Chicago Bears' quarterback Caleb Williams, despite being wrapped in a mystery that had fans on edge, faces nothing more than a brief recovery period following a minor surgical procedure. Concerns flared when Williams was spotted with his right hand in a cast during a USC basketball game. The sight fueled speculation and concern across social platforms and fan forums, wondering about the severity of the situation.
Former @uscfb QB (and current @ChicagoBears QB) Caleb Williams is here for the Wisconsin/USC showdown #B1GMBBall on @BigTenNetwork pic.twitter.com/7IawhgMYyi
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) January 18, 2025
Fresh off an inaugural season where the first-overall pick of 2024 was sacked a staggering 68 times, Williams' resilience and durability were already topics of admiration among the Bears faithful. Throughout the physically taxing season, Williams managed to throw for 3,541 yards and 20 touchdowns and was intercepted only six times, showcasing his promising talent and commitment to Chicago's future.
The reassuring words of NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport quelled the anxiety swirling around the future star quarterback.
"Caleb Williams had a cyst removed. He's fine," Rapoport confirmed on his X feed, putting to rest any fears of a serious injury or long rehabilitation ahead. This minor hiccup in Williams' offseason is nothing but a small obstacle in the grand scheme of his potentially illustrious career with the Bears.
#Bears QB Caleb Williams had a cyst removed, which is why he’s wearing the cast on his hand. It’s minor, he’s fine. https://t.co/DAyuhtwdtD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 18, 2025
Williams' presence at the USC game, despite being a silent testament to his recovery, was a head-turner, not just for the cast on his hand but also for his new haircut.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers are in the market for another wide receiver before the regular season begins, though it appears one of their potential trade targets isn't available at the moment. On Tuesday, San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan both expressed that Jauan Jennings has not formally asked for a trade and will participate in the team's first practice of training camp on Wednesday. "I won't speak for Jauan, but had a good visit with him," Lynch said, per ESPN's Nick Wagoner. "[We] anticipate him being out there. You guys know our feelings on JJ. He embodies what we think a Niner is all about, plays the right way and we love him ... All that stuff, we're not going to get into the contract talks and all that. That takes care of itself, but we love him and he's here." Early last week, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Jennings was looking for a new deal and would ask for a trade if he didn't receive one before camp began. That didn't turn out to be the case, however, as the 28-year-old reported on Monday and is ready to suit up in Santa Clara, Ca. alongside his 49ers teammates despite not yet signing an extension. Jennings in entering the final year of a two-year contract worth $11.890 million that he agreed to last offseason as a restricted free agent. He's guaranteed $3.275 million in salary this season and will carry a cap hit of $4.258 million, according to Over the Cap. A seventh-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Jennings is coming off a career year for the 49ers in which he posted 975 yards and six touchdowns on 77 catches. The possibility remains of an official trade request from Jennings if negotiations with San Francisco don't progress, but he'll hold off from doing so for the time being. The Steelers satisfied their need for another skill position player by acquiring tight end Jonnu Smith from the Miami Dolphins on June 30, but there's still room for an additional receiver on the roster.
It’s wild how quickly the NBA narrative can flip. A year ago, Zion Williamson was in every trade rumor possible. People were questioning his health, his work ethic, even his future in New Orleans. And the Pelicans? They didn’t really deny any of it. It felt like both sides were one step away from walking. But things have shifted this offseason — quietly, but clearly. The Pelicans could’ve pulled the plug. Zion’s contract gave them outs, and the trade market might’ve still brought back some real value. Instead, they stuck with him. And based on what one of their own just said, they’re not just keeping him around — they’re still betting big on him. In a recent interview with Spotrac’s Keith Smith, an anonymous Pelicans executive made it crystal clear. “Zion is still our guy. We’re all in on him. We think he’s going to have a huge year. We’ve had some bad injury luck and some things that just haven’t worked out. This partnership hasn’t even come close to reaching our best yet.” That’s not something you say if you’re halfway in. They backed it up with their offseason moves, too. They traded CJ McCollum and brought in Jordan Poole, a high-usage creator who can take pressure off Zion. They drafted Jeremiah Fears with the No. 7 pick, a dynamic young guard. They added Kevon Looney, a reliable veteran who brings playoff experience and toughness. Those aren’t tear-it-down moves — those are “let’s try this another way” moves. Of course, Zion’s health is still the question. That never really goes away. He played just 30 games last season, but in those games he looked solid: 24.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per night on 56.7 percent shooting. The explosiveness was there. The playmaking was sharp. And the hope for New Orleans is that this time, he can finally sustain it. What’s interesting is how the front office is trying to create a better environment around him. Joe Dumars has stepped in to lead basketball operations and is reportedly building a closer relationship with Zion — dinners, real conversations, not just surface-level stuff. It feels like, for once, the team is trying to meet him halfway. It’s a risk, sure. But it’s a calculated one. The West is brutal and the margin for error is thin. Still, if Zion can stay healthy for 60 games, and if Poole finds a rhythm and guys like Trey Murphy and Herb Jones keep improving — this team has a shot to be in the mix. The quote from the exec says it all. They could’ve hit reset, moved on, cleaned house. But they didn’t. They’re still in. And now it’s on Zion to hold up his end of the deal. After everything that’s happened, they’re telling the world they still believe. Now it’s time to find out if they’re right.
The Philadelphia Phillies are expected to be active ahead of the trade deadline, and one glaring need stands out above the rest: find a new center fielder. Philadelphia’s current outfield mix of Nick Castellanos, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, and Johan Rojas has underwhelmed, sending the president of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, to the trade market to find an upgrade. While a long-term solution like Boston’s Jarren Duran or even a rental like Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins would be ideal, the Phillies may pivot toward a cheaper option. One name gaining traction is New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham, who CBS Sports’ Mike Axisa predicts the Phillies to acquire in a three-team trade at the deadline. "The Phillies badly need an outfielder. A center fielder, preferably," wrote Axisa. "The Yankees are rumored to be open to moving one of their three non-Aaron Judge outfielders (Grisham, Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez) for a badly needed third baseman.” Axisa continues by explaining how a trade between the Phillies, Yankees, and Minnesota Twins could fulfill each team’s deadline needs. “The Phillies and Yankees don't match up well for an outfielder-for-third baseman trade, which is where the Twins come in. Rental Grisham for rental (Willi) Castro makes no sense for Minnesota. If they're selling, they won't want a rental. They'll want controllable young players, so a three-team trade in which Grisham goes to Philadelphia, Phillies prospects go to Minnesota, and Castro goes to the Yankees could be in the cards." Grisham is in the middle of a career year, already tying a personal best in home runs (17) and posting a career-high .833 OPS. For Philadelphia, acquiring the left-handed hitter would almost be perfect, outside of a blockbuster deal for the aforementioned Jarren Duran. The Phillies would replace Kepler in the lineup with Grisham and shift Marsh from center to left field, adding depth to the outfield in the process. Moreover, Grisham, an impending free agent, wouldn’t disrupt the club’s long-term plan for top prospect Justin Crawford to take over center field in 2026. He wouldn’t crowd an already packed outfield full of players vying for roles, either. While the move could further agitate Kepler—who’s already criticized manager Rob Thomson over limited playing time—the Phillies must act now. With their World Series window closing, they must capitalize on every opportunity to strengthen the roster.
DeMarcus Cousins recently gave Golden State Warriors fans a rare glimpse behind the curtain, and what he revealed wasn’t about Xs and Os, it was about how the franchise treats its players like family. Speaking on FanDuel TV, Cousins echoed Jimmy Butler’s praise for the Warriors, calling them one of the top organizations in the league. But what stood out most was his revelation that the Warriors go so far as to provide a separate plane just for players’ families during the playoffs. In an NBA where marginal advantages matter, this is elite-level care that few franchises offer. "Being a guy that was a part of the organization, I can agree with Jimmy 100%. It’s definitely one of the top organizations in the NBA. They treat their players well. They treat players’ families well." "From, you know, meal plans on the road to traveling, I mean, during the playoffs, finals, they have their own separate plane just for players’ family members. So it's not many organizations doing that. So what he's saying is absolutely true." "Obviously, it's early, but I know dealing with the Warriors myself, the organization is going to roll out the red carpet for him. They want him to feel welcome. They want him to feel like he's a part of the family." "And, you know, I think Jimmy’s also showing he’s putting his best foot forward. So I think it's coming from both sides. And it makes sense. You want it that way. You want to make this relationship work. You want your investment to work." "And, you know, giving the extension to Jimmy at this point in his career, it makes sense. Everybody's playing their part to make this work. As of right now, it’s working." Since arriving in the Golden State last season, Jimmy Butler has done more than fit in, he’s elevated the team on both ends of the floor. He averaged 17.9 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.9 assists per game on an efficient 47.6% shooting. But his biggest impact has come on the defensive end. With Butler in the lineup, the Warriors posted the best defensive rating in the NBA. That’s no coincidence. His tenacity, leadership, and focus on the little things turned a good defense into an elite one. Golden State went 23–7 in the regular season with Butler in the lineup. They knocked off the rising Houston Rockets in a gritty seven-game first-round series. But misfortune struck in Round 2. Stephen Curry, the heartbeat of the team, injured his ankle in Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves and missed the next four games. The Warriors fell in five, leaving fans wondering just how far they could have gone with a healthy roster. That heartbreak, though, has only fueled optimism. With Curry healthy, Butler locked in, and a full offseason to gel, the Warriors are poised to make serious noise. The culture is elite. The system is proven. The foundation is as strong as ever. And Jimmy Butler, a player known for his intensity and no-nonsense approach to basketball, has found a home in Golden State’s player-first ecosystem. The Warriors' investment in Butler isn’t just about wins, it’s about values. It’s about creating an environment where players want to stay, build, and chase greatness together. With stars like Cousins and Butler both vouching for Golden State’s unmatched treatment of players and families, it’s clear the franchise is doing things right on and off the court.
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