Jaguars HC Liam Coen: 'The Plan Has Not Changed' for Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Role

Travis Hunter remains one of the most intriguing second-year players heading into next season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars now appear to have a clearer vision for how they plan to use him. The organization still intends for Hunter to continue as a two-way player. Despite skepticism surrounding that role, general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen reiterated that the plan remains unchanged. "The plan has not changed at all," Coen said in a video produced by the Jaguars. "He’s going to play both sides of the football just as we drafted him to do. We have the same vision for him in terms of being able to give him opportunities." Prior to suffering a season-ending torn LCL, Hunter split time on both sides of the ball, logging roughly 61% of his snaps on offense and 37% on defense as a rookie. Gladstone provided an update on Hunter’s recovery during an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show" on Wednesday morning, offering insight into his progress as he works back from injury. "He’s in a good spot," Gladstone said. "He’s out on the grass in a limited fashion and that’s the case throughout the remainder of the offseason program. As we get going into training camp, he’ll be full go." Speculation about Hunter potentially shifting to cornerback full-time this offseason has drawn national attention, but Gladstone made the Jaguars’ plans clear when addressing his role. "Absolutely not," Gladstone said. "He is set to play both sides of the ball. The piece I think we can expect is an uptick in corner usage. Last year, he had a higher volume and a higher percentage of snaps at wide receiver than he did at corner." The growing national buzz around Hunter’s breakout potential was also highlighted by our reporter Greg Auman. Auman named Hunter as his top second-year breakout candidate poised to make a leap next season. "Hunter's on course to be fully recovered by the start of training camp, and it should be a simpler second season for him," Auman wrote. "It remains to be seen how much work he'll get on offense — the Jaguars traded for Jakobi Meyers during last season and gave him a lucrative extension, and they've held off on trading third-year receiver Brian Thomas Jr., with Parker Washington enjoying a breakout season last year. Hunter should be an every-down corner, and that side of the ball should be his focus and the best chance for him to shine. Jacksonville let Greg Newsome leave in free agency and didn't draft a corner, setting Hunter up for a central role." Hunter’s increased usage is also tied to the departures of Greg Newsome II and Tyson Campbell in free agency. As currently constructed, the cornerback room is set to feature Hunter, Jarrian Jones, Montaric Brown, and Jourdan Lewis. "Our roster construction is different than it was a year ago," Gladstone said. "It’s more fitting to slot him in at corner in a different way than it was this time last year or even as the season progressed." For now, the Jaguars remain committed to that vision as they manage Hunter’s recovery and refine how his workload will be balanced on both sides of the ball. "He wants to play both ways," Gladstone said. "He wants to do exactly what he set out to do when he first started putting that into action all those years ago and that’s his dream. We’ll look to support that in the best way that we can."

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Eating W’s All Summer Long: Jameis Winston Joins FOX Sports for 2026 World Cup

He’s back! But only this time he’s trading the gridiron for the global soccer stage. New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston will return to FOX Sports as a World Cup Correspondent. Winston spent Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans with FOX Sports as a digital correspondent, where he roamed the Big Easy highlighting the culture and excitement around the big game. Now, Winston returns to fuel the hype around the largest World Cup yet, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. While several members of FOX’s World Cup team have won various soccer titles — Zlatan Ibrahimović has multiple league championships, Thierry Henry has a World Cup win and Golden Boot honors — how many have a Heisman Trophy and a college football national championship win? In college, Winston led Florida State to an undefeated 14-0 season and a national championship as a redshirt freshman in 2013. That same year, Winston lifted the Seminoles' third Heisman Trophy. Drafted No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015, Winston played five seasons there before he signed with the New Orleans Saints. After four years in New Orleans, Winston signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, then headed to the Big Apple to sign with the Giants. Winston joins a star-studded broadcast team for the tournament that includes Ibrahimović, Henry, former Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, Mexico's all-time leading scorer Javier Hernández and many more on the pitch and in the studio. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch From June 11 through July 19, 2026, FOX Sports presents its largest World Cup production and broadcast slate to date featuring all 104 matches live across FOX (69) and FS1 (35) with every match live-streaming on FOX One and the FOX Sports App. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).

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Ranking the 10 Best NFL Offenses Entering Offseason Workouts

There’s still a long way to go before we see real football again. But with the NFL Draft in the books and the majority of the top-tier free agents signed, teams know what the core of their squads will look like in 2026. Offensively, which teams are poised to be the most dynamic in the upcoming season? And how could they compare against one another? Here’s my projection for the top 10 offenses in 2026, in descending order (for the top 10 defenses, click here): Key additions: RB Isiah Pacheco (FA), OT Blake Miller (draft), C Cade Mays (FA), OL Larry Borom (FA), OL Juice Scruggs (trade)Key losses: RB David Montgomery (trade), WR Kalif Raymond (FA) The Lions still have one of the most talented offenses in football, but it could take a while for them to hit their stride in 2026. Isiah Pacheco’s addition as RB2 marks a significant downgrade from David Montgomery, who was traded to the Texans. Detroit has also shuffled pieces upfront to improve an offensive line that struggled last season. There’s a strong likelihood that the team will be flipping All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to the left side. Key additions: RB Kenneth Walker III (FA), QB Justin Fields (trade)Key losses: QB Gardner Minshew (FA), WR Hollywood Brown (FA), RT Jawaan Taylor (release), RB Isiah Pacheco (FA) If QB Patrick Mahomes is healthy after December surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, there’s a good chance the Chiefs’ offense returns to playing at a high level. Kenneth Walker III signed a three-year, $43.05 million deal with Kansas City after winning Super Bowl MVP with the Seahawks. He's the most dynamic running back that the Chiefs have had in the Mahomes era, and his presence should open the pass game. Veteran receiver Hollywood Brown departed in free agency, but WR1 Rashee Rice won’t be facing a suspension to start this season, like last year. Kansas City also welcomes back offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who was the team's OC from 2018 through 2022. Key additions: WR Romeo Doubs (FA), G Alijah Vera-Tucker (FA), TE Julian Hill (FA), OT Caleb Lomu (draft), TE Eli Raridon (draft)Key losses: WR Stefon Diggs (release), C Garrett Bradbury (trade), TE Austin Hooper (FA) Before struggling in last season’s playoffs, the Patriots’ offense was dominant. And that should continue in 2026. New England traded center Garrett Bradbury, but the offensive line could be much improved with the addition of Alijah-Vera Tucker in free agency and first-round rookie Caleb Lomu, who could play either right or left tackle. Romeo Doubs is a younger, higher-upside wide receiver than Stefon Diggs. And there’s still a strong chance that the Patriots land star receiver A.J. Brown via trade. Key additions: G John Simpson (FA), G Olaivavega Ioane (draft), WR Ja’Kobi Lane (draft), WR Elijah Sarratt (draft)Key losses: C Tyler Linderbaum (FA), TE Isaiah Likely (FA), FB Patrick Ricard (FA), RB Keaton Mitchell (FA), TE Charlie Kolar (FA) With a healthy Lamar Jackson, the sky is the limit for the Ravens’ offense. There have been some significant changes in Baltimore — playcaller Todd Monken is gone, as well as several key contributors — but the run game could see a boost with the additions of first-round pick Olaivavega Ioane and veteran John Simpson at guard. The Ravens also grabbed much needed wide receiver depth behind Zay Flowers in mid-round picks Ja’Kobi Lane (third round) and Elijah Sarratt (fourth round). Key additions: C Garrett Bradbury (trade), WR Kalif Raymond (FA), C Logan Jones (draft), TE Sam Roush (draft), WR Zavion Thomas (draft)Key losses: WR DJ Moore (trade), WR Olamide Zaccheus (FA) Even with DJ Moore out of the picture, the arrow on the Bears’ offense is pointed up. Quarterback Caleb Williams is poised to make a massive leap in Year 3 after dazzling in clutch moments in 2025. Second-year tight end Colston Loveland and wideout Luther Burden are ascending, as is third-year receiver Rome Odunze. After losing Pro Bowler Drew Dalman to an early retirement, Chicago has both its center of the present (Garrett Bradbury) and future (Logan Jones) on the roster. Key addition: WR DJ Moore (trade)Key losses: G David Edwards, QB Mitch Trubisky (FA), OT Ryan Van Demark (FA) With Moore in the fold, Josh Allen has a legitimate No. 1 receiver for the first time since Stefon Diggs’ time in Buffalo. It raises the ceiling of a Bills offense that ranked fourth in scoring last season. Key addition: RB Jadarian Price (draft)Key loss: RB Kenneth Walker III (FA) The Seahawks have their entire offense returning from last year’s Super Bowl-winning team, with one (big) exception: running back Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the Chiefs in free agency. How quickly first-round pick Jadarian Price, who backed up Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, acclimates to the NFL level will be key to Seattle’s offense. Not only is Price replacing Walker, but also his running mate, Zach Charbonnet, who suffered a torn ACL in the divisional round in January. Key additions: n/aKey losses: TE Noah Fant (FA), G Cordell Volson (FA) The Bengals haven’t made any moves of note on offense — their offseason focus has been on the defense — but with a healthy Joe Burrow under center, Cincinnati still has one of the most feared units in football. The Bengals, who ranked 12th in scoring last season with Burrow missing nine games due to turf toe, return their entire starting offense from 2025. Key additions: n/aKey loss: WR Jalen Tolbert (FA) The Cowboys return 10 starters from an offense that ranked second in yards and seventh in points in 2025. Franchise-tagged star receiver George Pickens will be in his second year in the offense, which could make him even more difficult to account for as CeeDee Lamb’s running mate. And with a more competent defense on paper, Dallas’ offense could see more possessions per game in 2026. Key additions: QB Ty Simpson (draft), TE Max Klare (draft), OT Keagan Trost (draft) Key losses: n/a The NFL’s best offense in 2025 returns all 11 starters. While No. 13 overall pick Ty Simpson is viewed as the Rams’ quarterback of the future, tight end Max Klare (second round) and offensive tackle Keagen Trost (third round) provide young depth for a loaded offense in 2026.

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NFL Offseason Check-In: Dan Quinn Didn't Want Commanders to Fall for Easy Narrative

Following a disappointing 5-12 campaign in 2025, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn admitted that it took some time to remove the stench from a season where it felt like nothing could go right for his upstart group. But Quinn's positive outlook has returned as he prepares for his third season as the Commanders' head coach. After a busy offseason full of changes in Washington, Quinn opened up to me on why the Commanders opted not to act complacent despite reaching the NFC Championship Game just a year prior. "The easy narrative is to say, ‘Hey man, the injuries – that’s all it was,’" Quinn told me. "But I want to go deeper than that, making sure what we can do better offensively and defensively, and then how do we develop more as an entire team. "It takes a good, strong offseason to dig into areas that you want to improve on. So, we’re putting in two new systems offensively and defensively, much like we did in 2024. I’m excited about that." Quinn made wholesale changes on offense and defense. That included parting ways with respected offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and promoting quarterbacks coach David Blough to offensive coordinator. The team also hired Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones to be their new defensive coordinator, replacing Joe Whitt Jr. after two seasons. With those hirings come the implementation of new schemes. Quinn said learning new schemes has created a sense of urgency for his players as they embark on offseason work. And at the heart of that new learning will be the evolution of Washington’s offense under the leadership of third-year pro quarterback Jayden Daniels, who finished the 2025 season on injured reserve with a dislocated elbow. Daniels told me back in February at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic that he’s fully healthy, and his offseason work began well before the start of organized team activities (OTAs). A Southern California native, Daniels’ regimen back home has included throwing with teammates Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown and Rachaad White at UCLA. As Quinn is tasked with keeping Daniels healthy, the Commanders' head coach said that Washington's new offense under Blough will include more plays under center and a renewed focus on the play-action game. That'll include heavier formations to better keep the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year out of harm’s way. But that will be a major change from what the Commanders did last season. They ran a league-low 112 snaps under center in 2025, and Daniels completed 22-of-41 (53.7%) passes for 305 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions with a 94.1 passer rating on play-action passes last season, per Next Gen Stats. "When you’re under center, it does add value for the play-action game — some of the deep shots that can go down the field," Quinn told me. "And primarily, some of that is just based on protections with the tight ends and backs being involved for some of the deeper developing routes. "When you can add that to your game, that’s a big deal. So, that was one that we felt was worth going through. How much under center? That will be determined as we get through spring and training camp. But it will definitely be a bigger part of the offense for sure." While Quinn worked to make Daniels' life easier with a new scheme, Commanders general manager Adam Peters is attempting to do that by adding more playmakers to Washington's offense. The Commanders signed versatile running backs Jerome Ford and White in free agency, along with playmaking tight end Chig Okonkwo and receivers Van Jefferson and Brown. Peters also shuffled the Commanders' offensive line this offseason. They released starting center Tyler Biadasz as part of a cap-clearing move in order to sign those aforementioned playmakers. But Nick Allegretti will shift from guard to center, giving Washington some continuity up front. And Washington continued to add to its depth chart of playmakers in the draft. Peters grabbed slot receiver Antonio Williams out of Clemson in the third round and Penn State product Kaytron Allen in the sixth round. Williams ran a 4.41-second, 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine after posting over 1,500 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Clemson. He’s got an athletic build similar to another effective slot receiver Quinn is familiar with from his time with the Seahawks in Seattle Pro Bowler Doug Baldwin. The hope is that Williams can develop into a solid contributor as a complementary receiver opposite McLaurin. "We saw the route running and ability to change direction – to run option routes and break somebody’s leverage," Quinn told me of Williams. "And we also saw the ability for him to play outside as a Z receiver (flanker), where the deeper developing routes can take place. "We just saw the demonstrated pass catching and route running. He had a very accomplished career there, in terms of what it takes to play in the NFL. We’re excited to add him to our crew." Seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt popped in his rookie season, leading in Washington in rushing yards (805) and rushing touchdowns (8). Joining him in the backfield with Ford and White is Allen, who finished his time in college as Penn State’s all-time leading rusher. "He has good size and likes to get downhill," Quinn told me about Allen. "Having another back that has size, can put his foot in the ground and be aggressive, those are the styles of running backs that carry. We’re excited to put him in the mix and let the whole thing kind of develop." The Commanders might not be finished with adding talent around Daniels yet, either. There’s still a chance Washington can add veteran wide receiver Brandon Ayiuk, who was Daniels’ teammate at Arizona State. San Francisco is expected to release him at some point this offseason, and Peters is familiar with Aiyuk from his time working in the 49ers’ front office, being a part of the group that drafted the talented wide receiver in 2020. And if Aiyuk can move past the ugliness that occurred in San Francisco and is healthy, he would provide a boost to Washington, which did not bring back Deebo Samuel in free agency. While the Commanders made several moves on offense this offseason, the splashiest moves they made were on the defensive side of the ball. They signed edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, along with versatile Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal, in free agency, as Quinn told me the goal is for Washington to get back to having the opportunistic defenses he created during his time with the Dallas Cowboys and Seahawks. That means bringing in more speed, pass-rush ability and versatility up front. The centerpiece of that goal and Quinn’s revamped defense was the selection of athletic dynamo linebacker Sony Styles with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-5 and 248 pounds, Styles can take over as the green dot, defensive play caller of Washington’s defense. Peters saw up close the impact a do-it-all inside linebacker can have on a defense in San Francisco in Fred Warner. Quinn had the same experience as defensive coordinator for the Seahawks when Bobby Wagner, who played the last two years as the man in the middle of Washington’s defense, served in that role as a rookie, second-round draft pick for a Seattle defense that went to back-to-back Super Bowls. "What I like about Sonny is he has the traits — the work, the love of it and the discipline to go and do extra," Quinn told me. "That carries from college into pro ball. And he’s hungry. Those are just a few things that he can bring to us. "I have a sense that he’s going to be excellent at a lot of spots, but one of the things he didn’t do a lot of at Ohio State was blitzing. But I think with his speed and his length, I’m excited to develop that part of his game, too." The big investments the Commanders made on defense come after they had a rough performance on that side of the ball in 2025. They ranked last in yards allowed and their 10 takeaways were second from the bottom, with the New York Jets' historically poor season producing fewer takeaways. The Commanders totaled 42 sacks last season, tied for 12th in the league, but their pass rush win rate (36%) was 18th in the league. Quinn believes adding more juice up front will improve those numbers, creating a more dangerous defense that can consistently get the ball back to Daniels and the offense. "We want to put physical pressure, mental pressure and some frustration and doubt into the offense," Quinn told me. "Fear in some ways. And some of the best ways to do that is to deploy people at different spots, different locations. When they make a check, you make one as well. "Knowing there is uncertainty and decision-making that has to take place post-snap, that’s when you can really play good defense. Because if you’re giving some of these QBs too much information too early, they are so elite that the completions are high and they can control the game that way. You want to have enough in your toolbox to disrupt that, frustrate that and not allow that to be that way. It takes some risk to have this disguise or this location with a player, but at the end of it, it’s worth it because you’re not the one getting worked for the information. It’s like, you better figure this out after the snap."

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Ranking the 10 Best NFL Defenses Entering Offseason Workouts

With the primary player acquisition periods in the books, which NFL defenses are poised to be the most feared in 2026? Here’s my prediction for the top 10 defenses in the upcoming season, in descending order: Key additions: OLB Jaelan Phillips (FA), LB Devin Lloyd (FA), DT Lee Hunter (draft)Key losses: DT A’Shawn Robinson (FA) Don’t be surprised to see the Panthers, who ranked 15th in points allowed and 16th in yards given up last season, make the leap into the top-10 conversation in 2026. They added two of the marquee defensive free agents in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. Carolina lost starting defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson in free agency but essentially replaced him with second-round pick Lee Hunter, who had 10.5 tackles for loss at Texas Tech last season. Ejiro Evero, one of the NFL’s most respected defensive coordinators, has plenty of talent to work with. Key additions: OLB Trey Hendrickson (FA), S Jaylinn Hawkins (FA), OLB Zion Young (draft)Key losses: DL Dre’Mont Jones (FA), S Alohi Gilman (FA) The Maxx Crosby deal may have fallen through, but the Ravens will have much more pass rush juice in 2026 with the additions of former All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, who had 35 sacks from 2023-24, and second-round rookie Zion Young, who had 16.5 tackles for loss last season at Missouri. There has also been optimism about the potential return of former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, who suffered a career-threatening neck injury at the start of last season. Key additions: DT Javon Hargrave (FA), LB Zaire Franklin (trade), CB Benjamin St-Juste (FA), CB Brandon Cisse (draft), DT Chris McClellan (draft), OLB Dani Dennis-Sutton (draft)Key losses: OLB Rashan Gary (trade), LB Quay Walker (FA), DL Colby Wooden (trade), DE Kingsley Enagbare (FA) If All-Pro edge Micah Parsons is healthy — he tore his ACL in December — the Packers are equipped to take a step forward in 2026, even after trading Rashan Gary. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and linebacker Zaire Franklin replace Colby Wooden and Quay Walker, respectively — on paper, both upgrades. Green Bay is also deeper at cornerback than a year ago with veteran Benjamin St-Juste and second-round rookie Brandon Cisse in the fold. Key additions: LB Quincy Williams (FA), S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (draft)Key losses: LB Devin Bush (FA), DL Shelby Harris (FA) While the impact of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s departure remains unclear, the Browns should still have one of the league’s best units. Cleveland lost just one full-time starter in Devin Bush Jr., and found a replacement who should suffice in former All-Pro Quincy Williams. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, the 58th overall pick in this year’s draft, bolsters an already strong secondary. Key additions: S Kevin Byard (FA), DL Dre’Mont Jones (FA), OLB Gabe Jacas (draft)Key losses: LB Jack Gibbens (FA), DT Khyiris Tonga (FA), OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (FA), S Jaylinn Hawkins (FA) The reigning AFC champion Patriots, who ranked fourth in scoring defense and eighth in yards allowed in 2025, added more playmaking in the back end with All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, who led the NFL with seven interceptions last season. They also brought in much-needed depth to the edge rusher spot in veteran Dre’Mont Jones and second-round pick Gabe Jacas. Key additions: CB Jaylen Watson (FA), CB Trent McDuffie (trade)Key losses: CB Cobie Durant (FA) The Rams already had one of the best defensive fronts in football and now have a top-tier cornerback tandem in former All-Pro Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, both of whom were previously with the Chiefs. With Chris Shula returning as coordinator, Los Angeles has a championship-caliber defense. Key additions: OLB Jonathan Greenard (trade), CB Riq Woolen (FA), OLB Arnold Ebiketie (FA)Key losses: OLB Jaelan Phillips (FA), LB Nakobe Dean (FA), S Reed Blankenship (FA) Despite losing Jaelen Phillips in free agency, the Eagles made up for the void at edge rusher by trading for former Vikings Pro Bowler Jonathan Greenard. They’re also better at cornerback with the addition of former Seahawks Pro Bowler Riq Woolen. A healthy Jalen Carter gives DC Vic Fangio one of the best defenses in all of football. Key addition: DT Tyler Onyedim (draft)Key losses: DL John Franklin-Myers (FA), S P.J. Locke (FA) With the exception of standout defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who signed with the Titans, the Broncos have the core of their top-three defense from last season intact. Third-round rookie Tyler Onyedim figures to be part of the equation in replacing Franklin-Myers’ production (7.5 sacks in 2025). Key additions: DE Dante Fowler Jr. (FA), S Bud Clark (draft), CB Julian Neal (draft)Key losses: S Coby Bryant (FA), DE Boye Mafe (FA), CB Riq Woolen (FA) The Seahawks lost three contributors from their defense that led the team to a Super Bowl LX victory, so there’s some uncertainty there. But Mike Macdonald’s unit still returns 10 full-time starters. Rookie defensive backs Bud Clark (second round) and Julian Neal (third round) could have significant roles early. Key additions: S Reed Blankenship (FA), DL Logan Hall (FA), DT Kayden McDonald (draft)Key loss: DT Tim Settle (FA) DeMeco Ryans returns 10 starters to his defense that ranked first in yards allowed and second in scoring in 2025. Adding standout veteran safety Reed Blankenship and second-round rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald raises the ceiling of a defense that’s already Super Bowl-caliber.

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NFL Offseason Check-in: When Should the Raiders Start No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza?

If Fernando Mendoza were not the No. 1 overall pick, there would be no rush to get him onto the field. In that alternate scenario, the Las Vegas Raiders could slot veteran Kirk Cousins into the QB1 spot and no one would give it a second thought. There would be no pressure. No stress. No reason to push the young quarterback, especially not when the team's offensive line (while rebuilt) was as bad as it was last year. Can the Raiders pretend Mendoza was not the No. 1 overall pick? Can they avoid the history of what teams have done with their rookie QB after taking him No. 1 overall? Of the 16 quarterbacks drafted at No. 1 overall in the past 20 years, every single one started in his rookie season, per FOX Sports Research. And of those 16 QBs, 12 of them started in Week 1. All of the past six first-overall QBs have started in Week 1. So you take my point — hopefully. The Raiders would have to fight what is historically inevitable. It's no mystery that the Raiders want to keep Mendoza off the field at the start of his NFL career. Not long ago, part-owner Tom Brady called it a "tragedy" that teams are "forcing these rookies to play early." At the NFL Combine, new Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said, "Ideally, you don't want a rookie to start from Day 1." That’s why Cousins, a legit bridge quarterback, arrived via free agency before the draft. He would be a worthy starter. But even he seems to know that he might not be the best quarterback on the team over the next 10 months. And at that point, Cousins wants the best QB to play, even if that’s Mendoza. "I honestly don’t want to start unless I’m the best option, and I told Klint that," Cousins told reporters at his introductory press conference. "The best player should play. As long as that’s the case, I have no qualms about however it plays out." For those who don't want Mendoza rushed onto the field, there's good(-ish) news: He isn’t even close to ready. At his first rookie minicamp practice last week, Mendoza took more under-center snaps than he did in his entire season at Indiana. And perhaps that’s why he had a startling realization. "Wow, I have a lot to work on," he remembered thinking during his first practice. "Wow, the NFL players, everybody here in rookie camp — these are all really, really good players." Many of those players won’t even make the 53-man roster. So that means that when OTAs, minicamp and training camp get underway, Mendoza is due for another surprise regarding the quality of his teammates. And then he’ll see two more surprises during the preseason and regular season. If all goes well, he’ll see how the game only gets faster in the postseason and the Super Bowl. That’s me getting ahead of myself. I won’t be the only one. But at least I know I’m getting ahead of myself. Some others won’t think twice about putting pressure on a guy the Raiders picked with the first selection in a draft of 257 selections. People will want Mendoza to play. People always want the No. 1 overall pick to play. Let’s juxtapose those expectations with what is actually happening. The No. 1 overall pick is learning how to take snaps under center. You’d think, of course, that’s built into being a quarterback. A kid learns that when he’s in middle school and it sticks with him. But Mendoza was a shotgun QB for the Hoosiers. And while he was touted as a quick-thinking draft prospect, he’ll have to figure out how to translate his superpower — his processing speed — into Kubiak’s dropback offense. "Instead of being back there in shotgun, we have to get back to make sure you best serve your offensive linemen, still be on time, still decipher the defense," Mendoza told reporters at minicamp. "And with that, actually having an emphasis on those first two steps, on securing the snap and getting out of there, and be powerful with having quick feet." The basics. He’s not behind or ahead of schedule. That is how rookie minicamp works. He’s getting comfortable handing off the football, checking down the football and throwing into one-on-one drills. He is not yet operating the entire scheme, let alone 11-on-11, full-speed, fully-padded reps. It’s a process and, hopefully, a progression that Mendoza will embrace wholeheartedly. By all accounts, he is the type of player who wants nothing more than to live the cliché of getting better every day. But that doesn’t mean that he won’t and can’t regress. In fact, I’ll assure you: He will. The danger of inserting a player like Mendoza into the lineup too early isn’t just that he’ll regress. It’s that early playtime might instill those bad habits. By nature of the draft order, the No. 1 overall pick goes to the NFL’s worst team. Contrast that to Mendoza coming from college football’s best team. It’s going to be different. When coach Ben Johnson arrived in Chicago last year, he got to work with Bears QB Caleb Williams. But it seemed as if Johnson had to break through some of the bad habits Williams learned in his rookie season (before Johnson arrived). That’s the risk of putting a QB in too early. It might create a new laundry list of issues to address in the ensuing offseason. The Green Bay Packers have a strong legacy of letting their quarterbacks sit and develop. And perhaps not coincidentally, they have also enjoyed a level of sustained success that’s basically beyond comparison. Green Bay sat Aaron Rodgers behind Brett Favre before sitting Jordan Love behind Rodgers. And that has covered their QB spot going back to 1992. And, of course, the Kansas City Chiefs famously sat Patrick Mahomes behind Alex Smith for a year. And that was despite — as the myth now goes — Mahomes playing better than Smith at practice for parts of Mahomes’ rookie season. Those were organizations that had success despite drafting a QB in Round 1. But none of those teams took its QB at No. 1 overall. One of the best imaginable outcomes for Mendoza would be that he could turn into Joe Burrow or Matt Ryan. In the case of Burrow, drafted No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020, he started in Week 1 and played well. But he took too many hits, including the one that prematurely ended his season in Week 11 with an ACL and MCL tear. As for Ryan, he was solid as a rookie in 2008, with 3,440 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year and led the Atlanta Falcons to an 11-5 record. Ryan, however, went third overall — and, in turn, had a better supporting cast. This is to say that the final decision should probably come down to more than Mendoza. Yes, he'll have to be ready. But there's more to it than that. Even if Mendoza is ready for the NFL, the Raiders might not be ready for him.

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NFL Offseason Check-in: Can Carnell Tate Be Titans’ WR1 After Being Ohio State’s WR2?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Carnell Tate spent his first two Titans practices largely out of sight. After a team stretch during rookie minicamp last week, the No. 4 overall pick — like the rest of Tennessee’s 2026 draft selections— worked with the strength and conditioning staff. But there will come a time when the receiver will be on the field, running routes and catching passes from quarterback Cam Ward, last year's No. 1 overall pick. Tate's draft slot makes the expectation clear: Eventually, he needs to be a WR1-caliber player. He’s pivotal to Ward’s development and to the Titans’ offense. Tate doesn’t sound overwhelmed by that expectation. "I just go out there and play football," he told reporters on Friday. "The ball will find you. You just go out there and make the best of your opportunities, like I've always done." But not as a WR1. It’s well documented: In Ohio State’s (always) loaded wide receiver room, Tate was WR2 behind Jeremiah Smith last season. As a sophomore in 2024, Tate was the third option behind Smith and Emeka Egbuka, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first-round pick last year. That means that at the highest level of football, Tate will need to grow into something he hasn’t been. "He's got to compete; he has got to prove that he belongs," new Titans head coach Robert Saleh said Friday. "He’s got to [show] that he deserves the ball, and it's going to start day one once he gets here." As a rookie, Ward never had a go-to target in Tennessee’s abysmal offense, which ranked third-worst in the NFL in scoring (16.7 points per game). Titans receivers were plagued by dropped passes and issues creating separation. Former All-Pro Calvin Ridley was a disappointment in 2025, missing 10 games due to injury and averaging just 43.3 receiving yards per contest when he was on the field. The Titans’ leading pass-catcher was tight end Chig Okonkwo (560 receiving yards), who signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency. Tennessee added free-agent Wan’Dale Robinson, who was a 1,000-yard receiver last season for the Giants. Robinson spent the first three-plus years of his NFL career playing under Brian Daboll, the former New York head coach and now the Titans' offensive coordinator. Second-year pros Chimere Dike — an All-Pro returner as a rookie — and Elic Ayomanor are ascending players. But Tate is the high-end, young talent the team desperately needs at the position. In the Titans’ eyes, he’s a complete wide receiver. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound Tate is a big target with contested-catch ability. He has great tracking skills and the catch radius to match. He’s an efficient route-runner and a willing blocker. What Tate lacks as a burner (4.53-second 40-yard dash) he makes up for in play speed. He’s "elusive and sudden" off the line of scrimmage, as Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi puts it, and can separate from defensive backs at the top of his routes. With Tate’s presence, Ward may be able to let it fly more downfield. Among the 33 qualified quarterbacks last season, he ranked 28th in deep passing rate (8.1%), according to Next Gen Stats. At Ohio State in 2025, Tate ranked second in the FBS with nine catches of 40-plus yards. "He got behind the defense in a pretty good league in college," Daboll said at rookie minicamp. "And then his range and ability to track the ball and his hands. His hands have been very good. His ability to pluck it and high point it and make catches in traffic. He’s a crafty route-runner. "Look, he’s going to have a lot of challenging things that happen to him as a young receiver," Daboll added. "There’s a transition from college to the NFL, as there is with every position. But his mindset, his makeup [stand out]. … We had a really good 30 visit. He’s a very mature young man for only being 21 years old." In Daboll’s offense, the wide receivers are expected to know all the spots in the formation. So the plan is to move Tate around. How he processes that remains to be seen. "We’ll give him as much as he can handle," Daboll said. The Titans have a "consensus vision" on what Tate will be in the offense, according to assistant GM Dave Zeiger. "A lot of times, you get the bigger, taller, linear receivers. … I call them first- and second-down guys," Zeigler told reporters last week. "They’re not productive on third down because they don't have the route tree to do that. Or you have a bigger guy that doesn't consistently play big at the catch point. "Carnell checked a lot of those boxes. We're feeling we're really getting a complete three-down player that can contribute on these critical downs and these critical situations, third down and the red zone." When Tate starts to practice, we’ll see if the former college WR2 can be a true WR1 in the NFL.

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