The latest 2024 NFL mock draft from PFF has the Vikings trading up for J.J. McCarthy (but not with the Patriots)

This would make a lot of sense.

It feels like the Minnesota Vikings are ready to make a deal for their quarterback of the future now that they have two first-round picks in 2024.

But which team will make a deal with them, if any of them will? And which QB will they target?

Our latest NFL mock draft from Christian D’Andrea has the Vikings taking Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy without having to trade up. But in the latest mock draft from PFF, Trevor Sikkema has the Vikings delivering Nos. 11, 23 and a third-rounder next year to get No. 4 and the right to grab McCarthy. Seems like the Patriots at No. 3 would also be a candidate, but they too need a QB.

Here’s Sikkema’s take:

The Vikings didn’t trade for the Texans’ No. 23 overall pick just to hear Roger Goodell say their name twice on Day 1. They’re eyeing a trade-up for their quarterback of the future and can now give a team picking in the top five an enticing deal. I ultimately think that is with the Arizona Cardinals. In doing so, Minnesota pairs the budding McCarthy with Kevin O’Connell, and McCarthy is put in a comfortable situation to not start right away with Sam Darnold also in the mix.

There you have it! Make sure to check out the latest NFL mock draft from Christian D’Andrea and the updated 2024 NFL draft order.

Keenan Allen had a very blunt (but fair!) explanation for why the Chargers eventually traded him to the Bears

Keenan Allen doesn’t mess with his money. At all.

Keenan Allen’s arrival on the Chicago Bears has sparked a newfound wave of excitement around the team as they presumably prepare to draft Caleb Williams in April’s NFL Draft. But the six-time Pro Bowl receiver probably never becomes a Bear without some candid contract conversations with his ex-team, the Los Angeles Chargers.

As Allen explained during his introductory Bears press conference, when the Chargers approached him about restructuring his contract, his answer to his former employer wasn’t emotional. The 31-year-old playmaker said he bluntly told them it wasn’t happening because he was coming off one of his best statistical seasons. That’s it.

Put another way: Allen does not play around with his money. At all.

As a result, instead of almost cutting Allen, the Chargers eventually found the Bears to be a willing trade partner.

Anyone who’s ever had a job can probably relate to Allen.

Why take a pay cut or move around money you’re owed in writing just to help your employer, especially after you performed well? It doesn’t really make sense, and it makes even less sense in the NFL, where players have an extremely finite amount of time and energy to make their money.

Good for Allen for sticking up for himself. I’m sure the Bears are also overjoyed that he did.

‘We could have won a championship with him’: Former Cleveland Browns interim coach on Baker Mayfield

Baker Mayfield received some high praise from his former interim head coach during his rookie season for the Cleveland Browns.

It is no secret it was an up-and-down start to Baker Mayfield’s career after he was drafted No. 1 by the Cleveland Browns.

During his first season, Mayfield set the rookie passing touchdown record with 27. He followed that with a poor second season. A great third year led to a playoff berth and the first playoff win for the Browns since 1994. His final season in Cleveland started well before he injured his shoulder and tried to play through it.

That resulted in the Browns trading for Deshaun Watson and sending Mayfield to Carolina. After a whirlwind 2022 season, during which he played for two different teams, Mayfield found his home in Tampa Bay. He had a career season that led to him getting a three-year, $100 million deal.

During that first season in Cleveland, Mayfield’s head coach and his offensive coordinator were fired midseason after a three-game losing streak.

Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams took over as the interim head coach and Mayfield and the Browns took off. They went 5-3, and Mayfield completed 68.4% of his passes for 281.8 yards per game, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Mayfield transformed a team that had gone 1-31 their previous two seasons into a seven-win team in his first year.

Williams was not retained as head coach, though. Instead, the Browns hired the interim offensive coordinator, Freddie Kitchens, as the head coach.

Williams spoke on “Come Get Some Show” and had high praise for Mayfield and the new contract he earned with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“I’m so happy,” Williams said. “He’s one of my all-time favorites. I believe with all my heart, we could have won a championship with him had I stayed in Cleveland instead of heading out. I’m so proud at how he’s proven himself, time after time after time. From high school to college from college to the NFL and now within the NFL. Hey, come get some, Bake. I’m very happy for him.”

It’s easy to play the what-if game with Mayfield’s career. What if Williams had been retained and they built upon the momentum from the 2018 season? Would Mayfield still be there? Would they have won a Super Bowl like Williams thinks?

We’ll never know, but everything happens for a reason, and what is Cleveland’s loss is Tampa Bay’s gain.

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on X @JaronSpor.

‘I think I’ll be at peace’: Drake Stoops ready for what will come on Draft Day

OU Pro Day is over and Drake Stoops is just hoping for an opportunity come Draft Day.

Earlier this week the Oklahoma Sooners hosted their [autotag]NFL Pro Day[/autotag]. Several Sooners participated in the festivities in front of a number of NFL scouts..

But no one got more attention than [autotag]Drake Stoops[/autotag]. Stoops put together a pretty good day. He had an 8-foot-11 broad jump, 30-inch vertical, 4.67 40-yard dash, 4.25 20-yard shuttle and his best category was the three-cone drill where he ran a 7.01. That would have tied for fifth at the combine.

Stoops talked about his Pro Day and what he’s hoping comes next. “I’ll be ready mentally,” Stoops said. “I’ll be ready physically. I’ll take a day off after today and then get back to work with Schmitty (Jerry Schmidt). Make sure I’m in good shape when an opportunity arises. Leading up to the draft, I think I’ll be at peace. Whatever happens, happens. God has a plan. It’s not really up to me whether that’s drafted or undrafted, I think an opportunity will arise and that’s all that matters.”

Stoops went on to say all he needs is an opportunity and that’s how I feel as well. Stoops came in as a walk-on and many didn’t think much would come from it. Some even thought he only got the offer because of his dad.

But he quickly proved that wrong and became one of the best receivers in the conference in 2023. He became a fan favorite and someone Oklahoma fans will be following wherever his playing career takes him..

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Jaron on Twitter @JaronSpor.

Ravens 2024 offseason tracker: Following all of Baltimore’s signings, departures and more

We’re tracking all of Baltimore Ravens offseason moves here — from signings and departures to restructures and any potential trades.

The offseason is in full swing, particularly for the Baltimore Ravens, who have made one gigantic move, agreeing to a two-year deal with running back Derrick Henry.

The Ravens will utilize draft picks and the second wave of free agency to retool after losing eight players in the first week.

Baltimore has had good moments so far, and we’re tracking all of their offseason moves here—from signings and departures to restructures and potential trades.

Russell Wilson has already embraced Justin Fields as his new Steelers teammate with thoughtful welcome

Russell Wilson has already embraced Justin Fields joining the Steelers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have completely remade their quarterback room with two star names now on the roster.

After the Steelers signed quarterback Russell Wilson this week as its presumed starter, they also traded for quarterback Justin Fields on Saturday as a premium backup to Wilson (and possible insurance if Wilson doesn’t work out).

Even if he does compete for the starting job, Wilson still gave Fields a classy welcome to Pittsburgh once news of the trade hit social media.

As both of these quarterbacks had less-than-ideal 2023 seasons, we’re sure both guys are ready for fresh starts and will be open to helping each other as they strive for the similar goals of proving they’re deserving of starting NFL snaps under center.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1371]

Justin Fields delivered an incredibly classy farewell to the Bears after being traded to the Steelers

Justin Fields delivered an incredibly classy goodbye to the Bears and city of Chicago.

New Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields will try to start his NFL career anew after three years with the Chicago Bears.

As news broke of his trade, Fields shared an incredibly classy farewell message to the Bears and the city of Chicago, one that highlighted his appreciation for his time spent as a member of the franchise.

This is as commendable a goodbye message as someone can send, as it expresses clear gratitude for the Bears organization and optimism for what’s ahead.

Judging by the reactions of some of his Bears teammates, it sure sounds like Fields will be missed by many in the franchise.

You can read the message in full from Twitter (X) below: 

Can’t say thank you enough to the city of Chicago for taking me in and embracing me. Thank you to the entire Bears organization and ownership for allowing me the opportunity to be part of such a historic franchise. But most of all thank you to my all my brothers that I played with. You all were the reason I attacked each day the way I did. I can’t thank you all enough for what y’all have meant to me over the last 3 years through the ups and downs. I wish each one of you nothing but success. Ready for this next chapter!

Chicago will now undoubtedly pivot to drafting Caleb Williams as its next quarterback, while Fields will get a fresh start in Pittsburgh.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1371]

Justin Fields reacts following trade from Bears

Former Bears QB Justin Fields thanked the team and fans after being traded to Steelers.

The shoe has finally dropped. After months of deliberation and contentious debate, in the fanbase and within Halas Hall, the trade that was in the works for months was finally settled.

Bears quarterback Justin Fields is being traded to the Steelers in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round draft pick, with it possibly turning into a fourth-round pick based on Fields’ playing time in Pittsburgh.

With the fans, media and his fellow teammates all expressing their feelings on the transaction, it didn’t take long for Fields himself to make a statement on his departure from Chicago.

On a post made on X (formerly Twitter), he expressed his gratitude toward the franchise, the fans and his teammates, saying that his fellow Bears players were “the reason I attacked every day the way I did.”

As expected, Fields was all class in saying goodbye to the city that he began his career with. No matter what anyone says of his actual play and his contributions to winning football, there was no doubting his work ethic and love for the game. Fields endured both a terrible supporting cast and terrible coaching in different phases of his Bears career, and still played his heart out every game.

The next month and change will be a whirlwind of speculation, debate and social media meltdowns right up until the Bears are on the clock at the end of April. But, at this moment, Chicago is losing a standout football player, both on and off the field.

The Bears are absolutely, positively drafting Caleb Williams now after trading Justin Fields

Caleb Williams will be a Chicago Bear. There is no questioning that now.

The Chicago Bears declared their 2024 NFL Draft intents on Saturday without saying it directly.

The team trading quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers confirmed what we’ve long been assuming: Caleb Williams will be the next quarterback for the Bears.

Like Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft and Trevor Lawrence in the 2021 NFL Draft, Williams is essentially locked in right now to being drafted by Chicago next month. It’s happening; go ahead and order the jerseys.

Williams is seen as a generational draft prospect, and the Bears have floundered for years without finding a true franchise quarterback.

Remember: this is the team that drafted Mitch Trubisky over Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft. They’re not going to screw this up again.

Williams is not a guarantee, as no NFL quarterback prospect is. However, he’s the best chance Chicago has had in decades to figure out its quarterback situation. When a solution is this easy and obvious, you take hold of it.

Williams is going to be a Chicago Bear this fall. Barring an absolute shock that they’d write books about, one pick on draft night is already taken care of. The draft will officially start with the Washington Commanders at pick No. 2.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1371]

Eagles to sign linebacker Oren Burks to a 1-year deal

The Philadelphia Eagles are set to sign former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Oren Burks to a 1-year deal

The Eagles continue to add linebacker depth to the roster; this time, the team is signing former 49ers defender Oren Burks, according to The Athletic’s Diana Russini.

Burks finished with 46 tackles (29 solo), including one sack and one interception in 15 games played with San Francisco in 2023.

Playing the role of a rotational SAM linebacker for the 49ers, Burks set a new career high in tackles while playing the most defensive snaps (308) of his career.

A potential replacement for the injured Dre Greenlaw, Burks joins Zack Baun as a defensive specialist who’ll add versatility to Vic Fangio’s revamped unit.