That they’ve done that without an elite edge rusher speaks more to how great the offense and quarterback Baker Mayfield has played more than anything else — adding someone at that position in 2025 could be the key to future success.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder thinks the remedy might come when the Buccaneers pursue Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack in free agency following the season, bringing the 6-time NFL All-Pro and 2016 NFL Defensive Player to Tampa Bay — likely on a 1-year contract.

Buccaneers Interior Defensive Line Shines

It wouldn’t be hard to imagine an edge rusher like Mack taking the Buccaneers’ defense to a new level — their interior defensive line is playing better than almost any one in the NFL right now.

Defensive tackles Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey have been dominant in 2024. Vea leads the Buccaneers with 6.0 sacks and Kancey is second on the team with 5.0 sacks.

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Even more than injuries, the problem for the Buccaneers has been a terrible defense and, more specifically, a porous secondary that can make even the most average quarterback come away feeling like an NFL All-Pro.

That’s why it’s a solid bet the Buccaneers will try to make improvements in their defensive backfield in the offseason, and Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder predicts Tampa Bay will make a run at signing Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton in free agency.

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The main reason for their underperformance has been a continuous stream of quarterbacking excellence paired with almost reliably poor organizational dysfunction.

So while the team has an empty trophy cabinet — save for a singular AFL Championship win against the New England Patriots in 1963 — the Chargers have always managed to put forth pretty impressive QBs.

Here are Heavy’s picks for the Top 10, ranked:

10. Jim Harbaugh (1999 – 2000)

GettyJim Harbaugh.

Now, of course, the current head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, Jim Harbaugh capped off an admirable, if perhaps not exceptional, NFL playing career with two seasons in San Diego. Originally brought in as draft bust, Ryan Leaf’s second in command, Harbaugh got the nod when Leaf went down injured early in the 1999 season, leading the team to a reasonable 8-8 record. His second season did not go as well, going 0-5 in his starts in what would ultimately be his final ever season playing football. While his best football was certainly behind him by the time he got to the Chargers, Harbaugh’s strong leadership and more than apt play gets him on this list at No. 10.

9. Doug Flutie (2001 – 2004)

GettyDoug Flutie.

If Doug Flutie’s stint in southern California had been terminated after a less than ideal, 5-11 first season, he may not have made the list at all. After being recruited as the starter from the Buffalo Bills, Flutie failed to make an impression; and with the Chargers having drafted Drew Brees in the second round of the 2021 draft, Flutie lasted just one year in the starting role. But with some impressive displays in 2003 and 2004 coming in for the injured Brees, going 3-3 with 10 touchdowns and 1,373 yards for an 83.2 passer rating, Flutie’s time can be looked at a little more fondly as both a solid backup and one of Brees’ formative mentors for what would become a Hall of Fame career (just not at the Chargers).

READ NEXT: The 10 Best Patriots Quarterbacks of All Time

8. Tobin Rote (1963 – 1964)

Wikimedia Commons

The only quarterback to have won silverware as a Charger: Tobin Rote’s services were acquired by San Diego in the form of a bridge quarterback to start and help mentor young prospect John Hadl. And Rote did that and more, guiding the Chargers to their first and only pro football championship in 1963, and following that up by taking them a second consecutive AFL championship in ’64 only to be foiled by the Buffalo Bills. Rote announced his retirement at the conclusion of his second season — being already 35 when he joined the franchise two years prior — finalizing what was a short but very sweet time at the San Diego Chargers.

7. Jack Kemp (1960 – 1962)

Wikimedia CommonsOfficial portrait of then-Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Jack Kemp.

The Chargers’ first ever starting quarterback from the team’s creation in 1960, Jack Kemp presided over what was a rip-roaring start to their pro football existence. LA immediately ascended to the top of the AFL food chain, going to consecutive championship games in 1960, and then moving to San Diego in 1961 — during which time Kemp received successive First Team All AFL honors. However, Kemp was never able to get over the hump, losing both the championship games to the Houston Oilers. Kemp’s once burgeoning Chargers career ended unceremoniously when he broke his finger during the 1962 season and ended up being claimed by the Buffalo Bills on waivers, adding a huge “what if” tag to Kemp’s career, in which he went on to win two AFL Championships against for the Bills. In both instances, Kemp beat the Chargers in the AFL Championship final, bringing his career full circle.

6. Stan Humphries (1992 – 1997)

GettyStan Humphries.

A very solid QB who led the Chargers to their first, and so far only, Super Bowl appearance, where they eventually lost to the Steve Young spearheaded San Francisco 49ers, Stan Humphries ushered in San Diego’s greatest era since the 1960s during his spell in the ’90s. A gunslinger by nature, Humphries’ years at the helm were consistently profitable for the organization, going a combined 47-29 across his six years as a starter, with only his final, injury plagued year — that ultimately forced him into an early retirement — below 0.500.

5. Drew Brees (2001 – 2005)

GettyDrew Brees.

Known best for his phenomenal spell at the New Orleans Saints, where he easily holds every franchise record imaginable, Drew Brees was cast aside by the Chargers in favor of Phillip Rivers after a slow start to his soon to be formidable career, one that looks to be mutually beneficial to both the Chargers and Saints in hindsight. Although one must wonder whether, considering Brees’ Super Bowl ring, he could have delivered the goods to Chargers had he remained in San Diego for the rest of his career.

4. Justin Herbert (2020 – Present)

GettyJustin Herbert.

A tough evaluation. On talent alone, Justin Herbert may stand in a class of his own on this list, but despite some impressive performances and close regular season battles with AFC West foe Patrick Mahomes, Herbert has yet to match in wins what he has demonstrated in production. Herbert became the team’s only 5,000 yard passer in franchise history in 2021 and subsequently brought LA to the playoffs a year later, only for a cataclysmic collapse to surrender a 24-point lead to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round. Herbert’s prototypical size, strong arm and quick decision making help him pass the eye test with flying colors and feel like someone who has all the tools to succeed. However, until he manages to turn his strong play into consistent wins and ventures to the postseason, he stays at No. 4.

READ NEXT: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Patrick Mahomes

3. John Hadl (1962 – 1972)

Heavy on Chargers with AIJohn Hadl likeness.

One of the Chargers’ less well-known stars (for those who do not follow the Chargers closely, at least), John Hadl made five All Star appearances, twice leading the league in completions, yards and touchdowns. Very much a “no risk it, no biscuit” downfield passer of the ball, Hadl was not afraid of the odd interception or 20, leading the league in that category twice as a Charger and never managing a season completion percentage of just 55%. Yet, having brought consistent competitiveness to San Diego’s regular season play and a winning culture, at least in the first half of his tenure, Hadl will be remembered fondly as a great Charger QB.

2. Philip Rivers (2004 – 2019)

GettyPhilip Rivers.

The epitome of toughness! Philip Rivers, like many Chargers quarterbacks before and after him, never managed to translate excellent play into consistent winning, even if he did post eight Pro Bowl seasons during his fantastic 14-year “unbroken” run, where he did not miss a single regular or postseason game. What’s more, had Rivers not turned into the elite-caliber QB he became, the Chargers would have taken unbelievable heat for trading away Drew Brees; to come in and play the way he did for 14 years alongside that pressure adds to his impressive legacy. Holding most major Chargers quarterback franchise records, including completions, yards and touchdowns, Rivers embodies the ultimate Charger: strong, determined and a “never say die” attitude.

1. Dan Fouts (1973 – 1987)

GettyDan Fouts.

Potentially a contentious No. 1 pick, Dan Fouts picked up every accolade possible in his time in San Diego — except, of course, a Super Bowl trophy. The former Offensive Player of the Year, two-time All Pro and six-time Pro Bowler remains to this day the only player to have lead the NFL in passing yards for four consecutive seasons; and moreover the sole player to put up four successive 300-yard passing postseason games. An unbelievable talent whose name would be far more widespread in great quarterbacking conversations, were it not for having to compete with the likes of Dan Marino and Joe Montana in the ’80s; Fouts drove the Chargers to back-to-back AFC Championship games in 1980 and ’81, but never managed to quite get over that final hump and deliver the Chargers a Lombardi Trophy.

READ NEXT: The 10 Best Miami Dolphins QBs of All Time

The list isn’t over yet! See our pick for Number 11 HERE. Sound off to let us know who we missed!

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While that might pay off for the Commanders soon enough because of the cap space created by turning down or pawning off a succession of fifth-year options on rookie contracts, there’s still a chance some of those draft mistakes can avoid becoming a sunk cost.

At the top of that list is probably cornerback Emmanuel Forbes Jr., the Commanders’ last first-round pick of the Ron Rivera era when he was selected No. 16 overall in the 2023 NFL draft out of Mississippi State.

While Forbes has struggled as much as almost anyone in the 2023 draft class — which is saying a lot — he might still have value as a trade piece according to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, who proposed a trade to the Los Angeles Chargers that sends Forbes and a 2025 sixth round pick to the AFC West in exchange for a 2025 fifth round pick.

“First-round picks aren’t usually on the trade block before they’re even halfway through their second pro campaigns, but Forbes is a unique case,” Barnwell wrote on October 17. ” … He is probably the sixth corner on Washington’s depth chart and is due over the next three years more than $6 million guaranteed, which the (Commanders) might prefer to spend elsewhere. On the other hand, if an organization still sees Forbes as the dynamic playmaker he was in college, three years of a young cornerback at $6 million is a bargain.”

Commanders’ Succession of Bad First-Round Picks

Forbes was a healthy scratch for the Commanders in Week 6 and hasn’t played since suffering a thumb injury in the season-opening loss to the Buccaneers on September 8. That comes after a rookie year in which Forbes was benched multiple times and was one of the worst-graded cornerbacks in the NFL, according to PFF.

The Commanders have already managed to unload one disappointing first-round pick recently, sending wide receiver Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles along with a fifth round pick in exchange for a third round pick and 2 seventh round picks in a deal that went down before the start of the regular season.

Dotson, the No. 16 overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft, has has 12 receptions for 35 yards and no touchdowns through 5 games with the Eagles.

If the Commanders can figure out a way to get back draft capital for Forbes, that would leave edge rusher Jamin Davis on the roster as the last remaining first-round pick from the Rivera era. In April, the Commanders declined the fifth-year option on Davis’ contract that would have paid him $14.4 million in 2025.

Like Forbes, Davis was a healthy scratch in Week 6 and, like Forbes, he might also be worth a draft pick from a team in need of an edge rusher.

Commanders Shouldn’t Sweeten Deal for Forbes

While Barnwell is on target with identifying Forbes as a possible talent other teams might gamble a late-round draft pick on, he might be overselling Forbes’ value by just a smidge.

In reality, the Commanders would probably be better served to offer up a portion of Forbes’ 2024 salary as part of the deal in exchange for a draft pick (or two) in order to keep their picks— it’s something they did in part when they traded Dotson to the Eagles and agreed to pay $500,000 of the $2 million he’s due in salary in 2024.

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Even though the Commanders must live in that moment, it’s prudent to keep an eye on the future with a nucleus of young talent led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Washington could be good for years to come and eventually they will need reinforcements.

Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder thinks a major piece of those reinforcements could be on the way via free agency in 2025, predicting the Commanders will make a play to sign veteran edge rusher, 5-time NFL All-Pro and 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Khalil Mack.

Mack, who currently plays for the Los Angeles Chargers, is in the final season of a 6-year, $141 million contract extension he signed with the Chicago Bears in 2018.

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It was a continuation of a tumultuous 2023 regular season in which franchise quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist surgery and the Bengals missed the playoffs after back-to-back seasons making it to the AFC Championship Game.

After that, there were the trade requests.

One from NFL All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson and, most notably, multiple trade requests from veteran wide receiver Tee Higgins after he received the franchise tag for the 2024 season.

ESPN’s Matt Bowen included Higgins in his list of best NFL teams fits for remaining free agents and trade candidates on May 20, listing an AFC foe, the Los Angeles Chargers, as the best possible trade destination for Higgins.

“With a pass game that will be heavily schemed and include play-action elements under new coach Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers could create both isolation matchups and open voids for Higgins to produce,” Bowen wrote. “He has 24 career TDs over four seasons, and he totaled 656 yards last year after breaking 1,000 in back-to-back seasons.”

Higgins Coming Off Career-Worst Season in ’23

In 2023, Higgins’ production dropped off dramatically with career lows in receptions (42) receiving yards (656) and touchdowns (5). He also missed a career-high six games with rib and hamstring injuries.

In April, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that Higgins was looking for a 3-year, $70 million contract extension similar to the 3-year, $71.5 million contract extension signed by Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman in February 2024.

Pittman’s contract came with $46 million in guaranteed money.

Higgins would make $21.8 million playing under the franchise tag in 2024.

The Bengals, for their part, fully expect Higgins to be on the field for them this season.

“We’re excited for Tee to have a great year for us,” Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said to Pro Football Network’s Jay Morrison in March. “We think he’s our best chance to help us win a Super Bowl. I’ve enjoyed working with Tee the last four years and expect this year to be no different.”

Chargers in Desperate Need of WR1

It’s hard to imagine a better landing spot for Higgins than with the Chargers, where he could immediately step in and be WR1 — something that’s not possible in Cincinnati with NFL All-Pro Ja’Marr Chase there.

The Chargers have an elite, young quarterback in Justin Herbert, who the franchise signed to a 5-year, $262.5 million contract extension in July 2023. What they don’t have is a star wide receiver.

The Chargers spent a first-round pick on the wide receiver position in 2023 and the results there haven’t been encouraging — No. 21 overall pick Quentin Johnston only had 38 receptions for 431 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns as a rookie.

The Chargers and first-year head coach Jim Harbaugh went back to the well in the 2024 NFL draft, selecting Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey in the second round (No. 34 overall).

“The Chargers drafted rookie receiver Ladd McConkey, who has the route traits to live in the middle of the field, and added veteran DJ Chark Jr.,” Bowen wrote. “And if Higgins — who requested a trade this offseason — does get moved before the start of the 2024 season, he would immediately upgrade the Chargers’ offense as a three-level target for quarterback Justin Herbert.”

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According to Doug Samuels of FootballScoop, “[2023 NYG tight ends coach] Andy Bischoff is leaving the Giants staff to join Jim [Harbaugh’s] staff in LA.” Samuels also noted that “Bischoff will be the [Los Angeles Chargers new] tight ends coach/run game coordinator.”

Bischoff’s connection to the Harbaugh family stems from six seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and head coach John Harbaugh, Jim’s brother. The long-time tight ends specialist will also reunite with former Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman — who is expected to join the Chargers staff as their new OC.

Giants Chose Not to Block Chargers Pursuit of TEs Coach Andy Bischoff

There has been a mass exodus from Daboll’s coaching staff in 2024 — whether by the head coach’s choosing or not. In this case, it appears Bischoff wanted to leave but according to New York Post reporter Ryan Dunleavy, the Giants also allowed him to.

“Giants let TEs coach Andy Bischoff make a lateral move,” Dunleavy commented on February 5. “‘Run game coordinator’ is not a promotion under league rules so they could have blocked it if they wanted.”

Bischoff has had some success developing recent fourth-round selection Daniel Bellinger, but the tight end room has not been a major strength under his watch. Darren Waller was a massive disappointment in 2023, although a big part of that was due to injury.

The trade acquisition for Waller underwhelmed on the field too, however, and that could reflect more on Bischoff.

At the end of the day, Daboll didn’t seem intent on firing the veteran positions coach before this poaching. At the same time, he didn’t block Harbaugh from stealing him either.

As the Giants HC assembles a very new staff in 2024, perhaps he’s looking for people that actually want to be here. If that’s the case, one more major departure could be on the horizon — even though it hasn’t happened yet.

Giants Block Seahawks for OC Interview of Mike Kafka

The Seattle Seahawks interviewed Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka for their head coach position. Despite electing not to hire the play-caller, they then showed interest in a lateral move at OC.

That secondary interview request was “blocked” according to NFL on CBS insider Jonathan Jones.

“Team exercising its contractual right,” Jones explained. “Kafka clearly valued with Big Blue.”

Shortly after this report, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan reacted: “This shows there is a perception around the league that Kafka will not be the Giants play-caller and could want out.”

NFL Draft Bites analyst Chad Forbes also voiced that “[it’s] clear Mike Kafka wants out of [the] Giants.” Adding that this is a “similar predicament to Wink Martindale.”

Forbes then elaborated on that opinion, stating: “When [the] Giants hired Mike Kafka, they made him a very highly paid O-Coordinator given his experience. When [the] Giants hired Wink Martindale, they meet his significant asking price. Held firm with Wink. If you want out, we’re not paying you to coach elsewhere. Resign the position.”

Kafka has given no sense that he’s considering resigning at this time, at least publicly. But with the way this offseason has gone, it could be the next shoe to drop.

In an article on February 4, New York Daily News reporter Pat Leonard argued that “the Giants should let Mike Kafka out, but they won’t because of how it would look.” Are we on our way to another coaching departure?

If Kafka does eventually leave, that would mean three new coordinators in one offseason (one firing, two resignations). That type of track record might not be sustainable for Brian Daboll.

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Chargers disappointment is nothing new though. The franchise often underachieves, finding torturous ways to lose on a weekly basis, and yet most would say that their record is still a major shock. But why?

Former Chiefs All-Pro right tackle Mitchell Schwartz pointed out this yearly phenomenon on November 29. “He’s good I just struggle with all the Chargers guys that get mad hype,” Schwartz ranted during a conversation about LAC safety Derwin James. “It’s a mediocre team year after year with all these talented guys who are supposed to be the kind of guys that change games, teams, seasons, franchises. Except the franchise never changes. Hard to square up.”

The back and forth with The Athletic’s Ted Nguyen stemmed from a post about Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton being “built in a lab to destroy modern offenses.” Those comments then triggered Schwartz’s criticism of James with an overall message — stop overhyping players.

In the end, Nguyen concluded that “[the Chargers] have talented players but they can’t stay on the field.” Adding: “It’s hard to argue about how good Joey Bosa is but he’s hurt ever year. Same with Mike Williams.”

Schwartz did not respond to that. His last thought on the matter was the post ending in “hard to square up.”

Can Red-Hot Broncos Challenge Chiefs in AFC West?

The Denver Broncos — not the Chargers — have been on a tear with five straight victories. They even beat the Chiefs, ending a long 16-game losing streak against them.

The midseason run has rallied the Broncos to 6-5 under new head coach Sean Payton, and the mood has changed quickly in Denver as the playoffs are now a real possibility.

Having said that, is the division out of reach?

Kansas City holds a two-win lead over the Broncos at 8-3, and the two teams evened out with one another on the season during their head-to-head matchups. Considering the Chiefs’ division and conference records (3-1 and 6-1 compared to Broncos’ 1-2 and 3-4) though, it’s unlikely that Denver is a real threat to KC in 2023.

It would take a total collapse from the Chiefs — which never typically happens under Andy Reid — and a near-perfect finish from the Broncos.

Of course, most KC fans will tell you that they have their sights set on something greater than another AFC West banner. This organization is in the business of winning Super Bowls so long as Patrick Mahomes II is at quarterback, and that’s exactly what they aim to do this winter.

Chiefs Begin December With Primetime Matchup vs. Packers

Kansas City will open up the final month of regular season football with a Sunday night matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.

Coming off arguably his best NFL start, Packers quarterback Jordan Love will look to keep things rolling versus a stingy Chiefs defense. On the flip side, Mahomes and rookie wide receiver Rashee Rice will look to build on their Week 12 chemistry.

One interesting note is that KC has seen Love before. Despite this being his first year as a full-time starter, the young signal-caller made his first NFL start against the Chiefs in 2021 with Aaron Rodgers out.

Love went 19-of-34 for 190 yards, a touchdown and an interception that day. His final passer rating was a 69.5, and the Packers fell to the Chiefs in a low-scoring affair at Arrowhead Stadium, 13-7.

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As The Athletic’s beat reporter for the Los Angeles Chargers, Popper relayed that LAC “placed edge rusher Chris Rumph (foot) on IR, signed edge rusher Justin Hollins from [the] NYG practice squad, signed TE Stephen Anderson to [the] practice squad and released DB Mark Webb from [the] practice squad” on November 15.

Hollins logged 12 special teams snaps for the Giants against the Las Vegas Raiders according to Pro Football Reference. He was first signed to the practice squad on October 24, but did not appear in a game until Week 9.

Hollins was not credited with any statistics during his brief tenure with the Giants.

Ex-Giants LB Justin Hollins Heads Back to Los Angeles

After beginning his career with the Denver Broncos, Hollins enjoyed his best NFL stretch with the Los Angeles Rams from 2020 through a portion of 2022.

Not only was he part of a Super Bowl run in L.A., but the veteran also accumulated six sacks and five tackles for a loss over 34 regular season outings. Hollins appeared in six playoff games with LAR too, registering eight total tackles and two QB hits.

The Green Bay Packers claimed the former fifth-round talent during the second half of the 2022 campaign, and that’s where he remained until October 21, 2023. Big Blue signed Hollins to the practice squad after the Packers released him.

Now he’ll head back out west, joining his fifth NFL organization in five years.

Giants Have Practice Squad Spot to Fill After Justin Hollins Departure

With Hollins gone, expect a new NYG signing sometime this week. There is now a spot to fill on the practice squad, and it will be interesting to see what the Giants choose to do with it.

One route would be a veteran replacement. Hollins was a special teamer and a potential rotational piece on defense. He also had playoff experience and saw what it takes to win in this league firsthand.

The new signing could be a similar type of player, but it shouldn’t be.

With the season out of reach, the Giants should focus on younger talent. A recent suggestion urged the G-Men to sign former second-round cornerback Greedy Williams, for example.

That’s just one theory, but the overall point is that NYG should be focusing on the future. That mindset involves players already on the roster, but it should also include new additions aimed at creating a competitive atmosphere for 2024.

Several Giants Miss Practice After Cowboys Beatdown

After getting blown out by the Dallas Cowboys in Week 10, several Giants players started Week 11 with a spot on the injury report. The Athletic’s Dan Duggan shared the list on X.

Six players did not participate in practice on Wednesday, November 15. They were WR Jalin Hyatt (concussion), CB Adoree’ Jackson (concussion), OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux (concussion), OT Evan Neal (ankle), LB Bobby Okereke (hip) and DT Dexter Lawrence (rest).

Outside of Lawrence, the statuses of the other five appear to be a real concern. Duggan even noted that “Okereke’s hip injury is news” to the media.

Additionally: CB Deonte Banks (ankle), RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), QB Tommy DeVito (left shoulder), DB Cor’Dale Flott (shoulder), S Xavier McKinney (rib), S Jason Pinnock (thumb/ankle), WR Wan’Dale Robinson (knee) and OT Andrew Thomas (knee) were all “limited participants” at Wednesday’s practice.

According to Heavy’s projections powered by Quarter4, the Giants are currently 6.5-point underdogs on the road against the Washington Commanders in Week 11.

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Fehoko took to TikTok to update the fast turn of events. The former Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad member shared a video of him flying to Los Angeles to sign with the Chargers.

“My agent called me, basically saying that the Chargers want to sign me off their practice squad to their 53,” Fehoko said. “So they let me know, maybe three hours ago, that they were gonna sign me, now I’m on a flight to LA, heading straight there.”

The signing hasn’t been officially announced, but if Fehoko is willing to post about it, it’s hard to not see this coming to fruition. It’s a big moment for Fehoko, who was still looking for his next opportunity in the NFL regular season after his stint with the Cowboys. Meanwhile, the Chargers will hope that he can contribute as they rebound from star WR Mike Williams’ season-ending ACL injury.

Now, the Steelers lose one of their deepest options at WR, while the Chargers get to try and make the most of Fehoko. The wide receiver will get his chance to show Dallas what they’re missing on October 16.

Fehoko Looking to Make Mark with Chargers

With just a month and change until his 26th birthday, Fehoko is entering an all-important phase in his NFL career. After two years in a bit-part role with the Cowboys, Fehoko has an opportunity with the Chargers to reinvigorate his NFL career.

According to Pro Football Reference, Fehoko made a total of 10 appearances during his two seasons in Dallas. The former 5th round pick in the 2021 NFL draft had shown plenty of promise while at Stanford, but getting onto the field for the Cowboys was not a guarantee.

His first five appearances in 2021 were primarily on special teams, but the receiver did contribute offensively in 2022. Fehoko was targeted four times in his five appearances, catching three passes for 24 yards.

Those numbers don’t exactly impress, but it’s more of a statement about how Fehoko hasn’t gotten a proper chance yet. Being an active player for a high-powered Chargers offense (led by former Cowboys OC Kellen Moore) should give him some type of opportunity.

Cowboys Facing Reunion with Zeke

While the Cowboys will face Fehoko and the Chargers in a couple weeks, Dallas is currently gearing up for a reunion with former RB Ezekiel Elliott when the New England Patriots visit Cowboys Stadium on Sunday.

Elliott was the bell-cow back for seven seasons in Dallas. Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy oversaw those last two campaigns, and the head coach knows that he can be dangerous against his former team.

“Not looking forward to watching [Elliott] run against us, that’s for sure,” McCarthy chuckled, according to Cowboys.com’s Patrik Walker. “I’m excited for Zeke,” McCarthy added. “Great opportunity. He’s been keeping in touch with all of our guys. He’ll do great there. Play-style alone, I think he’s a really good fit for how they like to play.”

It will be interesting to see if Elliott can make an impact in his “revenge game,” or if the Cowboys will end up on top after parting ways.

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Los Angeles Chargers defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day has made as significant an impact off the field in the Los Angeles community as he has wrangling quarterbacks on the gridiron.

Voted a captain for the 2022 season, his first as a Charger, Joseph-Day wasted little time becoming one of the most dominant presences on a swarming defense. Last season, Joseph-Day produced a career-high 56 tackles, 2.0 sacks and pulled down the first interception of his career.

Joseph-Day’s influence on the Chargers’ front-seven was nearly as easy to see as the difference he is making off the field.

Thanks to his YouTube show “Dine N Bash” — a play off his nickname — and his charitable foundation, Bashing Hunger, Joseph-Day is using his platform as an NFL star to bring notoriety to small businesses in and around Los Angeles, while fighting food insecurity, as well.

“‘Dine N Bash’ is a show that highlights small businesses and restaurants,” Joseph-Day explained during a wide-ranging conversation with Heavy. “It breaks down that third wall, lets you know the story behind the ‘why’ the restaurants came about and ‘how’ the restaurants became a thing.”

The inspiration for ‘Dine N Bash’ came during the pandemic, when Joseph-Day noticed many small businesses and beloved restaurants were struggling to stay afloat.

“In my mind, why not highlight these businesses and tell their story?” Joseph-Day said. “It’s one thing to have a favorite restaurant, it’s another to know the people who make your favorite restaurant. So, why not let these people tell their stories, break down that third wall, and highlight them, so people can come support the restaurant even more?”

That’s exactly what Joseph-Day has done.

From the Harry Potter-themed Nimbus Coffee shop, founded by Eviana Farrar, who pivoted from graduating law school to following her dreams as a restaurateur to exploring the origins of Hotville Chicken, Joseph-Day has shined a bright spotlight on the foodie community in Los Angeles.

“At the end of the day, it’s about the people,” Sebastian-Day explained. “It’s about the owners of the restaurant, about telling their stories. It’s so cool, most of these stories, once you hear them, they weren’t even trying to be a restaurant owner. This was just a passion for them.

“It’s really cool to be able to sit down, break bread, and have them tell their stories. I feel like that connects people more. It’s like being able to gout to dinner with your friends, to be able to sit down and have a beer, chop it up, and talk. The concept of ‘Dine N Bash’ is for people to know the people behind their favorite restaurants and build a bigger love and appreciation for them.”

Joseph-Day launched his podcast during his tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, who gave the project their full blessing and support. Then, after signing a three-year deal with the Chargers as a free agent in 2022, his new team went a step further.

The Chargers licensed “Dine N Bash,” and will air all-new episodes, with six already filmed and ready to air, on the team’s renowned social platforms and YouTube channel.

“I think it’s really cool that they’re based in LA, and now they’re going to highlight LA restaurants,” Joseph-Day explained. “It’s a great partnership because I get to own the rights, but they have that season for their social media team, their YouTube. I think it’s a win-win.”

Chargers’ Lofty Ceiling in 2023

Joseph-Day intends on doing a lot of winning in 2023.

After falling victim to the Jacksonville Jaguars’ historic comeback on Wild Card weekend, Joseph-Day believes the Chargers have the pieces in place to make a lengthy postseason run at the Lombardi Trophy in 2023.

Before Los Angeles can reach Super Sunday, the Chargers must close the gap on Patrick Mahomes the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. Joseph-Day believes the pieces are in place to do exactly that this fall.

“Last year, it was still new for some guys,” Joseph-Day pointed out. “We were still learning, we were still building, we were still getting to know one another. I feel like with another year under our belt, as a group all together, a lot of those things can be accomplished. A lot of those things can build.

“Obviously, Kansas City is a great team. Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL. What he does is amazing, what Andy Reid does is amazing. But, I know we definitely have the right coaches, the right players to do what we have to do to close that gap.”

No singular player is more vital to the Chargers’ Super Bowl chances, or aspirations of unseating the Chiefs than quarterback Justin Herbert.

Herbert is one of the brightest young quarterbacks in the NFL, with yet untapped potential.

After adding first-round pick WR Quentin Johnston, bolstering Herbert’s supporting cast, the Chargers made the 25-year-old star quarterback the highest-paid player in the league.

The 2023 season will be Herbert’s first working alongside new offensive coordinator and play-caller Kellen Moore, and Joseph-Day has already seen Herbert make significant strides under the tutelage of his new coordinator.

“The biggest difference right now with Justin Herbert is how in general Kellen Moore is able to use all of our pieces,” Joseph-Day said. “I think he’s able to use our pieces uniquely, and doing a great job of finding ways to get those guys the ball. It’s really cool to see, I think Justin’s really comfortable in the offense. It’s Justin’s style of football, and it’s great to see Justin grow and develop.

“Last year, you could really see Justin Herbert grow, and this year I can already tell there’s a difference now compared to OTAs last year that went by. He’s still making those amazing throws, he looks great, and looks real sharp.”

While all eyes are on how the Herbert-Moore connection builds, and how prolific the Chargers’ offense has the potential to be in 2023, Los Angeles has built a worthy complement on defense.

From Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Joseph-Day terrorizing quarterbacks in the front-seven to standout defensive backs J.C. Jackson, Derwin James, and Asante Samuel Jr. roaming the secondary, the talent is in place for the Chargers’ defense to make one of the biggest leaps this season.

“Last year there were a lot of people who had to get used to how certain guys play,” Joseph-Day explains. “And build that camaraderie. That isn’t built overnight.

“I think in year 2, this offseason has been great for us as a team. OTAs have been great, and just think, we’re so much closer as a group, as a unit. I feel like that’s really going to play dividends in September, October, and throughout the season.”

Sebastian Joseph-Day’s Big Plans

As Joseph-Day reflects on his journey, and what lies ahead for what he hopes is a lengthy NFL career from here, it’s evident that his vision extends far beyond the gridiron.

While he remains fully committed to his football career, he is acutely aware of the fleeting nature of the sport and the importance of planning for the future.

Embracing the wisdom of preparation, he set out to leverage his degree and build a body of work that will pave the way for a seamless transition when the time comes.

“Football is so dangerous, from any given play to any given day, they could draft someone better than you, you just never know,” Joseph-Day humbly acknowledges. “That’s the biggest thing; making sure that while I’m here, I use all of my advantages.

“At the end of the day, people care that you play in the NFL. People care that you won a Super Bowl. People care that I’ve started for five years, going into my sixth season, so why not use the blessings that God’s given, and also plan for the future for me and my family.”

As he masterfully tackles life on and off the field, Joseph-Day continues to inspire both his teammates and the community.

Through his charitable foundation Bashing Hunger, he has teamed up with local restaurants to combat food insecurity, proving that the heart of a true leader extends well beyond the boundaries of the stadium.

With the future glimmering brightly, Joseph-Day’s journey is one defined not only by success on the football field but also by his enduring impact on those around him.

As the Chargers’ defensive end prepares for another season of gridiron battles, he leaves us with a tantalizing preview of what’s to come on “Dine N Bash,” where great food, fellowship, and the spirit of giving intertwine to create a legacy that extends far beyond the world of football.

“A sneak peek of this year’s season [of ‘Dine N Bash’] … whoever is on ‘Dine N Bash’ this season gets two tickets to a Chargers home game,” Joseph-Day revealed. “I’m super excited about that … To see the smile on their face, it makes my day.”

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Michel’s retirement decision became public on Saturday, July 28, when Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay announced it after practice at training camp. A former Georgia star, Michel spent the last season with the Los Angeles Chargers before his re-signed with the Rams this offseason.

New England drafted Michel in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft after his successful four seasons with the Bulldogs. He tallied 3,613 yards and 33 touchdowns in 47 career games at Georgia.

In three seasons with the Patriots from 2018 to 2020, Michel tallied 2,292 yards and 14 touchdowns in 38 games. He helped the 2018 Patriots win the Super Bowl, and Michel had 336 yards and six touchdowns in that playoff run.

New England traded Michel to the Rams in 2021, and he helped bring a Lombardi Trophy to Los Angeles that season. Michel rushed for 845 yards and four touchdowns in the regular season, but he played sparingly in the Rams’ title run.

His final season took him around the league a little in 2022. Michel signed with the Miami Dolphins, but the team released him in August that year.

The Chargers signed Michel at the end of August, but the team released him in December 2022. Michel appeared in 10 games for the Chargers with 36 carries for 106 yards.

Despite his early retirement, Michel didn’t sustain an overly significant amount of injuries. He last had a series of injuries in 2020 and a knee strain in 2018, and he played in every game for two of his five seasons.

Bill Belichick Saw Great Qualities in Sony Michel

New England found a solid back in Michel right away as a rookie with 931 yards and six touchdowns. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick praised Michel in November 2018 for how the former Georgia star took off.

“I think [his maturity has] really been a strength of his,” Belichick said in a conference call via WEEI. “He’s, obviously, had a lot of football experience and comes from a very good program. He’s been in a lot of big games. He’s been in a lot of critical football situations. He has a lot of poise and has a good even manner about him in terms of learning, correcting mistakes, having urgency but in a balance where it doesn’t take away from the execution and the focus of the assignment and the way that things need to be done.”

Tom Brady Called Sony Michel’s Super Bowl Season ‘Incredible’

Michel stepped up when needed the most that season. He scored the lone touchdown in the Super Bowl when the Patriots beat the Rams 13-3.

It earned the praise of former Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who won his final of six Lombardi Trophies with the team that year. Brady and Michel played together one more season in 2019 before Brady left in free agency.

“What an incredible rookie season he’s had. Just so proud of him. He’s done an incredible job.,” Tom Brady said in 2019 via MassLive. “Ran hard, got some tough yards. There wasn’t a lot of space at times but fought his way through.”

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As training camps open and the Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs opening night matchup gets closer by the day, Heavy is taking a deep dive into every position in an ongoing series ranking the top five players in the NFL, by position, for the upcoming 2023 campaign.

Next up: Offensive Tackles

Previous editions: Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends

1. Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles

Regardless of who you talk to associated with the NFL, Lane Johnson and Trent Williams are widely regarded as the top two offensive tackles, with a chasm separating them from the rest of the league.

Johnson gets the nod here after not allowing a single sack last season, and completely neutralizing Defensive Player of the Year Nick Bosa in the NFC Championship Game last January, while playing with a torn abdomen.

During the Eagles‘ 2022 campaign that culminated in a Super Bowl berth, Johnson allowed only nine pressures in 15 games, and his absence seemed to significantly alter the offense’s success when he missed two games due to injury.

How consistently dominant has Johnson been? He’s gone two seasons without allowing a sack.

Equally dominant as a road-grader in the running game, where he compiled a 73.5 grade from Pro Football Focus, as he is keeping quarterback Jalen Hurts upright, Johnson’s consistency and versatility are the bedrock of the Eagles’ offense. Johnson will walk into Canton, Ohio five years after he eventually retires, Gold Jacket in tow.

2. Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers

Trent Williams, even at age 34, has a strong case as the premier player at his position, and has been instrumental to the San Francisco 49ers‘ success since his arrival in 2020.

Williams anchors the 49ers unique run-based offense, but he’s also equally dominant at being a brick wall against opposing pass-rushers. Last season, Williams allowed just one sack and 15 total quarterback pressures.

The fact that Williams has made 10 Pro Bowls, despite a lengthy injury history, underscores just how highly thought of he is by peers and casual observers, alike. Much like Johnson, Williams is tracking towards ultimately winding up as a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

3. Andrew Thomas, New York Giants

Andrew Thomas‘ career trajectory has him on the path toward becoming the next great offensive tackle across the sport.

An All-Pro selection for the first time, following a stellar 2022 campaign, Thomas only allowed 3 sacks and 21 total quarterback pressures last season.

Playing under new Giants offensive line coach Bobby Johnson seems to have brought out the best in Thomas, and unlocked the fundamentals in his game that made him one of the more dominant tackles the University of Georgia has produced in recent years.

4. Christian Darrisaw, Minnesota Vikings

Christian Darrisaw continues to dominant, and continues to get better as his young career progresses in Minnesota.

Darrisaw has far exceeded his draft position, No. 23 overall in the 2021 draft, and become a crucial cog in the Vikings‘ offensive machine.

Last season, Darrisaw allowed 5.0 sacks but only 20 total pressures, while absolutely mauling as a run-blocker. Pro Football Focus awarded Darrisaw with a 90.3 overall grade and 90.2 run-blocking mark, last season.

5. Rashawn Slater, Los Angeles Chargers

For as many fireworks Justin Herbert lets fly in the Chargers’ passing game, Rashawn Slater might as well be the guy lighting the match.

Slater is a stalwart up front, and when healthy, he makes a tangible impact on the effectiveness of the Chargers’ offense. Only playing three games in 2022, it’s fair to wonder how much more prolific Los Angeles’ offense might have been, had the former first-round pick stayed healthy.

After all, Slater allowed only 4.0 sacks as a rookie, and was just as dominant in the running game as he was as a reliable pass-protector while producing an 83.6 overall grade from Pro Football Focus in 2021. Getting Slater back in 2023 could lead to Herbert leading the Chargers’ offense to heights previously unseen.

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As training camps open and the Detroit Lions vs. Kansas City Chiefs on opening night getting closer by the day, Heavy is taking a deep dive into every position in an ongoing series ranking the top five NFL players by position, starting with quarterbacks.

1) Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs

Patrick Mahomes is quickly playing his way into becoming not just the most clutch performer of his generation, but he is also consistently among the game’s most prolific passers across the board.

Mahomes hoisted his second Lombardi Trophy last season, in three trips to the Super Bowl, while collecting the second MVP award of his career. In addition to averaging 4,040 passing yards per season through the first five years of his career, Mahomes has failed to surpass 30 passing touchdowns just once, while rushing for 12 career touchdowns.

So long as Andy Reid is the Chiefs’ head coach, and Mahomes the quarterback, the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC is paved through Kansas City. That’s no different for 2023.

2) Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

The combination of Burrow‘s clutch performances in big games, his ability to make plays off schedule, and one of the more dynamic supporting casts at wide receiver of any quarterback in the NFL, the 26-year-old may have the best shot to unseat Mahomes’ era of dominance over this league.

Through the first three seasons of his career, Burrow’s 68.2 completion percentage is higher than Mahomes’. Likewise, Burrow’s lone loss to Kansas City came when Cincinnati’s offensive line folded like a cheap tent in the waning moments of January’s AFC Championship Game that would have sent the Bengals back to a second consecutive Super Bowl.

Given significant additions along the offensive line, including the arrivals of Orland Brown and Cody Ford at offensive tackle, and another season with Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd on the receiving end of his passes, Burrow could be in for a career-year in 2023.

3) Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Make no mistake, Jalen Hurts is the NFL’s next great superstar.

Hurts’ ability to quickly process information both pre-snap and during the play hearkens back to Peyton Manning’s level of dominance above the shoulders, with the work ethic and strong performances in the clutch that Tom Brady built a future Hall of Fame career on.

Beyond Hurts’ prolific consistency last season, passing for 3,701 yards with 22 touchdowns to 6 interceptions, losing only two games that he started, the Eagles have built a dynamic supporting cast around the 24-year-old after dropping him behind the game’s most dominant offensive line.

Throughout his career, from Alabama to Oklahoma, the Senior Bowl to the NFL Combine to improving each of his first three seasons in the NFL, Hurts has continually improved as his career has progressed. There’s no reason to believe that will slow down, let alone change, now.

4) Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen might be the most risk-reward quarterback in the NFL, and he’s taken the Buffalo Bills to some lofty heights in recent years, even if the franchise has made it out of the AFC Divisional Round only once to date.

Allen is the ultimate gunslinger, with arguably the strongest arm in the league, and has surpassed 35 passing touchdowns each of the past three seasons. But, Allen at times trusts that big arm a bit too much, tossing 39 interceptions over that span. Meanwhile, Allen is the definition of a dual-threat quarterback, who isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder and fight for tough yards, but that fearlessness has added significant wear and tear to his 6-foot-5 and 238-pound frame.

The Bills will be in every game that Allen starts, as illustrated by Buffalo posting a top-three highest-scoring offense each of the past three seasons. For Allen to climb these rankings for 2024, he’ll need to finally lead the Bills to a Super Bowl.

5) Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers

It’s a new year for Justin Hebert, and a kind of new situation, too.

Herbert is one of the brightest young stars at the position, and with Kellen Moore’s arrival as offensive coordinator, perhaps a new system and new voice is exactly what the 25-year-old needs for results to start matching his elite skill set.

Last season, only Mahomes passed for more yards than Herbert’s 4,739, but his 25 touchdowns were good for only eighth-best in the NFL. This could be a make-or-break season for Herbert he’s capable of leading the Chargers on a lengthy postseason run, thus cementing his place among the game’s truly elite quarterbacks.

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The Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs were two of the more prolific offenses in the league in 2022, and they met in the Super Bowl.

So, too, were the Cincinnati Bengals and Los Angeles Rams the prior year, along with the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills who squared off for the Lamar Hunt Trophy in January 2022.

There’s little reason to doubt that having an explosive offense won’t be integral to playing for the Lombardi come February 2024.

Here’s a look at which offenses have the chance to be the top-10 most explosive in the NFL during the 2023 season:

1) Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles return the MVP runner-up, Jalen Hurts, and prolific weapons such as wide receivers A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith, along with dynamic pass-catching tight end Dallas Goedert. Not only does Philadelphia return loads of star power on offense, but the Eagles also added a pair of versatile running backs in D’Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny to an already explosive offense over the offseason.

Last season, the Eagles finished second in points per game, while producing 107 explosive passing plays with 44 explosive runs, and that’s with Hurts missing two games due to a shoulder injury.

Given the combination of Hurts’, and his continued improvement as his career has progressed, an electrifying supporting cast, and arguably the game’s most dominant offensive line, the Eagles’ offense has all the ingredients to launch a historic 2023 season.

2) Miami Dolphins

Few things are more dangerous in the NFL than speed, and the Dolphins have it all over the place on offense.

Last season, only the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills had a higher Yards per Play average than the Dolphins’ 6.0.

Meanwhile, with Tyreek Hill entering his second season in head coach Mike McDaniel’s scheme, and Jaylen Waddle his third NFL season, there might not be a more dynamic receiving duo in the league this fall.

Perhaps the only thing that held the Dolphins’ offense in check last season was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s battle with multiple concussions that cost him four games in 2022. If Tagovailoa can stay healthy, the Dolphins have all the pieces to be one of the more difficult offenses to defend in the entire league.

3) Kansas City Chiefs

The 2022 season, and the departure of Tyreek Hill, were proof positive that so long as Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs’ quarterback, Kansas City’s offense is going to be among the most explosive in the sport.

For Mahomes and Co. this season, the question will become whether the offense can build on a campaign that saw the Chiefs lead the league in scoring and Yards per Play, or if the rest of the league can find some way to neutralize the likes of receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Marquez Valdes-Scantling?

It would be a fool’s errand to bet against the Chiefs, especially as running back Isiah Pacheco enters his second season, and general manager Brett Veach sunk significant resources into beefing up the offensive line in front of Mahomes.

4) Cincinnati Bengals

Joe Burrow remains one of the most clutch quarterbacks in the NFL today, boasting a balanced and deeply explosive supporting cast, and the Bengals went out and added elite offensive tackle Orlando Brown and consistent pass-catching tight end Irv Smith. Cincinnati isn’t going anywhere.

While the Bengals were only middle of the pack in total explosive plays in 2022, only seven teams averaged more than Cincinnati’s 26.1 points per game, and Ja’Marr Chase’s ability to both take the top off a defense as well as turn a routine screen play into a double-digit gain are the hallmark of this offense.

Burrow is still ascending. Each year that Burrow and Chase get to play together it seems this duo becomes more prolific. That’s bad news for the rest of the league.

5) Buffalo Bills

A crucial key to making the upper echelon of this list is boasting a prolific quarterback-receiver duo, and the combination of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs remains one of the game’s most explosive.

Buffalo finished the 2022 campaign second in Yards Per Play Average, second in scoring, and Allen led the seventh-most prolific passing offense in the NFL, averaging 258.1 yards per game. Diggs was a critical factor in the Bills’ offensive success, averaging 13.2 Yards per Catch, and 3.9 Yards After the Catch per reception, with Allen posting a nearly perfect 124.3 passer rating on his 149 targets.

The problem for the Bills, at least down the stretch, has been this offense tends to devolve into boom-or-bust territory, and in order to take the next step toward winning a championship, more depth of explosiveness and consistency will be key.

6) Seattle Seahawks

Few teams have done a better job of collecting dynamic talent at the wide receiver position in recent years than the Seahawks, and if Geno Smith is able to build on a stellar 2022 campaign, this is going to be a team to watch in 2023.

Seattle has clearly prioritized explosiveness at receiver, selecting dynamic former Ohio State Buckeye Jaxon Smith-Jjigba in the first round of April’s draft, after already boasting Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. The pair of Seattle veterans combined for 2,081 yards with 15 touchdowns last season. Throw in Kenneth Walker dashing to a 1,050-yard and 9-touchdown campaign, and this offense is nightmare fuel for opposing defensive coordinators.

7) Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys‘ season ended with a whimper in San Francisco, one of the more bizarre play designs you’ll ever see, on the final play of the NFC Divisional Playoff Game. But, thanks to some marquee additions, Dallas aims to light up the scoreboard and dictate to opposing defenses in 2023.

Dallas stole Brandin Cooks for a song (a fifth-round pick, in a trade with the Houston Texans), and the savvy speedster could be an ideal complement to CeeDee Lamb the Cowboys lacked last season. Meanwhile, Tony Pollard taking on an expanded role in the backfield alongside reliable veteran Ronald Jones should create opportunities for more explosive runs.

Last season, Pollard had 31 explosive runs. If he can return to form following a fractured fibula, it will give the Cowboys’ offense a major boost.

8) New York Jets

On paper, the Jets have all the trappings of an offense that could emerge as one of the league’s most explosive; Aaron Rodgers’ arrival at quarterback, Garrett Wilson blossoming in his second NFL season, Breece Hall returning from a torn ACL … But, some inside the league are skeptical that this team is ready to take flight.

“Are we wholly sure the Jets will be that explosive,” an AFC South Scout told Heavy. “Aaron isn’t known for taking risks downfield, which is where the explosive plays come from, and Hall is coming off an ACL. Aaron may be the most risk-averse great quarterback out there.”

To the scout’s point, Rodgers finished 2022 ranked 18th in the NFL in Air Yards per Attempt, averaging just 3.9, and it remains to be seen if Hall can return to his dynamic form immediately post-injury. The Jets will undoubtedly be better, might compete for a playoff berth — or more, but it remains to be seen if the hype around this offense being more explosive is merited.

9) Los Angeles Chargers

Will this be the season, with Kellen Moore arriving as offensive coordinator, that Justin Herbert leads the Chargers on a charge to the upper echelon of the AFC?

Los Angeles certainly has the weapons; first-round pick Quentin Johnston rounds out an embarrassment of riches at receiver, alongside Mike Williams (14.2 Yards per Reception) and Keenan Allen (11.8 Yards per reception), with touchdown-maker Austin Ekeler in the backfield.

Giving Herbert, and his mammoth arm, more weapons is a sound strategy. Versatility in target share should help this offense light up the scoreboard in 2023.

10) Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens took care of Lamar Jackson this offseason, and not just by making him the highest-paid quarterback in league history.

Baltimore made a big splash by signing veteran field-stretcher Odell Beckham Jr. and also drafted speedster Zay Flowers, who averaged 15.3 Yards per Reception over the course of his collegiate career at Boston College. While Mark Andrews remains, as a prolific red-zone weapon and security blanket over the middle for Jackson, added speed on the perimeter should allow Jackson to take advantage of the deep ball more often in 2023.

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Early summer is a time when hope springs eternal for NFL teams, and players, alike, as minicamps wind down and the grind of training camp and the upcoming season await with much optimism and promise. It’s also the perfect time to project out which players will shine the brightest in the fall.

Projecting which players will wind up as a First-Team All-Pro can be a daunting task, but easy all at once, by simply placing the name of the best player at his position the prior season into your projected list for the next one.

But, in order to make things a bit more interesting, to shine the spotlight a little brighter on some of the stars of the game that are knocking on the doorstep of reaching “elite’ status, we opted instead to make the list of players most likely to become a First-Team All-Pro selection for the first time.

Here are our selections:

QB: Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

Hurts very nearly stole the MVP and a first-team All-Pro slot from Patrick Mahomes last season, but the stage seems set for the 24-year-old to make another significant stride in his development. Given that this will be Hurts’ second season throwing to dynamic receiver A.J. Brown, as well as DeVonta Smith’s third NFL season (when receivers typically begin to peak), all of the pieces are in place for Hurts to take his game and the Eagles’ outlook to new heights.

RB: Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns

Chubb was a Second-Team All-Pro in 2022, and he’s one of the most feared backs in the game. The combination of the Browns‘ run-based scheme, an offensive line that can make a strong claim as one of the two best in the league, and Chubb’s ferocious running style give the 27-year-old a great chance to make the varsity squad in 2023.

RB: Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons

Running back might be the easiest position to make the leap to first-team All-Pro as a rookie. Especially when a rookie running back can expect the kind of workload Robinson can in Atlanta, combined with his explosiveness as a runner and versatility as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. If Robinson’s 104 forced missed tackles and 1,o71 yards after contact from last season at the University of Texas translate to the NFL, look out.

WR: A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

Not only was A.J. Brown a touchdown-maker, catching a career-high 11 in his first season in Philadelphia, he was a monster averaging 6.4 Yards After the Catch per Reception. If that was Brown’s introduction to the Eagles‘ offense, imagine how much more prolific he’ll be in a second season as Hurts’ favorite target.

WR: Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals

Chase was a second-team All-Pro selection in 2021, but each year the dynamic receiver’s chemistry seems to strengthen with quarterback Joe Burrow. Injuries limited Chase to just 12 games last season, yet he still produced 1,046 receiving yards with nine touchdowns. Given that Chase averaged 4.8 Yards after The Catch per Reception, just imagine how productive he’ll be if he can stay on the field for the entire 2023 campaign.

WR: Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

One might think that the addition of a speedster like Tyreek Hill on the other side might limit the production of a player like Waddle, but that’s not exactly how 2022 played out. Sure, Waddle only caught 75 passes (down from 104 in 2022), but his yards per catch average nearly doubled to an eye-popping 18.1. Waddle’s speed gives him the ability to take the top off a defense. Playing opposite Hill creates space. Don’t be surprised if Waddle finds a way to build on last season’s 1,356-yard and 8-touchdown outburst.

TE: T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings

Hockenson was an absolute revelation to the Vikings‘ offense, after arriving in a midseason trade. The 25-year-old caught 60 passes for 519 yards with 3 touchdowns during the final 10 games of the season. With Justin Jefferson flying down the perimeter, expect there to be plenty of room for Hockenson to operate underneath, and plenty of check down targets from Kirk Cousins for him to rack up yards and touchdowns this season.

LT: Andrew Thomas, New York Giants

Andrew Thomas is one of the ascending stars along the offensive line, and the trajectory of his career has been ticking upward the past two seasons, in a big way. A Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2022, Thomas only allowed three sacks and continued to emerge as a stalwart along the Giants’ offensive line.

RT: Kaleb McGary, Atlanta Falcons

McGary is a dominant presence along the line of scrimmage, and one of the Falcons’ building blocks on offense. Last season, McGary was Pro Football Focus’ No. 3 highest-rated offensive tackle, with an 86.6 overall grade. The addition of Robinson in the backfield will give McGary even more opportunities to showcase his ability as a lead-blocker in the running game, where he posted the highest run-blocking grade of anyone not named Trent Williams, at 91.6.

LG: Joe Thuney, Kansas City Chiefs

Joe Thuney has been a stalwart of consistency throughout his career, and he has elevated his game to new heights since arriving in Kansas City in 2021. Last season, Thuney was instrumental in keeping Mahomes upright, allowing only one sack and 15 total pressures. That kind of consistency up front makes it easy for a freelancer like Mahomes to create big-play opportunities.

RG: Teven Jenkins, Chicago Bears

Teven Jenkins is a road grader up front in the running game, a tactician in pass protection, and one of the anchors of the Chicago Bears‘ offensive line. Last season, Jenkins only allowed 2.0 sacks and 12 quarterback pressures. He’s already on the cusp of breaking through as an All-Pro, and if the Bears’ offense makes major strides, this could be his season to crack the list.

C: Creed Humphrey, Kansas City Chiefs

Creed Humphrey is the most consistently dominant young center in this league. Full stop. Humphrey is a complete mauler as a run-blocker, producing an elite 91.1 run-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus, and a stonewall in pass protection, where he didn’t allow a single sack last season, with just one surrendered through the first two seasons of his career. Maybe more impressive than the fact that Humphrey allowed just 21, quarterback hits is that he was flagged for only 4 penalties in 1,138 snaps in 2022. Humphrey is an ascending talent and perhaps next in line to be a permanent All-Pro fixture.

EDGE: Maxx Crosby, Las Vegas Raiders

There are few pass-rushers who strike as much fear in opposing offensive tackles as Maxx Crosby does when he’s flying off the edge. It is almost unfair that a player has that much burst and that much speed, flying off the corner. Beyond freakish athleticism, Crosby’s productivity speaks for itself; 15.0 sacks, 81 total pressures, 4 forced fumbles, and 70 tackles in 2022 as the centerpiece of the Raiders‘ defense. Given the exotic blitz packages defensive coordinator Patrick Graham is accustomed to drawing up, don’t be surprised if even those numbers from Crosby take a big jump in 2023.

EDGE: Montez Sweat, Washington Commanders

Montez Swat is borderline unblockable off the edge, where he produced 8.0 sacks and 63 total pressures as the centerpiece of the Commanders’ front-seven in 2022. What makes Sweat special is that he’s one of the more dominant run-stopping edge players in the game, on top of being a game-wrecker when rushing the passer. Sweat is one of the more complete players at his position, and if he continues his upward trajectory, could find himself on All-Pro lists this season.

DL: D.J. Reader, Cincinnati Bengals

Injuries limited D.J. Reader’s production last season, he missed six games due to a knee injury while finishing with 27 tackles and 1.0 sack, but don’t let those numbers fool you into thinking this isn’t one of the top players at his position. Reader is a matchup nightmare, a dominant interior pass-rusher, and as steady as they come against the run. If Reader can stay on the field all season, 2023 could be the year he solidifies his place among the elite of the position.

DL: Dexter Lawrence, New York Giants

Few humans walking the earth can move with the speed and burst that Dexter Lawrence shows on each snap, at a mammoth 6-foot-4 and 342 pounds. Not only does Lawrence take up boatloads of space against the run, but his 9.0 sacks and 63 total pressures are absolute game-wreckers up the middle for opposing quarterbacks. Lawrence was a Second-Team All-Pro selection in 2022, and playing another season in coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale’s scheme should create even more opportunities for Lawrence to destroy things up the middle. If he does, well, etch his name on the First-Team list this season.

LB: Tremaine Edmunds, Chicago Bears

Edmunds arrives in Chicago coming off the most dominant season of his prolific career. Once again surpassing 100 total tackles, Edmunds produced a team-high 101, while holding opposing quarterbacks to a passer rating of just 87.1. All that, only to leave Buffalo without a contract extension. Given Edmunds’ productivity, his talent, and the added motivation that comes with being spurned by your former team, expect big things from the centerpiece of the Bears’ revamped defense in 2023.

LB: Devin Lloyd, Jacksonville Jaguars

Lloyd didn’t waste any time throwing his weight around, as a rookie in the Jaguars’ linebacker corps last season. The Utah alum’s three interceptions led all linebackers, and he was consistently around the football, carding 110 total tackles. If Lloyd builds on his stellar rookie season, don’t be surprised to find him on this list by year’s end.

LB: Dre Greenlaw, San Francisco 49ers

A strong case can be made that each member of the 49ers’ front-seven could wind up an All-Pro, but Greenlaw should benefit more than most from Javon Hargrave’s arrival. Last season Greenlaw had 127 tackles and was just a brick wall against the run. Expect that to continue in 2023.

CB: Charvarius Ward, San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers boast one of the most talented defenses in the league, and the best defensive back on the roster might be Charvarius Ward, who is criminally underrated outside the Bay Area. Opposing quarterbacks managed only an 88.2 passer rating when targeting Ward last season, and receivers had little room to operate, averaging just 11 yards per catch. Given the combination of the 49ers’ ferocious front-seven and Ward’s prowess in man coverage, the stage could be set for the 27-year-old to have a career year in 2023.

CB: Asante Samuel Jr., Los Angeles Chargers

Entering his third season, Samuel Jr. hasn’t just already proven himself to be a legitimate ballhawk, but he continues to get better. Quarterbacks rarely targeted Samuel Jr. last season, and when they did, they managed a meager 97.6 passer rating on those throws. Samuel Jr. already etched his name in the record books, becoming the first player to pull down three interceptions in his playoff debut. If Samuel builds on a stellar finish to 2022, there’s a good chance he finishes 2023 as an All-Pro.

S: Kyle Hamilton, Baltimore Ravens

Hamilton is as versatile as they come at safety, and aims to build on a prolific rookie season, that was capped by him leading the Ravens’ defense with 9.0 tackles in a Wild Card loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Not only does Hamilton thrive in coverage, where he played both deep safety and in the slot while holding opposing receivers to only 9.9 Yards per Reception, but he’s a real weapon up near the line of scrimmage. Hamilton’s 2.0 sacks and 20 run-stops underscore his value at all levels of the Ravens’ defense.

S: Antoine Winfield Jr., Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Winfield Jr. is an ascending talent at the safety position, who could see more opportunities to create turnovers as head coach Todd Bowles dials up the pressure via the blitz this season. Moving to free safety this season could create more opportunities for Winfield to flash in coverage, where he held opposing receivers to just 10.5 Yards per Reception in 2022. If the Buccaneers’ defense bounces back, and Winfield plays a starring role, don’t be surprised when he winds up being an impact player this season.

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Elliott is 27 years old and his best days are likely behind him. He plowed his way for a dozen touchdowns last season with the Cowboys but he rushed for a career-low 876 yards and managed just 3.8 yards per carry.

Elliott’s options are limited but the Cleveland Browns and Los Angeles Chargers have been dubbed as the “most likely landing spots” for his services, per Robert Gullo of Sportskeeda.

“A league insider told Sportskeeda that the most likely landing spots for Ezekiel Elliott are either the Cleveland Browns or the Los Angeles Chargers,” Gullo reported on May 15.

The Chargers are an interesting spot for Elliott, who has a link to the team due to his relationship with offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, who departed Dallas this offseason as well.

“The fact that his former offensive coordinator in Dallas, Kellen Moore, is now running the entire offense with the Chargers makes a lot of sense,” the source told Sportskeeda. “Elliott, paired with Chargers starting running back Austin Ekeler, would give the Chargers arguably one of the most lethal running back tandems in all of football — one that would feature elusiveness, power and speed.”

Ezekiel Elliott Has Also Been Linked to Buccaneers

GettyFormer Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.

Another team that has been mentioned as a suitor for Elliott is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler pointed out the Bucs as a potential new home for Elliott, as did Buccaneers beat reporter Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

“What they really could use is a short-yardage guy and a guy that has the veteran experience,” Stroud said on a radio hit. “When you think about what [Elliott] is now, he can do everything. He’s a ferocious blocker, he’s good in short yardage, and his numbers are down simply because he’s not going to get the carries and the attempts, but he still had 12 touchdowns last year.”

Elliott’s former running back coach, Skip Peete, is now a member of the coaching staff in Tampa Bay and had some interesting thoughts about Elliott’s free agency.

“I think that’s part of the reason he’s sitting out there,” Peete said, via Tampa Bay Times. “If you’re going to play, I mean, you’re going to be the second and third guy. That’s kind of what the price is. So. that’s something that a person has to be able to see that that is what it is going to be.”

Cowboys Still Open to Ezekiel Elliott Reunion

The Cowboys have left the door open on a reunion with Elliott, although it was come with a pretty significant pay cut. Dallas drafted Deuce Vaughn and signed veteran Ronald Jones but could still use a reliable short-yardage grinder.

Plus, Elliott is a favorite in the locker room, with quarterback Dak Prescott openly advocating for his return.

“I am excited for where he’s going in the future,” Prescott said in April. “Whatever team gets him is gonna be lucky. Hopefully he comes back here.”

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The Cowboys parted ways with Elliott on March 15 in a cap-saving move, bringing an end to his seven-season tenure with the team. It was a decorated one, with Elliott earning two rushing titles and a trio of Pro Bowl selections.

Elliott — who is 27 with some wear and tear — hasn’t had much interest as a free agent but the Browns and Chargers have been dubbed as the “most likely landing spots” for his services, per Robert Gullo of Sportskeeda.

“A league insider told Sportskeeda that the most likely landing spots for Ezekiel Elliott are either the Cleveland Browns or the Los Angeles Chargers,” Gullo reported on May 15.

Chargers More Logical Home for Ezekiel Elliott Than Browns

GettyFormer Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott walks off the field after an NFL game.

The Chargers seem like a more logical destination than the Browns, who have Nick Chubb as their primary back. A veteran backup would be nice but Cleveland is looking for someone who could make more of an impact in the passing game.

At this point in his career, Elliott is more of a short-yardage specialist, scoring 12 touchdowns for the Cowboys last season. Outside of that, Elliott’s numbers were rough. He is coming off a year where he rushed for a career-low 876 yards and managed just 3.8 yards per carry.

The Chargers hired former Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore this offseason, which gives Elliott a clear link to the team.

“The fact that his former offensive coordinator in Dallas, Kellen Moore, is now running the entire offense with the Chargers makes a lot of sense,” the source told Sportskeeda. “Elliott, paired with Chargers starting running back Austin Ekeler, would give the Chargers arguably one of the most lethal running back tandems in all of football – one that would feature elusiveness, power and speed.”

The issue with Elliott could be his price tag. He was one of the highest-paid running backs in the league during his time in Dallas but Elliott will have to take on a smaller role and salary at his next stop. His former running backs coach Skip Peete — now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — pointed to that when discussing Elliott’s future.

“I think that’s part of the reason he’s sitting out there,” Peete said, via Tampa Bay Times. “If you’re going to play, I mean, you’re going to be the second and third guy. That’s kind of what the price is. So. that’s something that a person has to be able to see that that is what it is going to be.”

Browns Haven’t Shut Door on Kareem Hunt Reunion

The Browns could turn to a familiar face in their search for a veteran back with Kareem Hunt. His previous season didn’t go as planned with the Browns but coming back on a cheap deal and teaming up with Nick Chubb could be among his best options.

Hunt finished last season with 468 yards on 123 carries, averaging 3.8 yards per carry.

Cleveland has not completely shut the door on a reunion, although it comes down to how much the team feels he could contribute after a down season.

“I don’t know that we’ve necessarily shut the door on anything,” Browns GM Andrew Berry said in May when asked directly about Hunt. “Look, we’re not playing games until September, so we’ll remain open-minded to anything that can help the team.”

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Jackson is coming off a down year with the Detroit Lions but has served as a solid backup in the past with the Los Angeles Chargers. He has 1,210 yards on 248 carries, giving him a stellar 4.9 per carry average.

The Browns have been in contact with Jackson, per Noah Schaefer.

“The Browns have been in contact with long-time Chargers and former Lions free agent running back Justin Jackson,” Schaefer tweeted. “The career backup has never eclipsed 500 yards, but has a career average of 4.9 yards per carry and is exceptional in the passing game.”

The report was corroborated by Brad Stainbrook of the Orange and Brown Report, who previously had tweeted that the Browns were investigating their options for a backup running back.

“This is correct. One of many options the team is considering,” Stainbrook tweeted.

Kareem Hunt Among Veteran Options For Browns

The Browns have some options in terms of veteran free agent options, although a notable name the Cleveland could bring on is a familiar one in Kareem Hunt. He spent the last four seasons with the Browns, although his final one was rough.

He gained just 468 yards on 123 carries in 2022. His per carry average also declined to 3.8 yards, which was the lowest in his career. Additionally, he received fewer opportunities as the season progressed, with the team leaning heavier on Nick Chubb.

Browns general manager Andrew Berry was asked about reuniting with Hunt and didn’t shut down the idea.

“I don’t know that we’ve necessarily shut the door on anything,” Berry said when asked specifically about Hunt. “Look, we’re not playing games until September, so we’ll remain open-minded to anything that can help the team.”

Berry was also very complimentary of the running backs the team has on the roster now, most notably Chubb.

“We like the room that we have, obviously, Nick leads it. Pleased with Jerome’s (Ford) progress over the last year,” Berry said. “John Kelly, [Nate] McCreary, Demetric (Felton), taking reps there.”

Browns Wanting to Create Competition at Every Position

GettyJerome Ford of the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns seem willing to give Ford an expanded role in the offense but they’re also not ready to just hand it over. Bringing in a veteran with a respectable resume would create some much-needed competition in the backfield, which has been a focus for Berry and Co.

“Well, hopefully, we have taken a big step there,” Berry said after the draft. “I mean, I think any player that you bring into the organization, whether it’s through draft, whether it through free agency, whether it’s through a trade or some other means, you are hopeful that you can easier raise the floor and/or ceiling a position group.”

The Browns did not draft a running back but did sign undrafted free agent Hassan Hall. He notched 521 yards last season as the lead back with Georgia Tech. He also caught 28 passes for 165 yards.

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The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and Yardbarker both project the Bucs to take North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye in the 2024 draft. Brugler compares Maye to Los Angeles Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert.

For now, the Bucs decided to roll with a quarterback competition between Baker Mayfield and Kyle Trask. The Bucs also signed former Southeastern quarterback Kaylan Wiggins as an undrafted free agent according to KPRC’s Aaron Wilson.

“The Bucs opted not to go to the well in the 2023 quarterback class, though that could pay off if they struggle this season,” Yardbarker’s Seth Trachtman wrote. “Maye had a breakout season as Sam Howell’s replacement at UNC with 4,321 yards passing and 38 touchdowns, plus nearly 700 yards on the ground. He’d be a great consolation prize if the Bucs cannot land Caleb Williams.”

Any team hoping to acquire the Heisman Trophy-winning USC quarterback would likely need the No. 1 pick. Williams arguably would have gone No. 1 in this year’s draft, too.

Brugler wrote that Maye “jumped near the top of the list” with his play last season. The 6-foot-5, 220-pound signal-caller could fill the Bucs’ void left by Tom Brady if the team can land a top-four draft spot either through a poor 2023 record or a trade.

Drake Maye Draws Justin Herbert Comparisons

As Maye becomes a better-known name in NFL circles, he compares to at least one notable Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback.

“With his size, arm and athleticism, he has skills comparable to those of Justin Herbert,” Brugler wrote.

Herbert has been a sensation in three seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers amid 14,089 yards passing and 94 touchdowns versus 35 interceptions. A 6-foot-6, 250-pound quarterback, Herbert has also been a mobile threat at times with 683 yards rushing and eight touchdowns.

Bucs Not Set to Sink for 2024 Draft

This year’s Bucs don’t look poised to tank.

Bucs general manager Jason Licht re-signed key players despite salary cap constraints, and many of the Bucs’ 2022 struggles stemmed from a banged up offensive line. The Bucs also addressed needs in the NFL Draft last week.

Tampa Bay added a key offensive lineman in former North Dakota State standout Cody Mauch via the draft, and the Bucs will have center Ryan Jensen back healthy. The Bucs also boosted the pass rush with the selection of former Pittsburgh standout Calijah Kancey at defensive tackle, which could help Bucs nose tackle Vita Vea up front. Former Louisville defensive end YaYa Diaby, taken in the third round, could also help up front.

Bucs head coach Todd Bowles hired offensive coordinator Dave Canales to revamp the offense, and Canales has a dangerous receiver tandem in Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to work with. The Bucs also added running back Chase Edmonds in free agency to compliment potential No. 1 running back Rachaad White, who had a promising rookie season in 2022.

While Mayfield nor Trask will be mistaken for Brady, the Bucs could find a way to stay competitive in 2023. WDAE’s Nick Wize pointed out that Mayfield, at least, adds one dimension to the offense that Brady didn’t offer in 2022 — quickness.

“I’m not saying Baker Mayfield is better than Tom Brady but I think having his mobility helps this offensive line,” Wize said.

The Bucs also play in an NFC South division that has three other re-tooled squads that finished below .500 in 2022. Two of those teams will likely start a first or second-year quarterback, and New Orleans Saints Derek Carr hasn’t ever led a team to a division title in his career.

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Even with wounds being fresh from him getting released, it hasn’t soured his good memories with the team. Perhaps the best memory Carr has came during Week 18 of the 2021 season. With a playoff appearance on the line, the Raiders hosted the rival Los Angeles Chargers. In one of the most competitive games of the season, Las Vegas pulled off a win in overtime that sent the Chargers home and the Raiders to the playoffs.

It was arguably the biggest game of Carr’s career and he was able to call the final timeout that effectively ended the Chargers’ season. Carr is now a member of the New Orleans Saints and no longer a reason to hate Los Angeles. That’s not going to stop him from trolling the team. According to The Collectibles Guru, Carr was accidentally sent a Justin Herbert card that was meant to be signed by the young quarterback. Instead of sending it back, Carr decided to sign it himself with the score and date of the 2021 Week 18 game. It was one last shot at the Chargers for the quarterback as he leaves for the NFC South.

Carr Admits That It’s His Signature

Faking Carr’s signature wouldn’t be a hard thing to pull off but there’s no reason to speculate if he actually did it. The quarterback admitted that he was the one to send the card back but he was surprised that the card was put in a pack.

“OK. … There had been a couple times where I’ll get 1 card out of … a lot of cards … that is someone else or whatever,” Carr wrote in an Instagram comment. “Sometimes I’ll just send it back on top. Sometimes I’ll try and sign that person’s signature but screw up so bad it could never be used. I do it to make whoever opens these boxes up laugh. This one popped up and I signed it like that to make whoever opened it laugh. I thought it would be a good joke between me and the person I’ll never meet. They are savages for putting it in a pack though.”

Carr Will Have to Get Used to New Rivals

The Raiders are one of the most historic franchises in the NFL and have some of the longest-standing rivalries in the sport. Carr has spent almost a decade hating the Chargers, Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. He’s now going to the Saints and won’t be seeing the same teams twice a year.

However, the Saints have their own historic rivalries. Carr will need to learn to hate the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers. It shouldn’t take long for the quarterback to adjust as the rivalries in the NFC South can get heated. Luckily, none of those teams have a history of success that is strong as the teams in the AFC West so Carr should have an easier time getting wins over rivals.

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Dallas has put a focus on re-signing defensive names this offseason, with role players like linebacker Leighton Vander Esch returning on a multi-year deal. The team introduced a new face through cornerback Stephon Gilmore, and they could still add another.

Enter Bryce Callahan. The former Los Angeles Chargers corner is still without a team in free agency, and B/R’s David Kenyon estimates that the 31-year-old will probably make just $1.8 million on his next deal.

“Callahan emerged as one of the NFL’s top slot corners while a member of the Chicago Bears. His defensive coordinator at the time was Vic Fangio, who Callahan followed to Denver in 2019,” Kenyon explains.

While he believes the Miami Dolphins are a natural fit, the Cowboys are trying to figure out their own slot corner situation. There are rumblings that current slot CB Jourdan Lewis is on the outs, and other options like Kelvin Joseph and Nahshon Wright failed to seize opportunities in 2022.

At the estimated price, Callahan could be a game-changing addition as the Cowboys’ inside corner.

Bryce Callahan Stars for Chargers, Hits Free Agency

Entering the 2022 season, there were questions about Callahan’s durability and productivity as a 31-year-old corner. The previous season he had missed several games with the Denver Broncos and did not register an interception for the first time since 2016.

The Chargers picked him up anyways, and it paid dividends. Callahan established new career bests in several statistical categories for the AFC West franchise as they earned a Wild Card spot.

According to Pro Football Reference, the former Rice Owl notched six passes defended, matching the 2017 and 2018 seasons for the most in his career. He brought down three interceptions, eclipsing his previous season-best of 2.

The icing on the cake for Callahan was that he scored his first NFL touchdown in 2022. He also put up these numbers in 15 games, missing two contests through injury.

Why hasn’t Los Angeles brought him back? The Chargers are tight on cash and that’s likely kept them from re-signing Callahan but their loss is the Cowboys’ gain.

Cowboys Could Let Cornerback Go

The only way Callahan makes sense as a new addition is as an upgrade or replacement over one of the team’s down-the-depth-chart CBs. Trevon Diggs and Gilmore are nearly-guaranteed starters this upcoming season and Callahan is a slot corner anyways.

Recently, Heavy covered the possibility that the team could let Lewis walk. Blogging the Boys analyst Jess Haynie believes it hinges on if the team drafts a rookie corner, but getting Callahan for the right price would make the same sense.

According to Spotrac, Lewis is set to make $5.87 million after bonuses this season. Dallas could save $4.7 million (his base salary and roster bonus) by releasing him this offseason.

Lewis is a solid player, but the Cowboys can save somewhere close to $3 million by dropping Lewis and signing Callahan (if the projected contract is accurate.) That’s hard to turn down, especially for a team that has made an effort to open up the reserves this offseason.

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The Score’s NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported: “FA LB Drue Tranquill is signing a one-year deal with the Chiefs, sources tell @theScore. Tranquill comes off a career-year for the [Los Angeles] Chargers, amassing 144 tackles, 5.5 sacks and 4 PBUs.”

He added later that the contract is incentivized and could pay “up to $5 million,” noting that he was also told Tranquill “chose Kansas City over five other suitors.”

Drue Tranquill’s Contract Details Confirmed, Chiefs Gaining Experience at LB & Special Teams

The Athletic’s Nate Taylor confirmed Schultz’s reported contract details, providing a little bit more information.

“Can confirm Drue Tranquill has agreed to join the Chiefs [on] a 1-year deal worth $3 million that can maximize to $5 million through incentives, per source (@Schultz_Report 1st),” Taylor tweeted.

With this signing, KC supporters should expect experience at both linebacker and special teams. Before elevating into a full-time starting role in 2022, Tranquill was more of a rotational linebacker and core special teamer.

The former fourth-round pick out of Notre Dame started 16 games last year, but only started 11 over his first three NFL seasons according to Pro Football Reference. Schultz listed his “career-year” numbers above, but he left out that Tranquill also forced two turnovers (one fumble, one interception) in 2022.

The real appeal for this Kansas City coaching staff might be the 484 special teams snaps. The Chiefs struggled in this ST department with a lot of fresh faces in 2022, and like Justin Watson a year ago, Tranquill should be able to step right in and provide an immediate impact in multiple areas of the game.

Ex-Chargers’ Drue Tranquill Sends Message to Chiefs Kingdom Upon Signing

Tranquill also confirmed this news himself, sending a message to Chiefs Kingdom on Twitter.

“Hey there @Chiefs👋🏼,” he wrote, adding: “BIG TIME ENERGY ❤️🔥.”

As they typically do, KC supporters have already welcomed the former division rival into the kingdom with open arms — as Tranquill’s tweet has nearly 4,000 likes in an hour’s worth of time.

Drue Tranquill Signing Gives Chiefs 4 Solid Linebackers

On paper, it’ll be curious to see whether Tranquill starts for the Chiefs. Obviously, Nick Bolton and Willie Gay Jr. aren’t going anywhere.

Then you have a recent third-round draft pick in Leo Chenal as the current No. 3.

It could honestly be an open competition between Tranquill and Chenal this summer, with the loser being relegated to a backup role. The rookie struggled at times in year one, missing big tackles and having some difficulty picking up NFL offenses — but he also showed tenacity and promise.

Chenal finished with a pretty strong grade on Pro Football Focus (70.3) despite his growing pains, but did miss four tackles and allowed catches on all seven QB targets in pass coverage. He was credited with one sack off four quarterback pressures, along with 16 key defensive stops.

At the very least, Tranquill should push Chenal in training camp and make him better.

It’s fair to note that the Chiefs start two linebackers half the time anyway with L’Jarius Sneed or a third safety moving inside as a big nickel DB, so the winner of this LB3 job might not even get a full-time workload most weeks. Both will factor on special teams, however, and additional depth is never a bad thing considering KC chose not to tender veteran LB Darius Harris.

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First unveiled by The Athletic’s Chargers insider Daniel Popper on Monday, February 6, tight end Gerald Everett is among six notable options who are “most likely” going to be cap moves. His entire list of names by ranking are edge Khalil Mack, wide receiver Keenan Allen, cornerback Michael Davis, guard Matt Feiler, center Cory Lindsey and Everett.

But of the six, Popper says “I think Allen, Feiler and Everett are the most likely” to become cap cuts. And that’s when Rams analyst Cameron DaSilva of Rams Wire sprouted this idea:

“I bet Gerald Everett would look pretty good in a Rams uniform,” he reacted.

Gerald Everett Had Best Career Moments & Longest Tenure With the Rams

If Everett is officially out by the start of free agency on March 15, it will mean he’ll soon suit up for his third team in the last three seasons — plus third since his departure from the Rams in 2020.

But while inside the “Rams House,” Everett provided a true No. 2 tight end for Sean McVay and his offense opposite of Tyler Higbee. Here are notable accolades Everett hit while with the Rams:

• Delivered three seasons of averaging more than 10.2 yards per catch in his four years with the Rams — more than what he’s had in Seattle and with the Chargers per Pro Football Reference.
• While posting back-to-back four touchdown seasons after the Rams, he still has his most career touchdowns in McVay’s offense.
• Everett’s reception numbers increased each season from his rookie year before leaving for the Seahawks. And continued to build after.
• Lastly, Everett increased the number of catches good enough for first downs each season before his Rams departure.

From 2018 to 2020, Everett went on to catch 33, 37 and 41 receptions as the second tight end to “Big Rig Higs.” The Rams’ tight end production post-Everett? Kendall Blanton became the second-leading TE with just four receptions during the 2021 Super Bowl run. Brycen Hopkins was then the second-leading TE in catches with only seven as Higbee caught 72.

Gerald Everett Could Love New Offensive Situation With New Rams Coaches

If there’s two potential selling points that could persuade Everett to stay in L.A. but slide back over to the “Rams House,” it’s who McVay has brought in to help rejuvenate an offense that finished last in total yards.

For starters, Mike LaFleur is now handling the offensive coordinator reigns who not only produced top 10 passing offenses with the San Francisco 49ers, but helped oversee the first set of Pro Bowls for George Kittle. Then, on Sunday, February 5, Sports Illustrated NFL insider Albert Breer reported that McVay is adding former New England Patriots TE coach Brian Caley to the staff in the same position.

“Caley interviewed for OC jobs with the Pats, Jets and Texans, and had inquiries for other jobs, but saw the Rams as the best fit. Sean McVay adds a rising, young coach to his staff,” Breer posted.

Caley not only is a past Super Bowl winner with the Pats, but coached Rob Gronkowski to his final 1,000-yard season of ’17.

Of course, so much will depend on what kind of value Everett will have and how high demand teams will have for him. Again, the Chargers can save close to $5 million in cap space by letting him go. And the franchise is already dealing with the possibility of extending quarterback Justin Herbert — hence the thoughts of Everett being a potential cut candidate.

But at age 29 and his past success as a Ram, he’d provide a much-needed extra receiver at TE if lured back. And if Troy Hill can return to the Rams, perhaps the Rams can pull off something similar by turning to Everett.

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Following the Chargers’ playoff loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Bosa complained about the officiating and commented about how he was held much of the game without receiving any calls. Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby is another player who is frequently held but rarely gets a call to go his way. However, he prefers to keep his complaints to himself. He recently spoke about the lack of calls he gets and threw some major shade at Bosa in the process.

“Couple games ago, when f***ing dude had a meltdown and blaming the refs,” Crosby said on the January 31 episode of the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast. “And I see dudes blaming — ‘Oh, f***ing O-linemen hold all the time, refs don’t call it.’ Like, I’ll never be that guy, bro. S*** like that is so weak to me. You’re gonna get held. I know I get held all the time. You watch the Rams’ last drive against us. I was getting literally tackled, but I’m not gonna go and double down and go look like a little f***ing crybaby.”

The below clip contains NSFW language.

Crosby Not Happy About All-Pro Snub

Crosby and Bosa have very different backgrounds. The latter was a star at Ohio State and National Champion who was the No. 3 overall pick in 2016. Crosby was a fourth-round pick from a small school whose biggest achievement in college was being named First-team All-MAC. However, Crosby has already been named to more All-Pro teams than Bosa and likely should’ve had another selection this season.

Crosby was considered a shoo-in to at least make the second-team this year but the Assoicated Press decided that Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Haason Reddick was more deserving. The Raiders weren’t happy with the news and neither was Crosby.

“That s*** f***ing pissed me off,” Crosby said of getting snubbed from the All-Pro team. ” … It’s like anything else, bro. When I look at it, you have this own story in your head [that says] this is how it’s going to go: I want this, I want [this], I’m going to get this.”

Crosby Believes Draft Status Hurts Him

As noted earlier, players like Bosa who were highly-touted coming out of college get a bit more attention in the media than Crosby. He believes that’s a reason why he doesn’t get enough national respect as some other notable pass rushers.

“I feel like people on the outside world didn’t respect me, like, fully as like a Myles Garrett or a T.J. Watt just because they’re all first-round picks, they’re all top-10 guys, they’re all consistently ballers,” Crosby said. “So for me, going into this year, my attitude was like: ‘f*** that.’ Like, I’m that guy. Like, I’m going to be that guy.”

If Crosy keeps playing at an elite level, nobody will be able to ignore him.

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The Bears signed former Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver and return specialist Joe Reed to a reserve/future contract on Thursday, January 19, adding an experienced returner to the mix for next season along with more depth for their receiving room.

Reed — a 2020 fifth-round pick for the Chargers — has not played in a regular-season game since his rookie year, but he did see extended action as a kick returner in 11 games for the games with 21 career kick returns for 435 yards. The 25-year-old also showed flashes as a pass-catcher during the 2022 preseason despite missing the cut for the initial 53-man roster heading into the season.

The Bears don’t necessarily need a new return specialist for 2023 after Velus Jones Jr. showed signs of improvement toward the end of his rookie year, but Reed gives them someone to challenge Jones for the job in the offseason. They could also potentially test out Reed as a candidate to return punts next season with veteran Dante Pettis set to his free agency; although, Reed did not return punts in either college or L.A.

The Bears now have seven receivers signed to their 2023 offseason roster with Reed joining Daurice Fountain and Nsimba Webster as fellow futures signings. They also have Darnell Mooney, Chase Claypool, Equanimeous St. Brown and Jones due to return.

Reed Had Dynamic Career as Returner Coming Into NFL

Reed’s dynamic ability as a return specialist was the primary reason he received the attention that he did coming out of college. During his senior season at Virginia in 2019, he averaged 33.2 yards on 24 kickoff returns and took two of them to the house for touchdowns. His starring efforts earned him All-American status as well as the Jet Award, given to the top return specialist in college football each season.

Reed wasn’t just a one-hit wonder as a returner, either. He held down the role in all four of his seasons with the Cavaliers, fielding at least 24 kickoffs in each one and posting a career average of 28.7 yards per kickoff return. His consistency also included his ability to find the end zone, scoring a total of five touchdowns over his final three seasons.

While Reed hasn’t been able to achieve the same level of success at the NFL level, his background could be viewed as valuable in the eyes of a Bears team looking to improve their roster in just about every way they can heading into the 2023 season. Even if his signing amounts to nothing in the long run, he is exactly the type of low-cost, high-potential player the Bears should be gambling on at this point in their offseason.

Bears Could Add Another Returner in 2023 NFL Draft

Finding a new return specialist certainly isn’t a priority for the Bears in 2023. One of the main reasons they drafted Jones in the third round of last year’s NFL draft was the value he possessed as a return man, and even after a rookie season filled with mistakes and fumbles, there is little reason to think Jones won’t hold the role when next season starts.

That said, the Bears could add a few more options to the fray between now and then if they invest in either receivers, running backs or cornerbacks in the 2023 NFL draft. While it seems unlikely that Chicago would seek out a prospect specifically because of his abilities as a return man, it is often the way quicker, more agile players can fight for more playing time at their actual position. That’s how Khalil Herbert first made an impression with the Bears during his 2021 rookie season, and now he has worked his way into a position where he could be their No. 1 running back to start 2023.

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That’s now back-to-back 100-yard games for Akers, who delivered 118 yards in the Christmas romp of the Denver Broncos. But with the way Akers has been running and answering the bell for the Rams’ ground game, does this mean he’s adamant about carrying the load for the Rams in the future? Especially after Sean McVay told the media during the week of the game that he has no desire to trade Akers?

The McVay statement was brought up postgame for Akers. The running back, per Greg Beacham of the Associated Press, shared both his response and how he wants his Rams career to shake out.

“It made me feel good,” Akers said regarding McVay and the Rams wanting to keep him. “I would love to be a Ram for life. Definitely made me feel good.”

Akers Heavily Used in Loss

McVay and the Rams didn’t hesitate to feed their first pick from the 2020 NFL Draft: The first four plays to be exact.

It all became a prelude to a heavy usage day for Akers, especially when it came to the first play to start drives.

Akers gained back-to-back 8-yard runs to start the game. Quarterback Baker Mayfield even tried to hit a wide open Akers in the flat but the pass fell incomplete. But even after misfiring on that Akers check down attempt, Mayfied and the Rams still fed him the ball the next play for a 6-yard gain. But that opening drive ended with Mayfield getting sacked by former Ram Morgan Fox.

And in the second offensive possession, guess who got the ball to start? Akers — this time on a short 2-yarder. But on the sixth play of that drive, “Cam the Ram” found a crease on the left side of the Chargers and tacked on 42 yards — evading two tackle attempts before a third defender finally caught up to him:

That long scamper helped eventually set up a Matt Gay 23-yard field goal for the game’s first points and the only points of the opening quarter. The Rams still turned to Akers as the first offensive option in the third drive…this time touching the football three times on the six-play drive that led to a punt. The fourth drive was the first offensive possession that saw the Rams opt to throw on the opening play and not turn to Akers to start. And he still touched the football three times for 19 yards that ended with Malcolm Brown bursting through the middle on his 23-yard touchdown run.

In the end, the Rams only had three drives when Akers wasn’t the first option with the football in the possession’s first play. Akers acknowledged there has been a new emphasis on display for the offense with him as a big part of it.

“Just commitment to the run game,” Akers said to reporters after the loss. “I would say that’s the biggest thing. And being effective in the run game. I think it speaks for itself.”

And Akers welcomes the focus, saying “It’s the only thing I can do — make the most of my opportunities with the ball and without the ball.”

Akers Also Showed Unselfish Side

While most of the focus on Akers involves his running style and giving the Rams a ground grinder, he displayed an unselfish side without needing to carry the ball or go out for a pass.

Instead, he was seen protecting the passer. He didn’t just pick up blitzing safety Nasir Adderley, he drives him back and buries him behind right tackle Rob Havenstein:

Akers’ awareness gave Mayfield more clearance to hit Brycen Hopkins for a 21-yard strike.

It’s been quite the turnaround for Akers…who went from being away from the Rams for nearly a month following the October 9 Dallas Cowboys loss to being convinced he’s got more years left with the Rams. But Akers is simply responding to his renewed role with L.A.

“I’m just coming into work to go to work. I’m just playing football,” Akers said.

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With Joey Bosa being activated off of Injured Reserve, former Patriots running back Sony Michel has been released by the Los Angeles Chargers. Michel appeared in 10 games for the Chargers and tallied just 106 yards and zero touchdowns on 36 carries per Pro Football Reference, which is the worst season of his NFL career.

This is a significant drop off for Michel after being a member of the Super Bowl-winning Los Angeles Rams in 2021. Michel rushed for 845 yards and four touchdowns last season.

Playing for the New England Patriots Helped Sony Michel

Even though Michel was surprised when he was traded by the Patriots, he was still grateful for his time in New England.

“Being coached by Bill Belichick made me a better player, in terms of it taught me to be a professional,” Michel said. “Me coming into this league young, not really knowing much, being put into that system of doing your job, being a professional, it takes you a long way.”

Michel also touched upon learning how to prepare for games as a pro while in New England.

“The biggest thing that I learned there is preparation, the way you prepare,” he said. “And it comes in all aspects — off the field, on the field. What are you doing to be the best version of you? And that’s something that I learned there that I basically use the same tactics here.”

Bill O’Brien Could Help The New England Patriots

After a disappointing season for the Patriots offense, some changes need to be made. According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, New England’s owner Robert Kraft isn’t happy.

“My understanding is (Kraft has) made comments around the building that basically indicate he’s not happy with where the offensive coaching staff is right now, and I think that that could lead to shuffling at more than just the play-caller spot,” Breer said. “I mean, we could be talking about a new coordinator coming in with multiple new position coaches. I think there are several guys on the staff that are going to be reviewed after the year.”

If changes are to be made, a reasonable conclusion seems to be bringing back Bill O’Brien to coach the offense. Former Patriots quarterback Matt Cassel believes that O’Brien can get the best out of Jones.

“Mac Jones is clearly a competitor, and he’s said he wants to be “coached harder,” Cassel said. “Well, O’Brien worked with probably the most competitive quarterback I’ve ever been around in Tom Brady. There were times where O’Brien and Brady got into it on the sideline, where Brady showed his passion and O’Brien wasn’t afraid to give it right back.

“But at the end of the day, the role of any coach is to push you to become the best version of yourself,” he added. “And if Bill O’Brien can come in and achieve that — not just with Mac Jones, but with the entire offense — then that would obviously be a great thing. You never know how a plan goes until a coach walks into the building, and there are still plenty of unknowns. But it seems like O’Brien’s coaching style potentially could mesh well with Jones and his competitive nature.”

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Quarterback for the Colts, Nick Foles, attempted to connect on a short pass to Dulin in the open field down 7-0 late in the second quarter, when James, leading with the crown of his helmet, connected with Dulin in a hard blow and both tumbled to the turf. In the days following, head coaches for both teams went back and forth on who was to blame for the hit.

Colts, Chargers Head Coaches Go Back & Forth

In his post-game interview with the media, head coach of the Chargers Brandon Staley laid the blame for the hit on squarely on the Colts.

“It’s a play where they (the Colts) obviously laid the guy out in a tough position, which is their fault, not ours,” Staley said.

Unlike in college football, the NFL does not have an automatic ejection for a targeting penalty. According to the 2022 official rule book, for a tackle to warrant an ejection, if a player lowers his head and makes “forcible contact” with his helmet and the hit is determined to be egregious, it would warrant an ejection. Staley did not feel that the hit by James warranted one. Staley told the media that he believed James was trying to lean with his shoulder, not his helmet.

“We’ll have to look at it but I know what Derwin’s intentions are. I’ve seen him make a lot of tackles on plays just like that, and I know that his target was not above the neck. I know that.” Staley said.

Interim head coach for the Colts, Jeff Saturday, had a different view of the play, literally.

“It was right in front of me, and it definitely deserved an ejection,” Saturday said in his first comments in response to Staley “You can’t launch into a guy’s head, especially a guy who’s turned the other way and unprotected.” Saturday went on to say he flat out disagrees with Staley and that the ejection was more than warranted.

With opinions divided on intent and severity, both teams await a final ruling from the NFL. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, James is not facing a suspension. Though he will not miss the field for his hit, it is expected the NFL will go after James’ wallet. Pelissero went on to report that NFL insiders expect a fine to be levied.

Reactions From the Media

Across the league, NFL reporters also had a lot to say about the huge hit.

The hit on Dulin caused an audible gasp from the crowd at Lucas Oil Stadium. Troy Aikman, who was calling the game for ESPN, seemed stunned by the hit, and that is coming from someone who knows a thing or two about big hits. Aikman has famously claimed he does not even remember the 1994 NFC Championship game due to a concussion he sustained from a hard blow. Aikman called the tackle by James one of the biggest collisions he has ever seen.

Many across the NFL chimed in on the hit. Chris Sims of Pro Football Talk called the hit “illegal” and egregious.” ESPN reporter Ben Baby called that type of tackle an “automatic ejection.” NFL Network’s Steve Wyche said the hit on Dulin had many “shook.”

It didn’t take long after the play for it to be reviewed by head referee Clay Martin to determine that the play deserved an ejection. Colts’ receiver Dulin was taken off to the medical tent for a concussion evaluation and he also did not return to the game. After the contest, Dulin did let fans know he was okay in a tweet post-game where he said he was all good.

As of December 28, both players were still in the NFL’s concussion protocol.

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