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NFL insider shares wild theory about Titans, Cam Ward speculation
Shortly after numerous reports said that "there's virtually no doubt" that the Tennessee Titans will make Miami quarterback Cam Ward the No. 1 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t Turron Davenport) interestingly shared that "Tennessee is still willing to listen to offers for the first pick, but it will now take an even stronger package for the Titans to move down."
On Wednesday, NFL insider Mike Florio of NBC Sports and Pro Football Talk offered an interesting theory regarding what he referred to as "mixed signals" involving the Titans and Ward.
"There’s also a chance that the Titans are building a mystery as a favor to the league," Florio wrote, "which strongly prefers that no one knows anything about which players will be picked and when. So even if it’s clear that Ward will be the first player taken, the possibility that the commissioner will announce at 8:15 p.m. ET or so on April 24 that a trade has been made will encourage maximum viewers to be viewing the draft at that moment."
Per the league's website, viewership of the opening round of the 2024 draft was the highest the league had enjoyed since the first round of the 2021 player-selection process. Meanwhile, Michael McCarthy of Front Office Sports is among those who have noted that the NFL is shopping a new draft media rights deal that is set to begin in 2026. Thus, it's easy to imagine league executives would want to see an increase in viewers for the event compared to what last year's draft attracted.
The fact that the Browns held a private workout with Ward on Wednesday caused some to believe the team could move up from the second overall pick to grab the former Miami star. However, Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer quickly pointed out that it's still thought Tennessee "is strongly leaning towards drafting Ward."
The Titans not making any play for Sam Darnold, Justin Fields, Geno Smith, Russell Wilson or even Aaron Rodgers left many reporters assuming the club will take either Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders at No. 1. Florio seems to believe the NFL loves that outsiders could keep guessing about Tennessee's true intentions up through the final Thursday of April.
More must-reads:
- Analyst explains how Giants should react to missing out on Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders
- Cam Ward reveals four-word message he had for Titans at pro day
- The 'Famous NFL nicknames' quiz
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Browns releasing one-time Pro Bowl wide receiver
Diontae Johnson‘s efforts to find a stable NFL home will likely not include time with the Browns. The veteran wideout is being released today, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero report. The wide receiver’s tumultuous 2024 included a bevy of transactions and multiple aims to be traded and ultimately crushed his free agency value. Johnson was traded twice and cut twice last year, leading to a veteran-minimum Browns deal. Failing to make Cleveland’s 53-man roster represents another blow to a player who entered last season as a career-long starter. No other team made Johnson an offer this offseason. The Browns will not take on any dead money from this release as a result of the vet-minimum deal including no guarantees. The team did not add any other veteran receivers of note, but it will still move on from a former 1,000-yard player who had excelled for the Steelers over an extended stretch. The Steelers and Panthers traded Johnson last year after he grew unhappy with both situations. But Johnson then drew a team-imposed suspension in Baltimore after refusing to reenter a late-season game with the Ravens — who did not give the effective route runner a regular role. Johnson then grew unhappy with his Texans role following a subsequent waiver claim. The Ravens claimed him again for procedural purposes, wrapping a transaction-crazed (but largely inconsequential, productivity-wise) year for the six-year veteran. Cleveland has Cedric Tillman positioned as Jerry Jeudy‘s top complementary option, with 2024 fifth-rounder Jamari Thrash in the mix as well. The Browns also changed their receiver situation this month, signing Texas product Isaiah Bond after the rookie was not indicted on sexual assault charges. Johnson, 29, will pass straight to free agency as a vested veteran.
Chicago Bears waive wide receiver who was 2025 training camp favorite
The Chicago Bears took another big step toward slashing their roster to the final 53-man squad on Tuesday morning. According to team insider Brad Biggs, the Bears have waived training camp favorite J.P. Richardson, and undrafted rookie wide reciever from TCU. Poles also cut ties with offensive lineman Ricky Stromberg, a former third-round pick who some presumed would offer interior line depth at the time he was added. The Chicago Bears were 20 roster moves away from the 53-man limit before these two transactions. Richardson made an early impression at Bears training camp and emerged as the summer's fan-favorite in late-July. His momentum cooled quite a bit once the preseason schedule rolled around, and with so much depth at receiver on Chicago's roster, Richardson's chances never seemed strong. There is, however, a possibility he returns to the Bears on the practice squad. It's highly unlikely another team will put a waiver claim in for him (it guarantees an active roster spot). Once Richardson clears waivers, he's a name to monitor for Chicago's practice team. Richardson finished the 2024 season with 57 catches for 733 yards and two touchdowns for the Horned Frogs.
Steelers Receive Mostly Positive News From Critical Players
The Pittsburgh Steelers had to deal with the injury bug all throughout camp, as numerous players had to miss significant time, from undrafted hopefuls, to key depth pieces, to locked-in starters. Pittsburgh is in the phase where it trims down the roster from 90 men to 53, and the severity of these injuries could be a factor in deciding what happens, as some players may have to be put on Injured Reserve (IR) to free up more spots for other players who deserve a place on the team. Luckily, one position of concern seems to be getting better quickly. Edge rusher Nick Herbig told reporters about how he has continued to receive treatment for an injury he suffered during the preseason. He is hopeful about his ability to play in the season opener. He has about two weeks to recover and prove that he is all healed up before gameday. However, Head Coach Mike Tomlin did not share that same optimism, as he declined to make any statement on his availability. Even in an edge rusher room that is loaded with insane talent from top to bottom, Herbig plays a key role in this defense. His quick release off the line makes him a great asset, and it allows the starters to catch their breath on the sideline while he continues to torment quarterbacks. 5.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries as a backup is quite exceptional. He would likely be a starter on every other team but Pittsburgh. While there is some hope around Herbig's injury, there is no uncertainty around Alex Highsmith's recent groin injury. While speaking with reporters, he announced that he will be ready for the regular season for sure. Highsmith has had a very concerning history with groin injuries, so it would make sense if the Steelers wanted to play things carefully with the former third-round pick. However, they have shown that they are comfortable with letting players skip training camp and preseason games to make sure they feel great for the meaningful games. That is what they did with Highsmith, and it seems like it worked. Instead of taking it easy in September, he got to rest and recover throughout August, and now he is ready to go. It seems like the Steelers will have their normal four edge rushers all ready to go for Week 1. They will get the chance to torture their former quarterback in the pocket as Justin Fields starts his tenure with the New York Jets. Having Highsmith in the starting lineup and Herbig as the primary depth rusher will be huge, and Fields will likely not have a very fun day in his debut with his new team. Steelers' Camp Hopefuls May Have Lost Their Chance Eku Leota and DeMarvin Leal (now released) spent all of preseason trying to prove their worth as outside linebackers. They did well during the games, especially Leota. With a stacked edge rusher room, it seemed like their only chance of making the roster was if someone went on IR. Now that Highsmith is completely healthy and Herbig anticipates playing in Week 1, both players will most likely be sent to the waiver wire shortly.
Aaron Rodgers called to check on status of Packers WR ahead of roster deadline
When the Green Bay Packers traded Aaron Rodgers to the New York Jets ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, multiple players followed him. Before the trade, New York signed wide receiver Allen Lazard, one of Rodgers’ favorite targets, and hired Nathaniel Hackett as the offensive coordinator. After the trade, it also signed wide receiver Randall Cobb, one of Rodgers’ best friends. As fans will recall, last season, the Jets also traded for Davante Adams, who had the best seasons of his own illustrious career while catching passes from Rodgers in Green Bay. After being released by New York following the 2024 NFL season, Rodgers signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are in the market for a veteran wide receiver to pair with Pro Bowler DK Metcalf. And it appears the future Pro Football Hall of Famer is, once again, checking in to see if one of his former teammates in Green Bay might be available. Aaron Rodgers Called Regarding the Status of Green Bay Packers Wide Receiver Romeo Doubs Indeed, there are not many players currently on the Packers roster who were also there when Rodgers played for Green Bay. Following the trade, the Packers front office overhauled their roster, and many popular longtime veterans were released or not re-signed. The only players left who played with Rodgers in 2022 (or earlier) are current quarterback Jordan Love, wide receivers Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson, cornerback Keisean Nixon, center Elgton Jenkins, offensive linemen Zach Tom and Rasheed Walker and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. And, apparently, Rodgers may be interested in possibly reuniting with Doubs. "Rodgers called on Monday, one day before roster cuts; interestingly, he asked about the status of receiver Romeo Doubs. Exactly two months after Tuesday’s roster cuts, the Packers will visit the Steelers on Oct. 26," according to Bill Huber of Sports Illustrated. Doubs was a rookie during Rodgers’ final season in Green Bay, and caught 42 passes for 425 yards and four touchdowns that year. All this being said, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur made it clear over the weekend that there is no way Doubs is going to be cut or traded. Additionally, all the injuries Green Bay’s wide receivers (Doubs included) have suffered during training camp have proved the Packers need all the depth at the position that they can get.
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