Author: nfltalk

  • Why Curt Cignetti already moved Indiana’s 2025 trophy haul out of his office

    Why Curt Cignetti already moved Indiana’s 2025 trophy haul out of his office

    BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Looking for the spoils of the one of the greatest seasons in sports history? You won’t find it in the head coach’s office. 

    Sure, the national championship trophy was briefly displayed in Curt Cignetti’s office — almost exclusively for recruiting reasons — but on this day, if you want to find the hardware won in Miami just one month earlier, you need to stop by the small office where director of football operations Blake Jackson resides, around the corner from Cignetti’s. Atop a cluttered cabinet sit the trophies from Indiana’s four most important games in program history: Big Ten championship, the Rose Bowl, the Peach Bowl and the College Football Playoff National Championship. 

    It’s perfectly Cignetti. 

    John Talty, CBS Sports

    Cignetti loved Indiana’s playoff run and how he got to share it with his family, fellow coaches and players, calling it a “glorious five-week time to be an Indiana Hoosier,” but he doesn’t need a bunch of physical reminders of what he accomplished staring him in the face each day. The Indiana coach gave his staff the day off as they flew back from Miami following the Hoosiers’ 27-21 win over Miami in the national championship game, and then it was back to business. 

    “We got to enjoy it that night in the hotel a little bit and then flew back, and there’s a lot of work to be done,” Cignetti told CBS Sports. “My wife and I went away for about a week after the old signing day. That was nice. Right now we have our weekends off, so it sinks in a little bit, but total focus on ’26.”

    In person, Cignetti comes off matter-of-fact and almost subdued. He doesn’t need to…

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  • Jets will not tender WR John Metchie

    Jets will not tender WR John Metchie

    The Jets will not tender restricted free agent John Metchie, according to Jordan Schultz of The Schultz Report.

    That will make Metchie a free agent.

    The Texans selected Metchie with the 44th overall pick in 2022, but he missed his rookie season. While working his back back from an ACL tear, Metchie was diagnosed with leukemia.

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    Metchie, 25, caught 40 passes for 412 yards and a touchdown in 2023-24 in Houston before the Texans traded him to the Eagles for Harrison Bryant and a swap of third-round picks in training camp last summer.

    At the trade deadline in 2025, the Eagles shipped him to the Jets in exchange for Michael Carter II and a late-round 2027 swap. He caught 29 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns in nine games for the Jets last season after making four receptions for 18 yards in seven games with the Eagles.

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  • Steelers to release Jonnu Smith: Chargers, Eagles among possible landing spots

    Steelers to release Jonnu Smith: Chargers, Eagles among possible landing spots

    Another notable name is about to enter the NFL’s open market. The Pittsburgh Steelers will release former Pro Bowl tight end Jonnu Smith, according to ESPN, with about a week to go before the start of free agency. The move saves the Steelers $7 million against the salary cap. 

    The 30-year-old Smith was part of the transaction that also brought former All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey to Pittsburgh in exchange for Minkah Fitzpatrick. But while Ramsey became a valuable member of Pittsburgh’s defense this past season, Smith failed to make the same impact for the Steelers’ offense. 

    A year after setting career-highs in catches (88), yards (884) and tying his single-season high of eight touchdown catches, Smith caught just 38 of 54 targets for 222 yards and two touchdowns in 2025. He ran for a touchdown against his former team, the Dolphins, during Pittsburgh’s Week 15 win over Miami. 

    While last season clearly wasn’t his best, Smith should still have a decent market given his previous success with the Dolphins, Falcons and Titans. Here’s a rundown of some of Smith’s possible landing spots. 

    Los Angeles Chargers 

    Smith brings previous success with new Los Angeles offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. His breakout 2024 season took place with McDaniel calling plays in Miami.

    It’s safe to assume that Smith would jump at the chance to catch passes from Justin Herbert, who earned his second Pro Bowl nod in 2025 after having one of his best seasons to date. Smith would also help complement Oronde Gadsden II, a 2025 fifth-round pick who caught 49 passes for 664 yards and three touchdowns during his rookie season. 

    Denver Broncos 

    Denver is eager to get more out of their tight ends in 2026 after that getting just three touchdowns from that position in 2025. With Adam Trautman set to enter free agency, Smith could fill his vacant spot in Denver’s starting lineup. Smith would give Denver two proven…

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  • Social media reacts to Notre Dame legend Lou Holtz passing away

    Social media reacts to Notre Dame legend Lou Holtz passing away

    It was a sad day in South Bend, and honestly, the nation, as the news of Notre Dame’s legendary head coach Lou Holtz passing away.

    He recently entered hospice care, and now his legacy will live on forever. If you are a college football fan, you know Holtz, as he made a seamless transition from coaching on the sidelines to the broadcast booth, starting with CBS then ultimately landing with ESPN. The Hall of Famer lived and breathed football, as he also played linebacker for Kent State.

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    It wasn’t just Notre Dame mourning his passing, it was many across all avenues going to social media to share stories, kind words, and more about Holtz. Below you’ll find some of the best of the heartfelt reactions to the former Irish heath coach succumbing to Father Time.

    Lou Holtz’s family delivers the difficult news

    Thoughts and prayers go out to the Holtz family during this difficult time. Lou was a treasure, not just to Notre Dame, but to the entirety of college football. He will be missed.

    Notre Dame remembers Lou Holtz

    A touching tribute from the place where Holtz made his coaching name. There have been plenty of legendary coaches in South Bend, and he’s right up there with the best of them. Fitting that it is ended by saying his “impact will never fade.”

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    Minnesota remembers Lou Holtz

    Before Holtz took the position with Notre Dame, he was Minnesota’s head coach. While his first season was a struggle, he led the Gophers to a bowl game in year two before heading to South Bend. It was just two seasons with Minnesota, but his impact was felt.

    Kent State, Lou Holtz’s alma mater remembers him

    Holtz was a linebacker for two seasons with the Golden Flashes from 1956-1957. He knew his future was coaching, as he surely soaked up everything he learned while with the team. That experience helped him become…

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  • Browns’ Myles Garrett gets ninth speeding citation, per court record

    Browns’ Myles Garrett gets ninth speeding citation, per court record

    Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett was cited for speeding in Wayne County, Ohio on Feb. 21 for driving 94 mph in a 70-mph zone on Interstate 71.

    It marks the ninth speeding ticket for the 2025 NFL Defensive Player of the Year since being drafted No. 1 overall by the Browns in the 2017 NFL Draft.

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    Court records showed that the star pass-rusher was pulled over at 1:35 a.m. in Congress Township. He was driving a 2024 Green Porsche.

    Garrett’s arraignment date is set for March 10 and was fined $157.50.

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    2. New York Jets – OLB/DE David Bailey, Texas Tech

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    3. Arizona Cardinals – OLB/DE Arvell Reese, Ohio State

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    4. Tennessee Titans – RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    5. New York Giants – LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    6. Cleveland Browns – OL Francis Mauigoa, Miami (Fla.)

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    7. Washington Commanders – S Caleb Downs, Ohio State

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    8. New Orleans Saints – WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    9. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Mansoor Delane, LSU

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    10. Cincinnati Bengals – DE Rueben Bain Jr., Miami (Fla.)

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    NFL mock draft: First-round projection after Trent McDuffie trade

    11. Miami Dolphins – OT Spencer Fano,…

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  • A.J. Brown trade rumors: Is the Eagles’ asking price too high?

    A.J. Brown trade rumors: Is the Eagles’ asking price too high?

    A.J. Brown isn’t exactly on the trade block, ready to go to the highest bidder, but the Philadelphia Eagles are listening to offers for the star wide receiver. Brown has been the subject of trade rumors throughout the offseason as his relationship with the team has seemingly started to sour.

    At the NFL Scouting Combine, both general manager Howie Roseman and head coach Nick Sirianni were noncommittal about Brown remaining with the Eagles in 2026, but it sounds like it would take a herculean effort for a team to actually pry the former All-Pro pass catcher out of Philly.

    As the NFL nears the start of free agency, we’re getting a clearer picture of what the Eagles are looking for to even begin entertaining a Brown trade. NFL Media reported Wednesday that Roseman is looking for a Quinnen Williams-esque return. For those unaware, the report references a trade between the Cowboys and Jets at last season’s trade deadline that saw Dallas ship a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith in exchange for Williams.

    Judging by this report, the Eagles are looking for at least a first-round pick along with a second-round sweetener if they are to part with Brown. The report adds that if Philadelphia doesn’t get that level of return, it would simply keep the player.

    Now that we know the starting ask for Brown, the next question centers on whether a team will be willing to actually pay that much to land him.

    Earlier this offseason, I concocted a handful of potential trade packages for Brown using prior deals as precedent, and none reached the level of a team shelling out a first-round pick. However, that doesn’t mean a team won’t decide to push its chips into the middle, so let’s dive a little deeper to see if any teams are desperate enough to meet the asking price.

    A.J. Brown mock trades: Five blockbuster…

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  • Rutgers Adds Drake Assistant Coach Joe Evans as Assistant Defensive Line Coach

    Rutgers Adds Drake Assistant Coach Joe Evans as Assistant Defensive Line Coach

    Rutgers football has hired former Drake defensive line coach Joe Evans to be its new assistant defensive line coach, according to a report by Brian Fonseca of NJ Advanced Media. Evans joins the Rutgers coaching staff after just one season as a Drake assistant. Evans joins rush ends coach Joe Woodley and safeties coach Adam Cox as former Drake coaches now on Rutgers’ defensive coaching staff.

    During his one season at Drake, Evans helped to develop defensive lineman Jacob Auen, who had six sacks last season, Nolan Korzeniowski, who had four sacks last season, and Gene Blalock, who also had four sacks last season.

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    Evans joined Drake’s coaching staff after having a standout college career at Iowa. After walking on at Iowa in 2019, Evans finished his college career with 135 total tackles, 35.0 tackles for loss, 28.0 sacks, four forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Evans competed against Rutgers during his time at Iowa, terrorizing the Knights in their 2022 matchup, recording four sacks in the Hawkeyes 27-10 win over Rutgers.

    Evans went undrafted after leaving college, but landed on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad in 2024 for a brief stint before being released.

    Evans will now work under Rutgers’ new defensive line coach, Dennis Dottin-Carter.

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