With Fernando Mendoza, The Odds Are On The Raiders' Side That They Have Franchise QB

Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas) — It's hard to beat the odds here. The Raiders are 7-27 over the last two years, the second-worst such mark in the NFL. In their six seasons in Las Vegas, they've had a winning record once, and as a franchise, they have not won a single playoff game in the 22-year lifetime of their rookie quarterback, Fernando Mendoza. They are trying to climb out of the bottom of a division with a Denver Broncos team that was the AFC's top seed last year, a Kansas City Chiefs team that's been to five Super Bowls in seven years and won three of them, and a Los Angeles Chargers team that might be better than both of those this season. Their hometown oddsmakers give them 18-to-1 odds to win the AFC West. It's the exact same odds as rolling an 11 with two dice, and yet it seems even harder with the 11 the Raiders have been rolling with on any given play. But Thursday, in just a relief appearance in a preseason game, Mendoza gave Raiders fans a bit of hope, a sign that better days are coming. And once you've won a Heisman Trophy and a national championship at Indiana, what exactly constitutes a long shot? "He shows up every day, works his ass off," Raiders Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx Crosby told me about Mendoza in the locker room at Allegiant Stadium. "He's doing a great job. He's been a great addition to the locker room, and I'm super excited for him. He's done it exactly the right way. He's putting his head down and working, building relationships, just soaking up knowledge and getting better." Thursday's preseason debut was Mendoza's first chance to soak things up more actively. Training camp practices can go a long way, but this was his first chance to truly feel the speed of the NFL, to appreciate how much harder it is than the college football world he dominated in a 16-0 breakout season last year. On one play, Mendoza scrambled to his right, tried to avoid a sack and ran upfield before he went out of bounds, instead taking a hit and sailing the ball onto the sidelines. It was a lesson that some of the things he could get away with in college, he can't in the NFL, at least right now. "There was one play where I scrambled to the right, and usually sometimes I'll be able to get the edge, maybe scramble for 2 or 3 yards, and it's like 'Wow, it got there a little faster than I thought,'" Mendoza said at the podium. "I'm really trying to get around them, try to throw the ball away, make the smart play to best serve my teammates. So I would say definitely faster, and they hit harder. So surprise, but no surprise." Unlike most No. 1 overall picks, Mendoza hasn't been handed the Raiders' starting job. First-year Las Vegas coach Klint Kubiak said after Thursday's loss that the job is still veteran Kirk Cousins' to lose, potentially making Mendoza wait until he's more prepared. That's not the norm. The last six quarterbacks to go No. 1 overall were all Week 1 starters, and the last that wasn't was Baker Mayfield with the Cleveland Browns in 2018. So, Mendoza watched from the sidelines Thursday as Cousins marched the Raiders down the field, with the veteran completing an efficient 5 of 6 passes for 50 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to tight end Michael Mayer. Mendoza came in without all the starters in front of him, and his first drive was scuttled by a holding penalty. His second drive, though, was what Raiders fans wanted to see, starting with a 19-yard dart between two defenders and ending with a 6-yard touchdown pass on third-and-goal to receiver Jack Bech. The touchdown pass was the highlight of a strong night for Mendoza. He completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and led the Raiders into scoring territory in the final of the four possessions he played, which ended in a missed kick. All those No. 1 picks that started in Week 1, none of them threw a touchdown pass in their preseason debut. Cam Ward, Caleb Williams, Bryce Young, Trevor Lawrence and Kyler Murray all combined for zero in their first taste of the NFL. In just a summer of practices and a few weeks of training camp, Mendoza has impressed the most decorated of his new teammates. "He's the same guy that we see in practice that went out there and competed on the game field," center Tyler Linderbaum told me after his own Raiders debut. "He's a kid that works really hard, wants to get better, wants the best for the team, and that's all you can ask for." Rookie quarterbacks don't exactly have a residency of success with the Raiders. This is the franchise of Todd Marinovich and JaMarcus Russell, of great prospects that never found NFL success. Derek Carr went 3-13 in his first year, and no Raiders rookie quarterback has ever managed a winning record as a starter. That might be asking a lot of Mendoza, as Las Vegas has managed four and three wins in the last two seasons, putting it on its sixth head coach in six seasons, including interims. But Kubiak has a chance to change that, balancing the win-now aspect of playing Cousins with the long-term development of taking lumps with Mendoza and the greatness that could await. "He led a good scoring drive, as far as getting in and out of the huddle and commanding the group and getting play calls down," Kubiak said, measured in his praise. "I saw the same guy we've seen in practice. I see an ascending player, and we've just got to keep getting better." The Raiders need more than Mendoza to turn things around. Linderbaum's arrival will help their run game, which will lean on second-year pro Ashton Jeanty and could get a spark from rookie Mike Washington Jr., who broke loose for a 53-yard run Thursday. The defense is still very much a work in progress — the Cardinals scored touchdowns on their first three drives against the Raiders, completing their first 15 passes and converting their first six third downs. And if being the No. 1 pick isn't pressure enough in today's NFL, Mendoza takes the field under the watchful eye of Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl winner tasked with helping to bring a championship mentality back to the silver and black. There were moments Thursday that showed why Mendoza was the No. 1 pick — careful, accurate throws, with a nice pump fake here, a well-executed play-action handoff there and the confidence to stay in the pocket and be patient in an entirely new experience. His personality has not changed — a genuinely positive, squeaky-clean wholesomeness that won over his teammates at Indiana. Can Mendoza find the same success in the NFL? Thursday offered nothing to suggest that can't happen for him, just a question of how quickly. "Today was an invigorating experience," Mendoza said. "There's not many moments where you feel fully alive, and on the field you feel fully alive, especially in the NFL atmosphere. So I want to give thanks to that. It was great to get out there, get my feet wet. That first drive, it felt a little sped up because so much anticipation and excitement. However, I feel like my teammates around me protected me very well, and they helped me. They helped slow me down, and I think it was a good experience."

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/rVz5tSI

Former NFL Lineman Jared Odrick Finding 'New Purpose' In Racing

Markham, Ontario — Jared Odrick is about 50 pounds lighter than when he was playing in the NFL at around 300-315 pounds. But the 38-year-old still stands at 6-foot-5. And for a man that tall who weighs about 250 pounds, getting into a race car can be tough. In fact, when he was in Las Vegas several years ago and attended a racing experience, he could only fit into a GT3 Porsche. But it was that trip that helped fuel his love of fast cars. He later bought a 901.1 Porsche Cup so that he could compete in SCAA amateur racing about four years ago. Odrick has progressed to a successful racer in TransAm and will make his second career NASCAR Canada Series start on Saturday on the streets of Markham, where INDYCAR is the headliner this weekend. "We had to move the footbox back a few inches," Odrick said during a virtual news conference earlier this week. "The seat was good. The height was good. But just the length for the legs had to be adjusted. ... Sliding through the window is kind of difficult. "I have a former football injury where I tore my labrum in my right shoulder, so I have some scar tissue there. But I also have a little bit of extra flexibility that I might not be able to have unless I had that happen that allowed me to get into the car." Having played seven years in the NFL where he totaled 170 tackles (135 solo) for the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2010 first-round pick from Penn State finished 22nd in his series debut last week at Trois-Rivieres. He was running well until getting collected in a wreck. "The competition was high, but we were so happy to see how competitive we were in a racing situation and how good the car was late in the race," Odrick said. Odrick would love to race Cup one day but he isn’t focused on it. Currently driving for BC Race Cars in NASCAR's stock car series in Canada, he just wants to keep competing no matter the series, whether it's in NASCAR’s international series or in any national series. He does feel he could compete on any level if given the time to properly train and prepare with a team. He has competed against some of the top NASCAR prospects on road courses. "Everybody says they want to get to Cup, especially with the young drivers I’m driving against in TransAm," Odrick said. "Sometimes when you’re competing against 15-, 16-year-old kids — whether it’s the Tristan McKees, Thomas Annunziatas and Brent Crews and stuff like that — sometimes you look and feel silly that your goals and aspirations are the same as a 16-year-old kid who hasn’t got a chance or is trying to actively prove themselves as a man. "Then you sit there. ‘Did I not do that with the NFL?’" With a home in Toronto near the clinic and a doctor who has treated him throughout his athletic career, Odrick said he wants to show he can switch to another sport. "I don’t miss playing the game," Odrick said about football. "It’s a young man’s game, and I think if I missed it at 38 years old, I’d be doing something wrong. ... Racing definitely has given my life new meaning, new purpose. "And it feels like a lot of the discipline that I missed as a young 20-something professional football player, I’m definitely thinking about a lot."

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/dBtlvsU

Commanders Star Jayden Daniels Reportedly Issues NIL Cease And Desist To LSU

The important thing is this isn't awkward. An attorney representing Washington Commanders star and former LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels informed LSU that it can no longer use Daniels' name, image and likeness (NIL). This comes in the wake of LSU sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett changing his number to No. 5, which Daniels wore over his two years with the Tigers from 2022-23. "The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU's decision to give Jayden's number to another player," an Aug. 5 statement from Daniels' spokesperson read, according to ESPN. "Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university. … "Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected. His Heisman Trophy-winning season and everything he accomplished on and off the field cemented his place in LSU history. To see his number given to another player is incredibly disappointing and feels like a failure to honor the significance of what Jayden accomplished at LSU." Pickett, a consensus five-star recruit, wore No. 3 last season, with him recently changing to No. 5, which LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said the defensive back was "promised" he could wear when being recruited by the school in 2024. The No. 5 isn't retired by LSU. "Accordingly, LSU must immediately cease and desist from any further issue use, display, publication, distribution, promotion, commercialization, or other exploitation of Mr. Daniels' NIL in any manner or medium," attorney Adam Kenner wrote. "Any use of Mr. Daniels' NIL occurring after LSU's receipt of this notice will be deemed knowing and willful and will be pursued vigorously through all available legal and equitable remedies, without further notice." As for what he did on the field last season at LSU (2025), Pickett totaled three interceptions, three passes defended, two sacks and 37 combined tackles in his 2025 freshman campaign. Regarding Daniels, he transferred to Baton Rouge after three seasons with the Arizona State Sun Devils (2019-21) and was the Tigers' starting quarterback for two seasons (2022-23). In his second year at LSU, Daniels put together one of the best seasons by a quarterback in college football history, capped off by winning the 2023 Heisman Trophy Award. Across 12 games, Daniels totaled 3,812 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, four interceptions and a 208.0 passer rating, while completing 72.2% of his passes. His 40 passing touchdowns and 208.0 passer rating each led the SEC, while Daniels also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. Daniels was then selected by the Washington Commanders with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and proceeded to lead them to a playoff win for the first time since 2005 and to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991, when Washington won Super Bowl XXVI. In doing so, Daniels won 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, totaling 3,568 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 100.1 passer rating in the regular season, while completing 69.0% of his passes. Meanwhile, Daniels rushed for 891 yards and six touchdowns. Daniels was limited to seven games in 2025 due to ankle, knee and elbow injuries, posting an 88.1 passer rating and completing 60.6% of his passes. The Commanders missed the playoffs at 5-12. LSU is entering its first season with Kiffin, who previously went 55-19 as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels from 2020-25, as its new coach.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/0wmPuLO

Year 2 Breakout Candidates: One Player From Each NFC Team Primed To Take A Leap

One need only be reminded of the fact that quarterback Sam Darnold just won the Super Bowl to understand that when it comes to the NFL, patience truly can be a virtue. Darnold was in his eighth NFL season and the Seattle Seahawks are the fifth team of his professional career, but the point is the same with second-year breakout candidates. It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the latest draft class and overlook other young players set to pop. With that, here are my picks for which 2025 draft picks I believe will take the biggest leaps in their sophomore season. NFC EAST Coming off a torn ACL, Revel didn’t see the field until Week 11 of his rookie season. Now that he’s fully healthy, I’m expecting big things from the long-armed 6-foot-2 corner. Revel is big, physical and aggressive. With he and 2026 rookie Caleb Downs leading the way, I believe the Cowboys will show massive improvement in their secondary this season, positioning the team for a postseason run. Given the downhill running game John Harbaugh prioritized in Baltimore, there probably wasn’t a player on the Giants’ roster more excited about the arrival of the longtime Ravens head coach. Skattebo flashed last year prior to sustaining a horrific lower leg injury that abruptly ended his rookie campaign after just eight games. He scored seven times, showing not only bruising running ability but also soft hands out of the backfield. He’ll be Harbaugh’s bell cow with a chance to at least double his production in 2026 — if he can stay healthy. Admittedly, listing Campbell here is pretty low-hanging fruit. He’s a former first-round pick who started 10 games as a rookie and is slated to play even more in Year 2 with his primary competition of a year ago — Nakobe Dean — now on the Raiders. But I don’t think Campbell is just going to start — I think he’s going to star. He is a remarkable athlete at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, offering Vic Fangio all sorts of flexibility with how to use him. He has the size and burst to excel as a pass-rusher with the speed to chase down backs in the running game. His pass coverage was outstanding at Alabama and even better in his rookie season, when he ranked eighth among all NFL linebackers (with at least 200 snaps) in completion percentage allowed, per Pro Football Reference. Campbell is a blue-chip chess piece that has the talent to become one of the faces of a fierce Eagles defense. Scoring eight touchdowns and being named the NFL’s Rookie of the Week four times last season suggests that Croskey-Merritt has already arrived. His role should expand this year, however, with his vision and burst a nice fit for the wide zone concepts new offensive coordinator David Blough is implementing. I’m expecting a committee approach at running back, similar to what Blough used in Detroit. But I see Croskey-Merritt as the front-runner to lead the position. He runs with deceptive speed and power and is not afraid of traffic. NFC NORTH I believe last year’s production (47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns) is only the tip of the iceberg for Burden. He caught at least three passes in each of the Bears' final 10 games (regular season and playoffs) after snaring that many in just two of his first seven games. With veteran D.J. Moore now playing in Buffalo and Rome Odunze fighting through recurring foot pain, Burden is a good bet to become Caleb Williams’ most trusted wideout in 2026. One could argue that after hauling in six touchdown receptions as a rookie, TeSlaa already enjoyed his breakout campaign. With four of those scores coming in the final six games of the season, however, TeSlaa may only be warming up. He’ll need to score a lot more of them before opponents will start shifting their coverages toward him rather than Detroit’s more established playmakers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Fantasy football enthusiasts should prepare for some possible TD regression, as few receivers were more efficient in the red zone than TeSlaa, who scored six times despite catching just 16 total passes. Golden is the third receiver from the NFC Central listed as a breakout candidate, and because he’s the fastest (and was the first of the trio selected in the NFL Draft), he will likely enter his second NFL season with the most hype. His talent and anticipated workload warrant it. Golden’s opportunities will jump with Romeo Doubs now playing in New England, and he boasts the run-after-catch ability and breakaway speed to quickly become Jordan Love’s favorite big-play target. Along with first-round guard Donovan Jackson, Price was one of the few impactful rookies for the Vikings in 2025 — which speaks to why the team hired a new general manager (Nolan Teasley) during the offseason. The former undrafted free agent from Texas Tech generated a whopping 1,777 all-purpose yards as the Vikings’ starting punt and kickoff returner, finishing third among all NFL players. Minnesota has several quality candidates pushing Price for the returner job — including 2025 third-round wideout Tai Felton and 2026 sixth-round running back Demond Claiborne. But the vision, elusiveness and burst Price demonstrated as a returner could also make him a dangerous target out of the slot, though he’d need to take real strides in this area after seeing just a few snaps at receiver as a rookie. NFC SOUTH It's worth noting the Falcons had only a five-man draft class in 2025, and four of those players — edge rusher Jalon Walker (ACL), edge rusher James Pearce Jr. (legal), defensive back Billy Bowman (Achilles) and offensive tackle Jack Nelson (waived) — are tracking to miss extended time this season. The lone exception is Xavier Watts, who led all NFL rookies with five interceptions last season, finishing fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. So while he may, in fact, continue playing a starring role in 2026, his breakout was last year. Conversely, as an undrafted free agent who spent half of last season on Atlanta's practice squad, Bryant isn't a lock to even make its roster. But the trash-talking 6-foot-1, 185-pounder punches above his weight class as a tackler, offers legitimate man-to-man cover skills and is a cerebral special teams performer, giving him a solid chance to build upon last year's production (10 combined tackles, one pass breakup, one TD allowed) in seven games. The NFL is the ultimate copycat league, so I expect we’ll see many teams utilize the three safety look that the Seahawks used so successfully in last year’s Super Bowl run. Ransom, the 122nd overall pick in 2025, moonlighted in this role as a rookie behind veterans Nick Scott and Trevon Moehrig. With Scott now 31 and never a consistent turnover producer, don’t be surprised if Ransom forces his way onto the field sooner rather than later. After recording 10 pass breakups over just five starts as a rookie, Riley appears ready to step into the huge vacuum left behind by departed standout Alontae Taylor. Riley is a quality athlete, but his instincts are what stood out most between his rookie season and six seasons in college. This experience has taught Riley above-average route anticipation and poise when the ball is in the air. He led all cornerbacks from the 2025 class with 15 career interceptions and I think he might top the Saints in this category this season. I am as excited as anyone about Rueben Bain Jr., but my enthusiasm for the Bucs’ building off of last year’s 37-sack performance doesn’t end with the club’s first-round pick in 2026. Walker missed all of his rookie season after suffering a torn ACL during training camp. He’s back healthy, and all reports suggest that his trademark twitch remains. Playing at a stumpy 6-foot-1, 263 pounds, he’ll be a bit of a pass-rush specialist this season, but I think he’ll prove to be an effective one with at least a handful of sacks. NFC WEST Little went right for the Cardinals in 2025 and that included their prized first-round pick — Nolen — suffering through an injury-plagued rookie campaign that limited him to just six games. The burst and agility that warranted the No. 16 overall pick, however, was obvious. Now that he’s healthy following surgery to repair a torn meniscus, I expect Nolen to emerge as one of the NFC’s better young pass rushing defensive tackles. Given that the Rams pulled off the biggest trade of the offseason by prying Myles Garrett away from Cleveland, suggesting another pass-rusher is about to break out for them should terrify opponents. Garrett’s mere presence will command extra attention, opening opportunities for his teammates. Stewart doesn’t need much assistance. His combination of quickness and compact strength make him a tough block. The former third-rounder likely won't start this year, but I think Stewart will prove a quality sub option who might just double last year’s production (22 tackles, three sacks). The 49ers were as snakebitten by injuries as any team in the NFL last year, with Martin (as well as first-round pick Mykel Williams) among the many to miss significant time. Martin was placed on injured reserve midseason following a concussion, finishing with just 11 tackles after being selected No. 75 overall. The tape suggests he’ll be a future standout. Martin is an agile and highly aggressive downhill defender with plus closing speed and power. The 49ers brought back Dre Greenlaw, but only on a one-year deal. Don’t be surprised if Martin is starting (and starring) by December. A remarkable rookie class led by first-round left guard Grey Zabel and Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist Nick Emmanwori played a huge role in Seattle winning the Super Bowl. Mills recorded a sack in the title game but otherwise recorded just three other tackles on the season after missing most of his rookie campaign to rehab a torn ACL suffered in college. While playing time will be a challenge given Seattle’s talent up front, coach Mike Macdonald constantly rotates his defensive linemen. A healthy Mills would’ve been drafted a couple of rounds earlier than where Seattle stole him — in the fifth, at No. 142 overall. He should prove as much this year, with 30 tackles and five sacks being realistic goals.

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/CBwl5qx

Even After Super Bowl Victory, The Seahawks Are Being Overlooked

For some teams, winning a Super Bowl takes an extraordinary set of circumstances. However, the Seattle Seahawks' run to a Super Bowl title in 2025 shouldn't be viewed as them catching lightning in a bottle. After the Los Angeles Rams dominated headlines this offseason, Colin Cowherd argued that the Seahawks are being overlooked ahead of the 2026 season. "Vegas has the Baltimore Ravens, an 8-9 team last year, with better Super Bowl odds than the Seahawks. Nobody thinks they can repeat. It was a one-off. No way will [Sam] Darnold play mistake-free playoff football again. Things went in their favor," Cowherd said on Wednesday's "The Herd." "No, actually, they did not go in their favor at all. The opposite is true. Sam Darnold goes to arguably the best division in football, has a new coach, a new coordinator, a new O-line, a bad O-line, and a new receiving core, JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba)." Seattle enters the season with the fourth-best Super Bowl odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook), trailing Los Angeles, Baltimore and the Buffalo Bills. But Cowherd thinks even that's too low, pointing to the rare continuity Darnold will have this season as a key reason why the Seahawks should be viewed as a contender. "Darnold — four teams, four years — for the first time in years, [he has the] same head coach, same locker room, same culture, same city, same house," Cowherd said. "That kind of continuity to me seems like a huge benefit." Darnold had a strong opening season with the Seahawks. He was fifth in the league in passing yards (4,048) to go with 25 passing touchdowns as he helped Smith-Njigba win Offensive Player of the Year. But Darnold wasn't the key reason for Seattle's success. The Seahawks' defense was arguably the best in the league. They finished with the best scoring defense in the regular season before putting up a dominant performance in the playoffs, including in their Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots. Cowherd added that head coach Mike Macdonald has established a strong identity in Seattle, comparing him to another Super Bowl-winning coach in the same division. "Boy, Mike Macdonald is really impressive. The head coach, he's Sean McVay [on the] defensive side." Cowherd said. "They're not aging out of this. Their older players don't get hurt much. Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, Charles Cross, and their best players are all young and getting better." And beyond that, Cowherd likes the Seahawks' infrastructure heading into the new year. "Their old guys are healthy. Darnold's a young 29, never had a lot of injuries," Cowherd said. "They have the best GM, arguably, defensive coach, arguably, the best receiver, arguably. And over the last two years, they've been 15-2 on the road. They're the best home team without an argument, and yet they're kind of considered, and they're not really mentioned."

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/2wSWHpe

Will The Detroit Lions Reclaim The NFC North Crown? Colin Cowherd Thinks So

Can the Lions top the division and return to the postseason after missing out last year? FOX Sports' Colin Cowherd thinks so. On Tuesday's edition of The Herd, Cowherd predicted his top two teams for each division heading into the 2026 NFL season and he offered a bold perspective for the NFC North. "In the NFC North…Lions, Bears is how I see it." Cowherd explained during his broadcast on Fox Sports Radio, highlighting Detroit as the team to beat in the black and blue division. "Lions have the best roster," Cowherd said. "They upgraded at OC," referring to the recently hired former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator in Detroit. Cowherd also pointed to their previous campaign as proof of their ceiling under tough circumstances. "They won nine last year with a brutal schedule and a truckload of injuries." With high expectations for their postseason trajectory, Cowherd stated, "I think Detroit could win the Super Bowl." The overall talent level on the Lions stood out to Cowherd across every major position group on the field. "Their skill positions: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta—they are stacked." He also praised the front office for maintaining strong investments along the offensive line to protect Jared Goff. Not only did Sewell receive a long-term extension two offseasons ago, but now they also added another tackle after drafting Clemson's Blake Miller with the No. 17 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft. "Penei Sewell is one of the best tackles in football. They addressed the other tackle during the draft." Cowherd said, referring to 2026 first-round pick Blake Miller. "You know I love Goff. I think this roster is top three in the NFL. I'm going to take them to win the division." Cowherd wasn't done there, as he also expects the Chicago Bears to remain competitive after making the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Not only did they make the playoffs, but they won a playoff game for the first time since 2010. "The Bears' first year with Ben Johnson, creating a culture and cleaning up a mess, made the playoffs," Cowherd said. Cowherd sees steady growth coming for quarterback Caleb Williams alongside a talented surrounding offensive unit full of playmakers. After trading D.J. Moore to the Buffaloe Bills, the Bears head into this season with pass catchers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III alongside tight end Colston Loveland. "I think Caleb Williams will be more accurate," Cowherd said. "He's a young kid. He's getting better, and I love their tight end, receiver, running back group." Reflecting on Chicago's foundation, Cowherd concluded, "Don't like it, [I] love it."

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/GMrJpxF

Why Quinnen Williams Extension Could Prove That Cowboys Won Micah Parsons Trade

Colin Cowherd is ready to ask a question that some thought might have been unimaginable a year ago: Did the Dallas Cowboys actually win the Micah Parsons trade? A day after the Cowboys extended four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to a three-year, $105.9 million deal, Cowherd thinks there's momentum building toward the idea that Dallas won its trade with the Green Bay Packers. "People were freaking out about the Micah Parsons trade. I would make an argument by October or Thanksgiving, the Dallas Cowboys, it could be official, won the Micah Parsons deal," Cowherd said on Tuesday's edition of "The Herd." "You got Quinnen Williams, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle. By the way, when they traded Micah, initially, the Cowboys got worse. That gave them a better draft pick. That draft pick became Caleb Downs, who, to me, is the steal of the draft. I think there's an argument he could be the best player in the draft. "You don't get that if the Cowboys had two or three more wins [last season]. … We overvalue non-quarterback stars in this league." The Cowboys acquired the star defensive tackle in a trade with the New York Jets ahead of the trade deadline last season, using some of the draft capital they got in the deal with the Packers for Parsons. Dallas received defensive tackle and three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark and first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 from Green Bay for Parsons. Then, they traded a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets for Williams. As for the 2026 first-round pick the Cowboys received from the Packers, the Cowboys selected UCF Knights linebacker Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 pick after a trade-back. Earlier in the draft, they traded up one spot to select Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick. The Packers, meanwhile, saw Parsons have an encouraging debut season with the franchise, logging 12.5 sacks, earning his third career All-Pro honor and finishing third among edge defenders in overall grade (91.9), according to Pro Football Focus. However, Parsons' 2025 campaign ended after 14 games due to a torn ACL, which is expected to keep him off the field for at least the first month of the 2026 season. With Parsons sidelined, the Packers lost their last five combined games of the season (regular season and postseason), ending with an NFC wild-card round loss to the Chicago Bears. The two teams actually faced off in Week 4 of last season, playing to a 40-40 tie. Granted, the Cowboys went on to miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season, and their defense finished last in points allowed. However, with the reinforcements Dallas has received thanks to the Parsons trade, Cowherd thinks the Cowboys are on the rise. "I look at the Cowboys' roster, between Caleb Downs, Quinnen Williams and the roster flexibility, this is the best team they've had, in terms of overall talent, arguably in a decade," Cowherd later said. "The Cowboys are in a good spot."

from Latest NFL News & Videos from FOX Sports https://ift.tt/i6UY1ys