texans lead 49ers 23-7

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The Texans struggled offensively on Monday night against the Seahawks, unable to generate significant momentum. In contrast, they have dominated the 49ers, who are currently without key defensive players Nick Bosa and Fred Warner.

Houston’s offense has been impressive today, with four drives consisting of double-digit plays, totaling 57 plays for 393 yards. Their latest drive was particularly effective, covering 94 yards in 12 plays. Quarterback C.J. Stroud connected with Xavier Hutchinson for a 30-yard touchdown during this drive, putting Houston ahead 23-7.

Despite the lead, the game shouldn’t be this close. The Texans have been just 1-for-4 in the red zone today, missing opportunities to extend their advantage. Stroud has completed 27 of 35 passes for 317 yards, throwing two touchdowns and one interception, all while missing key wide receivers Nico Collins and Christian McCaffrey.

Xavier Hutchinson has been a standout, with five receptions for 69 yards. Meanwhile, the 49ers’ offense has struggled, amassing only 89 yards so far.
https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/c-j-stroud-has-300-yards-two-tds-as-texans-lead-49ers-23-7

Steelers Predicted to Find Darius Slay Replacement

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The Pittsburgh Steelers secondary has been a significant disappointment through the first seven weeks of the 2025 NFL season. Despite adding veterans Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay over the offseason to bolster the backfield, the duo of former All-Pros has not led to markedly improved results.

The struggles were especially evident in what many are calling the secondary’s worst performance of the season against the Cincinnati Bengals. In light of this, Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings projects the Steelers to focus on strengthening their secondary in the upcoming offseason through the draft.

In his latest mock draft released Saturday, Cummings predicted that the Steelers will select Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy in the first round. Highlighting the urgency for the team, he wrote, “Unexpected circumstances have positioned the Steelers as the favorites to win the AFC North and secure a postseason berth in 2025, but there’s still work to do before this team is a sustained contender year in and year out. Adding youth at CB is one such key.”

With the Steelers aiming to solidify their defense, the addition of young, talented cornerbacks like McCoy could be crucial to their long-term success.
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/darius-slay-nfl-draft-rumors-news/

SMU hits historic new low in loss to Wake Forest

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SMU Football Hits First ACC Loss in Winston-Salem Against Wake Forest

SMU football entered Winston-Salem with an unblemished Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) record, having never lost a conference game since joining the ACC. Still very much in the ACC title game picture, the Mustangs faced Wake Forest with high hopes. However, on Saturday, SMU experienced a new low.

The Demon Deacons snatched victory from the ACC runner-up and 2024 College Football Playoff contender with a walk-off field goal. This marked SMU’s first defeat in ACC play since joining the conference. College football reporter Matt Fortuna notes that this is also the Mustangs’ first conference loss since November 17, 2022, when Tulane—then an American Athletic Conference team—upended SMU. At that time, both teams were members of the American Athletic Conference.

SMU’s Offensive Struggles vs. Wake Forest

The Mustangs introduced a high-octane offense in their ACC debut last season under quarterback Kevin Jennings. Jennings had recently impressed fans with a dazzling behind-the-back pass, showcasing the potential of SMU’s 2024 attack. However, against Wake Forest, SMU and Jennings looked far from their usual dynamic form.

The Dallas-based university went punt, turnover on downs, punt, and another punt on their first four possessions, struggling to generate offense. They did not put points on the board until their fifth offensive possession, when kicker Sam Keltner converted a 36-yard field goal. But on the very next drive, Jennings took a sack and lost the ball, with Wake Forest’s Jayden Loving recovering the fumble caused by Gabe Kirschke.

SMU’s lone touchdown came late in the third quarter when Shaadie Clayton-Johnson scored on a six-yard run. Despite this, the Mustangs had trouble moving the ball on the ground, managing just 75 total rushing yards at 2.7 yards per carry. Jennings, a dual-threat quarterback, contributed only seven rushing yards and threw for 171 yards. He was also intercepted by Wake Forest’s Karon Prunty.

Wake Forest Becomes the First Team in 2025 to Shut Down Jennings

Wake Forest became the first team in the 2025 season to prevent Kevin Jennings from throwing a single touchdown pass. Moreover, their victory ended SMU’s impressive conference winning streak.

As SMU looks ahead, they will need to regroup and address the offensive issues that surfaced against the Demon Deacons to stay competitive in the ACC title race.
https://clutchpoints.com/ncaa-football/smu-hits-historic-new-low-in-loss-to-wake-forest