Latest news with #JeremyFowler
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Insider believes Steelers' T.J. Watt will become highest-paid defender
The Steelers appear to be laser focused on making T.J. Watt the highest-paid defender in the NFL — at least that's what insider Jeremy Fowler believes. On Sunday's episode of ESPN's SportsCenter, Fowler claimed that the Steelers remain optimistic in contract negotiations, while Watt could usurp the title of highest-paid defender — a title Browns DE Myles Garrett holds: Advertisement "Steelers, I'm sensing are optimistic they can reach a deal with Watt eventually," Fowler said. "My sense is that he will probably be the highest-paid pass-rusher in the league when this is all said and done. He wants to be a Steeler for life, the Steelers want that, he's a legacy-type player. "They believe at 30 years old he still has several good years left. They're just gonna have to come up with a number and a good guarantee structure. He did miss minicamp, so Pittsburgh has a lot of work to do. But typically, Pittsburgh perks up in these things around training camp and late July." Fowler's comments mirror those of insider Jesse Palmer — who predicted last week that Watt could surpass Garrett's $40 million per year. However, insider Ian Rapoport quickly shot down the buzz, claiming he hadn't heard that exact number being discussed. These insights will continue to fluctuate until Watt puts pen to paper — which is hopefully soon, as July's training camp continues to inch closer. Advertisement For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers' T.J. Watt contract talks receive good news, per Fowler
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN Provides Empty 'Update' On Bills' James Cook Contract
ESPN Provides Empty 'Update' On Bills' James Cook Contract originally appeared on Athlon Sports. When it comes to James Cook and the Buffalo Bills, even no update is a big update. The team's No. 1 running back is locked in a contract dispute, and with training camp looming Bills fans are beyond nervous about one the best offensive weapons not being part of another attempted Super Bowl run. Advertisement Cook, who led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024, attended the Bills' recent minicamp. But more than a show of resolution to end his holdout, it was a decision made to avoid fines because "I love my money." ESPN NFL reporter Jeremy Fowler provided a non-update update this week that nonetheless piqued the interest of Bills Mafia. "I still think the door is open," Fowler said. "That's one I haven't checked on today, necessarily, but last I checked, there wasn't a lot of progress, but there was still like some optimism in the big picture that maybe they could figure something out, and they have four or five weeks to do it, whatever it is, before training camp, and then you still have camp. That doesn't have to be a deadline." So Fowler hasn't checked on the dispute "today." Last he heard there "wasn't a lot of progress." But there is "some optimism." Advertisement Nothing against Fowler, but that's some of the least newsy news of the offseason. Last season cook carried 207 times for 1,009 yards and 18 overall touchdowns. He also caught 32 passes. Obviously losing the 25-year-old star would be a major blow to the offense. It's a serious situation deserving of constant updates. This one, however, only bridges the gap between real news. Related: Bills Predicted to Cut Former First-Round Star in 53-Man Roster Projection Related: Bills 'Shiny New Toys' Noted As ESPN Evaluates Major Moves On Defense This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 29, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bills 'Shiny New Toys' Noted As ESPN Evaluates Major Moves On Defense
Bills 'Shiny New Toys' Noted As ESPN Evaluates Major Moves On Defense originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With a league MVP at quarterback, a veteran offensive line, and a respected coaching staff, the Buffalo Bills believe they have all they need to compete for a Super Bowl. Advertisement There is still one central question for the defending AFC East champions, though. Can the Bills' defense finally match up well against the conference's best teams? Buffalo's defense has undergone a major transformation over the last few seasons. They have said goodbye to aging veterans and replaced them with younger talent. During the 2025 offseason, the Bills added key veterans along the defensive line and secondary to help bolster their young group. While appearing on One Bills Live this week, ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler commended the organization for their defensive improvements this offseason. Advertisement Especially with how dominant their offense should be. "It's fun to get the shiny new toy on offense, but, really, when you dig down into it, this is a team that needed to replenish on defense," Fowler said. "From just a depth standpoint, an explosion standpoint, maybe a pass rush explosion standpoint, players with an edge, getting some new ideas in there, some new life." Free agent additions like Michael Hoecht and Joey Bosa should complement a defensive-heavy draft class led by Deone Walker and Maxwell Hairston. Will it be enough to get the Bills over the hump in the AFC? That question remains unanswered at this moment. Buffalo is certainly younger than in recent years on the defensive side, and if they can play at a high level, they should be able to match up nicely against the Kansas City Chiefs or Baltimore Ravens. Advertisement Any inconsistencies, though, and the Bills will be in a challenging situation this season on the defensive end. Related: Bills Fans All Saying Same Thing About Josh Allen And Dalton Kincaid Related: Bills' Super Bowl Pressure Meter Reading High In 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
ESPN Announces Twisted News Contract Update For Bills and James Cook
ESPN Announces Twisted News Contract Update For Bills and James Cook originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the days get closer to the start of training camp, the Buffalo Bills know they have one lingering question regarding their championship-caliber roster. Advertisement James Cook, Buffalo's former second-round running back, is looking for a new deal as he enters the final year of his current rookie contract with the team. He has not received the kind of offer he has hoped for over the last few months - and surely nothing like the $15 million APY he has suggested for himself. While Cook has been present during Buffalo's offseason workouts - he opted against a holdout from mandatory work, he half-joked, because "I like my money'' and missing is a fineable offense - there is some concern that the league leader in rushing touchdowns last year may choose to sit out at the start of camp. Despite the concern, one analyst notes that the team still has time to get a deal done with their star runner. Advertisement "I still think the door is open," said ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler on One Bills Live. "That's one I haven't checked on today, necessarily, but last I checked, there wasn't a lot of progress, but there was still like some optimism in the big picture that maybe they could figure something out, and they have four or five weeks to do it, whatever it is, before training camp, and then you still have camp. "That doesn't have to be a deadline." Fowler, to be frank, has a reputation for throwing stuff against a wall in Bristol to see what sticks. To wit ... On the one hand, he is announcing a tale of "some optimism.'' Advertisement And on the other, he is suggesting a lack of "progress.'' That's sort of twisty in the area of "news reporting.'' Now about that "deadline'' ... There doesn't have to be a deadline, as Fowler says; an agreement could come tomorrow or at the start of camp or during the season or never at all, which would launch Cook into free agency, where he can find out if any other team wants to pay him like he's "Saquon Barkley/Christian McCaffrey Lite.'' But it's clear that what Buffalo may want with Cook is not what they will get. The Georgia running back has had back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons and has been the Bills' most consistent offensive weapon outside of MVP Josh Allen. He has earned the right to negotiate for a long-term extension. Advertisement That $15 million seems bloated. But his present salary of $5.19 million is obviously a bargain. The longer the team waits, though, the longer Cook may opt to try and gain any kind of leverage possible for the upcoming season. And that might mean sitting out of more than just practices. ... which is the sort of thing that can derail a club that harbors legit Super Bowl hopes. Related: Bills Fans All Saying Same Thing About Josh Allen And Dalton Kincaid Related: Bills' Super Bowl Pressure Meter Reading High In 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Travis Kelce reveals truth behind his ‘25-pound weight loss' ahead of NFL season
Travis Kelce weighed in on his recent weight loss during a press conference Tuesday. When a reporter asked the Kansas City Chiefs tight end about recent headlines claiming he had lost 25 pounds during the NFL offseason, he chuckled and replied, 'Don't believe all you read on the internet, guys, all right?' While Kelce, 35, claimed he 'never told anybody' he had dropped 25 pounds, he admitted he is 'down some weight from the end of the season last year.' According to the football star, 'each year's different' and requires athletes to 'rebuild.' 'This year, I got some time to really focus on some form running and some things early on in the offseason that I just didn't have time for last year,' he explained, adding that he's 'certainly feeling good,' which he thinks will 'pay off.' Over the weekend, ESPN personality Jeremy Fowler claimed on 'SportsCenter' that Kelce would 'debut a bit of a slimmer look' when he arrived for minicamp this week. 'He's told people close to him that he's lost about 25 pounds this offseason,' the journalist said. 'Played a little heavier in 2024. It was sort of a thing. He vowed to change it, and he has.' Kelce, whose forthcoming NFL season could be his last before retirement, is 'still a productive player' whose teammates 'want to go to him on third down, but [he's] been declining a little bit,' Fowler argued. 'So he's trying to be slimmer and has gone hardcore this offseason to make it work.' Kelce previously admitted to gaining weight ahead of the 2024-25 season. During a March 2024 episode of his 'New Heights' podcast, he quipped that he and his older brother, Jason Kelce — who weighed 280 pounds at the time — were 'in the same weight class.' Jason, a retired Philadelphia Eagles center, pointed out that Travis had 'been drinking more.' Following his third Super Bowl win in February 2024, Travis and his girlfriend, Taylor Swift, traveled all over the world together in celebration. That June, he and his teammate Patrick Mahomes poked fun at their 'dad bods' after struggling to fit into their jerseys for the annual Big Slick Celebrity Party. 'This is dad-bod season,' the quarterback, who shares three kids with his wife, Brittany Mahomes, quipped. 'I have no kids,' his pal responded. 'This is just what it looks like at 35!' Since the Chiefs suffered a massive blow in this year's Super Bowl, Travis and Swift have stayed out of the spotlight. In fact, he has spent most of his time in Florida, preparing for the 2025-26 season.
