The New England Patriots offered a contract to star free agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins according to ESPN’s Dianna Russini.

Hopkins, who also received an offer from the Tennessee Titans, has yet to sign a new deal  since his May 26 release from the Arizona Cardinals. Russini reported that Hopkins will take his time.

“His sales job continues trying to get more teams interested at this point, because right now, we know that there are only two teams that have had DeAndre Hopkins come to their facility,” Russini said on “NFL Live” on Thursday, June 22.

“I was told by sources close to the situation that Hopkins is going over some of the offers from both of those teams, the Titans and the Patriots,” Russini added. “He’s mulling over and trying to come up with a decision with what he wants to do.”

Hopkins visited the Patriots and Titans last week, but he hasn’t visited another team since. The three-time All-Pro remains unsigned with almost five weeks left before training camps open in late July.

“I was told to be very patient here,” Russini continued regarding Hopkins’ timeframe. “This isn’t something that’s going to go down in the next 24 or 48 hours. It’s going to take some time for DeAndre Hopkins to come up with his final decision of where he wants to play.”

DeAndre Hopkins Has Vested Interest in Waiting

Hopkins waiting doesn’t come as a total surprise. ESPN’s Adam Schefter previously explained that there’s truly no rush for a free agent such as Hopkins to sign during the quietest period of the offseason.

“It’s been a flat market. It doesn’t sound like he’s in any rush to [sign] a deal,” Schefter said. “You don’t have to sign in the middle of June when you can wait until right before training camp.

“For all we know, some team suffers an injury, some team loses a receiver, the dynamics change and shift, and there could be more leverage at some point in time for DeAndre Hopkins,” Schefter added.

“So he can listen to Tennessee, he can listen to New England, he can see what they’re offering, but there’s no rush,” Schefter continued. “He can wait until a firmer offer from another team materializes. Doesn’t sound like he’s in a rush to do anything right now.”

For now, the Patriots at least have the benefit of a positive visit with Hopkins. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Hopkins “gave the impression he’s certainly intrigued, interested in playing with New England.”

Bill Belichick, DeAndre Hopkins Visited at Length

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted that Hopkins visited with Patriots head coach Bill Belichick for a while during the visit. Hopkins and Belichick had a notable chat at a December 2022 game between the Patriots and Cardinals.

“But I think one thing that came across is this is going to have to be on Bill’s terms,” Breer said on 98.5 The Sports Hub’s “Toucher & Rich Podcast” last week. “And I think the fact that Bill and Hopkins spent one-on-one time at the end of the visit, tells me that those terms have been discussed.”

“And are Bill’s terms now getting closer to what Hopkins’ terms for going to a team would be? That to me is the question,” Breer added. “Because I still think money is a factor. If money was less of a factor, I think he’d be a Buffalo Bill or a Kansas City Chief now.”

Whether or not the New England Patriots sign star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will “come down to” one thing.

“What I’ve continued to hear from different people down there is that this is really gonna come down to Bill [Belichick],” Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer said on the “Toucher & Rich” podcast on Friday, June 16. “And it’s sort of self-explanatory with everything here for the last 23 years.”

Hopkins visited the Patriots on Wednesday and Thursday but left without a signed contract. It marked his second free agency visit after a prior visit with the Tennessee Titans, which all came two weeks after his May 26 release from the Arizona Cardinals.

Belichick, the Patriots’ longtime head coach and general manager has been long-known to not spend big — even on Pro Bowl-caliber talent. Hall of Fame receiver Randy Moss only made north of $10 million once in his three full seasons with the Patriots in the 2000s.

Hopkins isn’t Moss, but Hopkins can produce at a high level amid 11,298 receiving yards and 76 touchdowns in his career. Whether or not Hopkins can land his Spotrac projected value of $23.2 million remains the question for the Patriots or any team.

“But I think one thing that came across is this is going to have to be on Bill’s terms,” Breer said. “And I think the fact that Bill and Hopkins spent one-on-one time [Thursday] at the end of the visit, tells me that those terms have been discussed.”

“And are Bill’s terms now getting closer to what Hopkins’ terms for going to a team would be? That to me is the question,” Breer added. “Because I still think money is a factor. If money was less of a factor, I think he’d be a Buffalo Bill or a Kansas City Chief now.”

The Chiefs won the Super Bowl in two of the past four seasons, and the Bills have been contenders in recent years.

Money vs. a Super Bowl Ring Question Lingers for DeAndre Hopkins

Hopkins notably teased interest in both the Chiefs and Bills over the Patriots in a video earlier this offseason.

Instead, Hopkins visited the Titans and Patriots — both teams that missed the playoffs in the 2022 season. However, Breer noted that Hopkins could choose the Chiefs closer to the season.

In addition, Hopkins was in contact with the Titans amid the Patriots visit according to Breer. The Titans notably offered Hopkins a contract before leaving Nashville, but he continued his search instead.

DeAndre Hopkins Still Not Part of the Patriots ‘Familia’

Hopkins teased his interest in the Patriots during the visit with an Instagram photo that featured himself and New England linebacker Matthew Judon. While five-time Pro Bowler used the phrase “La familia” on the photo, Judon indicated that Hopkins hasn’t joined the family yet.

“He still has that decision to make to where he wants to play,” Judon told J.P.  Smollins of WPRI on Thursday. “But he’s a very talented football player. Everything that he’s done in his career can’t be taken away from him. So, if he wants to join the team, we’ll love to have him. But if not, we’ve played him before — so we know how to guard him as well.”

DeAndre Hopkins could not keep off of social media during his free agency visit with the New England Patriots on Thursday, June 15.

The star free wide receiver posted an Instagram story that showed him standing with Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon in the team locker room. Hopkins wrote ‘La familia’ for the post.

Judon notably tried to recruit Hopkins before, and the two bantered once on social media before the visit. Despite the online exchanges, Judon downplayed it all in person at minicamp this week.

“You’ve seen all you gonna get,” Judon told reporters on Tuesday, June 13. “I don’t run my Twitter, so I don’t know who be tweeting most of the time. So, that’s what I got for y’all.”

Hopkins made the Patriots his second free agency visit since the Arizona Cardinals released the five-time Pro Bowler on May 26. He first visited the Tennessee Titans earlier this week.

DeAndre Hopkins, Patriots Have ‘Productive Visit’

The Athletic’s Jeff Howe described Hopkins’ visit as “productive” though it did not result in a deal. Tennessee notably offered Hopkins a contract according to Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, but Hopkins continued his search.

“WR DeAndre Hopkins and the Patriots have had a productive visit, according to a source,” Howe wrote via Twitter. “No deal at the moment, but there’s still a level of optimism the two sides could reach an agreement.”

The Patriots are making a push for Hopkins, per source. He has departed Gillette Stadium but is still local,” Howe added.

Howe isn’t alone on the positivity between Hopkins and the Patriots. MassLive’s Mark Daniels reported that “that visit between the two parties has been positive on both sides” via a league source.

Patriots’ Waiting Game With DeAndre Hopkins Kicks Off

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called it “interesting” how long Hopkins’ visit with the Patriots lasted. However, Rapoport noted that “it makes sense to wait” for the right deal on Hopkins’ end.

In addition, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Hopkins is in no hurry, which ESPN Patriots insider Mike Reiss wrote about. Reiss also confirmed, via a source, that “both sides are now expected to take some time to assess their next steps” going forward.

Hopkins also “has considered waiting until closer to training camp in late July to make a move”, Reiss wrote, based on Fowler’s report. Rapoport previously noted that “even early into training camp” makes sense because of teams’ changing needs.

“It makes sense if you’re a veteran player who maybe doesn’t necessarily need to go to training camp like the rest of us do,” Rapoport added. “Waiting makes sense. So, I think for DeAndre Hopkins, get all the information you possibly can today and tomorrow, and maybe sit back a little bit and consider your options.”

Hopkins’ visit with the Patriots began “early in the morning and well into the afternoon”, Reiss wrote based on Fowler’s report. Hopkins notably “appeared intrigued” about playing for the Patriots and six-time Super Bowl winning head coach Bill Belichick, Reiss also wrote regarding Fowler’s report.

DeAndre Hopkins has not decided on his next destination, but another team instead of the New England Patriots will see him this weekend.

Hopkins will visit the Tennessee Titans on June 11 according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Arizona Cardinals released Hopkins in May despite a stellar career, and he will make his first free agent visit in Nashville.

“There’s some familiarity here,” Pelissero said.

Former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel, the Titans head coach, worked with Hopkins when they were with the Houston Texans. Hopkins played for the Texans from 2013 to 2019, and Vrabel served as an assistant coach there from 2014 to 2017. Vrabel confirmed the news on  Wednesday.

“They are not the only team,” Pelissero said about Hopkins’ interests.

Pelissero didn’t name any teams “in talks” with Hopkins but noted this first visit “shows there is some mutual interest” with the Titans. The Patriots are looking at Hopkins according to a league source via MassLive, and rumors of Hopkins joining the Patriots have persisted throughout the offseason.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Hopkins notably showed mutual interest or respect amid an exchange at a December 2022 regular season game. Hopkins also acknowledged rumors of the Patriots’ interest during the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast.

In addition, Hopkins teased the Patriots with an Instagram video this month but took down right away. Patriots linebacker Matthew Judon teased Hopkins amid another IG video by the star receiver.

“Y’all seen the Pats logo in the background,” Judon wrote in reaction.

Hopkins actually reacted to Judon’s comment with two laughing emojis. Not all banter has worked in the Patriots favor because Hopkins appeared in a video where he showed more enthusiasm over other teams instead.

DeAndre Hopkins Has a Big Asking Price

New England, as for any team, would likely have to pay Hopkins significantly. The Athletic’s Tim Graham reported, via two unnamed NFL executives, that Hopkins wants a deal comparable to Odell Beckham Jr.

Beckham, a star receiver with the Baltimore Ravens, signed a one-year deal for $15 million with $3 million in incentives. That’s after Beckham missed a season due to an ACL tear.

Spotrac notably projects Hopkins at $23.2 million annually or with a three-year, $69.6 million deal. That might not come true for Hopkins though despite greater availability but only slightly better numbers than Beckham in recent years.

Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer noted that he would be “pretty stunned” for Hopkins to land a deal that matches Beckham. Breer added that Beckham’s deal “has had an adverse effect on the Hopkins market”.

For the Patriots, Hopkins could come with a steep price for a player who may not fit in with the team culture. NBC Sports Boston’s Phil Perry reported that “several league sources” don’t see Hopkins as a fit with the Patriots, particularly in the area of practice habits.

One Patriots Hurdle for DeAndre Hopkins Looks Clear

The most public in-house hurdle looks clear for the Patriots — past work experiences with offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien. Hopkins played for O’Brien with the Texans before getting traded.

Breer reported that O’Brien “would be plenty on board” with Hopkins joining the Patriots. That would give Patriots quarterback Mac Jones a valuable target to help turn around the offense in 2023.

Former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Michael Brockers is looking for a new team. The Tennessee Titans are one of the leading candidates for his services.

NFL insider Aaron Wilson reported on June 7 that Brockers recently visited the Tennessee Titans for a workout.

Brockers only played in six games last season, but in 2021, he started 16 games for the Lions.

In 22 contests with the Lions, Brockers posted 56 combined tackles, including 4 tackles for loss, 2 quarterback hits, 1 sack and 1 pass defense from 2021-22.

DT Michael Brockers Visits the Tennessee Titans

Brockers entered the NFL as the No. 14 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft. He started immediately as a rookie for the then St. Louis Rams.

The Rams had one of the top defensive lines in the league at the time. The franchise then added to it with all-time great Aaron Donald arriving as a first-round pick in 2014.

Brockers started 136 games for the Rams over nine seasons. He began his career with 7 tackles for loss, 6 quarterback hits and 4 sacks in 12 starts as a rookie during 2012. For an encore in 2013, Brockers posted a career-best 5.5 sacks.

In nine seasons with the Rams, Brockers posted 28 sacks, 48 tackles for loss and 62 quarterback hits. He also had 9 pass defenses, 2 forced fumbles and 1 fumble recovery.

The Rams traded Brockers to the Lions for a seventh-round pick in March 2021. After arriving in Detroit, he signed a new three-year deal worth $24 million.

But after he played just six games last season, the Lions released Brockers in March. Despite being a team captain, he was a healthy scratch for 11 contests during the 2022 season.

“We would like to thank Michael Brockers for his leadership over the last two seasons,” Lions general manager Brady Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell said in a joint statement following his release. “As one of our team captains in 2022, Brock’s veteran voice and presence were instrumental in helping guide and develop our young locker room.

“He is one of the true professionals of our game and we have the highest respect for him as a man. We wish him and his family well on their next chapter.”

It was the first season in Brockers’ career that he didn’t play in at least 13 games.

Detroit’s Remaining Need Along the Defensive Line

With $10 million cleared in cap space, Brockers’ release was a no-brainer for the Lions.

Had Brockers played a bigger role on the field last season, perhaps the Lions would have been interested in keeping Brockers at a lower cap hit. But that didn’t make sense a season after Brockers was a healthy scratch in 11 of the final 12 games.

Brockers is now 32 and appears to have lost a step. But a team in need of a veteran defensive lineman, such as the Titans, could find him useful. Brockers is experienced and has lined up along the interior and at defensive end in his career.

The Lions will look elsewhere, though, if they add any additional help along their defensive line before the season. If it’s a big addition, trade rumors have connected Detroit to Washington Commanders defensive end Chase Young.

Detroit has also been linked to veteran free agent defensive linemen Matt Ioannidis and Shelby Harris.

Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Isaiah Buggs and John Cominsky are projected to be Detroit’s starting defensive linemen this season. Levi Onwuzurike and Romeo Okwara are also expected to play significant roles.

To bolster that group, the Lions drafted Brodric Martin in the third round and signed veteran Christian Covington on May 10.

Dez Bryant wants to see the Dallas Cowboys go all-in with a move for Tennessee Titans star running back Derrick Henry.

Bryant urged the Cowboys to go after the two-time rushing leader in a tweet, citing how the move could be beneficial for both parties. Dallas would add the thunderous back to their arsenal, while Henry could get an opportunity to contribute as part of an offense that features multiple weapons, lowering the astronomical workload he’s currently getting in Tennessee.

“Cowboys get Derrick Henry with the supporting cast they have… Prescott Pollard Lamb Cooks Gallup and sprinkle in Turpin/Vaughn. Derrick Henry will bring the perfect balanced to execute all of the fire power the cowboys have,” Bryant tweeted. “That’s a tough offense with a tough defense… Explosive Strength Balance and Speed Reminder.. Derrick Henry carried the load in Tennessee his whole entire career.. he don’t have to do that in Dallas… I like the idea of this Yr cowboy team.”

The Cowboys are heading into the season with Tony Pollard, Ronald Jones, rookie Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Rico Dowdle.

Pollard will be taking over the top running back role but is still recovering from injuries he suffered in the postseason. Pollard fractured his fibula and suffered an ankle injury against the San Francisco 49ers. However, he expects to be ready for the start of the season.

Cowboys Linked to Derrick Henry Previously

The Cowboys have been linked to Henry previously this offseason. Trey Wingo, formerly of ESPN and now with Pro Football Network said in April that he believes the Cowboys would be interested in making a deal.

“The way Derrick plays and the size, it’s eventually going to catch up to him. If someone wants to take him on, I’ve heard the Cowboys [are] potentially interested, but it would have to be at their price, not Derrick Henry’s price,” Wingo said.

Henry is entering the final year of his contract but has proven to be one of the best backs in the NFL. He’s topped 1,500 yards in three of his last four seasons, finding the end zone 46 times over that span. Henry registered an NFL-high 349 carries last season, collecting 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns in 16 games.

“Derrick Henry is still potentially a very dominant running back, but time waits for no man,” Wingo said. “Derrick Henry still has all kinds of things he can do for you, but the clock is ticking.”

Titans New GM Shut Down Derrick Henry Trade Rumors

The Titans and new GM Ran Carthon fired back earlier this offseason when there was a report that the team was shopping Henry.

“There’s nothing new to report,” Carthon said. “There was an erroneous report that came out. I’ve spoken to Todd (France), Derrick’s representative, and we’re in a good place. So, there’s nothing new to report from there.

The Titans were in the mix for a playoff spot last season, although they finished just 7-10. With a new front office in place, it’s conceivable that the franchise would want to reset to some extent. But as it stands, it looks like the Titans will continue to function with Henry as the centerpiece of their offense.

New England Patriots fans can enjoy tight end Anthony Firkser scoring a big touchdown instead of a 2020 playoff nightmare.

Firkser will join the Patriots according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss on Thursday, May 25. The former Tennessee Titans tight end once caught a key touchdown in a Wild Card Game win over the Patriots in January 2020.

Also a former Harvard player, Firkser helped end quarterback Tom Brady‘s final season with the Patriots. Firkser, who last played for the Atlanta Falcons in 2022, can now help the Patriots write a new chapter in 2023.

While Firkser won’t light up the scoreboard regularly like former Patriots great Rob Gronkowski, Firkser adds depth and value to the Patriots’ tight end room. Mike Gesicki and Hunter Henry project to be the top-two  tight ends for the team.

Firkser could play more of a blocking role, and he brings veteran leadership to the locker room. The Patriots have little experience at tight end after Gesicki and Henry.

Matt Sokol, who notably wears Gronkowski’s old No. 87, only has five games of NFL experience. Scotty Washington appeared on one trick play last season, and Johnny Lumpkin just started his NFL career as an undrafted free agent.

Firkser also adds some versatility to the Patriots offense as the team could use him at fullback — a role he played at Harvard. Also a tight end for the Crimson, he tallied   99 receptions for 1,559 yards and 14 touchdowns in 29 career games.

Anthony Firkser Worked his Way From UDFA to Playoff TE

After Firkser went undrafted in 2017, he landed with the New York Jets as a practice squad player. The Jets waived him in September 2017, but he then joined the Kansas City Chiefs‘ practice squad for the season.

Kansas City parted ways with him in April 2018, but he signed with the Titans, coached by former Patriots linebacker Mike Vrabel. While Firkser started off on the practice squad, he worked his way into a rotational role on the 53-man roster.

Firkser caught 140 passes for 1,107 yards and five touchdowns in 58 games amid four seasons with the Titans. He did well in the playoffs, too, with five catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns in four games.

‘Firk’ Won Awkward Award With Titans

As Firkser’s role increased with the Titans, he ended up with an interesting parking spot at training camp. Firkser received the spot next to Vrabel at camp in 2021, which the former All-Ivy League star quipped about.

“I have to try and get here before him, and leave after him, and that might be hard,” Firkser said via TennesseeTitans.com in 2021. “I have to stay away from his [truck].”

“[But] I don’t think that I did anything extraordinary than any of the other guys who were working out this offseason,” Firkser said. “Everyone was here, trying to help the team. But I was thankful for the award.”

Whether or not Firkser will park next to Patriots head coach Bill Belichick at training camp remains to be seen.

Few things offer more excitement or intrigue during the NFL preseason than a good quarterback battle.

There is no position in sports more tied to the success of a team or the trajectory of a franchise than the quarterback. The 2023 campaign will be no different.

Sure, there are elite cemented starting quarterbacks leading the Kansas City Chiefs, Cincinnati Bengals, Philadelphia Eagles, and Buffalo Bills that have their teams positioned to make a legitimate Super Bowl run this fall. But, there are several quarterback situations across the league with far less stability.

Bring on the battles for the starting jobs.

Here’s a look at the four most fascinating quarterback battles to watch this spring and summer, and a prediction for who emerges as the Week 1 starter from each:

San Francisco 49ers

QBs: Trey Lance, Brock Purdy, Sam Darnold

Last season, the 49ers rode a historically dominant defense all the way to the NFC Championship Game, masking a season’s worth of quarterback injuries and inconsistency … until the wheels fell off in Philadelphia.

Brock Purdy was one of the sensational storylines of the 2022 campaign.

Emerging from the carnage of injuries to Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance to, last year’s “Mr. Irrelevant” led San Francisco to the doorstep of the Super Bowl.

However, Purdy is recovering from offseason elbow surgery, repairing an injury that knocked him from the NFC Championship Game against the Eagles, so his health and availability could play a role.

Meanwhile, Lance is coming off a fractured ankle that ended his season in Week 2, but after being chosen No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL draft, he figures to mount a charge for the starting job.

49ers predicted starter: Brock Purdy

There seems to be palpable confidence and belief in Purdy within the 49ers organization, and even before suffering his injury early last season, there was a healthy amount of skepticism about Lance’s readiness and upside. Don’t be surprised if 2023 serves as Purdy’s audition to be San Francisco’s long-term solution at quarterback.

Tennessee Titans

QBs: Ryan Tannehill, Will Levis

Is this the end of the line for Ryan Tannehill in Tennessee? The Titans have drafted a quarterback each of the past two seasons, including trading up to pick No. 33 overall to stop Will Levis’ slide in the second round of this past April’s draft.

Last season, at age 34, Tannehill passed for 2,536 yards with 13 touchdowns to 6 interceptions through 12 games last season for the underachieving Titans.

Meanwhile, Levis was hailed by many as one of the top-four quarterbacks in this year’s draft class, offering significant mobility and athleticism along with plenty of arm strength shown off during his time at Kentucky and Penn State.

Titans predicted starter: Will Levis

Call it a bold prediction, or perhaps just reading the tea leaves, but the Titans situation feels like a flashback to the Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback conundrum in 2016.

That spring and summer, rookie Carson Wentz looked pro-ready and completely capable of leading Doug Pederson’s offense, at times outplaying veteran Sam Bradford during training camp, leading Philadelphia to deal Bradford to the Vikings eight days before the season-opener.

Who knows if Tennessee will wind up trading Tannehill, but with a strong summer. But, it would be hard to blame head coach Mike Vrabel if he wants to start fresh with a rookie with upside, rather than make another go-round with Tannehill.

New England Patriots

QBs: Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe

The Patriots have two young quarterback options, but do they have any great quarterback options?

For a spell last season, Mac Jones was benched for Baily Zappe, and the Western Kentucky product captured the hearts of Patriots’ Nation and seemed to inspire confidence from his teammates. In four games, Zappe completed 70.7% of his passes for 781 yards with 5 touchdowns to 3 interceptions. New England was also 2-0 in the games he started.

However, Jones has the pedigree, of being a former first-round pick, and while he struggled mightily at times last season, it’s almost unfair to judge the former Alabama standout while getting such inconsistent coaching from Matt Patricia and Joe Judge in 2022. Bill O’Brien’s arrival as offensive coordinator should provide some stability for Jones, who passed for 2,997 yards with just 14 touchdowns to 11 interceptions last season.

Patriots predicted starter: Mac Jones

There will likely be a very legitimate battle for the starting job in Foxboro this summer. Zappe has a very real possibility of stealing this job. But, because of pedigree, and the Patriots betting on O’Brien getting the most out of the former No. 15 overall draft pick, Jones could emerge as the starter. Albeit one on a very short leash.

Indianapolis Colts

QBs: Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson

The Colts’ selection of Anthony Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft was nearly universally hailed as Indianapolis landing one of the more fascinating and athletic quarterback prospects in a generation.

However, Richardson, who passed for 2,549 yards with 17 touchdowns to 9 interceptions while rushing for 654 yards and 9 scores is raw.

Meanwhile, Gardner Minshew is one of the NFL’s steadier and more competent backups. Boasting a career 8-16 record, Minshew passed for 3 touchdowns with 3 interceptions last season in Philadelphia, when pressed into action after Jalen Hurts suffered a shoulder injury. The Colts likely scooped Minshew up off the free agent market as a bridge quarterback, but that might turn out to be one short bridge.

Colts predicted starter: Anthony Richardson

Look, does Richardson have a lot of growing and maturing to do as a quarterback? Absolutely. But, he’s 6-foot-4 and 245 pounds, and as a current NFL general manager recently told Heavy “is a total freak with the work ethic to match.”

The days are over of highly touted, and highly drafted, quarterbacks sitting on the bench and learning behind quarterbacks of Minshew’s status and stature. Make no mistake, Minshew will be an asset to Richardson both on the practice field, in the meeting rooms, and on game days, as another set of veteran eyes as the Florida standout develops as a quarterback. But, if the Colts are smart, they’ll let Richardson develop on the field, as the starter, this season, in a division that is wide open for the taking.

The idea of Derrick Henry wearing a midnight green jersey in 2023 has been too tempting to ignore. The Philadelphia Eagles are definitely working on a blockbuster trade to pry the two-time rushing champion away from the Tennessee Titans, right? It has already been verified in the court of public opinion.

Problem is, it remains a far-fetched rumor everywhere else. Two days after “American Ninja Warrior” host Akbar Gbaja-Biamila tweeted out a message saying that Henry was headed to the Eagles in a trade, the rumor was being squashed at every angle. FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer quickly shot the Henry to Philly stuff down: “Nope, at least not at this point it’s not.” And Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio added: “Per a source with knowledge of the situation, it won’t be happening.”

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport elaborated further on the situation during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show. The plugged-in reporter expressed his love for Gbaja-Biamila as a person and TV personality before denying there was any truth to the Henry rumor. The one-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year isn’t headed to Philadelphia anytime soon, per Rapoport.

I love Akbar. He’s awesome on Ninja Warrior. I reached out to a source very much in the mix … and I asked him, it was like 2 in the morning, and the source said Akbar should stick with Ninja Warrior. He’s great. He’s a friend of mine.

I mean, I tried to verify. I did not get anyone to verify. And besides that tweet, which you know what happens, it’s like people see that tweet and then everyone starts tweeting about it and then, well, there’s a lot of noise. It has to be true. I’m like, well, wait, where did this come from?

Titans GM Ran Carthon Denies Trade Rumor

Henry is heading into the final year of the 4-year, $50 million deal he inked in 2020. He’ll earn $10.5 million in 2023 which is another reason why trading him to the Eagles sounds like a stretch. Philadelphia doesn’t have a lot of extra money to burn, especially not after handing Jalen Hurts a $255 million contract extension.

Not surprisingly, Titans general manager Ran Carthon denied reports of the team “fielding calls” about Henry. They don’t plan on trading their Pro Bowl running back, according to ESPN’s Turron Davenport.

“It is what it is,” Carthon said. “I know people have a job to do to speculate and put things out and hope that it sticks, hope that they’re right.

Jeffrey Lurie Says ‘No Ceiling’ on Franchise QB

Eagles players reported to the NovaCare Complex on April 24 for the first day of the team’s offseason conditioning program. Prior to any coordinated workouts, there was a press conference for Jalen Hurts as the franchise quarterback inked the $255 million deal that will keep him in Philadelphia through the 2028 season.

Hurts was all smiles. Ditto for Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie who showered praise on the 24-year-old rising star.

“This is the beginning,” Lurie said, via Pro Football Talk. “This is not towards the end. This is the beginning of a career arc for a remarkable person and a remarkable player. The future we don’t even know. The ceiling? There is no ceiling. It’s all there.”

The Dallas Cowboys have made major changes to the team’s running back group, but they could make an even bigger change with Tennessee Titans star Derrick Henry.

Dallas released running back Ezekiel Elliott while franchise tagging Tony Pollard, signaling a changing of the guard. Elliott is entering his 8th NFL season and was the only NFL RB getting paid more than Henry.

Now, ESPN insider Bill Barnwell believes that Henry could be on the chopping block as well. Barnwell believes Henry could be cut after the 2023 NFL draft, and that the Cowboys could be a natural fit for the three-time Pro Bowler.

“The Cowboys could look toward a market that still includes Leonard Fournette, Latavius Murray and Kareem Hunt unsigned. There’s also a chance expensive veterans such as Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook could be released after the draft. Dallas could add a rookie in April’s draft, but Pollard’s uncertain status for Week 1 leads me to believe the team would probably prefer to have a more experienced back on the roster,” Barnwell writes.

It would be a sensational addition to say the least. Dallas has been linked to a RB move in the 2023 NFL draft or in free agency, but the idea of adding Henry is one not many have considered.

Henry Still Vital to Titans Offense

With how the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs built their RB rooms on the way to the Super Bowl (young players on first contracts and cheap veterans,) committing to a high-profile, 29-year-old RB like Henry isn’t in style.

However, there’s no denying that the Titans’ ball carrier is still effective. In fact, the numbers at Pro Football Reference show exactly why he earned another Pro Bowl honor in 2022.

Henry led the NFL in rushes with 349 carries for 1538 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. To take that many touches and to still average 4.4 yards per carry is impressive, and his average was .6 yards higher than Elliott’s in 2022.

The primary issues with Henry on the Cowboys start with his usage and then his salary. If Henry joins Dallas, he will split carries in a way he hasn’t before. Dallas didn’t franchise-tag Pollard so he could sit on the bench.

Then, it becomes about Henry playing for the right price. The Titans RB will cause a $16.4 million cap hit in 2023, and it’s hard imagining him taking a deal with a yearly value of even half of that.

Cowboys Could Reunite with Zeke

Besides mentioning free agent options Dallas could still pursue, Barnwell also believes that the Cowboys could end up bringing back Elliott in the 2023 offseason.

Releasing Elliott was a necessity due to his high salary, but a lack of free agency interest could lead him back to Dallas.

“What could be next: Elliott’s return. A reunion could be in the cards if he doesn’t find what he’s looking for on the open market. Elliott had reportedly narrowed down his list of teams to the Bengals, Eagles and Jets, but none of those teams appears to be interested in finalizing a deal with the 27-year-old,” Barnwell wrote.

If Elliott were to come back to the Cowboys, it would be on a significantly-reduced contract and he would probably receive opportunities as a No. 2 running back would, rather than splitting carries with Pollard.

A former New York Jets draft selection has found a new NFL home this offseason.

The Tennessee Titans announced on their social media portals that they’ve agreed to terms with free agent tight end Trevon Wesco on a one-year deal.

Trevon Wesco Continues His NFL Journey

The 27-year-old who will turn 28 before the start of the 2023 season is joining his third different NFL team in three years.

Wesco initially entered the league as the No. 121 overall pick in the fourth round of the 2019 NFL draft out of West Virginia.

He was supposed to fill a versatile role on the offense as a part-time tight end, fullback, and H-back.

In three years with Gang Green he appeared in 40 games and started in 12 of those contests.

Wesco’s tangible numbers in New York were marginal but he was more so heralded for his blocking prowess and contributions on special teams.

Ahead of final roster cuts the Jets cut ties with their former draft pick and he was immediately scooped off of waivers by the Chicago Bears.

Jets Are Hoping to Have Better Luck This Time Around

Wesco never worked out for the Jets, but they’re trying that same idea with a different draft pick in 2023.

Gang Green selected Jeremy Ruckert with the No. 101 overall pick in the third round of the 2022 NFL draft.

Like Wesco, Ruckert didn’t have a ton of production in college but it appeared there was a ton of untapped potential.

In four years at Ohio State, he only caught 54 receptions for 615 receiving yards. However, he did have a knack for the endzone securing 12 touchdown catches.

However, when teams select players in the NFL draft it is rarely about what you did in college, it is more about what you can do at the next level.

Ruckert wasn’t able to do a lot as a rookie with the Jets in 2022. He was mired with injuries and was buried in a deep tight-end room.

Gang Green still has CJ Uzomah and Tyler Conklin in 2023 so playing time at the tight end position might be hard to come by.

One creative way the Jets could get their young draft pick on the field is by utilizing his unique skill set.

People inside the building are super high on what he can contribute as a pass catcher, but he could get on the field a lot quicker if they put him in that Trevon Wesco role.

Ruckert could plug in as the fullback to get on the field, rotate at tight end, and occasionally serve as an H-back in certain formations. The more feathers he has in the cap, the higher likelihood he’ll get on the field.

That would allow the Jets to get a good look at what they have. If he shows some chutzpah they can increase his reps at other positions throughout the season.

Head coach Robert Saleh has gone out of his way to heap praise on Ruckert throughout the offseason. The Jets continue to say publically that they believe he will be a special player for a long time.

Carthon discussed reports of the team looking to trade it’s All-Pro back with ESPN’s Turron Davenport, saying, “There’s nothing new to report. It was an erroneous report that came out. I’ve spoken with Derrick’s representative and we’re in a good place.”

Henry, who rushed for over 1,500 yards in 2022, was reportedly shopped around at the NFL combine as well as several other notable NFL stars, according to a report from Bally Sports’ Michael Silver.

A second round draft pick in 2016, “King Henry” has already put together a near Hall of Fame caliber career in his time in Tennessee. He’s ran for over 8,300 yards and holds one of just eight 2,000 rushing yard seasons in NFL history. Not to mention, Henry is a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and two-time season leader in both rushing yards and touchdowns.

While the running back position is obviously one that has dipped in significance with the emergence of high powered passing attacks and fast paced offenses, a talent like Henry is one that does not come around often.

What “El Tractorcito” is able to do on a week in, week out basis is something that is hard to truly quantify.

How Henry Became “King Henry”

Hailing from Yulee, Florida, Henry was a five-star prospect in the 2013 class and rated as the No. 12 overall player in the nation, per 247Sports.

He chose Alabama over a plethora of other division one offers and quickly made his presence felt as a member of the Tide. In Henry’s freshman season, he saw action in 12 games and rushed for nearly 400 yards on just 35 carries.

Getty ImagesDerrick Henry as a member of the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2015

As a sophomore, the behemoth back took on a larger role in the offense, splitting time with T.J. Yeldon as the starter. Henry appeared in all 14 of Alabama’s games, and ran for 990 yards and 11 touchdowns which led the team.

Finally, in 2015, Henry took over as the sole starter and put together one of college football’s most memorable seasons for a running back. The Yulee native ran for a whopping 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns, earning him a Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, Doak Walker Trophy and Walter Camp Award. Henry was also named a unanimous First Team All-American as well as SEC Offensive Player of the Year.

Henry left the Tide as one of the most decorated running backs in college football history, and at his current rate, could do the same when he retires from the NFL.

Why Would the Titans Want to Trade Henry?

Although Henry has been nothing but elite since taking over as starter in 2018 and has shown few signs of slowing down, how long can this level of production truly last?

The bruising back has over 1,400 rushing attempts in the last five years and has already suffered one serious injury in 2021, missing half the season with a broken foot. As one of the NFL’s highest paid running backs, moving on from Henry sooner rather than later could be a smart move for the Titans if they wish to kickoff a rebuild under Carthon.

While a running back, even of Henry’s caliber, is unlikely to fetch much in terms of trade value, clearing a expensive contract could open money up for younger talent elsewhere.

What if the Philadelphia Eagles replaced Javon Hargrave with a player five years younger? It would take some smooth-talking from Howie Roseman to pry Jeffery Simmons away from the Tennessee Titans, but there is a precedent. He worked his magic last year to orchestrate a trade for A.J. Brown.

Different circumstances this time around, along with a different general manager in Nashville, of course. That won’t stop the rumor mill from churning out trade talk.

Simmons is entering the fifth and final year of his rookie contract, generally the time when franchises lock up their home-grown talent. The former first-round pick – No. 19 overall in 2019 – is due for a huge raise and, apparently, wants some assurances in terms of a long-term deal. And he hasn’t yet gotten one.

Sports Illustrated’s Ed Kracz threw out the possibility of the Eagles swooping in with an offer. They could take some of the money saved by Lane Johnson’s restructured contract – $9.4 million on this year’s salary cap, raising the number to roughly $22 million – and fit Simmons into a midnight green jersey. Kracz wrote: “The expectation is that will be used to help extend the contract of Jalen Hurts, but maybe Roseman can find a way to make it work with both QB and Simmons if it were to come to it.”

It’s a bit of wishful thinking. Then again, no one thought the Eagles were in play for Brown last offseason. If Roseman could work the financials out – Spotrac projects Simmons’ worth at $26.1 million per year – and swallow losing a first-round pick, probably the No. 10 overall pick, then it’ll be hard not to consider.

Titans GM Intent on Keeping Stud Defender

Simmons (6-foot-4, 305 pounds) is an absolute stud in the defensive trenches. A two-time All-Pro who has 16 sacks over the past two seasons, including a career-high 8.5 in 2021. Pro Football Focus ranked him as the ninth-best interior defender in 2022, handing him a 79.3 pass-rush grade after he finished with 53 total pressures.

The drama started when Simmons scrubbed his social media of Titans references, although the Tennessee front office maintains everything is copasetic. He is also believed to be 100% healed from the ankle injury that hindered him through 15 games last season. New general manager Ron Carthon revealed he has talked with Simmons at a recent season-ticket holder event. The two hugged it out, according to Jim Wyatt:

Carthon said he saw defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons at a recent event for season ticket members, “and I asked him for a hug. He gave me a hug, so I think we’re good.” Carthon called Simmons “is a great kid” and said “he’s in a great place. He’s working hard to get back healthy from his ankle.”

Howie Roseman Says Eagles Off to ‘Good Start’

Eagles general manager Howie Roseman talked to reporters in Phoenix on March 27 during the first day of the owner’s meetings. He was in a jovial mood and an honest one as he discussed the first two weeks of free agency.

The franchise has filled some necessary holes and brought some fan-favorite veterans back, including Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Fletcher Cox, Brandon Graham, and Jason Kelce. Roseman called it a “good start.”

“For us, it’s going to start on the defensive line and the cornerback position,” Roseman told Dave Spadaro. “Priorities are the defensive line and cornerback position. Those two spots are probably better (at this point) than I would have anticipated going into free agency.”

While the Buffalo Bills aren’t expected to make any big moves in the free agency market, defensive tackle DaQuan Jones appears to be trying to work his magic to recruit Tennessee Titans star Jeffery Simmons, who requested an extension before the start of the 2023 NFL season.

Simmons is not a free agent, but he’s entering the final fifth-year option of his rookie contract which is set to pay him $10.7 million and does not have a long-term deal in place.

“I want to be here for a long time,” Simmons said, per The Tennessean in January. “I want to finish my career here. If we can get a deal done this offseason, I hope that’s the plan on both sides. I don’t want to get into next year then something happens with the contract or we get into the offseason and I hit free agency.”

While the former first-round pick from the 2019 NFL Draft said, “I love Tennessee. I want to be here,” he has since deleted his Twitter account and removed all mentions and photos of the Titans from his Instagram page. On Friday, March 10, Jones, who used to be teammates with Simmons in Tennessee, caused a stir on Twitter by sharing a photo of the duo working out together. “Wouldn’t he look in a Bills uniform,” Jones tweeted.

Fans and analysts had strongly mixed reactions to Jones’ attempt to recruit the two-time All-Pro to Buffalo. While Cover 1 host Aaron Quinn tweeted, “Don’t tease us like that,” and shared a GIF that read, “Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane,” a Titans fan responded, “Back off, DaQuan!!! Just finish up your stint in Buffalo and come back to the Titans!”

A Bills fan tweeted, “Dude. We sign Simmons and resign DJones and NO ONE would run between the tackles on us,” while one man urged, “DaQuan, call up BBB now and get Mr.Simmons to Buffalo.”

Simmons Is About to Be One the Highest Paid Tackles in the NFL

GettyTitans tackle Jeffery Simmons #98 takes to the field before a game at Nissan Stadium on November 27, 2022.

While the idea of landing Simmons is undeniably exciting, and yes, he’d look great in a Bills uniform, the two-time Pro Bowler is looking to get paid big money. According to Spotrac.com, Simmons’ market value has him receiving a four-year, $86.2 million extension, which prices Buffalo out of the market should he demand a release.

Pro Football Network‘s Dalton Miller named Simmons as the third best defensive tackle currently in the NFL, behind only Aaron Donald and Chris Jones. “Simmons is a rare breed. He’s one of the few defensive tackles able to find production immediately at the NFL level,” Miller wrote. “While he didn’t quite produce at the same level he had in 2021, Simmons still hovered around the top 10 in most statistical categories on the defensive interior.

“His 53 pressures ranked seventh in the league, and his 7.5 sacks ranked eighth. Simmons is also one of the best run defenders you’ll find at defensive tackle, despite not being a 330-pound behemoth. He possesses outrageous power in his hands and is an immediate processor.”

Trade Proposals for Simmons Include a First-Rounder

If the Bills wanted to trade for Simmons, they would have to include a first-round pick and because Buffalo must prioritize landing an offensive lineman, wide receiver, or safety, it seems highly unlikely general manager Brandon Beane would give up such a valuable asset for a tackle, even one as elite as Simmons.

However, it appears to be a moot point since according to Titans Wire‘s Mike Moraitis, who noted that Tennessee would be gunning to snag the No. 1 overall pick from the Chicago Bears should they agree to a trade Simmons. However, on March 10, the Bears gave their No. 1 overall pick to the Carolina Panthers in a blockbuster trade, per ESPN‘s Adam Schefter.

The most likely scenario is that Tennessee ponies up the cash for Simmons and locks him down to a long-term deal. Moraitis wrote, “Assuming the Titans aren’t blowing it up for a full rebuild, there’s no way the team doesn’t get something done with the star defender. Even if they do rebuild, Simmons, 25, is young enough to keep in such a situation.”

The Tennessee Titans are expected to release former Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Bud Dupree, this according to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. As noted by Rapoport, Dupree was set to earn a $17 million salary in 2023, prohibitively expensive for a player who has missed 12 games (and big parts of several others) during the two seasons he spent in Tennessee.

It’s not yet clear whether the Titans plan to cut Dupree with a pre-June 1 designation or a post-June 1 designation.

“Parting ways with Dupree, who signed a huge five-year, $82.5 million deal in 2021, will save Tennessee $9.35 million against the salary cap, while also incurring a dead-cap hit of $10.85 million if it’s pre-June 1,” according to Mike Moraitis of USA Today’s TitansWire. “However, Tennessee also has the option to cut him with a post-June 1 tag, which would save $15.75 million and decrease the dead-cap hit to $4.45 million.”

Bud Dupree: ‘Damn I Found Out on Twitter’

Regardless, it appears the news broke before the Titans had a chance to communicate the news to the former Steelers 1st-round pick.

Nick Suss, Titans beat writer for the Tennessean, captured the following screenshot from Dupree’s Twitter account before his tweet was apparently deleted.

The news cannot have been a surprise, though, as Dupree missed more games than he had sacks during his time with the Titans. In 22 games played, Dupree recorded just 35 total tackles, with seven sacks, 17 quarterback hits and one pass defensed, plus two forced fumbles and a pair of fumble recoveries. Notably, Titans fans had become frustrated with Dupree’s inability to remain healthy.

Bud Dupree to Return to Pittsburgh?

Dupree’s release will no doubt lead to speculation about a possible return to the Steelers.

For one, Pittsburgh remains in need of better outside linebacker depth behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith. Right now, the team’s top reserve at the position is Jamir Jones, an exclusive rights free agent who was recently re-signed for 2023. The other edge rushers on the offseason roster are 2021 Steelers 6th-round pick Quincy Roche and former Chargers 6th-round pick Emeke Egbule.

So, provided the cost is reasonable, most Steelers fans would likely want Dupree back, as he would now be a complementary piece, as opposed to being counted on as a front-line starter. He would also benefit from the presence of other top defenders, like T.J. Watt and Cameron Heyward, much like he did when he played for Pittsburgh from 2015-2020.

As noted by Pittsburgh media personality Josh Rowntree, Dupree was significantly more impactful during his time with the Steelers.

In fact, Dupree finished his Titans career on injured reserve, missing the team’s last two regular-season games with a chest injury. Earlier in 2022, he missed four games with hip injuries, which first became an issue during Tennessee’s Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

In 2021, Dupree started training camp on Tennessee’s Physically Unable to Perform list, as he attempted to recover from the torn ACL he suffered near the end of his final season in Pittsburgh. In Nov. 2021, the Titans placed Dupree on injured reserve with an abdominal injury suffered on the first snap of a game against the New Orleans Saints.

According to Sam Phalen of A to Z Sports, the Bears are poaching Tennessee Titans longtime assistant Luke Steckel from Mike Vrabel’s staff after he spent the past decade climbing the ladder on their coaching staff. He did not specify what his new role will be.

Steckel has been a rising star in the offensive coaching ranks over the past several years and spent the past two seasons coaching up the Titans’ tight ends before getting re-assigned to the role of run game analyst this offseason. The 37-year-old assistant also interviewed for the Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive coordinator job back in January, but he lost out on the job to former Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore.

Now, Steckel will head to Chicago for a job that might offer him a title promotion. The Bears do not have a hole in their offensive coaching staff that he would obviously fill, but they do have a passing game coordinator — wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert — and no set run game coordinator. Perhaps, Steckel will play a more meaningful role running the Bears offense alongside offensive coordinator Luke Getsy.

The Bears have not yet officially announced Steckel’s hiring, but the official release should have more details about what specific role he will play in the 2023 staff.

Steckel Helped Vastly Improve Titans TE Spot in 2022

Steckel had a rough go of things during his first season as the Titans’ tight ends coach. He had inherited a tight ends group that had been one of the most productive in the league in 2020, but he was also charged with upholding the same standard without top starter Jonnu Smith or any other meaningful additions to the position group that included Geoff Swaim, MyCole Pruitt and Anthony Firkser.

The result? The Titans’ tight end room declined in every main category of production:  receptions (94 to 82), receiving yards (967 to 667) and touchdowns (12 to eight).

Rather than blame Steckel for the underwhelming output, though, the Titans went out and got him better talent during the offseason with the signing of Austin Hooper in free agency and the drafting of Chigoziem Okonkwo. Together, they combined for 73 receptions for 894 yards and five touchdowns under Steckel’s leadership with Hooper recording the second-most receptions (44) on the roster. Even with Tennessee finishing with the third-worst passing offense in the league, he got the job done at his position.

Could Bears Add More Talent to TE Room for 2023?

When the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET on March 15, the Bears won’t be in the market for a new starting tight end. They seem satisfied with what Cole Kmet brings to the table after he caught a team-high 50 passes in 2022 and went on a nice little scoring stretch midseason that saw him find the end zone five times in three games.

“I thought Cole did a really good job,” Bears general manager Ryan Poles said during his end-of-season press conference in January. “I thought he elevated his game from the film that I watched last year to what it was this year, so that’s exciting. I mean, that’s one that comes to mind right now.”

The problem, however, is the depth behind Kmet — or rather, the lack thereof. The Bears carried Ryan Griffin (15 games played) and Trevon Wesco (14 games played) on their roster for the majority of the season, but the two of them combined for just six catches and 52 receiving yards on 12 targets, essentially disappearing into the background of a team craving more effective pass-catchers. Even though Wesco was a solid blocker at times, the Bears could be getting more out of the position.

To solve the problem, the Bears could put to use a small portion of their nearly $100 million in cap space and secure another experienced pass-catcher for the group. Or, a more promising approach could be investing a Day 3 pick into a rookie tight end, especially since Poles avoided drafting for that position in his first go-round in 2022.

The Buffalo Bills‘ former second-round pick from the 2013 NFL Draft, Robert Woods, was released from the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday, February 22, and the wide receiver appears to be thrilled.

The 30-year-old tweeted, “Free!” after the news broke, succinctly slamming the franchise in a simple one-word message.

Woods signed a four-year $65 million contract with Tennessee last year, which included $18.5 million guaranteed at the signing, per Spotrac.com. The Titans were approximately $23.3 million over the salary cap for next season, and by releasing Woods, they cleared up $12 million, per ESPN.

Woods spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams before getting traded to the Titans in March of last year. While he played in all 17 games during the 2022 NFL season, Woods recorded a total of 53 receptions on 91 targets for 527 yards and two touchdowns — career lows in all categories. The USC alum recorded more receiving yards during his final season with the Rams despite appearing in eight fewer games due to an ACL tear suffered in mid-November.

Woods Sent Out a Tweet Asking Where He Should Play Next

After celebrating his release, Woods sent out another tweet that read, “Where should I go 👀😁,” which quickly went viral as fans and analysts responded to his question. Bills Mafia naturally chimed in, as Buffalo is firmly in the business of bringing back former veterans. Last season, the Bills brought back several familiar faces including Shaq Lawson, Cole Beasley, John Brown, and A.J. Klein.

Hard Rock Sportsbook replied with a photo of Woods in a Bills jersey, while one fan urged, “Come back home to Buffalo.”

Based on the litany of responses to Woods’ tweet, it seems Buffalo would face some heavy competition if they’d like to bring the Super Bowl champ back into the fold. Bears Wire reporter Brendan Sugrue pushed for the veteran to take his talents to Chicago while RotoBaller‘s Adam Koffler tweeted, “Philly, we could really use a slot receiver and you excelled in that role in 2018.” One analyst suggested Woods should “Go North!!” and join the Green Bay Packers, while several people encouraged the veteran to take his talents to the Dallas Cowboys, or make a return to the Rams.

Woods Had Shared Nothing But Love for Buffalo

During his four-year tenure in Buffalo, Woods recorded 203 receptions for 2,451 yards and 12 touchdowns, which was enough to earn him a five-year, $34 million contract with the Rams in 2017. He thrived in Los Angeles, recording over 1,000 receiving yards in both 2018 and 2019.

Flash forward to Week 2 of the 2022 NFL season, the Bills were scheduled to face Woods and the Titans on Monday Night Football. Ahead of the primetime matchup at Highmark Stadium, during which Buffalo crushed Tennessee 41-7, Woods had nothing but positive things to say about his former team.

The 6-foot receiver said, “It’s always fun to go there. It’s where I started my NFL career. I had a great, great four years there as a player and resident, and they welcomed me.”

Back in 2020, the southern California native admitted that while it was difficult getting used to the frigid temperatures in western New York, “I grew to love Buffalo,” he said, per Bills Wire.

“I never really got a chance to experience really like another city, especially another weather climate like that. So going to Buffalo, being in the snow, seeing the football culture there, I loved it. Real true loyal fans, fun place to play. If you’re not wearing Bills gear in the city, they’re looking at you funny.”

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance said on a podcast that his head coach, Kyle Shanahan, asked him, “Did you see the rumors that you’re going to the Titans?” after Lance’s cryptic use of three fingers-crossed emojis in reaction to a Titans personnel move.

Lance did not clarify whether Shanahan was being empathetic, affable or jocular nor did he characterize Shanahan’s tone as he asked the question.

Lance, appearing on the February 16 episode of “The Q with Quincy Avery,” was addressing the online stir he’d created a month earlier by showing what he said was support for Ran Carthon, the 49ers’ former director of player personnel who was hired as the Tennessee Titans’ general manager.

“So, yeah, the fingers-crossed emoji is not like, ‘Man, I’m crossing my fingers I’m going to be a Tennessee Titan.’ I cross my fingers, man. I love it here. I don’t ever want to be anywhere else,” Lance told Avery, per 49ers Webzone.

Trey Lance Clarifies His Social Media Activities to Quincy Avery

Asked to clear the air about his Instagram Live, Lance, who was drafted by the 49ers in 2021, clarified his relationship with Carthon, who had been with the 49ers since 2017.

“So, me and Ran got really close over the last — I wouldn’t say super-close — but we talked on the regular,” Lance told Avery, according to 49ers Webzine. “He would bring his boys in. I would hang out with his kids in the training room. So for me, it was huge. They were like a shining light. They come in and show me how many pushes they could do and stuff like that,” he said.

“So just getting to know someone’s family like that, I was super-happy for him for the opportunity,” he said, according to 49ers Webzone.

Tennessee hired Carthon, 42, on January 17, over a month after firing Jon Robinson with five games left in the regular season. The Titans started the season 5-2 before dropping eight of the next 10 games, including seven in a row to close out the season.

Lance, who missed almost all of 2022 with an injury, said he typically is on social media mostly to follow people associated with the 49ers.

“I go on Instagram, and I’ll look at my teammates’ stuff, the team stuff, stuff like that, stuff about my family, stuff like that,” he said, according to 49ers Webzone. “I don’t spend a whole lot of time [on social media], especially over this last year. It’s been great for me to just be off of social media. I’m not on Instagram, daily even.

“So, for me, I just want to support guys. This whole season was probably more of a 49ers fan page than anything. Like, just showing guys support. [WR Ray-Ray McCloud]’s got a cool outfit, [LB Azeez Al-Shaair]’s got a cool video, [LB] Fred [Warner], whatever it was, and then obviously the Ran stuff,” he said, according to 49ers Webzone.

The Athletic’s David Lombardi first reported Lance’s comment about Shanahan.

The Price Might Not Be Right for a San Francisco 49ers QB Trade

One of the biggest questions of the 49ers’ offseason relates to Lance’s value, especially given the performance of rookie Brock Purdy, who won the final games of the regular season after Lance’s backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, went down with an injury.

Lance, who is about to enter his third year, was the Niners’ third overall pick in 2021. Even if the team is open to moving off of Lance this offseason, according to Michael Silver of the San Francisco Chronicle, the price may simply prove too exorbitant to justify saying goodbye to, at worst, a very interesting developmental backup quarterback.

“Even if the Niners are receptive to potential trade offers for Lance after the season, they won’t come close to recouping that haul,” Silver wrote on January 20. “Based on my conversations with several teams’ general managers (and other high-ranking front-office executives), Lance would be unlikely to net much more than a third- round selection, though it’s possible there’s a team out there motivated to give more.”

However, it cost the 49ers three first-round picks (2021, 2022 and 2023) and a second-round pick (2022) to trade up to the No. 3 spot to draft Lance. Even taking the sunk cost fallacy into account, a third-round pick, of which the 49ers already have three in 2023, may prove too slight of an offer to accept.

On Thursday September 1 the Pittsburgh Steelers waived outside linebacker Derrek Tuszka, electing to replace him with Jamir Jones, who himself had been waived by the Jaguars on Wednesday, just hours after he made Jacksonville’s 53-man roster. On Friday, Tuszka found a new NFL home, having been claimed on waivers by the Tennessee Titans.

It’s easy to understand why Tennessee claimed Tuszka, as Titans Pro Bowl outside linebacker Harold Landry III tore his ACL in practice earlier this week and has been placed on injured reserve.

Notably, Tennessee’s Top 3 outside linebackers are former Steelers, including 2015 first-round pick Bud Dupree, who signed with the Titans in March 2021 — inking a contract that pays him $82.5 million over five years. Dupree’s first season with the Titans was underwhelming, as he started training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list while rehabbing from the torn ACL he suffered in December 2020 against the Baltimore Ravens. He went on to appear in seven of a possible 10 games (with two starts) before he landed on injured reserve with an abdominal injury, which he suffered on the first snap of his team’s November 14 game against the Saints. He then missed three more games before returning to face his old team.

Dupree finished the 2021 season having played in 11 games (six starts) and recorded 17 tackles (13 solo), including two tackles for loss, three sacks, eight quarterback hits and a forced fumble.

Ola Adeniyi Followed Bud Dupree to Tennessee

That was less production than the Titans got from Ola Adeniyi, the former Steelers linebacker who followed Dupree to Nashville and had roughly the same impact as Dupree, despite his comparatively miniscule $920,000 salary. In 16 games, Adeniyi recorded 21 tackles (14 solo), including two tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and eight quarterback hits, according to Pro Football Reference. Moreover, he was very nearly the hero in Tennessee’s overtime win over Seattle last September.

That helps explain why it was described as a “no-brainer move” for the Titans to re-sign Adeniyi, who is immediately behind Landry on Tennessee’s depth chart and possibly steps into a starting role.

Meanwhile, the pressure will be on Dupree, 29, to live up to his contract and provide the kind of pass rush that Landry provided last season, when he had 12 sacks and made the Pro Bowl.

Derrek Tuszka is Former MVFC Player of the Year

As for Tuszka, 26, he comes to the Titans with 24 games of NFL experience, having recorded a total of 24 tackles (13 solo), with two sacks, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and one forced fumble. The former Broncos seventh-round pick won MVFC Player of the Year in 2019 at North Dakota State before he was drafted No. 254 overall in 2020.

In addition to Dupree, Adeniyi and Tuszka, there is yet another Pittsburgh connection amongst Tennessee’s linebacker group, as Dupree’s backup is Rashad Weaver, a former fourth-round pick (2021) who played his college football for the Pitt Panthers. That connection prompted Steelers and Pitt beat writer Nick Farabaugh to quip: “…The whole Titans OLB room is literally just Pittsburgh guys.”

The only other outside linebacker currently employed by the Titans is David Anenih, an undrafted free agent out of Houston who was added to Tennessee’s practice squad on August 31.