Latest news with #Theismann
USA Today
09-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joe Theismann says Commanders need to pay Terry McLaurin, compares him to Jerry Rice
The Washington Commanders will have a Terry McLaurin problem on their hands if they don't act soon. As the team tries to build off a phenomenal 2024 season that saw it fall in the NFC championship game, the Commanders can't afford to break up the band now. That is especially true regarding McLaurin, who has been a fixture in the lineup since entering the league in 2019. That isn't lost on Joe Theismann, the quarterback that led Washington to its first Super Bowl championship in the 1982 season. He joined Kay Adams on "Up & Adams" on July 8, where he discussed McLaurin's contract situation and why the Commanders need to get a deal done. "That would be a major problem for all of us that appreciate what the Commanders have done, what Terry has done," Theismann said of McLaurin's contract situation and his potential departure. "His intangibles and his value to this football team are even more outweighed than his talent, which we know is extreme." The former quarterback didn't hold back, insisting that the star receiver must be paid. "He needs to be paid," Theismann said. "He needs to be paid right away. We need to put this issue behind us as a football team. He is one of the leaders. And he's a guy that you can always count on." McLaurin has been a model citizen for Washington since he was drafted in the third round with the 76th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. He has played four consecutive seasons without missing a game. Until 2024, McLaurin hadn't enjoyed great quarterback play during his time in the nation's capital. Despite those challenges, McLaurin has notched at least 1,000 yards in five of his six seasons and found the end zone 13 times in 2024 with rookie Jayden Daniels taking over under center. Theismann argued that "Scary Terry" is the best receiver in the game, even comparing him to Hall of Famer Jerry Rice. "He's faster than people think," Theismann said. "He sort of fits into that Jerry Rice category, where he's not a burner, he doesn't get all the publicity, he doesn't get all the hype, but he's as good as anybody that plays this game." Theismann added that the receiver is the piece that holds the team together and Washington can't afford to be without him – pointing out that losing someone like McLaurin would only hurt Daniels. McLaurin made headlines when he opted to skip mandatory minicamp in early June, bringing the contract issue to the forefront. The 29-year-old, who will turn 30 in September, is entering the last year of his three-year, $68.3 million deal, according to Spotrac. With the receiver market trending up and his contract set to expire, McLaurin is looking to cash in. In Theismann's eyes, the Commanders don't have a choice. As the regular season kickoff approaches, the team might begin to feel the same way. All the NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
USA Today
15-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joe Theismann discusses player versatility, quarterback evolution
Joe Theismann discusses player versatility, quarterback evolution This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Washington Commanders and NFL legend Joe Theismann about his participation in this year's American Century Championship, which will take place July 9-13 at Edgewood Tahoe featuring Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, his playing days versatility at quarterback and Jayden Daniels comparison. "The (fantasy) contest starts on the 23rd of June for the ACC Fantasy Golf." Said Theismann, "So it's you can log on and pick your teams after the 23rd of the month. So it'll be exciting and fun. Travis Kelce will be another star at Lake Tahoe as well." Theismann, a former league MVP and Super Bowl champion during his tenure with Washington sees a lot of himself in the current starting quarterback, Daniels. "To be honest with you, I think Jayden reminds me a little bit of me. I felt like I threw the ball pretty darn well." Said Theismann, "He's got more athleticism, more elusiveness, but I feel like the way he plays the game, and you want to play with your head as well as your body, and I see him making decisions, and I'd say, we were a little bit similar in that regard. Mobile quarterbacks threw the ball well, got the ball out of our hands, and made quick decisions. A little bit elusive when it came to using your legs to, you know, gain yards. So I'd say Jayden's A little. I'm nowhere near as good as he is, but I did okay." Times have changed regarding the NFL quarterback position. Today's stars, such as Patrick Mahomes, although he has expressed interest, do not have to punt or return kicks while leading their team on offense. Theisman shared his unique experiences as both a returner and a rare punter in the NFL. "God, no (regarding today's quarterbacks as returners). They pay them too much money to do something stupid. I returned. I did it in college. I returned punts in the first seven games until Terry Hanratty got hurt, and then I became the quarterback in Washington. I returned punts, actually did it in the Canadian Football League." Said Theismann, "When I went to the Redskins, I love playing. I love being on the practice field. I love training camp. I love everything about it, and this was a chance to contribute. So finally, against the (New York) Giants, I had a chance to return punts in 1974 and did it again in 1975 until I became a starting quarterback in 1978. Still, I could always catch punts, and I did it at different levels; it just so happened that I snuck onto the field. George Allen didn't know he was sending me out there, and he did." The legendary quarterback owns a distinct special-teams record that he wants to remain unchallenged. "George was the kind of guy. If you could prove something to him, he would let you go with it, and I wouldn't mess up the first catch. So, I wound up being the returner, which the punt returning pales in comparison to my one-yard punt against the Chicago Bears, of which I'm a record holder in the National Football League." Said Theismann, "So, and actually, it's a contested title because from what I understand, Sean Landetta, at that same place in Soldier Field, is credited with a minus six-yard kick, but I claim that Sean never touched the ball. Therefore, it could not have been a punt. So, I am the worst punter in the history of the National Football League. And so that's the title I take with me. " The annual tournament awards $750,000 in prize money, much of which the celebrity players donate to local and national charities. Over the years, nearly $8 million has been donated to non-profit causes. Network television exposure on NBC and a first-place prize of $150,000 make the celebrity tournament one of the most prestigious in the golf world.
USA Today
13-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Football legend Joe Theismann previews the Kansas City Chiefs' Week 8 opponent
Football legend Joe Theismann previews the Kansas City Chiefs' Week 8 opponent #NFLDraft is underway & NEW PLAYER ANNOUNCEMENT for this year's tourny warm welcome to Sam Darnold w/Seahawks! We're loving these additional picks of several QBs joining #ACCGolf field including Josh Allen, John Elway, Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan, Joe Theismann & Steve Young. — American Century Championship (@ACChampionship) April 26, 2025 This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Washington Commanders and NFL legend Joe Theismann about his participation in this year's American Century Championship, which will take place July 9-13 at Edgewood Tahoe, and his thoughts on the Washington Commanders' growth before their Week 8 2025 regular season matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. "The American Century Championship does so much good. I mean, they raise so much money for the Stowers Institute. Since 2000, over $2 billion has been raised for research," said Theismann, "and there are so many wonderful things that American Century does that make it so much fun. I'd say being there with the people and, of course, the fans, we're expecting 70,000 people for this tournament, the way it's been the last couple of years, 750,000 in prize money, of which I'd like to get just a little bit. But yeah, it's terrific just meeting people." Theismann played his entire NFL career with the then-Washington Redskins, earning a league MVP award and a Super Bowl title. He is excited about the development of last year's NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels, as the team's franchise quarterback. "What a great young man he (Jayden Daniels) is. I mean, he's a great person. He has a great work ethic and incredible abilities. He has an innate ability to understand situations and circumstances. The one thing I'm probably more proud of him than anything is that he's learning to protect himself. Because you can't learn standing on the sidelines, you can't learn trying in a training room, trying to get healthy, and Jayden has the ability to protect himself," said Theismann, "He had that one stretch where he didn't get a chance to finish a game. But other than that, he's smart and knows how to care for himself, understands the game, and does everything he can to be as good as possible. Dan's (Quinn) done a terrific job. I think Kliff Kingsbury has done a wonderful job handling the offense around him. We've added Deebo (Samuel), and some other pieces have come in. Laremy Tunsil has come in on the O-line. I thought the draft went really well. They didn't have many choices, but they hit the spots they needed to: offensive line, corner, wide receiver, running back. I'm excited about where this football team is going, plus, we look like we're going to get a new stadium down in the old site, so that's wonderful too." Washington was a victory away from potentially meeting the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX with their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. The two teams are scheduled to meet on October 27th for Monday Night Football in Week 8 at Arrowhead Stadium. "I think they'll (Commanders) challenge. Last year's last five games were where we wanted to win a bunch of nail-biters, and the schedule is really tough. I mean, we've got the Lions, we've got the Chiefs, we've got the Broncos. We have to travel to Madrid and play Miami when you're good, but suddenly, the schedule changes," said Theismann, "You wind up playing Division champions, and it's a different kind of schedule. But I believe this team has tempered itself to be ready to do what they need to do, to be able to go, and then obviously, the way the NFL has set up the scheduling; we finished the last four games against Division rivals. You get the Giants, then the Eagles, the Cowboys, and the Eagles in the last month. So it's going to be an interesting schedule. I think this football team is ready for it." The annual tournament awards $750,000 in prize money, much of which the celebrity players donate to local and national charities. Over the years, nearly $8 million has been donated to non-profit causes. Network television exposure on NBC and a first-place prize of $150,000 make the celebrity tournament one of the most prestigious in the golf world.
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Football legend Joe Theismann previews the Kansas City Chiefs' Week 8 opponent
This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Washington Commanders and NFL legend Joe Theismann about his participation in this year's American Century Championship, which will take place July 9-13 at Edgewood Tahoe, and his thoughts on the Washington Commanders' growth before their Week 8 2025 regular season matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. "The American Century Championship does so much good. I mean, they raise so much money for the Stowers Institute. Since 2000, over $2 billion has been raised for research," said Theismann, "and there are so many wonderful things that American Century does that make it so much fun. I'd say being there with the people and, of course, the fans, we're expecting 70,000 people for this tournament, the way it's been the last couple of years, 750,000 in prize money, of which I'd like to get just a little bit. But yeah, it's terrific just meeting people." Theismann played his entire NFL career with the then-Washington Redskins, earning a league MVP award and a Super Bowl title. He is excited about the development of last year's NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels, as the team's franchise quarterback. Advertisement "What a great young man he (Jayden Daniels) is. I mean, he's a great person. He has a great work ethic and incredible abilities. He has an innate ability to understand situations and circumstances. The one thing I'm probably more proud of him than anything is that he's learning to protect himself. Because you can't learn standing on the sidelines, you can't learn trying in a training room, trying to get healthy, and Jayden has the ability to protect himself," said Theismann, "He had that one stretch where he didn't get a chance to finish a game. But other than that, he's smart and knows how to care for himself, understands the game, and does everything he can to be as good as possible. Dan's (Quinn) done a terrific job. I think Kliff Kingsbury has done a wonderful job handling the offense around him. We've added Deebo (Samuel), and some other pieces have come in. Laremy Tunsil has come in on the O-line. I thought the draft went really well. They didn't have many choices, but they hit the spots they needed to: offensive line, corner, wide receiver, running back. I'm excited about where this football team is going, plus, we look like we're going to get a new stadium down in the old site, so that's wonderful too." Washington was a victory away from potentially meeting the Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX with their loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC Championship game. The two teams are scheduled to meet on October 27th for Monday Night Football in Week 8 at Arrowhead Stadium. "I think they'll (Commanders) challenge. Last year's last five games were where we wanted to win a bunch of nail-biters, and the schedule is really tough. I mean, we've got the Lions, we've got the Chiefs, we've got the Broncos. We have to travel to Madrid and play Miami when you're good, but suddenly, the schedule changes," said Theismann, "You wind up playing Division champions, and it's a different kind of schedule. But I believe this team has tempered itself to be ready to do what they need to do, to be able to go, and then obviously, the way the NFL has set up the scheduling; we finished the last four games against Division rivals. You get the Giants, then the Eagles, the Cowboys, and the Eagles in the last month. So it's going to be an interesting schedule. I think this football team is ready for it." The annual tournament awards $750,000 in prize money, much of which the celebrity players donate to local and national charities. Over the years, nearly $8 million has been donated to non-profit causes. Network television exposure on NBC and a first-place prize of $150,000 make the celebrity tournament one of the most prestigious in the golf world. Advertisement Check out the website for more information about the American Century Championship . This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Football legend Joe Theismann previews the Chiefs' Week 8 opponent
USA Today
12-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL legend Joe Theismann comments on the Kansas City Chiefs' unique 2025 schedule
NFL legend Joe Theismann comments on the Kansas City Chiefs' unique 2025 schedule This week, Chiefs Wire's Ed Easton Jr. spoke to Washington Commanders and NFL legend Joe Theismann about his participation in this year's American Century Championship, which will take place July 9-13 at Edgewood Tahoe, and his take on the Kansas City Chiefs' busy 2025 regular season schedule. "We have fantasy golf. You can go to and check out how we've set this up." Said Theismann, "Everybody's going to be divided into five groups. You get to choose one player from each of those five groups, and there's a winner each day. You get two tickets to next year's tournament if you win that day. If you win all three days and are the ultimate winner, you will receive a $10,000 prize to donate to the charity of your choice and two tickets to next year's event. The fantasy aspect is also a part of the game. We're all divided into different abilities, like Mardy Fish, Tony Romo, and Steph Curry. They'll be in one group, and I'll be somewhere I don't want to be in the last. Of course, Charles (Barkley) will be back, which is always fun to watch. Larry, the Cable guy, will be there. One of my favorites is Miles Teller because one of my favorite movies is Top Gun: Maverick. I'm excited like a little kid. I walk around the range and thoroughly enjoy being there. It's my 35th year out of 36 that we've had. So it's exciting and fun." Theismann had a legendary career as a quarterback in the NFL, navigating his own set of unusual schedule circumstances that dated back to the players' strike in 1982. He believes the Chiefs' latest unique regular season schedule won't be an issue for them in 2025. "I don't think it'll affect the Chiefs because they've been doing it for a while. I might say yes if you were a team that hadn't been through it, but the Chiefs are used to being in the spotlight." Said Theismann, "They're used to playing on unusual days, four days rest, 10 days rest, byes, and everything else. So I don't see it affecting them. I think they'll come back with a vengeance. I think last year, the way the Super Bowl ended, which was similar to the one against Tampa Bay, they just got run over and dominated. And that doesn't sit well with Andy (Reid), and I know it doesn't sit well with Patrick (Mahomes), and I expect Travis Kelce to have one heck of a year based upon, you know, his performance was a good one, but not to the standard that he sets for himself. So that'll be exciting to see as well." The annual tournament awards $750,000 in prize money, much of which the celebrity players donate to local and national charities. Over the years, nearly $8 million has been donated to non-profit causes. Network television exposure on NBC and a first-place prize of $150,000 make the celebrity tournament one of the most prestigious in the golf world.
