Will The Jets' Approach To Extending Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner Complicate Negotiations?4/5/2025
 The New York Jets had the rare fortune of landing four talented players back in the 2022 NFL Draft, but with that comes important contract decisions to make this offseason. Their top two picks in receiver Garrett Wilson and cornerback Sauce Gardner will particularly command the most money, and rightfully so. Since the initial four year deal for 2022 first rounders expires after next year, their team can sign them to a long term deal, pick up their player option, or stand pat before next season. But while the Jets have indicated their desire to extend both players after the draft, that could complicate negotiations due to some of the recent deals for both positions.
Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner each deserve to be next in line among their position group for an extension. They are two of the team’s best homegrown players since being drafted in the first round of 2022. Going back to their first season, Wilson and Gardner made an immediate impact, becoming the fourth pair of teammates to win Rookie of the Year. Although the Jets have continued to disappoint as a team, Wilson and Gardner aren’t responsible for the frustration. Garrett Wilson has emerged into a reliable receiver with the ability to make game-changing plays. Despite playing with eight different quarterbacks, Wilson is a rising star at the position, notching over 1,000 yards in each of his first three seasons. He’s made catches that seem to defy physics and his ability to make players miss isn’t bad either. https://x.com/nyjets/status/1852180213070991793 Sauce Gardner has already established himself as a top three cornerback in the NFL. While he hasn’t picked off many passes, that’s mostly because quarterbacks are reluctant to throw his way. Gardner made first team all-pro appearances in his first two years which is a rare honor for a cornerback. Although he took a small step back in 2024, Gardner still figures to have a bright NFL future. https://x.com/NFL/status/1589363801190674432 Wilson and Gardner aren’t the only guys who the Jets should extend from their 2022 draft class. Jermaine Johnson and Breece Hall are also players worth negotiating with, but not before Wilson and Gardner get their money’s worth. If the new regime of head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey want to establish a winning culture, keeping two foundational pieces in Wilson and Gardner is a necessity. This past month, there have been multiple extensions for both positions that might impact the market for both positions. By waiting after the draft, the Jets will have to center their offers to Wilson and Gardner around some of the most recent deals. The Jets do have leverage when they negotiate with Wilson and Gardner having picked up their player options for at least another year. However, they shouldn’t let negotiations drag out to the point where tension emerges between the players and organization. A week ago, wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins were awarded four year extensions of $161 million and $115 million respectively. For the cornerback market, Jaycee Horn became the highest paid cornerback in NFL history while Derek Stingley owns the highest annual average and guaranteed salary for the position. Wilson is certainly not going to get the extension that Chase got. But for a less talented guy like Higgins to receive $115 million, gives Wilson more incentive to seek the same amount of money if not slightly more. An ideal extension would hover around $115 million to $120 million, with most of the money coming in the latter half of the extension. It can be risky to pay lots of money to a receiver, but this is a contract that can make Wilson and the Jets happy. Gardner’s extension would be a little more complicated as a result of the deals Stingley and Horn got. The Jets would’ve been better off extending him sooner because then they could’ve been the team to set the market for cornerbacks this offseason. He still deserves to be paid a similar amount of money but like Wilson, the Jets have additional needs to attend to. A deal for Gardner could revolve around what reigning Defensive Player of the Year Patrick Surtain got last year which was $96 million with $77 million guaranteed. He would also receive more money in the final two years of his extension which is similar to Surtain’s yearly salary. The Jets can afford to wait out future extensions. Wilson and Gardner are both on the team for at least two more years with the team picking up their options. However, they should be core pieces for the long term considering how well they’ve both played in three years. New York is in a good position to extend both of them, but it should’ve been earlier because they wouldn’t have to keep pace with the recent contracts. We will know soon if the Jets’ approach truly pays off.  The NFL playoffs begin this Saturday and the biggest question will be whether the Kansas City Chiefs go for a three-peat. After winning back-to-back Super Bowls, Kansas City looks destined to win the big game again, clinching home field advantage in the AFC with a 15-2 record. Their primary AFC challengers remain the same as the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens are right behind them in the standings.
In the NFC is where it gets interesting. The Detroit Lions were the class of the conference with a 15-2 record of their own. Their division features two other strong teams in the Vikings and Packers. Meanwhile, the Eagles managed to put last year's collapse behind them en route to a 14-win campaign. Other teams like the Rams look like a dark horse Super Bowl contender. Here are my playoff predictions. AFC Wildcard: #2 Bills over #7 Broncos The Bills are flying high and that is due to Josh Allen who is playing some of his most efficient, if not the best football of his career. They are going to be one step ahead of Denver the entire game. The Broncos' offense with rookie QB Bo Nix will be competitive, but an MVP-type performance from Allen seems likely. #3 Ravens over #6 Steelers It has been a December to remember for the Ravens as they won their last four to clinch the AFC North. They will keep up their momentum against a struggling Pittsburgh team who they beat three weeks ago. Lamar Jackson might have some hiccups but Derrick Henry will likely get lots of carries for plenty of yards. The defense will also contain Pittsburgh's dormant offense. #5 Chargers over #4 Texans The Chargers' successful turnaround season will continue in the playoff opener against the Texans. As much as Houston has struggled recently, I think they will actually put up a better fight than expected. However, the Chargers know how to play together under Jim Harbaugh. They won't make many mistakes like past teams, and Justin Herbert will notch his first playoff win. Divisional #1 Chiefs over #5 Chargers This is unfortunately where the Chargers' season will end. The Chiefs' team that needed the field goal bouncing off the uprights to win their last meeting, has played much better since. Patrick Mahomes has been the catalyst of an offense that's played very productive as of late. With Andy Reid fresh off a bye, their offense is in for a big day. #3 Ravens over #2 Bills I see Baltimore running a ball-control offense to keep Allen and co. off the field for extended periods of time. Jackson will be better through the air than the Steeler game, but Henry is going to add to his impressive playoff resume. Allen will put up a fight, but if the Ravens' streaky secondary plays like the talented unit it is, he won't have much help. Championship #3 Ravens over #1 Chiefs I'm very cautious of picking against the Chiefs, but I believe Baltimore can win based on how their offense looks now compared to the first meeting. Both Henry and Mark Andrews were under utilized but have since emerged as major focal points of the Ravens' offense. Their impact will make a significant difference. The Baltimore's defense will contain Mahomes just enough in the end to win. NFC Wildcard #2 Eagles over #7 Packers The Eagles are on a mission after last year's disastrous ending and the next step will take place against Green Bay. Their offense led by Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley won't be overpowering, but they will do just enough. Philadelphia's defense will be the difference. They're much improved from the last time they faced the Packers, which is bad news for Jordan Love. #6 Commanders over #3 Buccaneers This game is going to be a shootout between Jayden Daniels and Baker Mayfield. Both offenses can be unstoppable, but I see Daniels emerging victorious. He is bound to have more support from the defense and running game after single handily carrying Washington in the last two games he started and finished. Washington wins their first playoff game since 2005. #5 Vikings over #4 Rams The Vikings are going to pull this out in what might be a sloppy game. Their defense hasn't played its best football recently and going against a solid Rams' offense won't do them any favors. However, Sam Darnold has heard lots of criticism and he'll take his frustration out on the Rams. Los Angeles has had an unfortunate week having to relocate due to the fires. They'll play hard, but this is Darnold's game to lose. Divisional Round #1 Lions over #6 Commanders Detroit's high-powered offense will be too much for the Commanders. Jared Goff will feed receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams with plenty of targets against a flawed secondary. What makes Detroit's offense so potent is their ability to target their opponent's weakness. In this game, the passing offense will lead them to victory. #5 Vikings over #2 Eagles The Vikings will beat the Eagles in a game that I don't think will be that close. The Eagles may be talented, but they don't have the coaching Minnesota does. Kevin O'Connell will thoroughly out-coach Nick Sirianni, while Justin Jefferson has his way with a promising but young secondary. The defense will also force the Eagles to throw the ball a ton which isn't their strength. Championship #1 Lions over #5 Vikings For the third time this season, Detroit will emerge victorious against Minnesota. It won't be a blowout like the final week, but it also won't come down to the wire like week 7. Minnesota might start out strong but I see the Lions seizing all the momentum before halftime. Dan Campbell has additionally had this date circled for a long time after blowing a 17 point lead last year. He'll make all the right decisions this time around. Super Bowl #3 Ravens over #1 Lions Like 2012, the Ravens will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in the Superdome after the final whistle. Detroit's injuries on defense will be too much for the offense to overcome, as Jackson and Henry each go over 100 yards. Aiden Hutchson will provide inspiration assuming he returns from his leg injury in October, but the Lions are missing far too many other defensive contributors. Jackson will officially shed the label of under-performing in the playoffs, and give Baltimore its third championship.  Every NFL season, one division manages to distinguish itself from the other seven divisions. It may involve multiple teams with over 10 wins, or even three teams in the playoffs. This year, one division has accomplished both feats. The NFC North has ascended into football's toughest division with the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Green Bay Packers all notching at least 10 wins. They are not only the class of the division, but of the entire NFC as all three clinched a playoff spot well before the season’s end. This is how the NFC North, with the exception of the Bears, became the division no one wants to play.
For the Detroit Lions, their journey resulted from a head coaching change, a timely trade, and great drafting. Head coach Dan Campbell took over a team that was in need of a rebuild. Dealing longtime franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff and multiple first round picks emphasized the team’s objective towards a makeover. While the early results weren’t promising, the Lions are now regarded as a Super Bowl contender four years after hiring Campbell. Thanks to his aggressive and hard-nosed approach, the Lions have set a franchise record for the most wins in a season (14) with a shot at the NFC’s one seed. Goff has particularly been a focal point of the Lions’ rebuild. He went from possibly losing his job as a starter, to leading a juggernaut offense that involves playmakers like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery. This season has seen Goff unlock his true ceiling as the number one pick with career highs in almost every passing category. https://x.com/StBrownPodcast/status/1868739119788310628 While Goff may be Detroit’s most valuable player, they assembled the majority of their roster through draft picks. In almost every round, they hit on early picks such as Penei Sewell and Aiden Hutchenson, Day 2 choices in Brian Branch and Sam LaPorta, and even late round selections like St. Brown. Some of their homegrown talent can be attributed to extra draft capital the team got when they traded Stafford, but most of it is due to the organization’s tremendous talent evaluation. The Minnesota Vikings have been the most surprising team of this group. Unlike Detroit, Minnesota’s success has come through their free agents, with Sam Darnold being their most significant addition. Darnold - who was supposed to be a bridge quarterback while rookie JJ McCarthey developed - has emerged as this year’s feel-good story. After three different stops, Darnold has never looked more like the number three pick he was drafted as back in 2018. Darnold's connection with wide receiver Justin Jefferson has grown into one of the deadliest combinations. His play is a huge reason why the VIkings have overachieved with 14 wins. O'Connell especially deserves credit for Darnold's resurgence as he's solidified himself among the league's top coaches. https://x.com/NFL/status/1870981585404891470 Darnold is not the only newcomer to make a difference for Minnesota. The Vikings arguably had the best free agency with a solid portion of their contributors coming through free agency. Darnold and Jefferson have boosted Minnesota’s passing attack into one of the league’s elite, while free agent running back Aaron Jones has provided a complementary run-game. Defensively, free agents Andrew Van Ginkel and Johnathan Greenard have emerged as the newest Purple People Eaters. They’ve accounted for a combined 22 out of Minnesota’s 47 sacks in Brian Floras’ blitz-heavy scheme. Of the three teams leading the NFC North, Green Bay has remained a staple in the division. Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love have continued to build off a promising 2023 campaign. Love has continued to establish himself as Green Bay’s newest franchise quarterback after taking over for Aaron Rodgers last season. While he hasn't had a MVP caliber season like some expected, he has proceeded to keep the Packers in Super Bowl contention. His 25 touchdowns without a true number one receiver make for an efficient passing offense. However, most of Green Bay's offensive production has come through the running game, thanks to newly signed running back Josh Jacobs. The defense, which was once considered a weak link, has now turned into a brick wall. They’ve dramatically improved in both total and rushing yards allowed, along with turnovers. Both of these upgrades can be attributed to free agency. Signing running back Josh Jacobs and safety Xavier McKinney to big contracts were risky given they almost made the 2023 NFC Championship Game. I initially thought they would've been better off returning the same roster, but both of them have been gifts that keep on giving. Jacobs' power and agility are a perfect fit in LaFleur's run-heavy scheme. McKinney has helped turn Green Bay's defense into one of the stingiest units with seven interceptions. https://x.com/CoachDanCasey/status/1861110385945760167 It is highly surprising that one particular division is this good. This is the fifth straight year where three teams from the same division made the playoffs. It’s rare however that they’re all legitimate contenders. Every team’s point differential is above 120 which has never happened since the NFL’s division realignment in 2002. Winning the NFC this season will require going up North.  The New York Jets are in the midst of arguably their most disappointing season in franchise history. Getting back future hall of fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers from a season ending injury the previous year was supposed to wipe away years of frustration but this season has only added to the list. No matter what they've done, from changing coaches to trading for Davante Adams, nothing has worked. With three weeks until the season's conclusion, here's how the Jets can do to fix it.
While the best case scenario would be for owner Woody Johnson to sell the team, that is unlikely to happen. However, he can at least hire people who are capable of changing the culture. The first smart move is hiring a general manager who has a vision for the entire team. That general manager must get players who can fill in needs while maintaining strengths of the team. While acquiring star talent helps, they really just need guys who can install a winning mindset. DJ Reed and CJ Mosley are two examples of free agent signings who fit this criteria. For the draft, getting contributors in the later rounds is also a necessity. Joe Douglas did hit on some first round picks, but his only successful pick after the second round was cornerback Michael Carter. That’s a stark contrast compared to the Lions who have drafted multiple starters in the third round and beyond. In addition to the general manager, the Jets also need to hire the right head coach. A good coach can create a culture that will benefit the team on game days. There have certainly been disappointing players on the Jets, but it’s reasonable to believe that with all the talent, a better coaching staff would have them in the thick of the playoff picture. Slow starts, poor clock management, and penalties have caused the Jets to go 0-7 in games decided by six or less points. John Dorsey should be at the top of the list. He was the original architect of the Chiefs’ dynasty and helped set the Browns up to make the playoffs in 2020 and 2023. Right now he has been a voice upstairs for the Lions as their Senior Personnel Executive. There are also a few assistant general managers worth looking at. Ray Agnew has helped engineer major turnarounds with the Rams and Lions, while Mike Borgonzi helped reload the Chiefs roster en route to two Super Bowl Championships. For the head coaching search, the Jets need someone who will stay true to his approach even if it doesn’t initially work out. Dan Campbell, for instance, didn’t win a game for the Detroit Lions his first season until December. However, he never lost sight of his philosophy and now the Lions have the league’s best record. In order to win games, whoever the new coach is will have to convince some of the team’s young talent to stay. Many players such as Wilson, Sauce Gardner, Breece Hall, and Jermaine Johnson will have expiring contracts. At this rate, it’s hard for the Jets to convince them that better days are ahead with the continuous losing. Those are foundational pieces who a coach would want to build a team around. Mike Vrabel should be at the top of the list. His success with the Titans makes him appealing, but it’s his emphasis on accountability and toughness that can set a new tone for the team right away. Brian Flores is another veteran who won in his previous stop. Despite never making the playoffs with the Dolphins, his 24-17 career record after starting 0-8 his first year deserves attention. Whether he has changed following his harsh treatment of Tua Tagovailoa must be monitored. Former Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is also an intriguing option. He is 73, but if he’s interested in returning, the Jets should try to get him. Carroll gives them a Super Bowl-winning head coach, which they haven’t had since Bill Parcells. Other intriguing options do involve Lions assistants Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn though it would be risky for the Jets to turn to another unproven head coach. The Jets don’t have to look far to see what a good hire can do. The Chargers always had the reputation for finding new ways to lose but head coach Jim Harbaugh now has them as the front runners for a wild card spot. Even though it’s another sport the Jets can also look in local papers at how the Knicks turned from a laughingstock into contenders once they had the right leadership in place. It’s not like the new regime won’t have a good roster to work with either, as this roster has players capable of snapping the playoff drought. With the right hires, maybe Jet fans will be discussing the playoffs rather than draft picks.  The days before the NFL season continue to draw near. Teams are in the heart of training camp and with preseason games happening, it won't be long before the regular season. There will be plenty of teams going in with different expectations compared to last year. Some of that has to do with their performance last year, while other teams have made significant roster changes. Here are my boldest takes for the upcoming season.
1. The Texans Will Clinch The AFC's One Seed The Houston Texans were undoubtedly the most surprising team last year. After winning a combined 11 games from 2020-22, they went 10-7 which clinched a playoff spot and the AFC South. They then defeated the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card before falling in the divisional round to the Baltimore Ravens. First year Head Coach DeMeco Ryans and rookie quarterback CJ Stroud were most responsible for the turnaround. Stroud's rookie season is already regarded as one of the best of all time, as he won Offensive Rookie of the Year. However, he wasn't the only Texan to win a Rookie of the Year award. Defensive end Will Anderson won Defensive Rookie of the Year, making him and Stroud the fourth pair of teammates in NFL history to accomplish the feat. “With CJ, the thing that stood out from the skills standpoint is as we all saw him, he can put the ball anywhere he needs to in a very accurate manner,” Ryans said. “I think at that quarterback position when you have a calm demeanor and your teammates see that, it’s a confidence.” However, the Texans have not reached their full potential. Stroud, Anderson, and fellow third round receiver Tank Dell will continue to get better with more experience. They had a busy offseason fortifying their roster to compete for championship. On offense, they upgraded their running game with Joe Mixon and added Stefon Diggs to go along with Dell and Nico Collins. Houston also added to their defense with Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry, who have a combined 146.5 sacks, and linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair who played for Ryans’ defense with the San Francisco 49ers. This is a team that has all the assets to finish the season as the AFC's number one seed. If CJ Stroud elevates his game as expected, the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC could run through Houston. 2. The Atlanta Falcons Will Have A Top Five Offense While Houston exceeded expectations, the Atlanta Falcons have the foundation to become a juggernaut offensively. They used multiple top 10 draft picks on skill positions - Kyle Pitts, Drake London, and Bijan Robinson - who all showed potential but were held back by suspect coaching and mediocre quarterback play. However, there are two components that should change this. The first is hiring Los Angeles Rams’ defensive coordinator Raheem Morris as head coach. Although he comes from the defensive side, Morris brings in fellow offensive assistants from Sean McVay’s decorated system. The second is signing pro bowl quarterback Kirk Cousins in free agency. Cousins has always been a steady passer and was in the midst of a career year for the Minnesota Vikings before tearing his ACL in week eight. If he recovers, the Falcons could have something special. Only four quarterbacks have a higher all-time completion percentage with at least 1,500 pass attempts than Cousins. He is especially known to heavily target his best offensive weapons, which should certainly benefit both London and Pitts. https://x.com/BleacherReport/status/1733951294141022512 https://x.com/NFL/status/1738987647882920187 Meanwhile, Robinson’s effectiveness in a zone-schemed offense bodes well in a system that once revolutionized football with various zone-running concepts. A strong offensive line anchored by center Drew Dalman and guard Chris Lindstorm will additionally provide many rushing lanes for Robinson along with time for Cousins in the pocket. https://x.com/NFL/status/1703468457356882147 3. Kyle Hamilton Will Win Defensive Player of the Year According to most experts, Kyle Hamilton of the Baltimore Ravens is arguably the best safety going into 2024. Although he earned this reputation in his second year, odds of winning Defensive Player of the Year aren’t in Hamilton’s favor. Only five players at the position have ever won the award. However, it is fitting that Hamilton’s play style resembles the last safety to win the award, Troy Polamalu. Like Polamalu, Hamilton excels wherever he lines up whether it’s at safety, slot cornerback, or linebacker. According to Pro Football Focus, Hamilton lined up at safety 390 times, slot cornerback 465 times, and linebacker 205 times. He stuffed the stat sheet with 81 tackles, three sacks, 13 pass deflections which led all safeties, and four interceptions with one going for a touchdown. Hamilton’s versatility resulted in a pro bowl and first team all-pro selection. “When you have a player like Kyle Hamilton, who does so many things so well, you want to get him in position to do all of those things,” head coach John Harbaugh said. More importantly, Hamilton played a major role on a Ravens team that had the AFC’s best record. His breakout season was a huge reason why Baltimore’s defense allowed the fewest points in football. It’s rare for a safety to be a difference maker at multiple positions and with the Ravens primed to make another huge playoff run, it’s possible a safety finally wins the award. 4. The 49ers and Rams Will Meet in a NFC Championship Game Despite the San Francisco 49ers narrowly losing the Super Bowl and the Rams making the playoffs, there wasn’t much drama to the rivalry compared to other seasons. However, an encore of the 2021 NFC Championship game which ended in a 20-17 Rams’ victory could be on the table. The 49ers will be hungry to finish the job and they have the talent to get back to the big game. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan oversees a talented offense featuring an efficient passing game with Brock Purdy, and a top ranked rushing attack led by Christian McCaffrey. Defensively, Nick Bosa is a scary sight for any quarterback while Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw are as good of a linebacking duo as there is in the NFL. Chavarius Ward can match up against any number one receiver and a healthy Talanoa Hufanga will be valuable for the secondary. Meanwhile, the Rams enjoyed a resurgent season after experiencing a let down following their Super Bowl 56 win. Sean McVay’s passing attack was revitalized thanks to a fully healthy Matthew Stafford and the emergence of fifth round receiver Puka Nacua. Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp showed he was still capable of making an impact, and they also got a boost in the running game with Kyren Williams finishing third in rushing yards. While another championship meeting would feature new characters such as Purdy, McCaffrey, and Nacua, the stakes wouldn’t change. It would still produce a highly competitive and intense game between two old rivals.  This year’s NFL Draft featured a heavy dose of wide receivers and offensive lineman. With plenty of high prospects at both positions, only cornerbacks were a more highly coveted position than receivers and offensive tackles by the time the draft ended.
Throughout the first round, many teams went into the draft needing a receiver or an offensive tackle, one of the most important positions on the offensive line, going into the draft. While picking either position would’ve been understandable, it adds to the debate of whether general managers should draft skill positions or offensive lineman. On one hand, a team can’t function on offense without a group of players who can control the line of scrimmage. That being said, it’s important to have pass catchers in what has become a passing league. There is a valid argument for selecting either position, and it is worth looking at both sides. For offensive lineman, there is a better chance that selecting a lineman will be more beneficial in the long term. The career length of an offensive lineman is 3.75 years which is almost a full year above receivers who last 2.81 years, according to Statista. In addition, teams with a cornerstone offensive lineman will have more diversity on offense. They can effectively run the ball behind their all-pro tackle, something the San Francisco 49ers love doing with Trent Williams, or execute pass plays like the Dallas Cowboys. Teams can also afford to pass up a receiver, since they are usually talented options in the later rounds. The Los Angeles Chargers are one team that used this approach. Despite having a young star quarterback in Justin Herbert, they cut ties with most of their skill positions after a disappointing 5-12 season. In the first round, they selected all-world tackle Joe Alt from Notre Dame over drafting a receiver. Alt is arguably the most pro-ready prospect entering the draft, and is a perfect fit for a team that still wants to win now. He and fellow tackle Rashawn Slater will make it easier for Herbert to develop chemistry with his new receivers, such as Ladd McConkey and Brendan Rice who they later drafted. The New York Jets on the other hand, valued longevity up front when it came to their first round selection. Despite acquiring two established tackles in Tyrone Smith and Morgan Moses, they wanted more security at the position which led to them choosing Olu Fashanu from Penn State. Fashanu allowed one sack in his collegiate career, and although the Jets understandably want to win now with Aaron Rodgers turning 40 this December, he gives them a foundational piece in the long run. While it is important for teams to solidify their offensive line, there is also high demand for impact players at wide receivers. Many teams have become more pass-oriented over the years, and there is especially a need for playmakers after a year where the average points per game was second fewest in the last ten seasons. Teams are always looking for players who can be trusted by the quarterback, and in this year’s draft featured plenty of highly touted receivers such as Marvin Harrison Jr., Rome Odunze, and Malik Nabers who were all top 10 picks. One team that particularly set out to upgrade their skill positions were the New York Giants. They were in a position where selecting either an offensive lineman or receiver would have been understandable, but they decided to prioritize the need for reliable receivers with Malik Nabers. Nabers has a knack for explosive plays thanks to his route running, and ability to get yards after the catch. They hope Nabers can fill a void at receiver that has been present since the team traded Odell Beckham Jr. five years ago. In my opinion, it's more sustainable to draft an elite offensive lineman. There’s a better chance a team ends up with a valuable cornerstone whereas receivers are seen as replaceable. Some of the league’s most decorated lineman such as Lane Johnson, Zach Martin, and Trent Williams have played more seasons for the team that drafted them. Even some of today’s bright stars at offensive tackle such as Penei Sewell have recently earned a big payday with others such as Tristan Wirfs waiting in line. There is also less margin for error if a team drafts a wide receiver over an offensive lineman. The Cincinnati Bengals were criticized when they drafted Ja’Marr Chase over Sewell, and while Chase’s potent chemistry with Joe Burrow led to a Super Bowl appearance, the Bengals have routinely had to retool their offensive line every offseason. As for the Lions who did take Sewell, they still managed to find an all-pro receiver of their own with Amon-Ra St. Brown in the fourth round. More often than not, drafting an offensive lineman will leave a team with fewer questions and more answers.   In a span of four months, the New York Times sports section has been disbanded and Sports Illustrated magazine appears to be on the verge of shutting down. Both moves can primarily be attributed to the rise of digital media which has contributed to these radical changes. But while people - myself included - have utilized digital media, it is still shocking to see two highly established print publications drastically change their operations.
Back in July, the New York Times announced that The Athletic, a sports website they purchased the previous year, would replace their daily sports coverage. It was devastating news for a department that is one of the most prominent sports writing industries. Although The Times' coverage of sports has changed over the years, this move was mostly frowned upon by long time readers for many reasons. One of them is the fact that it came at the expense of the writers who have spent years working for the sports section, and were some of the best sports journalists in the country. A few well known writers for the sports section include Harvey Araton, George Vescay, and the late Dave Anderson. Now most of the writers have to seek alternate jobs such as covering the business side of sports instead of playoff games, or even work for a new company. Although I might have not read The Times’ sports section as long as other readers have, it was easy to appreciate the writers who made it possible to visualize their stories about great players or games. Even if their stories were about topics I was following, they might have presented a perspective of the story that I didn’t think about. I had the privilege of attending a New York Times sports writing class involving Harvey Araton and Ken Belson, who are two writers from the sports section. Hearing stories about their previous assignments were incredible, and it made me more interested in developing my writing. They taught me numerous skills such as different ways to begin a story, and being able to provide the entire picture even if all the information didn’t favor the topic. Their advice enabled me to improve my writing skills in the two weeks taking that class. Sports Illustrated magazine is another prominent print news outlet that is on the verge of shutting down. From 1954 to 2018, Sports Illustrated was known for coming out with a new magazine on a weekly basis. But because of more people beginning to read news off the internet, the magazine transitioned to publishing biweekly. By 2020, that frequency was reduced to a monthly basis where it remained that way until this year. Accusations that they were posting articles with artificial intelligence serving as fake authors also put a black eye on the company's reputation. While Arena Group, which owns Sports Illustrated, has stated their intentions to not disband Sports Illustrated magazine, it's difficult to see any future continuation of the iconic magazine. There are no bigger losers in these transactions than the writers from these publications and fans who read their articles. Reading Sports Illustrated magazine was a hobby I enjoyed for years. It was fun getting the chance to read an in-depth article about an athlete's impact on their team's reputation, or the season preview for football. Their covers were also intriguing because they gave you an idea of what the subject for their main story. However, that wouldn’t have been possible without their iconic images. Whether it was a triumphant Muhammad Ali standing over Sonny Liston, LeBron James in his St. Vincent-St. Mary high school uniform, or even the cover of Brandi Chastain above the story, you don’t get journalism presented like that online. The internet has certainly changed in the world of sports journalism, and it's understandable that some organizations would want to explore changes into how they operate for their content to better suit the public. However, sports journalism was initially presented through newspapers, and while I agree with trying to evolve news publishing, I don’t think it should come at the expense of completely abandoning the traditional methods. If two well-known companies could change their way of distributing sports coverage, it feels like every other sports journalism outlet is fair game. Maybe both publications will ultimately discover a way to bring back the print journalism that defined them for so many decades. For now, all those respected journalists and readers who enjoyed their work suffer from these decisions.  There is officially no debate that the NFL's newest dynasty now belongs to the Kansas City Chiefs. Led by head coach Andy Reid, quarterback Patrick Mahomes, and tight end Travis Kelce, they have appeared in four Super Bowls in the last five years, winning three of them. Kansas City additionally became the first team since the New England Patriots in 2003-2004 to win back-to-back Super Bowls.
They managed to do it the hard way as they went through more rough stretches than usual during the regular season. As a result, they had to play two road playoff games before facing a San Francisco 49ers team that gave them everything they had in hopes of avenging their Super Bowl 54 defeat. Yet it still wasn't enough as the Chiefs forced overtime and then proceeded to score on a Patrick Mahomes touchdown pass to Mecole Hardman after a 49ers' field goal to begin the extra period. Kansas City's victory now puts them in the same company as other great teams in NFL history such as Vince Lombardi's Green Bay Packers of the 60s, the 49ers of the 80s, and the dynasty they succeeded, the New England Patriots with Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Like all dynasties, the Chiefs possess a spectacular quarterback in Mahomes, but most dynasties usually have some unique aspect that made it great. This might include a tough defense, or a dominant run game. Here is what makes the Chiefs' stretch stand apart from the dynasties before them. The thing that makes the Chiefs' dynasty different is Reid's ability to utilize a creative style of play calling that doesn't resemble traditonal offensive schemes. With a heavy use of shotgun formation, run-pass-options, and pre-snap motion, the Chiefs have spent the last six years confusing opposing defenses. Their offense has allowed guys like Mahomes, Kelce, and former wide receiver Tyreek Hill to maximize their talents. They are not the first team to run most of their offense out of the shotgun. Most NFL teams have primarily operated from a shotgun formation at some point over the last decade or even before that. But the Chiefs have executed that scheme better than any other team that has applied it to their offense. Since Patrick Mahomes became the starter at quarterback in 2018, the Chiefs have averaged 28 points a game while barely trailing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in passing yards. If there is any other dynasty they might resemble, it would be the San Francisco 49ers of the 80s. Their hall of fame coach Bill Walsh installed a pass-first offense known as the West Coast, which involved a short passing game. Reid, who is associated with Walsh's pedigree, used that scheme during his first coaching job with the Philadelphia Eagles. Although he didn't apply the system at the beginning with Mahomes, it started show up again in that offense as Mahomes' average depth of target was a career low 6.1 yards. The only difference is that the Chiefs use a shotgun formation a lot more than those 49er teams. However, Reid's offense would not be as efficient without Mahomes as his quarterback. He came out of Texas Tech with high upside and the Chiefs were willing to trade up in the draft to select him. Every year, he has proven to reward the Chiefs, earning two NFL MVPs as well as three Super Bowl MVPs. What is most impressive about Mahomes, is that he's achieving these accolades at a rate similar to Tom Brady. But whereas Brady embodied the traditional style of quarterback play through operating from the pocket and attacking mismatches, it's never clear what Mahomes is going to do. He adds a level of backyard football and improvisation that fits Reid's offense like a glove. One play he'll resemble Brady and make a perfect pass from the pocket to Kelce, and the next he'll make a spectacular deep throw on the run like another hall of famer, John Elway. This type of backyard football that the Chiefs exhibit, has never been executed this flawlessly before. There may have been a time where this style of play might have been viewed by critics as a system that could only function in college football. But as it turns out, if you have the right coach and the right quarterback, you can turn that scheme into a Super Bowl winning formula.  The NFL Playoffs are the time of year everyone waits for during football season. This year's playoff field may not be as open compared to other years but then again, anything can happen in the playoffs. At the top of the standings are the Baltimore Ravens and San Fransisco 49ers, who both appear to be locks for the Super Bowl. Let's see if any other team could take their place.
AFC Wildcard: #2 Bills over #7 Steelers Pittsburgh was already going to have a difficult task playing the Bills on the road with Mason Rudolph starting at quarterback, but the loss of edge rusher TJ Watt might hurt even more. The Steelers are 1-10 when he doesn't play. Meanwhile, Buffalo is one of the hottest teams entering the playoffs having won five straight games. Josh Allen will have plenty of time to throw and the Bills will cruise to an easy win. #6 Dolphins over #3 Chiefs The Chiefs have not looked like defending champions, and even with the home field advantage, the Dolphins are going to shock people. Miami's defense may be injured, but the Chiefs also have their worst receiving core in the Patrick Mahomes era. This is also the same Dolphins team that nearly beat Buffalo last year on the road without Tua Tagovailoa. With him at full health, an upset might occur. #5 Browns over #4 Texans The Texans have been the league's biggest surprise this year thanks to CJ Stroud's outstanding rookie season, and DeMeco Ryans looking like the Coach of the Year. However, the Browns have also exceeded expectations even with injuries to their offense. While it remains to be seen if Joe Flacco's resurgence continues, their defense led by Myles Garrett will suffocate Houston's offense. Divisional: #1 Ravens over #5 Dolphins Lamar Jackson will have his first career playoff game with no turnovers as he'll spread the ball around to the likes of Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers, and Odell Beckham Jr. Baltimore's star studded secondary led by Marlon Humphrey and Kyle Hamilton will do enough to neutralize Miami's playmakers. It may not be a blowout like when both teams met three weeks ago, but Baltimore will still win convincingly. #5 Browns over #2 Bills Great defenses show up in the playoffs, and that's what Cleveland's defense is going to do against Buffalo. The key to this game will be the matchup between Buffalo's receiving core, and Cleveland's secondary. If Denzel Ward and co. can shut down the likes of Stefon Diggs and Gabriel Davis, life for Josh Allen will be miserable. His turnover problem will hurt Buffalo as Cleveland makes its first championship game since 1989. Championship: #1 Ravens over #5 Browns This game would involve so many headlines from Joe Flacco facing his former protégé Lamar Jackson, to the Browns playing in the location where their original franchise relocated. It's gonna be a classic defensive slugfest, but the Ravens' offense do just enough thanks to their high powered rushing attack. As for Flacco, he will struggle with Baltimore's strong pass rush. NFC Wildcard: #3 Lions over #6 Rams The Rams are going to give Detroit a scare in this game. Matthew Stafford will be amped up to play his former team, and if Cooper Kupp can match the production of other playmakers in Kyren Williams and Puka Nacua, the Rams will have a chance to win. However, Detroit's crowd has been waiting for a home playoff game since 1993. It will be hard seeing the Lions let such a passionate fanbase down in what will be an electric atmosphere. #2 Cowboys over #7 Packers The Packers have surprised a lot of people by making the playoffs in Jordan Love's first season as the starting quarterback. However, their luck will run out against a talented Cowboys team. Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb will be on their A game throughout the contest. The Packers will put up a decent fight, but Dallas is going to be too much for them. #4 Buccaneers over #5 Eagles When a team that has nothing to lose faces a team with everything to lose, chances are the team with nothing to lose prevails. The Eagles are certainly more talented against the Buccaneers, but they are really slumping. Some of their losses have came against teams with nothing to play for. Tampa Bay on the other hand, has racked up impressive wins as of late, which will continue against the defending NFC champs. Divisional: #1 49ers over #4 Buccaneers This is not going to be a contest. I see the 49ers winning this game through the air as Brock Purdy will take advantage of Tampa Bay bottom five pass defense. Purdy will throw for three touchdowns with two of them being to George Kittle. On defense, their vaunted pass rush led by Nick Bosa will give Baker Mayfield little time to throw en route to a dominant outing. #3 Lions over #2 Cowboys The Lions might have lost to Dallas not long ago, but had the referees declared Taylor Decker as eligible, they would've had a statement victory. They're going to be pumped up to play the Cowboys again, and it'll show throughout the game. Detroit's ground game led by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery will keep the Cowboys' potent offense off the field. Championship: #1 49ers and #3 Lions Unlike the last two years where the 49ers lost the NFC Championship game on the road, this time they will enjoy the luxury of hosting the game. Christian McCaffrey will have a big performance on the ground, wearing out the Lions' defense. Defensively, they will force Jared Goff to be one-dimensional. After the disaster in Philadelphia the previous season, San Fransisco will be eager to avenge that loss. Super Bowl 49ers over Ravens Like the last time both teams met in the Super Bowl, this will be a competitive game with both teams struggling to gain ground over the other. Baltimore might have dominated the 49ers at their own stadium in front of a national audience earlier in the season, but it's hard to see head coach Kyle Shanahan get out-schemed again. Christian McCaffrey will be more of a focal point as he'll cement his legacy as one of the best running backs of his generation. As for the 49ers they finally exorcise recent playoff demons, and tie the Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins with six.  It is well known that quarterback is the toughest position for anyone in sports. They are responsible for guiding the offense every game and must know where all 21 other positions are for each down. Their decisions on each play dictate the flow of the offense, and they have to make them with opponents looking to hit them every play. With how steep these requirements are, it is understandable that some rookie quarterbacks initially experience some growing pains.
However, there does come a quarterback like Dan Marino or Justin Herbert who already proceeds to look like a polished veteran. Fourteen weeks into the season, CJ Stroud of the Houston Texans has been on that same trajectory. Once seen as a rebuilding team, the Texans are in the heat of the race of an AFC wild card spot, and Stroud is a major reason why. With the individual and team success Stroud has enjoyed, it is worth evaluating where his year stands with some of the other great seasons by rookie quarterbacks. From a statistical perspective, there's not one statistic where Stroud doesn't look impressive. While he is fresh off his worst outing against the Jets, he's thrown for 3,651 yards and 20 touchdowns. Stroud might not be able to shatter Herbert's rookie record of 31 touchdown passes, but he is likely to set a new mark for most passing yards by a rookie with Andrew Luck's 4,374 yards standing in his way. Needing only 723 yards, it's a safe bet Stroud will shatter that record even if he stays in concussion protocol following a head injury he suffered last week. As if that's not impressive enough, Stroud is leading the league in passing yards while managing to protect the football, throwing just five interceptions. Another important factor that should be talked about in discussing quarterback's rookie seasons is their role in the offense. There are a few rookie QBs who might have had a good year and won games, but that was more because of a great defense or a run first offense. A great example of this is Ben Roethlisberger, who won every regular season game his rookie year but played on a team that ranked last in pass attempts and second in rushing attempts. Meanwhile, the Texans have asked Stroud to do a lot more, with their rushing attack ranking in the bottom tier for most statistical categories. Their offense may not be in the top tier in pass attempts, but any football fan would know that Houston's offense revolving around Stroud. It's also not like the Texans are having him throwing these short passes in fear of possibly turning the ball over and losing his confidence. They fully trust Stroud to lead them down the field, which is evident in his 8.5 yards per completion. Head coach DeMeco Ryans, who also deserves credit for Houston's turnaround, re-iterated this notion of the team's faith in Stroud following his first comeback win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "I think trust is earned and C.J. has earned that trust by showing it on the practice field, proving it to his teammates, and you build that trust over time," Ryans said. "C.J. has built that trust amongst his teammates, amongst the coaching staff that we can put a little bit more on him.” That game particularly shows you all you need to know about Stroud. On the winning pass, he reads the safety Dee Delaney the entire play. When Delaney commits to receiver Noah Brown, Stroud zips the pass down the middle to fellow rookie receiver Tank Dell for the win. https://x.com/NFL/status/1721277034360721794?s=20 Then there's the fact that Stroud has helped engineer one of the league's best turnarounds this season. Before the arrivals of Stroud and Ryans, the Texans had won a combined 11 games in three seasons. Now the Texans have been reeling off one signature win after another with some of Stroud's performances. In my opinion, Stroud's season is reminiscent of Andrew Luck in 2012 where he turned the Colts from a bottom dweller to a playoff team overnight. Robert Griffin III, the guy who actually who actually won the award over Luck, wasn't shy to shower Stroud with praise four weeks into the season. "CJ Stroud isn't just the Texans' franchise quarterback," Griffin said. "He's a top ten QB in the league already." In addition, Stroud is elevating the players around him. Nico Collins has went from a seldom used receiver to a reliable number one option who already topped 1,000 receiving yards. Dell also formed a potent rookie connection with Stroud although that will unfortunately be put on hold after Dell suffered a fractured fibula in last week's win over Denver. The Texans are currently just outside of a wild card spot with their week two loss to the Colts being the difference. Despite a blowout loss to the Jets, most of the other teams ahead of them didn't gain much ground. Houston also has a soft schedule before getting another crack against the Colts in the final week. If Stroud clears concussion protocol, there is a good chance Houston sneaks into the playoffs. When the playoffs begin, we might be giving even more praise to Stroud's season. Note: Majority of this article was written before Stroud's head injury against the Jets. |
Date Published
April 2025
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