NFL News Updates

Author: nfltalk

  • Long-time NFL running back joins Illinois coaching staff

    Long-time NFL running back joins Illinois coaching staff

    Bret Bielema has clearly made experience an emphasis in his coaching staff hires this offseason.

    The latest addition: Tyrone Wheatley.

    The long-time NFL running back will join Illinois’ staff as its running backs coach.

    Advertisement

    A star college RB at Michigan (4,187 rushing yards, 53 touchdowns), Wheatley has been around the block in the NFL and collegiate ranks as both a player and coach. He most recently served as head coach at Wayne State in Michigan.

    “Coach Wheatley is an accomplished coach with proven success in both the NFL and college football,” Bielema said in a statement. “Our program will benefit immediately from his experience as a running backs coach and head coach. He has been an outstanding player and coach in the Big Ten and has developed some of the top running backs in football. We are excited to welcome Coach Wheatley to Champaign.”

    Wheatley has worked with some of the best running backs in the NFL in recent years, and he’ll have some talent to work with in 2026, despite Kaden Feagin moving to tight end this offseason.

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • 2026 NFL mock draft: Cowboys trade into top 10, go all-in on defense

    2026 NFL mock draft: Cowboys trade into top 10, go all-in on defense

    …..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • Texas, Ohio State among college football’s 10 most explosive offenses in 2026

    Texas, Ohio State among college football’s 10 most explosive offenses in 2026

    There are lots of ways to score points, but usually quarterback play, offensive line strength and dynamic playmakers are essential to building an explosive offense in college football. 

    Indiana featured all three last year, riding the nation’s No. 3 scoring offense all the way to a historic College Football Playoff National Championship. The weren’t alone, though, with seven CFP teams ranking No. 32 or better in points per game in 2025. 

    So while it’s not a guarantee of success, fielding an offense that can score points at will provides a difiniitive advantage and a leg up in a landscape growing more competitive by the day. Coming out of the 2026 recruiting and transfer portal cycle, some teams appear better equipped than others to light up the scoreboard next season.

    Here’s a projection of which college football teams could field the most explosive offenses in 2026:

    1. Texas

    Texas added Auburn wide receiver Cam Coleman along with running backs Hollywood Smothers (NC State) and Raleek Brown (Arizona State) to help reshape the offense for 2026. The Longhorns won bidding battles for Coleman and Smothers, who combined for 12 touchdowns at their previous stops last season.

    Arch Manning is coming off the best outing of his career after outdueling Michigan’s Bryce Underwood in the Citrus Bowl, a postseason showing that mirrored the second-half surge that accelerated his development. If Manning takes another step, this Texas offense could rival the best of the Sarkisian era on…

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • 3 Scenarios for the Chicago Bears 2026 Wide Receiver Room

    3 Scenarios for the Chicago Bears 2026 Wide Receiver Room

    When it comes to the offseason, there are a million different paths a team can take between the start of free agency and the opening of training camp (and just as many twists that can unfold between camp and Week 1.) Every move sets off a chain reaction, and the decisions made in March often shape what we’re talking about in September.

    While some of the Chicago Bears’ most pressing needs clearly sit in the trenches and the secondary, I wanted to shift the spotlight to another position group that could quietly define how far this offense can go. The wide receiver room is at an interesting crossroads. There is talent in place, but also questions about depth, role fit, development, and how aggressive the front office wants to be in reshaping the group. Do the Bears trade D.J. Moore for draft capital? Do they restructure him? Do they stand pat, re-sign Olamide Zaccheaus and hope another year in the system (and a reduced role) sees him flourish more? Do they expand Jahdae Walker’s role, after he became a solid contributor at the end of the season? Do they use draft capital to find more talent? A million questions, a billion answers.

    Advertisement

    Maybe this perspective is a little influenced by my own history playing the position, but I’ve always believed receiver rooms are about more than just star power. They’re about complementary skill sets, timing, and giving your quarterback options that match different situations.

    So let’s dive into three scenarios the Bears could explore as they look to shape their wide receiver room heading into the 2026 offseason.

    Scenario 1

    Chicago Bears trade DJ Moore to the Buffalo Bills for a 2026 4th round pick, 126th overall.

    Olamide Zaccheaus is not re-signed.

    Devin Duvernay is re-signed at 1 year 1,345,000 (vet minimum).

    Jahdae Walker elevated to F/Slot wide receiver.

    Bears sign WR John Metchie III to a$5.6M/2yr deal ($2.75M AAV)

    Why this scenario works:

    First and foremost, I’m a huge fan of DJ, effort debate aside, dead and…

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • 2 Georgia football transfers invited to the NFL combine

    2 Georgia football transfers invited to the NFL combine

    The Georgia Bulldogs have 10 players invited to the 2026 NFL combine. Two Georgia transfers are also invited to the predraft event.

    Former Georgia quarterback Carson Beck, who led the Miami Hurricanes to the national championship, is invited to the combine, as expected. Beck is a mid-round quarterback prospect with six years of college experience that could help ease his transition to the NFL game.

    Advertisement

    Beck’s 2025 season featured a magical College Football Playoff run that included a game-winning rushing touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels in the semifinals. Beck’s season ended in heartbreak with an interception in the nation championship.

    Beck finished the 2025 season with 3,813 passing yards, 30 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He showed good mobility in the playoff, but will need to clean up some of the interceptions to succeed in the NFL.

    Carson Beck #11 of the Miami Hurricanes throws the ball against the Ole Miss Rebels during the 2025 College Football Playoff

    In addition to Beck, Arkansas Razorbacks linebacker Xavian Sorey also received a combine invitation. Sorey projects as a late-round linebacker prospect and had some productive years at Arkansas after starting his career at UGA.

    Advertisement

    The 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker has good measurables and speed. Sorey was part of an Arkansas defense that really struggled in 2025, but he still has NFL draft hopes. As a senior, Sorey posted 81 tackles, 2 1/2 sacks, three pass deflections, a forced fumble and an interception for the Razorbacks.

    Sorey will look to join his former Georgia teammate, linebacker CJ Allen, in being drafted. Part of the reason why Sorey transferred was because of Allen’s strong freshman season in 2023.

    Follow UGA Wire on Instagram or Threads for more college football coverage!

    This article originally appeared on UGA Wire: 2…

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • 2026 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game: Rosters and where to watch today

    2026 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game: Rosters and where to watch today

    Getty Images

    NBA All-Star Weekend has arrived. Action kicks off Friday, and one of the first events of the weekend sees some notable stars take the court — just not basketball stars. The All-Star Celebrity Game is set Friday night in Los Angeles, and the rosters were unveiled earlier this month.

    One of the teams will be coached by the Giannis Antetokounmpo, his brothers and Dodgers star Mookie Betts). The other team will be coached by Anthony Anderson, Chris Brickley and Lethal Shooter. 

    Among the biggest stars playing in the games are NFL receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Detroit Lions and Keenan Allen of the Los Angeles Chargers. Former NBA players Jeremy Lin, Tacko Fall and Jason Williams will also play — Lin and Fall are on the same team, which feels like it could be a significant advantage.

    Current NBA owners Mat Ishbia (Phoenix Suns) and Rick Schnall (Charlotte Hornets) will go head-to-head, with Ishbia, a former player at Michigan State, getting to relive the glory days. From the music world, GloRilla and Mustard will take the court alongside TV and movie stars Simu Liu and Keegan-Michael Key. 

    Where to watch NBA All-Star Celebrity Game

    Time: 7 p.m. ET | Date: Friday, Feb. 13
    TV channel: ESPN | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)

    The full rosters for both teams in the 2026 All-Star Celebrity Game can be found below.

    Team Antetokounmpo

    Coaches: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo, Alex Antetokounmpo, Mookie Betts

    Keegan-Michael KeyRome FlynnDylan WangShams CharaniaJenna BandyRick SchnallTacko FallJeremy LinGloRillaCafuAmon-Ra St. Brown

    Team Anderson

    Coaches: Anthony Anderson, Lethal Shooter, Chris Brickley

    Simu LiuCody JonesBadshahAndre De GrasseTaylor Frankie PaulMat IshbiaJason WilliamsNicolas…..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • FCS standard bearer North Dakota State seeks fresh challenge with leap to FBS

    FCS standard bearer North Dakota State seeks fresh challenge with leap to FBS

    Newly minted FBS school North Dakota State found itself in a position similar to Alabama fans during the heyday of Nick Saban’s dynasty: It simply won too much. The school has captured 10 national championships in 15 years. Within the fan base, the expectation is not just success, but success at the highest level.

    Attendance for early-round home playoff games that NDSU is expected to win handily has suffered. This year’s loss to Illinois State drew an official attendance of 10,464 to the 19,000-seat Fargodome, roughly half full. Despite five interceptions from Redbirds quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse, the No. 1 Bison lost. It marked the first time NDSU had fallen before the quarterfinal round since 2009 and the first time a No. 1 seed lost its playoff opener since 2004.

    Few knew it at the time, but it was NDSU’s final game at the FCS level. A process that began ramping up in late fall accelerated in January, when athletic director Matt Larsen began to believe the program was moving up from the division it had dominated since 2004. For a segment of the Bison fan base, the move to FBS will provide a new challenge.

    “I do think there’s an element of our fan base of what’s next we’ve had great success, is there a next iteration at a higher level for Bison football?” NDSU AD Matt Larsen told CBS Sports. “And so I think that’s where, if you would ask me, six or seven years ago, where the fan base was, they probably weren’t there yet, right? But four national championships later, and I think the majority of Bison nation would tell you that this is the right next step, and it’s the right time to do it.”

    To compete in the FBS, North Dakota State has to be up to par not only on the field, but also financially. NDSU will pay $5 million to the NCAA to…

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More

  • Giants announce Dawn Aponte’s hiring

    Giants announce Dawn Aponte’s hiring

    The Giants made Dawn Aponte’s hiring official, naming her the team’s senior vice president of football operations and strategy.

    Aponte had worked as the NFL’s chief football administrative officer since 2017.

    Advertisement

    In her role, she is responsible for strategic planning for football operations, analytics, salary cap management, player contract negotiations, compliance and working closely with the college and pro personnel departments.

    At the league office, Aponte was responsible for driving football operations initiatives, facilitating communication and management of day-to-day football operations and assisting in building relationships with club owners, presidents and executives. She played a leading role on all health and safety-related initiatives.

    Aponte previously worked as an executive with RSE Ventures, an international sports, entertainment and tech firm co-founded by Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and club vice chairman Matt Higgins.

    She was with the Dolphins from 2010-16, last serving as executive vice president of football administration. There, she overlapped with current Giants general manager Joe Schoen. In addition, Dennis Hickey, the Giants’ assistant director of player personnel, was Miami’s General Manager for three seasons (2014-16).

    Advertisement

    Aponte joined the Dolphins after one year as vice president of football administration with the Browns. Before that, she spent three years as vice president of labor finance with the NFL Management Council.

    She started her career in football as an accounting intern with the Jets, where she spent more than 15 years (1991-2006) in various capacities, including as the club’s senior director of football administration. Bill Parcells was head coach of the Jets from 1997-99, while Bill Belichick was his defensive coordinator.

    ..

    [ad_2]

    Read More