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Buccaneers seem confident about keeping Baker Mayfield
Quarterback Baker Mayfield reportedly won't "take a hometown discount to stay" with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but that doesn't mean Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht is panicking about the situation on the first Monday of March.
Hours after it was learned that wide receiver Mike Evans is staying with the Buccaneers via a two-year contract, Jenna Laine of ESPN reported that "sources said conversations that began at the combine between the Bucs and Mayfield's agent, Tom Mills, were 'positive.'" Laine added that "sources at the combine also said that Mayfield may not even make it to free agency because his desire to remain in Tampa is strong, as the Bucs afforded him an opportunity to revive his career last season."
The Cleveland Browns made Mayfield the first pick of the 2018 NFL Draft, and he played for that organization until he was traded to the Carolina Panthers in the summer of 2022. Carolina gave up on Mayfield after less than one full season, and he signed a one-year "prove it" contract with the Buccaneers last offseason before he guided the organization to the NFC South division title and a home playoff victory.
Laine mentioned that Mayfield wants "a high degree of organizational stability" after he flopped with the Panthers during the 2022 season and then finished that campaign with the Los Angeles Rams. Laine also pointed out that the Buccaneers "consulted with Mayfield on offensive coordinator candidates" before they hired Liam Coen, who coached the 28-year-old when both were with the Rams.
"...All signs not only point to this being a positive for Mayfield, but the move also could very well keep Evans in Tampa for the duration of his career," Laine wrote about Tampa Bay keeping Evans. "Sources close to Evans said at a minimum he wants to play two more years, which, for now, is what he believes he can still do at a very high level."
It's believed Tampa Bay is saving the franchise tag for safety Antoine Winfield Jr. but it's also assumed that Licht won't let Mayfield reach the open market. Licht has until 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday to retain one player's rights via the tag, but he may not need that asset for Mayfield if the two sides agree to terms on a new deal before the deadline arrives.
More must-reads:
- Will Baker Mayfield give Buccaneers a discount after Mike Evans deal?
- Patriots reportedly make Baker Mayfield, Kirk Cousins decision
- The '300+ yards in the wild-card round' quiz
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Steelers' Aaron Rodgers Has Been In Communication With Exciting All-Pro Wide Receiver That Could Join Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a very exciting team on paper heading into the 2025 NFL season as the organization has made plenty of changes throughout the offseason. It can be argued that both sides of the ball have been upgraded in some way, and the rookie class provides some excitement as well. One spot fans might want to see another move made is at wide receiver, as outside of DK Metcalf, there are some question marks in the room. Calvin Austin III took a strong step forward in 2024, but he has missed a large chunk of time during training camp this month due to injury, and Roman Wilson is still making strides. There are some interesting veterans that are still available in free agency, and some more names should hit the open market at the end of August when teams cut down to their 53-man rosters. However, one of the interesting names on the market currently is former superstar wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. Beckham was a standout during his time with the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns, and he won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams. He recently joined Bill Maher on the Club Random podcast, and he shared that he has had conversations with quarterback Aaron Rodgers. "Love him, love him," Beckham said of Rodgers. "We've had conversations. I won't say that, that it's not a possibility [joining the Steelers], and I won't say that I haven't had any communication. I f*cking love [Mike] Tomlin. I was actually supposed to be drafted to the Steelers. That was the meeting that I had where I was like, 'I think I'm going to the Steelers.' Giants ended up taking me at 12, Steelers had I think the 16th pick maybe. I think they took Ryan Shazier." Beckham revealed that he has had some conversations with the Pittsburgh quarterback, which could mean the two sides are interested in joining forces with the Steelers. The veteran wide receiver didn't sound too optimistic that anything would happen, but he did not shut down the idea of wearing black and gold during the 2025 season. Beckham has been trying to find his footing in the league ever since he tore his ACL during Super Bowl LVI. The injury caused him to miss the entire 2022 season, and he has since played for the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins. In the past two seasons, the receiver has caught just 44 passes for 620 yards and three touchdowns. There is no doubting that Beckham has lost a step, but he would certainly be an interesting addition for the Steelers. Some argue that Pittsburgh's wide receiver room is full of too many wide receiver threes and fours, rather than having a solid second option at the position. At this point in his career, Beckham would likely just add to that problem, rather than being a solution. Steelers Were Interested In Beckham During 2014 NFL Draft Beckham also stated during his interview with Maher that the Steelers were very interested in him during the 2014 NFL Draft. He was selected by the Giants with the 12th overall pick, and Pittsburgh selected at 15. The Steelers grabbed Ryan Shazier, but Beckham seemed fairly confident that if he had still been on the board, he would have gone to the Steelers with the 15th pick. This is a bit hard to believe, as the Steelers have not drafted a wide receiver in the first round since the 2006 NFL Draft when the organization selected Santonio Holmes. The wide receiver room was looking a little thin heading into the 2014 season, but the Steelers were able to make it work after picking Martavis Bryant in the fourth round of the same draft.
King of New York: Pete Alonso breaks major Mets all-time record
Pete Alonso is now the New York Mets' all-time home run king. With his opposite-field, two-run home run in the bottom of the third inning against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, Alonso clubbed the 253rd and 254th home runs of his Mets career, moving him into sole possession of first place on the team's all-time list. He moved two home runs ahead of the previous record-holder, Darryl Strawberry, who hit 252 home runs with the team between the 1983 and 1990 seasons. Here is a look at his record-setting home run. Later in the bottom of the sixth inning, Alonso hit his 254th home run: Along with the all-time Mets home run lead, Alonso is also the Mets' single-season home run leader with 53 home runs during the 2019 season. Strawberry congratulated Alonso on breaking his record: His home runs on Tuesday were his 27th and 28th of the season. It is a big deal for Alonso because there was some doubt this past offseason about whether he would have a chance to set this record. Even though he was close, the uncertainty around his future, given his free-agent status, created a lot of questions about where he would play. Ultimately, the Mets re-signed him to a two-year, $54 million contract that includes an opt-out clause following the 2025 season. That opt-out will again create some uncertainty about his future, but it is pretty clear Alonso still has a lot of power left in his bat. Whether he returns to the Mets or goes somewhere else, he will remain the franchise's greatest home run hitter for the foreseeable future. He is now on top of the record books for the single season and career.
Bryson DeChambeau divulges Scottie Scheffler's biggest advantage
We all know Scottie Scheffler is the best golfer on the planet by a fairly large margin, but what makes him so much more consistent than other stars in professional golf? Bryson DeChambeau, one of Scheffler's biggest rivals in major championships, thinks he knows the answer. In Tuesday's appearance on "The Pat McAfee Show," DeChambeau detailed how Scheffler dominates the PGA Tour weekly. "He's got the best spin and distance control I've ever seen," DeChambeau said. "He controls the golf ball from a spin perspective so much better than everybody else. Like, if you're 175 yards out, and it's 10 miles [an hour] into the wind, he knows how to control the flight and spin to get that ball to land right next to the hole every time. Probably since Tiger [Woods], he's the best that we've seen." The stats confirm DeChambeau's breakdown. Scheffler has ranked first on the PGA Tour in strokes gained on approach in three straight seasons. He also ranks first in proximity to the hole and greens in regulation percentage over the last four years. Iron play is Scheffler's superpower, but it wasn't always that way. "I played with him in college a bunch, and I've said it before, but he's definitely improved since college for sure," DeChambeau said with a chuckle. "It's impressive to see what he's done, and we're all aspiring to do that. That's something I've gotta get better at. I can hit it farther than him. I can hit it probably straighter than him. I can make just as many putts as him, but, really, it's about my iron play right now and wedges to get a little more consistent." Iron play is the biggest indicator of success in professional golf. If you're giving yourself more birdie chances from close range than anyone in the field, you're going to have the best chance to win by Sunday afternoon. No one is better at hitting specific distances more consistently than Scheffler. Just look at how accurate he is. DeChambeau has the best chance to catch Scheffler as the best player in the world because he's elite off the tee and on the greens, but that won't happen unless he makes a major improvement to his iron game.
Lions starters completely dominated Dolphins during joint practice
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has had a pretty quiet training camp so far. The All-Pro receiver hasn't been the focal point for the Lions' offense because, well, St. Brown and the Lions know he'll be the focal point once the regular season kicks off. Getting reps in for other receivers, like Jameson Williams, Tim Patrick, and rookie Isaac TeSlaa feels a bit more imperative right now. St. Brown's lack of noise made during camp shouldn't make Lions fans feel like he's suddenly taking a step back from his 2024 1,000+ receiving yard season, though. In fact, during Wednesday's joint practice against the visiting Miami Dolphins, St. Brown reportedly made it very known to both Miami's defenders and fans in attendance that he is very much still the Lions' top weapon on offense. Another starter for Detroit that completely dominated in his reps against Dolphins defenders was Penei Sewell, who apparently shut down star pass rusher Chop Robinson multiple times before Robinson was injured in practice. Lions starters turning up the heat against Dolphins in joint practice We're not going to see many of these players until September 7 against the Green Bay Packers in Week 1 - and that's a great thing. With the way injuries have been set up against the Lions this offseason and during training camp, preventing as many injuries as possible to key starters like Sewell or St. Brown is of the utmost importance. This joint practice comes ahead of a Week 3 preseason bout between the Lions and Dolphins this Saturday afternoon. Linebacker Grant Stuard, who has been an absolute unit for the Lions' defense this preseason with one sack and five solo tackles, was trash talking the Dolphins ahead of today's joint practice. Talk about adding fuel to a pretty non-existent fire. READ MORE: The disrespect for Jared Goff continues in latest QB rankings "I don't know if they're ready, I'm gonna keep it a stack. I've played at other places and played against that team last year, and joint practiced against that team twice when I was in Tampa. I don't know if they practice how we practice. I'm excited to see our guys for sure, and I'm excited to get out there and do something against somebody else, who doesn't know every in and out of what we're doing," said Stuard to Sports Illustrated's John Maakaron. It's fair to say that Detroit practices hard - head coach Dan Campbell had to shut down practice momentarily numerous times this offseason because of how rough players were being with one another without pads on. The Lions defense is especially tough going, with Stuard featured heavily as a second team star. We'll see how the rest of the afternoon pans out for the Lions and Dolphins, but with St. Brown and Sewell already thoroughly embarrassing some of Miami's defenders, we might just be witnessing exactly what Stuard was talking about. More Lions news and analysis
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