Newsstand News & Rumors

The Ultimate Fan’s Holiday Wishlist: Baseball and Football Edition (Sponsored)

November 20th, 2024 at 9:44am CST by Tim Dierkes

This is a sponsored post from Legends Memorabilia.

This holiday season, Legends Memorabilia Collection (LMC) offers a gift lineup for the ultimate sports fan. From MLB autographs from Hall of Famers and All-Stars to iconic NFL and college
football memorabilia from the biggest names in the game, this curated guide spotlights top items perfect for the holiday gift-giving season!

For the Baseball Aficionado

Freddie Freeman (LMC Exclusive) and Kiké Hernandez 2024 World Series Champs Signed Memorabilia: Celebrate the glory of the 2024 World Series with signed items from LMC Exclusive
Freddie Freeman and Kiké Hernandez. Whether it’s a signed baseball, jersey, or photo, these collectibles are bound to be treasured keepsakes from the championship. Additionally, send in your own item to be signed to add a personal touch!
Mike Trout (LMC Exclusive) Autographed Items – Special Holiday Pricing: An exclusive deal for the season, LMC offers Mike Trout autographed memorabilia at a special holiday price. As one of baseball’s all-time greats, Trout’s items are a gift any fan would cherish, offering history and legacy for a price that won’t last long. Personal items
can also be sent in for Trout to autograph, creating a unique keepsake.
Sandy Koufax Autographed Baseball: An autographed baseball from the legendary Sandy Koufax is a collector’s dream. Known for his incredible career with the Dodgers, Koufax’s signed ball is a timeless piece that will impress fans and collectors alike.
Paul Skenes Autographed Jerseys (LMC Exclusive): Perfect for the LSU and Pittsburgh Pirates fans, these Paul Skenes signed jerseys are exclusively available through LMC. Skenes’ impressive career is just beginning, making this an exciting investment in the next big MLB star.
Ted Simmons Autographed Items (LMC Exclusive): A Hall of Fame catcher, Ted Simmons autographed baseballs are ideal for longtime baseball fans. These signed items are the perfect tribute to Simmons’ impressive career.
Patrick Bailey Autographed Items (LMC Exclusive): Known for his skills behind the plate, Patrick Bailey’s signed items make for an amazing gift. This LMC Exclusive brings Giants fans closer to one of their franchise’s future legends.
Kyle Harrison Autographed Items (LMC Exclusive): Kyle Harrison, San Francisco’s pitching phenom, has autographed items available exclusively through LMC. Get an item signed by this rising star before he cements his place in Giants history.

All MLB items include MLB Authentication.

For the Football Fanatic

Detroit Lions – Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush Autographed Helmets: Celebrate Detroit’s football greats with autographed helmets from two fan-favorite players. Calvin “Megatron” Johnson and Reggie Bush’s signed gear are iconic reminders of their impact on the field and an exciting addition for Lions fans.
LSU Tigers – Tyrann Mathieu and Harold Perkins (LMC Exclusive) Signed Items: LSU fans, look no further! Autographed memorabilia from Tigers legends Tyrann Mathieu and Harold Perkins are available for the ultimate fan experience. Celebrate LSU’s legacy with these iconic signatures from two standout players.
Ohio State Buckeyes – Jeremiah Smith and Jack Sawyer: Buckeye fans can own a piece of Ohio State pride with items signed by rising star Jeremiah Smith and defensive powerhouse and team captain Jack Sawyer. These autographed pieces celebrate both the future and present of Ohio State football, making them a must-have for the true Buckeye faithful.
Ole Miss Rebels – Jaxson Dart and Eli Manning Signed Items: Ole Miss fans can own a piece of Rebels history with items signed by two of their most iconic quarterbacks, Jaxson Dart and Eli Manning. These items celebrate both past and present and are a perfect fit for the Rebel faithful.
USC Trojans – Zachariah Branch (LMC Exclusive) and Reggie Bush: Embrace the Trojan spirit with signed memorabilia from rising star Zachariah Branch and all-time great Reggie Bush. This selection makes the ideal gift for USC fans who love both the team’s future and historic past.

This holiday season, make a sports fan’s dream come true with these unforgettable items from Legends Memorabilia Collection. Whether you’re adding to a collection or gifting a lifelong memory, these exclusive items make for the ultimate surprise under the tree!

Jets Fire GM Joe Douglas

November 19th, 2024 at 10:05pm CST by Adam La Rose

Weeks after dismissing head coach Robert Saleh, the Jets have also cleaned house in the front office. General manager Joe Douglas has been fired, as first reported by SNY’s Connor Hughes. The move is now official, with the team announcement noting veteran executive Phil Savage will serve as interim GM.

2024 marked the final year of Douglas’ deal, leading to plenty of speculation at the the start of the season regarding his job security. He, Saleh and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett received a mulligan after the 2023 campaign was marred by Aaron Rodgers‘ Achilles tear. The current season has not gone according to plan, however, and Saleh was fired in October. Hackett remains on staff, but he was replaced by Todd Downing as the team’s offensive play-caller in the wake of Saleh’s departure.

Douglas was not involved in the decision to make a coaching change, something which created the recent appearance of a disconnect between he and owner Woody Johnson. With the campaign headed toward another finish outside of the playoffs, the latter has chosen to make another major organizational change. New York’s efforts in the coming offseason will certainly be a central league storyline.

Naturally, the midseason coaching alterations led to a fresh round of questions concerning Douglas’ standing in the organization. A report from last month indicated both Douglas and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich were held in high regard by Johnson, however, which suggested the pair would have the remainder of the season to try and oversee a playoff push. Ulbrich has gone 1-5 since taking over, and as such the postseason is out of reach at this point. Rather than allowing Douglas to finish his contract, the team has moved on ahead of time.

Douglas took New York’s GM gig in 2019 after tenures with the Ravens, Bears and Eagles. His time in various capacities across those organizations boosted his stock and led to high expectations for the Jets’ rebuilding efforts with him at the helm. The first year of the Douglas era resulted in a 7-9 campaign with Sam Darnold at quarterback and Adam Gase in place as head coach.

That pairing remained in the fold for one more year, one which resulted in a 2-14 record and sweeping changes being made. Gase was replaced by Saleh, while Darnold was traded away. The latter’s replacement – Zach Wilson – was viewed as the central focus of New York’s ability to return to the postseason. Instead, the former No. 2 pick struggled throughout his Jets tenure, posting a 12-21 record and throwing more interceptions (25) than touchdowns (23). The Saleh-Douglas tandem was retained to oversee another overhaul at the QB spot, with Rodgers being acquired via trade from the Packers last offseason.

That move (which has been followed by a number of other ones aimed at accommodating the four-time MVP’s wishes) was aimed at providing stability under center to complement a roster seen as having a number of capable producers at several other positions. That includes the likes of Sauce Gardner, Garrett Wilson, Jermaine Johnson and Breece Hall. Each of those players were selected in the 2022 draft, and they profile as long-term building blocks for Douglas’ successor to inherit. Still, the failure of the Jets to find an effective solution at the QB spot under Douglas will form much of his legacy.

Rodgers has been in place for 2024, but – despite swinging a deal for Davante Adams ahead of the deadline and working out an agreement which ended the much-maligned Haason Reddick holdout – the Jets sit at 3-8. Rodgers’ future for next season is in the air, and it remains to be seen who will be in place as the team’s head coach and general manager by that time. Johnson may also have another ambassador position in place once the 2025 campaign begins, something which could accelerate the timing of hiring decisions on the sidelines and/or in the front office.

Overall, Douglas will depart the Jets with a record of 30-64. Each of his five full campaigns ended with a losing record, and that will likely be the case for 2024 as well. The Jets’ postseason drought has continued under his supervision, and ending it will be a top priority for whomever Johnson brings in for 2025 and beyond. Douglas’ attention will likely focus on a return to scouting or a player personnel role with his next organization; given his run in charge of the Jets, another GM opportunity should not be expected to be on the horizon.

Giants To Start Tommy DeVito In Week 12

November 18th, 2024 at 10:07pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Giants are using their bye week to make a change under center. Daniel Jones is headed to the bench, as first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The move marks another sign his tenure in New York is coming to an end this offseason.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter adds Tommy DeVito will take over starting duties in Jones’ place. His first game action will come in Week 12 against the Buccaneers with Drew Lock representing the team’s other quarterback option. It remains to be seen where Jones will now sit on the QB depth chart.

Lock missed time during the preseason after joining the Giants in free agency. DeVito, by contrast, is familiar with head coach Brian Daboll‘s scheme dating back to last season. The former UDFA made nine appearances and six starts in 2023, and he is now positioned to add to those totals as New York searches for an answer at the quarterback spot. Jones is now out of the picture for at least the time being and quite possibly the rest of the campaign.

Daboll has committed to Jones on a number of occasions, but the team’s loss against the Panthers resulted in a 2-8 record heading into the bye week. A change under center was deemed possible, meaning today’s news comes as little surprise. Jones remains attached to the four-year, $160MM pact he signed last offseason – one which allowed New York to apply the franchise tag to Saquon Barkley before his free agent departure this spring. That pact falls short of the top of the quarterback market, but Jones has not lived up to the expectations it generated.

No salary beyond this season is fully locked in for Jones, but he of course has a $23MM injury guarantee for 2025. Failing a physical would trigger that guarantee in March, so speculation has long pointed to a benching at some point during the campaign to protect against injury. That move will now be made as the Giants begin planning for another offseason driven by the pursuit of an upgrade under center.

New York attempted to trade up to No. 3 in April’s draft, something which would have allowed the team to select Drake Maye. Attempts on that front – which obviously did not sit well with Jones – were unsuccessful, leaving the 27-year-old in place to handle QB1 duties for 2024. Jones has fallen short of his career averages in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating this year, and those statistical showings (coupled with the health factor) left Daboll and Co. with a key decision to make. Now, attention will turn to Jones’ offseason outlook with respect to his future.

A post-June 1 release would result in $30.5MM in cap savings along with a dead money charge of $11.11MM, making such a move a financially feasible one on the Giants’ part. Lock is a pending free agent, and if DeVito delivers a strong showing he may not end up seeing any regular season action with New York. If Jones were to be cut and Lock were to depart on the open market, filling out the remainder of the QB depth chart would become a multi-step process for the Giants. The draft would no doubt once again be a target at that position, although this year’s class of passers is not held in particularly high regard.

DeVito, 26, posted a 3-3 record during his starts last year. His 8:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio was encouraging, but with an average of only 122 passing yards per game volume will be an area to watch this time around. A postseason run is not in the cards for New York, something which will lead to further speculation surrounding Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen‘s job security. For the time being, however, DeVito will take over on offense with the Jones era now over in all likelihood.

Catch Every Goal With Amazon Prime! (Sponsored)

November 13th, 2024 at 8:55am CST by Tim Dierkes

Amazon Prime’s Exciting Monday Night Hockey Broadcast Schedule is LOADED!

As the crisp air of fall settles in and the leaves turn vibrant colors, hockey season is in full swing, and there’s no better way to experience the thrill of the game than with Amazon Prime’s exclusive Monday Night Hockey broadcasts. If you’re a fan of fast-paced action, nail-biting moments, and electrifying goals, you won’t want to miss what Prime has lined up this season.

Premier Matchups:

Throughout the remainder of 2024, Prime Video will showcase a lineup of games that are not only crucial for playoff standings but also highlight fierce rivalries and thrilling storylines. Here’s a sneak peek at some of the standout matchups you can look forward to:

Monday, November 18, 2024: Edmonton Oilers vs. Montreal Canadiens
A storied rivalry renewed! The Oilers and Canadiens both bring rich histories and passionate fanbases to this exciting matchup.
Monday, November 25, 2024: Calgary Flames vs. Ottawa Senators
Monday, December 2, 2024: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
A classic Original Six matchup, this game features the rich histories and intense rivalries that make hockey special.
Monday, December 9, 2024: Anaheim Ducks vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Ducks will look to build on their season against a Canadiens squad seeking redemption.
Monday, December 16, 2024: Florida Panthers vs. Edmonton Oilers
Another chance to see the high-flying Oilers as they face the Panthers in what could be a high-scoring affair.
Monday, December 23, 2024: San Jose Sharks vs. Vancouver Canucks
The Sharks and Canucks will battle for crucial points as the holiday season heats up. Expect intensity and skilled play from both sides.
Monday, December 30, 2024: Nashville Predators vs. Winnipeg Jets
As the calendar year ends, this matchup could have significant implications for both teams’ playoff aspirations.

Exclusive Features for Prime Members:

In addition to the thrilling matchups, Amazon Prime offers features that enhance your viewing experience. Prime members can enjoy:

Multiple Camera Angles: Choose your perspective with various camera views, giving you control over how you watch the game.
Real-Time Stats and Insights: Stay informed with up-to-the-minute statistics and expert commentary that bring context to the action on the ice.
Post-Game Analysis: Dive deeper into the game with post-match breakdowns and highlights that analyze the key moments and decisions.

Join the Community:

Watching hockey through Amazon Prime isn’t just about the games; it’s about being part of a community of passionate fans. Engage with fellow viewers through the platform’s social media channels, where you can share your thoughts, predictions, and reactions during and after games. Join discussions, participate in polls, and celebrate your team’s victories alongside others who share your enthusiasm.

Sign Up and Tune In:

If you’re not already a Prime member, there’s no better time to join. With a wealth of content beyond hockey—including movies, TV shows, music, and more—you’ll find endless entertainment options at your fingertips. Plus, with Prime’s fast shipping and exclusive deals, you’ll enjoy numerous perks that make membership worthwhile.

So grab your snacks, settle in on your couch, and get ready to cheer for your team. This hockey season, let Amazon Prime be your go-to destination for all the action on the ice. Join the community, enjoy the games, and make Monday nights the highlight of your week!

Click here to get signed up NOW!

This is a sponsored post from Amazon Prime.

Bears Fire OC Shane Waldron

November 12th, 2024 at 9:54pm CST by Sam Robinson

As a losing streak threatens to derail the Bears’ season, they are making a major change. Matt Eberflus‘ comments regarding the state of his team will lead to a play-caller change.

The team is firing OC Shane Waldron, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. Hired to replace Luke Getsy in April, Waldron is done after just nine games. Pass-game coordinator Thomas Brown is expected to take the reins. This concludes a steep freefall for Waldron, who spent the previous three seasons as the Seahawks’ OC. The team has announced the move and Brown’s promotion to OC.

Losing three straight, the Bears have not scored a touchdown in their past two games. The team has gone 23 straight possessions without a TD; at 277.7 yards per game, Chicago’s offense sits 30th at the midpoint. Chicago’s offense also sits 30th in DVOA. With the team making a hopeful trajectory-shifting investment in Caleb Williams in April, this season brought high stakes. Waldron will be the first domino to fall, with Eberflus almost definitely on the hot seat as well.

“After evaluating our entire operation, I decided that it is in the best interest of our team to move in a different direction with the leadership of our offense. This decision was well-thought-out, one that was conducted deliberately and respectfully,” Eberflus said. “I would like to thank Shane for his efforts and wish him the best moving forward.”

Given the Bears’ listless performance against the Patriots, this is not exactly a surprising decision. Though, Waldron came to Chicago after interviewing with multiple teams. The former Seahawks and Rams assistant met about the Patriots and Saints’ OC vacancies. The Bears pulled the trigger quickly, however, hiring Waldron shortly after Pete Carroll‘s dismissal prompted the Seahawks to let his assistants seek employment elsewhere.

Both of Chicago’s past two OCs are now out of a job, with Waldron’s firing coming barely a week after the Raiders axed Getsy. Waldron, however, had considerably more to work with than what Getsy was handed in Las Vegas. But Williams has struggled as of late — even as the Bears have their top three wide receivers healthy. Although Chicago’s O-line has run into injury- and performance-related trouble, Williams has not built on some early-season promise.

Williams’ 38.4 QBR ranks barely above Gardner Minshew‘s for 29th in the league (among qualified options). The Bears did not strongly consider Jayden Daniels at No. 1 overall, viewing a clear gap between Williams and the field among this year’s QB crop. But the No. 1 overall pick is averaging just 6.1 yards per attempt and has taken an NFL-high 38 sacks. That is familiar territory for the Bears, who ditched sack-prone QB Justin Fields weeks after they learned they would have Williams access (via the 2023 Bryce Young trade) atop the draft.

The Bears played without tackle starters Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright against the Pats, and eight-figure-per-year guard Nate Davis has been a bust at guard, quickly drifting to healthy-scratch status. The Patriots sacked Williams nine times in an embarrassing 19-3 result for the Bears, who lost 29-9 to the Cardinals in Week 9. That Arizona outing, of course, came after Daniels’ heave bailed out Washington in what thus far looks like a season-defining loss for Chicago. Waldron calling a goal-line handoff to backup O-lineman Doug Kramer, leading to a costly fumble, brought considerable scrutiny in the aftermath.

Monday meetings included a scenario in which Waldron would follow Nathaniel Hackett‘s path by accepting a demotion, Pelissero adds, but instead he received walking papers like Getsy. Given the turnover after Getsy’s January ouster, the Chicago Tribune’s Dan Wiederer notes this is the eighth Bears staffer to be fired or resign since September 2023. This will give Brown a second chance as a play-caller.

The Bears interviewed Brown for their OC post in January, doing so despite the former Sean McVay assistant being tied to Young’s woeful rookie year with the Panthers. (Chicago also interviewed Kliff Kingsbury, Williams’ 2023 QBs coach at USC, but went with Waldron.) Brown spent much of last season as Carolina’s play-caller, taking over after David Tepper fired Frank Reich 11 games in. While the Panthers retained DC Ejiro Evero, Brown was not in the organization’s plans.

Reich gave Brown play-calling duties early last season but reclaimed the call sheet soon after. Brown, however, moved back into that role after the HC’s firing. The Panthers ranked 31st in points scored and 32nd in total offense last season, as they tried to blend Reich’s offense with Brown’s Rams concepts. Brown, 38, had moved to Charlotte after receiving HC interest.

A popular OC candidate in 2023 as well, Brown also interviewed for the Texans’ HC job last year and the Titans’ HC post this offseason. The Pats and Steelers also met with Brown about their OC openings. This firing will also make Brown the NFL’s only Black play-caller presently. Waldron and Brown worked together in Los Angeles in 2020, before the former took the Seattle gig. Waldron was at the helm for Geno Smith‘s Comeback Player of the Year season, though QBs coach Dave Canales received plenty of credit for that. Nevertheless, this will mark Waldron’s first firing during his NFL coaching tenure.

Brown takes over as perennial 1,000-yard wideout D.J. Moore sits on just 398 yards; trade pickup Keenan Allen has not moved the needle, either, amassing just 241 in seven games. Williams not making a noticeable second-half leap will probably result in Eberflus’ ouster. The Bears are more likely to give GM Ryan Poles a second chance, not necessarily attaching the front office boss to Eberflus, who was hired just two days after Poles. As ownership and team president Kevin Warren will evaluate Eberflus, Brown will suddenly play a lead role in determining if the Bears will stay the course.

49ers, Deommodore Lenoir Agree To Extension

November 12th, 2024 at 9:52pm CST by Ben Levine

The 49ers have locked in one of their top cornerbacks for the foreseeable future. Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz reports that the 49ers have inked Deommodore Lenoir to a five-year, $92MM extension.

Lenoir was set to hit free agency following the 2024 campaign. The former fifth-round pick had been mentioned as an extension candidate throughout the offseason, especially with Charvarius Ward having not received a long-term pact. Talks between the 49ers and Lenoir appeared to be heating up right before the regular season, and the two sides have now agreed to an extension.

A former fifth-round pick out of Oregon, Lenoir quickly established himself as a foundational piece in San Francisco. After starting 13 of his 17 appearances as a sophomore, Lenoir started all 17 games in 2023. The 49ers clearly valued his versatility, with the team using him as an outside CB and in the slot. He finished the 2023 campaign with 84 tackles, three interceptions, and 10 passes defended, with Pro Football Focus grading him 23rd among 127 qualifying cornerbacks.

Lenoir has continued to produce in 2024. The 25-year-old has started all nine of his appearances, compiling 53 tackles, six passes defended, and a pair of interceptions. He currently ranks 41st among 109 qualifiers on Pro Football Focus’ positional rankings, although his coverage grade ranks 22nd among CBs. Lenoir has played 337 snaps in the slot this season, and he’s also made appearances as a wide CB (130 snaps) and in the box (80 snaps).

The cornerback will now be committed to San Francisco through the 2029 campaign. His upcoming $18.4MM average annual salary would currently rank outside the top-10 at the position, so the 49ers may have secured a slight discount if Lenoir continues to develop.

Panthers Extend RB Chuba Hubbard

November 7th, 2024 at 10:38pm CST by Adam La Rose

Ahead of the trade deadline, it was clear the Panthers would not be willing to deal away Chuba Hubbard. The fourth-year running back was on track to reach free agency this offseason, but that is no longer the case.

Hubbard and the Panthers have agreed to a four-year extension, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports. The deal (which is now official) has a base value of $33.2MM, but it can increase by $5MM through incentives. In terms of guaranteed compensation, Hubbard will receive $15MM fully locked in.

The Athletic’s Joe Person predicted on Thursday that Hubbard would translate his 2024 campaign, on track to be the best of his career, into a new contract before the end of the year (subscription required). That has proven to be accurate, and the 25-year-old Canadian will now be on the books through 2028. Hubbard has handled RB1 duties for much of the past two seasons despite the presence of Miles Sanders, and his 14.8 carries per game are slightly higher than last year’s workload. He is averaging 5.0 yards per attempt in 2024, the best mark of his career.

After Christian McCaffrey was traded away midway through the 2022 campaign, the door opened for other Panthers to take on a larger workload in the backfield. Hubbard has been the primary beneficiary of that move, and the Oklahoma State product topped 1,100 scrimmage yards while rushing for five touchdowns last year. Hubbard has already matched the latter figure through nine games this season, and he is comfortably on pace reach 1,000 yards on the ground for the first time in 2024.

Sanders landed a four-year, $25.4MM deal on the open market last offseason, leading to high expectations with Carolina. He has not managed to live up to them so far, though, and Hubbard’s success has relegated the former Eagle to a minor role on offense. That could especially be true moving forward with second-round rookie Jonathon Brooks now healthy. None of Sanders’ base salaries for 2025 or ’26 are guaranteed, making him a logical cut candidate for the upcoming offseason.

With a base value of $8.3MM per season, Hubbard’s pact places him ninth amongst running backs in terms of annual average value. The former fourth-rounder will be expected to continue delivering in the backfield now and in the future as the Panthers sort out their quarterback situation. Bryce Young‘s tenure with the franchise beyond 2024 remains uncertain, but stability in the backfield will be welcomed.

It will be interesting to see how the Hubbard-Brooks tandem takes shape now that both are in the picture. Brooks will be attached to his rookie contract through 2027, so for several years the Panthers’ situation at the running back spot appears to be settled.

Commanders Acquire Marshon Lattimore From Saints

November 5th, 2024 at 10:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Commanders’ push to add Marshon Lattimore has resulted in an agreement. The veteran corner is headed from New Orleans to Washington, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The deal is now official.

The Saints had been asking for a Day 2 pick in the 2025 draft, per Dianna Russini of The Athletic. An agreement on that front has now been reached, and Lattimore will be on the move for the first time in his career. The four-time Pro Bowler had spent seven-plus seasons in New Orleans. He will be eligible to return to the Superdome on December 15 when the two teams meet.

Here is the full breakdown of the trade terms, courtesy of veteran insider Josina Anderson and ESPN’s Adam Schefter:

Commanders receive:

Lattimore
Fifth-round pick

Saints receive:

Third-round pick
Fourth-round selection
New Orleans’ original sixth-rounder exchanged in the John Ridgeway trade

Pelissero’s colleague Tom Pelissero notes all picks being swapped are for the year 2025. New Orleans will look to restock at a few positions this spring, with cornerback likely being one of them. Lattimore had served as a full-time starter during his tenure with the team, and Paulson Adebo – who is out for the year with a broken leg – is a pending free agent. Multiple new starters could be added in the secondary as a result.

A report from earlier today indicated talks on the Lattimore front were heating up, and multiple teams were believed to be in play. Among them were the Commanders, whose approach to the deadline has no doubt been influenced by the team’s surprisingly strong start to the 2024 campaign. Washington sits atop the NFC East at 7-2, and adding in the secondary could aid the team’s chances of remaining on track for a home postseason game. Lattimore is not strictly a rental, however.

The former Defensive Player of the Year adjusted his contract this offseason, something which has been commonplace for years in New Orleans with the team constantly in need of cap relief. Lattimore is only owed the remainder of his $1.21MM base salary for this season, a figure the Commanders can easily afford. For the 2025 and ’26 campaigns, though, he is due a total of $36.5MM. Much of that comes in the form of non-guaranteed base salaries which, coupled with modest option bonuses, have him on track for major cap hits in each of the next two years.

An adjustment will therefore be likely upon arrival in Washington or at least after the current season is over. In the meantime, Lattimore will provide the Commanders with an impact defender capable of aiding the their secondary. That unit has had plenty of room for improvement for some time now, especially with last year’s first-round investment in Emmanuel Forbes not panning out. His market is being gauged ahead of this afternoon’s deadline, and it will be interesting to see if a deal is worked out now that Lattimore is headed to the nation’s capital.

In any case, the likes of Benjamin St-Juste and second-round rookie Mike Sainristil will now have a new contributor alongside them in the Commanders’ secondary. Washington already ranks fifth against the pass this season, but the team sits mid-pack in total and scoring defense and has recorded only three interceptions. Lattimore has just two picks since the start of the 2022 campaign, but his previous ball production could add a key element to his new team’s defense.

The Commanders’ pursuit of a starting-caliber corner included calling the Jets about D.J. Reed, Russini reports. To little surprise, they were told the pending free agent is not available with New York still eyeing a run at the postseason in 2024. Washington’s contingency plan has resulted in a notable deal, though, and Lattimore could help the team remain among the NFC’s best teams through the second half of the year.

Steelers Acquire Mike Williams From Jets

November 5th, 2024 at 10:08pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite Allen Lazard‘s IR trip, the Jets will not hang onto Mike Williams. Instead, he will be the Steelers’ long-sought-after receiver upgrade.

Pittsburgh is sending New York a fifth-round pick for the recent free agency addition, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. The pick exchanged is a 2025 choice. The Steelers have been in on Williams for a bit, checking in with the Jets shortly after their Davante Adams acquisition prompted them to shop the March addition. And the Steelers, at long last, have a George Pickens complementary piece. New York will receive the lower of Pittsburgh’s fifth-round selections, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero clarifies.

Williams, 30, is not having a good season. Signing a one-year deal worth $10MM, the former Chargers 1,000-yard target has just 12 receptions for 166 yards this year. He will join Mecole Hardman as a Jets free agent WR pickup to be traded months later. Williams, of course, has produced on a higher level before. The Steelers will hope the former top-10 pick has some of his Chargers-years form left.

While the Steelers have been in on a Williams trade for a bit, they were interested in him during the period between his Chargers release and Jets signing. Pittsburgh joined Carolina in scheduling free agency visits with Williams, but after his New York meeting, both the other trips were cancelled. The fit with the Aaron Rodgers-led Jets, however, did not pan out.

A late-game slip led to a crucial Bills interception in Week 6, the Jets’ first post-Robert Saleh loss, but Williams had never quite found his footing in the team’s offense prior to that sequence. Rodgers criticizing Williams’ route postgame probably did not help matters. Coming back from a September 2023 ACL tear, Williams debuted on time with New York but saw Lazard — Rodgers’ longtime teammate from his Packers years — effectively usurp him in the Jets’ WR hierarchy. With Adams now in the fold alongside Garrett Wilson, there did not appear much meat on the bone left for Williams.

Even though Lazard’s Week 9 IR trip threw a wrench into the Williams trade market, the Jets may also have tried to use it as leverage by attempting to convince teams they would just keep Williams. Now, the Jets will go with the likes of Malachi Corley and Xavier Gipson behind their top two in the meantime. Williams has a path to becoming the Steelers’ WR2 in a now-Russell Wilson-centered offense.

Williams has two 1,000-yard seasons on his resume. The Chargers mostly used the Clemson product — the No. 7 overall pick in the 2017 draft — as a deep threat, but the 6-foot-4 target showed more range to his game during Joe Lombardi‘s OC run. The Bolts gave a longer look at Williams as a versatile weapon from 2021-22, and he turned in his best season in ’21 to help Justin Herbert become the AFC’s Pro Bowl starter. Williams posted 1,146 receiving yards and nine touchdowns that season, making crucial catches during a season-ending Raiders clash that nearly booted the Steelers from the playoffs — a game-winning Las Vegas field goal then eliminated the Chargers, who would have qualified with a tie.

The 2022 season, however, brought more injury trouble. After missing time earlier in the season, Williams suffered a back fracture in a meaningless Week 18 game in Denver. This weakened Los Angeles’ aerial attack ahead of the Jacksonville wild-card tilt, which became an infamous chapter for the AFC West franchise, which blew a 27-point lead without its talented WR2. With Brandon Staley’s seat warm after the Williams injury the previous season, the longtime Keenan Allen sidekick then went down with an ACL tear in Week 3 of last season.

Despite using his contract to reach cap compliance in March, the Chargers also looked into a trade with the Jets. But the Bolts are standing down, though more than two hours remain until the trade deadline. Williams’ early career brought a 10-touchdown 2018 and an NFL-leading 20.4 yards per reception in 2019; those long-game numbers may be relevant again thanks to Wilson’s deep-ball prowess. Then again, Williams is at a slightly different point in his career. It will be interesting to see if the Steelers attempt to tap into the long-range skillset that Williams displayed in his early 20s.

The Steelers will take on the remainder of Williams’ salary, Schefter adds, following the Jets’ lead in doing so after a wide receiver trade. Though, the bill will be much lower for Pittsburgh. Williams is due roughly $2.5MM the rest of the way. Although the Steelers have seen slot weapon Calvin Austin fare better in Wilson’s starts, Williams likely moves ahead of him and Van Jefferson in the team’s aerial hierarchy soon. Though, the Steelers will certainly need to manage their trade pickup due to his injury past.

This wraps a fascinating odyssey for the Steelers, whose initial Williams look preceded extensive work on WRs. The Steelers asked about Deebo Samuel during the draft and then agreed to trade framework with the 49ers during the Brandon Aiyuk saga. After Aiyuk chose a 49ers extension over a Steelers trade, the team regrouped before being in on the Adams and Cooper Kupp markets. The latter did not exactly last too long, as the Rams have now won three straight to return to playoff contention. Interest in Courtland Sutton and Darius Slayton emerged as well, but the Steelers have their hired gun in Williams.

As Williams will have a chance to play a bigger role and potentially create a decent market for himself in 2025, the Jets will attempt to get by with younger tertiary targets. Known more for trading away wideouts than acquiring them, the Steelers will hold Williams’ exclusive negotiating rights until the March legal tampering period.

Browns, Lions Complete Za’Darius Smith Trade

November 5th, 2024 at 7:16am CST by Sam Robinson

Rumored to be near the finish line while the Browns were playing their Week 9 game, the team’s deal with the Lions involving Za’Darius Smith is now done. The veteran pass rusher will be dealt to a third NFC North franchise.

As it turns out, Detroit will end up paying less for Smith than initially reported. The Lions will receive Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pick, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports, while the Browns will acquire a 2025 fifth-round pick and a 2026 sixth-rounder.

Cleveland’s hopes in acquiring a better return for Smith led to the delay here, per ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler, who adds the AFC North team was hoping someone would send over a fourth-round pick for the veteran edge defender. Exiting Week 9, no club was willing to do so. That will lead to the Browns accepting the Lions’ offer.

These terms are not far off from those involved in the 2023 trade that sent Smith from Minnesota to Cleveland. Following the 2023 draft, the Vikings dealt Smith and 2025 sixth- and seventh-round picks to the Browns for 2024 and 2025 fifths. Eighteen months later, Smith is involved in another trade that includes at least three Day 3 draft choices.

The Lions will take on Smith’s remaining salary, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweets. That only requires a $605K payment, however. The Browns, as they are wont to do under GM Andrew Berry, inserted void years in Smith’s contract to reduce his cap hits. He entered the season with just $1.21MM due in 2024 base salary. Smith re-signed with the Browns on a two-year, $23MM deal in March. The Lions will take on this through-2025 contract, giving them flexibility to keep the well-traveled defender next season as well. Smith is due a $1.5MM base salary in 2025; that money is not guaranteed.

Aidan Hutchinson suffering a broken leg made the Lions an obvious pass-rushing suitor, and Smith ended up being asked about a potential trade to Detroit not long after the then-Defensive Player of the Year frontrunner went down. Smith, 32, expressed intrigue about a Lions fit; soon after, a report pointed to the Lions showing interest. The former Packers and Vikings edge rusher will move from Myles Garrett sidekick on a 2-7 team to the most accomplished healthy pass rusher for a 7-1 squad.

While the Lions have steamrolled their way to the top of the NFC, they have done so without reliable production from their non-Hutchinson edge players. Hutchinson racked up 7.5 sacks before going down in Week 5. Through eight games, no other Lions player has tallied more than 2.5 sacks. Among outside rushers, no Lion has accumulated more than one sack this season.

Smith checks a key box for a team that allocated significant offseason resources to locking down the core GM Brad Holmes assembled. The former Pro Bowler helped the Packers to two NFC championship games and aided the Vikings to the 2022 NFC North title during his one Minnesota season; the Lions will hope their former rival can push their effort over the top.

It will cost the Browns nearly $19MM in dead money to move Smith, which certainly presents an interesting scenario for a team tied to Deshaun Watson‘s contract through 2026. The Smith dead money will be spread over two years for the Browns. As the Watson contract has done the most to sink this Browns team after a 2023 playoff season, Berry and Co. have been tied to more seller’s moves before today’s 3pm CT deadline.

Despite the Browns’ struggles this season, is on a better pace compared to his 2023 form. Helping last year’s Cleveland squad to the No. 1 pass defense ranking, Smith finished with 5.5 sacks. Through nine games this year, he has five. Smith posted 20 QB hits last season; he has seven thus far this year.

The former Ravens, Packers and Vikings EDGE has reeled off three double-digit sack seasons — each of which coming in the NFC North. He reached 13.5 sacks upon signing with Green Bay in 2019 and added 12.5 to help the Pack return to the NFC title game a year later. Upon signing with the Vikings in 2022, Smith teamed with Danielle Hunter to record 10 sacks.

The Browns have now moved Smith and Amari Cooper. They are not planning to trade Garrett or Denzel Ward, but other names have come up. Greg Newsome‘s name has come up. It will be interesting to see if the retooling squad unloads more pieces over the next several hours. The Lions have not shown they need much, but they also could further augment their roster before today’s trade endpoint.

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