Tag: Steelers

2024 NFL mock draft: Predicting the first 32 picks before the combine

2024 NFL mock draft: Our pre-combine predictions for the first 32 picks have the Broncos getting their new QB and the Broncos adding a sleeper WR

We’re just days away from the start of the NFL Scouting Combine — an all-hands-on-deck event where teams are meeting with draft prospects and putting them through their paces. NFL teams like the New Orleans Saints are going to learn a lot next week, and the tapped-in beat writers and journalists covering them are going to get a better idea of what each team is looking for in the spring because of it.

So we’re going to roll out a first-round mock draft of all 32 picks to try and guess who might land where in April. It’s a good exercise for getting an idea of what each team needs to address this offseason and which prospects might be available when they’re on the clock. We’ll aim for accuracy later once more information is available and after teams have had the chance to check off big-ticket items in free agency.

Now that we got the disclaimer out of the way — here’s our forecast for the first 32 picks:

1 pending free agent Chargers should target: AFC North Edition

Listing one free agent from the Steelers, Ravens, Browns and Bengals who could be a fit for the Chargers.

The Chargers won’t be aggressive when it comes to signing free agents, as they’re currently $35 million over the projected salary cap.

While they’re cash-strapped, general manager Joe Hortiz will make some moves to have some spendings available to them so they can sign some.

That said, I will list one pending free agent from each team in the NFL that could be a realistic target for L.A.

Next up is the AFC North.

6 NFL teams that should want to trade for Seahawks QB Geno Smith

Using those guidelines we identified six teams that should at least give John Schneider a call.

Geno Smith is still the guy for the Seattle Seahawks, at least for the moment. Last week the team kept Smith on the roster, allowing his base salary for the 2024 season ($12.7 million) to become fully guaranteed. While that may seem like an indication Seattle intends to keep Smith and start him Week 1, the details matter and facts are that Smith is now much more tradeable than he was at this time last week.

The first report of the decision came from ESPN’s Adam Schefter and his follow-up tweet after the initial report was very revealing, essentially inviting teams to call the Seahawks with offers if they’re interested in trading for Geno.

There’s not usually a huge market for 33 year-old quarterbacks, but the way Smith has played over the last two seasons might be enough to convince some organizations that they can make a deep playoff run with him, provided they have the proper supporting cast.

With that in mind, we set out to find teams around the NFL that already have solid rosters and won at least seven games last season, but could use an upgrade at the quarterback position. Using those guidelines we identified six teams that should at least give John Schneider a call.

Twitter reacts to ridiculous ‘rumor’ about Seahawks’ interest in Mac Jones

Ranking all 32 NFL teams (including the Eagles) by 2024 strength of schedule

We’re ranking all 32 NFL teams by their 2024 strength of schedule ahead of the offseason and NFL draft

We’re about 100 days from the 2024 NFL schedule reveal, but the world and Eagles fans already know who their opponents will be.

The league uses multiple factors in determining the year schedule of games.

There’s a cycle of inter-conference faceoffs; each NFC division rotates through each AFC division every four seasons and the other NFC divisions every three seasons.

In addition, where a team finishes within their division dictates a same-finish matchup with one team from the opposite conference and whichever divisions aren’t in the rotation for that season.

Philadelphia previously had one of the more difficult schedules over the past two years, but 2024 will see the Eagles among the top ten easiest schedules based on win-loss percentages from last year.

Offering an early glimpse into where the Eagles could finish this season, here’s how Philadelphia’s 17-game slate for 2024 stacks up to the rest of the league, in February.

Ranking Eagles’ potential opponents for 2024 NFL season opener in Brazil

We’re ranking the Philadelphia Eagles potential opponents for the Friday night NFL season opener in Brazil

The 2024 NFL schedule will be released sometime on a Thursday night in mid-May, but we know that the Eagles will open the season in a home contest, played on a Friday night in Brazil.

The Eagles have been chosen to play in the NFL’s first-ever game in Brazil in Week 1 on Friday, September 6, to kick off their 2024 regular season, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Monday in his annual Super Bowl presser with the media in Las Vegas.

“Está pronto para ver os Eagles no Brasil?” (In Portuguese, “Are you ready to watch the Eagles in Brazil?”)

“The Eagles organization is honored to have been selected to play in the first-ever National Football League game in South America,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles Chairman and CEO. “With the global growth of our sport being a top priority to our league, we embrace the opportunity to grow our fanbase around the world and bring Eagles football to the 38 million sports fans in Brazil. One of the world’s most culturally diverse nations, Brazil is an international melting pot, and we look forward to experiencing its warm, vibrant, and welcoming environment later this year.”

As part of the NFL International Series, this will be the first Friday night game on opening weekend in over 50 years. Philadelphia’s opponent and kickoff time will be announced later, closer to when the 2024 NFL schedule is revealed in May.

The contest will be played at Corinthians Arena in São Paulo, Brazil, with a seating capacity of 47,252.

This will be the second International Series Game in the regular season for the Eagles, who played in London during the 2018 campaign and defeated Jacksonville, 24-18 at Wembley Stadium. The Eagles played preseason games in Mexico City in 1978, London in 1989 and ’91, and Tokyo in 1993.

Home to the Brazilian soccer team SC Corinthians, the stadium was an official venue for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.

Philadelphia is one of the biggest draws in the NFL, and With nine possible opponents to choose from ( Cowboys, Giants, Commanders, Browns, Falcons, Jaguars, Steelers, Packers, and Panthers), the league is tasked with picking the most intriguing matchup.

Let’s rank the best potential matchups for that opening game:

National reaction to Eagles opening 2024 NFL seaon on a Friday night in Brazil

The Eagles have been chosen to play in the NFL’s first-ever game in Brazil in Week 1 on Friday, September 6 to kick off their 2024 regular season, Commissioner Roger Goodell announced on Monday in his annual conversation with the media prior to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.

The National Football League will play a regular season game in Brazil in 2024 — the first ever in South America — as the league emphasizes global growth as a significant strategic priority.

That historic first game in Brazil will take place in the city of São Paulo at the Corinthians Arena, home to the Brazilian soccer team, the Sport Club Corinthians.

The stadium was the official venue for the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games. With the game in South America, the NFL will have played a game (preseason or regular season) in five of the seven continents worldwide.

The Eagles confirmed they will play host against a team to be named.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell made the initial announcement at the 2023 December League Meeting in Dallas.

“The Eagles organization is honored to have been selected to play in the first-ever National Football League game in South America,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles Chairman and CEO. “With the global growth of our sport being a top priority to our league, we embrace the opportunity to grow our fanbase around the world and bring Eagles football to the 38 million sports fans in Brazil. One of the world’s most culturally diverse nations, Brazil is an international melting pot, and we look forward to experiencing its warm, vibrant, and welcoming environment later this year.”

As part of the NFL International Series, this will be the first Friday night game on opening weekend in over 50 years. The opponent and kickoff time will be announced later, closer to when the 2024 NFL schedule is revealed this spring.

The potential opponents for that opener include the Cowboys, Giants, Commanders, Browns, Falcons, Jaguars, Steelers, Packers, and Panthers.

With the news now official, here’s the national reaction to the the Eagles taking over Brazil.

Saints Twitter melts down after Jerrod Johnson backs out of OC search

Saints Twitter reactions to Jerrod Johnson returning to the Texans were mixed, but confidence in the offensive coordinator search is waning

There weren’t many names in this year’s hiring cycle drawing more buzz than Houston Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson. The 35-year-old interviewed with the New Orleans Saints and five other teams looking for a new offensive coordinator — including playoff teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns as well as the rebuilding New England Patriots.

Instead, Johnson elected to stay another year in Houston, where he received a raise and an extension, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’ll continue working with young star quarterback C.J. Stroud under offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik which should give him a great opportunity to improve his stock ahead of the 2025 hiring cycle. If Slowik is hired away next year then Johnson is a natural successor on DeMeco Ryans’ staff.

But that didn’t leave Saints fans feeling happy. Reactions were mixed (some were turned off by Johnson’s lack of experience) but confidence in the offensive coordinator search is waning. Dennis Allen can’t afford to get this hire wrong. Here’s what fans are saying in the aftermath of Johnson returning to Houston:

Steelers HC Mike Tomlin gets close look at top center at Senior Bowl

Mike Tomlin seems really interested in Oregon’s Jackson Powers-Johnson.

One of the Pittsburgh Steelers biggest offseason needs is to upgrade the center position. The play of Mason Cole hasn’t been up to par and we fully expect the Steelers to look to replace him either via free agency or the 2024 NFL draft.

Head coach Mike Tomlin and general manager Omar Khan are at the Reese’s Senior Bowl this week and keeping a close eye on the trenches. One guy in particular Tomlin keeps to be watching very closely is Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson. As you can see in the video below, Tomlin went up to Powers-Johnson to introduce himself.

Powers-Johnson is the top true center in this draft. He is a dominant run blocker who plays with a real nasty streak. He’s a massive interior player with leadership and surprising athleticism.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Texans QB coach Jerrod Johnson schedules second interview with Saints

Texans quarterbacks coach Jerrod Johnson scheduled a second interview with the Saints, meeting team brass in person on Saturday:

This could be big: NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the New Orleans Saints are meeting Jerrod Johnson for a second interview on Saturday, this time speaking with him in person following a virtual interview earlier this week. He’s a candidate for their open offensive coordinator position.

Johnson, 35, has been a hot candidate as teams work to look for their new play caller. He’s also interviewed with the Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles.

A highly productive quarterback at Texas A&M, Johnson has risen quickly through the coaching ranks as an assistant with the San Francisco 49ers (under Kyle Shanahan) and Indianapolis Colts (under Frank Reich). Before joining DeMeco Ryans’ staff on the Texans, he was an assistant quarterbacks coach for the Minnesota Vikings under Kevin O’Connell. He’s worked closely with some of the most successful head coaches in the league and could be a good fit with the Saints.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Saints schedule interview with Steelers play caller Mike Sullivan

Saints schedule interview with Steelers quarterbacks coach and play caller Mike Sullivan, who replaced Matt Canada at midseason:

Here’s another name for the New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator search: Mike Sullivan. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reports that the Saints have scheduled an interview with the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterbacks coach to discuss the vacancy. Sullivan took over play-calling duties when the Steelers fired Matt Canada midseason.

Sullivan, 56, has been around a long time. He helped prepare Derek Carr for the NFL draft when he was coming out of school and coached his older brother David Carr on the New York Giants. He’s previously worked as an offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (in 2012 and 2013) and Giants, though he only occasionally called plays while working under offensive-minded head coaches like Ben McAdoo. He’s been in the NFL since 2002 and spent eight years coaching at the college level.

Hopefully the Saints are just being thorough. The Steelers offense was more inept than theirs last season and Kenny Pickett has not developed well under Sullivan’s tutelage; Pickett threw has thrown the same number of interceptions as touchdowns (13) through his first 25 games, ranking 31st and 27th in adjusted net yards per attempt in his first two seasons. Sullivan has drawn attention from other teams like the Las Vegas Raiders so his services are in demand, but he’s far from the most appealing candidate on New Orleans’ radar.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]