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The Los Angeles Chargers had to make a challenging decision this offseason when it comes to their pass rush unit.
Would the team keep future Hall of Famer Khalil Mack, or would they stick with longtime Chargers star Joey Bosa?
In the end, the team decided that keeping Mack would be what is best for their pass rush heading into the 2025 season.
However, should the team be worried about the unit as a whole? Recently, ESPN senior NFL writer Mike Clay did one of the best in-depth projections for every team in the NFL.
Clay's projections show season stats, wins and losses, and unit rankings for the 2025 season. The Chargers' pass rush scored a very low ranking in the projection.
According to Clay, the Chargers' sack totals are projected to be the 26th best in the entire NFL. That's not a good sign for a team that finished sixth in sacks this past season.
Losing Bosa was tough for the entire franchise. However, there should be some optimism in the team bringing in reigning SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Kyle Kennard, in their 2025 NFL Draft class.
Kennard's last season with the South Carolina Gamecocks saw the Chargers' rookie earn 11.5 sacks. There's potential in the Chargers' pass rush, but it may not be good enough to be one of the best in the league.
More must-reads:
- NFLPA reportedly under federal investigation
- Why as many as 100 NFL players are facing fines and potential suspension
- The 'Single-season sack leaders by NFL team' quiz
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NFLPA reportedly under federal investigation
The ongoing saga with the NFL Players Association has taken another turn, as the organization is also reportedly the subject of a federal investigation. ESPN's Don Van Natta Jr. and Kalyn Kahler reported on Friday that there is an ongoing criminal investigation involving the NFLPA regarding potential misuse of funds and self-enrichment of union officials. A senior union attorney sent a memo to NFLPA officials this week informing them of the federal probe. The document states that the NFLPA is "now on notice of financial actions that may be criminal" and that the union faces "immediate threats requiring prompt actions," according to ESPN. While the document did not specify which individuals are part of the criminal investigation, the notice was sent days after executive director Lloyd Howell Jr. and director of strategy J.C. Tretter resigned from their positions with the NFLPA. Howell was accused of misusing union funds and faced other troubling allegations. Tretter resigned because he felt like he was left to take the heat for the scandal that has been unfolding, though he has denied any wrongdoing. The NFLPA is searching for an interim executive director. ESPN reports that the memo sent to union officials this week warns that potentially hiring an outside executive director might not be a wise move without knowing exactly how deep "the problems may be." Howell was the executive director of the NFLPA for two years.
Aaron Boone Makes Feelings Clear After Yankees’ Big Trade
The New York Yankees didn't come into the season with the strongest third base situation, and it only got worse over time. They converted traditional second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the hot corner after getting him at the Trade Deadline last season and installed a timeshare with him, DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera there in 2025. However, the latter player broke his ankle on May 12, and the Yankees released the now 37-year-old LeMahieu on July 10. Chisholm was primarily back at second at that point, so this left Peraza and Jorbit Vivas as their only true remaining third basemen. With Peraza hitting .147 and Vivas hitting .164, it was clear what the team's biggest need was. That's why it acquired veteran third baseman Ryan McMahon from the Colorado Rockies on Friday. New York manager Aaron Boone gave his thoughts about the 30-year-old before Friday's bout with the Philadelphia Phillies, via SNY. "I know there's real offensive potential there. I know he's had real offensive success, as well as some struggles there over the last calendar year or two," he said. "It seems like over the last month he's really started swinging the bat like he's capable of. He can impact the ball, he can control the strike zone, he's had some swing-and-misses that have probably hurt him a little bit." "But then he can really defend over there," he continued. "The handful of times that we've played against them that I watch him, you're like, 'That's what it should look like over there.' He moves really well and has that prototypical good third base thing." McMahon is slashing .217/.314/.403 with 16 homers and 35 RBI over 100 games this season. He also has a .978 fielding percentage and six errors. Right-handed pitcher Will Warren (6-5, 4.91 ERA) will start for the Yankees against Phillies right-hander Taijuan Walker (3-5, 3.75 ERA) on Friday.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Saints playmaker made a key change this offseason that could turn him into a Pro Bowl caliber player by season's end
Training camp is the time for excitement around the NFL. Highlights begin. Players compete. Coaches learn. All at once, fans get their first glimpse of their favorite team ahead of preseason football. For the New Orleans Saints, one of their key offensive skill players is ready to make an impact and will look different doing it this season. Rashid Shaheed standing out at Saints training camp The speedster for New Orleans has burst onto the scene over the last two seasons and was set to create new personal bests last season before an injury ended his campaign. Shaheed is known for his downfield receiving ability and elite speed. He is also one of the top returners in all of football on special teams. So far in camp, he has been impressive those in attendance, including his teammates. Shaheed looks bigger (because he's added muscle). With that size, he feels a bit more comfortable in contested catch situations - without losing the dynamic of his special speed and agility. That's showing up in practice. Shaheed's added weight to try to stay healthy going forward According to the wideout himself, he added weight this offseason in an effort to stay healthier and play a bit stronger at his position. “For a guy like me, it is pretty hard to put on weight. Just implementing the speed and the weight it was important, I feel like I handled it well.” -- Shaheed via NOFNetwork Shaheed should be a major factor for the passing game in New Orleans under Kellen Moore. The young head coach likes to use unique looks and move guys around plenty. We saw that with Chris Olave in the backfield earlier in the week. I will not be surprised to see some carries or motion uses for Shaheed sometime in practice and-or games, too. You want to get the football in those guys' hands as often as possible. Not to mention, that can lighten the load on veteran running back Alvin Kamara as well. Regardless, it is clear that Shaheed is focused on staying available and active for the Saints this season. His success could be paramount for whoever wins the quarterback competition.
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