Report: Russell Wilson receiving interesting from new team
A new suitor is now said to be in the mix for Russell Wilson’s services.
Wilson is one of the top names available in a relatively shallow free agent quarterback pool this offseason. While the New York Giants have been widely considered as a potential landing spot for Wilson, one report Monday from SNY’s Connor Hughes indicated that a surprising team is also eyeing Wilson: the Tennessee Titans.
Hughes reported that Aaron Rodgers, another free agent QB whom the Giants covet, is believed to be headed to the Pittsburgh Steelers. If Rodgers does move to Pennsylvania, the Giants would then turn their attention to Wilson. But the “problem” with having Wilson as the Giants’ backup plan is that the Titans are also “interested” in the 10-time Pro Bowler.
The Titans, who have the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft, would be an intriguing landing spot for Wilson. Given that a 36-year-old Wilson probably would not be a long-term solution at QB, Tennessee could opt to select a young signal-caller to groom behind the veteran.
Wilson missed the first six games of last season due to injury. Upon his return, Wilson started the remaining 11 games for the Steelers and threw for 2,482 yards with 16 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.
There have been rumblings about Pittsburgh wanting either Wilson or Justin Fields back. With Fields headed to a different AFC team, the remaining QB-needy teams may be giving Wilson a call sooner rather than later.
Girl who attacked opponent with baton makes tearful claim
The high school track athlete who struck her competitor in the head with a baton has broken her silence about the traumatic incident.
Alaila Everett, a track runner for I.C. Norcom High School, competed in the Virginia High School League (VHSL) Class 3 State Indoor Championships at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va. She ran the second leg for her team in the 4×200 relay race.
As she was getting overtaken by competitor Kaelen Tucker, Everett struck her Brookville High School rival in the back of the head with her metal baton. Tucker suffered a concussion and a “possible skull fracture.” You can watch the video of the incident here.
Everett understandably got a lot of backlash online as the clip went completely viral on social media.
The I.C. Norcom senior defender herself while speaking to WAVY 10 News. With tears in her eyes, Everett claimed that the incident was purely accidental.
“I’m just a person by myself. Nobody is going to believe me, because I can admit from the video, it does look purposeful. But I know my intentions and I would never hit somebody on purpose,” Everett said.
Track star facing backlash after baton controversy speaks out! Claims video may look intentional, but it was not her intent, the other athlete was left with a concussion & a fractured skull.
— Rain Drops Media (@Raindropsmedia1) March 10, 2025
Thoughts? Could it be an accident? 👀 pic.twitter.com/rEcjF1IppC
Everett insisted that the baton had gotten stuck on Tucker’s singlet, which resulted in her losing balance. Everett claimed she inadvertently hit Tucker as the former “pumped my arms again” in an attempt to regain her balance.
Zeketa Cost, Everett’s mother, said that she “didn’t have to see” any of the videos of the incident because she knows “100 percent” that her daughter did not intentionally strike Tucker.
Everett reportedly tried to reach out to Tucker but has since been blocked by her on social media.
Angel Reese issues threat to WNBA team owners
Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese was not afraid to fire a warning shot directed at the WNBA and its owners about the looming collective bargaining agreement (CBA) negotiations.
The WNBA’s existing CBA was slated to expire following the 2027 season. But the WNBA players’ union exercised an opt-out clause in October allowing the two sides to renegotiate terms at the end of the 2025 season.
Reese spoke candidly about the issue in a recent episode of her “Unapologetically Angel” podcast. While discussing the topic with her guest, Dallas Wings guard DiJonai Carrington, Reese issued a threat if the league does not bend to the players’ demands.
“Yeah, the CBA is coming up. I can’t wait,” said Reese. “…We deserve more. Everybody. … I need to be in the [WNBA players union] meetings because I’m hearing that if [the league] don’t give us what we want, we sitting out.”
“If y’all don’t give us what we want, we sitting out” 👀💰
— Unapologetically Angel (@angelreeseshow) March 7, 2025
Full episode out NOW: https://t.co/cQPWJ2zle9 pic.twitter.com/ruK3iZ3oyN
The WNBA experienced exponential growth last season, particularly aligned with the arrival of Reese’s draft class, headlined by Indiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark. The upward trajectory of the league helped them land a historic $200 million media rights deal with Disney, Amazon Prime, and NBC.
The new media deal is set to kick in at the start of the 2026 season, which is also when WNBA salaries are expected to rise significantly. Last season, the league’s highest base salary was $242,000. Clark, who signed a rookie contract as the No. 1 overall pick in her draft, made just $76,000.
With new money coming in, it’s clear that players like Reese want a bigger piece of the pie.
Notable update emerges on Joy Taylor-FS1 situation
Having been off the air for FS1 ever since last month, Joy Taylor is officially back in action.
During Monday’s episode of the FS1 show “Speak,” the veteran sports host Taylor finally made her return to the air. She appeared in the studio as usual alongside her co-hosts Paul Pierce, Keyshawn Johnson, and Michael Irvin.
You can watch the footage of Taylor’s return here (with Irvin saying, “We’re better now. That’s all we’ll say,” when Taylor started off by asking her co-hosts how they were doing).
Later in the day on Monday, Taylor also posted multiple Instagram photos of herself on the set of the show, tagging the @speakonfs1 account and adding a heart emoji in her caption as well.
Taylor, 38, had been off the air for a two-week stretch. After Taylor’s first few absences from “Speak,” the show that she had been co-hosting since 2022 before becoming the lead host of last year, a report emerged that FS1 had “sidelined” Taylor.
Having worked at FS1 since 2016, Taylor was recently the subject of a lawsuit from ex-FOX Sports hairstylist Noushin Faraji. In the 42-page lawsuit, which was filed in January, Faraji accused Taylor of having inappropriate relationships with co-hosts and superiors at FS1. You can read more about the lawsuit here.
In the wake of the allegations, FOX Sports placed executive vice president of content Charlie Dixon, one of those whom Faraji accused Taylor of having an inappropriate relationship with, on administrative leave. Dixon had been accused in the lawsuit by Faraji of committing sexual battery on her as well.
A few weeks after Dixon was placed on leave came the news that Taylor had also been sidelined by FS1. But after two weeks, Taylor’s hiatus period is over, and she is now back hosting “Speak” for the network like normal.
Suns’ reported asking price in Kevin Durant trade revealed
The Phoenix Suns are expected to trade away Kevin Durant this offseason, and now we have a better idea of what may be enough to get it done.
Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic reported Monday on the Suns’ asking price in a potential trade of the former NBA MVP Durant. Rankin notes that Phoenix is looking to get three first-round picks as well as a young player as part of a multi-team deal (with a goal of getting under the second apron of the luxury tax).
Additionally though, Rankin writes that the Suns could take back less in order to make the deal happen. With Durant under contract for $54.7 million next season, one ideal scenario for Phoenix is reportedly to take back around $35 million in salary and essentially save themselves $20 million to get below the second apron. You can read Rankin’s full report on the situation here.
Just over two years ago, the Suns traded away Mikal Bridges, Cameron Johnson, Jae Crowder, four unprotected first-rounders, and a 2028 pick swap to the Brooklyn Nets for Durant and TJ Warren. Phoenix obviously won’t be able to fetch anywhere close to that much in return since Durant now only has one guaranteed year under contract and is turning 37 years old after the season. But with Durant still averaging a shade under 27 points per game this year on vintage 53/40/83 shooting splits and Durant’s Bird rights also coming with him in any trade (meaning a team that acquires Durant will be able to pay him the most money on his next contract), the Suns can still get themselves a nice haul for Durant.
Phoenix’s willingness to trade Durant here makes perfect sense since they are just 30-34 this season despite having an NBA-leading payroll of roughly $220 million and no control of any of their own first-round draft choices until 2032. With their championship window looking all but closed right now, the Suns’ primary goals now figure to be trimming payroll and replenishing their currently-barren cupboard of draft picks and young assets.
As it stands now, there are at least six specific teams that have been mentioned as potential Durant suitors this offseason. While any trade might have to be a complex, multi-team venture since the Suns are restricted under the second apron by what they can both send out and take in, the rough blueprint for Durant to be moved has emerged.
High school teams forced to forfeit playoff game due to fight
Two high school teams in Pennsylvania were forced to forfeit their playoff basketball game after a huge fight broke out late in the contest.
Meadville Area Senior High School and Uniontown Area High School were meeting in the first round of the Pennsylvania boys basketball 5A state championships on Friday. Meadville was leading 63-55 in the fourth quarter when the game was disrupted by a fight.
Things started after a Uniontown player was called for a technical foul for dunking a ball after a foul. Some players started to get into it, and then a Uniontown fan walked over to the Meadville section and started throwing punches. Police tried to intervene, but there was some more craziness that had broken out. One Uniontown player even chased down a fan and then punched him.
My video breakdown of Pennsylvania basketball brawl between Uniontown and Meadville. Two men arrested soon after the incident (on video).
— Tarek Fattal (@Tarek_Fattal) March 9, 2025
Worst one I’ve ever seen.
📲: https://t.co/sLhYEU4xlr pic.twitter.com/h75Q7Ct1R1
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) weighed in on the matter Monday. They announced in a press release that both teams had forfeited the game due to the fight and were removed from the playoffs. The fans involved are supposed to be banned for a year. Both schools will have to undergo sportsmanship training.
For immediate release in regard to the PIAA 1st Round Basketball game held on Friday, March 7th, 2025. pic.twitter.com/dotvCCPbAP
— PIAA (@PIAASports) March 10, 2025
The fans involved were a big problem. Nobody should be walking over to the other school’s section to start punching opposing fans.
Dolphins sign NFL Draft bust as their backup QB
The Miami Dolphins are bringing in a notorious NFL Draft bust as their backup quarterback for 2025.
The Dolphins have agreed to a one-year contract with free agent quarterback Zach Wilson, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Wilson’s deal is worth $6 million fully guaranteed and could rise to $10 million with incentives.
Wilson gets a pretty nice landing spot in Miami, where he will serve as Tua Tagovailoa’s primary backup. He spent 2024 in the same role with the Denver Broncos, where he looked great in preseason but was never actually needed once the regular season began.
Wilson has 33 career starts to his name, all with the New York Jets. The former No. 2 overall pick went just 12-21 as the team’s starter with 23 touchdown passes and 25 interceptions.
Given Tagovailoa’s extensive history of concussions, Miami no doubt wanted to make sure they have a capable backup quarterback on their roster. When Tagovailoa missed time in 2024, they were forced to turn to the likes of Tyler Huntley and Skylar Thompson, who went a combined 2-4 as starters and provided little in the way of production.
The Dolphins were a disappointment in 2024, going 8-9 and missing the playoffs for the first time in three seasons under coach Mike McDaniel. Keeping Tagovailoa healthy will be key to turning things around in 2025, but if they cannot do that, the hope is that Wilson will do a better job of keeping the team afloat than last year’s backups did.
Yankees announce brutal injury news on Gerrit Cole
The New York Yankees on Monday confirmed the worst-case scenario for ace pitcher Gerrit Cole.
The Yankees announced that Cole will undergo Tommy John surgery on Tuesday. Cole’s diagnosis was confirmed on Monday by Dr. Neal ElAttrache. The pitcher will miss the entirety of the 2025 season.
This was the outcome the Yankees feared, though they had been hoping the surgery might somehow be avoided. Cole had elbow issues in the spring of 2024 as well that cost him the first two months of the regular season, but that was certainly preferable to surgery. Any hopes of a similar outcome this time have been dashed.
The Yankees are left with a big hole at the top of their rotation, and the situation is even worse with reigning AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil set to miss at least the start of the regular season. New free agent signing Max Fried will likely have to pick up the slack, as will Carlos Rodon and potentially even Marcus Stroman.
The injuries have not even been limited to the pitching side of things for the Yankees, as there are concerns about Giancarlo Stanton’s health as well.
Cole posted strong numbers for the Yankees in 2024 despite being limited to 17 starts. He posted a 3.41 ERA and has clearly established himself as the team’s ace, a status punctuated by his AL Cy Young season in 2023.
Cooper Flagg’s mother has vulgar message for UNC fans
Duke superstar Cooper Flagg’s mother taunted North Carolina fans with a celebration on Saturday night, and for that she is sorry — sort of.
Flagg had 15 points and 9 rebounds to lead Duke to an 82-69 win over UNC in Chapel Hill on Saturday. With just over a minute remaining in the game, the consensus top overall NBA draft pick put an exclamation point on the Blue Devils’ victory with an emphatic two-handed slam.
Following the play, Flagg’s mother Kelly and father Ralph were shown on the ESPN broadcast doing the “on his head” celebration. Kelly looked around at Tar Heels fans and shouted “on his f–ing head!”
Cooper Flagg’s mom: “ON HIS F***ING HEAD!!” 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/5EayQW0YB0
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 9, 2025
In a social media post on Sunday, Kelly apologized to those who were offended by her language during the game. She said she became so animated in response to the way UNC fans had treated her family. She called the celebration “a big F-you to the entire Carolina fan base.”
“I appreciate all of you who have supported us all season long, especially last night after my call for bail money. There were many willing to start a go fund me and several others ready to ride at dawn! I also want to apologize to anyone who was offended by my language that was caught in a celebratory moment,” Kelly wrote in a post on social media. “I do realize that it wasn’t my best look. However, if you actually know me and are a real friend of mine you weren’t shocked. It was a very intense situation we were put into and we were taken aback by the crudeness of the UNC fans as we made our way into the arena. They continued to harass us with much worse being spewed in our direction as well as at our 18 year old son and his teammates throughout the entirety of the game. The celebration was a moment of being so proud of our kid and also a big F-you to the entire Carolina fan base for being classless a-holes! If you are UNC fan and didn’t like it…tough (poop emoji)! Better luck next time! Go Duke!”
Cooper Flagg's mom, Kelly, responds to her viral moment 😳😂 pic.twitter.com/VzNJrsP6Ta
— The Field of 68 (@TheFieldOf68) March 10, 2025
The rivalry between Duke and UNC is one of the fiercest in sports. Flagg’s parents, both former college basketball players, seem just as competitive as their son. Flagg’s mother couldn’t have been that surprised by the things Tar Heels fans said to her and her husband, but you can’t blame her for giving it right back.
Flagg is the best player in the country and has dealt with all that goes along with it. His parents experienced some of that on Saturday night, but Mrs. Flagg sure looks like she can handle it.
Steelers kicker had greatest reaction to DK Metcalf trade
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell had the best reaction to the team’s trade for DK Metcalf.
The Steelers on Sunday acquired Metcalf in a trade with the Seattle Seahawks. They sent Seattle a 2025 second-round pick, and the teams swapped sixth and seventh-round picks. Pittsburgh also agreed to pay Metcalf a 5-year, $150 million deal.
Though the Steelers beefed up their wide receiver position with the addition of Metcalf, fans were left asking who would be throwing to the wide receiver. At the time of the trade, the Steelers didn’t have a quarterback. Justin Fields has since signed with the New York Jets, while Russell Wilson remains a free agent. There are also rumors that Aaron Rodgers could end up with the Steelers.
In the meantime, Boswell suggested himself as a passing option for Pittsburgh. Boswell shared a great post on his Instagram Story that showed him holding a ball and ready to pass.
“I got this. GP and DK down there somewhere” Boswell wrote as his hilarious caption.
Chris Boswell on IG. “I got this. GP and DK down there somewhere. 😭😭
— Portersburgh (@PortersBurgh) March 10, 2025
Via ChrisBoswell9 on IG. pic.twitter.com/nxUllQGh86
The photo appeared to come from a time when Boswell was running a fake field goal play. His post is humorous too, playing on the way George Pickens and Metcalf can be deep threats.
Boswell, 33, has been the Steelers’ kicker since 2015. He has attempted two passes during his career — one of which went for a touchdown.
Jimmy Garoppolo now set up for awkward situation in 2025
Jimmy Garoppolo will now have to make amends with an old frenemy.
The Los Angeles Rams announced on Monday that they are officially bringing back the veteran quarterback Garoppolo. The 33-year-old Garoppolo has landed a new one-year contract from the Rams for the 2025 season.
Garoppolo, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, already spent the 2024 campaign with the Rams, serving as Matthew Stafford’s backup. He made one total start for the Rams last year (in Week 18 when the team was resting Stafford for the playoffs) and is now set to be Stafford’s understudy in Los Angeles again.
But there is another interesting (and very awkward) subplot here. Over the weekend, the Rams agreed to terms with six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Davante Adams. They are bringing in Adams on a multi-year deal worth over $20 million per season.
While Adams will immediately create a fearsome 1-2 punch with Rams receiver Puka Nacua (and likely signal the end of Cooper Kupp’s time in Los Angeles), he has some negative history with Garoppolo. Adams and Garoppolo were teammates on the Las Vegas Raiders during the 2023 season (which was Garoppolo’s last stint as a full-time starting QB). The two had a poor rapport with one another with Adams becoming very frustrated over Garoppolo constantly missing him on throws. Adams was even depicted during the Netflix docuseries “Receivers” making harsh comments on the sideline about Garoppolo during games.
Now Adams and Garoppolo are set to be teammates once again in Los Angeles. While Adams won’t have to worry about catching throws from Garoppolo with Stafford locked in as the Rams’ starting QB, it could still make for a tense situation in the team’s locker room.
Super Bowl-winning quarterback traded to Browns
The Cleveland Browns have acquired a Super Bowl-winning quarterback from the defending champions.
The Browns on Monday acquired Kenny Pickett from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles will receive backup quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2024 fifth-round pick in exchange for Pickett.
The move sends Pickett back to the AFC North, where he started his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he is likely a depth option, the Browns are an intriguing landing spot for him. Deshaun Watson is likely out for 2025 due to injury, and Jameis Winston is a free agent, leaving Pickett as the only healthy quarterback currently on Cleveland’s roster.
The Browns hold the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft and many expect them to pursue a quarterback. They have also been linked to some veterans, but have not been active early in free agency despite their uncertainty at the position.
Pickett started 24 games over two seasons for the Steelers to start his career, throwing for 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The Eagles trusted him as a backup in 2024, but after how impressive Tanner McKee looked down the stretch, McKee might be entrusted with that role going forward, making Pickett expendable.
It remains to be seen if the Browns would actually let Pickett compete for a starting job in 2025. He is definitely moving to a situation where he might wind up having a chance to play, though.
Juan Soto names the best player in MLB
Juan Soto has a surprising pick for the best player in baseball.
The New York Mets star named San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. as his pick for MLB’s best player. Speaking to Abriendo Sports, Soto said Tatis does “everything” at an elite level and pointed to Tatis’ career achievements as evidence for his stance.
“Fernando Tatis Jr. is the best player in the game for me. He can do it all in the field,” Soto said, via MLB insider Hector Gomez. “You can see players that do everything at least average or better, but he does everything elite. He has won the Platinum Glove, can hit 40 home runs in San Diego, hits .300, runs, knows how to play the game and how to move on both sides of the ball and has a cannon of an arm. What else can you ask a player to do that the doesn’t do already?”
Soto and Tatis spent a year and a half as teammates in San Diego, so Soto would know better than most. Still, Tatis’ stock is down at the moment, and not many would agree with the assertion. While it is true that Tatis was a dominant hitter for the first three years of his career, his offensive numbers have taken a hit since his PED suspension cost him the entire 2022 season.
Since returning from that suspension, Tatis has hit a more modest .265 with 46 home runs in 243 games. He is still a fine player, but he is not quite as good as he was initially. Some might say this is a result of his confidence being dented, but others would probably suggest that it’s not a coincidence that his offensive numbers have declined after he was busted for PED usage.
Most would argue that Shohei Ohtani is the game’s best player right now, not Tatis. Others might argue that Soto himself should hold the title. The Mets are certainly paying him like he is.
Ex-ESPN analyst David Pollack makes big personal request
Former ESPN analyst David Pollack made a big personal request via social media on Monday.
Pollack, who was a star on the defensive line for Georgia in college, disclosed that his wife has brain cancer and is set to undergo surgery this week. He asked for prayers from people.
“I do not share much of my personal life on social media but today is gonna be different. If you are the praying type please lift up my wife Lindsey. She has brain cancer and surgery is Wednesday at Duke. So thankful to serve a loving God that meets us in our struggles!” Pollack wrote on X.
I do not share much of my personal life on social media but today is gonna be different. If you are the praying type please lift up my wife Lindsey. She has brain cancer and surgery is Wednesday at Duke. So thankful to serve a loving God that meets us in our struggles!
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) March 10, 2025
David and Lindsey have two children and run the Pollack Family Foundation, which focuses on faith, family and community.
David, 42, was a first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2005 draft after spending the 2001-2004 seasons at Georgia. He was a two-time All-American and two-time SEC Defensive Player of the Year in college.
Pollack retired after just two NFL seasons due to a neck injury. He went into media work after that and held a role with ESN covering college football from 2009-2023.
Adam Schefter says Aaron Rodgers has choice of 2 starting jobs
Aaron Rodgers has been searching for a team that is willing to offer him an opportunity to start, and it sounds like the former MVP quarterback has multiple options.
Rodgers has been viewed as a logical fit for the New York Giants, who moved on from Daniel Jones last season. A report on Monday then linked Rodgers to the Pittsburgh Steelers just ahead of the start of the NFL’s free agency legal tampering window.
During a special edition of ESPN’s “SportsCenter” on Monday, Adam Schefter said he believes both the Giants and Steelers are open to signing Rodgers to be their new starting quarterback. The Minnesota Vikings are another potential suitor, but they are committed to developing JJ McCarthy.
“I think Aaron Rodgers is gonna have the opportunity, potentially, to start in two places. He could have the Pittsburgh job, if that’s what he wants. He could have the Giants job, if that’s what he wants,” Schefter said. “In Minnesota they are so squarely behind JJ McCarthy. They want him to be the guy. So if Aaron Rodgers is going there, it’s a little more disruptive than it would be if he was going to the Giants or to the Steelers.
“I think if he called the Giants right now and said, ‘I’d like to take whatever offer we were discussing,’ yes, I think he could go there. Do I think he could go to Pittsburgh? I think that’s possible.”
The Steelers said earlier in the offseason that they wanted to bring back either Justin Fields or Russell Wilson in 2025. They supposedly preferred Fields, and the former first-round pick agreed to a two-year deal with the New York Jets on Monday.
The big question is whether the Steelers view Rodgers as a significant upgrade over Wilson. Rodgers is 41 and led the Jets to a 5-12 record last season. Wilson led the Steelers to the playoffs.
Perhaps Pittsburgh feels Rodgers has more upside and can help them get the most out of their new star player.
It seems unlikely that there will be a bidding war for Rodgers at this point in his career, but he is in a good position if two teams truly want to sign him.
Fans all made the same joke about Seahawks signing Sam Darnold
The Seattle Seahawks have a new starting quarterback after they agreed to a free-agent deal with Sam Darnold on Monday, and many people feel that the move does not represent an upgrade.
Darnold has agreed to a three-year deal with Seattle that is worth slightly more than $100 million. The Seahawks were viewed as the favorite to sign Darnold from the moment they traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
One report claimed the Seahawks offered Smith somewhere in the neighborhood of $80-90 million over two years prior to sending him to Las Vegas for a third-round pick. Smith never made a counteroffer, which was probably an indication that he preferred a fresh start.
Assuming the reports are accurate, Seattle saved about $5-10 million per year by signing Darnold instead of Smith. They also added a third-round pick. That did not stop many fans from joking about how Darnold and Smith are a similar level of player.
The Seahawks going from Geno Smith at $25M/year to Sam Darnold at $37M/year pic.twitter.com/STaYvOESGW
— Josh Larky (@jlarkytweets) March 10, 2025
The Seattle Seahawks going from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold pic.twitter.com/DCY0bXhNQI
— Hater Report (@HaterReport_) March 10, 2025
The Seahawks going from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold pic.twitter.com/N8aXEkYp2B
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 10, 2025
seahawks saved all that money to throw it at sam darnold pic.twitter.com/PQDsQlhmFP
— taylor 🤔 (@yastrzemskiszn) March 10, 2025
Going from Geno to Darnold https://t.co/mOH7xSCuo5 pic.twitter.com/jBIBxcppGi
— Adam Samuels (@SamuelAdams_12) March 10, 2025
Darnold and Smith have had very similar career paths. Both were drafted by the New York Jets and had a chance to start early on, but they — like many other Jets quarterbacks in recent years — did not enjoy much success. They have since proven that they are capable of being reliable starters.
Darnold finished with 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season. He led the Vikings to a 14-3 record. Smith threw for 4,320 yards, 21 touchdowns and 15 picks while leading Seattle to a 10-7 record.
With the Seahawks having traded one of their top offensive players and turning to a new quarterback, there could definitely be some growing pains to start the 2025 season.
Texans trade Laremy Tunsil in blockbuster deal
The Houston Texans are trading standout offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil in a surprising move.
Tunsil is being traded from the Texans to the Washington Commanders, according to multiple reports. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Texans will receive a 2026 second- and fourth-round draft pick, as well as a third-round pick in 2025. Washington will also get a fourth-round pick from Houston.
A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Tunsil has established himself as one of the game’s top offensive linemen. Just two years ago, the Texans gave him a contract that made him the highest-paid lineman in the NFL at the time.
Houston’s offensive line struggled in 2024, and Tunsil was not immune from the issues that plagued the unit. Still, one would have assumed the 30-year-old would have been part of the solution. Instead, the Texans are moving on from him and getting a solid haul of picks in return.
The Texans also went 10-7 and made the playoffs last season, but they appear determined to free up some money and retool the roster. They will look somewhat different next season, though they are clearly still building around CJ Stroud.
For Washington, this is even more evidence that the team is going for it after a surprise run to the NFC Championship game in 2024. This is their second big trade of the offseason, and their moves certainly indicate they do not view last year as a fluke. In their mind, they get added protection for Jayden Daniels that will allow the young quarterback to make game-changing plays.
Packers signing major piece for Jordan Love in free agency
Jordan Love can breathe a bit easier now after the Green Bay Packers’ latest signing.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Monday that the Packers will be signing offensive lineman Aaron Banks in free agency. Banks is reportedly getting a big four-year, $77 million contract from Green Bay.
Playing at the left guard position, Banks, 27, had been with the San Francisco 49ers ever since they made him a second-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft (No. 48 overall). A former All-American at Notre Dame, Banks had been a rock for San Francisco these last few years, making 49 total starts for them over the past three seasons (regular season and playoffs).
Banks was regarded as the top guard available on the free agent market this offseason. He is also notable in that he has allowed just one sack in more than 1,000 pass blocking snaps over the past two NFL seasons (per NFL writer Eli Berkovits).
Coming off an 11-6 regular season and a Wild Card round exit in 2024, the Packers needed some extra protection for their prized quarterback Love. Longtime left tackle David Bakhtiari retired before the 2024 campaign, and Love was notably injured on a sack attempt in Week 1 of the season, missing multiple games.
Banks certainly did not come cheap for Green Bay as he will be making nearly $20 million per year in each of the next four NFL seasons. But it is an investment that is very much worth making for the Packers as they rework their offensive line a bit.
Jets star has telling reaction to Justin Fields signing
The New York Jets’ decision to sign Justin Fields appears to have the approval of one of the team’s most prominent players.
The Jets agreed to terms with Fields on a two-year contract Monday as NFL free agency got underway. The move almost certainly assures Fields of the starting job with the Jets in 2025.
That news was welcomed by Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. Wilson prominently “liked” the NFL’s Instagram post about Fields’ move.
Wilson and Fields played together for two seasons at Ohio State. Though Wilson’s best season came as a junior while playing with CJ Stroud, he still tallied 1,155 yards and 11 touchdown receptions over his two seasons with Fields throwing to him.
If Fields and Wilson can forge a strong connection, the Jets could certainly see some real improvement on offense in 2025. Wilson has already established himself as a reliable target, as he has reached the 1,000-yard mark in each of his three NFL seasons.
Fields is the player who has yet to really establish himself firmly as a passer. His career high in passing yards was the 2,562 he put up with Chicago in 2023, but perhaps a connection with Wilson could help him beat that number.
Wilson was rumored to be dissatisfied with Aaron Rodgers last season. He appears much happier at the prospect of playing with Fields again.
Super Bowl hero decides to leave Eagles for new NFC team
Having already secured his Super Bowl ring, one veteran defender is now securing his bag.
Adam Schefter of ESPN reported on Monday that Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Josh Sweat is leaving the team in free agency. He has reached a deal with the Arizona Cardinals for four years and $76.4 million (including $41 million guaranteed).
Sweat, 27, was selected by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft (No. 130 overall) and had been with them for his entire NFL career up to this point. A Pro Bowl selection in the 2021 season, Sweat followed that up by becoming a Super Bowl hero for Philadelphia last month with his tremendous performance in The Big Game.
With 2.5 of the Eagles’ 6.0 sacks on Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl LIX and an additional six QB pressures, Sweat was arguably the single most impactful defender for Philadelphia during the contest. He even received a handful of votes for Super Bowl MVP.
On the Cardinals, Sweat now reunites with Arizona head coach Jonathan Gannon, who was previously his defensive coordinator on the Eagles from 2021-22. Sweat is far from a one-game wonder too, logging 33.5 total sacks over his last four NFL seasons combined.
After Philadelphia’s Super Bowl victory, Sweat was vocal about how he felt that he deserved Super Bowl MVP over Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. Now Sweat is set to carve out his own path away from Hurts and the Eagles (who also lost another big-name defender in free agency earlier in the day Monday).
