Month: July 2025

Jul 25, 2025; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) participates in drills during training camp at Saint Vincent College. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Aaron Rodgers beats back Mike Tomlin critics

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Mike Tomlin might stop short of embracing his critics, but the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach has said the unsolicited assessments of his performance come with the territory in his profession.

New Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has other ideas about slinging arrows at Tomlin.

“Mike T is the man. Any hate, disrespect and the ilk is complete and utter bullshit,” Rodgers said Wednesday in a live interview at training camp with the visiting “Pat McAfee Show.”

“Mike T is the man. From Day 1 that we talked on the phone in the offseason, I was never talking to a head coach. I was talking to a friend. I respected the hell out of that. The way that he leads the room, the way that he talks in the team meeting, the way he is in practice. The surprise has been, just, what a great dude he is. What a great leader he is, on top of what I already expected, which was already high based on what I thought from afar, but being able to see it in person is incredible.”

Rodgers took his time coming to terms with the Steelers after two painful seasons with the Jets. He tore his Achilles on the opening series of his tenure with the team in 2023 and the redemption tour never left the runway in 2024 after a slow start that led to New York firing head coach Robert Saleh.

Rodgers was released by the Jets, who signed former Steelers quarterback Justin Fields to start this season.

Tomlin told McAfee on Wednesday there was no hesitation in signing Rodgers after their initial conversation proved they were in alignment on their goals and mission.

“He’s here and here in a mindset that’s aligned with us. He’s here and here to win a world championship for this group,” Tomlin said.

Rodgers won a Super Bowl with the Green Bay Packers in 2010, beating Tomlin and the Steelers for his only Lombardi Trophy.

–Field Level Media

Jul 28, 2025; Miami Gardens, MI, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers (14) throws the football during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Dolphins rave about pick No. 231, QB Quinn Ewers

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Tua Tagovailoa tossed touchdown passes of 30 and 60 yards on Tuesday but the training camp performance of a position group peer is grabbing the quarterback’s attention.

Rookie Quinn Ewers, the 231st overall pick in the 2025 draft and a three-year starter at Texas, is putting on a show of his own in a competition with former top-5 pick Zach Wilson.

“Quinn Ewers is doing great,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said. “He has a personality that players gravitate to.”

The competition is likely to play out in preseason games in August. Tagovailoa said he’s not above playing in the exhibitions, but given his injury history, the Dolphins have little to gain exposing him to meaningless hits before September.

Placing Ewers and Wilson, who was drafted by the Jets and spent last season with the Denver Broncos, in game-like situations will probably take precedent for Miami. Because Tagovailoa missed six games last season and the Dolphins were entirely dormant offensively without him, there’s added focus on finding a productive passer behind him. In five NFL seasons, Tagovailoa has played in 64 total games.

“I think Quinn Ewers has been balling,” Tagovailoa said.

In one red-zone drill on Monday, Tagovailoa was one of the most vocal cheerleaders as Ewers threw three touchdown passes and set social media ablaze with his accuracy.

“I think, realistically, Quinn’s development is all him,” McDaniel said. “But it’s as much as coaching and from the quarterback coaches and Zach and Tua as well. They’re creating a good environment that he has to keep up with because the other two are rolling.”

Ewers threw for 9,128 yards and 68 touchdowns at Texas.

–Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) joins camp during a preseason training camp practice in downtown Cincinnati on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson reports, says nothing new per contract

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Cincinnati Bengals star pass rusher Trey Hendrickson formally reported to training camp on Wednesday and said nothing has changed per his contract status.

Hendrickson has been seeking a new deal all offseason and isn’t going to practice with the team until the situation is resolved.

Hendrickson said nothing has changed regarding his contract. He is slated to make $15.8 million in base salary in 2025.

“There are plans on not having to play on the current deal,” Hendrickson said after Wednesday’s practice. “That’s something we have a common goal to get to. That’s the plan moving forward. No distractions. I am excited to be here.”

Hendrickson said the main reason he reported was so he wouldn’t be a distraction.

“I want to help the guys, the guys that have helped me along the way,” Hendrickson said. “(Teammates) Demario Davis, Cam Jordan, even Sam Hubbard helped me a lot when I was here. To be that, right now, I think that’s what’s most important. This (contract) narrative will kinda iron itself out as we continue to progress towards the season.”

Cincinnati star quarterback Joe Burrow was happy to see Hendrickson on the premises.

“Whenever you can have a guy like that in the building, who’s not (playing), it’s good to see his face, it’s good to have his presence,” Burrow told reporters. “He’s going to be a big, big part of this team this year. Just to have him around made a big difference in the energy around here.”

The four-time Pro Bowl defensive end has been seeking a big contract extension.

Hendrickson, 30, led the NFL in sacks last season with 17.5. He has 35 over the past two seasons and 57 in four seasons with the Bengals.

The two sides have been in a stalemate all offseason. In mid-May, Hendrickson told reporters he wouldn’t play this season unless he received a bump in pay.

Hendrickson apparently craves an increase in pay that will place him in the higher echelon of defensive players. Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt just landed the highest annual average salary ($41 million) in history for a defensive player.

Over the offseason, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett ($40 million AAV) and Los Angeles Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby ($35.5 million) also landed huge deals.

“This is the guy that has the most sacks over the last two years,” Burrow said of Hendrickson. “Production is value in this league. I know you can think you’re such a good player, but to not have any production doesn’t really matter. So when you have a guy like that, you want to reward him.”

Hendrickson has been a Pro Bowl selection in all four of his seasons with Cincinnati. He played his first four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, serving as a backup for the first three campaigns.

Hendrickson has 77 sacks, 220 tackles and 14 forced fumbles in 110 games (81 starts).

–Field Level Media

Jan 20, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; The hosts of ESPN First Take, Molly Qerim, Stephen A. Smith, Shannon Sharpe and Cam Newton, at the CFP Fan Central at the George World Congress Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Report: ESPN punts Shannon Sharpe after lawsuit settlement

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ESPN parted ways with Pro Football Hall of Fame member and media personality Shannon Sharpe, according to multiple reports Wednesday.

Sharpe was last with the network in April when a former girlfriend accused Sharpe of sexual assault and filed a $50 million lawsuit.

The ESPN move comes after the woman’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, announced an out-of-court settlement on July 18 without divulging any financial figures while acknowledging a “long-term consensual and tumultuous relationship” between his client and Sharpe, 57.

Sharpe began appearing on ESPN’s “First Take” in September 2023. He signed a multi-year contract extension with the company last summer. When he stepped away in April, he called the move temporary and made it clear he intended to return to a role in national sports media.

A different allegation about Sharpe emerged in April. Front Office Sports reported he was accused of choking a female production assistant while working for Fox as the co-host of FS1’s “Undisputed.”

Per the report, Sharpe was not sued in the case, and he and Fox settled with the woman for several hundred thousand dollars. Sharpe’s camp denied that the choking incident happened.

Sharpe played 14 NFL seasons with the Denver Broncos and Baltimore Ravens, winning three Super Bowl titles.

–Field Level Media

Bills rookie defensive back Maxwell Hairston high-fives fans as he runs onto the field during day five of Buffalo Bills training camp at St. John Fisher University Monday, July 28, 2025 in Pittsford, NY.

Bills CB Maxwell Hairston to miss time with knee sprain

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Bills rookie cornerback Maxwell Hairston dodged an injury scare but is expected to miss time with a sprained knee ligament.

Hairston, the 30th overall pick in the 2025 draft, did not finish Tuesday’s practice after being taken to the locker room with a knee injury. According to multiple reports, tests taken Tuesday revealed Hairston avoided a major injury and his ACL was found to be fully intact.

Hairston is competing for a significant role in the Buffalo secondary. He was the fastest player at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in the 40-yard dash (4.28 seconds) and general manager Brandon Beane said on draft night the Bills coveted Hairston because he gives the secondary “something we don’t have.”

NFL Network reported Hairston’s injury is a sprained lateral collateral ligament. Typical recovery time for a Grade 1 (mild) LCL sprain is 1 to 3 weeks.

–Field Level Media

Jul 26, 2025; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (1) talks to cornerback Denzel Ward (21) and safety Grant Delpit (9) during training camp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images

Browns CB Martin Emerson Jr. tears Achilles, out for season

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Cleveland Browns cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. will undergo surgery to repair a torn left Achilles and miss the 2025 season.

Head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed the news Wednesday. Emerson suffered the non-contact injury in practice during a 7-on-7 drill on Tuesday and was carted off the field.

“Disappointed, obviously, injuries are the worst part about our game. But he will bounce back. I know what he is made of, and he’s got our support and his teammate’s support,” Stefanski said, according to the team’s website. “MJ is a big part of this football team, whether he is out on the field or not, he is a big part of this football team.”

Emerson, 24, recorded 80 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 games (15 starts) last season.

He has totaled 202 tackles and four interceptions in 50 career games (33 starts) since being selected by Cleveland in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He is entering the final season of his four-year rookie deal.

Stefanski said he has spoken with Emerson.

“He’s hurting,” Stefanski said. “These guys put so much into this game — physically, mentally, emotionally — and I don’t want to see any of our players ever in that position. It’s tough to see. Having said that, I know what this kid is made of. Yesterday was a lot, and he’s sore today and it’s going to be tough.”

–Field Level Media

Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider at the team Super Bowl XLVIII victory parade in 2014. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Seahawks GM John Schneider signs through 2030

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Seattle Seahawks general manager John Schneider agreed to a four-year contract extension through the 2030 draft.

Schneider, 54. enters his second season with head coach Mike Macdonald and would hit the 20-year mark as the primary personnel boss in Seattle if he completes the new contract.

Hired in 2010 out of the Green Bay Packers organization, where he was a protege of Ron Wolf and Ted Thompson, Schneider is attempting to rebuild the Seahawks into a perennial contender. The team has 10 playoff appearances and played in two Super Bowls — one win, one loss — during Schneider’s tenure. Only one of those four postseason appearances has come in the past four seasons, however.

Among current NFL general managers, only Mickey Loomis (New Orleans Saints GM since 2002) and Mike Brown (Cincinnati Bengals president and GM since 1991) have a longer active tenure. The list doesn’t include Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, who still calls the shots for the organization he purchased in 1989.

Schneider was hired in January 2010, 10 days before the Eagles promoted 34-year-old Howie Roseman to the same role, and teamed with Pete Carroll to build a dynastic roster centered around value draft picks and other shrewd moves.

The Seahawks drafted quarterback Russell Wilson in the third round (2012), acquired running back Marshawn Lynch via trade (2010), signed defensive end Michael Bennett as a free agent (2013) and scored on a series of defensive prospects in the draft, including cornerback Richard Sherman (154th overall in 2011), safety Kam Chancellor (133rd overall, 2010) and linebacker Bobby Wagner (47th overall, 2012).

When Carroll was fired and replaced by Macdonald in 2023, Schneider added the title of president of football operations.

In his second year with Macdonald, formerly defensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, Schneider overturned much of the roster. Seattle signed Sam Darnold, traded incumbent starting quarterback Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, dealt D.K. Metcalf to the Pittsburgh Steelers and rolled the dice with two injury-prone veterans: former Los Angeles Rams All-Pro wide receiver Cooper Kupp and longtime Cowboys pass rusher DeMarcus Lawrence.

–Field Level Media

Feb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (1) against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy placed in concussion protocol

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy is in concussion protocol, the team announced on Wednesday.

The move comes one day after Worthy banged his head while vying for a deep pass in practice.

Worthy will have to clear the protocol before returning to training camp. The Chiefs open the preseason at Arizona on Aug. 9 and kick off the regular season against the visiting Los Angeles Chargers on Sept. 5.

Worthy, 22, had 59 catches for 638 yards and six touchdowns and also rushed for three TDs in 17 games (13 starts) last season after being selected with the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The rookie added three touchdown receptions in the playoffs, including two in the second half of the Chiefs’ 40-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Zack Moss (31) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Bengals release veteran RB Zack Moss

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The Cincinnati Bengals released veteran running back Zack Moss on Wednesday.

Moss, 27, agreed to a reworked contract for one year and $1.7 million in April with only $375,000 guaranteed.

He ran for 242 yards and two touchdowns in eight games (six starts) for the Bengals in 2024 before sustaining a season-ending neck injury in Week 8. He also caught 23 passes for 187 yards and one score.

Chase Brown seized the No. 1 running back role for Cincinnati last season, racking up 1,350 yards from scrimmage with 11 touchdowns in 16 games (10 starts).

A third-round pick by Buffalo in 2020, Moss has rushed for 2,318 yards and 16 touchdowns and caught 98 passes for 710 yards and five TDs in 61 career games (17 starts) with the Bills (2020-22), Indianapolis Colts (2022-23) and Bengals.

Cincinnati also announced that center Seth McLaughlin has passed a physical and been cleared to practice. The 23-year-old undrafted rookie from Ohio State had been on the active/non-football injury list since July 19.

–Field Level Media

Dec 22, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins cornerback Kader Kohou (4) runs with the ball after intercepting a pass from San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13, not pictured) during second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

CB Kader Kohou, Dolphins’ starting nickel, out for season

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Kader Kohou is out for the season with a knee injury, leaving the Miami Dolphins to fill yet another hole in the secondary.

Kohou is their primary nickel cornerback and head coach Mike McDaniel said he was playing the best football of his career before he went down with the injury over the weekend.

“I saw him ascend to a different level (in the offseason),” McDaniel said Wednesday. “The timing of it. … I was crushed until I talked to Kader, and honestly Kader made me feel a little bit better, simply by his mindset.

“You don’t know the whys all the time when things happen, and I get concerned for guys who get stuck in that world of a fixation for ‘opportunities lost.’ Kader’s mindset triggered like that, to where he said, ‘This is tough but I guarantee I’m going to come back better.’ That is the way to approach both the game of football and life.”

Miami traded cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier this summer and acquired safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in return. Fitzpatrick is capable of filling a hybrid safety-cornerback role if the Dolphins decide to take that route with their thinned personnel at the defensive back spots.

Kohou was the only returning starter in the secondary from last season. When he was hurt Saturday, the Dolphins signed veteran defensive back Mike Hilton.

Already in the first week of training camp, cornerback Artie Burns suffered a torn ACL and safety Ashtyn Davis left practice on crutches and his left foot was in a walking boot on Tuesday.

–Field Level Media