Alontae Taylor celebrates Baker Mayfield’s new contract extension

Alontae Taylor celebrated Baker Mayfield’s new contract. He’s eager to play against Mayfield again after snagging his first career interception:

New Orleans Saints defensive back Alontae Taylor took to Twitter to celebrate a division rival extending their quarterback. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Mayfield to a new three-year, $100 million deal; Taylor called Mayfield one of his favorite quarterbacks.

Taylor grabbed his first career interception last season off of Mayfield, in the second-to-last game of the year (quickly following it up with another takeaway in the season finale against the Atlanta Falcons). This will likely come back around in the news cycle when the Saints and Bucs meet next season. The two teams split their matchups last season, each team winning one with Mayfield at quarterback.

Mayfield will stick around in the NFC South, doing enough in his first season to earn a bigger deal. He had 4,044 passing yards last season with a 64.3% completion rate. He also threw 28 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and was selected for the Pro Bowl Games. The Bucs also recently gave wide receiver Mike Evans an extension, so this is going to remain an intense rivalry for years to come. The Saints will need Taylor to keep playing great football so they can remain competitive in the series.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Chicago Bears release former Alabama S Eddie Jackson to open up cap space

Former Alabama Safety Eddie Jackson released by the Chicago Bears

The Chicago Bears selected [autotag]Eddie Jackson[/autotag] in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft (No. 112 overall) and he’s been noting short of a home run for the franchise. The former Alabama standout was a First-team All-Pro in 2018 and made two Pro Bowl appearances during his time in the Windy City.

In Jackson’s seven years with the Bears, he started all 100 games he played in. Unfortunately today, Chicago released Jackson as well as Pro Bowl guard Cody Whitehair in a plan to save around $21.5 million in cap space. The Bears now have the third most cap space of any team in the NFL as well as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. It’s a sad day in Chicago as Eddie was beloved, but it’s a parting that will likely benefit both sides as Chicago continues to look towards the future while Jackson will have the chance to join a contending team.

Jackson will be on a roster come next fall and will have no shortage of suitors. In his 100 career NFL games, he has posted 459 total tackles, 44 passes defended, 15 interceptions and 10 forced fumbles.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Sam Murphy on Twitter @SamMurphy02.

WATCH: Chiefs DB Deon Bush intercepts Ravens QB Lamar Jackson

#Chiefs DB Deon Bush intercepted #Ravens QB Lamar Jackson in the fourth quarter of the AFC Championship on Sunday.

The Kansas City Chiefs’ defense has stepped up when it has mattered most against the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game. Backup safety Deon Bush was the unit’s latest hero midway through the fourth quarter when he intercepted Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson in the end zone to give the ball back to Patrick Mahomes.

The play came on a second and 10 from Kansas City’s 25-yard line. Jackson stepped back in the pocket and tried to deliver a ball deep into the middle of the field to tight end Isaiah Likely, who had three Chiefs around him in coverage.

Stepped in to secure the interception, and fell into the end zone to give Kansas City possession at their own 25-yard line.

This effort by Bush may have sealed the game in the Chiefs’ favor and came at a most crucial moment in the matchup.

Stay tuned to see if Kansas City can close the game out late in the fourth quarter.

Broncos’ interception leaders from 2023 season

Justin Simmons led the Broncos with 3 interceptions this season and he now ranks seventh on the team’s all-time INTs list with 30.

We continue our look at the Denver Broncos’ statistical leaders from the 2023 season today with a quick list of the team’s interceptions leaders.

It’s no surprise that safety Justin Simmons (three) led the team in 2023. Simmons has now recorded double-digit INTs in each of his eight seasons in the NFL. The veteran safety has had at least three INTs every year from 2018-2023 and he ranks seventh on the team’s all-time INTs list with 30.

Behind Simmons this year was cornerback Ja’Quan McMillian (two) and safety Kareem Jackson (two). Cornerback Pat Surtain, safety P.J. Locke, cornerback Fabian Moreau and pass rusher Jonathon Cooper each grabbed one interception.

The team’s 11 total interceptions this season ranked 19th in the league, so there’s definitely room for improvement going into 2024. Almost half the league (15 teams) totaled at least 15 INTs in 2023 and two teams recorded 22 INTs.

Check out previous lists of the team’s passing and rushing leaders. Here’s a quick look at their interception leaders in 2023.

WATCH: Chiefs DB Mike Edwards intercepts Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa

#Chiefs DB Mike Edwards intercepted #Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa to give Kansas City possession with a chance to take a two-score lead.

The Kansas City Chiefs have found their stride against the Miami Dolphins after defensive back Mike Edwards intercepted quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the first quarter of the Wild Card round of the AFC playoffs.

Edwards’ exceptional effort on the play gave reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes great field position to lead a scoring drive that could give the Chiefs a two-score lead.

Check out the veteran defensive back’s game-changing play:

Plays like this could prove to be the difference between a win or loss for Kansas City in this game, and with both sides of the ball off to a great start, Chiefs fans should feel cautiously optimistic about the team’s chances of advancing to the divisional round of the playoffs.

If Andy Reid can keep Kansas City in rhythm and the crowd at Arrowhead Stadium continues being a pest for Tagovailoa when Miami’s offense is on the field, momentum could continue to stay in the Chiefs’ favor.

WATCH: Tyrann Mathieu nearly returns an INT for a TD

WATCH: Tyrann Mathieu nearly returns an INT for a TD

The New Orleans Saints blew out the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday afternoon by a score of 48-17. The last score was a controversial touchdown scored with just outside of a minute left in the game. That touchdown was set up by an interception by Tyrann Mathieu that he then returned for 74 yards before getting tackled at the one yard line.

The interception was the second of the day for the defense and first of the day thrown by Falcons backup Logan Woodside. Mathieu was able to nab his fourth interception of the season and his seventh as a Saint.

After the play, the Saints ran into the end zone with Jamaal Williams who scored his first touchdown of the season. Arthur Smith took exception to this and gave Allen a mouthful at mid-field.

WATCH: Alontae Taylor comes in off the bench for his second career interception

WATCH: Alontae Taylor comes in off the bench for his second career interception

Alontae Taylor’s Sunday afternoon didn’t start off well, but credit to the young cornerback for turning it around. Taylor was benched after a couple of early mistakes led to long scores by the Atlanta Falcons, with the New Orleans Saints coaching staff replacing him in the slot with veteran safety Ugo Amadi.

But Taylor rallied back when they later switched up the personnel to put him into the game as a boundary corner, replacing Isaac Yiadom. Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder made a bad mistake with the football and threw it right into Taylor’s chest, gifting the cornerback his second career interception in as many weeks.

This is where Taylor needs to be playing full-time. It’s clear by now that he isn’t suited to lining up in the slot, which makes sense given his lack of experience in that role going into the season. He’s a good player, especially when playing his natural position out wide, and the Saints need to find a way to keep him there this offseason.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

WATCH: Alontae Taylor’s first career interception is must-see TV

Alontae Taylor’s first career interception is must-see TV. The second-year cornerback rebounded well after being benched last week:

Now this is a great way to bounce back. Second-year New Orleans Saints cornerback Alontae Taylor was benched last week after struggling to keep up with the high-powered Los Angeles Rams receiving corps, but he worked hard in practice and returned to the starting lineup for Sunday’s game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

And he responded by snagging the first interception of his career. It’s as impressive a play as you’ll see all week. Taylor kept pace with Buccaneers receiver Trey Palmer deep downfield and correctly read the ball’s path to leap the route and take it away in midair, frustrating Baker Mayfield; the Tampa Bay quarterback had been intercepted just 8 times on his first 322 pass attempts through 15 games this season.

He was quickly surrounded by teammates who celebrated his big takeaway, knowing just how important it was to the young player given his struggles this season after converting to a new position.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Twitter reacts to Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney’s latest drop that led to interception vs Patriots

Twitter didn’t hold back in its criticism of Chiefs WR Kadarius Toney after he dropped a pass that led to an interception against the Patriots

The Kansas City Chiefs have a serious issue with their receiving corps, which seems wholly unable to keep from ruining games for reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes.

One player, mercurial pass catcher Kadarius Toney, is the easiest member of the group to single out as the primary issue for the offensive unit.

After his now-infamous offensive offside penalty that wiped out a potential game-winning play against the Buffalo Bills last week, Toney dropped a well-thrown pass from Mahomes against the New England Patriots that was intercepted and led to a touchdown that cut Kansas City’s lead to 10 points.

To say that Toney’s performance in 2023 has been disappointing would be an understatement. At times, it seems like he is actively keeping the Chiefs from scoring points, and after this latest gaffe, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think that Andy Reid should bench him.

Check out Twitter’s top reactions to Toney’s dropped pass against New England:

WATCH: Chiefs DB Chamarri Conner intercepts Bills QB Josh Allen

#Chiefs DB Chamarri Conner came down with the first interception of his career against the #Bills in Week 14.

Rookie defensive back Chamarri Conner have the Kansas City Chiefs a huge boost in the second quarter of their Week 14 matchup against the Buffalo Bills by intercepting Josh Allen just before the halftime break.

The turnover gave Patrick Mahomes a chance to score Kansas City’s first points of the game after a dreadful start to his day on offense.

Check out Conner’s exceptional play here, and notice the veteran savvy he displays to come down with the ball after Allen uncorked it his way:

This was the first interception of Conner’s career and couldn’t have come at a more crucial time for the Chiefs. Down by two touchdowns, Kansas City desperately needed a boost from its defense, and the rookie’s big play put some much-needed wind in the Chiefs’ sails before halftime.

Expect Conner to continue getting involved as he fills in for Kansas City’s injured veterans in the defensive backfield.