NFL News Updates

Author: nfltalk

  • Tom Brady: Tension I had with Bill Belichick could only be resolved with a split

    Tom Brady: Tension I had with Bill Belichick could only be resolved with a split

    Tom Brady says that in his final years in New England, he began to realize that he and coach Bill Belichick were not on the same page.

    In a reflection on NFL free agency that he posted to his website, Brady talked about the only time he was a free agent: When he left New England for Tampa Bay five years ago. Brady says that in the final years of his final contract with the Patriots, he knew something had to change.

    “For me, it was a creeping decision that lived passively in the back of mind for 2-3 years until March of 2020 when a whirlwind of a few days made me realize that a decision was coming sooner rather than later,” Brady wrote. “The reality was, after twenty years together, a natural tension had developed between where Coach Belichick and I were headed in our careers, and where the Patriots were moving as a franchise. It was the kind of tension that could only be resolved by some kind of split or one of us reassessing our priorities.”

    Brady says that as he weighed leaving the Patriots, he listed his most important priorities and came to the conclusion that the Buccaneers were a better fit for him.

    “What I ended up with was a list of about twenty things that I then ranked and graded on a weighted scale from 1 to 3,” Brady wrote. “The presence of skill players was a 3 in terms of importance, for example, and the Bucs graded out as a 3 because of guys like Mike Evans and Chris Godwin The same was true for the head coach. That was a 3 in importance, and Tampa scored a 3 with Bruce Arians. Game day weather was a 2, practice weather was a 3. Financial compensation was on the list, obviously, but it wasn’t first, it probably wasn’t even top 10, and it definitely didn’t rank as a 3 in importance. In the end, I chose Tampa, almost exactly five years ago now, because, in the aggregate, it graded out higher than New England along those twenty or so dimensions.”

    The split with Belichick and the Patriots worked…

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  • Here’s what Cam Ward said to Titans executives after a throw during Miami’s Pro Day

    Here’s what Cam Ward said to Titans executives after a throw during Miami’s Pro Day

    With only a month remaining before the 2024 NFL Draft, the widespread expectation is that University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward will be the No. 1 overall pick. The main question seems to be whether the Tennessee Titans will stick at No. 1 overall or decide to trade the pick.

    On Monday, Ward hoped to put that discussion to rest. Miami held its Pro Day on Monday afternoon, and of course, Ward’s throwing session was the main event. And after a throw to tight end Elijah Arroyo while rolling out to his left, Ward let the Titans know about his plans.

    While there was another highlight throw later on in the workout, this somewhat more under-control frozen rope to Arroyo was the throw after which Ward let Tennessee brass hear what he had to say.

    All 32 teams showed up at Miami’s Pro Day to see Ward and Co. get in their workout, but the Titans were obviously the headliners. They had their general manager, head coach, offensive coordinator and more in the building to watch Ward throw live for the first time.

    “They finally got to see me throw in person. That should be all they need to see,” Ward said. “At the end of the day, if they want to give me the pick or not, I’m going to be happy with whatever team I go to. I just want to play football.”

    Pete Prisco 2025 NFL mock draft 1.0: Three QBs go in Round 1; Jayden Daniels, Matthew Stafford get WRs

    Pete Prisco

    If he is indeed the top selection in the draft, Ward will be the first Hurricane picked first overall since Russell Maryland back in 1991, and the first Miami quarterback picked No. 1 since Vinny Testaverde…

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  • Former A&M O-line coach Jim Turner named Memphis Showboats interim HC

    Former A&M O-line coach Jim Turner named Memphis Showboats interim HC

    Looking back at Texas A&M’s best offensive lines over the last two decades, one O-line coach has consistently stood out outside of current mainstay Adam Cushing, who followed head coach Mike Elko from Duke before the 2024 season. Before Cushing arrived in College Station, Aggie fans consistently brought up veteran coach Jim Turner as the potential successor to Steve Adazzio.

    Going back to the HeyDey of Texas A&M’s offensive line play during the Mike Sherman era, Turner ran the Aggie trenches in NFL fashion. From 2009-11, Texas A&M ranked among the nation’s top 25 teams in total offense, averaging more than 440 yards per game each season. Regarding pass protection, Turner’s coaching led to just nine sacks allowed during the 2011 season.

    After leaving the Aggies, Turner coached the Miami Dolphins offensive line from 2012-2013. Turner returned to Texas A&M in the same capacity from 2016-2018, working under coaches Kevin Sumlin and Jimbo Fisher. During the 2018 season, Turner’s O-line paved the way for Texas A&M running back Trayveon Williams, who went on to lead the SEC in rushing yards (1760), rushing touchdowns (18), and total touchdowns (19).

    Since leaving Texas A&M for the second time, Turner’s short one-year stint with the Cincinnati Bengals led to his last college job with Texas State before joining the Memphis Showboats of the UFL. In a shocking change, Showboats head coach Ken Whisenhunt unexpectedly stepped down for personal reasons, vaulting Jim Turner into the interim head coaching role.

    Turner’s experience at both levels is the primary reason for his promotion, despite his never having served as an offensive or defensive coordinator.

    Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on…..

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  • 17 of the top 100 free agents remain available

    17 of the top 100 free agents remain available

    Two weeks ago today, the deals started. Fast, furious, and heavily infused with tampering.

    Of the 100 top free agents as determined via a carefully constructed, AI-reliant algorithm (not really), 17 remain.

    Here they are, with the original rank they received from our carefully constructed, AI-reliant algorithm (not really).

    24. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

    32. Cornerback Asante Samuel.

    37.Receiver Amari Cooper.

    46. Receiver Stefon Diggs.

    48. Cornerback Mike Hilton.

    51. Safety Justin Simmons.

    60. Cornerback Rasul Douglas.

    68. Running back J.K. Dobbins.

    73. Receiver Keenan Allen.

    81. Safety Julian Blackmon.

    84. Defensive lineman Calais Campbell.

    85. Edge rusher Matthew Judon.

    86. Linebacker E.J. Speed.

    87. Offensive guard Brandon Scherff.

    90. Quarterback Russell Wilson.

    93. Outside linebacker Kyzir White.

    99. Browns offensive tackle Jedrick Wills.

    For some, the offers likely aren’t where the player expected them to be. For others, there simply might not be much, if any, interest at all.

    For one, the interest is there. He’s just waiting to sign.

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  • Colorado, Syracuse petition NCAA to allow spring game as Deion Sanders’ fresh idea gains steam

    Colorado, Syracuse petition NCAA to allow spring game as Deion Sanders’ fresh idea gains steam

    Colorado and Syracuse have filed paperwork with the NCAA requesting the ability to hold spring practices and a spring game on April, Orange coach Fran Brown said. NCAA bylaws prevent teams from holding intercollegiate practices and exhibition games against each other in the spring. 

    The NCAA Division I FBS Oversight Committee will meet on April 10 and could decide to allow the waiver. Colorado’s spring game is scheduled for April 19 in Boulder and Brown offered to fly his roster out for the game. Syracuse has a spring game scheduled for April 12. 

    “For us to be the first to do it at two historic schools would mean a lot,” Brown told reporters. “Two African-American men, too. To have the opportunity of doing that means a lot. Especially with [Deion Sanders] being an icon.”

    On Monday, Colorado coach Deion Sanders pitched the idea of scrimmaging another college football team as the Buffaloes prepare for a nationally televised spring game. Many major programs have opted to cancel spring games altogether with concerns over injuries and depth pieces getting scouted for the transfer portal. Practicing against other live opponents is a model commonly found in the NFL during its preseason.

    Deion Sanders is right: College football needs intersquad scrimmages in the spring

    Will Backus

    “To have a competitive [game] against your own guys gets kind of monotonous,” Sanders said. “You really can’t tell the level of your guys because it’s the same old, same way … I would like to practice against someone for a few days, then you have the…

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  • Aaron Rodgers’ next NFL team: Why QB is most likely to delay decision; could Steelers move come after draft?

    Aaron Rodgers’ next NFL team: Why QB is most likely to delay decision; could Steelers move come after draft?

    Aaron Rodgers became a free agent for the first time in his NFL career this offseason. Almost two weeks after all 32 teams were first permitted to negotiate with unsigned veterans, however, the future Hall of Fame quarterback remains without a home. The New York Jets said goodbye, the Minnesota Vikings said no thanks (for now), and only a few others appear legitimately interested in signing the former MVP.

    Headlining the “others” are the New York Giants and Pittsburgh Steelers, each of whom has signed a veteran backup — Jameis Winston and Mason Rudolph, respectively — but lacks a surefire Week 1 starter. The Vikings sniffed around the idea of adding Rodgers in a reenactment of the Brett Favre finish but now seem content with kicking off the J.J. McCarthy era. The Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans are in full-on rebuild mode, preparing to potentially reset the quarterback spot early in the 2025 NFL Draft.

    All that said, is anyone really expecting Rodgers to make his decision before the draft?

    At this point, basically everything is set at the quarterback position league-wide, barring a surprise blockbuster trade or catastrophic injury. Something like 27 of the NFL’s 32 teams are committed — either contractually or philosophically — to a veteran starter, and the few teams without a proven arm penciled into a top gig have relatively clear options and/or fallback plans:

    The Titans own the No. 1 overall pick in the draftThe Browns own the No. 2 pick and also acquired Kenny Pickett via tradeThe Giants own the No. 3 pick and also signed Jameis WinstonThe Steelers own the No. 21 pick and also signed Mason RudolphThe Vikings used last year’s No. 10 pick on J.J. McCarthy

    If we effectively rule out the Browns and Titans as logical destinations for Rodgers, who’d be settling for a lowly team in transition even if either organization suddenly expressed interest, that leaves three feasible…

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  • Buccaneers’ GM reveals that this NFL team ‘kept writing blank checks’ to sign Chris Godwin in free agency

    Buccaneers’ GM reveals that this NFL team ‘kept writing blank checks’ to sign Chris Godwin in free agency

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht was thankful Chris Godwin wanted to come back to the only team he ever played for, showcasing that thanks in Godwin’s press conference after he re-signed with the team earlier this month. Godwin signed a three-year, $66 million deal with the Buccaneers — but it could have been significantly more had he signed elsewhere in free agency.

    Licht revealed there was a team that aggressively courted Godwin, but wouldn’t mention them by name. 

    “There were several teams that inquired but there was one that kept writing him blank checks,” Licht said, via WDAE (transcribed by Pro Football Talk). “We got to a point of what we could do in order to keep everything together and add some pieces here, and he took it.”

    Was the team that was seeking to give Godwin a blank check the New England Patriots? New England had over $125 million in available salary cap space in free agency, and was the team that outbid the Carolina Panthers for defensive tackle Milton Williams. The Patriots also have a major need at wide receiver, as their current depth chart consists of Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, DeMario Douglas, Ja’Lynn Polk and free agent signing Mack Hollins.

    Simply put, the Patriots need a No. 1 wide receiver and there were reports New England put on a “full court press” in their attempt to sign Godwin. New England also struck out on DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, and Tee Higgins, making Godwin the best option remaining. 

    New England didn’t appear to have a chance to sign Godwin.

    2025 NFL free agency tracker: Updates on top 100 free agents; Amari Cooper, Stefon Diggs among best available

    Cody Benjamin

    “I think, what it boiled down to, honestly,…

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  • Georgia football’s biggest obstacle is clear according to ESPN

    Georgia football’s biggest obstacle is clear according to ESPN

    The Georgia Bulldogs have to replace a lot of talent from the 2024 UGA team. Georgia lost a combined 32 players to the 2025 NFL draft and the transfer portal this offseason, so the Bulldogs have a little bit less experience than normal.

    “I asked the guys to stand up who have practiced at least three spring practices, so this obviously would make their fourth, and there was basically nobody standing,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.

    The Bulldogs lost a ton of depth and experience in the trenches and three potential first-round picks on defense. However, ESPN’s Heather Dinich (subscription required) thinks that Georgia’s biggest obstacle this year will be offensive improvement.

    “Offensive improvement,” said Dinich. “One specific area would be easier to zero in on this spring, but the reality is that Georgia ranked No. 102 in rushing yards per game (124.4), No. 132 with 35 drops by receivers and No. 117 with a 6.9 drop percentage. The Bulldogs also ranked No. 126 with 24 fumbles.”

    Georgia will play an easier schedule in 2025, so the Dawgs have a chance to put up better numbers this year. However, Georgia lost four of its five starting offensive linemen from last season, running back Trevor Etienne and leading receiver Arian Smith this offseason.

    Georgia returns plenty of experience at tight end and added some juice to the wide receiver room via the transfer portal. The Bulldogs will need to find a cohesive, productive starting offensive line and a running back to pair with rising sophomore Nate Frazier. Of course, Georgia’s top concern lies at quarterback. The Bulldogs need Gunner Stockton to deliver in what is expected to be his first season as starting quarterback.

    “Georgia’s offense wasn’t bad last year, but it has to improve,” added Dinich. UGA was not efficient in the first half offensively and paid the price for…

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