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USA Today
5 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Cowboys' Jason Witten named to this top-5 list alongside Kelce, Kittle, Gronkowski
If NFL teams were loaned a crystal ball for draft weekend, and that crystal ball told them the prospect they were eying with their third-round pick was guaranteed to make a Pro Bowl at some point in their career, the card couldn't be turned in fast enough. But what if that crystal ball said that third-round pick would make a staggering 11 Pro Bowls? And also set franchise records for career catches, career receiving yards, and games played, land in the league's top five for all-time receptions, be a surefire Hall of Famer, and an eventual Ring of Honor member? Talk about return on investment. Jason Witten was chosen by Eric Edholm as one of the top-five draft values for his position over the last quarter-century, and it's impossible to argue otherwise. Chosen 69th overall out of Tennessee, Witten was the fifth tight end selected in 2003. (No sign on this list of Bennie Joppru or Teyo Johnson, both taken a round earlier that year.) And Witten made an immediate impact in Dallas, missing just one game as a rookie, and that was because of a broken jaw. It would, famously, be the only game he would ever miss due to injury over his 17 NFL seasons. Consistency was Witten's trademark. He rarely put up huge numbers, though he did turn in four 1,000-yard campaigns. His 2021 season was unusually prolific: he set a new mark for tight ends with 110 catches, including one game in which he hauled 18 passes- still an NFL tight end record- and he even collected the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. As Edholm notes, "Witten's brief retirement, a tough lone season with the Raiders, and a failed stint as a Monday Night Football broadcaster might have sullied his reputation unfairly in recent years." But, he concludes, "when you combine his receiving ability, blocking prowess, leadership, and unquestioned toughness, he stacks up as one of the finest ever to play his position." Witten is ranked the fourth-best tight end value on the list, just ahead of Jimmy Graham. Ahead of Witten are George Kittle, Rob Gronkowski, and Travis Kelce- every one of whom was drafted outside the first round. Edholm also did rankings for the rest of the offensive positions, but no other Cowboys were chosen. With a high draft slot bringing added expectations, it's not surprising that first-round superstar linemen like Zack Martin and Tyron Smith missed the cut in the value conversation. But even fourth-rounder Dak Prescott was left off the quarterbacks' list in favor of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, and Brock Purdy. Follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!


Fox Sports
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Cowboys' Dak Prescott: 'Legacy be damned; I want to win a championship'
Dak Prescott is entering his 10th season under center for the Dallas Cowboys and has tunnel vision on one goal. "I want to win a championship. The legacy, the things, whatever comes after I finish playing will take care of itself," Prescott said on Thursday at Cowboys minicamp, according to ESPN. "I want to win a championship. Be damned if it's just for my legacy, or if it's for this team, for my personal being, for my sanity. Yeah, the legacy will take care of itself. I have to stay where my feet are." Last season, Prescott totaled 1,978 passing yards, 11 passing yards, eight interceptions and a career-low 86.0 passer rating, while completing 64.7% of his passes; Prescott's 2024 campaign ended after eight games due to a hamstring injury. In all, Prescott ranked 43rd among quarterbacks with a 67.9 overall grade, according to Pro Football Focus. Dallas went 3-5 in the games that Prescott started and went on to miss the playoffs at 7-10. The veteran quarterback is now entering the first season of a four-year, $240 million extension, with his $60 million average annual salary being first in NFL history. Prescott, a three-time Pro Bowler and the 2022 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award winner, is second in Cowboys history with 213 career touchdown passes and third with 31,437 passing yards. He's on pace to be first in both categories within the next two seasons, as Tony Romo is first in franchise history with both 34,183 passing yards and 248 touchdown passes. On the other hand, while the Cowboys are 76-46 in the regular season with Prescott under center, they're also 2-5 in the postseason. Furthermore, the franchise just moved on from head coach Mike McCarthy after five seasons, promoting offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to head coach. Prescott expressed that he has seen "a lot of good things" at minicamp this week and is "excited as hell" for next season. Prescott, who will be 32 at the start of the 2025 NFL season, has a new weapon to target on the outside, as Dallas acquired wide receiver George Pickens from the Pittsburgh Steelers in May. He also has a new face in the quarterback room, as the Cowboys lost Cooper Rush to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency and acquired second-year quarterback Joe Milton from the New England Patriots. Prescott and the Cowboys have a road bout against the NFC East-rival and defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles in the 2025 regular-season opener on Sept. 4. 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! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Football League Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more in this topic
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Steve Wright, former Packers player from 1964-1967, dead at 82
Steve Wright, an offensive lineman who played for the Green Bay Packers from 1964 to 1967, died June 1 in Augusta, Georgia. He was 82. Wright was drafted by the Packers out of Northern Iowa University in the sixth round, 69th overall, in the 1964 draft. He was drafted in the eighth round by the New York Jets of the then-separate American Football League. Advertisement Wright played 56 games for the Packers at tackle, starting 13 of them. He was on three NFL championship teams and two Super Bowl winners. Over the next five years, he played for the New York Giants, Washington, the Chicago Bears and the St. Louis Cardinals. He finished his career playing in the World Football League. Packers historian Cliff Christl wrote that "Lombardi was intrigued enough by Wright's size — he stood 6-foot-6 and weighed 250 pounds — and potential that he moved (Forrest) Gregg to left guard in place of Fuzzy Thurston and started Wright at right tackle for the first 11 games." Lombardi took Wright from the starting lineup beginning with game 12. Steve Wright, Green Bay Packers tackle,1964-67. He died June 1. He was 82. "'Coach Lombardi was tough and wanted perfection, but unfortunately I wasn't perfect,' Wright told Martin Hendricks for a Packers Plus story in 2015. 'He'd chew me up and down one minute and 15 minutes later tell me to do what I tell you to do and you'll be OK,'" Christl wrote. Advertisement His more lasting legacy was that while playing for the Giants he served as the model for Gladiator Award trophy, of which Packers quarterback Bart Starr was the first recipient. The next year it was renamed the NFL Man of the Year Award, and now is called the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. The name was changed, but the trophy's statue remains the same. Contact Richard Ryman at rryman@ Follow him on Twitter at @RichRymanPG, on Instagram at @rrymanPG or on Facebook at This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Steve Wright, former Packers player from 1964-1967, dead at 82
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Chiefs' icon signs one-day deal to retire with Kansas City
The post Former Chiefs' icon signs one-day deal to retire with Kansas City appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Kansas City Chiefs officially brought back longtime punter Dustin Colquitt this week, signing the veteran to a one-day contract so he could retire with the franchise he helped define. The two-time Pro Bowler, who spent 15 of his 16 NFL seasons with the Chiefs in Kansas City, became one of the most respected and consistent players in franchise history. Advertisement Colquitt, drafted by the Chiefs in 2005, appeared in a franchise-record 238 games and finished his career with a 44.8-yard punting average. He played a key role on the Super Bowl 54 team, earning a ring as Kansas City ended its 50-year championship drought. A two-time Pro Bowler, Colquitt was also a three-time nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, recognizing his outstanding impact off the field. The Chiefs confirmed the news with a statement on their Instagram page this afternoon. 'We've signed Dustin Colquitt to a one-day deal so he can officially retire a Kansas City Chief ❤️ Congrats on a well-earned retirement, @dqp47,' the post read. The move was met with an outpouring of support across social media, highlighting just how much Colquitt meant to the franchise and its fans. His bond with the fanbase, especially through autograph signings and local events, cemented his place as more than just a reliable special teamer. Advertisement Following his release in 2020, Colquitt had short stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, and Cleveland Browns, but he never found a home quite like Kansas City. A brief return to the Chiefs' practice squad in 2021 hinted at closure, but the one-day contract now makes that official. Off the field, his legacy includes impactful charity work like his 'Punting for Smiles' campaign with TeamSmile, which delivers dental care to underserved children. This chapter closes with Colquitt not only holding records but also the hearts of Chiefs Kingdom. His retirement signals more than the end of a career—it honors a legacy built on excellence, loyalty, and class. Related: Chiefs' Matt Nagy gushes over Josh Simmons after seeing 'phenomenal' film Related: Chiefs' Patrick Mahomes erupts with 3-word reaction to Texas Tech's win vs. Oklahoma
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Clemson Offers 2026 WR Devin Fitzgerald, Son of NFL Legend Larry Fitzgerald
Clemson Offers 2026 WR Devin Fitzgerald, Son of NFL Legend Larry Fitzgerald originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Clemson made a splash on the recruiting trail this weekend by offering 2026 wide receiver Devin Fitzgerald, the son of NFL icon Larry Fitzgerald. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound standout from Brophy College Prep in Phoenix, Arizona, announced the news on Saturday morning following a visit to Clemson's campus. Advertisement 'Excited to announce that I've been offered by Clemson University! Huge thanks to Coach Swinney for the great conversation and belief in me,' Fitzgerald posted on social media, signaling a key step forward in his recruitment. Fitzgerald's pedigree is no small part of the intrigue. His father, Larry Fitzgerald, was one of the most consistent and productive receivers in NFL history, playing 17 seasons with the Arizona Cardinals and earning numerous accolades, including a Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2025. The elder Fitzgerald also starred at Pitt, where he finished as a Heisman runner-up—making Devin's recruitment a full-circle moment for college football fans. Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) leaves the field after finishing the last home game of the season at State Farm Stadium. © Cheryl Evans/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK But the younger Fitzgerald is building a name of his own. He led his high school team as a junior with 52 receptions for 720 yards and nine touchdowns. His offer list already includes Arizona, Arizona State, UCLA, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Stanford, and Florida State. Advertisement Clemson currently holds three wide receiver commits in the 2026 class but may be seeking a fourth. Fitzgerald was the only wideout on campus during this official visit weekend, highlighting how seriously the Tigers are prioritizing him. With official visits still scheduled to Stanford, Notre Dame, UNC, and Arizona State—and a commitment announcement slated for July 5—the Tigers have positioned themselves well at the right time. Devin's recruitment is becoming one of the more fascinating storylines in the 2026 class—not only for his bloodline but for his growing résumé and the national interest he's generating on his own terms. Related: Trevor Lawrence's Wife Marissa Makes Personal Announcement on Thursday Related: Dabo Swinney Shades the Rest of College Football in Belichick Interview Related: Miami Steals Visit From Clemson for Top247 CB Samari Matthews This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on May 31, 2025, where it first appeared.