Maybe this will be Miami’s year. The Dolphins haven’t won their division since 2008, but there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the 2025 season. Here are just a few.
1. Accountability
Stories of an undisciplined locker room have dogged head coach Mike McDaniel since he took over the Dolphins in 2022, but were never more evident than when All-Pro wide receiver Tyreek Hill refused to finish last year’s regular-season finale against the Jets.
This offseason, the Dolphins are looking to rebuild the team’s culture with players expected to hold each other responsible for their actions on and off the field. When asked to elaborate on what that would look like, McDaniels didn’t mince words after recent OTA practices:
“Feeling very open as a team that, ‘Hey, it’s okay to call someone out when they deserve to be called out.’ And for those people … it’s okay to be called out as long as you change your (expletive) behavior, okay?”
Of course, discipline only works when all parties are on board, something linebacker Bradley Chubb thinks will be different this year.
“I’m going to say last year, we were lying honestly,” Chubb told reporters. “It’s not necessarily him changing, it’s more about us, man, about how we accept what he’s telling us.”
Assuming last year’s 8-9 finish served as a wake-up call for Dolphins players, McDaniel should have the team’s full attention next season.
2. Healthy linebackers
Miami allowed the fourth-fewest yards (313.8) and 10th-fewest points (21.4) per game last season without two of its best defensive players. Chubb led Miami with 11 sacks in 2023, but a torn ACL, meniscus, and patellar tendon in Week 17 cost him the entire 2024 season.
Fellow linebacker Jaelan Phillips had a team-high seven sacks in 2022 but managed only 6.5 sacks after tearing his ACL and appearing in only 12 games over the past two seasons. He, Chubb and Chop Robinson, the team’s first-round pick in 2024, give the Dolphins three of the most talented linebackers in the NFL, when healthy, which all should be when the team opens the 2025 season against the Colts.
3. Tua Tagovailoa
Last season went so poorly for the Dolphins quarterback that it’s easy to forget he led the NFL with 4,624 yards in 2023. Head and hip injuries limited the 27-year-old quarterback to 11 games in 2024, but he still finished with the second-best quarterback rating (101.4) of his career.
When healthy, Tagovailoa is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the NFL and is working on ways to protect himself and stay on the field.
“Doing everything I can to stay available for the guys,” Tagovailoa told reporters after minicamp practice. “It’s knowing when is the time to give up on a play, and I would say the longevity for me to be on the field with my guys is more important than whatever that one play is.”
Tagovailoa and his guys will travel to Indianapolis on Sept. 7 to open the 2025 regular season against the Colts.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers' signing of quarterback Aaron Rodgers was an immediately polarizing move that did not sit well with large portions of the fan base. It also did not sit well with one of the team's all-time greatest players, four-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Bradshaw initially referred to the signing of Rodgers as a "joke" and that he should "stay in California and go chew bark" in reference to Rodgers isolating himself in a darkness retreat last year. On Saturday, Rodgers finally had a chance to respond to Bradshaw and did so with a combination of taking the high road, and also trying to make light of it. “I whisper to the gods every single day. I’ve known Terry for a long time, being a part of Fox. Terry’s a legend. He’s an absolute legend. He won four Super Bowls. He’s had a legendary career in the media. But Terry, like a lot of people, doesn’t know me. And so, he’s got an idea of what he thinks about me based on what I’ve done, the documentary, what I’ve said, darkness retreat, whatever the hell you want to talk about. I’d love to get to know Terry on a deeper level. I feel like if he gave me a chance to get to know him, then we’d have a good friendship." He ended the answer by saying, "So, I’d love to get to know Terry on a deeper level if he’s open to it. And maybe we can go chew some bark or whatever the hell he’s talking about together.” The Steelers were in a pretty desperate quarterback situation this offseason after completely overhauling the position for a second year in a row. They missed out on the chance to re-sign Justin Fields, let Russell Wilson walk, missed out on every other veteran who changed teams and passed on the opportunity to select a quarterback near the top of a weak quarterback draft class. (They ultimately selected Ohio State's Will Howard in the sixth round.) The whole Rodgers saga has been quite a soap opera for the Steelers as they waited around for months while he decided on whether or not he wanted to play this season, and if he wanted to play for the Steelers. Add in the fact he has had a tendency to cause some off-field distractions with his comments and weekly "Pat McAfee Show" appearances, as well as the fact he will turn 42 years old this season and hasn't been a top-tier quarterback in three years, and a lot of Steelers fans — and former players — were put off by the idea. The only thing that will matter in the end, however, is how Rodgers plays on the field. He has said all of the right things since joining the team, and his new teammates have all spoken highly of him so far, but it will still come down to results on the field. The Steelers have not won a playoff game in eight years and are facing added pressure each year to end that drought. They are hoping Rodgers has one more good year in him to help them advance in the postseason.
The Los Angeles Lakers are working on building a contender around last season's blockbuster addition of Luka Doncic, and could have their eyes on a player named the biggest "steal" of free agency. James Herbert of CBS Sports noted that former Boston Celtics star Malcolm Brogdon is still looking for his next NBA home and could be a bargain for a team that lands him. "After a couple of years in Portland and Washington, it feels like it's time for the veteran guard to get back on a winning team," Herbert wrote. "If healthy, he could be a real bargain for a contender -- it was only two years ago that he won Sixth Man of the Year in Boston." Bleacher Report's Timothy Rapp named the Lakers as a team to watch for Brogdon, who has shared his admiration for Lakers star LeBron James in the past. Speaking to Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, the former NBA Rookie of the Year said he believes James is the greatest of all time and disagrees with those who use his longevity as an argument against him. “At 40, I think that LeBron is playing at a higher level, but I think medicine and I think science has come a long way,” Brogdon said. “But I think also longevity has to be counted for LeBron. He’s the first player in this game to have longevity that is counted against him, you know? It’s one of his downfalls.” Brodgon was a solid contributor for the Washington Wizards last season, scoring 12.7 points with 3.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game.
Brian Cashman got creative. After weeks of listening to rumors about a blockbuster third base upgrade, the Yankees GM struck twice in 48 hours with a creative solution to his infield issues. He landed Ryan McMahon on Friday from the Rockies, and Saturday, he traded for Amed Rosario from the Nationals. No, it’s not Manny Machado and Mookie Betts. But it’s smart and creative. McMahon, a left-handed bat with power and defensive range, slides in as the likely starter at third base. Rosario, a righty utility man who’s slashing .299/.333/.483 against left-handed pitching this season, gives Aaron Boone flexibility. He’s appeared at second, third, shortstop, and even outfield this year. And with Jazz Chisholm Jr. and McMahon both batting lefty, Rosario’s ability to spot start or platoon gives the Yankees their best infield depth of the season. It’s the kind of balanced, low-cost fix Cashman has leaned on in past deadlines. And sometimes it even works. Does the front office think this version of the Yankees is worth a bigger investment, particularly after the news that Aaron Judge is heading to the injured list with a right elbow injury? Because if the Yankees are going for it, we all know the infield isn’t what’s going to sink them. It’s the pitching. The Yankees bullpen ranks 23rd in both innings and ERA. The rotation is being held together with hope and prayers at this point. Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt are out for the season. Luis Gil is still at least 10 days away from his season debut. And now, Judge is on the IL with a flexor strain. This team is leading the Wild Card race, but it doesn’t feel safe. At one point they were leading the American League East race too, and now they are six games back. It feels like a team that’s two weeks away from burning out its arms if no help arrives. McMahon and Rosario filled a need. They might even end up as low-key wins. But if this deadline ends without an impact reliever and a starter the Yankees may have addressed the wrong crisis. And with Judge out and October looming, this team can’t afford to miss the point.
For the first time this year, Vikings fans filled the bleachers at TCO Performance Center on Saturday afternoon. Those who braved the heat and came out to watch their favorite team practice were treated to a show by the 22-year-old quarterback who holds so much of the franchise's future on his shoulders. On the fourth day of training camp (and the third full-speed practice), J.J. McCarthy had easily his best day of work thus far. The highlight was a deep ball to Jordan Addison late in the practice, which drew cheers from the crowd and a celebration from McCarthy. He got the look he wanted and let it rip, hitting Addison in stride over the top of the second-team defense for a 60-yard touchdown. McCarthy had previously cut it loose on a deep ball, with the first one coming when he got the defense to jump offside and had a free play to work with. That one was also placed well roughly 55 yards downfield, but Byron Murphy Jr. was running stride for stride with Jalen Nailor and made a great play to knock the ball down. After the first one wasn't completed, it had to feel good for McCarthy to connect with Addison on that second deep attempt. Earlier, in a 7-on-7 red zone period, McCarthy went 3 for 5 with a trio of touchdowns. To start, he hit Aaron Jones for a score in the flat. After getting into the end zone, Jones clapped his hands over his head to lead the fans in a SKOL chant. McCarthy led Jalen Nailor a bit too far on his second attempt, but the third was a touchdown to Nailor towards the same left sideline. The fourth was a somewhat catchable ball that a leaping Nailor couldn't come down with over the middle. And to cap off the period, McCarthy rifled one to T.J. Hockenson for a score. Another thing we saw from McCarthy, which is important, was the ability to layer the ball over the first level of the defense with touch. There's no question about his ability to throw a fastball, but the offspeed pitch, so to speak, is something he's been focusing on this offseason. He connected with Nailor on a layered throw to the sideline early in the session. McCarthy also hit Hockenson on a nice layered, anticipatory throw over the middle at one point. To be clear, it wasn't a perfect day for the Vikings' young quarterback. He missed a few throws here and there and had a couple plays where he would've been sacked before getting to the read he wanted. Still, I think anyone who was in attendance would tell you it was an encouraging performance on a very hot late-July day. He commanded the huddle, showed off his arm talent, and didn't throw a single interception. Now he'll look to build off that momentum when pads come on for the first time on Monday. Here are some other things I saw at practice on Saturday. Jonathan Greenard is a monster. After making the Pro Bowl last year with 12 sacks, 80 pressures, 18 TFLs, and 4 forced fumbles, Greenard looks to be in line for another big season. I counted at least two would-be sacks and two TFLs against the run over the course of this practice. There was one sequence where he set the edge for a run stop and then burst into the backfield for a sack on consecutive plays. He did it both against the second-team offense and the starters (who are admittedly without Christian Darrisaw). The additions of Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave in the middle should only help Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel continue to dominate. With no Justin Jefferson, the Vikings are using a variety of different receivers as the WR3 alongside Addison and Nailor with the first-team offense. Today, the guy who got the majority of those looks was Lucky Jackson, a practice squad guy now in his third year in Minnesota. Jackson caught a couple balls from McCarthy in a move-the-ball period late in the practice, including a 20-yard chunk gain. He could be a sleeper to make the roster as a depth option. Three members of the Vikings' starting secondary didn't appear to be participating in team periods. Josh Metellus, whose contract extension was announced earlier on Saturday, is dealing with a minor ankle injury and is expected to be back out there on Monday. I didn't see Harrison Smith or Isaiah Rodgers in action, either. That meant the starting safeties were Theo Jackson and Jay Ward, while Mekhi Blackmon joined Jeff Okudah and Murphy at corner on the first-team defense. Backup quarterback Sam Howell has had a fairly shaky start to camp, but he did look a little better today. After his first attempt of the day was swatted by Van Ginkel on a rollout, Howell put together a handful of solid throws. He connected with Jeshaun Jones and Tim Jones for touchdowns in the red zone 7-on-7 period. Jeshaun Jones was Howell's favorite target on the day. He also had a quality completion to rookie Tai Felton later on against the starting defense, then got sacked by Allen and Van Ginkel on the ensuing play. The Vikings will want to see progress from Howell, but he doesn't appear to be in jeopardy of losing his QB2 role to Brett Rypien or Max Brosmer. Speaking of Brosmer, the rookie QB got some good opportunities in this practice, which was the longest of camp so far. He connected with Ben Yurosek in red zone 7s and had a few completions in 11s to end the day, including a nice throw to Dontae Fleming on the final play from scrimmage of the practice. Saturday's session wrapped up with the first kicking work we've seen in camp. Will Reichard, the lone kicker on the roster, went 5 for 6 on a day where there was a bit of wind. He hit from 33, 40, 45, 50, and 54 yards out. His lone miss went narrowly wide left from 48. Reichard's leg power remains something to behold. After an off day Sunday, we'll be back in Eagan on Monday for the first padded practice of camp. Vikings news, rumors, analysis