Tag: Team Captains

Bo Nix is the Broncos’ first rookie to earn this honor since 1967

“It’s a huge honor and a lot of privilege, but it brings a lot of responsibility, too,” Broncos QB Bo Nix said of being named team captain.

The Denver Broncos named their 2024 captains from offense, defense and special teams on Wednesday. Of those leaders voted on by the players, quarterback Bo Nix made history by becoming the club’s first rookie captain to hold that title since Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little in 1967.

“[A rookie being elected captain is] not something that happens that often,” coach Sean Payton said. “I think it’s something you earn. These guys — all of them voted on these guys. It’s probably as clean a result as I’d seen in a while relative to those players that were all selected.

“It’s unusual for a rookie to get made captain, and yet by nature that position to some degree is leading. That was something that organically takes place throughout the spring and training camp and goes from there.”

Nix’s rookie captaincy is also a first for Payton in his coaching career.

“It’s an honor,” Nix said. “It’s a privilege. I’m excited to be with this group and [I’m] excited to be a captain. I don’t take it lightly. I know it’s a big deal. It hasn’t happened often, but I’m not going to take it for granted.

“I have to come into work every single day and just prove that you can be a captain. I’m excited to work with these other guys, and I think it’s good that we can get out there and set the tone. It’s always good to be a captain.”

Nix appreciates having the backing of his teammates.
“It’s a huge honor and a privilege,” the QB continued. “I understand that it’s been a long time, and I’m just very thankful. Very thankful for the guys to trust me in this opportunity. I think that’s a huge statement for our team. I think it says a lot [about] where we are. We’re excited to get going and excited for the future. Definitely it’s going to be one of those things that becomes more and more real as time goes on. It’s a huge honor and a lot of privilege, but it brings a lot of responsibility, too.”
Even before being named captain, Nix was one of the team’s key leaders.
“He’s one of those guys that [has] the ‘C’ on his chest and he carries himself like that,” wide receiver Courtland Sutton said. “He carries himself like a leader. He doesn’t look at any stage as it being too big for him. That’s all we can ask for out of our quarterback and out of our leader.”

The future for Denver and Nix will begin on Sunday, when they kick off the 2024 regular season on the road against the Seattle Seahawks.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos rookie named team captain

Bo Nix has had a great preseason and training camp.

Several NFL teams have handed over their offenses to rookie quarterbacks. With that level of responsibility and promise, teams want to load them up with plenty of confidence by naming them captains as rookies.

We already saw the Chicago Bears name rookie quarterback Caleb Williams a captain and now the Denver Broncos have followed suit by naming Bo Nix one of their six team captains as well.

Nix joins wide receiver Courtland Sutton and offensive lineman Quinn Meinerz with the captain’s badges representing the Broncos offense. The team also chose cornerback Patrick Surtain II and linebacker Alex Singleton to represent the defense and kicker Will Lutz for special teams.

https://twitter.com/Broncos/status/1831357972561215523

The Broncos raised some eyebrows when they selected Nix No. 12 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. But throughout the preseason and training camp, Nix has proven to be perhaps the most polished and NFL-ready of the six rookie quarterbacks drafted in the first round.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Broncos name team captains, and rookie QB Bo Nix makes history

Bo Nix is the Broncos’ first rookie to be named a team captain since Hall of Fame RB Floyd Little in 1967.

The Denver Broncos have named their six team captains for the 2024 NFL season, coach Sean Payton announced Wednesday.

On offense, wide receiver Courtland Sutton, guard Quinn Meinerz and rookie quarterback Bo Nix got the nod. On defense, cornerback Pat Surtain and inside linebacker Alex Singleton were named captains. Kicker Wil Lutz will serve as the special teams captain. The captains were elected by teammates this week.

Nix makes history as the team’s first rookie team captain since Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Floyd Little in 1967. This will also mark the first time Payton has had a rookie captain on his team.

Denver’s team captains last year were Sutton, quarterback Russell Wilson, offensive tackle Mike McGlinchey, safeties Justin Simmons and Kareem Jackson and punter Riley Dixon. Wilson, Simmons and Jackson are no longer on the team.

Two years ago, the team’s captains were Wilson, Sutton, Simmons, outside linebacker Bradley Chubb and kicker Brandon McManus. Of the team’s 2022 team captains, Sutton is the only one who remains on the team.

This fall will mark Sutton’s fourth straight season as a team captain.

The Broncos are preparing for a Week 1 showdown with the Seattle Seahawks on Sept. 8. Denver is considered a 5.5-point road undergoing going into Sunday’s game in Seattle.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Oklahoma Sooners announce game captains for week 2 vs. Houston Cougars

The Oklahoma Sooners revealed their week two game captains for their matchup with the Houston Cougars.

The Oklahoma Sooners (1-0) begin their week getting ready for the Houston Cougars (0-1) in Norman on Saturday night. The matchup is the second of four-straight home games for the Sooners to start the season, culminating in their week four matchup with the Tennessee Volunteers.

After their 51-3 win over the Temple Owls, the Sooners will to continue improving in all three phases as they inch closer to their SEC debut.

With week two underway, the Sooners have announced their game captains. Oklahoma will be led by defensive end [autotag]Ethan Downs[/autotag], running back [autotag]Jovantae Barnes[/autotag], tight end [autotag]Jake Roberts[/autotag], cheetah linebacker [autotag]Kendel Dolby[/autotag], and kicker Zach Schmit.

https://twitter.com/OU_Football/status/1830987191092178989

Downs represents one of the longest-tenured Sooners on the roster and one of a handful of players still on the roster from the Lincoln Riley days. He’s been a steady force for the Sooners at defensive end as Oklahoma has turned over it’s unit up front under Brent Venables.

Barnes looked really good against Temple. He was fast, explosive, showed the ability to break tackles and nearly broke a long run for a touchdown. After a 2023 season that was limited due to injuries, Barnes looks ready to improve upon his breakout freshman campaign back in 2022.

Roberts is another veteran on the roster, in his fifth season of college football. Combined with [autotag]Bauer Sharp[/autotag], the Sooners have a really good duo at tight end. When Oklahoma utilized two-tight end formations, Roberts was out there to aid the offense. His experience and leadership is key for a team relying on a lot of youth across the depth chart.

Dolby has been a revelation since coming up from the JUCO ranks. Initially a backup last season, he emerged to take over the starting cheetah role and hasn’t relinquished it. He’s displayed his playmaking ability both in coverage and as a blitzer. Against Temple, he had a sack and forced a pass deflection that led to an interception.

Schmit may not have won the place-kicking duties, but his work as the kickoff man is crucial to Oklahoma’s special teams. His ability to kick it out of the back of the end zone prevents teams from mounting a return.

Though the Houston Cougars were beaten by UNLV in week one, this is a well-coached team led by Willie Fritz. Fritz had his Tulane Green Wave team pushing the Sooners back at the beginning of the 2021 season. Oklahoma’s game captains will have to keep the Sooners focused on themselves this week and not looking past Houston to stave off a threat from the Cougars.

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 John on X @john9williams.

Pittsburgh Steelers name former Wisconsin legends team captains for 2024 season

Pittsburgh Steelers name former Wisconsin legends team captains for 2024 season

The Pittsburgh Steelers named former Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker T.J. Watt as two of their team captains on Monday.

Wilson and Watt will serve as two of four team captains for the 2024 slate alongside Pro Bowl safety Miles Killebrew and three-time All-Pro defensive tackle Cameron Hayward,

The news arrives just four days after Wilson edged out Justin Fields for the Steelers’ starting quarterback job this season. Despite receiving criticism throughout the offseason, head coach Mike Tomlin opted to put his faith into the former Super Bowl champion and NFL veteran.

For Watt, this will mark the fourth season as a Steelers team captain. He was also a captain in 2020, 2022 and 2023. Ironically, his brother and UW alumnus Derek Watt, was team captain in 2021.

As a unit, the Steelers enter this season fresh off a 10-7 output in 2023 in search of some offensive stability. Former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith joins the fold as Pittsburgh’s newest offensive coordinator, and Wilson will take snaps as a first-year quarterback for Tomlin.

Given the crew’s defensive dominance, which in large part falls on the shoulders of Watt, Wilson simply needs to paint by the numbers to captain the Steelers to another playoff run.

The only question revolving around the nine-time Pro Bowler is whether or not his Denver regression will haunt him in Pennsylvania. Prior to signing with the Steelers, Wilson posted an 11-19 record as a starter with the Broncos from 2022-23.

Still, his dominance as a Seahawk provides the fan base with hope in a competitive AFC North. And Watt, who owns six Pro Bowl appearances and four All-Pro honors, is as dominant as ever.

The Steelers begin their season in Atlanta on Sept. 8.

Falcons select team captains ahead of 2024 NFL season

The Falcons have named four official team captains for the 2024 NFL season…

On Monday, the Atlanta Falcons officially selected four team captains for the upcoming 2024 NFL season. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, defensive lineman Grady Jarrett, offensive tackle Jake Matthews and safety Jessie Bates III will hold the coveted distinction for the entire 2024 campaign.

Despite never playing a down for the Falcons, Cousins becomes one of two offensive team captains for Atlanta. The veteran quarterback is expected to be the missing piece for an offense that has underachieved in recent years. Over his 12-year NFL career, Cousins has racked up 39,471 passing yards, 270 touchdowns and 110 interceptions for a passer rating of 98.2.

Matthews, 32, has spent the past 10 seasons as the team’s starting left tackle. While he rarely gets the credit he deserves, Matthews has been a durable and consistent presence along the offensive line since being selected by the Falcons in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. 

Bates signed in Atlanta during the 2023 offseason and led the team with six interceptions last year. The play-making safety has incredible range and instincts. The team added Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons to pair with Bates in the secondary this season. Bates and Simmons have 50 career interceptions combined.

Jarrett has been one of the team’s only consistent defenders for the last decade. Similar to Matthews, Jarrett rarely gets the credit that he deserves for his body of work. The 31-year-old has 443 total tackles, 34 sacks and 110 QB hits for his career.

The Falcons host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1 of the 2024 season this Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Steelers named Russell Wilson the starting quarterback but head coach Mike Tomlin said the Falcons must be ready for a Justin Fields package as well.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1360]

Steelers name 4 team captains for 2024 season

One big change in 2024 Steelers team captains.

On Monday, the Pittsburgh Steelers announced their four team captains for the 2024 season. No surprises as safety Miles Killebrew, defensive tackle Cam Heyward and outside linebacker T.J. Watt made the cut. These guys have been captains multiple times for Pittsburgh.

But it did come as something of a surprise to name new starting quarterback Russell Wilson a captain as well. Wilson is preparing for his first start with the Steelers as the team prepares to take on the Atlanta Falcons.

Killebrew represents special teams with the captain’s badge as he remains one of the best special teams players in the NFL. Wilson is the only offensive player to earn the captains badge this year while Watt and Heyward will represent the defense.

https://twitter.com/TomPelissero/status/1830651772744217054

The addition of Wilson is the only change in captains from the 2023 season. This is the fourth straight seasons Watt and Heyward have been captains together and this is Killebrew’s fourth year as a special team’s captain.

In 2022, the team named quarterback Mitch Trubisky a captain but he ended up losing his starting job to then-rookie Kenny Pickett.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Patriots name six team captains for 2024 season

The 2024 team captains are set

The 2024 team captains are set for the New England Patriots.

On Monday, the team revealed that David Andrews, Jabrill Peppers, Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jacoby Brissett, Joe Cardona and Deatrich Wise Jr. are the new captains.

Andrews, Bentley and Wise are returning captains from the 2023 season. That group of players also included Mac Jones, Hunter Henry and Matthew Slater.

Jones was traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and Slater rode off into the sunset in retirement. That helped set the stage for the new captains under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo.

https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1830646870211006698

The Patriots are undergoing significant change in their first year without coach Bill Belichick. There have been major personnel and coaching staff changes ahead of a season filled with uncertainty. It’s a rebuilding year that is sure to come with disappointment and frustrations along the way.

But the team has made solid moves in the offseason to set themselves up nicely for the future. It all begins in Sunday’s road clash with the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dolphins announce 8 players as 2024 team captains

The Dolphins have four returning captains on offense, but a group of four defensive players who are Miami captains for the first time.

The Miami Dolphins announced Monday that eight players will be team captains in 2024.

Wearing the “C” on their jerseys again will be the same offensive quartet from last year: quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, fullback Alec Ingold, wide receiver Tyreek Hill, and offensive lineman Terron Armstead. On defense, it’s a group of newly minted Miami captains: defensive back Jalen Ramsey, linebacker David Long Jr., defensive tackle Zach Sieler, and defensive lineman Calais Campbell, who will don the coveted captain badge along with his Walter Payton Man of the Year patch.

Miami parted with a pair of its captains from 2023, allowing Christian Wilkins to leave in free agency, and cutting Xavien Howard in the offseason. Jevon Holland was the third defensive captain last year.

The Dolphins have the oldest roster in the league, so there’s no lack of leadership and experience on the team. Campbell is entering his 17th NFL season, Armstead will begin his 12th, and Hill his ninth. 

Sieler, who is Miami’s longest tenured defensive player on the current 53 man roster, is a captain for the first time. Last season he set the franchise sack record for an interior lineman with 10.

Long will also wear his first captain’s badge in Miami after an outstanding season in 2023 in the middle of the defense’s second level. His run-defense grade last season (92.6) was the best in the NFL among starting linebackers, according to Pro Football Focus. Long signed with Miami last season as a free agent and he’s in a contract year in 2023, so having him as a captain could indicate his tenure in Miami will go beyond this year. 

Ingold doesn’t stuff a stat sheet, but he does the dirty work to help others gain their yards and score touchdowns. The tremendous blocker earned Pro Bowl honors in 2023.

Ramsey, who missed the first seven games of last season with a knee injury, was a two-time captain during his time with the Los Angeles Rams.

The recently extended Tagovailoa has now been a captain in each of Mike McDaniel’s three seasons with the Dolphins after not earning the distinction at all during Brian Flores’ tenure.

The Dolphins open their 2024 season on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Bears name rookie Caleb Williams team captain

It is rare for a rookie to be named a team captain but the Bears are sold on Caleb Williams.

On Monday, the Chicago Bears announced the seven players who will wear the captain’s badges in the 2024 NFL season. The list is comprised almost exclusively of veterans however the team does think enough of rookie quarterback Caleb Williams to include him on the list as well.

Here is the full list of Bears captains:

Quarterback Caleb Williams

Cornerback Jaylon Johnson

Wide receiver D.J. Moore

Safety Kevin Byard

Linebacker Tremaine Edmunds

Linebacker T.J. Edwards

Tight end Cole Kmet

Tight end Marcedes Lewis

The Bears selected Williams No. 1 overall in the 2024 NFL draft. Williams played his college ball at the University of Oklahoma as well as USC.

https://twitter.com/ChicagoBears/status/1830607010813116631

The Bears traded former starting quarterback Justin Fields to the Pittsburgh Steelers at the start of free agency to make room for Williams to take over the starting job. Chicago has put together a strong offense around Williams which should help him see success right away.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]