Dallas Cowboys All-Pro LG Tyler Smith To Miss 4-6 Weeks Due To Thumb Surgery

The Dallas Cowboys' high-powered offense took a bit of a blow less than a week before their season-opening matchup against the New York Giants. All-Pro left guard Tyler Smith will undergo thumb surgery and is expected to be placed on injured reserve, Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer told reporters Monday. The surgery will force Smith to miss at least the first four games of the regular season while opening up a spot on the 53-man active roster. "Tyler Smith is going to have surgery on his thumb tomorrow morning," Schottenheimer said during his press conference. "It's something that he's just been dealing with." With Smith sidelined, offensive lineman T.J. Bass is slated to take over as the starting left guard. Bass joined the organization as an undrafted free agent and has made 10 career starts for Dallas, including five last year. The Cowboys retained Bass this offseason after placing a second-round restricted free agent tender on him. Smith's absence leaves a noticeable void in Dallas' offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, Smith allowed just three sacks and 26 pressures last season. Since being selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, the three-time Pro Bowler has allowed only 12 sacks across four seasons and 63 career starts, per PFF. Dallas opens the regular season on Sunday night against the Giants before rolling through an opening six-game stretch that includes matchups against the Washington Commanders, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Green Bay Packers.

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Mike McCarthy Feels The Pride — And Responsibility — Of Coaching Hometown Steelers

LATROBE, Pa. — Everyone who knows Mike McCarthy understood where his heart always belonged, even if his eyes and feet were firmly wherever else he was. Nothing against Green Bay or Dallas, two places with rich and storied football histories and traditions. Pittsburgh is just different, especially for a Pittsburgh kid. "This is where I’m from. This is the cloth that I was cut from," the new Steelers coach told me during a recent visit to camp at Saint Vincent College. "When you grow up in Western Pa., we’re all sick in the head because we’re all brainwashed as kids. It’s the greatest place on Earth." So, yes, it sure is surreal for a kid born in the Greenfield section of Pittsburgh, right across the Monongahela River from Steelers headquarters, to be coming home to that place after all these years, to run the team he bled for as a kid. It’s a bucket list item the 62-year-old never imagined could happen. He spent 23 years in Green Bay and thought he’d be there forever. He spent five years in Dallas and figured that might be his last stop too. And for almost that entire time, the Steelers had just one head coach. Heck, they had only changed coaches five times since McCarthy was born. Then, last January, the news came that Mike Tomlin was stepping down after 19 years running the Steelers — a year to the day after McCarthy was let go in Dallas. "I didn’t expect it," McCarthy told me. "I don’t think anybody did." But it was real. And it all started to feel even more real when the Steelers called and invited him in for an interview on Jan. 21 — the 11th anniversary of the day his younger brother Joe died of a heart attack while playing racquetball at a local gym. McCarthy spent most of that day meeting with Steelers owner Art Rooney II, general manager Omar Khan and others in the organization. But then he got to go home to have pizza dinner with his parents, Joe Sr. and Ellen, his three sisters, and everyone else he could gather from the extended McCarthy clan. "It was heavy, because it was my brother’s anniversary of his passing," McCarthy told me. "Just to have the opportunity to spend a couple extra hours at home with my family, on that day, it almost … the reality gave me the feeling that ‘Hey, there’s a chance this might happen.’" McCarthy has always been a "Yinzer" at heart. He was born and raised in what he called "inner city Pittsburgh," just five miles to the West of where the Monongahela, Allegheny and Ohio Rivers meet, maybe a 15-minute ride to the site of old Three Rivers Stadium, where his beloved Steelers played for most of his life. He played three sports at the now-closed Bishop Boyle High School. He spent some time when he was home from college working at his father’s local bar. Baseball and basketball were more his thing when he was growing up. He didn’t start playing football until high school. But he knew what football meant to his city. There’s nothing bigger than the Steelers to anyone from there. "I think that’s part of the beauty of the fabric of our great city," McCarthy told me. "It’s totally intertwined with the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. No disrespect to the 31 other teams, but I don’t think there’s a professional franchise in sports that’s more intertwined than we are with the city of Pittsburgh, the steel industry, the blue-collar background and how the city adjusted and grew. "Just the whole history of our surroundings is such a parallel to how we want to play the game, that we’re willing to do whatever it takes to be successful. That’s something that’s been in place for over 50 years — the black helmets and the black shirts and the way this team plays." That part is heavy, too, especially for someone who grew up seeing how the city lives and dies with how the Steelers do every Sunday in the fall. He’s taking over for a coach who wore out his welcome despite not having a losing record in any one of his 19 seasons, and who reached the playoffs five times in the last six years. The last time the Steelers had a losing season was 23 years ago. The last Steelers coach who didn’t win a Super Bowl for the franchise was Chuck Noll’s predecessor, Bill Austin, who was fired a year before the AFL and NFL were fully and officially merged. It’s a place where nothing short of a championship will ever be enough. "I’m from the old school neighborhood, so trust me, I know how this thing goes," McCarthy told me. "And I welcome that. We have an obligation to the generations before us to uphold the play style and the success that’s gone on before us. And that’s something I embrace." All the other McCarthys embraced it too. When he was introduced as the new Steelers coach, just 11 days after Tomlin’s exit, it was like a big family reunion at Acrisure Stadium, with relatives filling up the first couple of rows. There were more tears and more emotions than McCarthy thought he could ever have at once. But it just felt right, like it was always meant to happen. He met his wife and they had four of their five children during his years in Green Bay. He loved most of his time in Dallas working for the Jones family, too. But he could feel there’s just something different about finally coming home. "As you go away to college around the country — and I’ve been fortunate to be in the NFL for over 30 years — everybody knows," McCarthy told me. "We all know who we are in the NFL. If you’re from Western Pa., it’s a bond. It’s a pride component that you all root for each other, in a sense. I think that’s unique. And I think anybody that knows me from my time in other parts of the country, they know where I’m from and the pride that I have being from here." Now it’s part pride, but a lot more responsibility. Being the hometown hero will only go so far. His homecoming may be a great story, but for most of his fellow Yinzers, only bringing home the Steelers’ seventh Super Bowl trophy will do. "Well, I wouldn’t say I imagined it yet, but I’m working toward that," McCarthy told me. "That’s why I do this. And now, to be able to do this back home, trust me, it’s not lost on me how special this opportunity is. That’s what gets me up in the morning. I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t think I could win the Super Bowl here." He already won one, back in 2010 in Green Bay. But he knows doing it here would just be different. Because there really is no place like home.

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Monday Morning NFL Top 10 Rankings: Who Are The Best Teams Heading Into The Season?

The wait is over. It's been seven months since Seattle and New England met in a surprising Super Bowl matchup. And now they're squaring off again, on a Wednesday no less, to kick off the new NFL season. It's one of a few games in Week 1 that promises to shake up the league hierarchy from the jump. With the 2026 campaign finally upon us, let's see where the Top 10 teams stand. Perhaps this is the year the Cowboys finally end their Super Bowl drought with a dynamic offense poised to light up scoreboards like a pinball machine. Dak Prescott has a scary set of pass catchers and playmakers around him that will give countless defensive coordinators around the league sleepless nights. The high-scoring offense masked the defense’s flaws a season ago, but a new defensive coordinator in Christian Parker and a revamped lineup should help the Cowboys compete at a championship level. The football world is seemingly waiting for the clock to strike midnight on last season’s Cinderella despite Trevor Lawrence’s emergence as an MVP candidate. While the skeptics question whether Liam Coen can keep the No.1 overall pick playing at an elite level, the Jaguars’ improving supporting cast could help an explosive offense spark a surprise Super Bowl run. The pressure is squarely on the shoulders of Joe Brady and Josh Allen to lead a Super Bowl run, after the Bills moved on from Sean McDermott despite reaching the playoffs eight times in nine seasons. With a "Super Bowl or bust" mentality hovering over the team, the Bills are hoping new WR1 DJ Moore and defensive play caller Jim Leonard can produce better results behind a more aggressive approach under new leadership. Caleb Williams is poised for an MVP run during his second season under Ben Johnson’s direction. The former first-overall pick proved in 2025 that he is the ultimate closer with six fourth-quarter comebacks and six game-winning drives. The "Iceman" can bail the Bears out of bad situations with his late-game magic, but the defense must be more consistent and not rely solely on turnovers to tilt games in Chicago’s favor. Demeco Ryan’s swarming defense can single-handedly keep the Texans in title contention, with Will Anderson, Jr., Danielle Hunter, Azzez Al-Shaair, and Derek Stingley leading the way. If CJ Stroud can shake off a disappointing playoff run that led to concerns about his status as the team’s franchise quarterback, the Texans are a top-five contender lurking in the shadows. Trading away AJ Brown might have cost the Eagles a WR1, but the improved chemistry between Jalen Hurts and his perimeter playmakers should lead to more consistency in the passing game. While the former Super Bowl MVP must adapt to another offensive system, the drama-free huddle should help him return to his efficient playmaking. With the ultra-talented defense capable of bottling up opponents until the offense hits its stride, the Eagles are a dark-horse contender to keep an eye on. The Super Bowl LX runner-ups surprised opponents last season as a worst-to-first squad who responded well to a culture change ushered in by a Patriots’ legend. While Mike Vrabel deserves credit for pulling a rabbit out of a hat in 2025, the team’s chances of being a title contender hinge on their ability to handle the burden of expectations with an upgraded roster featuring more star power on the perimeter. After falling short in the AFC Championship Game, the Broncos come back with a squad that is built to make a deep playoff run with Bo Nix and newly promoted offensive play-caller Davis Webb at the helm. Although Sean Payton has handed off the call sheet to his protégé, the one-time Super Bowl champion will make sure Jaylen Waddle is featured prominently throughout the opening script. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has spent the off-season concocting more blitzes and simulated pressures that will keep quarterbacks running for their lives. Mike Macdonald has the motivation and manpower to pull off a rare back-to-back in a league that has not seen a repeat champion since the 2023 and 2024 Kansas City Chiefs. The Seahawks could pull it off with Sam Darnold and Jaxson Smith-Njigba spearheading an offense that should benefit from the extra possessions generated by their turnover-obsessed defense, which is loaded with big-play specialists. Despite the defending champs needing to adjust to the target on their backs, the Seahawks have the pieces in place to hang another banner at season’s end. Les Snead and Sean McVay have assembled a "Dream Team" with a roster littered with MVPs, All-Pros and Pro Bowlers, surrounded by a collection of late-round picks and undrafted studs who perfectly complement the Rams’ premier players. With McVay cleverly moving the Xs and Os around the gridiron like a chess master, the Rams’ combination of talent and tactics could produce an easy run to a title.

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Is Drake Maye Ready For Super Bowl Rematch? Why The 49ers Aren't Ready For The Rams

I have so many questions. I’ve been thinking about the 2026 season since … well, Feb. 9 at about 12:30 a.m., the morning after Super Bowl LX. What I didn’t realize was that the next official game we’d see would be a rematch of that title game. But on Wednesday, the first time an NFL season will open on a Wednesday, it's the Patriots against the Seahawks in Seattle. I want to talk about that this week. On Thursday, we get a potential preview of the NFC Championship Game, with the Rams playing the 49ers in … Australia (also a first, in many ways). I want to talk about that, too. I think the Saints and Lions game on Sunday could be a slugfest, in part because I think they’ll both win their divisions. Let’s hit on the Lions while we’re at it, shall we? The Week 1 schedule is packed. Make sure you order your wings and pizzas early. Make sure your fridge is stocked. Heck, book a babysitter if you need to. NFL season is here. This is Sound Smart, where I try to spin forward, dive deeper, think outside the box and read between the lines. There’s a reason we haven’t had a Super Bowl rematch to open a season since 2016. It’s an incredible product for the fans. But for the players and the teams? Not so much. Here’s what former Panthers coach Ron Rivera said about a rematch with the Broncos to open the 2016 season after Carolina lost to Denver in Super Bowl 50. "We're going to make you guys relive it for five more months. That's how I felt," Rivera said a decade ago. "So for the next five months I've got to put up with it, deal with it, answer the questions and relive it constantly, over and over and over. Honestly, it became a pain in the ass." New England will have to watch the Seahawks lift their banner. The Patriots will have front-row seats for the ceremony and pageantry. There's no getting that salt out of the wound — not even if the Patriots win. So I figured I’d check in with a member of the losing side. "I ain't gonna lie: That hurt," Patriots receiver Demario Douglas told me early in training camp. "That game hurt, you know? … The next week, I went right back to working out. That gave me a good view of, man, how we need to finish." Did he speak at all with Drake Maye about the game? "We watched the film. We were all very hard on ourselves. He was very hard on himself," Douglas told me. "So I mean, not much to say [to each other]. Coach was already saying it. I don't feel like you need another voice. … I need [Maye's] confidence in me. So me coming at him, that doesn't help anything. He watched the film just like we watched the film. We all had a part in it. It takes a full 11, not just one." The bad news for the Patriots in an otherwise magical season was, of course, that they lost the game. The good news is that they get another shot at the Seahawks. But there’s no trophy on the line this time. Maye mentioned earlier this offseason that the Super Bowl loss was "humbling." But following the 2026 NFL schedule release, he has struck a positive tone about the rematch. "Starting off with the bang like that, [it's] a chance to get an opponent that left a bad taste in our mouth. So, I think it's something for us that's going to really make us work," he said in May. "We’ve got to bring it Week 1 on the road in a tough environment. They're going to be hanging their banner, and that's part of it. "I think it's going to be interesting. It's going to be fun. It's going to be a tough task." It was concerning to see the 49ers decide not to invest in their offensive line this offseason. Sure, they drafted Washington guard Carver Willis in Round 4 of the draft. But this is the 49ers’ custom — peppering rounds three and four with dart throws on the offensive line. The problem is that they still have issues at guard on both sides. That began to show in 2025, when they didn’t get strong play on the left side and right guard Dominick Puni saw his PFF grade fall from 80.5 as a rookie in 2024 to 69.2 in his second year. And we recently got a clue that maybe the 49ers are concerned, too. They traded for Texans guard Jarrett Patterson to help with their depth. They’re clearly not panicked — Patterson came for a seventh-round pick. But it doesn’t imbue confidence either. I’m not the only one who’s worried. "We're a week away from the season, and they're trading for interior offensive linemen because it's an obvious place of concern," former NFL star Richard Sherman said on his podcast. "We knew that two years ago. And that's the part where I don't really get it." The line wouldn’t be such an acute problem if the 49ers weren’t in the NFC West — and if they didn’t have a matchup against Myles Garrett, Byron Young and maybe even Aaron Donald on Thursday. The Rams are an absolute nightmare for any not-sure-of-itself offensive line. Donald will fly to Australia. His status is still up in the air. (Pun intended.) Either way, the 49ers will come away from this matchup feeling shaky. Donald will almost definitely be there for their second catchup in Week 14. And if the 49ers have Super Bowl plans, they’ll probably see the Rams for a third time in the playoffs. I don’t see it getting any easier. It would’ve been easy to write about Caleb Williams here. The expectations. The talent. The everything. It was easy to write about Drake Maye for all the same reasons. But what about Commanders QB Jayden Daniels? Depending upon whom you ask, he’s either quietly poised for a bounce-back season — or on the verge of ruin, not unlike his predecessor Robert Griffin III. The Commanders are, of course, showering Daniels with praise, but I’m just not sure they’ve done enough to set him up to succeed. Last year, it felt like they were trying to fight regression from their 2024 run to the NFC Championship Game by adding left tackle Laremy Tunsil and receiver Deebo Samuel. Neither had many ripple effects — at least not so far as we could see. All we could see was Daniels struggling on the field — and then, worse, struggling to stay on the field. He missed 10 games due to knee, hamstring and elbow injuries. This year, the Commanders waited until the third round to add slot receiver Antonio Williams. Then a few weeks into training camp, Washington signed veteran receiver Stefon Diggs. The Diggs addition, in particular, felt too much like an afterthought. It was like they’d forgotten to buy a gift for a party host and picked up a dusty bottle of red at the corner store. And Diggs, like some red wines, isn't for everyone. His presence in the locker room is sometimes … a lot. A big key to Daniels' success in 2026 will be new offensive coordinator David Blough, who replaced Kliff Kingsbury. Blough is widely respected (partially because he’s a former NFL QB), which has led to a precipitous rise — not unlike that of new Eagles OC Sean Mannion. (And coincidentally, Mannion and Blough will duel in Week 1 on FOX.) But Blough is a first-time playcaller and a first-year offensive coordinator. He’s also entering just his fourth year of coaching. For a QB as young and malleable as Daniels, it’s interesting to see him paired with an OC with such little experience. I’m not saying things won’t work in D.C. In fact, I hope they do. Because it would be a shame to see Washington squander Daniels’ talent. But while the Commanders seem to want to support behind their 25-year-old QB, they have a funny way of showing it. Changing OCs. Waiting to draft a rookie pass-catcher. Waiting to sign a veteran pass-catcher. Taking a risk on moving guard Brandon Coleman back to his college position, left tackle. It’s fun to root for a guy like Daniels. But the Commanders might not make it easy in 2026. I recently waxed poetic about how special Jared Goff and Amon-Ra St. Brown are as a QB-WR tandem. That’s because they are special. And I thoroughly enjoy their game. Well, sorry, here comes the I-love-you-but. Coach Dan Campbell recently said that Goff is beyond comparison when it comes to facing pressure. "His processing speed reminds me of [Drew] Brees," Campbell told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer. "Nobody makes a more accurate throw under duress than Jared Goff." Unfortunately, the stats don’t lie. Goff is actually the league's most sensitive quarterback to pressure over the past three seasons. His expected points per dropback ranges between .43 in a clean pocket (best in the league) to -.42 when pressured (28th), per Fantasy Points Data. That’s an .85-point swing. Goff is absolutely an elite processor and playmaker. But recently, he’s mainly been dangerous when he’s not pressured. And that’s something to watch as the Lions have shuffled their offensive line this year. Perennial All-Pro Penei Sewell moved from right tackle to left. Center Frank Ragnow retired, and his replacement, free-agent acquisition Cade Mays, will miss time with a wrist injury. Tackle Blake Miller is a rookie, albeit a first-rounder. That’ll be something for the Saints to ponder, as defensive coordinator Brandon Staley tries to unsettle Goff — no doubt with help from edges Chase Young and Cam Jordan. This post recently made the rounds on X. And I’m just loving it. Look, Bill Belichick has clearly fallen on hard times. In 2024, he couldn’t get an NFL job when he clearly wanted one. He had to settle for the college ranks, where he wasn’t exactly dominant in 2025. In fact, he has seemingly been steeped in one controversy after another at the college level. To top off his mountain of crap, he missed the first ballot for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. But there’s still no question in my mind: He and Tom Brady should get an even split for New England's dynasty. Anyone who claims Brady is due more credit is playing prisoner to the moment (and focusing too heavily on how their NFL careers ended — not on where their careers began, which was when Belichick did so much heavy lifting). Former Eagles staffer Ryan Paganetti shared an example of why Belichick is so deserving of credit. Reportedly, the Patriots tinkered with the Gillette Stadium video board when opponents attempted field goals. The board would show the reverse view, creating four yellow lines to seemingly disorient the kicker. From 2001 to 2019, stats show that the Patriots converted 9.4% more of their own field goals than their opponents made. The dude was an Evil Genius. Capital E. Capital G. Nobody liked messing with his opponents more. Nobody was more conniving and manipulative of the rules. Nobody was more prepared. Belichick was ruthless for 20 years. And I love discovering crazy gems like this one. "If him and Ernie [Adams] came up with that, then I love them even more," former Patriots safety Devin McCourty texted me.

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NFL Award Predictions: Will Matthew Stafford Or Patrick Mahomes Win MVP?

Matthew Stafford had his best year as a pro last season, posting video-game numbers as he nearly led the Los Angeles Rams to a second Super Bowl appearance in his five seasons with the team. Even more impressive, Stafford did it with a balky back at 37 that forced him to miss a large portion of training camp. Now, even with the Rams as heavy Super Bowl favorites, it's fair to wonder if Stafford can put together a repeat MVP performance in his 18th season. The Rams have already hedged against that happening by selecting their quarterback of the future, Ty Simpson, in the first round of April's draft. And by trading for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, along with the return of All-Pro Aaron Donald from a two-year retirement, Los Angeles is a lot stronger on defense than it was a year ago. "I can’t sit here and think about trying to do exactly what we did last year and do it again from a personal standpoint," Stafford told reporters in training camp. "I’m just trying to play good football and be the best quarterback for this team I can be. If I do that, I think we’ll be where we want to be." Vegas oddsmakers must have been listening to Stafford during training camp. At 14-1 odds, Stafford has the ninth-best odds to win the award for a second year in a row. MVP Watch predicted the last two winners of the MVP Award in Stafford and Josh Allen, and both went down to the wire. This year, we’ve expanded the column to include a weekly look at the top players vying for MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Rookies of the Year. So, in the first edition of Awards Ballot, let's predict the top five finishers for each award. Offensive Player Of The Year After forcing his way out of Philadelphia to reunite with his former head coach Mike Vrabel, there are no more excuses for Brown. He has one of the best young quarterbacks in the game throwing him the football in Drake Maye, and he should be by far the most targeted player in New England’s offense. A big year statistically should be expected from the talented, big-bodied receiver. But a question remains whether the Patriots have improved up front enough on the offensive line to protect Maye so he can get the ball downfield to Brown. It’s concerning that the 49ers are already limiting McCaffrey’s practice time due to "tightness", and the season hasn’t even started. That speaks to the Stanford product’s lengthy injury history and how important he is for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. However, if McCaffrey can stay out of the training room, he’s one of the most versatile playmakers in the league. Add in playmakers like Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Mike Evans, and it's hard for defenses to consistently contain McCaffrey. Last year’s Offensive Player of the Year had a season to remember in 2025, posting career numbers in leading a Seattle offense directed by departed offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who pushed all the right buttons for the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl. However, Kubiak’s in Las Vegas and Seattle has a new offensive coordinator in Brian Fleury, so we don’t know how the offense will look this year. Having Sam Darnold back provides some continuity, and Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp offer other pass-catching options to help take some of the attention away from the Ohio State product. Nacua has attempted to eliminate the off-the-field distractions and heighten his focus on the field. It’s still yet to be determined if the league will levy any discipline for Nacua’s off-the-field transgressions. But Nacua should be properly motivated to put up numbers, with the Rams choosing to wait to open their wallet and give him a new contract that rivals the over $40 million annually received by Smith-Njigba. If Nacua can replicate what he did on the field last season, he'll almost certainly get such a deal. He put up jaw-dropping statistics across the board, finishing second in receiving yards (1,715) and tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns (10) last season. If he stays healthy, Nacua should put up similar numbers this season. One of the most complete backs in the league, the speedy Gibbs should benefit from the diverse running game scheme new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing brings with him from Arizona. Gibbs finished with 1,223 rushing yards last season, but could push for 2,000 yards in Petzing’s scheme. Since being selected No. 12 in the 2023 draft, Gibbs is third in the NFL in scrimmage yards at 5,029. On an offense filled with dynamic playmakers led by an elite distributor of the football in Jared Goff, Gibbs is the most important chess piece. Defensive Player Of The Year The Ravens grabbed Hendrickson in free agency after rescinding the trade for Maxx Crosby. And new head coach Jesse Minter knows how to get the most out of talented edge rushers like Hendrickson from his time with the Chargers, where Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu thrived. Baltimore should be ahead in a lot of games as well, providing Hendrickson with a bounty of pass-rush opportunities. The Illinois product recently signed a new deal, making him the highest-paid defensive back in the league. Witherspoon could have been the MVP of the Super Bowl with his performance in that big game and will use that as a springboard into the regular season in a rematch with the Patriots. There’s an argument to be made that Leonard Williams is Seattle’s most impactful player defensively, but Witherspoon can make splash plays all over the field. The Texans made Anderson the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league this offseason, paying him $50 million annually. Selected third overall by Houston in the 2023 draft. Anderson won the Rookie Defensive Player of the Year that season and is one of the leaders on one of the most talented defensive groups in the NFL. A Defensive Player of the Year finalist last season, Anderson has 30 career sacks in three seasons and finished second in the league in pressures last year (87). It might be time for Anderson to finally win his first Defensive Player of the Year. The top cover corner in the league, Surtain took home Defensive Player of the Year honors two years ago and is the best defensive player returning for one of the top defenses in the league. Surtain does a great job of taking away half the field. Surtain held quarterbacks to a 15.8% completion percentage on downfield throws last season, which was the lowest mark of any defender in the league, per Next Gen Stats. Surtain gave up just three receptions for 53 yards in those situations, with six pass breakups. The Rams have had Garrett in bubble wrap heading into the team’s season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, as he has barely practiced during training camp due to knee swelling. But make no mistake, when Garrett takes the field as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and leader of a defense that includes the return of game wrecker Aaron Donald, expect his presence to be felt. That means there's a good chance Garrett could repeat as defensive MVP. Coach Of The Year O’Connell’s QB whisperer vibes took a big hit with first-round selection J.J. McCarthy last year and falling down the depth chart. But after Sam Darnold excelled and moved on to win a Super Bowl in Seattle, O’Connell can redeem himself with Kyler Murray. And with an aggressive defense led by Brian Flores, Murray should have his best defensive group helping him on the other side of the football since he’s been in the pros. So, the ingredients are in place for O'Connell to be a strong Coach of the Year candidate. NFL observers are expecting a quick turnaround in the Big Apple, but things could take longer than expected as Harbaugh begins to mold the roster into his tough, hard-nosed image. But the most important thing is the Giants appear to have got the quarterback right in Jaxson Dart. He'll need playmaking receiver Malik Nabers to stay healthy. If Nabers remains healthy, Harbaugh could easily find himself in Coach of the Year contention. With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, the Cowboys should have no problems scoring points on offense. But the hope for Schottenheimer is that the addition of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker will help jump-start the worst defense in the league last year. Watching the Cowboys at training camp, Parker added a much-needed new energy to the defensive side of the football, and that should translate to more wins for a Dallas squad that was more competitive than expected under Schottenheimer in his first season as a head coach last season. Caleb Williams and Johnson are expected to take another step in development in their second year together. Johnson expects Williams to improve his accuracy as a passer, and we’ll see if Rome Odunze can develop into a No. 1 receiver. But how well things go for the Bears will depend on how much of an improvement the defense makes under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. If that goes to plan, then Johnson should be a Coach of the Year candidate again. Ryan’s won double-digit games and made the playoffs in all three years as head coach of the Texans, yet Ryans’ name doesn’t regularly come up in these Coach of the Year conversations. He’s developed one of the most ferocious defenses in the league, and if quarterback C.J. Stroud can keep from throwing the ball to the other team, the Texans have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs if they get there again. Offensive Rookie of the Year I believe Mendoza will play sooner rather than later with Kirk Cousins getting the starting nod to begin the season. It will be hard to keep Mendoza on the sidelines when the Raiders predictably struggle. And if given a chance to play on a regular basis, Mendoza might struggle early, but like Tyler Shough last season for the Saints, his talent will ultimately shine through. The Texas A&M product is a big play waiting to happen and should get more opportunities to produce on special teams. Concepcion is special with the ball in his hands, with his ability to make something happen after the catch and as a runner. It doesn’t matter if it’s Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders running the offense for Cleveland; look for Concepcion to lead all rookies in explosive plays. With Ricky Pearsall out for the season, Stribling gets an opportunity to seize a role as a significant contributor in Shanahan’s offense. I had a chance to watch Stribling up close during a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers, and his movement skills, sticky hands and running ability after the catch were impressive. He should quickly develop a good rapport with Purdy, turning into another reliable receiver for the 49ers. There’s certainly a case to be made for Love being the choice as the top offensive rookie this season. He looked elusive in the only preseason action we saw of him. But that’s also my reason for concern, as Love suffered a high ankle sprain that hasn’t allowed him to practice since. Love’s availability is in question heading into the season opener against the Bolts. Along with that, Love is part of a crowded running back room that includes veterans Tyler Allgeir and James Conner, which could limit his opportunities. Price is on the other end of the spectrum from Love, his former teammate at Notre Dame. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency and Zach Charbonnet is still working his way back from season-ending knee surgery. So, Price will start the season as the workhorse back. And with new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury coming from San Diego, where they leaned heavily on Christian McCaffrey, expect Price to get a heavy, consistent workload as long as he stays healthy, with George Holani and Emanuel Wilson serving as change-of-pace backs. The scenario sets up nicely for Price to win this award. Defensive Rookie Of The Year The Canadian-born pass rusher has flashed speed off the edge and shown a consistent ability to get after the quarterback. While his reps may be limited with Mack and Tuipulotu as the starters, Mesidor should still get enough pass rush snaps to make an impact. I watched Downs at training camp practice and a joint practice with the Rams, and he’s an easy mover who appears to have quickly picked up new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s Vic Fangio-based scheme. Versatility is Downs’ calling card, with an ability to play sticky coverage, tackle in space and serve as an effective blitzer. That means the expectation is the Ohio State product will fill up the stat sheet on game day. Reviews have been mixed for Styles on how he has performed during training camp and in preseason games. Still, he’s got the physical tools, smarts and family lineage to grow into a productive, every-down linebacker for the Commanders. Specifically, with his explosive athleticism, head coach Dan Quinn expects Styles to develop into an effective pass rusher as his game evolves. One of the most polished pass rushers in this year’s draft, the expectation is that Bailey will immediately produce for a much-maligned New York defense that finished No. 31 in the league with 26 sacks and without an interception last season. Just like Bailey, the expectation is for Bain to impact Tampa Bay's defense early because he's a polished pass rusher. I believe Bain has a chance to reach double-digit sacks playing for a team that should compete for an NFC South title with Baker Mayfield leading them. Ten or more sacks would cement Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Most Valuable Player With a new head coach in Jesse Minter and a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, Jackson is out to prove that he’s fully healthy and last year was an aberration. But can Jackson, who turns 30 in January, return to the dynamic, dangerous runner of his younger years? And if he can’t consistently put the fear in defenses with his legs, can Jackson be efficient and create enough explosive plays from the pocket to consistently move the chains? Along with Jackson, the Ravens need running back Derrick Henry to return to the fountain of youth. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and Herbert are still in the honeymoon stage of their new relationship, heaping praise on each other as they build a new, dynamic offense under the watchful eyes of head coach Jim Harbaugh. And Harbaugh has been championing the big brains of both, saying the two are the smartest men he’s ever been around in football. While we like the bromance at The Bolt, at some point during the season, when the Chargers inevitably face another rash of injuries along the offensive line, McDaniel knows things will get hard. And unlike previous seasons, the Chargers appear to have an adept offensive mind in place to deal with those tough times, still putting Herbert in a place to succeed that keeps him upright. Herbert could be in line to have his best season as a pro. I expect Stafford to have a good year, with his playmakers returning from last season. But I think it will be hard to replicate the production he had last year, particularly with one of the tougher schedules in the NFL that includes starting the season in Australia against the 49ers. Specifically, the Rams had good injury health with the offensive line last year, and it will be interesting to see if that continues this season. Allen missed a prime opportunity to win a Super Bowl last season, with Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes and Jackson all out of the playoffs. His four-interception performance in a road loss to the Denver Broncos will go down as one of his more disappointing playoff performances of his NFL career. But with offensive coordinator Joe Brady taking over as Buffalo’s head coach, Allen has a chance to redeem himself. The problem? Burrow, Mahomes and Jackson are all healthy. While he’s targeted a Week 1 return the entire time, it’s still astonishing that Mahomes appears to be moving well only nine months after suffering a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee that required surgery. However, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid still must rely on top free-agent addition Kenneth Walker III and the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to create enough balance on offense to protect Mahomes in his return to play. Along with that, Mahomes needs Kansas City’s defense to get back to being an elite group. It will be interesting to see defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo find replacements in the secondary for departed, top-tier defensive backs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. And does aging defensive tackle Chris Jones still have something left in the tank? Still considered by most NFL observers as the best player in the league, Mahomes has not won the MVP Award since 2022 and is two behind Aaron Rodgers (four). I like him (and the Chiefs) to rebound from a poor performance last season to win his third MVP award.

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LSU Leaves Dae’Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris Off Roster Ahead Of Clemson Game

The biggest story of the college football offseason has reached a temporary conclusion as the season’s first full Saturday approaches. Former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris were left off LSU's official roster ahead of Saturday's season opener against Clemson, according to multiple reports. The move appears to avoid an immediate confrontation with the SEC, which passed a rule barring former professional players from rosters before a Louisiana court put it on hold. The duo was granted a preliminary injunction Thursday night in Baton Rouge, allowing them to pursue a fifth year of eligibility against the NCAA and SEC. After the ruling, Wright told reporters he planned to be ready to play against Clemson and said he had practiced with LSU for the past two days. LSU, in its own statement Friday, said it was reviewing the court's order and would "continue to work constructively with the SEC and NCAA as this matter moves forward." The College Football Playoff also came out in support of the rules barring former professional players from the college game. The LSU decision came just hours after Clemson general counsel Chip Hood sent a letter to his LSU counterpart suggesting the eligibility issue could conflict with the contract between the two schools to play Saturday's game. Clemson still plans to show up. Its coach, Dabo Swinney, however, made his feelings clear earlier in the week. "I would just say it’s kind of embarrassing," Swinney said. "I mean, honestly, it’s just embarrassing that that’s where we are. I don’t blame the kids and people trying to take advantage of the system. I just think it’s embarrassing where we are with college football." Both Wright and Harris played for new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin during his time at Ole Miss. Wright had 39 catches for 635 yards as a tight end for the Rebels last season before spending time with the Cleveland Browns organization during NFL training camp this summer. Harris, a 6-foot-8, 330-pound defensive tackle, recorded 58 tackles and three sacks last season under Kiffin. He signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent before being waived last month. Both players could still be added to the roster later this season, as both remain enrolled at LSU. The Tigers currently have 103 players on their submitted roster, leaving two spots open. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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NFL Super Bowl Futures Report: Bettors Not Sold On Seahawks, Patriots

As the NFL season arrives, the Rams are atop Super Bowl futures odds. In fact, Los Angeles is not only the favorite, but the second choice Bills’ odds are twice that of the Rams. That’ll happen when an already strong team adds sack-master Myles Garrett in the offseason, then welcomes back the recently un-retired Aaron Donald. "It’s warranted, if you look at the talent of this team up and down the roster," Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said. Feazel provides his insights on Super Bowl 61 odds and action, ahead of Wednesday’s kickoff between the defending champion Seahawks and runner-up Patriots. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Money From The Masses Last season, the Rams fell just short of a Super Bowl appearance, losing to the Seahawks 31-27 in the NFC Championship Game. As the 2026-27 season opens, multiple sportsbooks are reporting strong L.A. action, with Caesars among them. "We opened at +900 and have cut those odds almost in half to +500. And the action is coming in, no matter what the price is," Feazel said of steady Rams betting. "The Rams are No. 1 in ticket count, and they’re No. 1 by a healthy margin in money." Indeed, 18% of all Super Bowl futures money at Caesars is on the Rams. That’s 2.5 times more cash than the 49ers, who are second in money at 7%, as the +1800 co-eighth choice. Super Bowl Hangover? Interestingly, the Super Bowl champion Seahawks — the +1100 third choice in odds to win the Super Bowl — aren’t getting nearly the attention of their NFC West rivals. "I don’t think bettors are sold on the Seahawks," Feazel said. "From February to now, they’ve lost a lot of key pieces. There’s been a little fallout on expectations, based on the pieces they did and didn’t keep." Among those departing: Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the Chiefs in the offseason. Further, fellow running back Zach Charbonnet will miss Seattle’s first four games — and possibly more — while continuing to recover from a torn ACL suffered in last season’s playoffs. The Seahawks beat the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl 60. New England also isn’t among the more popular bets in Super Bowl futures odds, while sitting at +2000. "They’re not really betting the Patriots much at all. That’s actually one of our better positions," Feazel said. Liability Leaders As is often the case in Super Bowl futures, it’s a long shot creating the biggest concern at Caesars. Heavy regional bias in Caesars’ Las Vegas market is helping to heighten that concern. "Our biggest liability and the best result for customers is the Raiders," Feazel said of the +12500 long shots (125/1). "Bringing in [new coach] Klint Kubiak and rookie QB Fernando Mendoza is leading to a lot of money." Mendoza led Indiana to a 16-0 season and the national championship last season. But he’s not yet the starter and might not be for a while, with offseason acquisition Kirk Cousins the Raiders’ QB1 at the moment. Feazel also noted a couple legitimate liabilities in Super Bowl 61 odds. "Obviously, the Rams are not our greatest position. Then the Broncos and the 49ers," Feazel said of two teams at +1800. "The Broncos are getting a lot of love. Bettors are still interested in Denver, and the same with the 49ers. "And there’s a whole lot of love around Kyler Murray and the Vikings." Indeed, Minnesota opened as a +8000 long shot and has nearly cut that price in half to +4500. After seven seasons with the Cardinals, Murray signed with the Vikes in the offseason and beat out J.J. McCarthy for the starting job. Sportsbook Needs On the flip side, Caesars Sports has a quartet of legit teams that it’s rooting for in Super Bowl futures. All four are certainly playoff contenders. "The Jaguars are a great position for us, and the Lions are great for us, which is not normally the case," Feazel said. "Also, the Ravens and Texans. A lot of people are sleeping on how good that Texans defense is." Jacksonville went a stout 13-4 last season before losing to the Bills in the wild-card round. Houston went 12-5 in the regular season, then routed the Steelers in the wild card before bowing out at New England. The Jags are +2800 at Caesars, while the Texans are part of a +1800 logjam with the Broncos, 49ers and Chargers. Detroit went a combined 29-9 in 2023-24/2024-25, including playoff games, but stumbled to 9-8 last year and missed the postseason. Similarly, Baltimore went a disappointing 8-9 last year, largely due to QB Lamar Jackson (knee/back) missing four games. Caesars expects both teams to bounce back, with the Ravens the +1300 fourth choice in Super Bowl 61 odds, followed by the Lions at +1600. I Like Big Bets and I Cannot Lie As the season commences, there are a plethora of bets on Super Bowl futures odds. Among the more notable plays at Caesars is a $27,000 wager on Seahawks +1100. If Sam Darnold & Co. pull off a repeat title, then that bettor cashes in for $297,000 profit, for a total payout of $324,000. Other noteworthy wagers at Caesars: Then there’s this Super Bowl exacta at DraftKings Sportsbook: In easier-to-digest terms, the odds are 500/1. If somehow it’s Bengals vs. Cowboys on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium, and Cincinnati wins its first-ever Super Bowl, then that customer profits $1.25 million.

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