Tag: wide receiver

Broncos WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey set to become a free agent in March

Broncos WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey is scheduled to become a free agent in March. Should the Broncos bring him back?

Lil’Jordan Humphrey is not necessarily a fan favorite, but there’s a reason why Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton has signed him in each of the last two offseason.

Humphrey has received criticism from fans for his sometimes unreliable hands and infrequent big plays, but he is an excellent blocker and an unselfish, team-first player. That’s the kind of receiver Payton loves, and Humphrey fits Payton’s preferred receiver size (6-4, 225 pounds).

Humphrey, 26, has earned about $2.2 million over the last two years in Denver, and his team-friendly deal is another factor that swings in his favor. The veteran receiver has totaled 44 receptions for 455 yards and four touchdowns through 34 games (15 starts) with the Broncos.

It wouldn’t be shocking to see Denver offer Humphrey another one-year deal in 2025.

Broncos 2025 free agents

  1. DL D.J. Jones
  2. QB Zach Wilson
  3. QB Jarrett Stidham
  4. LB Cody Barton
  5. WR Lil’Jordan Humphrey
  6. CB Tremon Smith
  7. RB Javonte Williams
  8. P Riley Dixon
  9. LB Justin Strnad
  10. OL Matt Peart
  11. CB Levi Wallace
  12. LB Zach Cunningham
  13. FB Michael Burton
  14. LS Mitchell Fraboni (RFA)
  15. TE Lucas Krull (ERFA)
  16. OLB Dondrea Tillman (ERFA)
  17. DB Devon Key (ERFA)
  18. DL Jordan Jackson (ERFA)
  19. CB Ja’Quan McMillian (ERFA)

The NFL’s 2025 negotiating period will run from March 10-12 ahead of the official start of NFL free agency on March 12.

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Chiefs HC Andy Reid discusses DeAndre Hopkins’ role before Super Bowl LIX: ‘Senior leadership’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid discusses DeAndre Hopkins’ role before Super Bowl LIX: ‘Senior leadership’ | @EdEastonJr

The mid-season trade by the Kansas City Chiefs to acquire former All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has paid off more than what he’s done statistically. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid highlighted Hopkins’ contributions as a leader during Wednesday’s press conference.

“I knew we were getting a good player to play against him quite a bit, but I didn’t know the leadership part,” said Reid. “He’s been tremendous that way. He hasn’t complained that we’re spreading the ball around or utilizing other guys along with him. He’s willing to share in that way.”

Since joining the Chiefs, Hopkins hasn’t received his typical number of targets per game because of the weapons alongside him in the offense. Instead, he has become a mentor to rookie Xavier Worthy, who has blossomed over the second half of the year under the multiple-time Pro Bowler’s guidance.

“So that whole senior leadership part that he’s brought, I really appreciated,” said Reid. “He’s a unique route runner. He knows how to set things up and shared that with some of the guys. I appreciate that part, too.”

Reid could be setting Hopkins up for more targets in the Super Bowl. Historically, when given an extra week to prepare, Reid has found new ways to involve offensive players in the game plan.

What condition the position is in: Assessing Raiders level of need at wide receiver

We take a look at the Raiders wide receiver position as we head into the offseason and free agency.

With free agency a month away, it’s time to check in on the Raiders’ wide receiver position to give it a condition of either Strong, Stable, Unstable, Serious, or Critical.

Starters: Jakobi Meyers, Tre Tucker

Backups: Ramel Keyton, DJ Turner, Tyreik McAllister, Jeff Foreman, Kristian Wilkerson, Alex Bachman, Shedrick Jackson

Free agents: Terrace Marshall

This position looked like it was in good hands coming into last season. But three games in Davante Adams was already wanting out. Jakoby Meyers stepped up to be the team’s number one receiver, reaching 1000 yards for the first time in his career. But Tre Tucker never quite reached the ceiling they had hoped.

Condition: Critical

Should the Raiders manage to get their starting QB in free agency or via trade, they could turn to receiver atop the draft. Another option, of course, is to get that receiver in free agency. Though there aren’t a lot of good options there. Either way, they need a big X receiver to replace Adams. Meyers is a great receiver to have on the roster, but he is not a true number one who can help lift the play of whoever they get at QB.

Chiefs WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown reflects on off-season fueling injury comeback: ‘He trusted me’

Kansas City #Chiefs wide receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown reflects on off-season fueling injury comeback: ‘He trusted me’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown has made an immediate impact since returning from surgery and missing most of the season. During Tuesday’s press conference, he discussed his journey working with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

“I feel like from the time we spent the off-season, we built a good rapport with each other,” said Brown. “So just, coming back from injury again, put into practice and the game. It was just like, you know, he (Patrick Mahomes) trusted me from the work we put in an offseason.”

Brown was placed on the Chiefs’ injured reserve list due to a shoulder injury he sustained on the first drive of Kansas City’s first preseason game. He returned to the lineup in Week 16 against the Houston Texans, making his official Kansas City debut.

“I mean, Pat’s (Patrick Mahomes), he’s a great player, and he really knows the game,” said Brown. “So it’s really hard to defend a guy like that, especially in the guy to have it down, because he probably knows what you’re in, and he probably knows where to go with the ball, or if he has to run.”

The duo of Brown and Mahomes worked together all off-season in Texas, and their chemistry was evident in the veteran receivers’ return. He had three catches for 35 yards in the AFC Championship victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Will Chiefs WR Rashee Rice be able to return for Super Bowl LIX?

Will #Chiefs WR Rashee Rice be able to return from Kansas City’s injured reserve list in time to play against the #Eagles in Super Bowl LIX?

The Kansas City Chiefs have dealt with significant injuries to their receiving corps throughout the 2024 season, and are set to be without veteran wide receiver Rashee Rice when they face the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX on February 9.

Rice was injured in Kansas City’s Week 4 win over the Los Angeles Chargers and underwent surgery on October 8, 2024.

Though the Chiefs were able to get free-agent addition Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown—who was injured in August 2024 and missed much of the regular season—back in time for the playoffs, Kansas City wasn’t so lucky with Rice, who is set to miss Super Bowl LIX.

Without Rice, the Chiefs will rely on rookie wideout Xavier Worthy and veteran pass-catchers like ‘Hollywood’ Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, Justin Watson, and JuJu Smith-Schuster to help Patrick Mahomes in the passing game against Philadelphia’s outstanding secondary.

Stay tuned to see if Kansas City’s offense can overcome Rice’s absence when the Chiefs face off with the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX.

Ex-Broncos wide receiver placed on UFL’s retired list

Trey Quinn, who went to training camp with the Broncos in 2022, has been placed on the UFL’s retired list.

A former Denver Broncos wide receiver appears to be hanging up his cleats.

The Michigan Panthers moved veteran receiver Trey Quinn to the United Football League’s retired list in late January, according to the UFL’s transaction wire.

Quinn (6-0, 200 pounds) entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick out of SMU with Washington in 2018. He later spent time in Jacksonville and Las Vegas before joining the Broncos in 2022.

Quinn went to training camp that summer but did not make Denver’s 53-man roster. He then signed a contract with Michigan’s USFL team ahead of the 2023 spring season. Quinn hauled in 37 receptions for 439 yards and four touchdowns that spring.

Quinn then spent a year with the Detroit Lions before returning to spring football ahead of the 2024 season. He totaled 27 receptions for 239 yards and one touchdown with Michigan last year.

The 29-year-old receiver is now retiring from the UFL, and presumably from pro football. Between the NFL, USFL and UFL, Quinn recorded 99 catches for 951 yards and seven touchdowns in 36 games.

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Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy explains his postseason mindset: ‘Prove everybody wrong’

Kansas City #Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy explains his postseason mindset: ‘Prove everybody wrong’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy has become an impactful go-to player on offense this postseason. During last Thursday’s press conference, he addressed his play and desire to prove doubters wrong all year.

“Just my mentality, I go out there just trying to prove everybody wrong. I was coming into the season doubted.” said Worthy. “Everybody said he’s not fit to be a big-time receiver, he’s too small, he’s injury prone. I feel like I proved everybody wrong, and I’m going to continue to prove everybody wrong.”

After an impressive season, Worthy holds the record for most touchdowns by a Chiefs rookie from scrimmage. He credited his success to his growing relationship with Patrick Mahomes, especially given the wide receiver injuries.

“This is my first time stepping up and just being a guy that Pat (Patrick Mahomes) could rely on,” said Worthy. “Just having that, and having the leadership of the guys that actually went down, they’ve been helping me, leading me throughout the way, so it’s amazing just to have them on the journey.”

During the AFC Championship victory over the Buffalo Bills, Worthy totaled 101 scrimmage yards with a team-high six catches for a game-high 85 receiving yards with one receiving touchdown and two carries for 16 rushing yards.

2025 Free Agency: Can Steelers afford Tee Higgins’ massive payday?

The Steelers may be interested in Tee Higgins, but his price tag could force them to consider a cheaper alternative.

The Pittsburgh Steelers find themselves once again in search of receiver help heading into 2025. Bengals WR  Tee Higgins, arguably the biggest free-agent wide receiver this offseason, has been tied to the Black and Gold as of late. However, he may prove too expensive for the Steelers’ taste.

According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, Higgins is expected to break the $30 million per year mark. Fowler noted that he has heard discussions of Higgins’ contract being lower—closer to Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith’s $25 million per year—but ultimately, more team personnel believe it will be much higher:

“The rest saw him breaking into the $30 million range, based on his status as a No. 1-caliber receiver and the number of teams desperate for pass-catching help.”

This could prove troublesome for the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ roster, with T.J. Watt, George Pickens, and DeShon Elliott set to hit free agency in 2026—all of whom could command massive contracts in their own right.

Should the Pittsburgh Steelers settle for a cheaper veteran option, such as WR Amari Cooper, or is Higgins’ talent too great to pass up in 2025 free agency?

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Steelers may have found their next franchise WR in 2025 Senior Bowl

Jack Bech made a strong case for the Pittsburgh Steelers after his standout performance in the 2025 Senior Bowl.

One of the biggest question marks heading into the 2025 offseason for the Pittsburgh Steelers is how to fix their wide receiver woes. The team failed to find production from their wide receivers not named George Pickens—and his future with the Steelers remains uncertain as trade speculation swirls.

With that in mind, the team will either need to hit a home run in the 2025 NFL Draft or sign a big-name free agent in the coming months—and the Steelers may have just found a solution tied to the former.

WR Jack Bech out of TCU was considered one of the better Day 2 or Day 3 receivers in this year’s draft class, and his performance in the 2025 Senior Bowl should have Steelers scouts foaming at the mouth.

Bech finished the day with six catches for 68 yards and a game-winning touchdown, ultimately being named the 2025 Senior Bowl MVP.

If the TCU receiver is available when the Steelers make their second-round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft, GM Omar Khan and HC Mike Tomlin will have the easiest decision in the world—bring Bech to the Steel City.

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Steelers’ 25-year draft history shows WR isn’t a first-round priority

The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t drafted a wide receiver in the first round in 19 years, making it unlikely they break that trend in 2025.

The 2025 NFL Draft buzz is beginning to pick up as the Senior Bowl has concluded, leaving much of the Black and Gold faithful wondering what their beloved Steelers will do to alleviate their receiver concerns.

Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka has been the biggest wide receiver tied to the Steelers’ 21st overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, but something fans may want to consider is that history does not support this speculation.

Since 2000, the Steelers have selected just two wide receivers in the first round—Plaxico Burress in 2000 and Santonio Holmes in 2006.

It has been a long 19 years since the Steel City used the coveted first round to find a wide receiver, as the Pittsburgh Steelers tend to use the later rounds to select their top receivers.

In the past 25 NFL Drafts, there have been six wide receivers taken in the second round by the Steelers—their number one targeted positional group from picks 33-64.

With that in mind, it is likely that the Pittsburgh Steelers draft a defensive lineman in the first round and choose to draft a receiver in the second round, such as TCU WR Jack Bech—who was recently named the 2025 Senior Bowl MVP.

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