Category: NFL

32 NFL Teams in 32 Days: Cardinals Need Their Offense to Lift Up a Young Defense
6 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

32 NFL Teams in 32 Days: Cardinals Need Their Offense to Lift Up a Young Defense

The past two seasons have been painful for the Arizona Cardinals, with the team compiling an 8–26 record. And while there remain clear issues with the roster, there’s reason for legitimate hope.

With Kyler Murray healthy for the start of this season and coach Jonathan Gannon entering his second year, things are improving.

Which starts with Murray and connects to rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. The No. 4 pick in April’s NFL draft, Harrison registered 144 catches for 2,474 yards and 28 touchdowns over his last two seasons with Ohio State.

Although he’s a rookie, Harrison figures to quickly elevate the offense.

If nothing else, Arizona shouldn’t be boring in 2024.

Biggest gamble this offseason: Not making veteran defensive upgrades

While the Cardinals poured draft resources into fixing their 25th-ranked defense of a year ago, they did very little in free agency to help the youngsters come along without pressure.

Up front, general manager Monti Ossenfort brought in Justin Jones to play inside. Jones notched 4.5 sacks with the Chicago Bears in 2023, however he was the only notable veteran addition to a front seven desperately needing more playmaking. 

In the secondary, Ossenfort signed Sean Murphy-Bunting to a three-year, $22.5 million deal, hoping to provide a stalwart on one side. Still, Arizona will be painfully thin at corner if second-round pick Max Melton isn’t immediately ready.

Toughest stretch of the season: Weeks 5 to 8

With the NFC having the extra home game this year, there aren’t too many teams with a rough road schedule to navigate. 

Unfortunately for the Cardinals, that’s not the case. In October, Arizona will play three of its four games on the road, including a short-week, cross-country trip to take on the Miami Dolphins.

The stretch begins in Week 5 with visits to the San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers, two playoff teams from a year ago. Then, the Cardinals will come home for a Monday night game against Justin Herbert and the Los Angeles Chargers before heading to Miami Gardens.

Breakout player to watch: TE Trey McBride

Through two seasons, McBride is one of the league’s best-kept secrets on a national level.

Last year, he starred for the Cardinals despite horrific quarterback play for much of the year, catching 81 passes for 825 yards and three touchdowns. With Murray now back and Harrison drawing coverage, look for the third-year man out of Colorado State to have a Pro Bowl campaign.

In 2023, only six tight ends had more receiving yardage, and just four eclipsed his reception total. If he can continue his ascension, McBride is on pace to become one of the best young pass catchers in the game.

Best-case scenario: Murray and the offense are ready to take wing

The offense is Arizona’s best hope for making a surprise playoff push. While a young defense gets its legs, Murray & Co. must carry the team in some high scoring wins.

The good news? The Cardinals might have the firepower. They’re loaded with young talent including Harrison, McBride and second-year wideout Michael Wilson. Then there’s Murray, who despite playing five NFL seasons is only 26 years old and loaded with ability.

In 2020 and ’21, Murray threw for 50 touchdowns against only 22 interceptions, making the Pro Bowl each year. He also ran for a combined 1,242 yards and 16 scores. If he’s healthy, the Cardinals could be dangerous on offense.

Worst-case scenario: Murray can’t stay healthy and the defense isn’t ready

If, for the third consecutive year, the Cardinals can’t get a full season out of Murray, that would mean Desmond Ridder to the rescue.

Yet the biggest question mark for Arizona is the defense. The Cardinals finished 29th in yards per play against (5.7), 32nd against the run (143.2 yards per game), 31st in pressure rate (17.1%) and 30th in sacks (33) last year. Otherwise, things were great. 

To remedy that unit, Arizona drafted edge rusher Darius Robinson in the first round, corners Elijah Jones and Melton on Day 2, safety Dadrion Taylor-Demerson in the fourth round and linebacker Xavier Thomas in the fifth. If they’re not ready to contribute immediately, it could be another long year for the defense.

Head coach-quarterback tandem ranking

No. 28: Jonathan Gannon (28) and Kyler Murray (18)

A year ago, this seemed like a looming disaster. Murray was coming off a torn ACL preceded by a contract including language about studying throughout the week. Then there was Gannon, a hire widely panned at the time. Today, Gannon is promising and Murray is fully healthy, surrounded by McBride, Harrison and a roster bolstered by 12 draft picks. 

Sleeper/fantasy pick: Harrison

I love Harrison this season. In fact, I have him ranked ahead of Davante Adams in my re-draft rank list among wideouts. He was the best wide receiver in the 2024 class, and he landed in the perfect spot with a Cardinals offense that will use him as an alpha right out of the gates. With Marquise “Hollywood” Brown and Rondale Moore gone, Harrison will see plenty of targets in Year 1. —Michael Fabiano

Best bet:  Marvin Harrison Jr. most rookie receiving yards (+175) at DraftKings

Harrison is the favorite for this bet for good reason. Quite simply, it’s Harrison or bust with Brown gone to the Chiefs. Murray has plenty left in the tank, and I expect a big year for the talented rookie out of Ohio State with pedigree. Even better? This bet offers a nice plus-money payout. —Jennifer Piacenti

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Arizona Cardinals, kyler murray, Marvin Harrison Jr, NFL
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New Vikings Uniforms Widely Praised by NFL Fans
6 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

New Vikings Uniforms Widely Praised by NFL Fans

The NFL news cycle slows to a crawl in June and July, making those months the perfect time for big team announcements that have little to do with how the roster will perform this upcoming season. On Thursday, the Minnesota Vikings did just that by unveiling their brand new all-white alternate uniforms— and fans loved them.

The organization dropped a release video featuring the team's stars like Justin Jefferson and Harrison Smith showcasing the new kits. Appropriately, it was accompanied with the caption, "The coldest uniforms in the game."

Big name NFL media personalities further revealed still images of the alternates on X (formerly Twitter).

These sorts of uniform announcements can sometimes go sideways if football fans decide they do not like them. But the Vikes' new threads have largely been praised in the immediate aftermath of the announcement.

As noted above, Minnesota will debut these uniforms on Monday Night Football against the division rival Chicago Bears and No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams on December 16. Fortunately the game is at U.S. Bank Stadium, so there won't be any potential snow issues. Imagine wearing these hours after a snowstorm swept through Chicago and Soldier Field. Visibility would be an issue.

But the Vikings and their dome don't need to worry about such things. It'll be exciting to see them in action.

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings, NFL
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Patrick Mahomes Previews New Trick Play at Chiefs Minicamp
5 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Patrick Mahomes Previews New Trick Play at Chiefs Minicamp

The Kansas City Chiefs have basically nothing left to accomplish. They won the last Super Bowl and the Super Bowl before that. They've won their division every year since 2015, and they haven't finished below .500 since 2012. Their tight end is dating the most famous living American. Life is good.

How, then, do you stay motivated ahead of a season where you'll be chasing history? If you're quarterback Patrick Mahomes, you play with the limits of what is possible in an American football game.

Mahomes has been doing that his entire career, but on Wednesday he threatened to take things up a notch by dialing up a behind-the-back pass to running back Carson Steele during the Chiefs' minicamp.

The two-time MVP feigned taking off running before firing a basketball-style pass in Steele's direction, which the UCLA product deftly caught with one hand.

Mahomes previously has talked about unleashing the behind-the-back pass in a game—and he has the approval of Chiefs coach Andy Reid.

"Coach Reid wants me to throw it behind-the-back more than anyone in the world," Mahomes said on a First Things First appearance in May. "He deliberately puts in plays that when I have the opportunity to throw it. It's not a coaching thing, it's me not having that confidence to do it in the game. One of these games, man. We gotta do it. There's too much hype in it. Hopefully it's to Travis [Kelce]."

Kansas City opens its season on Sept. 5 against the Baltimore Ravens. We'll see whether the pass comes with it.

Kansas City Chiefs, NFL, Patrick Mahomes
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Stefon Diggs 'Believes' in Texans, C.J. Stroud As Team Chases Super Bowl Ring
5 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Stefon Diggs ‘Believes’ in Texans, C.J. Stroud As Team Chases Super Bowl Ring

The Houston Texans have never won a Super Bowl ring, or even appeared in the title game. New wide receiver Stefon Diggs is ready to help bring the team its first Super Bowl alongside quarterback C.J. Stroud.

Diggs himself has never won or played in a Super Bowl either, and he feels beyond prepared to do so, especially with the Texans.

“I feel like I’ve been chasing the Super Bowl since I got in the league,” Diggs said. “To say like you get to one specific place and say this is where I want to try to win it, but this is where I’m at right now. Obviously, I believe in this team and the quarterback. Those are unspoken things that we all can assume. ... For me, chasing a ring, it isn’t like I came here to chase it. I came here to win and that starts with game one. Moving forward, of course, you want a ring. It sounds good to be like you won a Super Bowl, and you won a ring, but it takes a lot of effort and consistency. For me, I’m going to take it in one day at a time. "

Diggs was traded to the Texans on April 3 following a four-year stint with the Buffalo Bills. The Bills made it to the playoffs in all four seasons he was there, but they never made it past the conference championship. Diggs played for the Minnesota Vikings for five years prior, participating in three playoff runs in that span.

The Texans made the playoffs for the first time since the 2019 season last year, losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round.

Buffalo Bills, C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans, NFL, Stefon Diggs
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Wild Time-Lapse Video Shows Lucas Oil Stadium Transformation for Olympic Swim Trials
5 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Wild Time-Lapse Video Shows Lucas Oil Stadium Transformation for Olympic Swim Trials

Lucas Oil Stadium is used to switching between sports. Since opening in August 2008, the Indianapolis venue has played host to football, basketball, soccer and innumerable other activities.

This month, however, the home of the Indianapolis Colts is taking on an unprecedented challenge: swimming's U.S. Olympic Trials.

Yes, the same venue where Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew was slinging passes five short months ago will welcome Caeleb Dressel, Katie Ledecky and others beginning June 15. Wednesday afternoon, USA Swimming gave fans a peek behind the curtain at Lucas Oil Stadium's stunning aquatic makeover.

A time-lapse video depicted crews tearing up the stadium floor and putting in three Olympic-sized swimming pools.

Indianapolis has long been a favorite destination for the Olympic swim trials, but this will be the city's first time hosting the event since 2000. Omaha has hosted the last four in 2008, 2012, 2016 and 2021, respectively.

Swimming at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is scheduled to begin on July 27.

Indianapolis Colts, NFL, Olympics, Swimming
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Browns Sign Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, GM Andrew Berry to Contract Extensions
5 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Browns Sign Head Coach Kevin Stefanski, GM Andrew Berry to Contract Extensions

The Cleveland Browns have ensured their top decision-makers will remain in place for years to come.

On Wednesday, the team announced it had reached agreements on contract extensions with head coach Kevin Stefanski and general manager Andrew Berry. The pair were both hired ahead of the 2020 season and have led the Browns to a pair of playoff appearances.

"We are incredibly fortunate to have Kevin Stefanski and Andrew Berry leading the Cleveland Browns," owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in the announcement. "Since the day they were hired, each has worked tirelessly to help the Cleveland Browns win. We are proud of what they and the team have achieved, but Kevin and Andrew would be the first to say that Browns fans deserve even more. Their leadership, collaborative approach, and ability to overcome obstacles bode well for the future of this franchise."

Under their stewardship the Browns have gone 37-30 over the last four seasons. Stefanski led the team to its first playoff win in over 20 years with their 2020 Wild Card round victory over the rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Last year, Cleveland squeaked into the postseason despite an injury to starting quarterback Deshaun Watson as Stefanski got the best out of veteran Joe Flacco.

While the results have been somewhat inconsistent during his time at the helm, Stefanski is a widely-respected offensive mind who has won two Coach of the Year awards. Berry pulled off the blockbuster trade for Watson and signed him to a five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million deal. Watson, however, has struggled since returning from his suspension for allegations of sexual misconduct and it remains to be seen if his former superstar form can be regained.

If anything, this era of Browns football should be noted for its consistency when compared to regimes of the past. As noted by NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, Stefanski will be the first Browns coach since Bill Belichick to stay on the sideline for five straight years once the 2024 season is wrapped up. They have not been the contenders many expected, with Watson or Baker Mayfield, but consistent competitiveness has been rare in Cleveland over the years.

The franchise has found two men in Stefanski and Berry who, if anything, have proven capable of delivering just that. The pair responsible for the best stretch of Browns football in decades will be around a while yet.

Cleveland Browns, Kevin Stefanski, NFL
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Bears TE Shares Hilarious ‘Top Golf’ Story Showcasing Caleb Williams’s Competitiveness
5 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Bears TE Shares Hilarious ‘Top Golf’ Story Showcasing Caleb Williams’s Competitiveness

Caleb Williams won't play his first NFL snap until September but his first season of professional football effectively already started. The No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft attended rookie minicamp last month and is currently in Chicago for mandatory minicamp with the rest of his Bears teammates. It seems he's already making a strong impression.

Bears tight end Cole Kmet spoke to reporters on Tuesday about Williams's insane competitive nature and shared a story to illustrate that trait. Kmet explained they had gone to Top Golf for an outing after practice and stayed there until 1 a.m. because Williams "had to finish the game." Kmet was quick to note he beat his quarterback.

The selling point of Top Golf is that it is fun and casual. Not to Williams, apparently. He wanted to win the Angry Birds target game so badly he stayed several hours past closing.

These are the sort of anecdotes that fans will hear plenty of this time of year. It's a staple of hype season— nobody hesitates to share these kinds of stories because they want to say nice things about their rookie teammates. Sometimes it's a sign of things to come, but more often than not such stories are forgotten once players step foot on the field.

Bears fans will find out for themselves soon enough if this particular tale is actually reflective of Williams's competitive nature.

Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears, NFL
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Steelers to Sign CB Cameron Sutton Three Months After Arrest, per Report
5 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Steelers to Sign CB Cameron Sutton Three Months After Arrest, per Report

Three months after being arrested on a charge of misdemeanor domestic battery, cornerback Cameron Sutton has landed with a new team.

Sutton is signing a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a Wednesday morning report from Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Sutton, 29, previously played six years for the Steelers from 2017-22.

The signing follows the Detroit Lions' release of Sutton on March 21, after police in Hillsborough County, Florida indicated they were had unsuccessfully been looking for him for two weeks.

Sutton surrendered on March 31 and was eventually booked on a misdemeanor domestic battery charge; Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reported that he was "released (from jail) on his own recognizance."

The Tennessee product started every game for the Lions in 2023, registering an interception and 65 tackles. As many reporters noted Wednesday, it is still possible that Sutton could face league discipline to begin the 2024 season.

Cameron Sutton, Detroit Lions, NFL, Pittsburgh Steelers
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Micah Parsons Explains Why He Skipped Voluntary Cowboys OTAs
4 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Micah Parsons Explains Why He Skipped Voluntary Cowboys OTAs

Dallas Cowboys edge rusher Micah Parsons is present at this week's mandatory minicamp, but he missed out on the team's voluntary offseason workouts leading up to this week.

Parsons explained why he chose to skip the voluntary OTAs, which some people guessed was due to his ongoing contract negotiations. However, the three-time Pro Bowler just wanted to follow his own workout plan.

"That's always been my style," Parsons said, via the team's website. "I have been here [for voluntary workouts] since my rookie season. I don't think it's anything new. I have my own way of doing things."

On top of conducting his own workouts, Parsons focuses on recovery when the team is at voluntary camp.

"I'm just looking at letting my body heal," Parsons said. "I'm an undersized rusher that gets banged up every year. I'm just letting my body heal and grow, strengthen, and get ready for the year."

It sounds like his ongoing contract discussions is at the forefront of his mind, too.

"Understanding the business side of it, too, this is all I have. This is all I have to offer to the Cowboys," Parsons said. "Before you sign a contract, you go through a physical, before you're even on a team."

Unlike Parsons who is at the mandatory minicamp, his teammate receiver CeeDee Lamb is skipping this week's camp amid his contract negotiations. Quarterback Dak Prescott is also in contract discussions, but he was present at the minicamp.

Dallas Cowboys, Micah Parsons, NFL
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Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Gives Telling Quote on Contract Extension Talks
4 Jun 24 Jimm Sallivan

Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa Gives Telling Quote on Contract Extension Talks

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is one of several players across the league this offseason who is in active contract extension talks as mandatory minicamp begins.

When speaking with reporters on Tuesday in Miami Gardens, Tagovailoa was asked about the state of extension talks, and whether or not Jared Goff's $53 million-per-year contract earlier this offseason set a benchmark in his negotiations with the team.

"I'll tell you one thing. The market is the market," Tagovailoa said. "If we didn't have a market, none of that would matter. It would just be an organizational thing. It didn't matter if that guy got paid that, because it's up to the organization. That's what I would say. The market is the market. That's it"

It's clear Tagovailoa is seeking a contract to be paid like one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL after playing in all 17 games in 2023 and posting career numbers.

Tagovailoa completed 69.3% of his passes for 4,624 yards and 29 touchdowns, which were all career-highs. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent following this season if an extension is not reached with the Dolphins as anticipated. Until further notice, he's playing out 2024 on a $23.1 million base summary as part of a club option that was exercised by the Dolphins on his rookie contract.

Miami Dolphins, NFL, Tua Tagovailoa
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