Tag: WR

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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Pittsburgh radio host paints intriguing Steelers trade scenario

Andrew Fillipponi, host of 93.7 The Fan, painted an intriguing Steelers trade scenario, sparking fan discussion as the trade deadline nears

The results of Week 9’s contests, considered by most to have the greatest implications before the November 5th trade deadline, are beginning to shape the entire landscape of the 2024 Pittsburgh Steelers trade rumors. 

The Carolina Panthers, despite defeating the New Orleans Saints 23-22 just days before the trade deadline, are still 2-7 on the season and will likely continue to seek potential trade partners to offload some of their veteran talent. 

Andrew Filliponi, host of the Pittsburgh sports-focused radio station 93.7 The Fan, envisioned an interesting and highly possible trade scenario in which the Steelers acquire veteran WR Adam Thielen from the Carolina Panthers. 

Could Thielen’s health situation compare to that of Davante Adams’ ‘hamstring injury’, with Carolina potentially being cautious and limiting their WR’s play to avoid any complications in a potential trade with Pittsburgh? With only a few days left before the Steelers are locked out of making trades for the 2024 season, Pittsburgh will need to act quickly to strengthen their bid for a deep playoff run this season.

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Steelers making calls on multiple WRs at trade deadline, per insider

Insider Adam Schefter brings good news for Steelers fans—potential wide receiver trade targets who could end up in Pittsburgh.

In what has been an up-and-down week for Pittsburgh trade rumors, to say the least, fans of the Steel City are getting a positive update for a change. Insider Adam Schefter reported that the Pittsburgh Steelers have been in contact with teams to trade for any available wide receiver at the trade deadline.

Schefter continued to name two wide receivers and previously rumored trade targets—Carolina Panthers’ WR Adam Thielen and New York Jets’ WR Mike Williams.

While the Carolina Panthers are expected to sell heavily at the trade deadline, the New York Jets may wait to see how the AFC playoff picture takes shape after Week 9’s games before making any potential moves.

The 34-year-old Thielen is well beyond the prime of his career but could provide Pittsburgh with a veteran presence in the wide receiver room.

Williams, however, may still have plenty of gas left in the tank, as when healthy, the WR is a force to be reckoned with.

Will Pittsburgh pull the trigger on any WR trade, or at this point, is making any trade before the deadline simply a pipe dream?

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Steelers fans react to devastating trade target injury news

Steelers fans passionately reacted to the trade news regarding the Steelers almost trading for WR Christian Kirk before his injury.

Teams around the NFL were acquiring receivers via trade left and right, and the Steelers, perhaps the most WR-needy team of them all, made no moves whatsoever.

On Friday, fans of the Steel City received an update from insider Adam Schefter on the Pittsburgh WR trade rumors, and it was heartbreaking, to say the least.

Schefter reported that the Steelers were close to acquiring WR Christian Kirk from the Jacksonville Jaguars just before his season-ending collarbone injury against the Green Bay Packers in Week 8.

Fans can still hold onto hope for other prominent veteran WRs on the trade market; however, a player of Kirk’s caliber could have been exactly what the 6-2 Steelers needed.

The Black and Gold faithful continue to lobby for the Steelers to acquire additional talent, but some have given up hope after hearing the awful news. Here are some of the passionate fan responses to the news on social media.

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WR’s season-ending injury halted trade to Pittsburgh, per insider

According to insider Adam Schefter, WR Christian Kirk’s season-ending injury halted a probable trade to Pittsburgh.

Steelers fans eagerly awaiting Pittsburgh to make a potential blockbuster trade almost got their wish, according to insider Adam Schefter.

Schefter reported on Saturday afternoon that league sources indicated that, prior to Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk’s collarbone injury, the Steelers had a “reasonable chance” of finally pulling off a WR trade.

Kirk has accumulated 5,176 receiving yards and 29 touchdowns in his 93 career games played.

The report from Schefter makes complete sense, as fans were perplexed when WR trades were taking place left and right in the league, yet the Steelers were not among the teams making them. Losing the team’s primary trade target to injury is extremely unfortunate, and it remains to be seen if General Manager Omar Khan can pull off a WR trade before the deadline on November 5th.

Pittsburgh has until Tuesday, November 5th, at 4:00 PM EST to finalize any trades. Will Khan help build an unstoppable receiving corps before the deadline, or will the team continue to rely on WR Calvin Austin III and WR Van Jefferson opposite WR George Pickens?

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Is 2024 the year Jameson Williams breaks out with a career season?

Former Alabama WR Jameson Williams is in a great position to dominate the league with the Detroit Lions.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football wide receiver Jameson Williams began his NFL career on the sidelines. He was selected No. 12 overall in the 2022 draft by the Detroit Lions, but was still recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered in the national championship game just a few months prior.

Though he returned to action late in 2022, he would be sidelined again due to a suspension handed down by the league before the start of the 2023 season.

In his two seasons with the Lions, he’s appeared in 18 games, caught a total of 25 passes for 395 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He’s also had a handful of rushing attempts, one of which was for a touchdown.

Williams has the talent and ability to be a star in the NFL. Detroit is now one of the top teams in the league with a roster that features a combination of veterans and young players. If Williams can stay on the field, he’ll be in one of the best positions to be a breakout star in 2024, as Jeff Risdon of the Lions Wire details.

“The stage is set for “Jamo” to emerge as one of the NFL’s most explosive receivers in 2024. After an injury-delayed rookie season and a gambling suspension that inhibited Year 2, Williams enters his third season in Detroit free of distractions and ready to fly. He’s the No. 2 wideout now with the departure of vet Josh Reynolds, and his game-breaking speed makes Williams a great weapon. During spring sessions, Williams showed a much better grasp of route running and overall attention to detail. Williams might not be a high-volume receiver and the drop issue isn’t likely to abate, but he could still approach 1,000 receiving yards and threaten double-digit touchdowns.”

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Jameson Williams and other former Alabama stars in the NFL as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Alabama WR ranks as a top-5 ‘draft gem’ in college football

One of Alabama’s newest players is being respected as a top-five player in college football.

In recent seasons, the Alabama Crimson Tide football program has had plenty of success recruiting wide receiver talent out of high school and through the transfer portal. The development of that talent is also noteworthy, as numerous receivers found their way into the NFL via early rounds of the draft, and cemented themselves as high-quality players at the professional level.

While those were all under the leadership of legendary head coach Nick Saban, he is now retired, leaving former Washington Huskies head coach Kalen DeBoer to be the man at the helm of the historical program.

One of DeBoer’s biggest recruiting victories of the offseason was when he successfully obtained a commitment from junior wide receiver Germie Bernard, who played under DeBoer at Washington.

In 2023, Bernard appeared in 14 games, catching 34 passes for 419 yards and two touchdowns. His role is expected to be much larger at Alabama, being one of the leaders of the receiving corps for starting quarterback Jalen Milroe.

Recently, Bernard was tabbed as a ‘draft gem’ by CBS Sports’s Blake Brockermyer, who ranked the new Crimson Tide receiver No. 5 on the list of top prospects for the 2025 NFL draft.

“Big-bodied receiver who can attack the ball in the air, body defenders and high point in contested catches,” writes Brockermyer. “He is expected to be Jalen Milroe’s security blanket after an impressive spring.”

It will be interesting to see how Bernard performs in the new environment with a new quarterback, but the same head coach. His stats, while relatively underwhelming, don’t give fans a strong idea of his strengths and weaknesses, as the sample size is still somewhat small.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Alabama football news as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Miami Dolphins pick up Jaylen Waddle’s fifth-year option

The Miami Dolphins have exercised WR Jaylen Waddle’s fifth-year option on his rookie contract.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has had his fifth-year option picked up by the Miami Dolphins. In 2021, Waddle was selected No. 6 overall by the franchise and instantly became a key contributor.

Being paired with his former college quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, Waddle set a new rookie receptions record and has improved in his two seasons since then.

In all three seasons, Waddle has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards. This feat is impressive for any receiver in the league, but especially when Waddle shares targets with one of the top wide receivers in the NFL, Tyreek Hill.

With his fifth-year option being picked up, Waddle will be under contract with the Dolphins through the 2025 season.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Jaylen Waddle and other former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2024 season progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

Miami Dolphins expected to pick up Jaylen Waddle’s fifth-year option

Former Alabama wide receiver and Miami Dolphins star is expected to have his fifth-year option picked up.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football wide receiver Jaylen Waddle was the sixth overall selection in the 2021 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins. Pairing him with his former college quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has proven to be a very smart move. Now, Waddle is expected to have his fifth-year option picked up by the Dolphins.

Waddle broke the NFL record for most receptions by a receiver in his rookie season. Since then, star receiver Tyreek Hill has joined the team, which led to Waddle’s role on the offense shrinking some. However, that has not prevented him from being a valuable member of the team’s receiving corps.

In 2023, Waddle reeled in 72 passes on 104 targets for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns. He and Hill are often considered to be one of the strongest receiving duos in the entire league.

Miami’s general manager, Chris Grier, shared with reporters that the franchise plans on picking up his fifth-year option before the upcoming deadline to do so.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to cover Waddle and other former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM. 

DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles agree to contract extension

WR DeVonta Smith and the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to terms on a three-year extension. The former Alabama receiver gets PAID.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide football wide receiver DeVonta Smith has received a hefty contract extension from the Philadelphia Eagles, according to NFL network insider Ian Rapoport. Smith’s new deal is worth $75 million over three seasons.

Smith was a star player for the Crimson Tide during his time in Tuscaloosa, and finished his collegiate career with a national championship and a Heisman Trophy, a rare instance where a wide receiver won the coveted award.

After being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Eagles, Smith immediately became a valuable offensive weapon for the franchise. Through three seasons, he has a per-season average of 80 receptions for 1,060 yards and six touchdowns.

His time in the NFL is just getting started, and the front office in Philadelphia wanted to make sure he stays a member of the Eagles.

Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow Smith and other former Alabama players in the NFL as the 2024 offseason progresses.

Contact/Follow us @RollTideWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Alabama news, notes and opinion. You can also follow AJ Spurr on X @SpurrFM.