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USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Lions coach Dan Campbell: 'We're out to finish what we started'
"We're out to finish what we started." It's a simple statement from Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell, said before Monday's practice session on the second day of training camp. But it also serves as a permeating mission statement for the 2025 edition of the Detroit Lions. The Lions couldn't quite finish out the 2024 season as hoped. The 15-2 regular season collapsed under the weight of rampant injuries across the defense and a talented foe in Washington that didn't know it was supposed to lose the NFC Divisional round game in Ford Field. The 2023 campaign ended for Detroit a game too early, too, with Campbell's Lions unable to hold onto a halftime lead in San Francisco in the NFC Championship Game. This year is about finishing. Or, as Campbell also said immediately thereafter, "We're going to close out some of these debts," Campbell continued. "That's the mindset." It's a mindset smartly espoused by veteran running back David Montgomery after Sunday's practice with his "year of reckoning" comment. Campbell indicated he told the team before camp opened that's the way to keep looking at the coming season, that the team hasn't done yet what it is capable of doing. Campbell concluded with the following thought, "No matter who we play, no matter what people think, man, we're going."
Newsweek
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Rams Latest Signing Could Point to Major Repeated Issue From 2024 Season
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Los Angeles Rams pulled off a massive rebound during the 2024 season. Despite starting the season 1-4, the team was able to put together a massive 5-1 run to secure a playoff berth. More news: Exclusive: Barry Sanders Reveals New Details on His Heart Attack A major reason for the rough start was the offensive line of the Rams being decimated by injuries. Alaric Jackson, Rob Havenstein, Steve Avila, and Jonah Jackson missed the beginning of the season due to injuries and Jackson being suspended for the first two games. Now, the Rams are looking ahead to the 2025 season, but the team is once again faced with a potential big hit on the offensive line. Alaric Jackson is currently dealing with blood clots, which is a similar issue faced in 2022. #Rams OT Alaric Jackson, a key member of the O-line who just signed an extension, is dealing with blood clots once again, per The Insiders. Similar to what he had in 2022. While the belief is he'll play in 2025, there are still questions. That explains the DJ Humphries signing. — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) June 13, 2025 Though multiple reports have indicated that Jackson could play, there is enough concern that the Rams signed former Kansas City Chiefs offensive lineman D.J. Humphries. We have signed OL D.J. Humphries to a 1-year deal. ⤵️ — Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) June 13, 2025 The Rams announced that Humphries had been signed to a one-year deal. It's never a bad idea to sign more depth, especially on the offensive line. Humphries coming aboard was the right move, as the Rams saw firsthand what it's like to have thin offensive line depth. However, there also sounds like there be deeper concerns with the blood clot issues that Jackson is facing. PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 19: Jonah Jackson #72 and Neville Gallimore #92 of the Los Angeles Rams walk together prior to the NFC Divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on... PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - JANUARY 19: Jonah Jackson #72 and Neville Gallimore #92 of the Los Angeles Rams walk together prior to the NFC Divisional playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. MoreMore news: Steelers HC Mike Tomlin Offers Major Update on TJ Watt Minicamp Holdout Considering his injury history, the Rams might be preparing for a reality where Jackson is going to miss multiple games. The Rams have a new offense to take care of, which includes the loss of veteran Cooper Kupp, but also the addition of Davante Adams. Adams and Puka Nacua figure to be the new one-two punch combo that can propel the offense in an even bigger way. With running back Kyren Williams also a star, the Rams' offense could be even more dangerous in 2025. The issue is that the offense will sputter again if the offensive line is not in top shape. Losing Jackson for multiple games will certainly put a damper on the offensive line, but Humphries is a nice addition. He is still a young contributor who can replace Jackson in a solid way, should the veteran have to miss multiple games due to the blood clot issue he is dealing with. The hope for the Rams is that no one else on the offensive line suffers an injury, like in the 2024 season. More NFL: Jets' Sauce Gardner Makes Decision on Flag Football Olympics Involvement For more on the Rams and NFL, head to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
04-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bears to sign Case Keenum: 5 things to know about Chicago's new QB
Bears to sign Case Keenum: 5 things to know about Chicago's new QB The Chicago Bears added to their quarterback room with the signing of 12-year veteran Case Keenum to serve as a mentor for Caleb Williams. With new head coach Ben Johnson leading the charge, he added a veteran quarterback to not only help with the transition and introduction of a new offense but also an experienced quarterback that has been missing in the room. For the past two seasons, undrafted Tyson Bagent has served as the team's backup quarterback, becoming a fan-favorite in Chicago, but there had not been a true veteran in the position group. Keenum will help Williams develop bringing experience, mentorship, and an added option if the team were to have to turn to a backup. With Keenum in Chicago, here are five things to know about the new Bears quarterback. 1. Keenum is a journeyman quarterback In his 12-year career, Keenum has established himself as a veteran journeyman quarterback having played with seven different organizations: Houston Texans, Los Angeles Rams, Washington Commanders, Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, and the Bears make it eight. Keenum has been used as both a starter and backup throughout his time in the league. 2. Keenum orchestrated the "Minneapolis Miracle" Back in 2017, Keenum led the Minnesota Vikings to a 13-3 record, winning the NFC North division and putting Keenum in the Top 100 players in 2018. During the NFC Divisional playoff game against the New Orleans Saints, Keenum threw for 318 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but that touchdown will go down as one of the most memorable in Vikings franchise history. With just 10 seconds left in the game, Keenum hurled a 61-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs to clinch the win over the Saints, dubbed the "Minneapolis Miracle." Minnesota went on to lose in the NFC Championship game to eventual Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles. 3. Keenum has mentored three former No. 1 overall picks During his time in the league, Keenum has served as a mentor to three overall picks, now including Caleb Williams with Chicago. Before signing with the Bears, Keenum was the backup to Minnesota's Sam Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft, and then in Cleveland when he was behind Baker Mayfield, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. Keenum will provide an experienced voice in the quarterback room for Williams. 4. Keenum became FBS leader in all-time total offense During his college days with the Houston Cougars, Keenum became the FBS leader in all-time total offense, passing yards, and touchdown passes. He would have his No. 7 retired by his alma mater as he reached many accolades during his time with Houston, winning the Sammy Baugh trophy in 2009 and 2011, and was a First-Team All-American in the 2009 season. 5. Keenum made college football history Throughout his remarkable collegiate career, Keenum did not just make waves in Conference USA or Houston Cougars history, he also made college football history. Keenum is the only quarterback in college FBS history to throw for at least 5,000 yards in each of three seasons, and he's the only player in college football history to surpass 20,000 total yards of offense. Follow Bears Wire on Twitter and Facebook
USA Today
05-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Former Disney Channel star Brenda Song has some advice for Rams OC and DC
Brenda Song is still salty about the Los Angeles Rams' loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Divisional playoff game earlier this year. In an interview with Mythical Kitchen, Song explained what went wrong in the game and how the Rams could have and should have gone to the Super Bowl. Song was asked what she would have done to prevent Eagles running back Saquon Barkley from rushing for 205 yards and two touchdowns in the 28-22 win for Philadelphia. Her answer was simply about personnel: 'Let me tell [defensive coordinator] Chris Shula. I like you a lot. I like what you've done with our front four," Song said. "But my issue is: We don't have a run-stopper. We don't use our middle linebackers in the middle. We can't stop the run. That's our biggest problem besides our O-line. We cannot stop the run more than anything." Song then shifted gears to the offense, especially coordinator Mike LaFleur, and how one play ruined the Rams' Super Bowl aspirations. "Let's talk about Mike LaFleur, our OC, about our O-line and why Jalen Carter sacked Matthew Stafford," Song continued. "The Philadelphia score should have been 28-29 and the Rams should have been — we would have murdered the Commanders. Sorry, Jayden Daniels, but we would have been in the Super Bowl.' And when she was asked about the biggest regret in her life, Song was also thinking about the Rams: 'Not being an offensive lineman," she said, "so I could have protected Matt Stafford from that Jalen Carter sack.' That Carter sack is the stuff of nightmares for the Rams, as the All-22 replay showed Los Angeles could have scored a game-winning touchdown had Stafford not been taken down. Check out the full interview here: The Rams hope for a return trip to the playoffs in 2025 but with better results. Matthew Stafford will be back, as well as most of the offensive line. But what else happens will come down to the Rams' choices in free agency and the 2025 NFL draft.
Miami Herald
31-01-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Miami Northwestern's Teddy Bridgewater is the Dade 3A-1A Football Coach of the Year
You don't see high school football coaches lead a team to a state championship and then a couple of weeks later end up in playing in an NFL playoff game. Never say never when it comes to Miami Northwestern alum Teddy Bridgewater. What a rollercoaster ride it was for the former Bulls' quarterback turned coach in his first season at the helm of his alma mater's program as Bridgewater guided Northwestern to the Class 3A state championship before returning to the Detroit Lions as their backup quarterback during this year's playoffs. For his accomplishments on the high school football field, Bridgewater is the Miami Herald's Football Coach of the Year for Classes 3A-1A. Bridgewater guided the Bulls to a 12-2 season just one season after they went 4-6 and missed the playoffs for the first time in a decade. It was Northwestern's ninth state title overall and first since 2019. Northwestern overcame early losses to Venice and Miami Norland as well as Miami Central (before it forfeited the victory due to an ineligible player) and put together one of the most dominant playoff runs in recent memory. With Central ousted from the playoffs due to the aforementioned violation of FHSAA rules, the Bulls overwhelmed their five regional and state playoff opponents by a combined score of 262-12. The mastery culminated with a 41-0 rout of Jacksonville Raines in the state final as the Bulls shut out their final three opponents and four of their last five overall. 'This (experience) taught me patience,' Bridgewater said after the state final. 'When you're working with 14-year olds, 15, 16, 17-year olds and coming from the NFL, you have to remember, they might not get it on the first try. They might not get it on the second, third or fourth or fifth try. But if you stay patient with them and really teach them the why for everything, the rest will take care of itself.' Bridgewater, 32, celebrated his first state title with his alma mater and then decided to put on his playing cleats one more time when he rejoined the Lions during their recent playoff run just one year after stepping away from the game. Bridgewater, who has suited up for seven NFL teams including the Miami Dolphins during his playing career, even briefly appeared in the Lions' recent 45-31 loss to the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional playoffs. He completed one pass for three yards and threw a key block during Jameson Williams' 61-yard second quarter touchdown run. Bridgewater had stated his plan was always to make himself available to NFL teams during the postseason and return to coach Northwestern once the season was over. 'I'm very excited especially in year one being able to get it with this staff, I wouldn't want it to happen with anyone else,' Bridgewater said after Northwestern won the state title. 'These guys put in the hours. Sometimes, I've been kind of an (expletive) with them…excuse my language…but they accepted the challenge and we're champions now.'
