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Top hoops recruit Cooper Flagg signs with agency for NIL representation
Cooper Flagg is going to have a ton of opportunity at the college level when it comes to NIL, but especially in today's day and age, it does make sense to have representation.
What used to be unheard of in college sports is now commonplace: players having agents. No, these agents aren't negotiating salaries with the schools the players compete for, but they can make a top prospect or college star quite a bit of money by way of NIL deals.
As such, it does make sense for a player like Flagg, the undisputed top 2024 college basketball recruit in the country, to sign with an organization like Creative Artists Agency (CAA) for NIL representation, and he recently did just that.
We are excited to welcome @Cooper_Flagg to the family for NIL representation! pic.twitter.com/E94yETfptk
— CAA Basketball (@CAA_Basketball) April 22, 2024
Flagg, a Duke commitment, was the 2023-24 Naismith High School Player of the Year as well as the Gatorade National Player of the Year.
He performed well in the McDonald's All-America Game and brought his Montverde Academy team a national title with 16 points, eight rebounds, six blocks and two assists in the Chipotle Nationals championship game
CAA represents NBA clients such as Zion Williamson, Paul George and Devin Booker, among others. The agency has worked in the NIL space since the concept became established, having had relationships with Paolo Banchero, Bryce Young, Dillon Mitchell and Isaiah Collier.
More must-reads:
- Baylor lands standout Duke player via transfer portal
- The greatest players in Duke men's basketball history
- The 'Men's Naismith Award winners' quiz
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Commanders' Terry McLaurin reportedly wants more money than previously thought
Previous reports indicated that unsettled Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin was looking to land "parts" of the five-year, $150M contract that the Pittsburgh Steelers gave DK Metcalf earlier this year. For an article published on Wednesday morning, Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic offered an update regarding why McLaurin and the Commanders haven't come to terms on an extension after the 29-year-old requested a trade on July 31. "One person with knowledge of McLaurin’s contract negotiations said the veteran receiver has asked for more than DK Metcalf," Jhabvala revealed. McLaurin is in the final year of his current deal and will turn 30 years old in September. To compare, Metcalf will turn 28 in December. That said, McLaurin emerged last season as the favorite target for quarterback Jayden Daniels as Daniels guided the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game. "McLaurin believes he’s one of the best receivers in the NFL," Jhabvala added. "He’s been the Commanders' leading receiver every season since he entered the league (in 2019), and last year had the second-most receiving TDs in the league behind Ja’Marr Chase’s 17. He also ranked third in (expected points added) on targets and seventh in catch rate among receivers with at least 100 targets last year, but among that same group, McLaurin’s total receiving yards (1,096) ranked 12th and his average yards after the catch ranked 25th." Daniels seemed optimistic while speaking about the ongoing contract standoff during the ESPN broadcast of Monday's preseason game between the Commanders and Cincinnati Bengals when he said he knew McLaurin would "be coming through the door soon." However, Jhabvala noted that "it wouldn’t be a surprise if the [Commanders have] set a maximum range of $27M to $28M a year in average annual value for McLaurin." That seems to suggest the two sides aren't all that close to coming to terms on an agreement. It's unclear if McLaurin is willing to forfeit money by sitting out Washington's Week 1 game against the New York Giants on Sept. 7 amid his desire for a pay raise. If he isn't, he may have to soon accept the offer that's on the table to guarantee himself future earnings beyond the upcoming season.
Browns 'trust' Dillon Gabriel more than Shedeur Sanders for a very good reason
The Cleveland Browns seemed to say plenty regarding their feelings about rookie quarterbacks Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders when they repeatedly listed Gabriel above Sanders on unofficial depth charts throughout August. Sanders played well in Cleveland's preseason opener at the Carolina Panthers on Aug. 8 when Gabriel was recovering from a hamstring injury. Gabriel then received his opportunity to shine in the Aug. 16 preseason matchup at the Philadelphia Eagles when Sanders was dealing with an oblique issue. For a piece published on Thursday, Jason Lloyd of The Athletic suggested that the stats from those contests show "the Browns trust Gabriel more than they do Sanders" heading into their Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 7. "The Browns used pre-snap motion 45 percent of the time with Gabriel against the Philadelphia Eagles," Lloyd wrote. "They used it 31 percent of the time in Sanders’ game against the Carolina Panthers, according to TruMedia data. On third downs, that increased to 63 percent for Gabriel and plummeted to 18 percent for Sanders." The Browns selected Gabriel in the third round of this year's draft before they made a trade to take a flier on Sanders at overall pick No. 144. Against the Panthers, Sanders completed 14-of-23 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. To compare, Gabriel connected on 13-of-18 passes for 143 yards with a pick-six against the Eagles. He was also credited with a lost fumble. "Gabriel was three of four on [tight-window throws] against the Eagles, according to NextGen Stats, and two of those turned third downs into first downs," Lloyd added. "Sanders was zero for four on tight-window throws against the Panthers." It's worth noting that none of this matters as of publication. Veteran Joe Flacco will serve as Cleveland's Week 1 starter, and the Browns seem serious about having Flacco, Gabriel, Sanders and backup Kenny Pickett on the active roster through at least a portion of the upcoming season. The trade deadline will arrive on Nov. 4. Lloyd mentioned that "a fear that Sanders may develop elsewhere" is a reason the Browns are holding onto the former Colorado star when they prefer Gabriel. As of now, Sanders is on track to continue his development while working in the Browns film room as an unused quarterback throughout the fall.
Commanders WR Terry McLaurin might need to officially hold out soon
The Washington Commanders took Terry McLaurin off the reserve/did not report list and placed him on the active/PUP list, representing a new phase of this contract squabble. Five days ago, McLaurin came off Washington’s PUP list. The Pro Bowl wide receiver nevertheless remains without a timetable to resume practicing. At the time McLaurin reported to Commanders camp and began his PUP stay, the ankle injury listed was not viewed as something that would keep him off the field long. An offering from ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated McLaurin’s ankle would probably heal rather quickly once a contract was completed. Nearly a week after his activation, however, the disgruntled wideout is not a full participant in practice. McLaurin is in conditioning mode, per ESPN’s John Keim, as he was present for Commanders 11-on-11 work in a hoodie. The Athletic’s Nicki Jhabvala notes McLaurin walked onto the practice field after the workout had started and watched the team drills from the sideline. Although obvious signs of a hold-in are present here, the party line centers on the consistent WR’s conditioning. “I’m not going to play ‘Where’s Waldo’ moving forward,” Dan Quinn said, via the Washington Post’s Adam Kilgore. “Just so we’re clear on that. Terry’s return-to-play format is no different from any of the other players. He’s healthy, which is now a good step to getting closer to being back on the field. “You’ll see that earlier than later. I don’t have a date circled on a whiteboard in my office. The good news is, we’re getting closer to that, for sure.” If McLaurin does not return to team drills soon, the seventh-year veteran may need to shift back to a holdout — presuming no deal is finished — as an agreement does not appear imminent. Even if a D.K. Metcalf-level AAV ($33M) is not necessarily McLaurin’s goal, the Commanders are drawing a hard line on age at an interesting point. They would seem to need McLaurin to realize their potential this season, considering how important he has been on offense since arriving in the 2019 third round. After trekking to an NFC Championship Game for the first time in 33 years, Washington will run the risk of losing considerable firepower if McLaurin is willing to sit out games. The Colts navigated a similar situation in 2023, but Jonathan Taylor‘s injury-driven hold-in never involved coming off the active/PUP list. Indianapolis shifted him to the reserve/PUP list while still negotiating to open the season. Taylor played in Week 5 after signing a new deal. With McLaurin being cleared, his options are limited. A hold-in can still be waged, as Brian Burns attempted to briefly in Carolina just before the 2023 season. Burns, though, backed off that stance and played on his fifth-year option. McLaurin is due a $15.5M base salary in his contract year, which doubles as an age-30 season. Courtland Sutton finished Broncos negotiations ahead of his age-30 campaign. Sutton carries a similar role in Denver, as the team’s clear-cut WR1, but has inferior statistics to McLaurin. Sutton’s negotiations wrapped at what would be a pay cut ($23M AAV) for McLaurin, who is tied to the $23.2M-per-year deal he agreed to in 2022. Thus, Sutton’s deal does not appear a good comp. The five-time 1,000-yard receiver could continue to apply pressure to the Commanders via a hold-in or resign himself to beginning a contract year. A compromise could emerge between the $30M-per-year level — where the team is believed to be hesitant to go — and where the Dolphins went for Jaylen Waddle ($28.25M) last year. If the Commanders are not willing to go there on a medium-term pact, the prospect of McLaurin leaving in free agency — or being an experienced wideout on the franchise tag (a la A.J. Green or Allen Robinson) — would enter the equation.
Minnesota Vikings Aaron Jones Has Wild Comparison For QB JJ McCarthy
When Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones recently appeared on “Up Adams” with Kay Adams, he dropped an eyebrow-raising comparison that has quickly become the talk of the NFL. During the interview, Jones likened his teammate, rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy, to none other than four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers. For Vikings fans pinning their hopes on McCarthy as the team’s youngest-ever Week 1 starter in 2025, this comparison is as thrilling as it is weighty. Minnesota Vikings Aaron Jones Has Wild Comparison The praise Jones heaped on McCarthy centered around one defining characteristic—his football IQ. Jones, reflecting on his early days in the NFL playing alongside Rodgers, recalled the quarterback’s remarkable ability to diagnose defenses in real time. Rodgers would often predict where blitzes were coming from, transforming not just the offense but the confidence of young players like Jones. “He’s just smart the way he studies the game. It reminded me of how Aaron Rodgers would be in my rookie year,” Jones remarked about McCarthy. “Aaron would be like, ‘Hey, the blitz is coming from here,’ and he’d help me out so much my first two years in pass protection.” This is no small statement. Rodgers is widely regarded as one of the sharpest minds at the position, and for Jones to compare a rookie quarterback to such an established legend suggests McCarthy has displayed extraordinary pre-snap awareness, study habits, and preparation during his first NFL offseason. The Rise of J.J. McCarthy The Vikings made J.J. McCarthy their long-term quarterback with the 2024 NFL Draft, selecting him to succeed Kirk Cousins after a decade of stability at the position. McCarthy’s accolades at the University of Michigan, including his leadership on a playoff-caliber team, bolstered his standing heading into the draft. Still, quarterback transitions, especially to a 22-year-old rookie, carry inherent risks. During the 2025 offseason, the Vikings considered delaying McCarthy’s debut by exploring the possibility of bringing in a veteran like Aaron Rodgers. However, head coach Kevin O’Connell ultimately trusted the young quarterback’s readiness. “My obligation was to give him the best possible situation to begin and thrive on this NFL journey,” O’Connell said in a June radio appearance. The faith placed in McCarthy has been evident throughout training camp and preseason, where O’Connell’s offense has emphasized a blend of quick decision-making and downfield aggression—two areas McCarthy has reportedly adapted to with poise. What Sets McCarthy Apart? The quarterback position in the NFL is as much about mental acuity as it is about physical skills, and McCarthy has impressed with his cerebral approach to the game. According to Jones, McCarthy’s ability to quickly process information rivals what Jones saw from Rodgers during his prime. “The way he goes about himself, the preparation… it all stems from up here,” Jones said, pointing to his head. “And that drive—you can see it when you step on the field. He’s a winner.” This drive has been evident not just in his command of the playbook but also in his interactions with teammates. McCarthy has consistently been praised for his leadership during team meetings, practices, and preseason games. Even as the youngest starting quarterback in the 2025 NFL season, he has commanded the huddle with confidence, making decisions with the type of urgency that belies his lack of experience. Expectations in the Kevin O’Connell Era Kevin O’Connell’s offensive system is known for quarterback-friendly nuances, mixing intricate route combinations with play-action concepts designed to simplify reads for young signal-callers. Under O’Connell, the Vikings are poised to maximize McCarthy’s strengths, leveraging his quick processing and mobility to keep defenses guessing. Pairing JJ McCarthy’s development with O’Connell’s ingenuity places the Vikings in a unique position. The team has invested heavily in giving McCarthy every chance to succeed, surrounding him with playmakers such as Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and Jordan Addison (once he returns from his suspension). The result is an offense that could be dynamic even as McCarthy adjusts to the pro level. Still, the stakes remain high. Transitioning to a rookie quarterback always carries risks, and glowing reviews from teammates must eventually translate into on-field success. O’Connell’s ability to foster McCarthy’s growth while keeping the team competitive in a challenging NFC North will be a defining storyline for the Vikings in 2025. McCarthy’s Opportunity to Write His Story It’s not every day that a rookie quarterback is compared to Aaron Rodgers, especially by a player who has directly benefited from Rodgers’ brilliance. But McCarthy finds himself in an extraordinary position. If his intelligence, preparation, and leadership continue developing at their current trajectory, he could indeed fulfill the high expectations set by both his pedigree and his team’s trust. The Rodgers comparison is not without merit, but instead of creating pressure, it should motivate McCarthy to strive for greatness. He doesn’t need to match Rodgers’ Hall of Fame trajectory immediately; instead, he can build his own legacy under the guidance of a coach and teammates who believe in him. Looking Ahead The 2025 season will be a litmus test for both J.J. McCarthy and the Minnesota Vikings. If McCarthy can continue impressing with his football IQ and decision-making, the Vikings might have found their franchise quarterback for years to come. Jones’ comparison to Rodgers, while bold, could serve as an early endorsement of a talent ready to take the league by storm. For Vikings fans, the combination of McCarthy’s promise and Kevin O’Connell’s system offers plenty of reasons for optimism. Whether McCarthy becomes the next great NFL quarterback remains to be seen, but his early reviews suggest his future—and that of the Vikings franchise—is bright.
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