NFL

Could the Chiefs, Jets, Colts, or Patriots make a run at the former standout?

Published

2 years ago

March 15, 2022

darragh

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The 2022 NFL free agency period is off and running at a furious pace. As players continue to sign, predictions for Pittsburgh Steelers WR JuJu Smith-Schuster continue to be discussed. Which NFL teams who need additional receiver help could benefit the most from acquiring Smith-Schuster in free agency?

Predictions for JuJu Smith-Schuster in 2022 NFL Free Agency

Smith-Schuster is one of the most intriguing receivers in free agency. In 2018, the NFL saw what he could bring to an offense. Playing alongside Antonio Brown, Smith-Schuster led the Steelers in receptions with 111, was No. 5 in the NFL in yards (1,426), and had 7 touchdowns. Unfortunately, Smith-Schuster has yet to match that same level of excitement.

Up-and-down play over the next two years put in doubt whether Smith-Schuster could be a top target in an offense. Last offseason, Smith-Schuster bet on himself, signing a one-year contract to return to Pittsburgh. Yet, things did not go as hoped.

A shoulder injury sustained in Week 5 ended his regular season. However, he did return for the Steelers’ Wild Card game. In his four full regular-season games, Smith-Schuster had 129 yards (8.6 ypr) and no touchdowns on 15-of-27 receiving. He once again hits the open market with no shortage of teams as predicted landing spots.

Kansas City Chiefs

The arms race is on in the AFC West. The Chargers and Broncos have narrowed the gap with the Chiefs and their stranglehold on the division. Last year, Smith-Schuster reportedly turned down a multi-year deal to play with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. If Kansas City offers him another contract, I don’t think the same outcome would happen again.

PFN NFL Insider Aaron Wilson reported on January 25 that Smith-Schuster is interested in the Chiefs. Given the two sides nearly came together last offseason, this makes complete sense. Assuming the USC standout can remain healthy, he could become a productive complement alongside Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. This is one of the more popular predictions for Smith-Schuster, and given the incredible skill of Mahomes, it is easy to see why.

New England Patriots

The Patriots have been quiet in free agency so far. Their only activity has been watching CB J.C. Jackson (Chargers) and C Ted Karras (Bengals) sign with other teams and re-signing RB James White. However, the Patriots are still expected to attempt to revamp their receiving room. While they placed a second-round tender on Jakobi Meyers, more work is still to be done. Mac Jones appears to be a quarterback to build a team around, but he needs additional weapons.

Smith-Schuster has found success both in the slot and on the perimeter, which would fit in the Patriots system nicely. He is also more than an eager blocker, which will endear him to head coach Bill Belichick. In fact, Smith-Schuster stated that after the Steelers and Patriots played in 2018, Belichick told him how much he respects his game and how he plays. Could this come full circle with Smith-Schuster landing in New England?

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have remained stagnant despite having the most available salary cap space heading into free agency. They have yet to make a move since the trade of Carson Wentz to the Washington Commanders. There are still substantial questions surrounding their receiving room. While Michael Pittman Jr. was able to be the top target last season, he can not do it alone in 2022.

T.Y. Hilton is 32 and a free agent, and Zach Pascal is also hitting the open market. Over his last three seasons, Pascal has averaged 41 receptions on nearly 71 targets for 540 yards with 13 total touchdowns as one of the more underrated complementary receivers in the league. The jury remains out on Parris Campbell, who has played 15 games in his three seasons due to various season-ending injuries.

Smith-Schuster would be able to come to Indianapolis and help stabilize the WR room, playing the Z or in the slot alongside Pittman and leaving room for additional upgrades along the way. The Colts haven’t done much so far, but bringing in Smith-Schuster would be a quick way to get their free agency period going in the right direction.

New York Jets

The Jets are another team to keep an eye on. They are reportedly “in the mix” for Allen Robinson, but given the contract given to Christian Kirk, Robinson might be a touch more expensive than they feel comfortable with at the moment.

New York did re-sign Braxton Berrios to a two-year, $12 million deal that includes $7 million fully guaranteed, which gives them depth. However, he is not a featured player. The Jets have a star in the making with Elijah Moore, while Corey Davis is a talented boundary receiver. Smith-Schuster could come in as the Z and give Zach Wilson another young, high-level target for years to come.

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NFL

Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

3 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.