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USA Today
06-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Steelers send T.J. Watt to Patriots for standout safety in bold trade prediction
T.J. Watt trade speculation is reaching an all-time high — when analysts aren't predicting if he'll re-sign with the Steelers, they're predicting where he'll land next. Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski recently predicted four trade packages for Watt — but arguably the most surprising sees Pittsburgh send their star defender to the Patriots for a 2026 second-round pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and former first-round safety Jabrill Peppers. "Because the Patriots are still in transition, they can send veteran safety Jabrill Peppers back in return," Sobleski wrote. "They're unlikely to give up a future first-rounder, though. Pittsburgh still has DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill along the back line, but Peppers can be used as a defensive chess piece to help offset the loss of Minkah Fitzpatrick." It almost feels criminal, even in a trade prediction, to suggest the Steelers would trade away Watt for anything less than a first-round pick. But considering the shocking George Pickens' and Minkah Fitzpatrick's packages this offseason, anything is possible. Adam Schefter reported that while the Steelers aren't willing to deal their superstar defender, outside trade interest in Watt is expected to increase following the recent acquisitions of Jalen Ramsey and Jonnu Smith. It's unlikely Pittsburgh entertains any trade offers for Watt, but as negotiations drag on, one has to wonder — is a 30-year-old edge rusher, potentially exiting his prime, worth over $40 million per year? For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Proposed Patriots trade sends Jabrill Peppers, NFL draft picks to Steelers for disgruntled superstar
The Pittsburgh Steelers are currently in a contract dispute with T.J. Watt, as the superstar edge rusher is entering the final year of his deal in 2025 and is unhappy with his current contract situation. Watt is seeking an extension from the team, but negotiations aren't going well, which caused him to skip mandatory minicamp in June. The 30-year-old's future with the Steelers has never been more uncertain, which has caused other teams to begin discussing the possibility of trading for Watt, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Advertisement Though Pittsburgh has no intentions of moving its franchise cornerstone, Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski proposes a trade that would send Watt to the New England Patriots. In return, the Steelers would receive safety Jabrill Peppers, a 2026 second-round draft pick, and a 2027 third-round pick. Because the Patriots are still in transition, they can send veteran safety Jabrill Peppers back in return. They're unlikely to give up a future first-rounder, though. Pittsburgh still has DeShon Elliott and Juan Thornhill along the back line, but Peppers can be used as a defensive chess piece to help offset the loss of Minkah Fitzpatrick. This would be a fantastic deal for the Patriots. The team's pass rush is pretty thin outside of Harold Landry, so adding Watt would upgrade the unit in a major way and put Mike Vrabel's squad in a position to compete for a playoff spot in 2025. However, for the Steelers, this would be a subpar return for Watt. Though Peppers would be an adequate replacement for Minkah Fitzpatrick, who Pittsburgh traded to the Dolphins for cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith, the 29-year-old played in just six games last year for New England and isn't a high-level starter. Advertisement Additionally, the Steelers shouldn't entertain any trade talks surrounding Watt unless a first-round pick is involved. The seven-time Pro Bowler is too valuable a player to trade without receiving immense value back. Overall, the most likely outcome is that Watt and Pittsburgh will eventually agree on an extension. However, if he does get traded, it's going to take a lot more than just an average starter and a pair of Day 2 picks to acquire Watt from the Steelers. MORE:Jonnu Smith reveals real reason he was traded to Steelers, throws shade at Dolphins
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Patriots trade pitch adds $112 million superstar playmaker
The New England Patriots have had a great offseason, and a significant part of that success can be attributed to hiring new head coach Mike Vrabel. Vrabel was one of the biggest name-coaching candidates on the market, and Vrabel should be able to help take New England to the next level. Advertisement One thing that could make the Patriots' offseason even better is adding a star pass rusher for Vrabel, and Brent Sobleski from Bleacher Report has a trade idea that sends Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher T.J. Watt to New England for a 2026 second-round draft pick, a 2027 third-round pick, and safety Jabrill Peppers. "If a team such as the New England Patriots comes into play, a potential Watt trade clearly becomes a salary-dump for the Pittsburgh Steelers," Sobleski wrote. "Notice that each of the previously mentioned suitors is found on the NFC side of the ledger. They're not direction competition for Pittsburgh to make another run at a Super Bowl. Make no mistake, these recent moves by the Steelers, including the signing of Aaron Rodgers, is all about getting to another Super Bowl this season. Whereas, the Patriots aren't a direct threat to Pittsburgh's primary goal, because New England is in a rebuilding phase and still has the financial flexibility to give Watt what he wants contractually. Yes, the two squads play each other this season, though it's early enough in the year (Week 3) where a team like New England is still trying to find its new footing under a new coaching staff and with a new-look roster." Watt, 30, is entering his ninth NFL season and is seeking a new contract, still playing on a four-year, $112 million deal. But the Steelers have shown no signs of wanting to agree to a new deal. Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp The Patriots have a great amount of cap space and draft capital and could potentially secure a deal for Watt if the Steelers are looking to move him. More NFL: Cowboys-Steelers trade idea brings former draft target to Dallas
New York Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
One year later, Patriots QB Drake Maye's comfort level is ‘worlds different'
FOXBORO, Mass. — Drake Maye still remembers the struggles of minicamp a year ago. He was a 21-year-old rookie thrown into the fire of his first mandatory NFL practices, left to face the first-team defense. His read on one particular play at that early practice was supposed to be an easy one. Glance at the safeties. If only one is deep, throw the ball here. If both are back, target a different wide receiver. Day one stuff. Advertisement But Jabrill Peppers and Kyle Dugger, the New England Patriots' experienced duo at safety, bounced around. Peppers jumped up toward the line of scrimmage, then darted back. Same for Dugger. How was he supposed to tell if that's 'single high' or not? Maye was perplexed. 'They were playing with me basically the whole snap, and I messed it up,' Maye said. One year later, however, a lot has changed for Maye. He's on his second NFL coach in 15 months. He got engaged to his high school sweetheart this offseason and is set to be married in two weeks. He's learning a new playbook. But more than anything, his experience as a rookie has left Maye feeling more confident than a year ago, now the no-doubt leader of a promising young team. 'It's worlds different,' Maye said of his comfort level. 'It's a little different having a new offense and new verbiage, but I think finding where we're at in the offense and what we're good at and our identity has been fun and been cool.' LIVE: Drake Maye Press Conference 6/9: — New England Patriots (@Patriots) June 9, 2025 Not all of the change has been easy, of course. It's challenging to learn entirely new verbiage for play calls. Josh McDaniels' offenses have historically been wordy. But the quarterback credited his new offensive coordinator with talking him through plays and asking for input about certain aspects, including which plays Maye likes best. 'It's good for us to install the plays, get a feel about what I like,' Maye said. 'Coach McDaniels has been awesome about asking what I like and what he expects from me on certain plays. So, it's been good to be able to get that outside and on the field. It's been fun watching Tom (Brady) and a bunch of great quarterbacks in this offense do it.' Of course, that has brought about some ups and downs in his play. But Maye downplayed any perceived struggles this spring after much of the discussion centered on a four-interception practice from Maye last month. Advertisement In Maye's eyes, one of those picks came on a great play from one of the game's best cornerbacks (Christian Gonzalez), one when Hunter Henry was held (there are no refs at these practices) and another when he and the offense didn't have a good enough answer to an all-out blitz. 'I learned with that one,' Maye said of the blitz-forced interception. 'You can take that stuff with a grain of salt, but at the same time, you don't want to turn the football over and get in bad habits. I feel like I've done a good job of trying to keep the football in our hands, and that's one of our key focuses.' While much of Maye's development is in the hands of McDaniels, coach Mike Vrabel has said he hopes to help the young quarterback with in-game situations and as a leader. To that end, Vrabel acknowledged that Maye is in what he called 'a unique position' as a 22-year-old who's supposed to command a locker room because of the position he plays and his importance to the franchise. 'I think that there is a lot of room to grow,' Vrabel said of Maye. 'I think there's a lot of natural leadership qualities. I think I have to encourage him, continue to encourage him and put him in those positions to do that so that the players understand there's a different version of all of us. There's one that's maybe off the field, that there's one in the meeting room and then there's a version on the field, which we all have to understand is somewhat different than what it may be off the field.' Of course, the Patriots know that their level of success for the next five years or so will depend largely on how well they develop Maye and what they surround him with. That's why revamping the offense was such a focus in the draft, where the Patriots used their first four picks on that side of the ball. It was just one minicamp practice, but the rookie class looked great on Monday. Third-round pick Kyle Williams caught a deep ball for a touchdown. Second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson nabbed a score himself by showing off his hands and speed out of the backfield. Undrafted receiver Efton Chism continued to shine and earned a shoutout from Maye on Monday. Advertisement 'I mean, they're making plays all day,' Maye said of those rookies. 'So we've got to find a way to get them involved. I'm looking forward to seeing how they shape their role in training camp, and I think they're shaping it out here. I think you saw plays from everybody. TreVeyon caught a touchdown, Kyle caught a deep ball, Chism had about 50 catches, I feel like, in OTAs.'
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Veteran starter impressed with Patriots rookie safety
FOXBOROUGH – It all starts in the spring. It's here during OTAs where young players start to make their mark. Since there's no contact allowed, these practices often showcase wide receivers and defensive backs. It's at this time when unknown players start to build a foundation. Advertisement That's exactly what Craig Woodson has started to do. Drafted in the fourth round, 106th overall, the Patriots rookie safety has stuck out in the team's first two open practices of 2025. His habits on and off the field have also impressed veteran starting safety Jabrill Peppers. 'I like him – smart, savvy,' Peppers said. 'He's done a great job soaking up what the coaches want him to do, different techniques. College ball is a little different than in the league – especially in the Pac-12. So, you know, he's definitely done a good job.' In the first open OTA practice, Woodson made an instant impact on defense. On a play where Drake Maye tried to connect with Hunter Henry, the rookie safety jumped in front of the veteran tight end for an interception. Advertisement Henry argued that he was held, but Woodson and his defensive teammates were celebrating on the field. Wednesday's practice marked the second session open to the media and Woodson made another nice play. This time, he broke up a Joshua Dobbs pass in the first 11-on-11 period. A sixth-year senior at California, Woodson comes to New England as a 24-year-old rookie. His experience in college is already paying off. The first-year player joins a veteran-laden depth chart with Peppers, Kyle Dugger, Marcus Epps, Jaylinn Hawkins, and Dell Pettus. Through two weeks of OTAs, Woodson has done a good job of separating himself. Advertisement After being drafted, Woodson said he was coming to New England to prove himself. 'I think I can bring versatility when it comes to coverage, just being in the deep post or being in the deep half,' Woodson said. 'I had some interceptions in the deep half this year, making plays on the ball. I think for me, I really have the versatility to do anything and even match up with a receiver if it comes down to it. For me, my play style is really anywhere. I don't think there's anything that I can't do on the field. I'm just ready to show that to Patriots Nation.' BETTING: The Patriots are listed at -140 to win over 7.5 games on bet365. Our complete list of Massachusetts sportsbook promos will help you determine which sportsbook to use. For all of the best Patriots over/under bets, check out our expert analysis. More Patriots Content Read the original article on MassLive.
