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New York Post
19 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Saquon Barkley shades Eagles' and Giants' rivals over free agency snub
Saquon Barkley's services apparently weren't desired by every club in the NFC East. When recently discussing his free agency experience last March, when he left the Giants for the rival Eagles, the newly minted Super Bowl champion revealed the teams' division rivals didn't pursue him. 'Never heard a word from the Commanders or Dallas,' Barkley told Twitch streamer 'Janky Rondo' over the weekend when participating in teammate DeVonta Smith's charity softball game. 'That's why it's BTA [belt to ass] when I see them.' The second overall pick with the Giants in 2018, Barkley became a franchise cornerstone who often carried a listless offense during much of his six seasons in New York. Despite a desire to be a Giant for life, the star running back landed with the Eagles on a three-year, $37.75 million contract in March 2024. 6 Saquon Barkley spent the first six years of his NFL career with the Giants. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST 6 He flourished in his first season in Philadelphia. AP While the Giants cratered at 3-14, things worked out quite well for Barkley in Philadelphia. In his first season with the team, Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards in the regular season — the eighth-most in a single season ever — was named First Team All-Pro and wound up on the Madden 26 cover. 6 The Eagles star said the Cowboys, owned by Jerry Jones, did not pursue him in free agency. AP 6 The Commanders, who named Dan Quinn as head coach in 2024, did not seek out Barkley either, according to the running back. AP Not to mention the two-year, $41.2 million contract he received from the Eagles just weeks removed from their Super Bowl 2025 triumph over the Chiefs. For what it's worth, Washington — whose Super Bowl berth was thwarted by Philadelphia in the NFC Championship game — never seemed to be in a position to make a pitch for Barkley. 6 Saquon Barkley in June 2025. TikTok 6 Saquon Barkley (26) and the Eagles open the season against the Cowboys Noah K. Murray for NY Post As for Dallas, which lost Tony Pollard in the backfield to Tennessee, they got an earful for not going after Derrick Henry, who thrived in his first season as a Raven and was recently extended. Barkley rushed for a combined 233 yards in his two games against the Cowboys last season, while he went nuclear for a combined 296 rushing yards and four touchdowns in a pair of games against the Commanders. The Eagles will open the season against the Cowboys on 'Thursday Night Football' Sept. 4.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Star quarterback Joe Burrow is campaigning for his teammate Trey Hendrickson to get paid by admitting how his situation is affecting the Cincinnati Bengals' offseason.
Star quarterback Joe Burrow is campaigning for his teammate Trey Hendrickson to get paid by admitting how his situation is affecting the Cincinnati Bengals' offseason. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Cincinnati Bengals' difficulties with player contracts have been well documented to this point. Having now gotten past a few recent cases in Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, perhaps the most complicated negotiation this offseason has been left unresolved again with Trey Hendrickson. Advertisement Hendrickson is entering the final year of his current contract with the desire for an extension, claiming that his league-leading sack numbers have proved of his deserved salary promotion. With the Bengals' front office sitting on their hands after Hendrickson's public threats, the star edge rusher is exercising a holdout from mandatory minicamp - something his teammates wish didn't have to be the case. Burrow may remember how Chase and Higgins' contract disputes affected their attendance at team activities last offseason. He has broken his silence about Hendrickson's situation doing the same this year. "Of course," Burrow said when being asked if Hendrickson's holdout is a distraction. Advertisement He did, however, admit that there is some type of progress ... if you want to call it that. "Last year we had two. This year we have one, so we do have less. You'd love to have none, but that's life in the NFL. "We're all supporting Trey, and we'd love for him to be back," Burrow said. Hendrickson has registered 17.5 sacks each of the last two seasons, last year finishing with the most in the league and earning a First Team All-Pro distinction. He would make $15.8 million this season on his current deal but has already stated that he is not afraid to extend his holdout through training camp and even the regular season if he and the organization don't agree to a deal. Advertisement Especially after the boom to the market this offseason, a pass rusher of Hendrickson's caliber can easily deserve to make anywhere from $28-40 million a season. Until the Bengals make any progress in these negotiations, Hendrickson's holdout may continue to be the headlining distraction of the team's offseason. Related: Bengals' Trey Hendrickson Could Be Out Something More Than $100,000 for Minicamp Holdout Related: Hendrickson Not Reporting To Bengals Mandatory Minicamp As Major Questions Loom This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steelers Fans Get Bad News on T.J. Watt to Open Mandatory Minicamp
Steelers Fans Get Bad News on T.J. Watt to Open Mandatory Minicamp originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Aaron Rodgers was hard. T.J. Watt might be even more difficult. We're talking Pittsburgh Steelers contracts, of course, and on Tuesday, as the team launched its mandatory minicamp? Advertisement The new QB is in the fold. The ol' QB chaser is not. Pass rushers have enjoyed a massive jump in the market this NFL offseason. Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and eventually Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson are all examples of new contracts reaching up near $40 million annually for the position. Watt wants ... something. And so NFL Network is noting that on Tuesday morning, he's a no-show for minicamp. This is presently a problem. And it might linger. Watt, who is entering the final year of a four-year $112 million contract, had been absent from OTAs as he campaigns for a new deal. The former Defensive Player of the Year previously had the record for the highest-paid contract at his position when he signed his current deal in 2021. This season, without an extension, he'll make $21.05 million on salary and cost $30.4 million total on the cap. Advertisement Watt, 30, is entering his ninth year in the NFL and remains one of the game's best defensive players. In 2024, he totaled 11.5 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles. He has in his career led the league in sacks a record three times and owns four First Team All-Pro honors to go with his 2021 DPOY. It's been written that there is the "expectation" that Watt and the Steelers will find a common ground before Pittsburgh opens the 2025 regular season with a matchup at the New York Jets on Sept. 7. But for now? Steelers fans get the feel-good story of Aaron Rodgers signing on at $13.65 million ... and the bad-news story of T.J. Watt's unhappiness with Pittsburgh. Advertisement Related: Steelers Signing 'Filet Mignon' Aaron Rodgers Makes QB Room a 'Meat Market' Related: Details Emerge on Aaron Rodgers' 'Cheap' Contract With Steelers As Signing Official This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Steelers Need T.J. Watt Move To Follow Aaron Rodgers Signing
Steelers Need T.J. Watt Move To Follow Aaron Rodgers Signing originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Aaron Rodgers was a bargain. T.J. Watt might not be. But if the Pittsburgh Steelers are really "loading up'' to make a run? Advertisement They need the second guy to be happy at least as much as they needed the first. Pass rushers have enjoyed a massive jump in the market this NFL offseason. Maxx Crosby, Myles Garrett and eventually Micah Parsons and Trey Hendrickson are all examples of new contracts reaching up near $40 million annually for the position. Watt now wants a slice of the pie, too. ... and that is presently a problem. Watt, who is entering the final year of a four-year $112 million contract, has been absent from OTAs as he campaigns for a new deal. The former Defensive Player of the Year previously had the record for the highest-paid contract at his position when he signed his current deal in 2021. This season without an extension, he'll make $21.05 million on salary and cost $30.4 million total on the cap. Advertisement The cost of doing business? He wants more. Watt, 30, is entering his ninth season in the league and remains one of the game's best defensive players. In 2024, he totaled 11.5 sacks and a league-leading six forced fumbles. He has over the years led the league in sacks a record three times and owns four First Team All-Pro honors to go with his 2021 DPOY. There is no question that Pittsburgh wants to keep him here and keep him happy. So, what's the latest? Team insider Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has revealed that the "expectation" is that Watt and the Steelers "will come to some agreement" before Pittsburgh opens the 2025 regular season with a matchup at the New York Jets on Sept. 7. Advertisement Garrett's deal impact all of this. So does Pittsburgh trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks and giving him $30 million per year. And Rodgers at $13.65 million? That leaves room. So it's a links-in-the-chain setup for Watt and Pittsburgh ... with fans waiting for that "expectation'' to come to fruition. Related: Steelers Signing 'Filet Mignon' Aaron Rodgers Makes QB Room a 'Meat Market' This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The New York Jets have perhaps the best cornerback in the NFL in Sauce Gardner.
The New York Jets have perhaps the best cornerback in the NFL in Sauce Gardner. originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The New York Jets have taken a lot of pride in their defense over the past several seasons, especially their ability to defend the pass. Advertisement And there is one player who really shines in that area. In a recent article by PFF's John Kosko, he ranks who he believes are the top 32 cornerbacks in the league heading into the 2025 season. At the top spot in his list, he has Jets superstar Sauce Gardner. "Gardner's 91.9 PFF coverage grade since 2022 leads the league. He has forced a league-high 46 incompletions and allowed a league-low 0.60 yards per cover snap and 21.4% first-down-plus-touchdown rate over that span," Kosko wrote. "Unsurprisingly, Gardner's PFF advanced coverage grade ranks first, as well. While he might not shadow opposing wide receivers at a high rate, he has excelled when asked to do so." He had a bit of a slower season in 2024, but so did the rest of the Jets. With that being said, he has racked up some impressive stats in just three seasons in the league. Advertisement Gardner was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2022, as well as being named First Team All-Pro in both of his first two seasons. He also led the NFL in passes defended in his rookie year with 20, which goes to show just how good the 24-year-old corner already is. He will be looking to bounce back from his slightly disappointing 2024 and prove that he is still worthy of the title of the best cornerback in the NFL. Related: Jets' 'Up And Comers' Running Back Room Poised For Breakout Year? Related: Jets Among Biggest Winners of June 1 Cap Update This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
