| NFL teams are accustomed to being lord and master in their local domain, but when FIFA comes to your town, the shoe is on the other foot. Mike Florio ofProFootballTalk.com: They have to install playing surfaces that meet exacting standards. They have to change the names of the facilities. They have to shut down all other business (such as major concerts) for the duration of the World Cup. Given the hoops through which the 11 NFL stadiums will have to jump in order to placate FIFA, it’s fair to ask whether it’s worth it. Ben Volin of the Boston Globe recently took a look at that question. Said an NFL official from a team that won’t be hosting any of the World Cup games, “I know more than a few teams weren’t disappointed to lose the bid.” That could be sour grapes, because those who won the right to host the matches are crowing about it. “Can’t sleep,” Cowboys owner and G.M. Jerry Jones said recently, per Volin. “This is a great chance to associate with the worldwide love with soccer, and lets us put a little notch on our belt and share it with what soccer’s about, too. They’ll never be able to take away that we held those games in that stadium.” Cowboys executive Stephen Jones echoed the sentiment: “We’ll be shut down all summer. But it’s worth it. I mean, this is about brand and, you know, being a part of something special.” The Joneses wanted to host the matches badly enough to give up their suite for the matches. “I think I’ve got to go someplace else, but that was a part of it,” Jerry Jones said. “We did a lot of things to make this work.” The Cowboys, Patriots, Falcons, Texans, Chargers/Rams, Giants/Jets, Chiefs, Seahawks, 49ers, Dolphins, and Eagles will be hosting World Cup games in their stadiums. The total revenue is projected, per Volin, to be roughly $11 billion. FIFA will pay rent for the stadiums, while keeping the revenue from sponsorships, tickets, suites, merchandise, concessions, and parking. So how much will the teams get for hosting the World Cup? Per Volin, the terms “have been kept under wraps.” Given that folks like Jones are not known for doing bad deals, they’ll surely be making more money to host the World Cup matches than they would have made in a normal summer. Still, it’s a headache. Extra work, extra expenses, extra hassles. Not to mention the P.R. bruise that comes from the perception/reality that NFL owners who are giving FIFA the surfaces it demands while stubbornly refusing to do the same for pro football players.– – -Tom Brady thinks some practice squad players are quite content with that life – and don’t really aspire to make more money with the greater pressure of actually playing in games. John Breech of CBSSports.com: It’s not often that you hear Tom Brady get called out on social media by current and former NFL players, but that’s exactly what happened over the weekend after the retired quarterback gave his opinion on practice squad players. During an appearance on the “Champion Mindset” podcast, Brady said that practice squad players rarely end up having a successful career in the NFL because they just don’t have what it takes to succeed. “Practice squad players are important because if anybody on the active roster gets hurt, they can get elevated to the squad,” Brady said. OK, that doesn’t sound so bad. Brady even pointed out that some practice squad players impressed him with their performance in practice. “There was times where these 15 guys would do really well in practice and they’d be practicing and — I saw this happen a lot — these scout team receivers would come in and practice with the scout team and they’d do really well,” Brady said. “And I’d be watching and I’m like, ‘Man, we got to get that guy. Let’s get him up on offense. He’s making a lot of plays. That’s Darrelle Revis he’s getting open on. We got to do something.'” So what happens once the practice squad star gets moved to the active roster? That’s where things start to fall apart, according to Brady. “Then all of a sudden, we’re like, ‘Hey man, you’re doing really well, you got to come over here and deal with the pressure of succeeding now that you have expectation.’ And these guys are like, they weren’t prepared for it,” Brady said. “So whatever we saw in practice against, where there was not a lot of pressure, now, when they’re put in a situation where there’s an expectation for performance, they’ve never had to personally deal with that and then they fail.” The seven-time Super Bowl winner added that many practice squad players are content to remain there so that they can tell people they’re in the NFL. “And then what I realized was, a lot of guys on those practice squads, they don’t want to be elevated to the roster,” Brady said. “”They’re very happy living this life where they could tell their family and friends, which I have no problem with that… But the reality is a lot of guys don’t want the pressure of dealing with top.” Brady is essentially saying that practice squad players don’t have what it takes to survive in the NFL and that hot take started a firestorm on social media. How players responded to Brady’s takeAs you can imagine, there were many NFL players — both former and current — who didn’t agree with Brady’s take, and they were glad to call out the retired quarterback on social media. Lions offensive lineman Dan Skipper was probably the most vocal, calling Brady’s opinion absolute bullshit.’ Skipper, who entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, has spent time on six practice squads. In 2019, he was actually on the Patriots’ practice squad, so he was teammates with Brady. “As someone who experienced both sides, there is a lot more that goes into it,” Skipper wrote. The 31-year-old Skipper has played in 29 games with the Lions over the past two seasons, including 10 starts. Broncos receiver Lil’Jordan Humphrey also seemed to take issue with Brady’s opinion on practice squad players. Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz called Brady’s opinion nonsense. “I remember only a handful of guys who truly did not want to play in a game,” Schwartz wrote on social media. “They were all active squad guys. The PS guys can’t wait to get called up. And Brady is right in saying there are players who can’t handle the pressure and do fold. But it’s not because they don’t want to be on the field.” The most interesting response might have come from Danny Woodhead. Not only did the former NFL running back spend time on the practice squad before putting together a successful career, but he was also teammates with Brady for three seasons in New England (2010-12). “Last thing I wanted to do was stay where I was as a psquad guy,” Woodhead wrote after sending out the emoji. “Made sure I knew every position I could possibly play. Like 6 weeks in got elevated to the active roster as a WR. Position I never played.” Woodhead is one of two prominent former practice squad players with whom Brady once played. Former Patriots receiver Danny Amendola, who spent five seasons with Brady in New England, also started his career on the practice squad. Unfortunately, Amendola has yet to weigh in on Brady’s take. One of the most prominent former players to disagree with Brady was three-time Pro Bowler Seth Joyner, who pointed out that it’s not just practice-squad players who struggled, because there have also been plenty of first-round picks who haven’t been able to handle the pressure of the NFL. If Brady hasn’t been on social media this weekend, he’s probably going to wonder how his hot take on practice squad players went viral. His interview on the “Champion Mindset” podcast actually took place back in February. Still, he’s facing the heat now because a social media account with nearly two million followers shared the practice squad clip on X over the weekend. From there, the internet did its thing, and now, dozens of current and former players have weighed in on Brady’s take. With the NFL about to hit the dead part of the offseason in the next few weeks, Brady has definitely given players something to talk about while they’re on break. |
| NFC NORTH |
| MINNESOTAAfter looking at a bunch of candidates with ties to the team, the Vikings go for outsider Nolan Teasley as their new GM. Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com: The Minnesota Vikings have hired Nolan Teasley as their general manager, sources told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero on Saturday, concluding an unusual chapter for the franchise. Teasley has spent the past 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, where he began as an intern and advanced to assistant general manager in 2023. He replaces Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, whom the Vikings fired Jan. 30, and interim general manager Rob Brzezinski, who was also a candidate for the permanent job. Because they fired Adofo-Mensah so late in the process, the Wilfs — the Vikings owners — decided to tap Brzezinski, their longtime salary cap analyst and contract negotiator, to lead a temporary front office during the most important team-building time of the year. Brzezinski will remain with the Vikings in his previous role as executive vice president of football operations, a source said. Teasley was the only candidate among the five finalists without a clear connection to the Vikings or a key member of the organization. Brzezinski has worked for the Vikings since 1999 in a variety of roles, while Buffalo Bills assistant general manager Terrance Gray and Denver Broncos assistant general manager Reed Burckhardt each spent more than a decade with them as a scout. Los Angeles Rams assistant general manager John McKay, meanwhile, worked with coach Kevin O’Connell when O’Connell was the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021. Still, the Wilfs made clear that they were not looking to overhaul the entire front office. Mark Wilf said in March that he thought the team had a “great scouting staff, great coaching staff” and wanted to hire something to “fit within that.” According to a source, the Wilfs view Teasley, O’Connell and Brzezinski as a leadership team that features three experts in their respective fields. Teasley, however, will be the Vikings’ primary decision-maker, a source told ESPN. An NFL spokesperson confirmed to ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler that Teasley, whose father is Black, was a minority candidate. That means the Seahawks are in position to receive third-round compensatory picks in each of the next two drafts in accordance with the Rooney Rule. Teasley will be tasked with navigating an organization that has leaned heavily on O’Connell and other members of the coaching staff to guide personnel and draft moves in recent years. But he will enter the position with scouting credentials that Adofo-Mensah, a data analyst, never had. The Wilfs kept a relatively close circle of advisers in the hiring process, leaning mostly on O’Connell and chief operating officer Andrew Miller. Zygi and Mark Wilf were also joined in at least some interviews by four of their adult children: Zygi’s son Jonathan and Mark’s sons Steven, Daniel and Andrew. A 2007 graduate of Central Washington, where he played football through his junior year, Teasley worked in the business world for six years before deciding to change professions. He joined the Seahawks as an intern in 2013 before being promoted to pro scout. He also served as an assistant director of pro personnel and then director of pro personnel before ascending to his most recent role as assistant general manager. Brzezinski directed the Vikings through an offseason dedicated largely to getting the franchise back under solid financial footing. Adofo-Mensah had used heavy free agent spending to reinforce the roster in the wake of multiple poor drafts, and the Vikings spent roughly $100 million over the cap during the 2024 and 2025 offseasons combined. Brzezinski secured pay cuts from tight end T.J. Hockenson and running back Aaron Jones, released defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, and traded linebacker Jonathan Greenard rather than extend his contract. In particular, Brzezinski acknowledged that trading Greenard was “not something we’re jumping around excitedly about” and felt compelled to say that the Wilfs had not ordered a spending cutdown. “We have just spent so much money the last several years that it’s not sustainable for us to move forward,” Brzezinski said in April. “Our salary cap situation has been very, very challenging.” Brzezinski went bargain hunting in free agency, signing six players from other teams. Most notably, quarterback Kyler Murray will cost the Vikings only $1.3 million while most of his $36.7 million salary is paid by the Arizona Cardinals. All told, the Vikings are on track to spend about $100 million less in payroll in 2026 than they did in 2025..More thoughts on Teasley from Alec Lewis of The Athletic: They explained, publicly and privately, that they sought a leader. Someone who could bridge all areas of the organization. Someone who could garner the respect of a heavy-handed coaching staff. Perhaps the most interesting question remained: Could a familiar candidate fit that profile, or were the Vikings determined to bring in a fresh set of eyes? Saturday’s news provided the answer. The Vikings agreed to terms with Seattle Seahawks assistant general manager Nolan Teasley, multiple league sources confirmed to The Athletic. “At least they swung,” one agent familiar with the hiring process said. “You can respect that.” Teasley won out because of his “strong football acumen,” according to several team sources. Teasley held a leadership position on a Seahawks staff that has made nine playoff appearances, reached the Super Bowl three times and emerged with two Lombardi trophies in 13 seasons. The Vikings respected Seahawks GM John Schneider’s structure and disposition from afar. The chance to pair Teasley with Brzezinski’s expertise and head coach Kevin O’Connell sold the Vikings on a trio of experts capable of forming alignment. A bevy of NFL evaluators and agents praised Minnesota’s choice. One NFC executive said, “They speak highly of him around the Seahawks’ offices. He’s probably as qualified as any.” One NFC scout mentioned Teasley’s ability to supplement the tape evaluation with data: “He knows how to communicate with those guys and use that side to help what you see on tape.” One agent described Teasley as “patient,” and another used the word “calm.” “He really is the perfect present-day GM,” one current Seahawks staffer said. “He’s taken the time to learn all of the new stuff that one needs to know to succeed in the role — sports science, player development, health and wellness, analytics and good, old-fashioned ball.” |
| NFC EAST |
| NEW YORK GIANTSDT ADBDUL CARTER wants it both ways – QB JAXSON DART is dead wrong for introducing the despicable Donald Trump, yet the two are united in advancing the Giants cause. Jordan Raanan of ESPN.com: – Teammates Jaxson Dart and Abdul Carter say their relationship is fine after a “disagreement” last week stemming from the New York Giants quarterback introducing President Donald Trump at an event in New York. The two were even seen publicly embracing after Dart gave a statement to the media Friday. Dart’s appearance at the May 22 rally prompted Carter to post a critical message on social media the following day. They then talked and ironed out their differences according to Carter, but the team still held a meeting Tuesday morning in which Dart and several team leaders addressed the room. “I know Jaxson is a good dude,” Carter said. “Like I said, I was drafted with this guy. I’ve known him for almost two years now, so I know what he represents, and I know that our goals align as a team. Just because we have a disagreement on something doesn’t mean that there is something more than that. It’s just a disagreement, and we can talk about it as men, which we did, and move forward from it. That’s my last time answering that.” Carter was not at the team meeting Tuesday. He had a preplanned absence from the voluntary workouts as he attended to religious obligations. Dart explained his stance with a three-plus-minute statement after Friday’s OTA at the Giants team facility. He noted his respect for the presidential position, regardless of political affiliation, and his long family military history. Multiple sources told ESPN that the original plan for last week did not involve Dart introducing the president. But the plan changed along the way. Coach John Harbaugh said he only knew that Dart was supposed to meet the president. Dart’s role in the political event for U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler eventually caught Carter’s attention. They had a conversation Saturday afternoon, and Carter later shared on social media that everything was fine. “We just talked,” Dart said. “Me and Abdul came here at the same time. We shared a lot of similar experiences. We’ve experienced adversity through a season and had to have each other’s backs, and that’s exactly what we continued to do today. Me and him are one of the closer guys on the team with each other, so we’ve had a lot of conversation and he’s my brother. I know that I’m a brother to him and, at the end of the day, we want to be the best people and players for each other.” Harbaugh met with leaders of the team Tuesday morning after the holiday weekend. Dart and several other of the team’s more prominent players, including Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, Andrew Thomas and Jevon Holland, spoke at a team meeting afterward. Harbaugh said he viewed the team meeting as a “great opportunity.” The Giants are trying to establish a culture, and this was a chance for them to deal with some adversity, which is inevitable during an NFL season. It was a players-led session. “You don’t want to stand up and just try to dictate some terms as a coach,” Harbaugh said. “You want to find out what the players think, you know? How the coaches and players feel about it, and really mainly the players because, as I told them, it’s your team. … And the players established amongst themselves how they wanted to approach these kind of things. It’s part of the dialogue in our society, and they did a great job. I was proud of them.” Carter said that Dart did not apologize for his actions, adding that he didn’t think a Dart apology was necessary. He wants him to stand on what he believes. The second-year edge rusher believes he did exactly that. “Some things are bigger than football, and this is one of those things,” Carter said. “Jaxson is one of our leaders. He’s the face of our franchise. He not only represents himself and what he does, but he represents all of us, and that goes for anybody who wears a Giants uniform. But if he chooses to align himself with a man like President Trump, it’s my responsibility based on what I believe and what I stand on, to not only show my teammates that I’m against that but to show the world. “And that doesn’t mean that we have to spread hate. It doesn’t mean that me and Jaxson hate each other or we have beef. … I just want to move past this.” It appears to have been an eye-opening experience for Dart, the second-year quarterback who was a first-round pick last year. This story has extended well beyond football. Dart spoke Friday in a rather melancholic tone that seemed different from his usual brash delivery. “I also understand in this world politics can be a sensitive matter, a sensitive topic. I also understand that I am the quarterback of the New York Giants, and that involves a lot of responsibility,” Dart said. “It’s under a limelight, under a microscope, and there’s a lot that comes with that and it’s been something that I’ve embraced. “I’ve loved being here … the people that I’ve met here. It’s just been a really amazing experience, and there’s not another place that I’d rather be. … And most importantly, I can honestly say that I love every single one of my brothers, my teammates on this team regardless of politics, regardless of religious beliefs, regardless of anything that may be different between us. I love them, and they know exactly what kind of person that I am who comes into the facility every day.” |
| PHILADELPHIAIt’s June 1 – and WR A.J. BROWN is likely to be moving to a new team in a few hours. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer thinks it’s the Patriots: @Jeff_McLaneIf the return for A.J. Brown is straight up a 2028 first round draft pick — and from what I understand, that is the case — then it would come two draft cycles after the parameters of a deal between the #Eagles and Patriots were likely set. That’s quite a drop in compensation if the initial asking price, as I had heard it, was a first and a second rounder. Some of that seemed posturing. But the Rams were really the only other serious suitor. Brown was coming off a down season, has medical concerns with his knees, and requires some maintenance off the field. He’s also still highly regarded around the league and has many who vouch for his character and leadership. The Eagles will save money by moving him — a significant $133.1M in cash — but there is also a dead money charge (around $43M) that necessitated a post-June 1 roster move. So they will be getting more than just the future first rounder for Brown. It’s not apples to apples, but if you look at the most recent trade for a top receiver — the Broncos gave up 2026 1st, 3d and 4th round picks for Jaylen Waddle and a Dolphins 4th — the Eagles’ return isn’t close to comparable. Waddle is 19 months younger, but he’s a tier below Brown. Perhaps Denver overpaid, but that market should have conceivably helped the #Eagles. Joel Corey of CBSSports.com explains the deal: A divorce between A.J. Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles has seemed inevitable because of the wide receiver’s frustration with the offense last season stemming from his lack of consistent targets in the passing game. The Eagles reportedly had trade discussions about Brown with the Los Angeles Rams in March as free agency approached. Brown has been absent from Philadelphia’s voluntary offseason workout program, which started on April 20, amid the trade speculation. The Eagles have operated as if Brown’s days in Philadelphia are numbered. They acquired Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers in April before the NFL Draft for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. In connection with the trade, the wide receiver signed a one-year, $12.5 million contract extension running through the 2027 season worth up to $14.75 million thanks to salary escalators. Philadelphia also moved up three spots in the first round to select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 20th overall pick. How Brown’s contract worksBrown received a three-year, $96 million extension in 2024 averaging $32 million per year, even though he had three years remaining on his contract, to reflect changing conditions in the wide receiver market. The Eagles used one of the NFL’s most complex contract structures with Brown. The deal contains five option bonuses tied to five void years from 2030 to 2034. Those void years allow Philadelphia to spread Brown’s option bonuses across additional seasons for salary-cap purposes before the contract automatically voids in February 2030. NFL teams can prorate option bonuses over as many as five years, including void years. Because of that, the Eagles structured Brown’s contract under the assumption those option years would count toward the salary cap even though Brown was never expected to play under them. Brown has $113 million remaining over the four years left on his contract, which expires after the 2029 season. He is scheduled to make a fully guaranteed $29 million this year consisting of a $28.75 million base salary and a $250,000 workout bonus. The Eagles currently have Brown with a $23,393,496 cap number for 2026. Brown’s 2027, 2028 and 2029 salaries are $21 million, $32 million and $31 million. Just $4 million of Brown’s 2027 compensation is fully guaranteed. The rest of the money is unsecured. Why June 1 mattersThe optimal time for the Eagles to trade Brown is after June 1 when the salary cap ramifications become more favorable. By waiting until June 2, the bonus proration from Brown’s 2027 through 2029 contract years won’t accelerate onto Philadelphia’s 2026 salary cap under NFL salary cap rules. That bonus proration would instead become a 2027 cap charge. Trading Brown prior to June 2 would increase Philadelphia’s 2026 cap charges for Brown by $27,161,609 because of the bonus proration from his 2027 through 2029 contract years accelerating forward. That would have been too cost prohibitive considering the Eagles currently have $26.286 million of 2026 cap space, according to NFLPA data. The Eagles are going to have $21,843,496 in 2026 dead money (a salary cap charge for a player no longer on a team’s roster), resulting in $1.55 million in 2026 cap savings by trading Brown after June 1. The $5.49 million of option bonus proration in 2026 for this year’s option should remain a Philadelphia cap charge, even though the exercise period ends a day before the team’s first regular-season game of the 2026 season, rather than the 2026 cap savings being $7.04 million. The deadline date will be Sept. 8, Sept. 9, Sept. 12 or Sept. 13 depending on where Brown is dealt. This type of cap treatment occurred with the San Francisco 49ers because they traded wide receiver Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders last year prior to exercising a 2025 option for a future voiding contract year. Philadelphia will get a $5.49 million cap credit in 2027 with this option bonus proration staying as a 2026 cap obligation. Since the Eagles should receive the cap credit next year, the net dead money in 2027 will be $21,671,609 instead of $27,161,609. That’s $1,034,198 less than Brown’s current $22,705,807 cap number with the Eagles. Brown will come off Philadelphia’s books starting in 2028. Brown’s trade valueThe Eagles are reportedly looking for at least a first-round pick in exchange for Brown. The Tennessee Titans traded Brown to the Eagles during the 2022 NFL Draft for a 2022 first-round pick (18th overall) and a 2022 third-round pick. Brown was 24 when that trade occurred. He turns 29 on June 30. Presumably, the acquisition cost won’t be as high this time because Brown is older. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who is 27, was acquired by the Denver Broncos along with a 2026 fourth-round pick for a 2026 first-round pick (30th overall), a third-round pick and a fourth-round pick in March. Philadelphia’s worst-case scenario should be DK Metcalf-type trade compensation. The Steelers traded the equivalent of a second-round pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Metcalf in March 2026 and also gave him a four-year contract extension averaging nearly $33 million per year. Metcalf was Brown’s teammate in college at Ole Miss. He went 13 picks after Brown was taken in the second round (No. 51 overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft. The New England Patriots are the leading candidate for Brown because of his connection to head coach Mike Vrabel and their lack of a true No. 1 wide receiver. Vrabel was Brown’s head coach during his three years with the Titans from 2019 through 2021. In addition to the Patriots and Rams, Brown’s preferred trade destinations are the Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers. The Rams are unlikely to revisit a Brown trade, while the Bills don’t have a wide receiver need after acquiring DJ Moore and a 2026 fifth-round pick from the Chicago Bears for a 2026 second-round pick in March. What Brown’s new team would inheritThe acquiring team would assume the remainder of Brown’s contract, including the right to exercise the 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 options. The new team would have a $6.79 million cap hit for Brown in 2026 consisting of $5.49 million of option bonus proration from the $27.45 million option bonus and his $1.3 million base salary, assuming the dummy/voiding 2031 contract year is picked up. Brown’s 2027, 2028 and 2029 cap numbers would be $10.996 million, $17.883 million and $23.591 million primarily because of the respective $19.405 million, $29.36 million and $28.315 million option bonuses in 2027, 2028 and 2029. The acquiring team may want to rework Brown’s contract into a more conventional structure. Unless that happens, Brown’s new team will have to contend with $53.52 million in dead money in 2030 relating to the bonus proration in fake/dummy years from the 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029 option bonuses with the voiding occurring that February. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| ATLANTAPresident Matt Ryan is getting high marks, at the moment, from the Falcons players for his hands on leadership. The Falcons’ roster overseen by President of Football Matt Ryan this year is very different from the roster of teammates Ryan had when he last played for the Falcons, in 2021. But tight end Kyle Pitts remains with the team, and Pitts says Ryan is the same kind of leader now that he was then. “He still talks the same,” Pitts said of Ryan. “He’s just in a different role. He’s still the same person. I feel like he’s wrapping me tighter under his wing, from a different perspective as a front office guy now. But he just has a different role. He’s still leading the team in some sort of way, but just not physically.” Ryan, who was the Falcons’ starting quarterback from 2008 to 2021, was throwing passes to Pitts on the practice field during the Falcons’ recent Organized Team Activities. Pitts enjoyed that. “It’s a nostalgic moment,” Pitts said. “It’s great having Matt out here and, you know, he can still spin it like he can still play. So, it’s it’s pretty cool to see.” Ryan left the Falcons after Pitts’ rookie season, but Pitts said they’ve talked often over the last few years. “I know him more personally rather than some of these younger guys and rookies,” Pitts said. “I got a chance to play with him. But it’s it’s cool to see and and have him around the building.” |
| AFC NORTH |
| PITTSBURGHSpecial teams assistant Derius Swinton II is fired before he coaches a game for the Steelers. Brooke Pryor of ESPN.com: The Steelers have fired senior special teams assistant Derius Swinton II for a violation of club policy, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday. Though the Steelers declined to provide the exact violation, Swinton, who was hired as part of new coach Mike McCarthy’s staff earlier this year, was dismissed due to workplace misconduct, a team source told ESPN. Swinton did not return a request for comment. Prior to his brief stint in Pittsburgh, Swinton worked on the Las Vegas Raiders’ staff from 2023 to 2025 and was the interim special teams coordinator last year. He was the Los Angeles Chargers special teams coordinator in 2021 and has spent time as an assistant with the Arizona Cardinals, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs and St. Louis Rams. If you count the Steelers, that’s 10 teams since 2009 for the 41-year-old Swinton. We’re curious if he will add to that collection after being fired by the Steelers under murky circumstances. |
| AFC EAST |
| NEW ENGLANDInteresting comments from Mike Vrabel as relayed by Evan Cormier of YahooSports.com: New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel was very noncommittal at the podium when reporters asked him if he would be present for all of OTAs. The question hinted at Vrabel repeating his draft weekend absence to deal with the aftermath of the Dianna Russini debacle. “I can’t tell you anything other than I’m going to be out there today in full force,” Vrabel told reporters. “So I’m going to focus on today and the excitement that we’ve had and that we’ve built so far.” Mike Florio of “Pro Football Talk Live” heard the comments and was less than thrilled with what they imply. “That’s the moment I said ‘Uh-oh, there’s going to be a chapter of this that’s very public and very interesting because she’s going to tell her story at some point,'” Florio said. “That’s the next thing, that’s the only thing left, and that could come up and that could create a situation where Mike Vrabel could — could — end up yet again, having to take a break from the team to restore the balance between his work life and his personal life.” As to potential future absences, Mike Vrabel said, “Anything can happen.” There’s one specific thing that could happen that would potentially become a problem. It sounds like Vrabel feels — the way most of us do — that he is not yet out of the woods. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| A STAR POSITIONBucky Brooks of NFL.com explains the evolution of slot corner to “Star” and who are the best current practitioners of this new position: The transformation of the NFL into a pass-centric league over the past few decades has forced defensive coordinators to use various five-DB packages as their base defenses. While nickel defenses initially featured smallish cornerbacks in the slot, the league’s adoption of more college concepts has sparked an uptick in three-safety schemes with a hybrid safety/linebacker/cornerback aligning in the slot to put a dynamic defender on the field in place of the third linebacker in a traditional base package. In theory, the “star” is a multi-faceted playmaker with an alpha dawg mentality who is capable of mixing it up in the box, while also possessing the coverage skills to match up with wide receivers and tight ends in space. Additionally, he flashes pass-rush skills that allow him to create chaos off the edge as a designated blitz defender. As a member of the Green Bay Packers in the mid-1990s, I watched defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur create a role that enabled LeRoy Butler to dominate the game from the slot. In a 12-year career spent entirely with the Pack, the 2022 Hall of Fame inductee became one of a few players to rack up at least 20 interceptions (he had 38) and 20 sacks (20.5). He received first-team All-Pro honors four times and earned a spot on the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. As a high-IQ defender with superb instincts, awareness and playmaking ability, Butler thrived in a hybrid role that tapped into his unique skills as a former collegiate safety/cornerback at Florida State. It is notable that Butler started his NFL career as a cornerback before transitioning to safety in his third season. The experience of playing on the island served him well when he moved inside to cover tight ends and slot receivers. Butler was stout enough to match up with big-bodied tight ends but also possessed enough quickness to shadow shifty receivers between the numbers. Butler played in the slot extensively as part of the Packers’ five-DB formations because it allowed him to showcase his strengths as an instinctive playmaker with pass-rush skills. Ultimately, he was at the cutting edge of a trend that eventually saw the slot go from a spot dominated by undersized cornerbacks to a position where teams could place their top defensive back, putting him closer to the action and creating more splash-play opportunities. Fast-forward to 2026, and we’re seeing more and more teams embrace the five-DB package with three safeties on the field. A pair of traditional deep defenders comprise the two-high shell, while a third safety roams around the box as a hybrid defender with slot cornerback, safety and linebacker responsibilities. With that latter role increasing in prominence, it’s beginning to demand top dollar. Earlier this week, Derwin James received a three-year, $75.6 million contract extension with $57.1 million guaranteed. With an average annual value of $25.2 million, the deal eclipsed Kyle Hamilton’s AAV of $25.1 million, making James the highest-paid safety in the league. But James is a true star defender, with usage that’s far more diverse than a traditional safety role. Just look at how Pro Football Focus charted his alignment from this past season: Slot cornerback: 369 snapsInside linebacker: 261 snapsOutside linebacker: 132 snapsFree safety: 128 snapsStrong safety: 48 snapsOutside cornerback: 21 snaps Over the past five years, James is the only defensive back with 30-plus QB hits, 30-plus tackles for loss and 30-plus passes defensed, per NFL Research. The five-time Pro Bowler is the kind of Swiss Army knife most defensive coordinators covet in this new era of ball. So, in the wake of James’ blockbuster deal, this feels like the perfect time to rank the top-five star defenders heading into the 2026 season. 1 Cooper DeJeanPhiladelphia Eagles · Age 23The first-team All-Pro is the prototypical slot defender defensive coordinators covet in the star role. DeJean’s exceptional athleticism, versatility and coverage skills make him the ideal decathlete to match up with slot receivers and tight ends in space. He can shadowbox crafty route runners but also flashes the quick hands and knockout power to neutralize big-bodied pass catchers between the hashes. Although DeJean spent most of 2025 in coverage, Vic Fangio’s recent comments on the third-year pro playing strong safety in base packages could signal more responsibilities in the box as a run stopper and pass rusher on simulated pressures and five-man blitzes. 2 Derwin JamesLos Angeles Chargers · Age 29The freshly paid superstar has transformed the game as a play-anywhere defender capable of manning any position on the second or third level. Whether he’s stonewalling running backs in the box as an inside or outside linebacker, harassing quarterbacks off the edge as a pass rusher or shadowing tight ends and receivers down the field in coverage, James is the eraser the Chargers rely on to limit the opponent’s top playmaker. In addition, he’s a pack leader who sets the standard for the defense with his effort, energy and passion. James is a multi-dimensional weapon who can take over the game in various ways. 3 Jalen PitreHouston Texans · Age 26Head coach DeMeco Ryans and defensive coordinator Matt Burke prefer a straightforward approach, with Pitre roaming near the line of scrimmage. As the tone-setter for a unit that routinely bullies the opposition, the fifth-year pro relishes the chance to punish receivers for venturing into the middle of the field. Pitre’s awareness and instincts shine each week. Additionally, Pitre’s skills in coverage pop when he’s able to track the quarterback’s eyes as an underneath defender matching short and intermediate routes. With 10 career interceptions and 33 passes defensed to complement a solid résumé as a tackler (averaging 92.5 per season), Pitre is a disruptive force near the box as a playmaking slot defender. 4 Nick EmmanworiSeattle Seahawks · Age 22The 2025 second-round pick helped make head coach Mike Macdonald’s vision of position-less football come to life. On the Seahawks’ championship defense, Emmanwori seamlessly transitioned from safety to slot cornerback to linebacker to defensive end. In fact, he lined up at five different positions over 944 defensive snaps, per PFF, showing impressive versatility as a pass rusher, matchup specialist and quarterback spy. The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is routinely positioned at the line of scrimmage but possesses the athleticism to chase the quarterback or slam the door shut on a back running an option route. As Macdonald crafts plans to counter the 13 personnel (1 RB, 3 TEs, 1 WR) craze that’s spreading across the league, Emmanwori will undoubtedly see his role expand in 2026 as one of the NFL’s most dynamic defensive weapons. 5 Tre’von MoehrigCarolina Panthers · Age 26The 6-2, 202-pound box-area bandit emerged as one of the league’s most dynamic multi-level defenders last season, his first with the Panthers after spending four years with the Raiders. Moehrig’s versatility, instincts, awareness and physicality were showcased in a scheme that allowed him to line up all over the field. He took snaps on the defensive line (102 as an on-ball linebacker) and at inside linebacker (276), strong safety (205), free safety (160) and slot cornerback (322). As an ultra-aggressive defender with a knack for making plays in the backfield on blitzes or run-throughs at the line of scrimmage, Moehrig led all defensive backs with 51 stops (tackle that results in a successful play for the defense), tied for second with three sacks and ranked fifth with 14 QB pressures last season, per Next Gen Stats. |
| 9 PLAYERS IN MONEY YEARSErik Edholm of NFL.com identifies nine players with oodles of money on the line in 2026: Last offseason, Daniel Jones signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts, and it appeared his career was heading in one of two directions prior to the 2025 NFL season. Had Jones lost the QB battle vs. Anthony Richardson, it’s possible he would have been looking for the best backup deal available this offseason, likely at a good bit less than his 2025 salary. But Jones won the competition and thrived for the first chunk of last season, leading the Colts to an 8-2 start. Consequently, even though he suffered a season-ending Achilles tear in December, Jones ultimately signed a two-year, $88 million deal with $60 million guaranteed. Jones was a true make-or-break player in 2025. He was among those who had the most to lose but also the most to potentially gain. Several guys fit those criteria again this year. In my estimation, here are the nine players who face the widest range of potential outcomes heading into the 2026 campaign. Kyler MurrayMinnesota Vikings · QBThe Vikings were able to land Murray for a pittance because of all the dead money on his Arizona contract, signing him to a one-year deal for the league minimum. What makes the pact most fascinating is the fact that Murray can’t be franchise tagged after this season. Thus, if Murray is a hit with the Vikes and revives his career, he will be a free agent in 2027 — with nothing preventing him from landing a multi-year deal, either in Minnesota or elsewhere. He still must beat out J.J. McCarthy, a former top-10 pick whom the Vikings traded up for and aren’t ready to move on from. Murray’s career has gone sideways since his ACL tear late in the 2022 season, even if it’s a stretch to say he’s played poorly. The former No. 1 overall pick just hasn’t re-ascended to the heights he reached prior to that, when it appeared he was developing into one of the league’s more intriguing young playmakers at the position. Murray’s turning 29 in August and clearly has a great opportunity in Minnesota: throwing to one of the best receivers in the game in Justin Jefferson and playing for a sharp offensive mind in Kevin O’Connell. Even with McCarthy there, Murray should have every chance to take the job, run with it and — eventually — cash in again. Tua TagovailoaAtlanta Falcons · QBThis slot could just as easily be filled by Michael Penix Jr., whose football journey has been waylaid by another ACL tear, but it just feels like Tagovailoa will get the first — and possibly best — chance to turn his career back in the right direction. Like Kyler Murray, Tua signed a one-year deal for the league minimum, with the Falcons taking advantage of the offset language in his Dolphins deal. At 28, Tagovailoa still is relatively young, but he’s had a long, troublesome injury history that includes a fractured hip and several concussions. He also has no experience with new head coach Kevin Stefanski and must beat out the incumbent Penix in this fascinating, all-lefty battle. Again, though, Penix is currently working his way back to full health after undergoing major knee surgery in November. In a perfect world for Tua, he’s a strong fit as a rhythm-and-timing quarterback in Stefanski’s wide-zone, play-action-heavy system. Atlanta has a potent run game, a true WR1 in Drake London, an excellent middle-field option in Kyle Pitts and the makings of a solid offensive line. There’s no doubt Tagovailoa is at a career crossroads, and his history could work against him, but worse quarterbacks have overcome more to find second lives in the NFL. He still has a great shot to cash in with a strong 2026 campaign. Rashee RiceKansas City Chiefs · WRRice has put himself in a bad situation by continually making poor decisions. He’s entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Chiefs don’t yet know if they can trust him. That’s a very discouraging sign for such a talented player. Since about midway through his rookie season, Rice has played like a No. 1 receiver. The problem has been the lack of playing. He’s been set back by injuries and, more concerningly, by a suspension. His recent drug-test failure was as much of a maturity test that Rice failed, compounding his issues. Even as another possible suspension looms, with a threat of lost millions, this still represents the ultimate opportunity for Rice to rewrite his story. This coming season carries even more weight with the Chiefs coming off their first losing campaign in more than a decade and Patrick Mahomes working his way back from an ACL injury. A trustworthy Rice would fix a lot of Kansas City’s problems. The character questions surrounding Rice wouldn’t vanish with a strong campaign, but that — along with some accountability — surely would help his chances of earning a long-term deal befitting of his immense talent. The way wide receiver contracts have blown up, that could mean a salary averaging north of $30 million. Or it could be a story of missed opportunity for Rice if he runs afoul again this season. The future is in his hands. Christian WatsonGreen Bay Packers · WRThe Packers extended Jayden Reed during draft weekend and are leaving the door open for Watson to earn a long-term contract in Green Bay after he signed a one-year, $11 million extension last September. Many view Watson as Jordan Love’s No. 1 target, especially with tight end Tucker Kraft working his way back from a torn ACL, but can the Pack fully trust the talented wideout? Since entering the NFL as a second-round pick in 2022, Watson has played in just 48 of a possible 68 regular-season games and has never made it through a full campaign without missing multiple games. His largest body of work (15 starts in the 2024 season) provided his most uneven production (29 catches, 620 yards, two TDs). He was arguably at his best for the Packers down the stretch of this past season, but the lack of reliability has been maddening at times. Even with Reed, Kraft and Matthew Golden in place, and Love operating an everyone-shall-eat passing game, there’s an opportunity for Watson to prove his value. He can start with an injury-free season. Skill sets like Watson’s are unusual, and playing 17 games (or close) could open the vault next spring in free agency. JC LathamTennessee Titans · OTTaken seventh overall by the Titans in the 2024 NFL Draft, Latham has not played to a level commensurate with a top-10 pick to this point, allowing 15 sacks (per PFF) and committing 24 penalties in 30 career starts. But he has been shuttled between left and right tackle and still has shown enough promise to suggest he could break out — perhaps as soon as this season. The Titans badly need better protection for QB Cam Ward, the NFL’s most-sacked quarterback in 2025. There’s hope that some of Latham’s issues last season can be blamed on a preseason hip injury that he aggravated in Week 1, leading to four games missed. When he came back, Latham may not have been fully healthy. New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll had success turning Andrew Thomas’ career around with a breakout season in Daboll’s first year with the Giants in 2022, and he could have a similar effect on Latham in Tennessee. Latham’s lateral quickness remains a question, and he might not make quite as much money as a right tackle than he would as a left tackle, but the opportunity remains a strong one for the 340-pound mauler. Will McDonald IVNew York Jets · OLBThe Jets exercised the fifth-year option for 2027 on McDonald, giving him more runway to earn an eventual extension with the team, but that doesn’t downplay the importance of this season for him. He has yet to show that he’s earned a top salary at a position where elite players are making north of $25 million per year. McDonald has 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons, but the Jets have treated him more like a designated pass rusher, giving him about two-thirds of the defensive snaps in this span. He also finished 2025 on injured reserve with a knee injury, sending him into 2026 with plenty yet to prove. This offseason, the Jets signed Joseph Ossai and Kingsley Enagbare in free agency and drafted David Bailey No. 2 overall. This should be a strong rush unit, and the defense appears improved overall on paper. This is the perfect environment for the former top-15 pick to thrive, although displaying more of an all-around game might be the key to landing him in the top tier of salaries. Kayvon ThibodeauxNew York Giants · OLBIt’s hard to believe this will be Thibodeaux’s fifth NFL season. It’s equally surprising that he’s still only 25 years old. Thibodeaux is the ultimate enigma at this stage of his career, with a strong first two seasons to his name but also a disappointing past two seasons (and a season-ending shoulder injury in 2025) that mar his forecast. Will the former No. 5 overall pick be a star or a bust? Either eventual result wouldn’t be shocking. This just feels like a flashpoint season for Thibodeaux, who is playing on the fifth-year tender, with a new coaching staff running the Giants and with more defensive firepower alongside him. The Giants drafted Arvell Reese and will play him inside as a linebacker, which buys Thibodeaux some time to prove himself as an edge rusher. That said, he’s still likely third in the pass-rush pecking order behind Brian Burns and Abdul Carter. Thibodeaux’s name has been floated in trade rumors, but it appears the Giants will see what he can do in 2026. A breakout season could lead to a massive payout. Another season in the wrong direction would leave his options far murkier, even with all of Thibodeaux’s raw ability. Tariq WoolenPhiladelphia Eagles · CBWoolen saw his role decrease around midseason last year for the Seahawks, and his name bubbled up in trade rumors at one point. He ended up sticking with the team and playing more snaps in the postseason run to the Lombardi Trophy. Still, Seattle allowed him to walk in free agency, where he signed a one-year, prove-it deal with the Eagles. This feels like the ultimate tipping-point season for the 27-year-old Woolen, who entered the league as an intriguing fifth-rounder and vastly outplayed his draft status early — but who also more recently has plateaued, allowing his emotions to boil over at times. There’s a strong opportunity to parlay this coming season into a 2027 payday if Woolen performs well. In Philadelphia, there’s a starting job with Woolen’s name on it. And if he can cut down on the penalties and untimely mistakes on what looks like a strong defense, Woolen could be looking at a $20 million-per-year contract in free agency next spring. If not? Woolen could be the next Trevon Diggs, waiting for another shot. Jevon HollandNew York Giants · SWhen Holland signed with the Giants last offseason, it was viewed as a semi-steal, with Big Blue landing an established, 25-year-old safety with upside at a salary below the top five at the position. A year later, Holland is viewed differently, seemingly in limbo following a rough first season in New York and with a new head coach in town. That said, John Harbaugh has a higher appreciation for safeties than some other coaches, and he surely wields considerable personnel power. Harbaugh previously oversaw Kyle Hamilton, Eric Weddle, Ed Reed and other safeties earning top-of-the-market salaries, so a bounce-back season from Holland could change his career arc significantly. The Giants have some strong defensive talent up front, but the secondary must step up — and specifically Holland. If the player who had five INTs, four forced fumbles, four recoveries and four sacks in his first three seasons reemerges, Holland could land another big payday. If not, he could be in danger of being cut, with a cap hit of nearly $19 million in 2027. |
