NFL News Updates

Author: nfltalk

  • Steelers sign Chuck Clark: Pittsburgh acquires veteran safety, former Raven during Day 2 of training camp

    Steelers sign Chuck Clark: Pittsburgh acquires veteran safety, former Raven during Day 2 of training camp

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    LATROBE, Pa. — The Pittsburgh Steelers made a notable signing ahead of the team’s second training camp practice. Pittsburgh signed Chuck Clark, a veteran safety who spent the previous two seasons with the New York Jets after starting his career with the Baltimore Ravens. 

    Clark, 30, is a versatile defensive back who has played both safety positions during this NFL career, although he has been mostly used as a strong safety. While injuries have plagued him the past two seasons, Clark has proven to be a productive starting safety when healthy. 

    Clark’s on-field attributes wasn’t the only reason why Pittsburgh wanted to sign him. 

    “Highly familiar with his intangibles,” Tomlin said of Clark when asked about the acquisition. “He’s got a really good relationship with the game. He’s a hard worker. He’s a really good communicator. His football character comes highly recommended.”

    Whenever a former Raven is signed (and vice versa), there’s always the inevitable question about the significance of getting a player who spent time with a rival. 

    “I care less about who they played for,” Tomlin said. “Because he played for the Ravens, I’m familiar with him, and I think that’s probably the thing that captures my attention more than anything, the familiarity component.” 

    Clark is the latest addition to an ever-changing Pittsburgh secondary that less than a month ago traded perennial Pro Bowl safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in exchange for former All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. During the firs to days of Camp, Ramsey took over Fitzpatrick’s former spot as the starting free safety but moved into the slot in nickel packages. When that happens, Juan Thornhill, a fellow veteran defensive back that was signed this offseason via free…

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  • Now at UCLA, Nico Iamaleava tries to move beyond the drama and focus on football

    Now at UCLA, Nico Iamaleava tries to move beyond the drama and focus on football

    LAS VEGAS — College football’s future wore a baby blue suit, a gold pin that said “UCLA” and a pair of diamond-encrusted hoop earrings.

    He glided toward the mic, sat down, then prepared for the grilling about how much money he makes, why he left Tennessee, who betrayed who when he departed, and what it all means for the college football world that his story now defines.

    Bottom line: If quarterback Nico Iamaleava handles the rest of the season as well as he did with his half hour of Q&A at Big Ten media days, chances are, UCLA will be good — maybe even very good — in 2025.

    “I think, it’s just, keep my head down and be humble,” the 20-year-old lightning rod of a quarterback said. “And try not to let the outside noise affect you.”

    If he succeeds at that, he will have more discipline than a great majority of college football fans, experts and journalists who have filled the internet and air waves with timelines and tick-tock analysis of a decision that shook the sport and seemed to say everything about the burgeoning power players wield in a world of name, image, likeness deals and a rapidly rotating transfer portal.

    The thumbnail of the story is that Iamaleava was a successful quarterback who led Tennessee to the College Football Playoff last season, then abruptly picked up stakes to head closer to home and play for UCLA.

    Money seemed to be the most obvious motive.

    Reports circulated that he was looking for a raise — maybe a doubling to nearly $4 million a year — to come back to the Vols. Then, one day last spring, Iamaleava missed practice. Just as abruptly, he was gone.

    Tennessee coach Josh Heupel handled it diplomatically.

    “Today’s landscape of college football is different than it has been,” he said. “It’s unfortunate, the situation,…

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  • Bill Belichick: North Carolina is a pro program, we have an NFL approach in college

    Bill Belichick: North Carolina is a pro program, we have an NFL approach in college

    North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick says he’s coaching his college football team like he coached in the NFL.

    Asked at the ACC media day if he’s trying to introduce NFL-level schemes and concepts to college football, Belichick answered, “That’s exactly what we’re trying to do. That’s my philosophy.”

    Belichick said he views the Tar Heels like a pro team that just needs some minor adjustments for younger players.

    “It’s a pro program,” Belichick said. “Practice, training, food, schemes, terminology, it’s all a pro program. Not to the extent that we did it in the NFL — there will be fewer plays, fewer adjustments — but it will be along those lines.”

    Belichick said to the extent that he’ll coach differently, it’s largely about the differences between NCAA rules, such as college football’s wider hashmarks and the overtime format that takes place mostly in the red zone.

    “There’s some things I don’t think we’ll need at this level and other things that we are,” Belichick said. “Based on hashmarks and things like that that are difference, the overtime system — the red area could potentially come up a lot more than in the NFL on a percentage basis. Things like that that you just have to take into consideration. But fundamentally, we’re going to do as much as we can as a pro system.”

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  • Raiders release Christian Wilkins: Franchise reportedly voiding DT’s contract amid dispute over foot injury

    Raiders release Christian Wilkins: Franchise reportedly voiding DT’s contract amid dispute over foot injury

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    The Las Vegas Raiders are releasing defensive lineman Christian Wilkins and voiding the $35.2 million of guaranteed money left on his contract due to how he has treated the rehab of a foot injury he suffered five games into the 2024 season, according to ESPN. Wilkins filed a grievance over the guaranteed money with the NFL Players Association. 

    The Raiders announced Wilkins’ release in a statement Thursday.

    “We have decided that it is in the best interests of the organization to move on from Christian Wilkins and he has been informed of his release from the team,” the statement reads. “This franchise has a commitment to excellence on and off the field. With no clear path or plan for future return to play from Christian, this transaction is necessary for the entire organization to move forward and prepare for the new season.”

    2025 NFL training camp takeaways: Chiefs adding needed wrinkle to offense, Kyle Pitts back in Falcons’ plans

    Jeff Kerr

    NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport notes that the Raiders wanted Wilkins, 29, to have surgery on his foot, but he declined in favor of a rehabilitation routine. Rapoport said there has been “discord” between the two sides as to when and how he should return to the field. 

    The Raiders hit the field for their first practice of training camp on July 23. The Raiders placed Wilkins on the physically unable…

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  • Michigan’s Derrick Moore dismisses Ohio State’s 2024 national title: ‘Not a real win if y’all ain’t beat us’

    Michigan’s Derrick Moore dismisses Ohio State’s 2024 national title: ‘Not a real win if y’all ain’t beat us’

    The Big Ten owns the last two college football national championships, with Michigan and Ohio State claiming titles in 2023 and 2024, respectively. But despite the Buckeyes’ recent national crown, their ongoing losing streak to the Wolverines in The Game — now at four consecutive defeats — still looms large in the rivalry. And Michigan defensive end Derrick Moore isn’t letting them forget it.

    “I’ll congratulate them on the win. But you know it’s not a real win if y’all ain’t beat us,” Moore said via The Michigan Insider. “I’m gonna congratulate them on their win, but this year, it’s gonna be different.”

    Moore said he was “hoping” the Buckeyes would lose but conceded that they “deserved it” and “worked hard for it.” However, he couldn’t play nice for too long. 

    “If the playoff [expansion] wasn’t around, they wouldn’t have won the national championship,” Moore added. 

    Moore’s jab isn’t without merit. After falling to Michigan for the fourth year in a row in the regular-season finale, Ohio State missed out on the Big Ten title game again. But thanks to the debut of the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff, the 10-2 Buckeyes still received an at-large bid as the No. 8 seed and hosted a first-round game.

    Big Ten QB rankings: Drew Allar tops list, while Bryce Underwood and Dante Moore have something to prove

    David Cobb

    Ohio State certainly validated its run…

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  • Fantasy Football: Cam Ward has chance to be ‘Bud Light version’ of Jayden Daniels for Titans in rookie season

    Fantasy Football: Cam Ward has chance to be ‘Bud Light version’ of Jayden Daniels for Titans in rookie season

    While expectations were high for QB Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders last season, there’s no question no one saw that type of season coming. Daniels finished as the QB4 in fantasy football while also boosting the Commanders to a playoff berth and the NFC Championship Game. There’s no surprise that we’re already making comparisons between Daniels and his impact on the Commanders with 2025 No. 1 pick Cam Ward and his potential impact for the Tennessee Titans.

    [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season]

    Daniels finished his rookie season with 3,568 passing yards, 25 TDs and 9 INTs while posting a 100.1 passer rating. He also ran for 891 yards and six TDs, winning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Daniels also boosted the value of top WR Terry McLaurin, who had 1,096 receiving yards and 13 TDs to finish as the WR6 in fantasy last season.

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    On a recent episode of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, analyst Matt Harmon revealed he thinks that Ward can give us a “Bud Light” version of what Daniels did for the Commanders last season, taking that offense from being a bottom-dweller to top-five in the NFL. In terms of scoring, the Titans ranked 27th in the NFL with 18.3 points per game. Tennessee was also towards the bottom in yards per game, ranking 26th with 304.2.

    Harmon points out there’s still plenty of talent on the Titans offense. WR Calvin Ridley put together a decent season despite poor QB play with 64 receptions for 1,017 yards and four TDs. They also have Tony Pollard (and Tyjae Spears) at RB and added more depth at WR with Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson, plus a revamped offensive line. TE Chig Okonkwo is another name that pops out as a value if Ward can elevate the offense.

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  • What is Gunner Stockton’s rating in College Football 26?

    What is Gunner Stockton’s rating in College Football 26?

    EA Sports’ College Football 26 video game released earlier this month on July 10. The Georgia Bulldogs are a team that is highly rated as one of the top 10 rated teams in the game at 87 overall.

    Georgia’s most notable player in College Football 26, like just about any football video game, has to starting quarterback Gunner Stockton, who is an 82 overall upon the first release of the game. An underrated part of his football ability is his athleticism, but EA Sports made sure that it didn’t fly under the radar with his speed being an 81 while his acceleration is an 86. Stockton has the mobility to frustrate opponents.

    Stockton’s throwing ratings are is impressive. He has a 92 throw power and did show his arm strength in the Notre Dame game with him pushing the ball down field vertically. His accuracy that could improve throughout the year in the game if he displays it in real time in his first full season as the starting quarterback at Georgia. Stockton’s ratings for accuracy are 85 short, 86 medium, and 79 deep accuracy.

    His toughness is highly rated but could have been improved to start where it is at a 90. The famous hit he took in the SEC championship against Texas is still talked about to this day. Stockton hopping right back up after he took a massive hit and shows he could at least have a 95 rating for toughness.

    Stockton has a solid rating, but he is not ranked among Georgia’s top 10 players in the popular video game.

    Follow UGAWire on Instagram or Threads for additionally Georgia football coverage and analysis!

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  • Will Chargers WR Ladd McConkey make a Year 2 jump? Jim Harbaugh says he’s been ‘uncoverable’

    Will Chargers WR Ladd McConkey make a Year 2 jump? Jim Harbaugh says he’s been ‘uncoverable’

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    Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey had a rookie season to remember in 2024. The Georgia product was the team leader in targets (112), receptions (82) and receiving yards (1,179) and proved to be quarterback Justin Herbert’s go-to target down the stretch.

    Heading into his second season, Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh heaped praise on McConkey and the rest of the team’s receiving corps after the opening day of training camp, stating that McConkey and Quentin Johnston are playing at an “elite level.”

    “We are really fired up with our receiver group. We think we are better,” Harbaugh told reporters Wednesday. “Quentin, every part of his game is elite. Ladd, he’s even better than he was last year. It’s going to sound like hyperbole. It’s not. He’s uncoverable right now [one on one]. That’s awesome.”

    Chargers WR Quentin Johnston ready to prove himself with breakout year following retirement of Mike Williams

    Chris Bengel

    The Chargers added to their receiver room this offseason by drafting two SEC products in Ole Miss’ Tre Harris and Auburn’s KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Harris and Lambert-Smith could see a significant role in the Chargers offense as rookies — similar to the role McConkey played last year — due to the lack of experience in the room, especially after Mike Williams abruptly retired last week.

    Only three wide receivers on…

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