NFL

Thoughts on Steelers’ deal with Diontae Johnson? Role for Wan’Dale Robinson in Giants offense?

Published

2 years ago

August 5, 2022

darragh

Training camps are in full swing around the NFL, and naturally, fans have questions about their respective squads. That’s why Pro Football Network likes to open up the weekly mailbag every Friday to keep you informed with NFL news, rumors, and analysis.

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NFL News and Rumors Mailbag: Steelers, Giants, and more

Thoughts on Diontae Johnson’s new deal with the Steelers?

When the news broke around 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, I was a bit perplexed. While Johnson and the Pittsburgh Steelers are resolving a “hold in” situation, the contract doesn’t make a ton of sense for Johnson, outside of immediate satisfaction.

As PFN Insider Aaron Wilson has confirmed, Johnson and the Steelers will tack on two years and $36.71 million onto the final year of his rookie contract. He will receive $19 million in Year 1 of the extension, and $27 million in new money is guaranteed, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

What does this deal mean?

For one, Johnson will get back on the field, which is a win for the Steelers. He will also be making a relatively affordable salary over the next three years compared to the market that ballooned this offseason, which is another win for the squad.

While Johnson has only one 1,000-yard season under his belt, his trajectory has continued to rise throughout his career since being drafted in the third round in 2019. The Steelers know this, and that’s why investing in a surging talent on a team-friendly deal made sense for them.

Johnson hasn’t reached top-10 status just yet, but his value to the Steelers is notable. He’s coming off a Pro Bowl campaign where he caught 107 passes for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns.

New Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Christian Kirk exploded the market in free agency, but he’s never made a Pro Bowl, had a 1,000-yard season, or caught more than 80 passes, let alone been a top-two option in a passing attack.

And yet, Johnson is vaguely making a bit more annually in new money compared to Kirk, who signed a four-year, $72 million deal in March. While Kirk had the leverage of the open market on his side, Johnson had an expiring contract and a breakout year on his.

Johnson clearly wanted to cash in now, which is understandable. However, he probably was worth more per year than he received from the Steelers, who own his rights for three years.

Johnson was set to make $2.79 million this season. So, over the span of his reworked deal, he will make an average of just $13.16 million per year. There are 26 wideouts paid more on average annually — 14 make over $20 million. Miami Dolphins wideout Tyreek Hill is averaging $30 million per season, which is larger than the entire guaranteed amount given to Johnson on his new deal.

Sure, Johnson just turned 26 last month, and he’ll get to test free agency again before 30 with the market continuing to bulge. But, as of right now, his quarterbacks are Mitch Trubisky, a redemption-story passer on a two-year deal, and first-round rookie Kenny Pickett, who is probably going to need the length of Johnson’s deal to reach his potential as a top-tier QB. There stands a chance that Johnson’s production is mitigated by his quarterback’s talent and the emergence of fellow playmaker Chase Claypool.

Johnson is an ascending player. The Steelers have a history of playing hardball with dynamic receivers because their scouting department does a phenomenal job replacing them, but this just seems to be a rushed deal on the player side. Johnson had a pair of franchise tags to leverage without a new contract, and now he’s basically making veteran No. 1 wideout minimum wage.

Here’s hoping that Johnson can outperform last year’s breakout over the next two years and force the Steelers to extend his deal again in 2024. If not, this deal will look pretty rough down the road.

Where do you see Wan’Dale Robinson fitting into the Giants’ offense?

PFN has been to a couple of New York Giants workouts since Wan’Dale Robinson was selected in the second round in April. Robinson was a standout in OTAs, and he made a couple of nice plays during the Giants’ training camp practice on Monday.

Robinson has really impressive lateral quickness and the ability to gain yards after the catch. Running seam and slant routes would appear to be his best usage and working the slot regularly could help him take advantage of his skills. Robinson and Sterling Shepard could rotate at the Z and slot spots with Kenny Golladay at the X position. Eventually, Robinson will take off as the No. 2 wideout in the offense.

At 5-foot-8 and 185 pounds, Robinson is a smaller player, so it’s important to not put him in harm’s way too often. Giants head coach Brian Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka are both really creative, so there’s a strong chance that Robinson is used on gadget plays as well.

Are there any standout undrafted first-year players in any of the camps you’ve seen to date?

This is an interesting question because I found myself pondering the same thing in the car the other day. While I’m used to covering the same team day in and day out and identifying the under-the-radar players, I’ve only been able to receive glimpses of squads in daily visits thus far.

That said, I have been to two Eagles training camp practices, and with each one, undrafted cornerback Mario Goodrich has made a pass breakup.

The Eagles will probably keep five or six cornerbacks, and Darius Slay, James Bradberry, and Avonte Maddox are locks for the 53-man roster. The team also has promising youngsters Zech McPhearson, Tay Gowan, Mac McCain, and Kary Vincent battling for jobs. So, Goodrich would need to outperform at least two members of that quartet to stick around.

Undrafted wideout Keshunn Abram had a couple of really impressive catches on Saturday at Jets training camp. Backup QB Joe Flacco made a highlight toss to an out route by Abram, who was able to haul in the ball with a tippy-toe reception on the sideline. Abram has an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster with Garrett Wilson, Elijah Moore, Braxton Berrios, Corey Davis, and Denzel Mims in front of him and several others vying for spots.

In my travels, those are the two undrafted rookies who have been able to catch my attention, but obviously, it’s still early and there are plenty of visits left on the calendar.

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NFL

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

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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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NFL

What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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!

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NFL

NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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+.