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San Francisco Chronicle
22-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Broncos are confident as they start camp but contract questions hang over Sutton, Bonitto and Allen
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — The Denver Broncos returned from summer vacation Tuesday without the baggage they schlepped into training camp for most of the last decade. They're coming off a season in which they ended their protracted playoff drought, halted their long skid of losing campaigns and, most important, identified their first franchise quarterback — Bo Nix — since Hall of Famer Peyton Manning was still slinging footballs. The only player starting training camp on the physically unable to perform list is wide receiver A.T. Perry (ankle). That's not to say there aren't any storm clouds brewing over the Rocky Mountains as colossal contracts loom for wide receiver Courtland Sutton, linebacker Nik Bonitto and defensive end Zach Allen. The first of their ramp-up workouts is on Wednesday and all eyes will be on that trio to see if anyone will skip practices while awaiting a new deal. At his football camp for kids over the weekend, Bonitto said contract talks between his agent and Broncos general manager George Paton 'are happening right now, but I kind of just' stay out of it. 'My focus is just winning and trying to get a championship.' Bonitto said he had no deadline to get a deal done, either, stressing, 'I know these things can happen tomorrow or happen months from now." Fellow elite edge rushers have cashed in of late. T.J. Watt's three-year deal averages $41 million, Myles Garrett's four-year, $160 million contract includes $123 million guaranteed, and Nick Bosa's contract has a total value of $170 million. The next wave of younger edge rushers about to reset the market include Cowboys star Micah Parsons, Detroit defensive end Aidan Hutchinson and the 25-year-old Bonitto, who had 13 1/2 sacks in a breakout 2024 season, helping Denver lead the league with a franchise-best 63 QB takedowns. 'Yeah, I mean, the edge market is kind of crazy right now knowing that everybody's getting these big deals and it's only getting bigger and bigger,' Bonitto said. 'Luckily for me, I'm in a good position right now where the market's kind of in my favor.' Sutton, who has 18 touchdown catches over the last two years, is due to make $14 million in 2025, the final year of his four-year, $60.8 million deal. Like Bonitto, Allen is coming off a career year and he's due to make $12.7 million this season, the final year of a three-year, $46 million deal. Optimism is, well, sky high in the Mile High City after Nix's successful rookie season, which was followed by an offseason that featured free agent additions Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw. 'I think 'Huff' and Dre are two of the best at their positions across the league, and they're monstrous additions for us defensively,' McGlinchey said. 'Those two are going to help us tremendously this year, and I'm happy to be back on the same side as them.' The Broncos also selected Texas cornerback Jahdae Barron, the 2024 Jim Thorpe Award winner, in the first round of the draft, followed by UCF running back RJ Harvey in Round 2. Harvey will pair with free agent pickup J.K. Dobbins in the Broncos' revamped backfield. The Broncos are coming off a 10-7 season that ended with a wild-card playoff loss at Buffalo, but McGlinchey laughed when asked if the Broncos saw themselves as championship contenders even though Kansas City has won the AFC West every year since 2016. 'We haven't even practiced yet,' McGlinchey said. 'We certainly feel like we could be, but we have to put in the work day in and day out. We're obviously very excited about what we have here. Everybody feels a little bit more comfortable with the experience we gained last year, with the year that we had and knowing that's still not good enough.' Denver's defense was already elite in 2024 when cornerback Patrick Surtain II won the Defensive Player of the Year award, and the additions figure to make the Broncos even better in 2025, taking more pressure off of Nix and helping him avoid the second-year pitfalls that bedevil so many quarterbacks. 'Bo, he's even more confident going into this year,' Surtain said. 'Obviously with Year 1 under his belt, a lot more confidence rises upon that. The team, we have Bo's back the whole way through. He's a tremendous leader out there, and a tremendous player. This year he's going to make a lot of noise.' ___
USA Today
18-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Previewing the Washington Huskies heading into 2025
Following a run to the national championship game in 2023, Washington lost coach Kalen DeBoer to Alabama, saw most of its top players move on to the NFL and transitioned to the Big Ten Conference. With many moving pieces, the Huskies dropped to 6-7 last season, an expected regression in their first year led by coach Jedd Fisch. Washington is expected to see improvement this season, with a win total set at 7.5 and a more manageable schedule. Here's a breakdown of the Huskies heading into 2025. 2024 in review Washington sustained its first major set back with a loss to Washington State in the Apple Cup, finishing the nonconference slate 2-1. The Huskies earned impressive wins over Michigan and USC, but also picked up an unexpected loss to Rutgers and lost by multiple scores to Oregon, Penn State and Indiana. The season was capped off with a loss to Louisville in the Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl. Poor offensive line play dragged down a unit with skill position talent, while the defense faced it's share of struggles. Head coach profile Fisch struggled in his first year with the Huskies but previously led a major turnaround at Arizona, guiding the Wildcats from 1-11 in his first season to 10-3 two years later. He finished with a 16-21 record in three seasons in Tucson. Prior to head coaching roles, Fisch has lots of experience as an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Top offensive players Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. impressed after taking over the starting role from Will Rogers, and he's earning some offseason hype heading into the season. Williams has explosive play ability and is dangerous with his legs, but if the offensive line play doesn't improve significantly, he may struggle. Joining him in the backfield is running back Jonah Coleman, who rushed for over 1,000 yards last season after following Fisch from Arizona and should continue that success in 2025. At wide receiver, Denzel Boston returns after racking up 63 receptions for 834 yards and nine touchdowns last season. This trio could produce some major offensive firepower if given time to operate. Top defensive player Though he didn't initially follow Fisch to Washington, cornerback Tacario Davis transferred in from Arizona this offseason and has the potential to be the star of the defense. Davis recorded 43 tackles and six passes defended en route to second-team All-Big 12 honors last seaosn. Additionally, he was a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented annually to the top defensive back nationally. 2025 schedule
USA Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
10 returning Raiders defensive players who may not be back in 2025
We put together our list of the Raiders returning players on offense who are on the bubble, so let's move on to the defense, where there has already been plenty of turnover already and figures to be even more before the season kicks off. Here are the returning defenders still on the roster who could see their spots taken by someone else this season. DT Zach Carter Carter is a former third round pick who was cut by the Bengals midway through last season and caught on with the Raiders. He appeared in eight games and had some decent moments, but the Raiders added two interior defensive tackles in this draft who could push Carter off the roster. DE Andre Carter II The other Carter appeared in the final three games of last season due to the injuries to both Malcolm Koonce and Maxx Crosby. Providing both are healthy going into this season, Carter is a long shot for the roster. LB Tommy Eichenberg The former fifth round pick was running behind rookie Cody Lindenberg in offseason practices. He could be pushed to third team with the addition of Germaine Pratt. LB Amari Gainer Gainer made this roster as an undrafted rookie for his special teams work. And he played 80% of the team's snaps. He put up a combined five tackles there. The door is definitely open for another young hopeful to take that job. CB Decamerion Richardson Richardson has the height (6-2) Pete Carroll likes, but the former fourth round pick will need to be pick up his play if he is to stick on this roster, let alone the field. The new staff is all about competition and has no ties to previous regime's picks. CB Sam Webb In his second go round with the Raiders, Webb saw action in 11 games last season, but only played a combined 13 snaps on defense. And he had a combined one tackle in 108 special teams snaps. CB Kyu Blu Kelly Despite just two seasons under his belt, Kelly is well-traveled. The 2023 fifth round pick made appearance on three different teams as a rookie -- none of which were with the team that drafted him. He then appeared in four games last season for the Raiders. S Christopher Smith II Another 2023 fifth round pick, the Georgia alum has only seen action on defense in two games over two seasons. The other 25 games, he played only on special teams. The Raiders lost a couple safeties this offseason, but signed two as well. Smith couldn't get on the field before -- not to mention giving up a blocked punt. S Trey Taylor The Jim Thorpe Award winner saw even fewer snaps on special teams. S Thomas Harper Based on his work as an undrafted rookie in 2024, Harper would figure to have the best shot at making the roster between the three of these guys vying for playing time. He saw action in 15 games last season and started five.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Son of Florida Gators legend transfers to Florida A&M
The post Son of Florida Gators legend transfers to Florida A&M appeared first on ClutchPoints. After an underwhelming 7-5 season in 2024, Florida A&M has added another talented quarterback to an already competitive QB room. Lawrence Wright IV, the son of Florida Gators legend Lawrence Wright III, is joining the Rattlers after leaving the Gators in the transfer portal. He announced his commitment to FAMU on his social media account. Wright IV played his junior year at South Broward High School in South Florida before moving to Gainesville. At P.K. Yonge High School in Gainesville, the 6-foot-1, 243-pound quarterback wrapped up his high school career by rushing for 470 yards and six touchdowns, while also passing for 468 yards and one touchdown during his senior season. Advertisement Wright III, a University of Florida Athletic Hall of Famer, was a key player in the Gators' 1996 National Championship win. In 1995, he was named an All-American and also earned the prestigious Jim Thorpe Award. He contributed to four consecutive SEC championships before moving on to the NFL. Wright III spent two seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals, recording 25 tackles across 18 games. Wright IV's commitment comes after former Fordham quarterback CJ Montes committed to the Rattlers and then departed to rejoin Kent State. The son of the Florida legend will be tasked with winning the QB1 job last held by Daniel Richardson last season. Richardson emerged as one of the best quarterbacks in HBCU football. Heading into the MEAC-SWAC Challenge against Norfolk State, Richardson was named as Florida A&M's starting quarterback and immediately secured his spot for the defending Celebration Bowl champions. He led the Rattlers to comeback wins over both Norfolk State and South Carolina State, showcasing his throwing accuracy and ability to make plays. Richardson's play helped Florida A&M become ranked in the AFCA Coaches Poll before their loss to Jackson State. But, he ultimately suffered an injury against Prairie View A&M University in November. He wasn't on the sidelines for long as he finished out the season strong to complete the season for the Rattlers. Now, the Rattlers look to figure out the next step in their quarterback journey. Advertisement Now, Lawrence Wright IV will have the opportunity to create his own legacy at an HBCU and possibly be the quarterback to get the Rattlers back to their contending ways. Related: Former Morehouse College coach joins in-conference rival Related: Mo Williams, Jackson State offer scholarship to son of NBA standout
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Vance Joseph Reveals Why Broncos Selected Jahdae Barron
Vance Joseph Reveals Why Broncos Selected Jahdae Barron originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Rookie cornerback Jahdae Barron, making his way to the Denver Broncos, was a surprising transaction to many. Advertisement Some media personalities expected the Broncos to use their first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on a player at a position of greater need. Others – like Draft Wire's Jeff Risdon, who listed Barron as the best cornerback prospect in the draft not named Travis Hunter – expected Barron to already be off the board by the time the No. 20 overall pick came around. That's not how the dominoes fell, however, and Barron became a Bronco on April 24, 2025. Vance Joseph, the Broncos' defensive coordinator, will be working closely with Barron as he navigates his first season in the NFL. And it's safe to say Joseph was happy about the decision the team's front office made. "When you watch his game in college, you see a very intelligent player. You see a guy who played multiple positions in college – corner, he played some safety, he played some nickel. He's a very mature, smart football player," Joseph said. "[There] wasn't a bunch of negative points to his game. So, for us, it was a no-brainer. He's sitting on the board; he's the highest guy on the board. It was a no-brainer for us to draft him." Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph calling plays from the J. Downing-Imagn Images Joseph had familiarized himself with Barron's game and personality well before the Broncos evaluated the rookie in the pre-draft process. Joseph's cousin, Terry Joseph, served as Texas' defensive passing game coordinator from 2021 to 2024, the final four years of Barron's college football career. Advertisement Barron's character both on and off the field only made him more sought-after in the Broncos' eyes, Joseph said. "Obviously, with these young guys you're drafting, the person sometimes kills the player. But I knew he was a good person. He was a very mature, intelligent person. That was one of the things that we loved about the player," Joseph said. "And you watch the tape, and he's a football player. He can tackle; he can cover. He had ball skills." Barron heads into his rookie season coming off a decorated five-year career with the Longhorns, where he was a consensus All-American and winner of the Jim Thorpe Award (which is given annually to the top defensive back in college football) during his senior season. Related: Broncos Predicted to Challenge Chiefs After Offseason Moves This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
