Latest news with #edgeRusher
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Eagles' Defensive Weakness Offers Trade Answers on T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson
Eagles' Defensive Weakness Offers Trade Answers on T.J. Watt and Trey Hendrickson originally appeared on Athlon Sports. At the start of the offseason, it took just a couple of weeks for the Philadelphia Eagles to lose several key edge rushers from their Super Bowl roster. Advertisement Bryce Huff, Brandon Graham, and Josh Sweat have all left the organization for various reasons. Their departures have raised significant concerns for the team's top-ranked defense. But that doesn't mean Philadelphia's weakness will be at edge rusher this year. On paper - and amid trade speculation regarding big-name NFL contract holdouts T.J. Watt in Pittsburgh and Trey Hendrickson in Cincinnati - hey have plenty of stars to make up for some of their losses. Philadelphia at this time has a young and energetic group, including third-year edge rusher Nolan Smith, second-year phenom Jalyx Hunt, and their collection of free agent pickups like Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari. Advertisement In the case of Smith and Hunt, their development took a massive turn for the better during their playoff run last season. The Georgia product recorded four sacks during Philadelphia's run to the title. Hunt, meanwhile, recorded 1.5 sacks, including a half-sack in Super Bowl LIX. If both Hunt and Smith can find a way to build on their playoff success, the Eagles' biggest perceived question mark or "weakness'' may not be as weak as originally thought. Add in Uche and Ojulari, two veterans with a penchant for rushing the passer, and the Eagles' defensive line could be just as good as they were last season. It's customary with any team for a position group that lost three quality veterans in free agency to take a step back. Advertisement But Philadelphia has developed a reputation for, well ... development. A superstar addition (at a price tag of over $30 million APY) would be appealing. But ... The Super Bowl champs generally seem equipped to move past their offseason losses and now likely believe they have the next-gen players on the roster with the ability to push for a repeat. Related: Eagles First-Round Rookie Passes Major Off-Field Test Related: Eagles Pro Bowler Speaks Out on Impressive 'Draft Steal' Rookie This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Would the Commanders be an ideal fit for T.J. Watt if he and Steelers can't reach a deal?
One of the biggest needs over the offseason for the Washington Commanders was finding a true edge rusher. They brought in Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Wise Jr., and while they are both capable defenders, the Commanders lack a true game-changing edge rusher. You know, someone like T.J. Watt. Watt becomes a free agent in 2026, but he'd like an extension before that, so he has not participated in any offseason workouts to date for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Similar to the Commanders' situation with Terry McLaurin, both the Steelers and Watt want to see a deal done. In the event that doesn't happen, though, Fox Sports named the Commanders a potential landing spot for the veteran linebacker. Pittsburgh Steelers edge T.J. Watt: Washington CommandersAgain, I'm not buying that the Steelers would do this. Watt is an iconic piece of that franchise — and that word carries weight in Pittsburgh. Furthermore, even with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the Steelers' hopes of accomplishing anything this season will still rest on their defense. Advertisement Then, the author suggests trading away one of the Commanders' most loyal players: Scary Terry. Why not indulge one delusional fantasy with another? If Washington were to trade Terry McLaurin, they'd be opening some financial wiggle room to add another lucrative player. They could get at least two, if not three, years of play out of Watt before they have to worry about extending Jayden Daniels. They definitely need the pass rush help. Watt would give Dan Quinn a blue chip player, which he doesn't really have right now, on his Commanders' defense. Adding him to a pass rush that currently includes Frankie Luvu, Dorance Armstrong, Deatrich Wise and Clelin Ferrell would upgrade the Washington pass rush from "so-so" to outright dangerous. Sure, maybe it's a mixed message to hinder the offense by trading McLaurin only to add T.J. Watt. But, with all due respect to Scary Terry, I think it's a bit harder to find a DPOY-level edge rusher than an All-Pro caliber receiver in today's NFL. It doesn't just hinder the offense to trade McLaurin, it hinders Jayden Daniels' development, which is far more important than any pass rusher. Adding T.J. Watt will deplete the Commanders' remaining cap space and require additional financial adjustments to make it happen. But let's be real, letting McLaurin go is not an option the Commanders want to take. Besides, everyone knows Watt isn't leaving Pittsburgh, and McLaurin isn't leaving Washington. Most likely. This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Commanders named landing spot for T.J. Watt if Steelers moved him
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Should the Steelers try to trade EDGE T.J. Watt?
The Pittsburgh Steelers 2025 offseason has been a wild ride. The team has completely gutted out the quarterback depth chart for a second-straight season. The team also has a brand new No. 1 wide receiver, No. 1 running back, and new starting right tackle. But despite all the attention the offense is getting, nothing seems to be working. Meanwhile, the Steelers defense is loaded with edge defender T.J. Watt as its undisputed top player. And right now, Watt isn't working with the team as he holds out for a massive new contract. Watt is currently in the final year of a four-year, $112 million contract and he wants a raise. Advertisement The market for elite edge rushers continues to spike and Watt feels he deserves to be at or near the top. Watt is currently the seventh highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL on an annual basis. Watt is also part of a trio of edge rushers, including Cincinnati's Trey Hendrickson and the Cowboys' Micah Parsons. All three want new deals, and it will be like dominoes once one signs, and the cost is just going to go up each time. We won't be shocked if all three end up being ahead of current APY leader Myles Garrett. This situation does prompt us to wonder if now isn't the time for the Steelers to trade Watt. He would surely garner at a minimum one first-round pick along with other picks but to the right team might bring in first-round picks in multiple seasons. Everything else aside as far as loyalty and Steelers DNA, this is a tempting situation. And based on the Steelers history, it's something they have thought about. Pittsburgh currently has one of the best three-man rotations in the NFL at edge rusher and only improved it in 2025. The addition of former Ohio State edge Jack Sawyer in the 2025 NFL draft gives the Steelers an excellent backup plan if they dealt Watt and moved Nick Herbig into the starting lineup along with Alex Highsmith. Be sure to head up to the post above and cast your vote for whether or not the Steelers should try to trade Watt. The most you roll over the scenarios over, the more tempting it is to make the trade and really focus on making this team a Super Bowl contender. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Should the Steelers try to trade EDGE T.J. Watt?
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee Gets Clear Message From Five-Star Edge Rusher
Tennessee Gets Clear Message From Five-Star Edge Rusher originally appeared on Athlon Sports. If the Tennessee Volunteers want to land one of the top edge rushers in the 2027 college football recruiting class, the program may want to sign outside linebackers coach Levorn Harbin to another contract extension. Advertisement One of the top edge rushers of the 2027 class and five-star prospect Chris Whitehead visited Knoxville, Tennessee again last weekend. Whitehead is leaving the visit feeling great about his chemistry with Harbin, who is nicknamed "Coach Chop." 'I have a very good relationship with Coach Chop,' Whitehead told On3's Matt Ray on Wednesday . 'He is very straightforward with me, and he is going to push me to be the best. "Him pushing me shows that he loves me, so just knowing that him and Coach Banks will be there at Tennessee, if I do want to commit there one day, is definitely great to see.' Tennessee Volunteers football head coach Josh Heupel© Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Ray reported Wednesday that during the visit, Whitehead also learned more about how he fits in the Volunteers defense. Advertisement 'So, they would use me as a LEO because I am a more versatile guy and can drop back and play in coverage or I can rush the passer or I can defend against the run,' Whitehead told On3. 'Just doing all of that stuff in their scheme could build me up even more.' The fact that former Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr. just became a first-round pick in the NFL Draft won't hurt the Volunteers' chances of landing Whitehead either. 'Knowing they recruited him out of high school tells me they kept that relationship piece, and in my mind, I feel like that could be me in the future," said Whitehead. According to the 247Sports Composite rankings, Whitehead is the top Virginia prospect and No. 4 edge rusher in the 2027 class. Advertisement The same rankings also have him rated as the No. 11 overall recruit for 2027. Related: Tennessee Football Gets Good News on Coveted Player This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tennessee Pushing to Poach Coveted Star From SEC Foe
Tennessee Pushing to Poach Coveted Star From SEC Foe originally appeared on Athlon Sports. One of the top 2026 edge rushers in Alabama is already committed to the Auburn Tigers. But the Tennessee Volunteers haven't given up on flipping that prospect. Advertisement On3's Chad Simmons reported Friday the Volunteers were set to host that edge rusher, four-star Hezekiah Harris, this weekend. "Can Tennessee get Hezekiah Harris away from Auburn? It won't be easy, but there is no doubt, the Vols are in this," Simmons wrote. "Harris lives in Alabama, Auburn signed his brother in the off-season out of the Transfer Portal and there is a lot he likes about the Tigers, but some feel he likes the Vols even more. "Can Heupel and company flip the four-star from the in-state school? They will give it their best shot this weekend." Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel© Saul Young/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Harris is the No. 3-ranked edge rusher in Alabama and seventh overall prospect in the state based on the 247Sports Composite rankings. Advertisement In the entire 2026 class, Harris is ranked 12th among edge rushers and No. 93 overall according to the same rankings. With his high ratings and given the fact he's from Alabama, it's likely a tall task for Tennessee to flip Harris. The Volunteers, though, aren't new to Harris. The edge rusher has visited Knoxville, Tennessee four times since January. So, the Volunteers have taken a lot of time to develop a relationship with Harris. Simmons listed Harris on a list of five top targets "to keep a close eye on" who will be visiting Tennessee this weekend. Of those five targets, Harris was the only edge rusher. Advertisement Related: Tennessee Gets Clear Message From Five-Star Edge Rusher This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
