Why Drake Maye Can Beat The Seahawks, And What's Behind Dak Prescott's Title Talk

There’s a lot going on right now in the NFL. The fun of training camp is the bustling enthusiasm of the coaches, the players and the media. But it also makes it difficult to cut away the fiction from fact. It’s hope season and hype season. It’s also the season for catastrophe and doom. A perfect example? A.J. Brown dropped a pass in his first practice as a New England Patriot. Brown and quarterback Drake Maye then proceeded to struggle for a few days and on Boston sports radio and social media, it was like The Citgo Sign was falling. Things turned around as soon as the pads came on. Brown and Maye have been beating up New England’s defense, even with superstar corner Christian Gonzalez in coverage. So you get it. Things were horrible until they were incredible. There was nothing in between. (And I’ll have more on Brown, Maye and the Patriots.) That’s happening in all 32 NFL training camps. So let’s do what we always do here with the Sound Smart column. I’m here to spin it forward, dive deeper, think outside the box and read between the lines. Patriots quarterback Drake Maye recognized the pressure coming off the right side. It was cornerback Marcus Jones, one of the fastest players on the field. The play came in a red-zone drill — 11 on 11 — in full pads last week on the practice fields at Gillette Stadium. Whether or not Maye knew the blitz was coming before the snap, the QB knew exactly what to do with the ball when it hit his hands. He looked to his right to find A.J. Brown, who’d created just enough separation on a slant route. Maye fired the ball at the star receiver, acquired in June in a trade that included a first-round pick. Brown managed a catch-and-run that put the Patriots inside the 5-yard line. I couldn’t help but wonder: What might that play have looked like without Brown? It doesn’t take that much imagination. It was a series of corner blitzes that devastated the Patriots in the Super Bowl, when they fell behind against the Seattle Seahawks. Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon finished with six blitzes, four pressures and one sack. One of the best cover corners in the league, Witherspoon made an effective — albeit shocking — pass-rusher. Maye never seemed to have an answer, not even deep into the game. But in camp, Maye did. And that’s especially important because … well, guess who the Patriots will see in Week 1. To open the NFL season. On a Wednesday. Yeah, it’s the Seahawks. It’s also in Seattle, probably the least hospitable stadium in the league. The last time they saw each other, the Seahawks owned the Patriots. But New England has upgraded its roster sizably since then. Receiver Romeo Doubs is an upgrade at WR2. Defensive lineman Dre’Mont Jones and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker aren’t flashy players, but they will be excellent starters at their respective positions. Brown is the biggest upgrade. There’s no way around it. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can build a system that gives Maye answers, but somebody has to make a play. Brown is showing the Patriots they can trust him to do just that. "I want to say I’m 90 percent [comfortable in the offense]," Brown said last week at Pats camp. Brown struggled to connect with Maye in the early practices at camp. But that just goes to show how difficult it is to make a real evaluation after just a few sessions. Because Maye and Brown were firing when the pads went on. I asked Brown if he had to change the way he played his position, depending upon his quarterback. "You have to. You have to do what your quarterback likes," Brown said. "As far as my game, my game will be my game. But as far as what he likes and what he needs, that's the thing that I got to get on the same page with him and continue to work on." It’s surely no coincidence that, just 24 hours after delivering this quote, Brown caught a fade for a touchdown against Christian Gonzalez, the No. 1-rated cornerback in Madden 27. Brown gives the Patriots answers, especially against a defense as good as Seattle’s. New England is currently a 3.5-point underdog for the season-opener. I’d say that underestimates the Patriots. This seemed — at least to me — to be a good year to pick the San Francisco 49ers to go to the Super Bowl. Their defense improved significantly over the offseason. Their offense got healthy and added veteran receiver Mike Evans. It just felt like this could be the year when they could make their own luck (or overcome their inevitable bad luck) and make a deep run. But San Francisco seems to have nothing but bad headlines. Most recently, there was the news about receiver Ricky Pearsall, whose PCL injury had not healed correctly and will need season-ending surgery after just a few practices. It seems like the 49ers have been preparing for this possibility — drafting receiver De’Zhaun Stribling in Round 2 and, immediately after the news broke about Pearsall, signing veteran receiver Deebo Samuel. But of course, Stribling is dealing with a hamstring injury. Then there was coach Kyle Shanahan's car accident. He crashed head-on into another car after taking his attention off the road by dropping his phone. He suffered three broken ribs, a broken left hand, a concussion and a head wound that required 40 stitches, per ESPN. Shanahan is participating on a limited basis at the training camp. Finally, there’s receiver Brandon Aiyuk, whose behavior — so far as we can see from social media — is troubling. He has refused to report to the 49ers' facility since he suffered an injury, and his outbursts on social media have rendered him totally untradeable. This has gone on long enough that Aiyuk is no longer much of a distraction. But even on the back burner, it’s still there — particularly as the team sorts through the drama at the receiver position. This isn’t to say that the 49ers can’t overcome this tumultuous patch. We’re still over a month from a regular-season game. But in the competitive NFC West, a slow start feels like a bad start. By all accounts, the Cowboys' offense is humming in training camp. Best of all, there’s no ho-humming. At this time last year, we were waiting for the tension to resolve between superstar Micah Parsons and team owner Jerry Jones. And it didn’t with Jones trading Parsons in a massive blockbuster after the All-Pro edge rusher posted regularly on social media to provide updates around the failed contract talks with the Cowboys. It felt like history might repeat itself, with All-Pro receiver George Pickens set to play on the franchise tag. Pickens could’ve fought for a new long-term deal and caused unrest in many of the same ways as Parsons. And Pickens would be justified in doing so. Instead, the receiver has been torching the Cowboys' defense alongside Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. And Pickens is remaining patient and confident that his agent and the Cowboys will get a deal done. The offense could be even better than it was last year. So if the defense is better — and it should be, given the additions of safeties Jalen Thompson and Caleb Downs and edges Rashan Gary and Malachi Lawrence — then the Cowboys could win their division. But Prescott has bigger plans. He’s thinking about the Super Bowl. He invited discussion by wearing a Super Bowl XXX shirt (when the Cowboys last won it all) to the team hotel to start camp. When he faced a question about it, Prescott spoke freely. "The tone’s been set," he said. "I knew you [reporters] would like it. Didn’t know how many of the teammates would see it. It’s just the manifesting thing. We want stuff in life a lot of times, but then when people start talking about it, you kind of hesitate. Should I say that if they’re going to hold me to it? Well, absolutely. Playing in this organization, being in it 10 years, going into Year 11, I’m not going to shy away from it. "When you don’t have it, it sucks. When you don’t get to play for it, when you’re watching other teams play in the playoffs, there’s nothing worse than that. I said I’d be the quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys when I was 6 years old, and said I’d be in the NFL, and I got here. A lot of things in my life, I said I’d do and I did it. And so why shy away from that now? Why shy away from asking people to hold me to the same standard that I believe that I can accomplish and this team can accomplish? "I don’t know if the T-shirt was [saying], ‘This is it.’ … It was an energy thing." The Chiefs will almost definitely start cornerback Mansoor Delane at CB1 after trading up to draft him in Round 1. But that move — pushing draft pieces into one big acquisition — might normally mean that a draft class is less likely to produce a handful of instant-impact players. Yet early in camp, the Chiefs are giving youngsters every opportunity to prove themselves. Edge R Mason Thomas appears to have a direct path to a starting spot, getting plenty of work with the first team. It’s something of a surprise that a second-rounder has earned the trust of defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo so quickly. But there’s an even bigger surprise: rookie receiver Cyrus Allen. The Chiefs took Allen on Day 3 of the draft. And he has been sensational, according to reporters on the scene — and the social-media video clips that have leaked out of camp. "The quarterbacks trust him," Andy Reid told reporters. Most importantly, Patrick Mahomes trusts Allen. Kansas City doesn’t exactly have proven entities at receiver, even with Xavier Worthy having his first-round status and even with Rashee Rice producing when he’s on the field. (Because Rice can’t seem to stay on the field between his injuries and his suspension.) It’s early. But Allen is making a surprising push to get a real workload and target share. And then there are other names popping into the starting lineup, per The Athletic’s Jesse Newell. The Chiefs are experimenting with tackle Kahlil Benson and receiver Andrew Armstrong, among others. It’s likely that the Chiefs are thinking about the long haul of the season. That probably means the rookie work is to 1) rest veterans and 2) give young players exposure in the event of an injury. But given the way GM Brett Veach has a tendency to find draft gems beyond the first round, it’s likely that we’ll see the Chiefs get major contributions from rookies, perhaps even relatively unknown ones. For all you fantasy football owners out there, Allen might just be one of those guys to monitor — and draft. When it comes to the 2025 quarterback draft class, Jayden Daniels has turned into the forgotten man. There’s all this hype about Drake Maye, who is fresh off a Super Bowl appearance. There’s all this hype about Bears QB Caleb Williams, appearing on the Madden cover after nearly taking down the Rams in overtime. There’s hype for Bo Nix, whose ankle injury left us wondering "what if" as the Broncos might’ve been capable of winning the AFC Championship if they’d only had their QB. Even J.J. McCarthy is holding up against Kyler Murray in a QB competition in Minnesota. And McCarthy — as rough as he was last year — is stirring national conversation. Daniels — who missed 10 games in 2025 due to a dislocated left elbow, a knee sprain and a hamstring strain — isn’t really making headlines. Expectations are low for him — and his Commanders. I’m not here to say that Washington is going to shock people this year, but I do wonder what Daniels can do for this offense under new OC David Blough. Daniels doesn’t have a proven weapon on offense other than two-time Pro Bowl receiver Terry McLaurin. How much can Daniels do? The good news is that Washington's defense looks totally rebuilt — and with legitimate starters. So I’d at least hope the Commanders can be pesky, in part because of their rebuilt defense — but also because their young QB will have reinserted himself into the discussion as one of the league’ elite signal callers, like he did at the end of the 2024 season (and playoffs).

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49ers President John Lynch: Ricky Pearsall To Miss 2026 With Knee Injury

Wide receiver is going to be an enormous question mark for the San Francisco 49ers this season. 49ers President of Football Operations and general manager John Lynch revealed on Saturday that third-year wide receiver Ricky Pearsall is being put on season-ending injured reserve, as he's having surgery to repair the ligament in his injured PCL, according to The Athletic. Last season (2025), Pearsall totaled 36 receptions for 528 yards (14.7 yards per reception), with the aforementioned knee injury limiting him to nine regular-season games and one of San Francisco's two playoff games. Pearsall didn't play until Week 7 of his 2024 rookie season due to a wound from a gunshot. In said season, Pearsall logged 31 receptions for 400 yards (12.9 yards per reception) and three touchdowns across 11 games. San Francisco selected Pearsall with the No. 31 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Florida. Earlier this week, the 49ers reunited with veteran wide receiver and 2021 All-Pro Deebo Samuel on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million; Samuel spent the first six seasons of his NFL career in San Francisco (2019-24). Elsewhere on the receiver front, San Francisco signed six-time Pro Bowler Mike Evans to a three-year, $42.4 million deal and selected Ole Miss Rebels wideout De'Zhaun Stribling with the No. 33 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, among other moves this offseason. Brandon Aiyuk, who's in the second season of a four-year, $120 million deal, has been away from the 49ers this offseason as the injury guarantees in his contract were removed, and the team seeks a way to move on from him.

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Q&A With Chad Ochocino Johnson: Who Complains About Madden Ratings? Surprise Teams For '26?

As NFL teams open training camps this week, there are significant football numbers being unveiled. Yes, EA Sports celebrated "Madden NFL 27 Ratings Week," with a few elite players earning the rare 99 rating and everyone else complaining. The target of their disappointment is former Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco Johnson, who made six Pro Bowls in a colorful 11-year NFL career and has found a second chapter as a "ratings adjuster" for EA Sports, traveling to games and scouting players in person for his role in choosing their rating. Johnson took a few minutes to talk with FOX Sports about the seriousness and silliness of football video game ratings and his readiness to back up his numbers when players take issue. Chomping on a cigar and wearing an MLS soccer jacket, he talked about everything from a penchant for generous tipping to his favorite receivers to the World Cup and his love of McDonald's. What is your phone like on a day like today when players find out their ratings for the year? Johnson: In the past, when they didn't have someone that was in charge of the ratings, they could be upset. They could complain. You can't complain to me, because I can pull up and show you exactly what you are. I can show you why you're an 82. You see, this game, where you disappear because you're playing against one of the better players in the NFL. That's why you're rated where you are. Can you do it week in and week out against the best? You disappear; that's why you're not rated high. There's a reason Myles Garrett is a f---ing 99. I'm a former player that played at a very high level and was elite at what he did. This is why you're rated where you are: you disappear in f---ing games. I don't want you to name specific names, but is there a position that might complain the most about ratings? Johnson: Every position complains. I'm not going to call out names, but especially skill-position DBs and receivers. Oh man, yeah. The funny thing about this is a great thing: You have 17 weeks to show me otherwise. You have 17 weeks to show me and don't disappear. Listen, I understand you're going to drop the ball as a defensive back. You're going to get beat. It happens. I don't care who you are; it shouldn't happen often. But you can appreciate how much these numbers actually mean to players. Johnson: It meant something to me, because I'm a huge gamer. That's a reflection of who I am. Your ratings numbers are a reflection of what you do on the field. That's why it means so much. Your title is ratings adjuster. How much adjusting can you do based on your own opinion? Up or down a point? Two? Johnson: Yeah, I would say so. I think my input when it comes to adjusting, outside of those who are above my pay grade, my input matters, because I actually played the game. Not saying they're not worthy of being able to analyze and make decisions based on what they can also see. Our eyes are one and the same. Even if you haven't played the game, you can see: You know what? This guy, he's not really what he thinks he is, and this is why. Having me in there to give that input, it pays dividends. Everything is fair, based on where everyone is rated right now. If you don't like where you're rated, show me on Sunday. You get to take very seriously something that's still just a video game. Do you enjoy how seriously some people take it? Johnson: Absolutely, because it's more than just a video game. Your production is based on how you get paid, so we base your production on your rating as well. It might just be a video game to some, but to some, it's a serious matter. I know the 99s are elite, and you're careful in how you give them out. Who is someone who doesn't have a 99 this year, but is closest? Johnson: Easy, the quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes (93 rating this year). [Matthew] Stafford and [Josh] Allen are the only two [99s] this year. Mahomes, Lamar Jackson (94 overall), of course. Can you get it done in the playoffs where it matters most? Some receivers should very well be back in the conversation. Justin Jefferson (94 overall), now you have a quarterback. The inconsistency at play at the quarterback position is why you're not rated where you once were. Puka Nacua (98) has a chance this year to be a 99 at some point because he is really good. His body of work is phenomenal. You're on the road for 18 weeks straight during the season. Your schedule isn't set yet, but what's that like for you? Johnson: I'm ready for it. I'm excited. I love it, because it allows me to still be around the game. It still allows me to be integrated into the game in some sort. Anyone who follows you on social media knows how generous you are, leaving $1,000 tips at nearly any restaurant. When did that start, and why is it still so important for you to help people out like that? Johnson: That started for me back in 2001, when I first came into some money. I remember at times not being able to tip as much as I'd like in high school, going to IHOP, going to Denny's, hearing their stories on how the service industry or minimum wage wasn't enough. It wasn't a livable wage in general, and everybody, they say, 'Well, get a better job,' not understanding how difficult it is for certain people based on their circumstances to for one, have transportation for a better job. Everybody's in unfortunate situations they can't control. What I can control is the man upstairs being able to bless me in abundance, and me being able to make sure I'm going to make this individual's day. I started the $1,000 tipping in 2001, and I've been doing it now for the past 25 years. Shannon [Sharpe] and I had a funny argument on "Nightcap" about this. He tips based on service, and a lot of people jumped on me about, "Well, if the service is bad, I'm not tipping." The first thing I say is we've lived in this world a very long time, and we've all dealt with some goddamn idiots. So there's no telling what this server had to deal with before you. I'm always tipping $1,000 because you never know what the person had to go through, had to deal with before you got there. Do you think servers know who you are now? Are they fighting to get your table at places? Johnson: I like when they're not aware, but sure, especially when I'm in Miami and when I'm in Cincinnati, I go to restaurants, and they already know what's coming. I just left Charlotte after two days. They had no idea, but they knew once I left. It's something I will always continue to do as long as the man upstairs continues to bless me. I will always do that. I know you're a huge soccer fan, and you make a point to get to the biggest games. If I give you a chance to brag, who are the elite soccer players you've been able to meet in person? Johnson: That's easy. Multiple times, obviously the two best in the world, the GOATs, depending on who you ask, would be Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi. I've met them since Messi was a baby. Not a literal baby, but at Barcelona, I was there when he debuted. Ronaldinho and I have met. We're friends now. Cristiano and I are friends since he was at Sporting Lisbon. [Mario] Balotelli, [Paul] Pogba, [Gerard] Piqué, Marcelo. Oh, my goodness! The list goes on and on. Son Heung-Min, meeting one of my favorite South Korean players who played for Tottenham. Sol Campbell, Thierry Henry, [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic. Oh, my goodness. Samuel Eto'o. Let me think. Neymar, obviously. Brazilian Ronaldo, who I've met twice; he doesn't speak good English, but "That's Ocho, I know his face." Kaka and I became friends when he was here at Orlando City. Antoine Griezmann, who played at Atletico and for the French national team, he's now at Orlando City and I know him extremely well. Just to name a few. Every offseason, as soon as the season ends, I just leave and go to Europe and I hop from city to city. Because of me being with Reebok or when I was with Nike, they bridge the gap to meet the players easily. How proud were you of how the United States handled hosting a World Cup? Johnson: It was beautiful. It was beautiful. The fact that we did such a phenomenal job, Gianni [Infantino] having the World Cup here in the U.S. and all the parties and power that be were involved, converted a lot of people into loving the game of soccer. It's so difficult for us to appreciate here because we have so many other sports to choose from, but getting a better cultural aspect on how good and how awesome those games could be, especially for those able to attend matches in person. Listen, we love our sports here. We think we're crazy about them. They went crazy in New York about the Knicks winning a championship. Go to a regular game in Europe. We got a small sample size, an appetizer of what it's like for them culturally when it comes to the beautiful game. I think it was a great thing and we converted a lot of fans. I think the MLS will take over from here, continuing to grow the game here in the States. Unrelated: How many days out of 365 in a year are you eating at McDonald's? Johnson: Honestly, maybe 362. I just call that a fasting day. Always the same McDonald's? Johnson: Any time I'm in Miami, it's the same McDonald's. When I'm in Cincinnati, it's the same McDonald's over in Covington. When I travel, it's a little bit different. Wherever the closest one is to the hotel, that's where I frequent. I do eat other things. What do you think of this year's Bengals? The offense will be great, but what about the defense? Johnson: That's the problem. With the concerns, I'm hoping those voids are filled. Having Brian Cook come in, Dexter Lawrence to help with the run, we have some young linebackers who played somewhat well, had their ups and downs as rookies. I'm looking for them to make that next step. I'm excited for us. I'm not worried about us offensively. I'm worried about us defensively, and our defense has been our Achilles heel for a very long time. If we can have a good year defensively and we score 35 or 30 a game like we already did, if we don't allow the other team to score 40, I'm happy. I don't know what's going to happen. I know we made the improvements necessary to give us the best chance to win. You had one year with the Patriots. What's your favorite Tom Brady story? Johnson: My favorite Tom Brady story, I can't even tell. It's just personal. Athletes confide in you in a way that it would never get out, and that's something that you would never tell. But Tommy, Tommy is awesome, man. He's one of those guys you see on TV. To see him as a quarterback, it's like if God said, "You know what, I'm going to make the perfect person." Not only a person, the perfect football player that people can look up to. It is him, man. Words can't describe what Tom means to me, not as a teammate but as a friend. Who are your top five receivers in today's NFL? Johnson: That's easy. I'm always putting Uno first. Ja'Marr Chase always goes first. Justin Jefferson would be 2. Three is tricky. I'm going to slash it between Puka Nacua and JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba). The four and five get tricky because there are so many people worthy of that slot. We could go CeeDee Lamb. The way George Pickens played last year, we could put George there as well. What about A.J. Brown? What about DeVonta Smith? You know, it's so tough. I'm just going to name those four, because there are so many others that are worthy, and I'm not trying to piss anybody off. Last year, you were way ahead in picking the Panthers to win their division. Who are your breakout teams for 2026? Johnson: That's a great question. Can I go out on a limb and say the New York Jets? I'm not sure that limb is as sturdy as it was last year when I said the Bears and Panthers and stood on a table and beat my chest about them. They did exactly what I said they were going to do. I want to say the Jets. I think Aaron Glenn, in his second year, has a tremendous amount of change offensively, having a quarterback in Geno Smith with the arm talent like no other up there with Matt Stafford and Aaron Rodgers, regardless of what people may think about it. Garrett Wilson should have a year, and then for them to steer that ship, changing some of the bad tastes people have had in their mouths over the years.

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Madden NFL 28: 11 Players Who'll Crack The Top 5 At Their Positions Next Year

The initial player ratings for the "Madden NFL 27" video game are live, and many fans are already thinking about how they could change when the season gets underway (they’ll be updated each week). But let’s take it a step further than that: What could the ratings look like by the start of the 2027 season, ahead of the release of "Madden NFL 28"? Here are my predictions for the offensive and defensive players who will crack the top-five at their positions by this time next year: Madden NFL 27 Rating: 92 Madden NFL 27 QB Ranking: 6th If having a top-four passing offense last season wasn’t enough, the Patriots added A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs this offseason to give Maye one of the NFL’s best wide receiver rooms. His protection should also improve with the additions of rookie first-rounder Caleb Lomu and free-agent Alijah Vera-Tucker. The MVP runner-up last season, Maye is poised to make another major statistical jump in Year 3. Madden NFL 27 Rating: 87 Madden NFL 27 WR Ranking: T-16th Olave is coming off a career year in 2025, catching 100 passes for 1,163 yards and nine touchdowns. Entering his second season in Kellen Moore’s offense and with the continued rise of quarterback Tyler Shough, don’t be surprised to see Olave produce like a top-five receiver in 2026. Having a talented receiver opposite him in No. 8 overall pick Jordyn Tyson will make it even more difficult for defenses to cover the former Ohio State star. Madden NFL 27 Rating: 90 Madden NFL 27 RB Ranking: 9th Tight end Travis Kelce will turn 37 this season. Top receiver Rashee Rice has played just 12 games over the past two seasons combined. There’s a very real chance that Walker, the reigning Super Bowl MVP, will be the engine of the Chiefs’ offense. His production could skyrocket as he no longer plays alongside Zach Charbonnet, who took carries away from him in Seattle. And Walker is the most dynamic running back that Kansas City has had in the Patrick Mahomes era, so expect Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to take full advantage of Walker's skill set. Madden NFL 27 Rating: 85 Madden NFL 27 OT Ranking: T-20th After missing 11 games last season due to injury, Alt is healthy and expected to return to star form. New OC Mike McDaniel’s wide-zone offensive principles should help alleviate some pressure protecting quarterback Justin Herbert. Madden NFL 27 Rating: 78 Madden NFL 27 IOL Ranking: T-35th The 14th overall pick, Ioane landed in the perfect spot with the Ravens — a physical, run-first-team that fits his playing style. He’ll be a starting guard from Day 1 and has a chance to establish himself as a lynchpin on the interior offensive line for Baltimore, which has Super Bowl aspirations. Madden NFL 27 Rating: 84 overall Madden NFL 27 TE Ranking: 10th Loveland came into his own down the stretch of his rookie season, posting 90-plus receiving yards in three of the Bears’ last four games, including the playoffs. The 2025 top-10 pick should continue growing as a focal point in Chicago’s offense with the departure of wide receiver DJ Moore. Madden NFL 27 Rating: 89 Madden NFL 27 CB Ranking: 9th A first-team All-Pro last season, Mitchell is a surprising exclusion from the current top-five, and it’s difficult to imagine him staying out of the top couple spots by this time a year from now. Over the last 10 weeks of last season, Mitchell allowed a completion rate of just 20.7% as the boundary cornerback, according to Next Gen Stats. With the Eagles adding another potential standout corner in former Seahawk Riq Woolen this offseason, it could lead to even more forced throws in Mitchell’s direction, creating more playmaking opportunities. Madden NFL 27 Rating: 82 Madden NFL 27 S Ranking: T-23rd Downs, tied with Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love as the highest-rated rookie, is poised to make an immediate impact on the Cowboys’ defense. Dallas plans to play him at nickel, but his versatility could put him among the best safeties in football by the end of 2026. Dallas has Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and depth at edge rusher (veteran Rashan Gary, 2026 first-rounder Malachi Lawrence, 2025 second-rounder Donovan Ezeiruaku), which will make Downs' job in the secondary easier. His defensive coordinator, Christian Parker, is also a defensive backs specialist. Madden NFL 27 Rating: 89 Madden NFL 27 DT Ranking: 10th Carter had a disappointing season in 2025, recording just three sacks and five tackles for loss after missing six-plus games. But a healthy and engaged Carter is one of the NFL’s most disruptive forces. The addition of former Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and cornerback Riq Woolen should create more plays for Carter. Madden NFL 27 Rating: 78 Madden NFL 27 ILB Ranking: T-38th An under-the-radar name nationally, Gray ranked second in the NFL last season in solo tackles (97), trailing only Miami Dolphins All-Pro Jordyn Brooks. For the Titans, Gray will be playing behind Robert Saleh’s deep and talented defensive line, paving the way for him to make more big plays. He’s also flashed in coverage, breaking up four passes in 2025. Madden NFL 27 Rating: 93 Madden NFL 27 DE Ranking: 6th In his first year back from a 2024 broken leg, Hutchinson registered career-highs with 14.5 sacks and 90 quarterback pressures. Look for the Detroit superstar to continue ascending in 2026. The Lions are expecting to get standout defensive backs Brian Branch and Kerby Josephs back from injury early in the season, and a Detroit secondary at full strength can force opposing quarterbacks to hold onto the ball, giving Hutchinson more opportunities to get to the passer.

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Sean Payton Emotional On Drew Brees HOF Call: 'Can't Believe You Just Did That'

If 100 people came up with an all-time New Orleans Saints team and coaching staff, each of those individuals would likely have Drew Brees as the quarterback and Sean Payton as the head coach. On that note, the legendary Saints quarterback wants his former head coach to be the one that presents him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The Saints posted a video to X on Thursday of Brees Facetiming Payton, his head coach of 14 years (2006-11 and 2013-20), asking him to present the quarterback at his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction in Canton, Ohio next month. "Honest to God, I can't believe you just did that," Payton said to Brees in the video, while holding back tears. Payton later said he'd "absolutely" present Brees, which was an opportunity he called "awesome," and that he "loves" the Saints legend. Brees is one of five players who are part of the Hall of Fame Class of 2026, the other four being wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, running back Roger Craig, kicker Adam Vinatieri and linebacker Luke Kuechly. After five seasons with the San Diego Chargers (2001-05), Brees signed with the Saints in the same offseason the franchise hired Payton, who was previously the assistant head coach and quarterbacks coach for the Dallas Cowboys under Hall of Famer Bill Parcells, as head coach. And the rest is history. Brees went on to be a Pro Bowler in 13 of his 15 seasons in New Orleans, earn Offensive Player of the Year honors in two seasons (2008 and 2011), lead the NFL in passing yards seven times, completion percentage six times, passing touchdowns four times and passer rating twice. He threw for 5,000 yards in five seasons and is second in league history in passing yards for a single season, throwing for 5,476 yards in 2011; Brees is also sixth, seventh and eighth on that list. Brees and Payton's partnership was highlighted by the Saints winning Super Bowl XLIV, the first and only such triumph in franchise history. In all, the Saints went 9-8 in the playoffs with the two. Brees, who's first in Saints history in passing yards (68,010), passing touchdowns (491), passer rating (101.5) and completion percentage (68.8%), is second in NFL history (regular-season stats) with 80,358 passing yards and 571 passing touchdowns and third in completion percentage (67.7%). Meanwhile, Payton is first in Saints history with 152 regular-season wins, a 63.1% regular-season winning percentage and nine playoff wins. Furthermore, he's one of only three head coaches in Saints history to get the franchise to the postseason and one of just two to win a playoff game (the Saints went 1-1 in the playoffs under head coach Jim Haslett). Payton stepped down as head coach after the 2021 season and was later traded to the Denver Broncos after the 2022 regular season. In that coaching gap year (2022), Payton served as an NFL Studio Analyst for FOX. Ironically, Brees is now a color commentator for the network. The 2026 Hall of Fame enshrinement is on Sunday, Aug. 8.

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New Orleans Saints Over/Under Win Total: Ready To Take Next Step?

In 2025, the Saints finished 6-11 and in last place in the NFC South. New Orleans has not made the playoffs since 2020, but the franchise may have found its long-term answer at quarterback in Tyler Shough. After making several key additions and adding promising talent through the draft, the Saints are presumed to take a step forward this season. With that in mind, let’s break down New Orleans’ Over/Under win total odds for the 2026 season. 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. New Orleans Saints Over 7.5: -120 (bet $10 to win $18.33 total)Under 7.5: +100 (bet $10 to win $20 total) What to know: Despite finishing 6-11 in 2025, the Saints showed plenty of promise down the stretch. They won four of their final five games, including a four-game winning streak before a close Week 18 loss. Much of that optimism centered around rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. In 11 games (nine starts), Shough threw for 2,384 yards and 10 touchdowns while completing nearly 68% of his passes. He also added 186 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Shough protected the football, was efficient in the red zone, and consistently delivered in key situations, providing hope that New Orleans has found its franchise quarterback under first-year head coach Kellen Moore. The Saints added more weapons for Tyler Shough this offseason, acquiring running back Travis Etienne Jr. and selecting wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the No. 8 overall pick. They join Chris Olave, who is coming off a 100-catch, 1,163-yard season, giving New Orleans another dynamic target in the passing game. Odds: This upcoming season, New Orleans is the +265 second choice to win the NFC South, the +3700 13th choice to win the NFC and the +9000 24th choice to win the Super Bowl.

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Kevin O'Connell Reveals How Vikings Will Split Reps Between Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy

The starting quarterback audition that will shape this season for the Minnesota Vikings and perhaps define multiple careers is clearly the featured attraction during training camp. For as consequential as this competition will be, Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy and their teammates have no interest in intensifying the spotlight or indulging in feelings about the process. The players themselves are trying to keep things as cool as they can. "I’m not really too focused on the long-term vision of it," Murray said Wednesday before the team's first formal practice of camp. "I’m really just focused on process, and that’s day to day, trying to put my best foot forward, and proving to the guys and the coaches what I’m capable of." McCarthy brings a decidedly different resume, style and personality to this derby, but his public stance on his approach to trying to keep the same job he had last year sure sounded similar to Murray's. "It’s just refining every little detail, leaving no stone unturned and just trying to get better in every aspect," said McCarthy, whose injuries have limited him to 10 starts in two seasons since he was drafted with the 10th overall pick in 2024. "That’s a constant battle with yourself every single day until you hang ’em up." Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell was remarkably transparent in his news conference this week about the plan for dividing up drills in practice between the two. Murray went first with the first team Wednesday, but the repetitions were equally split. "It’s going to be more by certain periods," O'Connell said. "Maybe a guy’s gotten a little bit more third down work, so then we’ll make sure we try to even it out, but I will say this, and I told the quarterbacks: ‘We don’t need to make this 50-50.’ It’s going to be that way to start when we’re on a time crunch, but when we get into some longer practices and some move-the-ball periods, there’s some periods where the amount of plays is unknown sometimes as you really start to get into what real football is." Murray, of course, was the most seismic change after McCarthy's rocky debut. As the first overall pick in the 2019 draft with 87 starts and more than 20,000 passing yards in his career, Murray is the clear favorite to win this competition. But O'Connell has committed to opening it up, and McCarthy has said he believes him. "My job’s to make it right for either of them, so that’s kind of all I can focus on," right tackle Brian O'Neill said. "It’s just like any other guy and any other position battle. That’s really what it is from my perspective." Murray mentioned earlier the challenge of mastering a new offense without taking all of the turns with the first team, but he said Wednesday he feels much better about the playbook after going through spring practices and continuing to immerse himself in it over the last six weeks. McCarthy, too, said he has recovered from the time lost and the rhythm interrupted by his late-season injuries. "I felt like I was hitting that upward trajectory, and I’m certain it’s still been going up since then," McCarthy said. Reporting by the Associated Press.

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