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USA Today
6 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What are the Packers' biggest red flags heading into next season?
Despite coming off back-to-back playoff appearances, the Green Bay Packers need to take another step forward to show they are a legitimate Super Bowl contender. Or do they? Cody Benjamin of CBS Sports recently included Green Bay on his list of top NFL contenders in 2025. While it's positive the Packers are being mentioned in the same conversation as the Eagles, Chiefs, and Bills, the post highlighted each team's biggest red flags heading into next season. For the Packers, Benjamin believes depth and durability are their biggest flaws. "It was one thing for Jordan Love to battle multiple injuries in 2024; it was another for the quarterback to lose practically his entire receiving corps to various ailments by year's end," Benjamin wrote. "The Packers did their best to bolster their depth this offseason, spending not one but two early draft picks on receiver help, but at the end of the day, Matt LaFleur needs his arsenal to stay on the field to ensure his steady rate of postseason bids continues. That includes on defense, where Nate Hobbs will be tasked with filling the shoes of the also-oft-banged-up Jaire Alexander." Injuries were a major factor in Green Bay limping into the playoffs as the No. 7 seed and failing to advance past the NFC Wild Card Round. Two of their most important players—Jordan Love and Kenny Clark—never fully recovered from injuries they sustained in the season opener against Philadelphia. Jaire Alexander is now a Steeler because he appeared in only seven games. Winning a Lombardi Trophy next year will require some injury luck. Love getting hurt would be a worst-case scenario for Green Bay, which is why addressing the offensive line was a priority this offseason. GM Brian Gutekunst also went out and drafted two wide receivers in the first three rounds to give the quarterback more ammunition. Although the offensive line and wide receiver depth appear to be in good shape with training camp less than a month away, other positions aren't as solidified. Of course, every roster has weak spots, and the Packers' are pretty obvious, at least on paper. Edge rusher was thought to be a substantial need entering the offseason after the defense finished 26th in pass rush win rate, according to ESPN analytics. However, Green Bay didn't add a single pass rusher this free-agent cycle and waited until Day 3 to take an edge. That means they will rely on Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, and Kingsley Enagbare to hold down the edges in 2025. Gary is coming off a good but not great season, while neither Van Ness nor Enagbare have ever been full-time starters. Behind those three, the depth is questionable with Brenton Cox Jr. and newcomers Barryn Sorrell and Collin Oliver. Cornerback is another position that has question marks in its top three. This will be Keisean Nixon's first time entering a season as an outside corner, and playing opposite him is expected to be Carrington Valentine, who started only seven games last season. Nate Hobbs was one of the team's big free-agent splashes as a solidified slot corner. After that, things look bleak. Javon Bullard is a solid backup option in the slot, but if Nixon or Valentine goes down, the team will have to move Hobbs outside or potentially turn to Kalen King, Kamal Hadden, or Micah Robinson. King and Hadden did not log a single defensive snap in 2024, spending most of the season on the practice squad. Robinson was the 237th overall pick in the seventh round and could end up as a practice squad stowaway. Gutekunst seems confident at edge and corner, making a significant change to the roster highly unlikely unless an issue arises during training camp. Even then, you're probably not adding a difference-maker. So, what do the Packers need to do to be a contender? Staying healthy will be key, but guys stepping up at key positions like wide receiver, edge rusher, and cornerback will be equally important in deciding how far this team goes next season.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Patrick Mahomes reignites Kansas City's Super Bowl fire as Chiefs chase NFL immortality in 2025
Patrick Mahomes leads the Kansas City Chiefs into the 2025 NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations (Getty Images) As the NFL gears up for another action-packed season, few franchises are carrying the weight of expectation quite like the Kansas City Chiefs. At the center of it all is Patrick Mahomes — the dynamic quarterback who has become the face of the league and the heartbeat of a franchise now viewed as a modern dynasty in the making. Patrick Mahomes continues redefining the quarterback position The Chiefs aren't just looking to compete; they're chasing history. With multiple Super Bowl wins already under his belt, Patrick Mahomes is setting his sights on cementing the team's legacy as one of the all-time greats. His leadership, arm strength, and unmatched creativity make him a nightmare for opposing defenses — and a dream for Chiefs fans hoping for another parade through downtown Kansas City. — Daily_Chiefs_ (@Daily_Chiefs_) Since being drafted in 2017, Mahomes has revolutionized not only the Chiefs' offense but the quarterback position itself. His blend of athleticism, football IQ, and improvisational genius has transformed Andy Reid's playbook into something nearly unstoppable. What once seemed like risks — no-look passes, cross-field throws, and 4th-quarter magic — have now become expected parts of Mahomes' arsenal. Off the field, his calm demeanor and leadership are just as impactful. Mahomes reflects the grit of Kansas City, a blue-collar city that now boasts one of the flashiest and most dominant teams in football. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Binge, Live, News—Every Flip, No Skip DIA'ANI TV | MIAMI Watch Now Undo His presence has taken the franchise from hopeful contender to championship staple. Chiefs aim for balance on both sides of the ball in 2025 While Mahomes remains the focal point, the Chiefs' ambitions go beyond just offense. With key acquisitions and a more refined defensive strategy, Kansas City is working to build a team that's just as formidable on the other side of the ball. Andy Reid's seasoned leadership continues to blend experience with innovation, ensuring the team adapts while staying true to its winning identity. The franchise isn't simply looking to win — they're building a legacy. With a mix of rising stars and veteran leadership, the Chiefs are entering the 2025 season as favorites once again. And with Mahomes at the helm, expectations are nothing short of another Lombardi Trophy. Also Read: Travis Kelce and Patrick Mahomes' luxury steakhouse hits construction snag ahead of NFL season In a league built on parity and unpredictability, Kansas City's pursuit of sustained excellence remains one of the NFL's most compelling storylines — and Mahomes continues to be the force driving it all forward. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
USA Today
16 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
30 most important Bills players of 2025: No. 30 T.J. Sanders
As the Buffalo Bills prepare for the 2025 NFL season, we'll take a look at the most important contributors on their roster. They have a ton of cornerstone players who will be returning for another shot at bringing a Lombardi Trophy to Buffalo, and they'll have help from some new additions as well. Leading up to the season, we will be counting down the top 30 most important players on the roster. We'll recap their 2024 season, look ahead to what they'll offer in 2025, and tackle the most pressing questions surrounding them this coming year. First on the countdown is TJ Sanders, a rookie defensive tackle from the University of South Carolina. Background Position: DT Age at start of season: 22 Experience: Rookie 2025 cap hit: Still hasn't signed rookie deal 2024 recap In his redshirt junior season with the Gamecocks, Sanders played in all 13 games and recorded four sacks to go with seven tackles for loss, which was a slight dip in production from the year prior. He showed unique power and athleticism for his frame (6'4", 297 lbs). 2025 outlook Sanders should work his way into the defensive line rotation right off the bat in his rookie year barring a setback. He will most likely backup Ed Oliver on early downs but general manager Brandon Beane talked after draft day about pairing him with Ed Oliver in the middle on clear passing downs. He should add some much-needed juice in the interior pass-rush department. Biggest question: Can Sanders generate consistent pressure at the NFL level? He was one of the more productive interior defensive linemen in college football when it comes to getting after the passer. He had 8.5 sacks from the defensive tackle spot over the last two seasons, which is impressive for an interior defender and a big reason why Beane traded up to select him. The NFL will be a new challenge. A good thing for Sanders is the fact that defenses will most likely focus on his teammates that will be lined up next to him like Oliver, Joey Bosa, and Greg Rousseau, which should open up some opportunities. 30 Most Important Bills of 2025 Check back as we continue to countdown on our list of the 30 most important Bills ahead of the 2025 season.
USA Today
21 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Eagles' new OC might be the catalyst for Dallas Goedert's breakout season
Dallas Goedert's long-awaited breakout season may finally be unlocked by the new offensive coordinator. Time certainly flew by. A little over two months after the Philadelphia Eagles raised the Lombardi Trophy (for the first time), they made Dallas Goedert the 49th overall selection of the 2018 NFL Draft. The former South Dakota State Jackrabbits standout was a hit almost immediately. Goedert became a hit almost immediately despite his first name being the same as that of one of Philadelphia's fiercest rivals. The Birds felt so good about their young tight end that they eventually allowed a franchise legend and Super Bowl hero (Zach Ertz) to walk. Ertz's exit meant Goedert was now the starting tight end on the depth chart. Since day one in that role, it was obvious that he had the tools to be one of the best at his position. There's only one problem. More often than not, Dallas has missed time because of injury, or he has been underutilized. That brings us to the present day. Goedert is in a contract season. Might we finally get the breakout season we have always hoped for? Dallas Goedert seems thrilled about Kevin Patillo's recent promotion Believe it or not, Goedert is on the other side of 30 now. He enters his eighth NFL season, possibly his last with the only franchise he has known since entering the NFL. Yearly, we discuss Goedert's potential breakout campaign. He's a rare blend in today's NFL, the prototypical tight end who blocks and catches the ball with equal proficiency. Still, his role in this Eagles offense seems set in stone. It appears he'll probably never be more than the fourth option in the offensive attack behind A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley. Dallas Goedert never exceeded 1,000 yards or five receiving touchdowns in a single season before now. With so much offensive weaponry on the roster at the moment, it seems unlikely that he'll do so for as long as he continues playing in Philadelphia. Still, he's viewed by his coaches and teammates as an essential cog in the machine. Jalen Hurts has told him this, and the new offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo, has echoed that same sentiment. Goedert recently hung out on ESPN's NFL Live. He offered some high praise for Patullo. Thank NBC Sports' Pro Football Talk for providing the quote: 'I'm really excited for Kevin. He's been with us since (Nick) Sirianni got here. He's waited his turn to get this opportunity. Throughout OTAs, I've really loved what he's doing with the offense. Little changes here and there and I'm really excited for the opportunity just to — with the connection I grew with him the last four years. What he sees in me in different ways that he's going to get me the ball I'm really excited for.' For most of Goedert's career, we have often said that his next season would be the season. For various reasons, including injuries, we never saw the breakout affair that we had been waiting for. Still, if he's able to stay healthy and stay on the field for a full 18-week, 17-game slate, there's a high probability that something magical will happen from time to time.
USA Today
2 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
Buccaneers extend GM Jason Licht and HC Todd Bowles ahead of training camp
On Thursday, the Bucs decided they wanted to get one of the final distractions done before the team heads into training camp next month. The team announced that they had extended both General Manager Jason Licht and Head Coach Todd Bowles. The team has found steady footing under their leadership in recent years, so extensions only make sense for the team as they head into a pivotal 2025 season. Buccaneers Owner and Co-Chairman Joel Glazer released a statement through the team saying, "Jason and Todd's leadership has been critical to our organization's success. The winning culture they have established has us well positioned for the future, the continuity and stability they provide will play a large role in our ability to compete for additional championships." Since joining the team in 2014, Licht has led the team to a Super Bowl win while building several division-winning rosters. He has drafted Pro Bowlers and All-Pros, while also acquiring more talent through free agency and trades during his tenure. Bowles assumed head coaching duties after Bruce Arians retired in 2022 and has since led the Bucs to three straight NFC South division titles. He hopes to have an extended playoff run of his own in 2025, following in the footsteps of his mentor and hosting a Lombardi Trophy of his own. The extension he signed today signals the team believes he is the man to do that.
