Latest news with #FirstThingsFirst
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Nick Wright says Seahawks will regret moving on from Geno Smith to Sam Darnold
It's a wide world of sports media out there, and it's easy to miss or move past certain topics, especially when the networks host daily programming. What we at Seahawks Wire are trying to say is we came across a slightly older clip from the hit FS1 show First Things First discussing the Seattle Seahawks' offseason. This came across our radar thanks to our friends at HawkMania. During a taping of First Things First on June 17th (timestamp: one hour, nineteen minutes) sports commentator Kevin Wildes asked his co-host, Nick Wright, about the Seahawks... namely, their quarterback position. Seattle of course decided to move on from their starter of the last three years, Geno Smith, and decided to go with Sam Darnold instead. Wildes asked of Wright if there is a chance the Seahawks would end up regretting their offseason decisions. Wright replied as such: "Yeah, I don't get this," scoffed Wright. "I don't understand moving on from Geno (Smith) for a worse quarterback that's just as expensive. I don't get it." Let us help Mr. Wright to understand this. First and foremost, the Seahawks did offer Smith a new contract in the ballpark of what he was asking for. Smith declined, and then asked for a trade. Now, it is fair to say Seattle's offer likely included many ways for the team to get out of the deal - "escape hatches," as Smith called them - and Smith wanted more job security. Secondly, while the raw numbers look similar, a closer look would suggest the Raiders could end up paying more for Smith than the Seahawks might for Darnold. Lastly, it isn't just about money... age factors in as well. Why would Seattle not be interested in giving more security to Smith? Well, he is 34 years old and will turn 35 in October. Darnold is eight years younger. The Seahawks got cheaper and younger at the most important position in all of sports. Now, will this bargain work out? That remains to be seen. Will it be a great deal for Seattle? Or will the Seahawks get what they pay for? Only time will tell. Additionally, I will point out Nick Wright has been rather high on Smith as of late. During a June 12th edition of FTF, Wright suggest Smith could be a dark horse candidate to garner MVP votes. Now, where this sudden surge of (long overdue) hype for Geno Smith has come from is anyone's guess. However, it does appear that a narrative is beginning to form regarding these quarterbacks. Again, only time will tell if Seattle's gamble pays off.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Slim Trav bout to kill this season': Kansas City Chiefs key TE Travis Kelce returns to practice for his 13th NFL season
From this in February 2025 - ' I know everybody wants to know whether or not I'm playing next year. I'm not making any crazy decisions now. I'm going to take some time to figure it out. I think I owe it to my teammates that if I do come back, it's going to be a whole-hearted decision. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now I'm not half-a**ing it.' - to this in June 2025, 'Hi, @tkelce👋' - we all grew up! Kansas City Chiefs star tight end is here to stay, here to prove that Super Bowl LIX's loss was not a full stop to his career! As he joins his teammates for practice, the four-time Super Bowl-winning team welcomed their ace TE and Taylor Swift's boyfriend, Travis Kelce, with wide open arms and a simple message - just a comforting yet enthusiastic 'Hi.' Fans react to 10-time Pro Bowler Travis Kelce readying for his 13th NFL season, with one fan saying, 'He still has ittttttttttttt' 'Slim Trav bout to kill this season!!!' - from gaining 25 pounds in the offseason to looking slim during practice, Travis Kelce has come a long, long way! 'First time on grass all offseason 🔥🔥🔥' - vacations are over, romantic getaways' are over, ice hockey stadium appearances are over, and now the 3-time Super Bowl Champion 's back to the daily grind. 's back to the daily grind. 'Looking good Trav!!! Can't wait for the season!!' 'Light footed, nice!' 'I hope he has actually been training hard. I'd love to see at least one more prime season' 'He still has ittttttttttttt' Sports Podcaster Nick Wright had said Travis Kelce would not have wanted the last football game he ever played to be the saddest moment of his career American Sports Television Personality Nick Wright's belief in Travis Kelce's return certainly paid off. Wright had shared in the First Things First podcast back in February 2025, 'I think Travis had a script in his head, 'We're going to win this Super Bowl, and I'm gonna be done.' And now, I think Travis is gonna feel, 'Man, the last football game I ever play is gonna be the saddest moment of my career?' I don't think he's washed. I don't think he should retire. I think he should do whatever the hell he wants, and if that means he figures it out in August, I think we can make it work.' Gladly, the NFL superstar figured it out two months earlier than August 2025! He's back to the gridiron. He's back to bringing a fourth Super Bowl title home. Also Read:
USA Today
18-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
ESPN analyst calls 49ers offensive stud a 'Dark Horse NFL MVP' candidate
ESPN analyst calls 49ers offensive stud a 'Dark Horse NFL MVP' candidate San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy has had a remarkable NFL career since the team took him with the final pick (No. 262 overall) in the 2022 NFL draft. After starting his time with San Francisco as their third-string quarterback behind Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, Purdy eventually benefitted from injuries to the other two and took over as the starter late in his rookie season. Since then, he's led the team to a 23-13 record, two NFC championship appearances and a Super Bowl appearance while completing 67.5% of his passes for 9,518 yards, 64 touchdowns and 27 interceptions. He's also added 480 yards and eight more scores with his legs. His performance over his first three years in the league earned him a massive five-year, $265 million contract this offseason, before he entered the final season of his rookie deal. While San Francisco could've franchise-tagged him for 2026, this extension makes both sides happy and sets the team up with a long-term plan. Now, ESPN's Chris Broussard is picking the 25-year-old quarterback as a dark-horse candidate for the 2025 NFL MVP Award. "Brock Purdy. He wants to live up to his money. He's a good, upstanding guy," Broussard said on "First Things First" on FOX Sports 1 recently. "I think Purdy, he has the easiest schedule in the league. He has his horses back, like C-Mac (Christian McCaffrey)." Purdy's character shouldn't matter in the MVP discussion, but the easy schedule could help him out. Despite that, this year will be the biggest test of Purdy's abilities thus far. He's entering the season without Deebo Samuel, the team's top wide receiver over the last few years, after he was traded to the Washington Commanders. He may not have Brandon Aiyuk to start the year due to his recovery from a torn ACL and MCL midway through the 2024 season. He'll have to heavily rely on McCaffrey, returning from multiple serious injuries, and tight end George Kittle, who received a four-year, $76.4 million extension of his own this offseason that made him the highest-paid tight end in the league. If Purdy can thrive in this offense, especially early when Ricky Pearsall, Jauan Jennings, Demarcus Robinson and Jacob Cowing could be the top four wide receivers, and bring them back to the postseason, that may be enough to get him in the conversation for the top on-field honor in the sport. More 49ers: 49ers free agent signing may make George Kittle even more productive
Time of India
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Patrick Mahomes' Super Bowl shame reignites debate — Is he still the NFL's most feared quarterback?
Patrick Mahomes 2025 redemption goal (Image via AP) He has rings, records, and rewrote the quarterback playbook. But in the silence of the offseason, shadows of doubt creep in. Patrick Mahomes isn't just preparing for a new NFL season — he's defending a legacy. And oddly, even his biggest supporters sense it: something's different this time. Doubt creeps in — even for the untouchable The Kansas City Chiefs' Super Bowl LIX loss to the 49ers hit harder than most. Patrick Mahomes played with grit, but the offense faltered when it mattered most. For a player judged by rings, the standard is unforgiving — even after greatness. Now, whispers grow louder: has the magic dimmed, even just a little? On Fox Sports' First Things First, analyst Nick Wright voiced what many feel. 'Oddly, weirdly, totally irrationally, Mahomes does... It's the offseason, which means it's once again a doubt about Mahomes' season,' he said. His words cut through the noise — irrational, yes. But undeniably present. Wright, known as one of Mahomes' fiercest defenders, didn't doubt the talent. He questioned the narrative — why doubts surface even when Mahomes dominates. It's not based on stats or skill, but expectation fatigue. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Ízülеtі gуullаdás, аrthrоsіs, csоntrіtkulás? Кüzdj ellеnük ezzel a tеrmékkel! Magyarország vezető reumatológusa Olvass tovább Undo When perfection becomes the floor, anything less triggers unrest. Mahomes isn't shying away. He's already leading workouts, guiding rookies, sharpening timing with Rashee Rice. Travis Kelce is back, possibly for a final run — urgency fuels the huddle. The Chiefs aren't rebuilding; they're reloading for a vengeance tour. The 2024 season tested more than Mahomes' arm — it tested resilience. His poise, play-calling, and leadership remained intact, but cracks showed late. Turnovers, miscommunications, and pressure exposed the weight he carries. Now, with eyes locked on 2025, he's embracing the storm. Mahomes has danced with doubt before — and made it disappear. When Tyreek Hill left, critics panicked. He won a ring. When defenses caught up, he evolved. He won again. This time, it's not about proving people wrong — it's about reminding them. Also read: Patrick Mahomes enters revenge mode as Chiefs vow to unleash chaos on 31 NFL teams So here stands Mahomes — questioned, again, without real reason. Yet if history holds, doubt will be his fuel, not his downfall. The league may pause and wonder, but Mahomes never does. And that may be the very reason they should fear him most.
Fox Sports
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Bears' Caleb Williams headlines dark horse candidates to win NFL MVP
The 2025 NFL season is a few months away, but it's never too early to discuss the greatest individual award in the sport — Most Valuable Player. The MVP doesn't always go to the "best" player. Instead, it's given to the player who increases their team's value the most while still achieving individual greatness. That said, there's already a ton of chatter about who is primed to take home the highly coveted award this year. Chris Broussard offered three players that could fit this narrative and impress beyond expectation to win MVP on Thursday's episode of "First Things First." 3. San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy Purdy has been in the MVP conversation throughout his career, finishing as high as fourth in voting in 2023. His case is largely buoyed by the Niners' consistent regular-season success and depth of perimeter talent. This year, however, pushing Purdy's name into the MVP debate will come down to his ability to elevate his teammates — rather than the other way around. The Niners let go of significant pieces on both sides of the ball this offseason, with the most notable departures being Deebo Samuel (to the Washington Commanders) and Dre Greenlaw (to the Denver Broncos). Purdy, who signed a five-year contract worth $265 million in May, still has his most trusted pass-catchers in tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffery. To win the MVP, however, he'll have to get the most of a receiving corps filled with question marks. Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from injuries to his MCL and ACL, leaving second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall, who dealt with a gun shot wound injury last year, and Juaun Jennings to carry the load. "He wants to live up to his money," Broussard said. The 49ers are blessed with the league's easiest schedule, which played a part in Broussard's selection. Ultimately, though, San Francisco will go as far as Purdy can take them. 2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield Mayfield is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, posting career-highs in completion percentage (71.4), passing yards (4,500) and touchdowns (41) while leading the Bucs to another NFC South title. He earned two MVP votes to show for it and proved that earning the highly coveted award is in the realm of possibilities. To establish himself in the conversation as someone who earns real consideration and first-place votes, he'd have to repeat — or even best — a season that seems like an outlier compared to the rest of his career. He has proved he's capable of rising to the occasion when it matters most, though, and he certainly has the weapons to do so. The Bucs have two of the best pass-catching running backs in Bucky Irving and Rachaad White and one of the most consistent downfield threats in Mike Evans, who is complemented by intermediate-area targets Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillian. The Bucs also spent their first-round draft pick on former Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka. If Mayfield can maximize this plethora of surrounding talent, he could very well find himself fighting for the MVP. Williams was the first overall pick in 2024 by the Bears. When a team invests that much draft capital in a player, winning an MVP at some point is their hope — if not their expectation. For Williams to enter that conversation, he'd have to make a pretty significant leap in his second NFL season. Last year, he completed just 62.5% of his passes (fourth among rookies) for 3,541 yards (third among rookies). Neither metric ranked inside the top 15 for starters. He started all 17 games, and the Bears went a dismal 5-12. Many quarterbacks selected with high draft capital have taken second-year leaps. To win MVP, though, Williams has to show signs of improvement with his accuracy and decisiveness. "I would be surprised if he did not play well," Broussard said. "He showed flashes." Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
