Latest news with #ProBowl-caliber
Time of India
20 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Steelers acquire DK Metcalf in major NFL trade—Here's why $132M deal makes sense
Steelers land DK Metcalf in bold trade, lock him in $132M deal (Image via: Getty Images) The Pittsburgh Steelers shocked the NFL by acquiring wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for a 2025 second-round pick. Shortly after the trade, the Steelers handed Metcalf a massive four-year, $132 million extension. While some critics call it an overpay, the deal's structure may prove to be a win for Pittsburgh. Why DK Metcalf's contract could be a long-term steal for Pittsburgh The Steelers didn't just trade for a superstar, they bought flexibility, leverage, and long-term control. While DK Metcalf's $132 million extension with $60 million guaranteed makes him the fourth-highest-paid wide receiver in the league, there's more to the deal than meets the eye. ESPN's Dan Graziano believes the structure of Metcalf's contract makes it surprisingly team-friendly. After 2026, none of his salary is guaranteed, giving the Steelers an escape hatch. According to Over the Cap, Pittsburgh could release him after June 1, 2027, and free up $26.5 million in cap space. That means the team gets Metcalf's prime years without committing to his decline. Steelers Sights & Sounds: Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf Make Steelers Practice Debuts With the wide receiver market exploding, it's also a forward-thinking move. While Metcalf ranks fourth in average annual value now, there's a high likelihood he drops outside the top five by next season. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Protecting Our Oceans Rolex Read Now Undo His contract might seem expensive today but could look like a bargain in just 12 months. Beyond the dollars, the football impact is undeniable. Metcalf, still just 27, brings elite size, speed, and red-zone dominance. He gives Pittsburgh a legitimate WR1—something the team hasn't had since the peak of Antonio Brown. The addition boosts a Steelers offense looking to contend immediately. Pittsburgh pulled off the trade by parting with just a second-round pick. In today's high-demand trade market, acquiring a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver on a long-term deal for that price is rare. Also Read: Breaking: Trey Hendrickson turns down $28M from Bengals, future in Cincinnati now uncertain The Steelers' blockbuster trade for DK Metcalf may look risky at first glance, but the deal's smart structure, cap flexibility, and long-term upside make it one of the most strategic moves of 2025. If Metcalf performs as expected, Pittsburgh could come away looking like one of the NFL's sharpest front offices. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
PFF inadvertently makes case for why 49ers should trade for former All-Pro CB
The San Francisco 49ers skewed younger with their offseason additions for their on-the-fly roster overhaul. Pro Football Focus inadvertently laid out the case for why the 49ers should abandon that trend to add a veteran former All-Pro at cornerback. In a piece highlighting 10 late-career veterans still playing at a high level, PFF's Ryan Smith took a look at how effective Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey still is at age 30. Via PFF: It's still unclear where Ramsey will be playing in 2025 (likely not with the Dolphins), but wherever it is, that team will be getting one of the most talented cornerbacks in the NFL. While he's no longer a top-five player at his position, Ramsey proved last year that he still has a lot left in the tank. He ranked 10th out of 116 qualifying cornerbacks in PFF overall grade (76.9), eighth in PFF run-defense grade (85.7) and 25th in PFF advanced coverage grade, allowing two touchdowns across 607 coverage snaps. Making this trade runs antithetical to the 49ers offseason plan where they shed big salaries for aging, declining players. Ramsey's situation is unique, though and the fact he's still playing like a top-10 player at his position makes him a potentially valuable addition for San Francisco in a trade with the Dolphins. If Ramsey can be had for a future late-round pick, the 49ers would shore up a secondary that suddenly has another question mark after Deommodore Lenoir's arrest in Southern California on Thursday. Lenoir is flanked by second-year CB Renardo Green, and a third CB who will have to win a starting job in training camp. Uncertainty in the secondary with a young, unproven defensive line is a recipe for disaster for the 49ers. Acquiring Ramsey could help their cornerback room without completely breaking the bank. Ramsey carries a $16.6 million cap hit in 2025. The 49ers have plenty of cap space to withstand such an add. Over the Cap has them with more than $45 million in room. If Ramsey's production rapidly declines in 2025, the 49ers can release him in 2026 with an $18.4 million cap hit and $6,656,000 in savings according to Spotrac. With relatively little dead money scheduled to be on the books, the risk of having to absorb the dead cap number is worth the potential reward of bringing a Pro Bowl-caliber CB into a young, unproven secondary. More 49ers: Analytics site not impressed by 49ers revamped defensive line
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Bucky Brooks: Commanders one of five teams that 'won the offseason'
The Washington Commanders were pretty active during free agency and the 2025 NFL draft. They were not as active as some, but the moves the Commanders made were incredibly impactful. Bringing in Deebo Samuel, Laremy Tunsil, Javon Kinlaw, Deatrich Wise, and Jonathan Jones and then selecting Josh Conerly Jr. and Trey Amos (among others) in the draft were all important moves that will have a direct impact on the 2025 season. That activity is why the Commanders are one of five teams that NFL analyst Bucky Brooks says 'won' the offseason. It's hard to improve from good to great in the NFL, but the Commanders might join the league's elites with an improved roster that features more blue-chip players around 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. The trades for Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel place a pair of Pro Bowl-caliber players in marquee positions (left tackle and WR2) that should help the offense unlock another gear in 2025. If the team can resolve Terry McLaurin's contract situation, the Commanders will have a chance to open the season with an electric offense that will put plenty of stress on defensive coordinators crafting plans to stop the juggernaut. Defensively, the additions of Deatrich Wise and Jonathan Jones fortify a unit that is coming into its own under the direction of head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. If the Commanders continue to receive key contributions from their young defensive backs (Mike Sainristil, Quan Martin and Trey Amos), the reigning NFC runner-up could take the next step in 2025. My expectation for 2025: The Commanders are built to run through the NFC with a superstar quarterback surrounded by a stellar supporting cast. If Washington can secure the NFC's No. 1 seed, we could see a championship parade in the nation's capital come February. The only way the Commanders' 2025 season is better than 2024 is if they at least win the NFC Championship game. A Super Bowl win is always the ultimate goal, and if that happens, there will be plenty of celebration in our nation's capital. It seems Brooks believes that the Commanders can get there, and you can be sure that the Commanders themselves desire nothing more than to bring home the Lombardi Trophy in 2025.
USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking each NFC West team's defensive line: Where do the Rams rank?
The defensive line is an incredibly important part of a team's defense. They set the tone at the line of scrimmage and can be the difference between a tight battle and blowout loss. The Los Angeles Rams know this all too well after Saquon Barkley ran all over them in the NFC Divisional Round, and they hope that the upgrades they made this offseason will be enough to keep the NFC West crown away from the rest of the division. We looked at every NFC West's defensive line as they all head into summer and ranked them against each other. We've also added the projected starters to reference for each team. 4. Arizona Cardinals Campbell can be a great veteran presence for Robinson in his second year but this duo isn't menacing yet. 3. San Francisco 49ers This revamped unit features two new faces in ex-Browns lineman Elliott and 2025 second-rounder Alfred Collins. Robert Saleh is the defensive coordinator again, though, which should help. 2. Seattle Seahawks Williams proved to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player once more with 11 sacks from the interior. Murphy, though, is still developing. 1. Los Angeles Rams A shock, maybe, but the Rams have the most explosiveness of the group. Turner and Fiske are sack machines, while Ford is a great run-stuffer in the middle of the defensive line.
USA Today
7 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Winners and losers from the Bears' 2025 offseason
The Chicago Bears 2025 offseason is heading into the final phase as training camp is just one month away from beginning. Coaches have been hired, free agents have been signed, and the draft has brought in an influx of young talent for this year and beyond. It's been an eventful six months for the Bears, and much has changed around Halas Hall. Change was needed. The Bears collapsed in 2024, squandering a 4-2 start to finish 5-11 that featured multiple firings within the coaching staff and exposed numerous holes that needed to be addressed. Chicago didn't waste time in doing so, overhauling their coaching staff and key positions in hopes of turning things around. All in all, it was a successful offseason for the Bears. One that should benefit quite a few players on the team. Others, however, are in a different situation now than they were at the end of the 2024 season. Here are our winners and losers following the Bears' 2025 offseason. Winner: Ryan Poles Near the end of the 2024 season, doubt started creeping in as to whether or not general manager Ryan Poles would keep his job. The season itself was a disaster, and Poles was receiving heavy criticism for his decision to retain Matt Eberflus a year earlier, who became the first Bears head coach to be fired in the middle of the season. Though Poles did retain his job going into the offseason, he needed to hit a home run with his next coaching hire. He did just that, at least on paper. Landing Ben Johnson was critical for Poles' future, as there was uncertainty about his ability to land a prominent name given his perceived short leash. Johnson also worked well with Poles to address key positions via trade and free agency, such as offensive line and defensive line. The approach to the offseason was different, and while Poles was ultimately the man in charge, it was thanks to the coaching staff he brought in. Winner: QB Caleb Williams No single player benefitted more from the changes the Bears made this offseason than Caleb Williams. The Bears' signal caller began his career in what was supposed to be an ideal situation for a rookie quarterback. It was anything but, and Williams experienced arguably the most dysfunctional Bears season in team history while still breaking every rookie team record in the book. The Bears, at least on paper, made sure that would never happen again. The team brought in Johnson, one of the best offensive minds in the game and hottest coaching candidates in recent memory, to get the most out of Williams. They revamped the offensive line with All-Pro and Pro Bowl-caliber veterans like Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman. And they selected young talent at the skill positions, such as tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III. All while he builds chemistry with holdovers like wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze and tight end Cole Kmet. Williams got everything he needed to succeed this offseason, from coaching to players. Now he has to put it all together on the football field. Loser: TE Cole Kmet When the Bears opted to select Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick, it immediately created doubt for Kmet's future with the team. Kmet, the longest-tenured player on offense, has been a steady producer for the Bears ever since he came into the league. He's reliable as one of the better tight ends in the league but has never elevated his game to become one of the best at his position. Kmet isn't going anywhere in 2025 and should play a significant role on offense—especially since Loveland is still recovering from offseason surgery. His future after the season is anyone's guess, though. At only 26 years old, Kmet is in the prime of his career. He's going to play for many more seasons. But with no more guaranteed salary on his contract after this season and a successor in place, it's fair to say this could be Kmet's last season in Chicago. Winner: OT Darnell Wright When Week 1 finally arrives and the Bears offense takes the field for the first time, there is a very good chance Darnell Wright looks across the offensive line and sees all new faces at each position. The Bears overhauled the offensive line and four of the five positions could have new starters that weren't on the team a year ago. Wright is the lone holdover, but the changes should be a positive for him. Entering Year 3, Wright has shown flashes of being a dominant right tackle in this league. He's had to deal with a revolving door at the other positions due to injury or poor performance. In two years, Wright has played next to half a dozen different players at right guard, getting very little stability. That should change with Jonah Jackson in the fold, and having Thuney and Dalman at the other interior positions should raise everyone's level of play. Wright will benefit from the experience in the building as he continues to develop, and with Dan Roushar coaching the offensive line, he could be poised for a breakout season. Loser: OT Braxton Jones It was less than a year ago that some Bears players were talking about how Braxton Jones was the best offensive lineman on the team. Times sure have changed. After an injury-ridden 2024 campaign, Jones entered this offseason having to rehab a serious ankle injury while also having to worry about competition at left tackle as he enters a contract year. Jones is still working his way back to form, but it's possible he has already lost his starting job. On Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Bears selected Ozzy Trapilo, a massive tackle out of Boston College. Though Trapilo primarily played on the right side in college, he has been seeing time at the left side during spring practices. Even without practicing in pads, the rookie has impressed coaches enough that it seems he has the inside track at starting. Jones may have his work cut out for him when he returns to action. Winner: OT Gervon Dexter No Bears 2023 draft pick took as big of a step in Year 2 as defensive tackle Gervon Dexter. His 2024 season saw improvements across the board, and now he's been put in a position to achieve even more success with the moves the Bears made this offseason. First, bringing in defensive coordinator Dennis Allen should allow Dexter to play multiple roles on the defensive line. Allen likes to mix things up and work with bigger players, which could give Dexter a chance to shine after he added lean mass this offseason. The other factor is the addition of Grady Jarrett, who is an ideal mentor for someone like Dexter. The former Pro Bowl defensive tackle has lauded Dexter's ability this offseason, and the two of them could form a formidable tandem, with Andrew Billings and Shemar Turner getting into the mix as well. Loser: LB Noah Sewell Believe it or not, there was a time when Noah Sewell was projected to be a first-round pick after a stellar couple of years at Oregon. That obviously didn't happen, as he was selected in the fifth round in 2023, and now the third-year linebacker could be in danger of being left off the roster going into the season. Sewell played in just nine games in 2024 but appeared to have a path to claim the starting strong-side linebacker position following the departure of Jack Sanborn. That all changed when the Bears selected Ruben Hyppolite in the fourth round, a raw yet athletic player out of Maryland. Hyppolite has garnered praise from the coaching staff early and could be in line for more work on defense and special teams. The Bears also re-signed Amen Ogbongbemiga in the offseason, putting Sewell's status in jeopardy. Winner: CB Kyler Gordon No Bears defensive player had a better offseason than Kyler Gordon. The fourth-year nickel cornerback was praised by his new coaching staff almost immediately, showing their faith in him and how he will fit into the new system. The Bears backed up that talk with a three-year contract extension that made Gordon one of the highest-paid nickel cornerbacks in the league. It was also significant due to the fact this was Poles' first draft pick to get extended. Gordon has been one of Poles' best draft picks, and the Bears have big plans for the man nicknamed "Spider-Man" under Allen, who has produced stellar defensive backs during his run in New Orleans. If he can stay healthy, Gordon could be in line for a big season. Winner: Bears fans If titles were given out for winning the offseason, the Bears would be a dynasty. The jokes are out there, and given the team's inability to win on the field the last couple of years, they're warranted. That being said, the Bears had a great offseason, and the fans should feel optimistic about the team's chances. They landed the obvious and best candidate to be their head coach and added proven playmakers to bolster the most important positions not named quarterback. "Winning" the offseason won't guarantee success when the regular season rolls around, but this is the first time the Bears appear to be doing things differently. They didn't cut corners when it came to filling out the coaching staff, and they didn't get cute by trying to find risky stopgaps to fill needy positions. All while trying to maximize their young quarterback that oozes potential. We'll see if the wins come, but fans should feel good about the steps the Bears have taken to get them back to relevancy.
