NFL

Baker Mayfield, Mac Jones, and Ryan Tannehill Among 5 Players With the Most To Prove at OTAs

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11 months ago

May 23, 2023

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Although there are months before we get live football again, NFL teams have begun gathering for organized team activities. Positional battles can technically be won or lost during OTAs, but it’s not likely.

However, there are more than a few players with much to prove during the springtime. There may only be one actual QB battle in the league, but that doesn’t mean that everyone has a job nailed down for the entire season, and depending on how things go over the spring and summer, they could lose their gigs by Week 1.

The 5 Players With the Most To Prove at OTAs

Although quarterbacks dominate the OTA list, that’s mostly because they’re one of the few positions that actually get to do a majority of their intended job during the offseason.

Meanwhile, the only non-quarterback on the list has put quite the target on his back after recent comments, and from the past few years of underwhelming production due to consistent injury issues.

Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

From top pick to team No. 4 in just over two seasons, Baker Mayfield has been put through the wringer. Progressive has missed more than a few opportunities with Mayfield as he’s moved around the country, but it’s probably best for everyone that he focus on his play at this point.

The former No. 1 overall pick injured his non-throwing shoulder in Week 2 of the 2021 season and played through it. That was a mistake, because the offseason surgery did not allow Mayfield to work through the mechanical issues magnified by the injury.

Although the Panthers, Rams, and now Buccaneers are all seemingly underwhelming situations, Mayfield still has an opportunity to show that he can once again be a starting QB on a contending team.

MORE: QB Power Rankings 2023

There is also a Kyle Trask-sized elephant in the room to deal with. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers used a second-round pick on Trask in the 2021 NFL Draft, and they may be quick to pull the string on Mayfield in favor of him.

“Kyle has been around him every day for the last two years,” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht stated about his inner action with Tom Brady. “I think it’s rubbed off on him. Kyle, right now, is one of the players working out by himself every day. I see him out of my office. I see him out the window on the field by himself every day.”

Mac Jones, New England Patriots

Speaking of Brady, his successor is also under quite a bit of pressure this offseason.

“As we know, a disloyalty in Bill’s [Belichick] mind is almost worse than bad play,” Tom Curran said in an interview with WEEI. “Mac [Jones], even though you could say it’s ironic because he’s trying to get better, and he’s wondering, ‘Are we supposed to be doing it this way?’ And he’s asking around the football world about it. That effort to improve was showing up the Matt Patricia-Joe Judge contingent that Bill put in charge. When Bill caught wind of it — he’s still pissed about it.”

Belichick made a massive mistake last season with Patricia and Judge. He did everyone in the organization a disservice with those actions. But now Mac Jones has to make up for his dissent.

The team was quick to pull Jones in favor of Bailey Zappe, and if Jones struggles again in a better situation, the Patriots are famous for pulling the trigger on replacing players earlier rather than later.

Ryan Tannehill, Tennessee Titans

baker mayfield — Dec 18, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Getting benched in his final season as a starter for the Tennessee Titans would not look good on Ryan Tannehill’s résumé. Tennessee’s QB costs the team $36.6 million against the cap in 2023, but he also has Will Levis and Malik Willis lurking behind him.

Willis was very obviously not ready to play at a high level in 2022 but has a ton of potential upside. Levis fell in the NFL Draft after a dip in production as a senior at Kentucky, but he also has potential, and his main pro comp was an elevated version of Tannehill.

The veteran undoubtedly wants to put on a good show in 2023 to maximize his earning potential next season on a new team.

Sam Howell, Washington Commanders

It surprised a lot of people to see Sam Howell tumble into the fifth round of the NFL Draft. But now, he’ll have every opportunity to win the starting job in Washington in his sophomore campaign. It may not be as easy as it sounds, even though Ron Rivera sounds hopeful.

“He’s not our starter,” Rivera said in his Combine press conference. “He’s coming in as the QB1. He’ll get a great opportunity to be our starter. But we do want to find a veteran quarterback.”

MORE: Jim Irsay ‘Hopeful’ That Josh Harris-Washington Commanders Deal Can Get Done

That’s the rub. The Commanders landed their veteran quarterback, and they landed a doozy. Jacoby Brissett is coming off a career year with the Cleveland Browns. In fact, if it wasn’t for an abysmal defensive performance, that team would have competed for a playoff spot in the AFC.

The Commanders may not have the best roster in the NFL, but they have a top-five defense and enough offensive weapons to surprise folks in 2023.

Mekhi Becton, New York Jets

“I got forced to play a position I don’t play,” Mekhi Becton told Newsday. “I was pretty much telling them I wasn’t feeling good the whole time throughout camp, and I was told I shouldn’t be complaining, ‘Go out there and do it.’ I was limping throughout the whole practice, and I just took a step, and my knee buckled, and I got hurt again and had to get reconstructive knee surgery.”

It’s not unheard of to see players criticize a coaching staff after their departure from the organization. It is quite uncommon to see players fighting for a spot in the starting lineup to do so for the existing coaches.

Entering the 2023 season, Duane Brown is likely the New York Jets’ starting left tackle. Becton is on the final year of his rookie deal and likely won’t secure a significant second contract if he can’t get on the field for New York as a starter. And he’s made it quite clear that right tackle isn’t an option.

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

Published

2 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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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 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

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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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+.