Tag: Tom Pelissero

NFL Insider suggests Sam Darnold still makes sense for Vikings in 2025

Tom Pelissero believes Sam Darnold could make a return to Minnesota in 2025 despite his rocky ending to the 2024 season.

Sam Darnold’s final two games of the 2024 regular season seemed to suggest the Minnesota Vikings would part ways with the veteran after the season. After all, they spent the 10th overall pick in last April’s draft on J.J. McCarthy.

But not everyone is so sure that will be the case. NFL Network’s Tom Peliserro believes that even though the Vikings aren’t going to trade McCarthy, they may bring Darnold back in 2025 due to concerns about the 2024 first-round pick’s knee injury, he told Sportskeeda.

I would say on paper the most logical outcome of this is Sam Darnold still in Minnesota. J.J. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season coming off knee surgery. They believe in him. They’re not trading J.J. McCarthy. But there’s no precedent for a guy missing an entire year of reps as a rookie and coming back and playing again like it hasn’t happened.

Pelissero then went on to talk about how well Darnold played most of the season.

All I know is Sam Darnold played the best football of his career under Kevin O’Connell. The last two games notwithstanding it makes sense for Sam Darnold. All things equal to come back it makes sense for the Vikings to bring him back. They won 14 games with him…. They also have the franchise tag at their disposal if they choose to use it.

It’s interesting to hear Peliserro come out and say this. He is a reporter and isn’t out to voice his opinions like Skip Bayless or Dan Orlovsky. Peliserro is likely relaying information he has heard from someone in the Vikings’ organization or Darnold’s camp.

Could it be leverage from the Vikings to try pumping up Darnold’s value in hopes of a “tag-and-trade”? Or could it be Darnold’s camp trying to make the Vikings feel the need to bring him back, knowing they have the best team to maximize his talent?

We’re a month and a half away from getting a resolution. But that doesn’t mean we won’t keep getting conflicting reports.

One of Marcus Freeman’s former teams want to interview him for head coaching vacancy

Uh oh.

The Chicago Bears are looking for a new coach, and many believe it to be one of the most coveted job openings in the NFL. Anyone who follows the Bears know the team already has interviewed a plethora of candidates, but Notre Dame fans might not be happy about one potential candidate.

Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network is reporting that the Bears would like to interview [autotag]Marcus Freeman[/autotag] as a candidate to be their next coach. It’s the latest example of how the Bears are considering any and all possibilities as they try to overcome a disappointing 5-12 season with a roster that was expected to make progress but didn’t for the most part.

Whether Freeman is serious about this job is unknown given the big contract extension he just signed with the Irish. But he just conducted a news conference, and if he plans on bolting for the Windy City, there’s no way he’s going to say it in this setting:

Hopefully, the Irish won’t have such a great season only to lose Freeman at the end, but that’s the nature of the beast that is football.

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Chiefs star fined $45k ahead of Kansas City’s matchup vs. Browns

On Saturday, one #Chiefs star was fined $45,020 for unnecessary roughness ahead of Kansas City’s Week 15 matchup against the #Browns.

The Kansas City Chiefs have fought hard to maintain their 12-1 record heading into Week 15, but veteran running back Isiah Pacheco seems to have crossed a line with his effort in the team’s latest win over the Los Angeles Chargers.

On Saturday, NFL insider Tom Peliserro broke the news that Pacheco had been fined $45,020 due to unnecessary roughness on what seemed to be a relatively innocuous play in Week 14.

According to Pelissero, Pacheco lowered his helmet during a hard run, which caused the league to fine the star running back although a penalty wasn’t called on the play by officials when the incident occurred.

Pacheco may have a chance to appeal the harsh fine, though Pelissero’s report didn’t indicate what recourse Pacheco might have to make his case to league officials.

Stay tuned this afternoon to see if Pacheco makes any plays against the Cleveland Browns that might result in disciplinary action by the NFL.

AFC North rival strengthens run game with RB trade at deadline

The Cincinnati Bengals have made a trade with the Chicago Bears to acquire RB Khalil Herbert in an attempt to solve their running game woes.

The trade deadline is finally here, and it appears the Cincinnati Bengals, AFC North rivals of Pittsburgh, couldn’t wait any longer for today’s festivities, as the team has made a trade with the Chicago Bears to acquire RB Khalil Herbert in exchange for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick, per insider Tom Pelissero.

The trade came just one day after Cincinnati’s Head Coach Zac Taylor announced that the team’s RB Zack Moss would be out indefinitely with a neck injury. This move boosts not only their run game but also the depth behind newly announced starting RB Chase Brown.

Considered by many to be dark horse candidates to challenge the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North divisional title race, the 4-5 Bengals have bolstered what was once one of their weakest areas on offense, creating a two-headed RB monster with the addition of Herbert.

Will Pittsburgh make a blockbuster trade at the deadline to keep up with the rest of the AFC, or will the team see the deadline as an opportunity to acquire solid depth?

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Washington Commanders waive former Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman

Tough break for him

After using up his college eligibility at Notre Dame, quarterback [autotag]Sam Hartman[/autotag] set his eyes on professional football.

After not being selected in the 2024 NFL draft, the Washington Commanders scooped him up as a free agent. If it didn’t work out, he also could go to the Birmingham Stallions, who drafted him into the UFL a few months later.

While the door isn’t completely closed on Hartman’s NFL aspirations, he’ll need to prove that he belongs in the league. Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network is reporting that Hartman will not be on the Commanders’ roster to start the season but could remain part of the organization:

Hartman’s preseason showing left a little to be desired. He completed eight of 13 passes for 83 yards and no touchdowns, only playing in the Commanders’ preseason opener against the New York Jets. The longest pass he completed was for 19 yards.

The NFL can be unforgiving, so let’s hope Hartman eventually can clear the necessary hurdles to make it there.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on Twitter: @gfclark89

Chiefs expected to reunite with veteran WR JuJu Smith-Schuster

According to a report from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the #Chiefs are expected to reunite with veteran WR JuJu Smith-Schuster.

According to a report from Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Kansas City Chiefs are set to reunite with veteran wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, who last played for the team during its Super Bowl LVII campaign.

Smith-Schuster was released by the New England Patriots on August 9 and caught on with Kansas City after the Chiefs lost all three of their preseason games.

Though he has already developed a rapport with Patrick Mahomes in Andy Reid’s offense, Smith-Schuster will face an uphill battle to earn playing time and may find it difficult to push Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, Rashee Rice, and Xavier Worthy for playing time.

With this move, the Chiefs’ front office has doubled down on their commitment to revamping the team’s receiving corps after a lackluster showing from the group last season.

Stay tuned to see if Smith-Schuster suits up for Kansas City’s Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.

NFL insider previews the Commanders and NFC East

The Commanders are a mystery in 2024.

What would you say are the non-negotiables for the 2024 Commanders if they are to be a playoff team?

NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, filling in on the “Rich Eisen Show” this week, provided his non-negotiables for each team in the NFC East.

NY Giants: Daniel Jones plays like a $40 million quarterback.

“He has had injuries; he must stay healthy. They lost Saquon; this is going to be a lot on Daniel Jones. He is going to have to figure out how to move that team forward.”

Philadelphia Eagles: They get back to playing offense the way they have when they were one of the best teams in the NFL.

“A lot of things got away from them down the stretch last season. You’re now changing out both your coordinators again. It comes back to how do we put Jalen Hurts in the best position to succeed?”

Washington Commanders: If you stacked up all the teams that I don’t know what they are going to be, the Commanders are one of the top teams on the list.

“I know Dan Quinn is a hell of a culture builder. I know Jayden Daniels was a hell of a college quarterback. Beyond that, you’ve got this combination of the Austin Ekelers, the Bobby Wagners, the big names that are toward the back end of their career. You obviously have a holdover like Terry McLaurin. I just don’t know. Maybe they get that first-year boost from the head coach who comes in, takes a team and it is a different vibe.”

Co-host Chris Brockman offered that he thinks it is clear they will be in the top five of the draft again. He added he doesn’t see Washington going over six wins.

Dallas Cowboys: There is a lot that still needs to be sorted out.

“Is CeeDee Lamb going to be at training camp? Is Dak Prescott going to get a new deal? Do they even potentially do a Mike McCarthy extension? Dak has to play his absolute best, elevating everyone, including into January.”

Tom Pelissero: Vikings quarterback competition ‘most’ fascinating

Though the Vikings drafted J.J. McCarthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Sam Darnold may wind up being the starter in 2024.

After Kirk Cousins’ departure in the offseason, it was clear that the Minnesota Vikings would have to move on to the next chapter at the quarterback position. The Vikings drafted former Michigan Wolverines quarterback J.J. McCarthy with the idea that he would be the franchise’s future and take the Vikings into that next era.

However, it remains to be seen when that future starts. According to at least one reporter, it may be a while.

According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Vikings’ quarterback situation is “most fascinating,” and it may not be a given that McCarthy sees the field early on his rookie season — or at all, for that matter. Pelissero reports that he has heard Sam Darnold has had an excellent offseason to this point and that he has flashed the talent that made him the #3 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

In the wake of Cousins signing with the Atlanta Falcons, Minnesota went out and worked the free agent market to bring Darnold in, ostensibly to be their “bridge” quarterback while the rookie gets acclimated to the system and learns the ropes in the NFL. However, Darnold has flashed real skill in the NFL before, and there’s a reason he was taken so high.

Things haven’t worked out consistently for Darnold in the NFL, but there have been flashes of that talent. This year’s Vikings team would arguably be the most talented group that Darnold has worked with, and head coach Kevin O’Connell has had some strong words of support about Darnold in the past. The idea that Darnold is the starter for the majority—or even all—of the 2024 season may not be as far-fetched as fans may think.

Tom Pelissero reacts to Broncos trading for QB Zach Wilson

“If anybody can get the most of out Zach Wilson, it’s going to be Sean Payton,” Tom Pelissero said of the Broncos landing QB Zach Wilson.

The Broncos have a new starting quarterback in Zach Wilson. Or do they?
Denver agreed to trade for Wilson, the Jets’ former first-round pick, on Monday. New York didn’t come away with much: they received a sixth-round selection (No. 203) in this week’s NFL draft from the Broncos, who, in addition to Wilson, will get a seventh-round pick (No. 256) from the Jets.

After news of the trade broke, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network joined Colin Cowherd’s FS1 show, The Herd, and gave his thoughts on Wilson now donning the navy and orange. He believes that if there is one coach who can maximize Wilson’s talents, it’s Broncos headman Sean Payton.

With Wilson solidified as a potential option, should the Broncos still pursue a quarterback in this year’s draft? Bo Nix and Michael Penix are the names that come up and could be solid options if the Broncos choose to go that way. Nevertheless, we will see what Payton and the front office do this Thursday.

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The Chicago Bears are checking all the boxes for QB Caleb Williams

It sounds like the Bears have impressed Caleb Williams with how the team has been constructed.

Just a few short months ago, rumors were spreading that presumptive first-overall pick Caleb Williams wouldn’t want to play for the Chicago Bears due to their track record at the quarterback position. At that point, the Bears had recently locked up the top pick by way of the Carolina Panthers and had Williams in their sights while coming off a 7-10 season that saw multiple coaching changes on the offensive side of the ball.

Since then, the Bears have made key moves to bolster their offense, whether it’s bringing in new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, signing running back D’Andre Swift, or trading for Pro Bowl wide receiver Keenan Allen. With those additions, joining wide receiver DJ Moore, tight end Cole Kmet, and an above-average offensive line, it’s all setting up for an ideal situation for Williams, who is set to become the Bears’ next quarterback in less than a week when the NFL Draft gets underway. Based on reports and recent comments, he’s pretty happy with what the Bears and the city of Chicago have to offer.

On Friday, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero shared a breakdown of the top quarterbacks in the 2024 NFL Draft with insight from executives and scouts. Not surprisingly, Williams was at the top, but Pelissero revealed information on how the quarterback viewed the Bears’ situation following his top 30 visit.

Team officials have stayed in touch with Williams since via video chat sessions, just talking football. There still is a matter of agreeing to a contract, which could be more complicated than a normal slotted deal, given the uniqueness of Caleb’s draft process thus far. But sources say the quarterback’s conversations with the Bears have been very frank and positive. The Williams camp sent the message early about what it wanted — investment and infrastructure to help Caleb reach his next goal of chasing Tom Brady and winning Super Bowls — and the Bears so far have delivered. 

The smoke that surrounded Williams’ alleged disinterest in Chicago has fully cleared, and it sounds like he’s bought into what the Bears have to offer. Having a strong infrastructure is important for the 22-year-old quarterback, who has made it known he wants to win and become a legend in the game.

That was evident during a recent interview on the Pivot Podcast. During the interview, Williams is asked how he will help Chicago win a championship. “Now that I want to play at one place for 20 years and chase one guy, No. 12 (Tom Brady),” Williams said. “I want a place that loves ball. That’s all I’ve heard about Chicago so far.”

The Bears have the pieces in place for Williams to succeed out of the gate, and Chicago has the passion behind their football team that he desires. It sounds like the Bears have checked all of the boxes for Williams, and he’s fired up to become the team’s next quarterback, who will hopefully give them a true franchise quarterback for the first time in half a century.

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