Latest news with #DefensivePlayerOfTheYear
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Broncos' Pat Surtain II's Contract Tabbed as 'Bargain'
Broncos' Pat Surtain II's Contract Tabbed as 'Bargain' originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II was made the highest-paid defensive back in NFL History last season, but it is now being described as a significantly team-friendly deal. Advertisement According to NFL insider Dan Graziano of ESPN, Surtain inked a four-year, $96 million deal ahead of the 2024 season. That averages out to $24 million per season, making him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. Oh, and he went on the win the Defensive Player of the Year Award. "It looks as if the Broncos got a bargain," Graziano said. The NFL insider believes the deal is particularly good for the Broncos because the Carolina Panthers' Jaycee Horn and Houston Texans' Derek Stingley each went on to sign deals worth more money. "You could make the case that Surtain did his deal too early or that Horn was smart to wait, but looking at the two deals next to each other makes you scratch your head." Denver Broncos cornerback Pat Surtain II (2) after the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Empower Field at Mile J. Downing-Imagn Images Surtain was well-compensated, but the structure of the contract gives Denver room to breathe. The guarantees slowly shrink as years progress, giving the franchise more control over cap space when it comes time to pay someone like Bo Nix. Advertisement "Surtain's deal turned out to be great for the Broncos, who probably confront a need to give him a raise if he keeps playing the way he has been playing and the cornerback market continues to race past him," Graziano said. Denver locked up a corner who not only ranks among the league's best but also did so in a cost-efficient way. In the cap-conscious NFL, that's the best kind of team-friendly contract. Related: Former NFL QB Says Broncos' Sean Payton Is Entering 'Prove-It' Year This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 27, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rudy Gobert Reacts to Timberwolves Drafting His Potential Replacement Joan Beringer
Rudy Gobert Reacts to Timberwolves Drafting His Potential Replacement Joan Beringer originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Minnesota Timberwolves' selection of Joan Beringer could be a harbinger for what's ahead for Rudy Gobert. Advertisement Selected with the 17th overall pick the day before Gobert's 34th birthday, Beringer, an 18-year-old Frenchman, could be the heir apparent to Gobert's place at the heart of the Timberwolves defense. Beringer has a unique blend of size, mobility and has great hands for picking up the game of basketball just four years ago. However, his inexperience and raw talent have made him one of the draft's biggest mysteries. Gobert, who turns 34 on June 26, signed a three-year $110 million extension last year that will keep him under contract through the 2027-28 season. He'll be 36 years old in the final year of that deal. Advertisement While Beringer could be the reason the Timberwolves move on from Gobert one day, he'll play understudy to the four-time Defensive Player of the Year for now. Meanwhile, the elder Frenchman took to X after the Wolves selected Beringer on June 25. Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert (27)Bruce Kluckhohn-Imagn Images Just minutes after Beringer's selection, Gobert posted a series of emojis along prayer hands (or high-fives) and a wolf. Facing questions about Naz Reid, who has a player option in his contract this summer, the Timberwolves gained some security at backup center. In NBC Sports' final mock draft, the outlet argued that Reid's shortcomings on defense could be reason for Beringer to begin seeing playing time as a developmental rim protector. Advertisement Overall, the selection of Beringer will not see its final valuation until years down the line, considering his young age. Related: Timberwolves Fans React to Joan Beringer as No. 17 Pick in NBA Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 26, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Celtics Make Derrick White Announcement on Friday
Celtics Make Derrick White Announcement on Friday originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Derrick White and the Boston Celtics saw their season come to a close in the Eastern Conference semifinals, falling to the New York Knicks in six games. Advertisement Boston now enters the offseason with issues to address. Jayson Tatum (Achilles) and Jaylen Brown (knee) both underwent procedures that will keep them out for some time. And Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have found themselves in trade rumors. While White hasn't been deemed untouchable, his impact for the Celtics has not gone unnoticed, especially on the defensive end. For that, the Celtics announced that White has been named the team's Defensive Player of the Year. "The NBA's top shot-blocking guard for the third straight season 👋🏀," the Celtics wrote on X on Friday. "Derrick White is our Defensive Player of the Year." White finished the season tallying 16.4 points, 4.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. While his offense has improved, his defense remains as good as ever. Advertisement Leading the entire Celtics team in blocks per game, White also was the top shot-blocking guard in the NBA for a third-straight season, averaging 1.1 blocks per game. White also nearly led the team in steals with 72. He trailed only Brown by one steal and Tatum, the team leader, by four. But White's defensive dominance shouldn't come as a surprise to some after making two consecutive NBA All-Defensive second teams in 2023 and 2024. Boston Celtics guard Derrick WhiteBob DeChiara-Imagn Images White was originally drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 2017, where he spent nearly five seasons. In the middle of the 2021-22 season, the Celtics acquired White via trade in exchange for Josh Richardson, Romeo Langford and a couple of picks. Advertisement His impact was immediately felt in Boston, helping it make the NBA Finals off the bench that year. The following season, White was inserted into the Celtics' starting lineup and helped them win a championship in 2024. Related: Tom Brady Makes His Opinion of Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese Extremely Clear This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Reuters
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Panthers QB Bryce Perkins named UFL Offensive POY
June 10 - Michigan Panthers quarterback Bryce Perkins was named the 2025 UFL Offensive Player of the Year on Tuesday. St. Louis Battlehawks linebacker Pita Taumoepenu was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year. Winners were selected by a panel of league and team executives, coaches and players from all eight teams, based on performance during the 10-game regular season. Perkins, 28, passed for 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns and added five rushing touchdowns despite missing three games. His Panthers will take on the D.C. Defenders in the UFL Championship game on Saturday in St. Louis. Taumoepenu, 31, led the UFL with 7.5 sacks, forced three fumbles and anchored a defense that allowed a league-best 16.3 points per game. --Field Level Media
CBS News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
T.J. Watt skips start of Steelers mandatory minicamp
Aaron Rodgers might be ready to take the practice field for the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J. Watt is not. The star outside linebacker skipped the start of mandatory minicamp on Tuesday. Watt likely is eyeing a new deal as he enters the final year of his current contract. The seven-time Pro Bowler and 2021 NFL Defensive Player of the Year signed a four-year extension in September 2021 that was scheduled to pay him $112 million and made him the highest-paid defender in the league at the time. That number has been eclipsed several times over the last four years, including by Cleveland star Myles Garrett, who signed a deal in March that made him the most well-compensated non-quarterback in the league at $40 million a season. The decision to skip minicamp is a change from Watt's approach in 2021, when he did a "hold in" during both minicamp and training camp before agreeing to a contract on the eve of the regular season. "We expect him back at some point," defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said Tuesday. "We don't get caught up (in that) ... He's going to be in good shape (whenever he arrives)." Watt tied an NFL record by registering 22 1/2 sacks after signing the extension in 2021. He led the league in sacks again in 2023, though that number dipped to 11 1/2 last season, Watt's fewest in a year in which he didn't miss extended time because of injury since he was a rookie in 2017. Austin believes Watt's absence will provide opportunities for younger players like third-year outside linebacker Nick Herbig and rookie Jack Sawyer. Maybe, but neither has Watt's game-changing resume. Watt, who turns 31 in October, is the linchpin of a defense that has helped keep the Steelers in contention despite heavy churn at quarterback since Ben Roethlisberger's retirement in January 2022. Rodgers will get his shot after agreeing to a one-year deal last week. The four-time NFL MVP was at the team facility on Tuesday and is expected to be on the field when afternoon practice begins.
