Tag: wide receiver

Pittsburgh radio host describes rumored trade package for Jaguars’ WR

Pittsburgh radio host Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan discussed the rumored trade package for WR Christian Kirk, prior to his injury.

It is rumored that the ‘Khan Artist’ was nearly conned at his own game. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ General Manager Omar Khan is beloved in the Steel City for his stellar draft selections, trade negotiations, and free agency signings.

However, a rumor coined by Pittsburgh radio host Andrew Filliponi of 93.7 The Fan, described on social media, suggests that the Steelers were extremely close to overpaying in a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk, prior to his season-ending collarbone injury.

According to Filliponi, the rumor claimed Pittsburgh would have sent a 2025 third-round draft selection to Jacksonville in exchange for Kirk..

While fans should take the rumor with a grain of salt, if true, the Steelers’ trade for New York Jets WR Mike Williams looks even more outstanding, as the 2025 fifth-round compensation given up is nowhere near as valuable as a third-round draft pick.

Williams should fit nicely into the offensive scheme in Pittsburgh, and fans could catch a glimpse of the Russell Wilson-Williams connection as early as Week 10, when the Steelers take on the Commanders on November 10th at 1:00 PM EST.

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Chiefs HC Andy Reid reflects on Xavier Worthy stepping out of bounds: ‘He’ll learn from it’

Kansas City #Chiefs head coach Andy Reid reflects on Xavier Worthy stepping out of bounds: ‘He’ll learn from it’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid has led his team to a second 8-0 start since being hired by the franchise 12 years ago. During his tenure, he’s seen many things, including rookie mishaps during games.

Reid spoke with reporters on Wednesday before practice, sharing his thoughts on Xavier Worthy’s incompletion on a big pass play because he accidentally stepped out of bounds.

“Yeah, he’s doing a good job. He just had that look of stepping out of bounds there. I mean, but what a great route. That was an adjustment he made to put himself in that position off of the route.” Reid said. “He’s doing a good job. He didn’t have his number dialed up as much as he did the weeks in the past. I mean, most of the stuff going to (Travis) Kelce and “Eight” (DeAndre Hopkins). But there’ll be weeks like that; his numbers called up more. That just says how it goes in these games.”

Worthy remains valuable to the Chiefs offense, although his targets have dipped since Hopkins’ arrival. Reid continued to explain that the talented fest round pick will learn from the mistake and do better moving forward.

“They plotted that side. He adjusted back outside and was able to escape where you get yourself forced wide. He was able to keep himself in bounds and escape that corner, not force him wider than the play normally brings you to so. But I thought he did a great job on that part.” said Reid. “He’ll learn from that, young guy. He’ll learn from it. You won’t see him step out of bounds very often. It was good, he can take something positive out of it, and then he could take something he can learn from out of it, too.”

Reid knows Worthy is an offensive weapon that can be utilized in different ways now that Hopkins is on the team.

Courtland Sutton continues to climb Broncos’ all-time receiving list

Broncos WR Courtland Sutton now ranks 10th in franchise history with 334 career receptions.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton totaled seven receptions for 122 yards against the Baltimore Ravens last week, marking his second-straight game with at least 100 receiving yards.

With that performance, Sutton became the first Broncos receiver since Tim Patrick (2020) to post 100 yards in consecutive games. Sutton now has 334 career receptions, which ranks 10th on the team’s all-time list. He passed Brandon Marshall (327) on Sunday.

Player Receptions Yards Touchdowns
1. Rod Smith 849 11,389 68
2. Shannon Sharpe 675 8.439 55
3. Demaryius Thomas 665 9.055 60
4. Lionel Taylor 543 6,872 44
5. Ed McCaffrey 462 6,200 46
6. Vance Johnson 415 5,695 37
7. Emmanuel Sanders 404 5,361 28
8. Riley Odoms 396 5,755 41
9. Steve Watson 353 6,112 36
10. Courtland Sutton 334 4,758 26

Sutton is the fifth player in franchise history to total at least 30 receptions in six of his first seven seasons, joining the late Demaryius Thomas, Vance Johnson, Riley Odoms and Lionel Taylor.

Sutton also threw a two-yard touchdown pass to quarterback Bo Nix on Sunday, becoming the third receiver in franchise history to throw for a score, joining Sanders (once) and Arthur Marshall (twice).

With the rest of this season and another year remaining on his contract, Sutton is poised to continue climbing Denver’s all-time receiving lists.

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Can Calvin Austin fend off the newly acquired Mike Williams for WR2?

The Steelers’ acquisition of WR Mike Williams from the Jets complicated Calvin Austin’s breakout and bid for WR2.

2024 has truly been one of the most exciting times to be a Pittsburgh Steelers fan! From acquiring prominent players in free agency to breaking the Steel City norm with several huge trades, Pittsburgh fans have every reason to love what they’re seeing from their team and the Steelers front office.

However, one Steelers WR, who seemingly broke out in the team’s Week 8 victory, may need to continue his dominance to fend off the newly acquired WR Mike Williams.

WR Calvin Austin III tore through the New York Giants’ secondary and special teams in Week 8, recording 54 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown on just three receptions, as well as shifting the momentum for his team with a 73-yard punt return touchdown.

After his two-touchdown night, fans assumed Austin could step in as the team’s WR2 moving forward. However, when the New York Jets traded Williams to Pittsburgh, it complicated matters for Austin’s offensive involvement.

Can Austin coexist with Williams as potential WR2-A and WR2-B? Or will Mike Tomlin have another “good” problem on his hands with yet another elite positional battle?

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New York Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers reacts to WR Mike Williams trade

While appearing on the Pat McAfee Show, New York Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers reacts live to the news of WR Mike Williams trade to Pittsburgh.

Former Indianapolis Colts’ All-Pro punter Pat McAfee brought on his guest, New York Jets’ QB Aaron Rodgers, in the truly the right place and time, as Rodgers was able to react live to insider Adam Schefter’s report that the Pittsburgh Steelers acquiring his former Jets’ teammate, WR Mike Williams, via trade.

McAfee asked Rodgers for his intitial reaction and what Williams meant to the 2024 New York Jets’ team.  While Rodgers could have taken this opportunity to make Williams position on the team seem replaceable, Rodgers took the opportunity to relate with Williams’ struggles with injuries and amazing recovery, stating that “I felt like he was getting better throughout the early part of the season.  I feel like his speed was getting better.  That’s a tough injury, I had that injury.”

The injury Rodgers referenced is one in which Williams tore his ACL during his 2023 season with the Los Angeles Chargers.

While Williams would surely appreciate the kind words from his former QB on the Jets, he is no doubt looking forward to getting the opportunity to show the NFL exactly what he is capable of with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024.

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Chiefs WR DeAndre Hopkins describes his chemistry with Patrick Mahomes: ‘I’m always learning’

Kansas City #Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins describes his chemistry with Patrick Mahomes: ‘I’m always learning’ | @EdEastonJr

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is still adjusting to his new team but showed little uncertainty during his star performance in Week 9 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran spoke to reporters after the game about working well with Patrick Mahomes during his press conference.

“A lot more comfortable. Coaches do a great job of getting me prepared,” said Hopkins. “It’s not just Connor (Embree), but everybody on the offensive side. Everybody’s always testing me and asking me questions. You know, just seeing my knowledge of the offense as we go.”

Mahomes and Hopkins connected early and often on Monday, with the five-time All-Pro finishing with eight receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

“Communication, talking through our practice, talking locker room, just communicating every day, just about looks that we see,” said Hopkins. “And me just picking his (Mahomes) brain, asking him what he likes, and when I’m not out there, taking the rep, I’m always learning and just seeing How he does things.”

The growing chemistry between Mahomes and Hopkins should grow with more practice time, as the duo will be back in action on Sunday against the Denver Broncos.

Steelers fans react to D.K. Metcalf trade rumors

Fans of the Black and Gold are in a trade rumor frenzy after Steelers RB Cordarrelle Patterson teased the recruitment of WR D.K Metcalf.

Speculation and trade rumors are beginning to reach an all-time high as the November 5th trade deadline, at 4:00 PM EST, is less than one day away. While the Pittsburgh Steelers have been rumored to pursue any and all available wide receivers, such as Carolina Panthers’ Adam Thielen and New York Jets’ Mike Williams, the most recent and perhaps most exciting rumor involves none other than Seattle Seahawks’ former All-Pro WR D.K. Metcalf.

Fans of the Steel City erupted on social media when Steelers RB Cordarrelle Patterson, who has been actively recruiting several receivers for the team in recent weeks, seemingly began to recruit Metcalf following Seattle’s Week 9 loss.

It was rumored that Seattle could consider moving on from their star WR with a Week 9 defeat, but could Steelers General Manager Omar Khan be the hero of Pittsburgh, and bring this elite talent to the Steel City? Only time will tell, but here are some of the best fan reactions to the speculation and rumors.

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Broncos Super Bowl 50 champion Cody Latimer retires from football

Cody Latimer, who won Super Bowl 50 with the Broncos in 2015, has retired from pro football.

Former Denver Broncos wide receiver Cody Latimer is hanging up his cleats.

“Thank you football!!!” Latimer wrote on his Instagram page on Monday. “This game has taken me places i would’ve never imagined… Onto the next chapter!! 💪🏾💪🏾”

Latimer, 32, was picked by the Broncos in the second round of the 2014 NFL draft out of Indiana. He spent the first four years of his career in Denver, hauling in 35 receptions for 445 yards and three touchdowns in 45 games.

Latimer played 24 snaps on special teams and two snaps on offense in the team’s 24-10 victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

After his contract with the Broncos expired, Latimer spent two years with the New York Giants. He later had a brief stint with the Washington Commanders before three years out of football.

Latimer returned to the gridiron with the XFL’s Orlando Guardians in 2023 and transitioned to tight end. After making the All-XFL team in 2023, Latimer joined the UFL’s San Antonio Brahmas in 2024. He totaled 36 receptions for 391 yards and one touchdown this spring before being placed on injured reserve.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DB9B5w0xWan/?hl=en&img_index=10

Congrats to Latimer on his nine-year career in professional football.

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Cordarrelle Patterson seemingly recruits All-Pro WR to Pittsburgh

Days before the trade deadline, Cordarrelle Patterson recently hinted at recruiting D.K. Metcalf to Pittsburgh, fueling speculation.

Where there’s proverbial trade smoke, there’s bound to be speculative fire. Pittsburgh Steelers RB Cordarrelle Patterson has more than stirred up trade rumors in the Steel City, as he has previously and publicly attempted to recruit several veteran WRs to Pittsburgh, including Davante Adams and Mike Williams. He hilariously teased fans a little over a week ago about whom to pursue next. However, his most recent attempt is none other than former All-Pro WR D.K. Metcalf. 

While fans typically take Patterson’s recruitment tactics with a grain of salt, with only a few days until the trade deadline, could Pittsburgh actually be in trade talks with the Seattle Seahawks regarding Metcalf? 

The Seahawks lost their Week 9 matchup to the Rams, relinquishing their control over the NFC West to the now first place Arizona Cardinals. Could the 4-5 Seahawks consider trading one of their top receivers, if the price is right, to the Pittsburgh Steelers? General Manager Omar Khan could orchestrate one of the biggest blockbuster trades of the season, and acquiring Metcalf would propel Pittsburgh into Super Bowl contender status.

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Former Steelers’ WR turned Raven a non-factor in Baltimore debut

Former Steeler and newly acquired Ravens WR Diontae Johnson had an underwhelming debut in Baltimore, making zero impact whatsoever.

While not every debut makes a splash, some fail to even make a ripple. This is exactly the reality Diontae Johnson faced in his first appearance with the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9. The former Steelers WR did his best impression of Roman Wilson’s regular-season debut. Not only did Johnson fail to record a single catch, Ravens QB Lamar Jackson didn’t target him at all during the contest. 

While his playing time was limited, similar to how Pittsburgh Steelers HC Mike Tomlin handled Wilson’s first career NFL regular-season game, his inability to make even a slight impact begs the question: was too much stock put into his arrival with the Ravens?

While Johnson has yet to be given the chance to highlight some of his less-than-lovable qualities, such as his tendency to give up on plays, his lack of consistency in run blocking, and his plethora of dropped passes, fans of Pittsburgh should be excited about the opportunity to showcase, in Week 11’s matchup with the Ravens, why acquiring Donte Jackson was well worth the price they paid in trading Johnson to Carolina. 

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