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John Cena has insisted his wife is his "number one passion".
The 48-year-old actor and WWE icon - who is retiring from wrestling in December this year - insisted Hollywood won't become the most important thing in his life when he hangs up his boots for the final time, as he always prioritises his partner Shay Shariatzadeh.
He told Extra: “My number one passion is my wife. Absolutely, that is first on the list.
"I'd say right behind that is my health so I can be the best husband to my wife.”
Despite his looming retirement, the Heads of State actor insisted he will always be part of WWE in some capacity as long as they want him.
He added: "This is my final year in the WWE. I'm retiring this year. We're about halfway through, so I look forward to officially closing the book on in-ring competition.
"I will forever be an ambassador of the WWE. I'll be part of that family till they ask me to leave."
Cena is stepping away from life as a professional wrestler knowing that his Hollywood career has hit new heights, but he doesn't take it for granted.
He said: “I know how hard it is to get any sort of role. I saw some footage today, which was one of my first roles as a background actor and man, it really warmed my heart.
"I don't carry any guilt or shame when I see that, because I got to be on screen, I got to learn a little bit about the business.
"It allowed me to reflect on how far I've come, so, gosh, I just want to make the most of the chances that people take on me."
Meanwhile, the current Undisputed WWE Champion insisted storytelling in WWE is "more adaptable" than movies and other TV shows.
He told Collider: "I've been in a lot of avenues of entertainment. I've read the morning news, I’ve hosted award shows, I've had slime poured all over me.
"I've done episodic television. I've been able to be on screen. I've been able to be on your phone, and I've been in arena life. There is no more adaptable form of storytelling than WWE. "WWE can change a story as it happens live. You're seeing, so far over the farewell tour dates, the 18 of 36 so far, we've made a ton of pivots, a ton of pivots right there in the moment.”
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Standout performances from Week 1 of NFL preseason: Rookie, backup QBs shine
The first week of the 2025 NFL preseason is officially in the books. Even though the games and results do not matter, there is still reason to pay attention to standout performances from around the league. Here are some of the best from this week's games. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots The Patriots need some game-changers on offense, and they may have found one in second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson put on an immediate show in the Patriots' preseason opener, returning the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, rushing for 18 yards on his only carry and catching three passes. Skylar Thompson, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers Thompson is not likely to make the Steelers roster, but that doesn't mean he can't find a spot on another team. Especially if he puts together a strong preseason performance. He did exactly that on Saturday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars, completing 20-of-28 passes for 233 yards and three touchdowns. With Aaron Rodgers unlikely to play in the preseason and Will Howard injured, Thompson should get plenty of reps to audition for other teams. Tanner McKee, QB, Philadelphia Eagles Following the offseason trade of Kenny Pickett, McKee is now pretty much cemented in as the Eagles' backup, and he had to give them a lot of confidence in his ability following his preseason performance against the Bengals. McKee torched the Bengals defense to the tune of 20-of-25 passing for 252 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. It is a nice continuation for McKee following his promising debut a year ago when he threw for 323 yards, four touchdowns and zero interceptions in his two appearances. Blake Corum, RB, Los Angeles Rams The Rams already have a starting running back in Kyren Williams, but there is nothing wrong with having a second productive player at the position. Corum didn't make the expected impact in his rookie season, but he had a promising preseason debut this year with two touchdowns in the first quarter against the Dallas Cowboys. Rookie quarterbacks Cleveland's Shedeur Sanders got the week off to a promising start by throwing two touchdowns against Carolina, taking a big step forward in his quest to win the team's starting quarterback job and to silence the critics following his slide in the draft. Jaxson Dart, one of the Giants' first-round picks, also had a strong showing by going 12-of-19 with 154 yards and a very impressive touchdown pass. Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick in the draft, also had a strong debut by leading a touchdown drive and developing an instant connection with veteran wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Abdul Carter, DE, New York Giants Carter did not play a ton of snaps for the Giants, but he was a force when he did play. He recorded a quarterback pressure on all three of his pass-rush snaps and showed the type of quickness and speed that made him one of the best players in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Cam Little, K, Jacksonville Jaguars Look, when you kick a 70-yard field goal, you deserve to get some added recognition, whether it counts as an official league record or not. Little made all four field goal attempts, as well as an extra point, in the Jaguars' preseason debut.
Steelers Rookie Kaleb Johnson Gets Very Honest Rating In First Game Against Jacksonville
The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Johnson comes to the Steel City after a tremendous career at Iowa, where he routinely faced stacked defensive fronts and still found ways to excel. The Steelers clearly believe he has the physicality, vision, and work ethic to contribute right away, especially in an offense that prides itself on a strong running game. In the Steelers’ first preseason game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh came away with a 31-25 victory. Johnson saw limited but notable action, carrying the football eight times for 20 yards and catching one pass for six yards. While his stat line didn’t jump off the page, his debut provided the coaching staff with an initial look at how he adjusts to NFL speed and physicality. Following the game, former Steelers two-time Super Bowl champion Chris Hoke appeared on the KDKA Nightly Sports Call to give his honest assessment of Johnson’s first NFL outing. Hoke noted that while Johnson showed flashes of his college toughness, he still needs to work on reading NFL-level defenses and hitting the hole with more urgency. He emphasized that preseason is about learning and adapting, and that Johnson has the tools to grow into a productive player for Pittsburgh if he embraces the grind. "On the one sack earlier in the game, Mason [Rudolph] wanted to check it down to him and he stayed in to protect," Hoke said Saturday on the KDKA Nightly Sports Call. "There's been a lot of talk about, 'Can Kaleb Johnson protect?' That's a big part of why he needs to be out there getting these reps, because he needs to protect Aaron Rodgers in the regular season. He stayed in there too long, didn't leak out for the safety valve, but Kaleb Johnson broke tackles." Hoke, as a whole, sounded very pleased with what he saw from Johnson. While the stats were not impressive, the eye test revealed Johnson’s burst and vision. Perhaps his best moment came when he planted Jaguars rookie Travis Hunter into the turf. Hoke acknowledged that Johnson still has plenty to work on but expressed confidence that he can get there. "A lot of times when you are a running back and you get to a hole, you are going to have a guy there," Hoke continued. "You've got to make the first guy miss. He stiffed-arm, he got outside, got some positive yardage when a lot of times we saw last year running backs were going down on contact at the first guy. So, I really like what I see from Kaleb Johnson." The Steelers’ running back room looks noticeably different heading into the 2025 season. Like several other key positions on the roster, it underwent a complete overhaul. Pittsburgh will open the year with a one-two punch of Jaylen Warren and Johnson, though many analysts believe Johnson could begin stealing carries from Warren as the season progresses and eventually emerge as the lead back. Steelers Could Have A Punishing Rushing Attack In addition to Warren and Johnson, the Steelers added veteran running back Kenneth Gainwell in the offseason. Fresh off a Super Bowl victory with the Philadelphia Eagles, Gainwell brings playoff experience and versatility to the group. Together, this trio will be the foundation that Offensive Coordinator Arthur Smith and Head Coach Mike Tomlin lean on to power the offense. If the Steelers are serious about being legitimate contenders in 2025, their ground game will need to set the tone early and often. With Smith’s physical, run-first philosophy and a backfield that blends youth, experience, and explosiveness, Pittsburgh has the pieces to build one of the most punishing rushing attacks in the league.
Commanders' signing of former third-round pick shows their opinions on the position group, and might foreshadow a current injury
Washington Commanders HC Dan Quinn spoke with the media before practice today and continued to express his displeasure with the team's results in their blowout loss on Friday night. He spoke about the depth he likes on the team, but also hinted at some positions that could use some help. Quinn also said that the team would be working out a handful of players following practice today, and that they are always willing to improve the team where it's possible. Well, the Commanders signed a player today following the workouts that could hint at what Quinn was talking about, and more. Commanders sign former third-round pick The Commanders are signing a former third-round pick in LB Duke Riley, who was actually drafted by the Atlanta Falcons when Dan Quinn was the head coach there. This signing comes after the Commanders worked out 14 players after practice today, which contained seven linebackers and no wide receivers. After the performance we saw in the first preseason game on defense and special teams, these workouts shouldn't be surprising though. Riley was a starting linebacker in Atlanta when he was drafted in 2017, and eventually landed in Miami in 2021, where he has been a rotational linebacker and special-teams defender. That tells me a lot about what they saw on film after watching the first preseason game. Could the writing be on the wall? This immediately raises two flags for me: who would he replace on special teams, and what does this mean for the health of another linebacker? When you go back and watch the film, Dominique Hampton did not look good at all at his new linebacker position, and I don't have him making the active roster. The team also drafted Kain Medrano, who is listed as a linebacker on the depth chart by the team. Other than that, the Commanders have no true depth at linebacker. You have a special-teams ace who can't play linebacker, and a linebacker who can't play special teams. That's not a good combo for roster cuts. Veteran Nick Bellore has been an outstanding special-teams player, but could his lack of ability at linebacker cost the 36-year-old? Hopeful second-round linebacker Jordan Magee has so much potential, but he's already dealing with an undisclosed injury after playing only 16 snaps in his rookie season due to injuries. Signing Riley, who can rotate at linebacker and be a key special-teams piece, means that the team either doesn't like what they saw on film with special teams, or they aren't sure if Magee can stay healthy. Either way, this signing is filling in two major needs right now.
Packers Roster Projection After Preseason Loss to Jets
The first preseason game is out of the way. It was sloppy, to stay the least. The good news for the Green Bay Packers is nothing counts for the standings and there’s plenty to correct between now and their second preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts. During his halftime interview, coach Matt LaFleur called his team effort uninspired and asked for his players to show “some fight.” After the 30-10 loss to the Jets, he said his team got its “ass kicked.” This team should not be judged by preseason results. Individual roster battles, however, will be judged by preseason performances. With that as a backdrop, here’s a look at who we believe will be on the 53-man roster that general manager Brian Gutekunst has to select on Aug. 26. Quarterbacks (2) Jordan Love, Malik Willis. Analysis: This one is pretty straight-forward. Jordan Love is the starter. Malik Willis, who helped the Packers win three games last year, is the backup. Neither of the potential options for the third quarterback, Sean Clifford or Taylor Elgersma, have done anything to distinguish themselves as a potential option on the roster. With some of the competition at the back of the roster, a third quarterback is likely a waste of a roster spot, anyway. While it might not have looked like it on Saturday, Love and Willis form one of the best quarterback rooms in football. Running Backs (3) Josh Jacobs, Marshawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks. Analysis: This position group is interesting because of injuries to Lloyd and Emanuel Wilson. Both sat out Saturday’s game, and it’s unclear when they’ll return. Coach Matt LaFleur said after Lloyd’s injury that he did not think it was a long-term situation, but he has yet to practice since he got hurt. Wilson said he dodged a bullet after thinking he tore his ACL when trying to adjust to an off-target pass. He has not returned to practice, either. With the injuries and how much the Packers like to run the ball, they’ll need bodies on the roster behind Jacobs. Nonetheless, the guess is they will pass on keeping a fourth back, with Brooks keeping the role as a do-it-all role player behind the top tandem. Receivers (5) Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, Savion Williams. Analysis: These five are stone-cold locks, with Christian Watson likely to start the season on the physically unable to perform list due to last year’s knee injury. The only real battle is for the sixth receiver spot, if the Packers choose to keep that many. After the first preseason game, however, the veterans leading the battle did more to lose a roster spot than to take hold of one. Malik Heath had two drops. Mecole Hardman had one drop, displayed poor judgement in fielding one punt and muffed another. With some of the competition on the back of the roster at other positions, the sixth receiver is likely someone who would be released as soon as Watson is ready. Part of the calculus here is that four of Green Bay’s receivers are hobbled by an injury. If any of those injuries extend into the end of training camp, the Packers could keep an extra body here. For now, Heath and Hardman have played their way off the roster. Tight Ends (3) Tucker Kraft, Luke Musgrave, John Fitzpatrick. Analysis: Kraft and Musgrave look to be big parts of the offense, with Musgrave getting some time with Jordan Love and the first-team offense on Saturday and throughout training camp. Apart from him, Fitzpatrick has taken more snaps than Ben Sims. This will come down to special teams, where Fitzpatrick landed ahead of Sims to close the 2024 season. He made a nice play for Malik Willis when the reserves took over on Saturday night. Offensive Line (9) Rasheed Walker, Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins, Sean Rhyan, Zach Tom, Jordan Morgan, Anthony Belton, Donovan Jennings, Jacob Monk. Analysis: The first seven players on that list are locks to make the team, with the first five being the projected starters and Morgan and Belton being first- and second-round picks, respectively. Travis Glover was in line to be one of the top reserves but was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. Monk remains on the roster in this projection, but his first action of preseason football was forgettable to say the least with three holding penalties. There isn’t anyone that has outplayed him to this point. The Packers should have plenty of competition open for the last couple of spots on the offensive line. Defensive Tackles (6) Kenny Clark, Devonte Wyatt, Karl Brooks, Colby Wooden, Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson. Analysis: Wooden might be the last guy to make the roster, but he was really active on Saturday night. With some injury questions at other spots on the roster and some physical teams on the early portion of the season, the Packers might want to go heavier on the defensive line Stackhouse feels like he’s more likely to make the roster than he isn’t, which is saying a lot considering he was an undrafted free agent. Brinson had a slow start to camp but has strung together a few solid days. He’s also a draft pick of Gutekunst, which means he’ll likely stick on the roster. Defensive Ends (6) Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness, Barryn Sorrell, Brenton Cox, Collin Oliver, Kingsley Enagbare. Analysis: Gary and Van Ness will start. Van Ness has been active during camp and looks poised to fill some of the expectations the team had for him when they picked him 13th overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Sorrell has been getting rave reviews, including by defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley on Sunday following a strong preseason debut. Cox has taken a jump as a third-year pass rusher, as well. Oliver has not been cleared for camp activities, but Gutekunst usually likes to keep his draft choices, so if he is healthy by the end of camp, he’ll likely make the roster. Enagbare did not make our initial prediction to make the roster, but was impactful on Saturday. The Packers typically like to lean younger, but there’s no harm in keeping Enagbare around as a rotational pass rusher. Linebackers (5) Quay Walker, Edgerrin Cooper, Isaiah McDuffie, Ty’Ron Hopper, Isaiah Simmons Analysis: For the first time in a while, the Packers have to feel good about their depth at linebacker. Simmons has drawn rave reviews from his coaches and Hopper a third-round pick last year, looks like a player who has made the leap as a second-year player. That does not even include Kristian Welch, a special teams ace who the Packers re-signed this offseason. He is one of the team’s best special-teamers. Last year that was not enough to keep him on the roster, and this time around he was our final cut from the roster. Cornerbacks (5) Nate Hobbs, Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine, Bo Melton, Corey Ballentine. Analysis: The top three will play pivotal roles, with Hobbs and Nixon set to start and Valentine being the next man up. The back of the depth chart? That’s a huge question mark. Bo Melton is the best story of the offseason, and was one of the top reserves off the bench on Saturday. Melton playing cornerback is not just a gimmick. It appears to be a legitimate option. With his prowess on special teams and ability to fill in at receiver in a pinch, it’s hard to envision a scenario in which he does not make the team. Kalen King, a seventh-round pick last year, has performed well in camp and had two big snaps in the red zone on Saturday. His versatility to play on the boundary and in the slot could earn him a chance on the back end of the roster. Micah Robinson, a seventh-round pick this year, has had some nice moments, as well. The last spot, however, goes to Ballentine, who the Packers re-signed last week following Hobbs’ knee surgery. He’s played good football in Green Bay and is a good special-teams player. Assuming the injury he suffered against the Jets is not too serious, he would get the nod. Safeties (6) Xavier McKinney, Javon Bullard, Evan Williams, Kitan Oladapo, Zayne Anderson, Omar Brown. Analysis: The first three in this group is pretty clear. Xavier McKinney is a star. Assuming he’s ready for Week 1, he’ll be one of the key cogs of Jeff Hafley’s defense. Javon Bullard and Evan Wlliams are both going to play roles. As of now, it looks like Bullard will be more of an interchangeable chess pieces as he moves to the slot in the team’s nickel package. Williams has largely been the starter next to McKinney, and had a strong rookie season. Zayne Anderson is a staple of the special teams units, and appears to have dodged a bullet with the knee injury he suffered in the team’s preseason opener. Omar Brown has been one of the stars of camp, capped off by his three interceptions during the team’s family night scrimmage. Specialists (3) Brandon McManus, Daniel Whelan, Matt Orzech. Analysis: This one is easy. McManus was a savior for the Packers last season and has been lights out during training camp. Whelan and Orzech, meanwhile, are flying solo through camp. Combined, this is a high-quality battery.
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