Latest news with #NextGenStats
The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
NFL teams that could be more explosive: Chiefs, Bears up in 2025?
Still, summer in the NFL is all about examining untapped upside, and there are more than a few groups that have significant potential for becoming more dynamic. Here are five teams that are shaping up to be more explosive this season than they were last year: Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes had a clear statement of purpose for the Chiefs' offense in offseason workouts. "Our job is to test the defenses down the field and we have to get back to doing that if we want to open up other guys underneath," Mahomes said in June. "Coach (Andy) Reid has challenged me this offseason to push the ball down the field, let guys have chances to make plays and then once we get that back to where we want to be in our standard that we believe we should have, then we can come back to the underneath stuff." The sentiment, however, is almost exactly the same as what he put forward a year ago as the team looked to rediscover its freewheeling ways. And last season's outcome serves as a reminder of how quickly even the most dedicated effort can fall apart. With Rashee Rice and Marquise "Hollywood" Brown lost for the majority of the season by September, Kansas City quickly reverted to the more laborious method it has pivoted to in recent years. Two years after leading the NFL with 73 completions of 20-plus yards, the Chiefs had the sixth fewest in 2024 with just 42. With the deep game disintegrated and the field compressed, Mahomes' average air yards per attempt sagged to a career-low 6.3, according to Next Gen Stats. As in past years, part of the problem stems from the preponderance of two-high shells the team has continued to face as opposing defenses deny Mahomes anything deep and instead force him to be more patient and discerning. But much of the disappearance of the downfield game also traces back to the injury-ravaged receiving corps that failed to find consistent separation and an offensive line that came undone in critical stretches. Getting back Rice, who could be facing a suspension after being sentenced for his role in a high-speed crash last year, and Brown no doubt will be a boon, with the former able to do plenty of heavy lifting as a go-to target underneath. But while Xavier Worthy showed promise once his role shifted after Rice's season-ending knee injury, the first-rounder still has a long way to go to be the downfield burner the team envisioned him as when it selected him in the first round last April. But if the 40-yard dash record setter can improve on his 10.8 yards per catch average, it could have a significant ripple effect for the rest of the unit. Meanwhile, a trimmer Travis Kelce could be more dynamic after averaging a career-low 8.5 yards per catch last fall. A more pressing concern than the pass-catching crew, however, could be the offensive front. The Chiefs made sizable investments at left tackle - a two-year, $30 million contract for Jaylon Moore and a first-round pick used on Josh Simmons - after Mahomes' blindside protection quickly proved insufficient last fall. And with Joe Thuney sent to Chicago, Kansas City is counting on either Mike Caliendo or Kingsley Suamataia, who began last year as the starting left tackle before being benched, to hold down the left guard spot. Affording Mahomes sufficient time to take chances could be the difference between an offensive rebirth and yet again having to repeatedly scrape by on third and fourth downs. But if given the window, there's little question that the Chiefs will be looking to take their shot whenever they can. Ben Johnson's explanation this offseason of his stance on the Tush Push, the Philadelphia Eagles' signature variation on the quarterback sneak, served as a window into the first-year Bears coach's offensive philosophy. "Man, I tell you what, does it become an explosive play ever? Have you ever seen a Tush Push become an explosive play? I like explosive plays," Johnson said in May. "I like big plays. "So I'm not a big Tush Push guy myself." Of course, Johnson's mindset would have been readily evident to anyone familiar with his work orchestrating the Detroit Lions' offense for the previous three years. His units ranked in the top five for both yards and points every season during that span. The peak came in 2024, when the Lions led the NFL in scoring and tied a league record by reaching at least 40 points in six games. Detroit also had the most touchdowns of at least 20 yards with 18. It's little wonder, then, that Johnson was such a draw to a team that finished last in yards per game (284.6) amid heightened expectations for quarterback Caleb Williams' debut campaign. Johnson has said that while he'll carry over his aggressiveness and focus on taxing defenses in a variety of manners, he'll cater to the Bears' specific personnel landscape. And despite the systemic breakdown that dragged down all parties in 2024, there's a clear sense of big-play potential brewing thanks to Williams' singular creativity, an overhauled offensive line and a receiving corps that could be on the verge of a breakout. Who will crash NFL's postseason party? Ranking 18 non-playoff teams' shot at joining field Still, there's a clear walk-before-you-run element for a Chicago team that was derailed by incessant pressure last season. With Johnson having declared how highly he prizes expected points added in the passing game, his tolerance for drive-killing sacks will be low. The complete remaking of the interior offensive line might go a long way toward resolving the front's most pressing shortcoming, but larger changes are no doubt due after Williams took a league-high 68 sacks. While there's been plenty of questioning about how Williams would jibe with Johnson in a system that calls for the quarterback to stay on schedule, expect the signal-caller to get rid of the ball more quickly and significantly boost his checkdown rate after posting the lowest figure in the league in 2024 at 7.1%, according to Pro Football Focus. Once the attack reaches a level of overall functionality, however, the big plays could come in waves. Johnson excels at throwing defenses off balance to create big gains both through the air and on the ground, and the Bears' skill-position talent could easily capitalize on the run-after-catch opportunities that are sure to come. Tampa Bay Buccaneers It's difficult to find much fault with one of last year's most efficient attacks. The Buccaneers ranked fourth in scoring (29.5 points per game) and fifth in expected points added per play. And with a league-best 50.9% conversion-rate on third downs, Tampa Bay was difficult to stop in its tracks. What, then, could first-year coordinator Josh Grizzard and the offense be setting their sights on as an area for growth this fall? For one: deep shots. "We're trying to get some more explosive (plays) in," quarterback Baker Mayfield told reporters in June. "Obviously, when you look at the stats - I'm not a big stats guy, but we weren't as much down-the-field explosive. We were creating a lot of open, in the middle, and guys getting some YAC." Mayfield and the aerial attack, which Grizzard helmed last year as pass game coordinator, did prove to be particularly deadly operating in the underneath area. Despite losing slot target Chris Godwin to a season-ending dislocated ankle in Week 7, the Buccaneers ranked second in yards after catch with 3,830. Mayfield set career highs with a 71.4% completion rate and 106.8 passer rating along with 4,500 yards and 41 touchdown passes. But the downfield game never quite took off for Tampa Bay, which ranked 29th in average air yards per attempt (6.8). The compressed attack was reflected by the contributions of Mike Evans, a perennial deep threat throughout his career who saw his yards per reception (13.6) and average depth of target (11.58) sink to all-time lows. Even then, his overall efficiency didn't wane, as he tied for sixth in the NFL with 2.8 yards per route run. Still, with Godwin back and first-round receiver Emeka Egbuka in the fold, the Buccaneers will have a better shot at utilizing the full field. As he turns 32 in August, Evans might not be the same field-stretching threat as he once was, though his 91 open score in ESPN's receiver metrics was tied for the league's best mark. But his ability to threaten defenses vertically hardly hinges entirely on speed, as hauling in contested catches down the sideline has long been his calling card. With Godwin and Egbuka holding down the short-to-intermediate area, Evans could benefit with a return to a heavier proportion of his work coming deep downfield. One potential hiccup: All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs' expected early-season absence due to a knee injury could threaten the superlative protection Mayfield has enjoyed. Atlanta Falcons Coaching staffs often look to rein in a young quarterback's aggressiveness. The Falcons want to harness their second-year signal-caller's attacking approach, though striking the right balance could be a season-long project. When Atlanta benched Kirk Cousins for the final three games of last season, it didn't take long for Michael Penix Jr. to strike a stylistic contrast from his veteran predecessor. The rookie averaged 10.2 air yards per attempt during his three-game run, which placed him only behind the Indianapolis Colts' Anthony Richardson among starting quarterbacks on the season. But the shift produced a much higher variance from a passing game that still ranked fifth in yards per game despite Cousins' limitations on his mobility and velocity. Penix completed just 58.1% of his passes on the season while struggling with erratic ball placement. "He's an aggressive player with an aggressive arm, but sometimes you got to be able to dial it back a little bit," Falcons quarterbacks coach T.J. Yates said of Penix in May, according to the team's official site. "He has great field vision. He has the ability to manipulate underneath defenders with his eyes. And sometimes he might not need to do that all the time, but it's one of his greatest assets, so we don't want to over-coach or out-coach some of those things out of his system. It's just the process of learning the quarterback and learning how to coach him, and him learning the offense and rolling through those things." Even if Penix does rein in his tendencies a bit, Atlanta no doubt will be looking to embrace a new outlook. Raheem Morris admitted late last season the team had "neglected" the play-action portion of its playbook, and the team should be able to engineer more favorable downfield looks. Penix's deep-ball prowess could also bring out the best in Drake London, who connected with the quarterback for 22 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns in the final three games last season. With the 6-4 London and speedster Darnell Mooney Jr. both offering a proven track record threatening defenses vertically, Penix could unlock a component of the passing attack that Cousins struggled to access. And while Bijan Robinson picked up rushing yards in bunches after finishing fourth in the NFL with 1,887, the third-year back has drilled down on how to create more long runs after again failing to produce one of 40 yards or more. "I work on it every single day," Robinson said in June. "Obviously, the explosives, we always want them. We've added so many things to this offense so we can create more explosives. And, for me, sometimes it's that one defender, but now that's all. That's what I've been working on all offseason, just seeing that free hitter and making moves off him." The story of the Raiders' offensive downfall was one of compounding problems, with an untenable quarterback situation worsened by a rock-bottom run game and a receiving corps left listless after the Davante Adams trade. It only made sense, then, for Las Vegas to take a multi-pronged approach toward a repair. Bringing aboard Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly provided stability to a franchise that hasn't enjoyed much in the way of consistency since moving to Las Vegas. Another major boost came with Geno Smith settling the longstanding quarterback question. The two-time Pro Bowler has been one of the league's best deep passers in recent years, though having to compensate for a Seattle Seahawks line that struggled to stave off interior pressure somewhat obscured the full extent of his abilities. That experience should prove handy, however, as Smith takes on a heavy load in jolting one of the more inert passing attacks. Do the Silver and Black have enough juice in the receiving corps to give Smith proper help? Brock Bowers is more than capable of serving as the focal point of the attack after his record-setting rookie season. But the Raiders might need Dont'e Thornton, a 6-5, 205-pound fourth-round pick out of Tennessee who ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash and averaged 25.4 yards per catch last year, to create the deep connections that might not otherwise be readily available to other targets. "We want to be efficient. That's the main thing," Smith said in May. "We want to do well in the situations, the third downs, the red zones. But also we want to be explosive. When teams come up and play us in man-to-man (coverage), we have guys that are going to win those matchups. I really feel good about where we are. We're still in work in progress but we're in a good spot and we've just to keep working hard to get better." The Raiders also should see a radical shift in their run game. No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty brings an immediate big-play threat to the backfield after notching 12 runs of 50-plus yards in his final year at Boise State. Las Vegas' longest rush of the season, meanwhile, went for just 40 yards.
Chicago Tribune
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Chicago Bears roster breakdown: How Dennis Allen's defense is coming together as training camp opens
It wasn't a massive overhaul, but the Chicago Bears made a few key changes on defense heading into 2025. General manager Ryan Poles and coach Ben Johnson focused much of their effort on the trenches, adding two starters to the defensive line. Former New Orleans Saints coach Dennis Allen takes over as coordinator, and he's certain to bring a renewed energy. Allen built the Saints into one of the league's best defenses during the final years of the Drew Brees era. Now he will try to do the same in Chicago. Here's a position-by-position breakdown of Allen's defense as the team heads into training camp. Returning: Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy, Dominique Robinson, Jamree Kromah Newcomers: Dayo Odeyingbo, Xavier Carlton, Jereme Robinson What to know: The Bears totaled 40 sacks last season, but 18 came during the first six games. Sweat, the team's highest-paid defensive player, had three of the 22 sacks over the final 11 games while dealing with shin and ankle injuries. As a whole, the line fell off after nose tackle Andrew Billings suffered a season-ending pectoral injury midway through the season. The Bears released veteran defensive end DeMarcus Walker after two seasons with the team. Poles bet on the upside Walker showed during a seven-sack season in 2022 with the Tennessee Titans, but that level of production never materialized in Chicago. The big addition this offseason was Odeyingbo, who signed a three-year, $48 million contract in free agency. The Bears also return Booker, who saw limited action as a rookie last year, and fourth-year pro Dominique Robinson. Biggest question: Is Odeyingbo the answer opposite Sweat? Once again, Poles is betting on upside. Odeyingbo had three sacks last season but recorded eight in 2023. In four seasons with the Indianapolis Colts, he totaled 16½ sacks, although he didn't emerge as a full-time starter until 2024. With Sweat as the only real threat on the edge late last season, offensive lines could key on him and send extra blockers and chippers his way. If the Bears can find a viable second threat to pair with Sweat on the other side, it would make it harder for defenses to zero in on him. Despite his low sack total last season, Odeyingbo recorded a career-best pressure rate (11.9%), according to NFL Next Gen Stats. The Bears are betting on those pressures turning into sacks. Returning: Gervon Dexter, Andrew Billings, Zacch Pickens, Chris Williams, Jonathan Ford Newcomers: Grady Jarrett, Shemar Turner What to know: When Billings' season ended after a Week 9 injury, the line was never the same. The interior affects the edges and vice versa — it's all connected. The line wasn't much of a factor late in the season. Losing one player changed the entire equation for the defense. 'Him being out, we could feel that when we played Chicago,' Johnson said in January. So Poles made several additions at defensive tackle in the hope something like that doesn't happen again. The Bears signed Jarrett in free agency and drafted Turner out of Texas A&M in the second round. Billings is back and healthy. Dexter, a second-round pick in 2023, is a lock to be a starter. Jarrett, a 10-year veteran, should make an impact right away. The two-time Pro Bowl selection is a relentless tackle who moves with speed for his size. On top of his physical abilities, he's a vocal leader who isn't afraid to say what he thinks. Biggest question: Can Dexter reach another level? Dexter was off to a fantastic start in 2024, totaling four sacks and three tackles for a loss in the first five games. He had just one sack and one tackle for a loss the remainder of the season. During his first two seasons, Dexter showed bursts of the high-potential tackle the Bears drafted at No. 53 two years ago. He had nine QB hits over the final eight games of his rookie year. Last season he led all Bears defenders with 19 QB hits. Doing it for a full season is the next challenge. 'It's time to put it together,' Dexter said in June. Jarrett raved about Dexter's work in the weight room and believes he has a high ceiling. 'Year 3 is such a critical time,' Jarrett said. 'It's when you can take that big leap. You've played some football, you get more comfortable and now you can know how to apply things and really, really take that big step.' Returning: Tremaine Edmunds, T.J. Edwards, Amen Ogbongbemiga, Noah Sewell, Carl Jones Newcomers: Ruben Hyppolite II, Swayze Bozeman, Power Echols What to know: The starting duo of Edmunds and Edwards will remain in place for the foreseeable future. The Bears signed Edwards to a two-year, $20 million contract extension that will keep him in Chicago through 2027. Both veterans started all 17 games in 2024. Edwards finished second on the team with 129 tackles (one behind safety Kevin Byard) and added four sacks, a team-high 12 tackles for a loss, one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. Edmunds contributed 110 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, one sack and three tackles for a loss. The Bears parted ways with local product Jack Sanborn, who followed Matt Eberflus to Dallas. The biggest addition at the position was Hyppolite, a fourth-round pick. Allen wants speedy linebackers, and Hyppolite is exactly that. The Maryland product was not invited to the scouting combine, but his 40-yard dash at his pro day (4.39 seconds) would've been the fastest among linebackers at the 2025 combine. Biggest question: How might the linebacker dynamic change in Allen's scheme? Edmunds and Edwards spent the spring working at both the weak-side and middle linebacker spots (Edwards missed some time with a soft-tissue injury). Much like the offense, the Bears defense spent the spring moving players around to see who fits where within the scheme. 'The more that you can do, it adds value to you as a player,' Edmunds said. 'And obviously you develop a different sense, like different knowledge of the game. So just being able to see things from a different perspective, being able just to add things to your belt, is always good.' The roles should crystallize in camp. Over the last two seasons Edmunds has played middle linebacker with Edwards on the weak side. Edwards played middle linebacker with the Philadelphia Eagles, so a change is certainly possible. Returning: Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, Terell Smith, Josh Blackwell, Ameer Speed Newcomers: Zah Frazier, Nick McCloud, Shaun Wade, Nahshon Wright, Jeremiah Walker What to know: This might be the deepest position group on the roster. All three starters return in Johnson, Stevenson and Gordon, with top backups Smith and Blackwell coming back as well. This group could be the backbone of the defense. The Bears signed Gordon to a three-year, $40 million extension in April. Allen has high hopes for Gordon, who has played the nickel the last three seasons. Allen hinted he wants Gordon on the field more, suggesting the Bears might give him a try at outside corner or safety. Stevenson will look for a new start with a new coaching staff. Smith has been a capable backup, but minor injuries have bugged him in each of his first two seasons. The Bears drafted Frazier in the fifth round. He's a lanky corner who grabbed six interceptions at Texas-San Antonio last year. Biggest question: Will Jaylon Johnson thrive in this scheme? Allen's defenses in New Orleans played a healthy amount of man-to-man coverage. That could lead to Johnson, the team's top cover corner, shadowing the opponent's top receiver in certain matchups. In former coach Eberflus' scheme, Johnson rarely did this. Eberflus preferred to keep his corners on one designated side of the formation, regardless of where the top receiver lined up. Allen might approach it differently. Longtime Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore often followed the opponent's top receiver during his early years in Allen's scheme. Johnson never has been shy about wanting such responsibilities. 'You lock up the No. 1 guy,' Johnson said during OTAs. 'No. 1 on No. 1. For me, that's what I am looking forward to doing. That's what I am looking forward to the most. That's what I train for.' Returning: Kevin Byard III, Jaquan Brisker, Jonathan Owens, Elijah Hicks, Tarvarius Moore Newcomers: Alex Cook, Major Burns, Tysheem Johnson What to know: The Bears return all four of their top safeties. Byard and Brisker are in line to start, with Owens and Hicks the primary backups. Byard led the Bears with 130 tackles last season and quickly emerged as a leader, with his teammates voting him a captain in his first season in Chicago. He enters the second season of the two-year, $15 million contract he signed as a free agent in March 2024. Brisker started 2024 playing his signature physical brand of safety, racking up 40 tackles in five games with an interception and a forced fumble. But a concussion in Week 5 proved to be the end of his season. The Bears brought in undrafted rookies Burns and Johnson and also signed Cook, who enters his third NFL season. Biggest question: Can Brisker stay healthy? Brisker has plenty riding on the season. The 2022 second-round pick heads into the final year of his rookie contract. The 26-year-old needs to prove he can remain healthy if he wants a long-term future in Chicago. Brisker missed the final 12 games last year, the third consecutive season he missed time with a concussion. Given the severity of the injury, his concussion history might make teams pause before handing out a big contract. If Brisker does stay healthy, he could be a fun player to watch in Allen's scheme. He's capable of playing in tight spaces at the line of scrimmage or deep in coverage. Brisker has no plans to change his physical style of play. 'I don't have to prove anything,' he said in June. 'When I'm out there, I make plays. I go attack the ball and I come down and hit.' Returning: Cairo Santos (K), Tory Taylor (P), Scott Daly (LS) Newcomers: Luke Elkin (LS), Jonathan Kim (K) What to know: The Bears parted ways with longtime long snapper Patrick Scales over the offseason. Scales had been with the team since 2015 and appeared in 99 consecutive regular-season games heading into the 2024 season. But a preseason back injury required surgery and derailed his season before it began. The Bears signed Daly, a Downers Grove native who wound up playing in all 17 games last season. In March the Bears brought back Daly on a one-year contract. With Daly, Santos and Taylor returning, the Bears have all three members of their field-goal unit back for another year. The Bears signed Elkin as an undrafted rookie out of Iowa. A Wisconsin native, Elkin was the long snapper for the Hawkeyes when Taylor was setting NCAA punting records. Kim, another undrafted rookie, kicked at North Carolina and Michigan State in college. Biggest question: Can Santos keep rolling? With Johnson running the offense, the Bears expect to score a lot more points than they did in 2024. If they do, Santos will be part of the effort. At 89.3% on field goals in 85 games with the Bears, he is the most accurate field-goal kicker in franchise history. Yes, even more accurate than Robbie Gould's 85.4% career mark in Chicago over 166 games. Santos is not known for having a big leg. His career long is 55 yards, which can sound like nothing in today's NFL. But last season he made a career-best eight field goals from 50 yards and beyond in nine attempts. He has been money from shorter distances with the Bears — he never has missed a field-goal attempt from inside 40 yards, although he has missed some extra points.
USA Today
22-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Five NFL teams that could be more explosive in 2025
Highlight clips of deep passes being completed in practice are social media's sign that training camp season has arrived in the NFL. With fans looking to latch onto any reason for excitement for the upcoming season and teams try to give them one, nothing creates a stir quite like a potential preview of big plays to come. The dazzling deep balls are enticing, even if thrown in settings that fall well short of a game atmosphere. For some franchises, however, this might be the height of offseason optimism, as personnel and coaching constraints can quickly throttle any unit. Still, summer in the NFL is all about examining untapped upside, and there are more than a few groups that have significant potential for becoming more dynamic. Here are five teams that are shaping up to be more explosive this season than they were last year: Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes had a clear statement of purpose for the Chiefs' offense in offseason workouts. "Our job is to test the defenses down the field and we have to get back to doing that if we want to open up other guys underneath," Mahomes said in June. "Coach (Andy) Reid has challenged me this offseason to push the ball down the field, let guys have chances to make plays and then once we get that back to where we want to be in our standard that we believe we should have, then we can come back to the underneath stuff." The sentiment, however, is almost exactly the same as what he put forward a year ago as the team looked to rediscover its freewheeling ways. And last season's outcome serves as a reminder of how quickly even the most dedicated effort can fall apart. With Rashee Rice and Marquise "Hollywood" Brown lost for the majority of the season by September, Kansas City quickly reverted to the more laborious method it has pivoted to in recent years. Two years after leading the NFL with 73 completions of 20-plus yards, the Chiefs had the sixth fewest in 2024 with just 42. With the deep game disintegrated and the field compressed, Mahomes' average air yards per attempt sagged to a career-low 6.3, according to Next Gen Stats. As in past years, part of the problem stems from the preponderance of two-high shells the team has continued to face as opposing defenses deny Mahomes anything deep and instead force him to be more patient and discerning. But much of the disappearance of the downfield game also traces back to the injury-ravaged receiving corps that failed to find consistent separation and an offensive line that came undone in critical stretches. Getting back Rice, who could be facing a suspension after being sentenced for his role in a high-speed crash last year, and Brown no doubt will be a boon, with the former able to do plenty of heavy lifting as a go-to target underneath. But while Xavier Worthy showed promise once his role shifted after Rice's season-ending knee injury, the first-rounder still has a long way to go to be the downfield burner the team envisioned him as when it selected him in the first round last April. But if the 40-yard dash record setter can improve on his 10.8 yards per catch average, it could have a significant ripple effect for the rest of the unit. Meanwhile, a trimmer Travis Kelce could be more dynamic after averaging a career-low 8.5 yards per catch last fall. A more pressing concern than the pass-catching crew, however, could be the offensive front. The Chiefs made sizable investments at left tackle – a two-year, $30 million contract for Jaylon Moore and a first-round pick used on Josh Simmons – after Mahomes' blindside protection quickly proved insufficient last fall. And with Joe Thuney sent to Chicago, Kansas City is counting on either Mike Caliendo or Kingsley Suamataia, who began last year as the starting left tackle before being benched, to hold down the left guard spot. Affording Mahomes sufficient time to take chances could be the difference between an offensive rebirth and yet again having to repeatedly scrape by on third and fourth downs. But if given the window, there's little question that the Chiefs will be looking to take their shot whenever they can. Chicago Bears Ben Johnson's explanation this offseason of his stance on the Tush Push, the Philadelphia Eagles' signature variation on the quarterback sneak, served as a window into the first-year Bears coach's offensive philosophy. "Man, I tell you what, does it become an explosive play ever? Have you ever seen a Tush Push become an explosive play? I like explosive plays," Johnson said in May. "I like big plays. "So I'm not a big Tush Push guy myself." Of course, Johnson's mindset would have been readily evident to anyone familiar with his work orchestrating the Detroit Lions' offense for the previous three years. His units ranked in the top five for both yards and points every season during that span. The peak came in 2024, when the Lions led the NFL in scoring and tied a league record by reaching at least 40 points in six games. Detroit also had the most touchdowns of at least 20 yards with 18. It's little wonder, then, that Johnson was such a draw to a team that finished last in yards per game (284.6) amid heightened expectations for quarterback Caleb Williams' debut campaign. Johnson has said that while he'll carry over his aggressiveness and focus on taxing defenses in a variety of manners, he'll cater to the Bears' specific personnel landscape. And despite the systemic breakdown that dragged down all parties in 2024, there's a clear sense of big-play potential brewing thanks to Williams' singular creativity, an overhauled offensive line and a receiving corps that could be on the verge of a breakout. Who will crash NFL's postseason party? Ranking 18 non-playoff teams' shot at joining field Still, there's a clear walk-before-you-run element for a Chicago team that was derailed by incessant pressure last season. With Johnson having declared how highly he prizes expected points added in the passing game, his tolerance for drive-killing sacks will be low. The complete remaking of the interior offensive line might go a long way toward resolving the front's most pressing shortcoming, but larger changes are no doubt due after Williams took a league-high 68 sacks. While there's been plenty of questioning about how Williams would jibe with Johnson in a system that calls for the quarterback to stay on schedule, expect the signal-caller to get rid of the ball more quickly and significantly boost his checkdown rate after posting the lowest figure in the league in 2024 at 7.1%, according to Pro Football Focus. Once the attack reaches a level of overall functionality, however, the big plays could come in waves. Johnson excels at throwing defenses off balance to create big gains both through the air and on the ground, and the Bears' skill-position talent could easily capitalize on the run-after-catch opportunities that are sure to come. Tampa Bay Buccaneers It's difficult to find much fault with one of last year's most efficient attacks. The Buccaneers ranked fourth in scoring (29.5 points per game) and fifth in expected points added per play. And with a league-best 50.9% conversion-rate on third downs, Tampa Bay was difficult to stop in its tracks. What, then, could first-year coordinator Josh Grizzard and the offense be setting their sights on as an area for growth this fall? For one: deep shots. "We're trying to get some more explosive (plays) in," quarterback Baker Mayfield told reporters in June. "Obviously, when you look at the stats – I'm not a big stats guy, but we weren't as much down-the-field explosive. We were creating a lot of open, in the middle, and guys getting some YAC." Mayfield and the aerial attack, which Grizzard helmed last year as pass game coordinator, did prove to be particularly deadly operating in the underneath area. Despite losing slot target Chris Godwin to a season-ending dislocated ankle in Week 7, the Buccaneers ranked second in yards after catch with 3,830. Mayfield set career highs with a 71.4% completion rate and 106.8 passer rating along with 4,500 yards and 41 touchdown passes. But the downfield game never quite took off for Tampa Bay, which ranked 29th in average air yards per attempt (6.8). The compressed attack was reflected by the contributions of Mike Evans, a perennial deep threat throughout his career who saw his yards per reception (13.6) and average depth of target (11.58) sink to all-time lows. Even then, his overall efficiency didn't wane, as he tied for sixth in the NFL with 2.8 yards per route run. Still, with Godwin back and first-round receiver Emeka Egbuka in the fold, the Buccaneers will have a better shot at utilizing the full field. As he turns 32 in August, Evans might not be the same field-stretching threat as he once was, though his 91 open score in ESPN's receiver metrics was tied for the league's best mark. But his ability to threaten defenses vertically hardly hinges entirely on speed, as hauling in contested catches down the sideline has long been his calling card. With Godwin and Egbuka holding down the short-to-intermediate area, Evans could benefit with a return to a heavier proportion of his work coming deep downfield. One potential hiccup: All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs' expected early-season absence due to a knee injury could threaten the superlative protection Mayfield has enjoyed. Atlanta Falcons Coaching staffs often look to rein in a young quarterback's aggressiveness. The Falcons want to harness their second-year signal-caller's attacking approach, though striking the right balance could be a season-long project. When Atlanta benched Kirk Cousins for the final three games of last season, it didn't take long for Michael Penix Jr. to strike a stylistic contrast from his veteran predecessor. The rookie averaged 10.2 air yards per attempt during his three-game run, which placed him only behind the Indianapolis Colts' Anthony Richardson among starting quarterbacks on the season. But the shift produced a much higher variance from a passing game that still ranked fifth in yards per game despite Cousins' limitations on his mobility and velocity. Penix completed just 58.1% of his passes on the season while struggling with erratic ball placement. "He's an aggressive player with an aggressive arm, but sometimes you got to be able to dial it back a little bit," Falcons quarterbacks coach T.J. Yates said of Penix in May, according to the team's official site. "He has great field vision. He has the ability to manipulate underneath defenders with his eyes. And sometimes he might not need to do that all the time, but it's one of his greatest assets, so we don't want to over-coach or out-coach some of those things out of his system. It's just the process of learning the quarterback and learning how to coach him, and him learning the offense and rolling through those things." Even if Penix does rein in his tendencies a bit, Atlanta no doubt will be looking to embrace a new outlook. Raheem Morris admitted late last season the team had "neglected" the play-action portion of its playbook, and the team should be able to engineer more favorable downfield looks. Penix's deep-ball prowess could also bring out the best in Drake London, who connected with the quarterback for 22 catches for 349 yards and two touchdowns in the final three games last season. With the 6-4 London and speedster Darnell Mooney Jr. both offering a proven track record threatening defenses vertically, Penix could unlock a component of the passing attack that Cousins struggled to access. And while Bijan Robinson picked up rushing yards in bunches after finishing fourth in the NFL with 1,887, the third-year back has drilled down on how to create more long runs after again failing to produce one of 40 yards or more. "I work on it every single day," Robinson said in June. "Obviously, the explosives, we always want them. We've added so many things to this offense so we can create more explosives. And, for me, sometimes it's that one defender, but now that's all. That's what I've been working on all offseason, just seeing that free hitter and making moves off him." Las Vegas Raiders The story of the Raiders' offensive downfall was one of compounding problems, with an untenable quarterback situation worsened by a rock-bottom run game and a receiving corps left listless after the Davante Adams trade. It only made sense, then, for Las Vegas to take a multi-pronged approach toward a repair. Bringing aboard Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly provided stability to a franchise that hasn't enjoyed much in the way of consistency since moving to Las Vegas. Another major boost came with Geno Smith settling the longstanding quarterback question. The two-time Pro Bowler has been one of the league's best deep passers in recent years, though having to compensate for a Seattle Seahawks line that struggled to stave off interior pressure somewhat obscured the full extent of his abilities. That experience should prove handy, however, as Smith takes on a heavy load in jolting one of the more inert passing attacks. Do the Silver and Black have enough juice in the receiving corps to give Smith proper help? Brock Bowers is more than capable of serving as the focal point of the attack after his record-setting rookie season. But the Raiders might need Dont'e Thornton, a 6-5, 205-pound fourth-round pick out of Tennessee who ran a 4.3-second 40-yard dash and averaged 25.4 yards per catch last year, to create the deep connections that might not otherwise be readily available to other targets. "We want to be efficient. That's the main thing," Smith said in May. "We want to do well in the situations, the third downs, the red zones. But also we want to be explosive. When teams come up and play us in man-to-man (coverage), we have guys that are going to win those matchups. I really feel good about where we are. We're still in work in progress but we're in a good spot and we've just to keep working hard to get better." The Raiders also should see a radical shift in their run game. No. 6 overall pick Ashton Jeanty brings an immediate big-play threat to the backfield after notching 12 runs of 50-plus yards in his final year at Boise State. Las Vegas' longest rush of the season, meanwhile, went for just 40 yards.
Fox Sports
21-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
How Will Levis' Season-Ending Surgery Impacts No. 1 Pick Cam Ward, Titans
Throughout the offseason, the Titans were very intentional in how they curated Cam Ward's acclimation process. His development was assessed through a daily lens — not measured by how close he was to starting or being a franchise quarterback. Coach Brian Callahan didn't even name Ward the starter in the spring, even though the No. 1 overall pick is universally expected to be Tennessee's QB1 come opening day. "There's so much work to be done between now and [the season], particularly for him," Callahan said in May. "[There are] so many things that you have to learn as a young quarterback. So I don't get too far down that road personally with him." A big reason for that measured tone is because of Will Levis. The former second-round pick's failures last season have informed Tennessee's approach. Levis had no resistance for QB1 status at the start of last year. He was handed the keys to the car as soon as Callahan was named head coach in January 2024. The results were disastrous: In 12 starts, Levis had a 2-10 record and tied for a league-high in turnovers with 18. But there was value to his presence for the 2025 Titans. With the news Monday that Levis will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, that value is gone. "We support his decision to focus on his long-term health," the Titans said in a statement. "He approached the offseason with professionalism and showed clear growth as a leader. We remain confident in his full recovery." At the very least, Levis was Tennessee's best backup behind Ward. Currently, the team's only other options are Brandon Allen and Tim Boyle, both added this offseason. They've started a combined 15 games in 11 NFL seasons. Expect the Titans to look to add a veteran with notable starting experience to the QB room. Levis was someone who could push the No. 1 pick in practices (as he did in spurts during the offseason program, when he had a strong showing). He's someone more than capable of starting in a pinch, someone who gave Tennessee the leeway to develop Ward on a more comfortable timeline. With Levis out, there's no more safety net for Ward and the Titans. His accelerated growth must begin in training camp, which starts Wednesday. It's paramount because of the size of the challenge in Week 1, when the Titans travel to face the Broncos. A playoff team in 2024, Denver boasts an elite defense that has gotten even better this offseason on paper with the additions of first-round pick Jahdae Barron and former 49ers Dre Greenlaw and Talanoa Hufanga. The Broncos ranked first in the NFL last season in EPA allowed per pass and quarterback pressures, and third in pressure rate and points allowed, according to Next Gen Stats. They play an aggressive style of defense under experienced coordinator Vance Joseph, who will be eager to rattle a rookie quarterback like Ward. Denver had the fourth-highest blitz rate in the league last season. It's not an ideal first NFL game for a green passer. The good thing for the Titans, though, is that Ward seems up to challenges. He displayed steady improvement in offseason practices, showcasing an early comfort in attacking the middle of the field. He bounced back from interceptions and missed opportunities with big plays, including touchdown passes. He wasn't afraid to bark back at his trash-talking defensive teammates, including Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. As an unproven rookie, Ward has shown the Titans as much as they could hope for before the start of training camp. "We needed a little bit of edge to us. … Cam has a little bit of that to him," offensive coordinator Nick Holz said in June. "And everybody feeds off of that, which is good." The Titans lost a safety net with Levis' decision to have surgery, sure. The timing makes it worse. But Ward was going to have to transcend the safety net anyway, sooner rather than later. That's what a No. 1 pick does. That's what a franchise quarterback does. Is that what Ward will do? Ben Arthur is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He previously worked for The Tennessean/USA TODAY Network, where he was the Titans beat writer for a year and a half. He covered the Seattle Seahawks for for three seasons (2018-20) prior to moving to Tennessee. You can follow Ben on Twitter at @benyarthur . Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account , and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
6 reasons for optimism as the Ravens enter training camp
Baltimore has Super Bowl aspirations and boasts the NFL's most explosive offense. As the first practice is scheduled for Wednesday, we have six reasons to be optimistic about the 2025 season. The rookies have been on campus for three days now, and we're just hours away from veterans returning to the Under Armour Performance Center for the start of a critical training camp. Baltimore is still in the midst of a Super Bowl window and boasts the NFL's most explosive offense, which is expected to improve with the continued maturation of Isaiah Likely and the addition of DeAndre Hopkins at the wide receiver position. The biggest questions surround the right guard spot and Justin Tucker's replacement at the kicker position. On defense, Nnamdi Madubike will lead a revamped defensive front that will be anchored by a dynamic pass rush duo of Odafe Oweh and Kyle Van Noy. It could become an athletic trio if rookie pass rusher Mike Green can hit the ground running. Zach Orr's defense improved down the stretch last season, and he'll have the best secondary in the NFL after Malaki Starks (draft) and Jaire Alexander (free agency) were added to the mix. As the first practice is scheduled for Wednesday, we have six reasons to be optimistic about the 2025 season. Lamar Jackson Jackson nearly won his third MVP award last season, and offensive coordinator Todd Monken believes the best is yet to come for his All-Pro quarterback. Last season, the 28-year-old Jackson set career highs in touchdown passes (41), passing yards (4,172), and quarterback rating (119.6) while throwing just four interceptions. Still, he's yet to reach a Super Bowl, and the pressure continues to mount. Derrick Henry When all else fails and Baltimore has to face an elite secondary, Todd Monken's offense can always fall back on Henry at running back. In his first season with the Ravens, Henry rushed for 1,921 yards in 17 regular-season games and scored 16 touchdowns. He also added two scores through the air. Baltimore's success percentage last season, according to Next Gen Stats, was even better when eight or more defenders were near the line of scrimmage (50.9%), compared to a neutral defensive approach (43.4%). Of Henry's 16 rushing touchdowns last season, 14 came against a stacked box. DeAndre Hopkins Of the 70 wide receivers who've had 500 targets since 2013, Hopkins has the fifth-lowest drop rate at 1.6%. Last season, the Ravens' wide receivers ranked 30th in the NFL with a 5.1% drop rate. Lamar Jackson received a ton of criticism, but the addition of Hopkins gives the Ravens quarterback an elite and efficient red zone target when the urgency is at its highest. Ravens' tight end duo Baltimore has the luxury of employing two of the top ten tight ends in the NFL, with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely providing the perfect yin and the yang for Lamar Jackson. Even with the rough ending in the playoffs, Andrews is still elite. In 2024, he recorded a career-best 11 touchdowns and 55 receptions. Likely recorded 126 receiving yards during the playoffs, and he had a career-best 42 catches for 477 yards and six touchdowns. Likely will play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2025, but Baltimore will have a decision to make. Ravens secondary Alexander has missed at least 10 games in three of his last four seasons, but he's still one of the best in the NFL when healthy. A secondary that consists of cornerbacks Nate Wiggins, Marlon Humphrey, and Jaire Alexander, coupled with Starks and Kyle Hamilton, gives Baltimore arguably the NFL's most athletic and versatile group. Ravens OC Todd Monken The veteran offensive coordinator and Lamar Jackson have meshed well over their first two years together, but year three could provide an all-time, record-setting offensive performance in Baltimore. Monken is entering his third season coaching Jackson and expects the quarterback's growth to continue and reach another level as he enters the prime of his career. The Ravens' OC will be tasked with maintaining the NFL's most explosive rushing attack, while taking advantage of a passing offense that now includes DeAndre Hopkins to the wide receiver trio and two elite tight ends. Every offense Monken has commanded since 2021 has finished in the top 10 in total offense, with his title-winning team in 2022 and his first-year Lamar Jackson ranking in the top five.
