Author: Ritik

Denver, known for its focus on quarterbacks, has seen many signal-callers struggle to step out from the shadows of Pro Football Hall of Famers John Elway and Peyton Manning.

Since Elway’s retirement as a two-time champion in 1999, the Broncos have cycled through 10 quarterbacks over 12 seasons. They didn’t return to the Super Bowl until Elway moved to the front office and brought Manning to Denver for the latter part of his distinguished career.

Like Elway, Manning retired as a champion, leaving the game a month after the Broncos won Super Bowl 50 in the 2015 season.

When rookie Bo Nix takes his first snap at Lumen Field in Seattle on Sunday, he will become the 14th different starting quarterback for the Broncos since Manning last played.

This long list of quarterbacks includes running back Phillip Lindsay, who started a game in the Wildcat formation when all four of Denver’s quarterbacks were unavailable due to violating NFL pandemic protocols in 2020.

It also includes nine-time Pro Bowler Russell Wilson, whose exit after two disappointing seasons left the Broncos with a record $85 million in dead cap charges through 2025 and responsible for almost all of his $39 million salary with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, except for $1.21 million.

Only two of these quarterbacks—Trevor Siemian (13-11) and Brett Rypien (2-1)—had winning records, and the group had a 52-79 record in total following four seasons where Manning went 50-15, including playoffs.

Wilson ended his time in Denver as a backup to Jarrett Stidham and was traded in the offseason when the Broncos brought in Zach Wilson and drafted Nix with the 12th pick in the NFL draft.

The former quarterbacks both showed support for Nix but had very different reactions to him getting the starting role.

“I’m excited to see what he can do, and I think he’s ready for it,” said Zach Wilson.

“Obviously, I was very disappointed,” said Stidham, who has also been a backup to Tom Brady, Derek Carr, and Russell Wilson. “I know I’m a starting quarterback in this league. I have no doubts about that, and it just didn’t work out for me.”

Right now, Stidham is at the end of the long list of quarterbacks who haven’t managed to keep their starting position in Denver, which has been stuck in an eight-year playoff drought.

Last month, the franchise’s two legendary quarterbacks took part in the pro-am at the BMW Championship at Castle Pines Golf Club and both praised Nix, suggesting that the quarterback, who started an NCAA-record 61 games, might finally be the one to lead the Broncos back to the playoffs.

“You knew his experience, his maturity would be an advantage for him and he’s picked up the system quickly, you can tell,” Manning said.

“Bo’s tremendously talented,” said Elway. “He’s played a lot of college football. So, he’s ahead of the curve when it comes to that.

And I think Sean Payton will be great for him. The offensive system that they’re going to run, they’ll be able to protect him, they’re pretty good on the offensive line, they’ll be able to run.”

Elway, the first overall draft pick in 1983, went 1 for 8 with four sacks and an interception before being benched in his pro debut against Pittsburgh. Manning, the first overall pick in 1999, set an NFL rookie record with 28 interceptions a quarter-century ago.

They know Nix will face some challenges, but they believe both he and the Broncos will grow from these experiences in the end.

“I know what it’s like to start as a rookie in your first NFL game, but he’ll be ready and I’ll be rooting for him,” Manning said, adding, “I’m a fan of playing right away. Getting that experience will only help him improve.”

“Bo’s a mature guy, so it will be interesting to see them working together,” Elway said. “I think Sean knows how to develop quarterbacks and will keep him in good situations, not putting too much pressure on him and helping him get better each week.”

Nix led the Broncos on six scoring drives in seven preseason possessions, but now he faces the real challenge with opponents trying to disrupt him.

“Bo’s going to experience that,” Elway said. “The jump from preseason to regular season is significant. I’m sure he’ll manage it well. He’ll have his ups and downs as a young player, which I experienced plenty of. But he has all the talent and mental strength to succeed.”

When Spencer Anderson was an underclassman at Maryland, one of his coaches talked to him about how injuries were starting to affect the offensive line.

The conversation ended with a request that sounded more like a demand: How would Anderson feel about switching from tackle to center for the team’s benefit?

Anderson’s response was probably more honest than he intended at the time. “I was like, ‘But I’m a tackle,’” Anderson said. Emphasis on “was.”

Anderson played as a center for a while before the Terrapins moved him to guard in his senior year of 2022. To his surprise, he found working in tight spaces a bit more enjoyable. No fast edge rushers to worry about—just another big guy across from him to battle.

“It’s less space inside, everything happens faster,” Anderson said.

The Pittsburgh Steelers noticed enough to draft Anderson in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, and he has spent the past 16 months playing in various positions.

This journey will lead Anderson to his first NFL start at left guard, replacing the injured Isaac Seumalo when the Steelers open the season at Atlanta on Sunday.

It’s a significant achievement for a player who understood early on that he needed to set aside his ego.

“Obviously I’m going to capitalize on every opportunity that I’m given,” Anderson said. “Just being ready, light on my feet and ready to work.”

Players drafted with the 251st pick, like Anderson, don’t have many options. The Steelers have moved him around both sides of the line during practice and preseason games, including some snaps at tackle, where Pittsburgh is theoretically strong with Dan Moore Jr., 2023 first-rounder Broderick Jones (drafted 237 spots ahead of Anderson), and 2024 first-rounder Troy Fautanu, who has been held back by a knee injury.

The exact makeup of the offensive line for the game against the Falcons is still uncertain. Jones is listed as the right tackle and Moore as the left tackle on the depth chart, but Jones might switch to the right side if Fautanu is healthy enough to play.

Meanwhile, Anderson seems set to play next to rookie center Zach Frazier, as the offense adjusts to various changes.

Anderson aims to be a steady influence in the short term and also has a sense of humor. He made people laugh in the preseason opener against Houston when he was pushed before the snap, resulting in an offside penalty.

The 6-foot-5, 320-pound player backpedaled and then fell to the ground, briefly getting up before dramatically collapsing again, much like a soccer player taking a dive.

“I was going backward. I was like, ‘Might as well don’t fall at this point,’” Anderson said with a smile. “So it was just kind of instinctual.”

There were no awards for his performance, just a minor reprimand from assistant offensive line coach Isaac Williams, who told Anderson, “I understand this, but don’t do that again.”

Anderson hasn’t repeated the stunt. He understands the fine line between success and failure in the NFL. This is why, despite initially seeing himself as only a tackle—usually the most high-profile and highest-paid position along the line—he spent the offseason studying film of different positions.

“Being able to flip sides is something that I take seriously,” he said. “And something that I guess is specialization (in its own right).”

Coach Mike Tomlin has noticed this versatility. It’s one reason Anderson made the 53-man roster. Tomlin trusts Anderson as he takes on a significant role for the Steelers, who revamped their quarterback room after another early playoff exit and brought in Russell Wilson from Denver to lead an offense that has been a weak spot in recent years.

When asked about Anderson’s improvement since joining the team, Tomlin compared him to Kelvin Beachum, who started his NFL career with the Steelers as a seventh-round pick in 2012 and later became a starter with Jacksonville, the New York Jets, and Arizona.

Green Bay’s Christian Watson has shown that he can be one of the NFL’s top deep threats when his hamstrings are healthy.

The problem has been his inconsistent availability. Watson has missed 11 games due to hamstring issues in his first two seasons. “In my mind, if I’m able to be out there, I’m going to find a way to make plays,” Watson said.

After completing training camp without injury, Watson is hopeful that he now understands how to manage his hamstring problems better as the Packers get ready for their season opener on Friday against the Philadelphia Eagles in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

“This is how it’s supposed to be,” Watson said. “It’s supposed to be 100%. I want to play 100% of the games. I want to play 100% of the practices. I’m right where I want to be.”

This is a change from last year when a hamstring injury kept him out of the Packers’ first three games. His hamstring issues returned, causing him to miss the last five regular-season games, though he did come back for the playoffs.

Watson, 25, knew he needed to address the issue. He and Packers cornerback Eric Stokes visited the University of Wisconsin’s Badger Athletic Performance Center, which received a four-year, $4 million grant from the NFL’s scientific advisory board in 2021 to study the prevention and treatment of hamstring injuries.

That visit helped Watson realize that a lack of symmetry between his legs was making him more prone to these injuries.

Without specifically mentioning Watson’s case, Badger Athletic Performance Director Bryan Heiderscheit talked about how asymmetry could affect injury risk.

“Even without any sort of history of injury, you still probably have a little bit of asymmetry based on what you do in your daily life, the demands of your sport or what your position may be,” Heiderscheit said.

“It’s when those asymmetries get beyond what we would expect as normal or typical, or at a point where one side is so different from the other that it puts too much strain on other tissues.

In other words, if one side is much weaker than the other, it forces other tissues to do more work, leading to a cycle of chronic injury.”

Watson mentioned earlier this year that he found his left leg was about 20% stronger than his right, which caused extra stress on his left side and eventually led to fatigue.

He has since fixed that imbalance. “I got it down to pretty much perfectly symmetrical right before camp started,” Watson said.

Watson knows he will need to keep an eye on this issue throughout the season, but he’s hopeful he can play the whole season without any interruptions.

That would give the 2022 second-round pick from North Dakota State a chance to show the talent he displayed at the end of his rookie season, when he scored eight touchdowns (seven receiving, one rushing) in a four-game stretch.

The only other rookie to achieve that many touchdowns in a four-game period was Randy Moss in 1998.

He ended that rookie season with 41 catches for 611 yards and nine total touchdowns (seven receiving, two rushing). Watson couldn’t match that performance last season, with 28 receptions for 422 yards and five touchdowns in just nine games.

If Watson can remain healthy, he could play a key role in a strong receiving group that also includes Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks, among others.

“He is an important part of what we do,” Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. “He’s a big, physical, fast guy, and not many of those guys exist. So we certainly are a better offense when he’s at full strength.”

Watson feels more positive about his chances of staying in top form, and this has boosted his confidence.

“When you’re able to play a lot more free, you just have a lot more confidence, and I think that’s where I’m at,” Watson said. “I’ve played a lot of games, in my eyes, in the league. Enough to where I know what I’m capable of.”

Travis Kelce spent the offseason traveling around the globe, following his girlfriend, pop star Taylor Swift, to various locations on her Eras Tour. He appeared on TV, attended major sporting events, and continued hosting his popular podcast with his brother, former Eagles center Jason Kelce.

The Chiefs tight end is busier than ever and has more to manage, with increased attention on everything he does.

This makes the Chiefs’ practice facility and Arrowhead Stadium, just up the hill and across the parking lots, a special place where Kelce can relax with close friends.

“I just love football, and how it takes me away from life,” Kelce said Tuesday, two days before the Kansas City Chiefs play the Baltimore Ravens in a rematch of their AFC championship game and officially start the NFL’s regular season.

“It gives me something I can feel genuinely happy about,” Kelce added. “I enjoy coming into the building, working on my craft, getting to understand a new game plan, and perfecting that for the people around me.

It gives me a purpose to kind of go about my day and live my life. And I just have so much excitement in what I’m doing.”

Kelce had a noticeable bounce in his step after Tuesday’s practice, not just because he made it through without injury; he had hyperextended his knee during the same practice last year, which caused him to miss Week 1 against Detroit.

Kelce, who will turn 35 next month, is close to breaking some records. He needs three more touchdown catches to pass Hall of Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez for the franchise record. He needs 10 more receptions to surpass Gonzalez for the career mark.

Seven more touchdowns would move Kelce ahead of Priest Holmes for the most total career touchdowns in Kansas City. He already holds the franchise record with 11,328 receiving yards.

There is also the most significant piece of history for Kelce: The Chiefs are trying for a record third straight Super Bowl win, which would give him a fourth championship ring in six years.

“I’ve been fortunate to be able to play as many games as I played,” he said. “That’s why I really enjoy going out there every single day, even if it’s just a practice to work on my craft. Because not everybody gets that same fortune in their career.”

Kelce doesn’t know when he will retire. He says he’s having too much fun to think about it right now. But the past few weeks show just how diverse his interests have become off the field.

While getting ready for Week 1 against Baltimore, Kelce’s team — along with his brother’s team — was finalizing a three-year contract with Amazon’s Wondery, reportedly worth nine figures, for the exclusive advertising sales and distribution rights to their “New Heights” podcast.

The deal includes the existing podcast content and the exclusive rights to monetize and distribute new audio and video episodes starting this season.

On the same day that news came out, Barry Irwin, founder and CEO of Team Valor International, announced that Kelce recently bought a significant share in a 3-year-old gelding named — either by chance or design — Swift Delivery.

“It’s very exciting,” Irwin told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “I met him at the Kentucky Derby and got to spend some time with him and stuff, and we talked about horses and everything.

When this horse came to light and it was owned by one of my partners already, with the name I figured this has got to be a no-brainer.”

Kelce’s coaches and teammates, especially quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who is one of his best friends, are impressed by his ability to handle everything in his life and still perform well on the field.

Even though there were moments last season when it seemed like Kelce might be slowing down, he still managed to catch 93 passes for 984 yards and five touchdowns. In the playoffs, he excelled even more, with 32 catches for 355 yards and three touchdowns in just four games.

It’s hard to think about retiring when the Chiefs continue to be the top team in the NFL.

“You have days off where maybe it’s a little bit tougher,” Kelce said, “but who doesn’t, man? Everybody has those days. But what you got to understand is that, you know, the goal in mind of the team is bigger than you, and everybody needs you to be at your best.

And my college coach, Butch Jones, always told me, ‘You’re a fountain or a drain.’ You don’t want to be draining anybody.”

The longtime Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackle signed a new three-year contract on Tuesday, which will keep him with the team through the 2026 season. The financial details of the contract were not shared.

The 35-year-old Heyward, who was a first-round draft pick by the Steelers in 2011, was about to start the last season of his current deal.

During the offseason and training camp, he had made it clear that he wanted to continue playing beyond 2024 and stay with the Steelers. However, he also said he might consider other teams if an agreement with the Steelers could not be reached.

It turns out, he will stay with the Steelers after all.

“How unlikely! Yet here we are,” Heyward posted on X, along with a photo of himself and Steelers general manager Omar Khan.

Heyward was named a defensive captain for the 10th time in his 14-year career on Monday, making him only the third player in the team’s history to achieve this.

The six-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, and 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year winner had a tough season last year with injuries, managing only two sacks in 11 games.

On Monday, he spoke about his desire to return to the high level of performance he had earlier in the decade when he was one of the top pass-rushing interior linemen in the league.

“I’ve had to eat (criticism) and absorb it,” Heyward said. “Everybody’s entitled to their opinion, but I want to make their opinion wrong, and I think I just look forward to playing good football.”

Heyward starts 2024 with 80 1/2 sacks, the highest number ever by a Steelers defensive tackle and the ninth highest in NFL history by an interior defensive lineman.

There has been a lot of excitement in Chicago this summer, but cornerback Jaylon Johnson is ready to focus on what really matters.

The addition of quarterback Caleb Williams as the top draft pick gave a boost to a team that has struggled in recent years, and a prominent spot on Hard Knocks has raised hopes for what the team can achieve this fall.

Johnson has noticed all the buzz, but he believes it’s time to move from talk to action. “I’m done buying into the hype, honestly,” Johnson said, according to the team’s website.

“I feel like I’ve said it before plenty of times. I’ve had some pretty good rosters and plenty of talented people in the locker rooms where [it’s said], ‘Oh yeah, this is our year, this is our year.’

Everything we have in this locker room sounds good and seems good, but none of that matters. What matters is what we’re going to do this weekend and on every Sunday or Monday, whatever day the game is.

That’s when it matters. The preseason hype doesn’t move me. We’ve all got to come in here and work, from top to bottom.”

The Titans will visit Chicago on Sunday, giving Johnson and the rest of the team a chance to prove that there is substance behind all the excitement in Chicago over the past few months.

Cam Heyward is aware that his playing career is nearing its end. As a defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he understands this better than anyone.

Few players last 14 years like Heyward has, especially in such a physically tough position. Even fewer are chosen as team captains 10 times, as Heyward was on Monday.

He values this honor deeply, especially after an offseason filled with uncertainty that he usually avoids.

At 35 years old, Heyward faced a tough 2023 season with many injuries and admits he wasn’t at his best. He’s also in the final year of his contract, and while he wants to keep playing, there’s a chance his future might not be with Pittsburgh.

The Steelers generally don’t negotiate contracts during the season, so the clock is ticking for them to reach an agreement with the six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro before Sunday’s season opener in Atlanta.

Heyward avoided causing any extra drama during training camp by not holding out or engaging in a popular hold-in. He has often said he wants to end his career with the Steelers, but some factors are beyond his control.

If he stays, that’s great. If not, his goals for 2024 remain the same. The Steelers have not won a Super Bowl with him wearing his familiar No. 97, and he’s heard the critics who think he’s past his prime.

“I’ve had to take in and deal with the criticism,” Heyward said. “Everyone has their own opinion, but I want to prove them wrong, and I’m excited to play good football.”

If Pittsburgh wants to break their playoff win drought, which has lasted since 2016, Heyward needs to be as impactful as he was before he injured his groin in last year’s season opener against San Francisco. He had surgery and returned by midseason, but he wasn’t at his best.

Heyward ended the season with only two sacks, his lowest since he became a starter in 2013, and had trouble handling the double teams that are common for interior defensive linemen.

He believes he’s in a better position as 2024 starts and doesn’t need reminding of the one thing missing from his career.

“I kind of laugh when people say, ‘Oh, this guy deserves to win a Super Bowl or anything,’” he said. “You only deserve it if you earn it, and that’s always been my mindset. For the guys in the locker room, we have to earn it every week.”

Pittsburgh’s best chance this season is to have a strong defense with stars at every level—Heyward, linebacker T.J. Watt, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick—while supporting a revamped offense led by Russell Wilson, who, like Heyward, Watt, and special teams standout Miles Killebrew, was named a captain for the 2024 season.

Heyward played a major role in recruiting Wilson to the Steelers after two tough years in Denver. The two connected via FaceTime soon after Pittsburgh started showing interest, with Heyward explaining what it means to play for such a historic team.

“I think he understood the history and the challenge of being a Pittsburgh Steeler,” Heyward said. “You’re not just playing for the current team but for those who played before you. I think he really connected with that.”

Heyward has known since the Steelers picked him in the first round of the 2011 draft how special it is to play for his hometown team. Born in Pittsburgh, where his father, Craig “Ironhead” Heyward, was a college star, Heyward has embraced playing for the Steelers more than most players have since the new millennium. The thought of him playing for another team seems unusual.

However, it’s still a possibility for now. Heyward is trying to ignore the business aspects and focus on what he’s always done: leading both on the field and in the locker room.

Only three players in Steelers history have been chosen as a captain 10 times by their teammates: Ben Roethlisberger, former guard Sam Davis, and Heyward. Being in this group is something he deeply values.

“It’s an honor to be chosen to represent this team, but it’s not just about speaking at a podium,” he said. “It’s about listening to the guys and being an extension of them, trying to represent them as best as I can.”

Even if this could be his last chance to do so.

Caleb Williams has impressed the Chicago Bears with both his on-field skills and his charismatic personality. Because of this, the No. 1 overall draft pick will start his rookie season as one of the team’s captains.

The 2022 Heisman Trophy winner from Southern California was chosen as one of eight captains by his teammates, the Bears announced on Monday.

“He went out there and proved himself, took command of the offense,” receiver DJ Moore said. “He started opening up. People say that and we’re rocking with him.”

The Bears are relying on Williams to help lead the team to success and strengthen a position that has been weak for Chicago. The first challenge will be the opener against Tennessee at Soldier Field on Sunday. Chicago has made only three playoff appearances since the 2006 Super Bowl season.

Williams’ arrival is a big reason why the Bears are aiming higher after a combined 10-24 record in the first two seasons under general manager Ryan Poles and coach Matt Eberflus.

The Bears traded former quarterback Justin Fields to Pittsburgh and gave the starting role to Williams after he had impressive performances at Oklahoma and USC. In college, he threw for 93 touchdowns with 14 interceptions, including 72 TD passes and only 10 interceptions in two years with the Trojans.

Williams, who grew up in Washington, D.C., and shone in Hollywood, has been winning over Chicago fans since he was drafted. He has even introduced a new pose to fans, making a claw with his hand and snarling like a bear whenever the camera is on him in public.

His athleticism and precise throws during practices and preseason games have caught attention. Reviews of his work ethic and leadership from Halas Hall have been very positive. So, it might not be surprising that he is a captain, even though it is unusual for a rookie.

“He just keeps coming in here and being exactly what we want,” star cornerback Jaylon Johnson said. “I feel like we understand why we brought him here, and he keeps doing just that. He continues to live up to our expectations and raise his own standards.

I think it’s a positive step for him. I’m not surprised that he’s starting as QB1.” The Bears clearly expect Williams to start delivering results quickly. But it’s not all his responsibility.

They made several big moves in the offseason, including trading with the Los Angeles Chargers to get six-time Pro Bowl receiver Keenan Allen.

They also selected Rome Odunze with the No. 9 overall pick, adding another potential playmaker at wide receiver. Chicago also has two tight ends who can catch passes: Cole Kmet, who is returning, and Gerald Everett, who is new to the team.

With a defense that began to improve last year after trading for edge rusher Montez Sweat, the Bears are aiming for their first playoff appearance since the 2020 season. This is a significant change from recent years.

“We knew it was going to be tough,” Eberflus said. “We laid out the plan for what it would take, setting the foundation for our standards and how we operate as a football team.

And how to bring the team together. That’s the key, and we’ve always been united, even if the wins didn’t come right away. We’ve always played together and played the right way. With added talent and being in Year 3, we should see a good performance on the field now.”