Category: Badgers in NFL

Former Wisconsin star linebacker on PFF’s ‘Team of the Week’ for NFL Week 12

Former Wisconsin star linebacker on PFF’s ‘Team of the Week’ for NFL Week 12

Former Wisconsin star linebacker Nick Herbig earned a spot on ProFootballFocus’ Week 12 ‘NFL Team of the Week’ on Tuesday.

The Kauai, Hawaii native was accompanied by Miami Dolphins edge Chop Robinson, Dolphins defensive lineman Zach Sieler and Chicago Bears defensive lineman Gervon Dexter Sr.

Green Bay Packers linebacker Quay Walker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Garrett Williams, Packers safety Javon Bullard, Houston Texans safety Jimmie Ward and Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis were also selected on the defensive end.

In his second game back for Pittsburgh after recovering from a hamstring injury, Herbig dominated in the Steelers’ 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The outside linebacker tallied five tackles, two QB hits and a strip-sack.

That strip-sack arrived with just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter during a blizzard at Cleveland’s Huntington Bank Field. The UW alumnus strip-sacked Browns quarterback Jameis Winston near Cleveland’s 20-yard line to flip possession in favor of Pittsburgh. The play shifted momentum and ultimately resulted in a Steelers touchdown.

Herbig was a 2022 consensus First-Team All-Big Ten member in his final season with the Badgers. He started 11 games that season and led Wisconsin with 11 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.

He and the collection of former Badgers on the Steelers will be back in action next against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Dec. 1.

Former Wisconsin cornerback thinks a Badgers loss to Minnesota would be ‘lowest of the lows’

Former Wisconsin cornerback thinks a loss to Minnesota would be ‘lowest of the lows’

Former Wisconsin cornerback Faion Hicks shared a blunt message before the Badgers’ season-closing contest against Minnesota on Friday.

“I’ve been positive all year,” Hicks wrote on X. “But if we finish the year trophy-less and miss a bowl game for the first time in 22+ years. This will be the lowest of the lows. This is a MUST win game.”

Hicks, who last played with the Badgers in 2021, shared the message two days after UW lost in Nebraska for the first time since 2012. He was one of the many former Badgers to express their displeasure with the state of the program after the historic loss.

The former top cornerback isn’t necessarily wrong. The last time Wisconsin’s program finished with a losing record was 2001, the same season the Badgers last missed out on bowl season. As it stands, UW is truly in a must-win scenario ahead of its highly anticipated rivalry matchup against Minnesota.

Given the momentum surrounding Wisconsin’s program, a win is absolutely essential to save the season and provide fans with a glimpse of hope.

In Madison, Hicks appeared in 44 games over four seasons with 39 starts from 2018-21, pocketing All-Big Ten honorable mention honors in 2020 and 2021. He went 2-2 against the Golden Gophers from 2018-21.

The former Badger joined the Seattle Seahawks’ practice squad in September and has appeared in two games this season.

Russell Wilson, Zack Baun headline former Badgers on 2025 NFL Pro Bowl ballot

Russell Wilson, Zack Baun headline former Badgers on 2025 NFL Pro Bowl ballot

A total of 18 former Wisconsin Badgers were included on the 2025 NFL Pro Bowl Games ballot on Tuesday.

On the offensive side of the ball, 11 UW alumni were featured on the NFL’s voting list. The most notable include quarterback Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh Steelers), running back Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis Colts), running back Braelon Allen (New York Jets), full back Alec Ingold (Miami Dolphins) and tight end Jake Ferguson (Dallas Cowboys).

Offensive linemen Rob Havenstein (Los Angeles Rams), David Edwards (Buffalo Bills), Kevin Zeitler (Detroit Lions), Tyler Biadasz (Washington Commanders), Tanor Bortolini (Colts) and Joe Tippmann (Jets) were also featured.

Defensively, tackle Keeanu Benton (Steelers), inside linebacker T.J. Edwards (Chicago Bears) and outside linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel (Minnesota Vikings), T.J. Watt (Steelers), Nick Herbig (Steelers), Zack Baun (Philadelphia Eagles) and Leo Chenal (Kansas City Chiefs) were selected as eligible for the ballot.

On the surface, the most surprising inclusions on the lists are Benton and Allen. While the list is nowhere near final, these former Badgers rarely receive national attention, and they will surely fail to make the final Pro Bowl roster.

Nonetheless, they’re eligible. A total of 69 defensive tackles and 42 running backs were featured on the ballot. Since both Benton and Allen have each logged 11 games and made a statistical impact for their respective teams, they ultimately appear on the ballot.

Baun, Watt and Van Ginkel are likely shoe-ins for the Pro Bowl Games this winter. With 105 total tackles, Baun is trending towards an All-Pro appearance, Van Ginkel is among the NFL’s sack leaders with nine sacks, while Watt is a perennial Pro Bowler.

This winter’s Pro Bowl features a flag football game and several skill competitions. It is slated for Sunday, Feb. 2 at 2:00 p.m. CT in Orlando, Florida.

Former Wisconsin quarterback dices up Browns defense in Week 12 loss

Former Wisconsin quarterback diced up Browns’ defense in 24-19 loss

Former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson diced up the Cleveland Browns defense on third and fourth down during the Pittsburgh Steelers’ narrow loss on Thursday night.

Despite falling 24-19 to the Browns, the Steelers quarterback played nearly perfectly in late-down situations during the second-half blizzard at Huntington Bank Field.

The UW alumnus completed 12 of 13 pass attempts for 203 passing yards and one touchdown in those scenarios. He also recorded a 144.4 passer rating.

Given the horrid weather in Cleveland, it’s almost hard to comprehend how Wilson pulled off such a stat line. Plus, Browns’ superstar defensive end Myles Garrett recorded three sacks, three tackles for loss and three QB hits in the effort.

For the game, Wilson completed 21 of 28 passes for 270 yards and the one touchdown to wide receiver Calvin Austin III.

Facing a 18-13 deficit, Wilson stepped back and launched a 23-yard bullet to Austin down the middle of the end zone. The touchdown lifted Pittsburgh up 19-18, but became the final score for Wilson’s crew on the evening.

On multiple occasions, head coach Mike Tomlin opted to go with quarterback Justin Fields in read-option scenarios. Wilson, as any true professional would, addressed his coach’s decision with media after the game.

“Obviously, we have trust in Justin [Fields] too in what he can do and what he’s capable of,” Wilson told reporters in his postgame press conference. “I always want to be in there. That’s just the competitor in me. But at the same time, I think, like I said, we have great trust in Justin and our team and our coaches and everything we were doing.”

The Steelers are now 8-3 and face another division foe, the Cincinatti Bengals, on Dec. 1 at Paycor Stadium.

Former Wisconsin linebacker records game-changing strip-sack in Steelers loss to Browns

Former Wisconsin linebacker records game-changing strip-sack in Steelers loss to Browns

Former Wisconsin linebacker Nick Herbig made his presence felt in the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 24-19 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday.

Herbig stepped up when it mattered most as a blizzard roared on at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, Ohio. With just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the UW alumnus strip-sacked Browns quarterback Jameis Winston near Cleveland’s 20-yard line to flip possession in favor of Pittsburgh.

Fellow Wisconsin alumnus Russell Wilson would help the Steelers capitalize on Herbig’s huge play with a 23-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Calvin Austin III. In the blink of an eye, Pittsburgh turned an 18-13 deficit in a 19-18 edge.

Here’s the full play:

Winston would ultimately lead the Browns on a nine-play, 45-yard scoring drive capped by a rushing touchdown from Nick Chubb. After that sequence, the score remained 24-19 in favor of Cleveland for the remainder of the contest.

Regardless of the outcome, Herbig played extremely well. The former Badger tallied five tackles, two QB hits and the strip-sack. His season-long numebers are now up to 15 total tackles, 3.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Former Wisconsin linebacker discusses breakout season with Eagles

Former Wisconsin linebacker discusses breakout season with Eagles

Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Zack Baun shared some insight on his breakout season with NFL Network’s Good Morning Football on Wednesday.

After registering a game-best 15 tackles in the Philadelphia Eagles’ win over the Washington Commanders on Nov. 14, Baun was named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week for Week 10.

While it was just one performance, the game served as a microcosm for his dominant 2024 season with the Eagles.

After playing four seasons with the New Orleans Saints from 2020-2023, Baun has assumed off-the-ball linebacker duties in Philadelphia. That change has led to Baun finding dominant form.

Through 10 games, Baun has recorded 102 total tackles, three forced fumbles and three sacks for Vic Fangio’s defensive unit. The West Bend, Wisconsin native spoke on how he’s found success in the new role.

“I was a receiver at West Bend East, then I was a quarterback at Brown Deer and an outside linebacker at Wisconsin,” Baun said. “It’s been the transitions all throughout that have helped me make this transition off the ball. The transition is nothing new for me. I’m just a football player. I love football, and I love the game. If I’m out there, I’m trying to be the best and do the best.”

At this trajectory, Baun will be an All-Pro at the linebacker position. He ranks fifth in the NFL in total tackles and is unquestionably the most impactful player on the Eagles’ defense.

At 8-2, the Eagles lead the NFC East and don’t appear to be slowing down. They will face a hungry Los Angeles Rams team on Nov. 24 on Sunday Night Football.

Former Wisconsin linebacker continues dominant 2024 season with Eagles

Former Wisconsin linebacker continues dominant 2024 season with Eagles

Former Wisconsin linebacker Zack Baun delivered another signature performance for the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football.

After being named the NFC’s Defensive Player of the Week on Wednesday, Baun captained the Eagles defense to its sixth straight win in a 26-18 victory over the division rival Washington Commanders.

Baun recorded 15 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass deflection in the triumph. He also denied Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels from moving the chains on a key fourth-down play late in the fourth quarter.

Down 12-10 at the Eagles’ 26-yard line, Washington elected to go for it on the short fourth-down sequence with hopes of reaching the end zone and shaving time off the clock. Daniels fielded the snap and scrambled to the right before Baun fended off an offensive lineman and executed the tackle.

Here’s the full play:

On the season, Baun has now recorded 102 total tackles, an NFL-best 64 solo tackles, five tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two sacks and one interception.

The season for Baun is nothing short of incredible. In four seasons with the New Orleans Saints, Baun notched just 88 total tackles. In just one season, he has suddenly turned into one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL.

Baun will be back in action on Nov. 24 when the Eagles face off against the Los Angeles Rams.

Two former Wisconsin linebackers named NFL Players of the Week

Two former Wisconsin linebackers named NFL Players of the Week

Former Wisconsin linebackers Zack Baun and Leo Chenal were named NFL Players of the Week on Thursday.

Baun earned the ‘NFC Defensive Player of the Week’ designation for his contributions in the Philadelphia Eagles’ 34-6 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 10.

In that contest, the UW alumnus recorded eight tackles, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and one tackle for loss. In nine games, Baun ranks No. 11 in the NFL in total tackles with 87. He has also notched two sacks and one interception as the Eagles’ most dominant linebacker this season.

ProFootballFocus has also awarded Baun with the highest grade of any linebacker across the NFL from Weeks 8-10.

Baun joined Arizona Cardinals’ quarterback Kyler Murray and Detroit Lions’ kicker Jake Bates on the NFC ‘Players of the Week’ batch of studs from Week 10.

Chenal, meanwhile, was almost a no-brainer for ‘AFC Special Teams Player of the Week’ after what he did against the Denver Broncos on Sunday.

He joined Baltimore Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson and Buffalo Bills’ cornerback Taron Johnson in the AFC ‘Players of the Week’ cohort for this week.

Chenal, who played at UW from 2019-2021, clinched the Kansas City Chiefs’ 15th straight win with a blocked field goal as time expired at Arrowhead Stadium.

The sequence occurred when, with one second remaining, Broncos’ kicker Will Lutz squared up for a 35-yard field goal attempt and Chenal leaped through Denver’s offensive line to deny the attempt and secure the 16-14 win.

Through eight games this season, he has posted 33 total tackles, 22 solo tackles and three pass deflections.

Tennessee Titans sign former Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman

Tennessee Titans sign former Wisconsin Badgers offensive lineman

The Tennessee Titans claimed former Wisconsin offensive lineman Logan Bruss off of waivers on Tuesday.

The move arrived just a day after the Los Angeles Rams elected to waive the 2022 NFL draftee before their Week 10 game vs. the Miami Dolphins.

Shortly after his acquisition, Bruss joined Tennessee’s locker room and participated in practice on Wednesday. Head coach Brian Callahan indicated that the UW alumnus will play guard for the Titans going forward.

Bruss will also wear No. 66 for Tennessee after sporting No. 60 for Los Angeles in 2024.

Bruss was selected No. 104 overall by the Rams in the 2022 NFL draft. After tearing his ACL during the 2022 preseason, he spent all of 2023 on Los Angeles’ practice squad. He then appeared in eight games for L.A. in 2024, starting three, after making the Week 1 roster.

The 6-foot-5 lineman appeared in 41 games for the Badgers from 2017-21. He earned All-Big Ten second team honors during a 2021 season in which he blocked for Badger-turned-New-York-Jet RB Braelon Allen.

Now, Bruss will get an opportunity to block for running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears out of the Titans’ backfield. Tennessee plays its next game against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Nov. 17.

Patrick Mahomes praises former Wisconsin linebacker after game-winning play

Patrick Mahomes praises former Wisconsin linebacker after game-winning play

Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback Patrick Mahomes praised former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Leo Chenal after his game-clinching field goal block on Sunday.

Shortly after Chenal blocked Denver Broncos’ kicker Will Lutz’s 35-yard field goal attempt to clinch the Chiefs’ 15th consecutive victory, Mahomes took to the podium and had this to say about his teammate:

“He’s extremely strong,” Mahomes said. “He’s got the strength of a [defensive] lineman, but he plays the linebacker position. You don’t want to be with that guy when he’s working out. We call him John Cena.”

Mahomes isn’t far off. At 6-foot-3, Chenal has 250 pounds of pure muscle. After starting 10 games in 2023, the UW alumnus has morphed into one of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s most lethal assets.

Through eight games this season, he has posted 33 total tackles, 22 solo tackles and three pass deflections. Defensive lineman Chris Jones and cornerback Trent McDuffie might grab the weekly headlines, but Chenal is unquestionably the most versatile player on Spagnuolo’s side of the ball.

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In terms of what the entire Chiefs defense provides, Fox Sports ranks the group as the No. 5 unit across the NFL with 293.6 yards per game and 16 touchdowns relinquished.

Kansas City will look to showcase that type of prowess in its highly-anticipated Week 11 game against Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 17.