6 days ago
Both the Steelers and the Falcons have new coaching staffs heading into Week 1. It's safe to say both franchises will be looking to start their new era off on the right foot with a victory. I spoke with Kevin Knight of The Falcoholic to learn a bit about what's new with the Atlanta Falcons.
Kevin Knight: Well, now even Tua Tagovailoa is out of the lineup thanks to an oblique injury suffered during individual drills on Thursday. That means Cooper Rush at the helm (who, in truth, may not be any worse than Tua based on the aforementioned preseason). What you're going to see is a lot of quick game, and as much Bijan Robinson as the team can muster. If Atlanta can run the ball well and get Bijan going, they can score points. So that'll be the plan, with the passing game largely taking a complementary role until Michael Penix Jr. returns.
Kevin Knight: This is a good defense that will have to find ways to manufacture pass rush. Thankfully, Jeff Ulbrich is an evil genius with his blitz packages, and he's got a lot of interesting looks planned. Expect to see a lot of linebacker and slot blitzes to supplement their weaker edge rusher room, along with a lot of emphasis on interior pass rush. Atlanta has a really nice interior duo with Brandon Dorlus (who was leading all interior defensive linemen in the NFC with 8.5 sacks last season before injury) and trade acquisition Gervon Dexter Sr. They're hoping the interior can offset some of their weaknesses outside.
Kevin Knight: I like Kevin Stefanski and think it pretty much takes a miracle worker to extract any amount of success from the Cleveland Browns organization. It does seem like there's a coherent, forward-thinking plan in place for this Falcons team for the first time in years. I don't necessarily expect a lot of success in 2026 based on the moves made to this point and the way the team is structured, but I do expect Atlanta to be one of the most aggressive teams in free agency and the draft in 2027.
Kevin Knight: As I mentioned before, Brandon Dorlus is a borderline-elite interior pass rusher who may also get some run on the edge. Linebacker Divine Deablo was the biggest surprise in last year's free agent class and completely transformed the defense when he was on the field. Second-year safety Xavier Watts was a DROY candidate in 2025 and forms a dynamic duo with veteran Jessie Bates III. Atlanta will be starting two rookies on defense: Avieon Terrell (brother of A.J. Terrell) in the slot, and Kendal Daniels at linebacker. Both impressed in training camp, with Daniels being a particularly pleasant surprise given his Day 3 selection.
#expect
Kevin Knight: Well, now even Tua Tagovailoa is out of the lineup thanks to an oblique injury suffered during individual drills on Thursday. That means Cooper Rush at the helm (who, in truth, may not be any worse than Tua based on the aforementioned preseason). What you're going to see is a lot of quick game, and as much Bijan Robinson as the team can muster. If Atlanta can run the ball well and get Bijan going, they can score points. So that'll be the plan, with the passing game largely taking a complementary role until Michael Penix Jr. returns.
Kevin Knight: This is a good defense that will have to find ways to manufacture pass rush. Thankfully, Jeff Ulbrich is an evil genius with his blitz packages, and he's got a lot of interesting looks planned. Expect to see a lot of linebacker and slot blitzes to supplement their weaker edge rusher room, along with a lot of emphasis on interior pass rush. Atlanta has a really nice interior duo with Brandon Dorlus (who was leading all interior defensive linemen in the NFC with 8.5 sacks last season before injury) and trade acquisition Gervon Dexter Sr. They're hoping the interior can offset some of their weaknesses outside.
Kevin Knight: I like Kevin Stefanski and think it pretty much takes a miracle worker to extract any amount of success from the Cleveland Browns organization. It does seem like there's a coherent, forward-thinking plan in place for this Falcons team for the first time in years. I don't necessarily expect a lot of success in 2026 based on the moves made to this point and the way the team is structured, but I do expect Atlanta to be one of the most aggressive teams in free agency and the draft in 2027.
Kevin Knight: As I mentioned before, Brandon Dorlus is a borderline-elite interior pass rusher who may also get some run on the edge. Linebacker Divine Deablo was the biggest surprise in last year's free agent class and completely transformed the defense when he was on the field. Second-year safety Xavier Watts was a DROY candidate in 2025 and forms a dynamic duo with veteran Jessie Bates III. Atlanta will be starting two rookies on defense: Avieon Terrell (brother of A.J. Terrell) in the slot, and Kendal Daniels at linebacker. Both impressed in training camp, with Daniels being a particularly pleasant surprise given his Day 3 selection.
#expect
7 days ago
There are now many signs pointing to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase being full-go for the team's season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That's a good starting point for the latest Bengals player to indicate his only goals for the 2026 season are to win the Super Bowl.
Speaking during a Sept. 10 news conference at Paycor Stadium, Chase said he felt good and has taken on his normal workload in practice. Chase injured his knee during an Aug. 25 training camp practice when he collided with cornerback DJ Turner II.
The missed practices for Chase that followed the collision were precautionary, he said. Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said he anticipated both Chase and receiver Tee Higgins would be available for the Sept. 13 home opener, and Chase was listed in the Sept. 9-10 injury reports as a full participant in practice.
More: Dexter Lawrence may be Bengals' missing piece. Dabo Swinney, Daniel Jones, others reveal why
With health seemingly no longer threatening his ability to begin the season on time, Chase is set to begin his sixth NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations, but no personal or statistical aims he felt were worth mentioning during his Sept. 10 news conference.
#bengals #cincinnati #receiver
Speaking during a Sept. 10 news conference at Paycor Stadium, Chase said he felt good and has taken on his normal workload in practice. Chase injured his knee during an Aug. 25 training camp practice when he collided with cornerback DJ Turner II.
The missed practices for Chase that followed the collision were precautionary, he said. Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said he anticipated both Chase and receiver Tee Higgins would be available for the Sept. 13 home opener, and Chase was listed in the Sept. 9-10 injury reports as a full participant in practice.
More: Dexter Lawrence may be Bengals' missing piece. Dabo Swinney, Daniel Jones, others reveal why
With health seemingly no longer threatening his ability to begin the season on time, Chase is set to begin his sixth NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations, but no personal or statistical aims he felt were worth mentioning during his Sept. 10 news conference.
#bengals #cincinnati #receiver
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7 days ago
There are now many signs pointing to Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase being full-go for the team's season-opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That's a good starting point for the latest Bengals player to indicate his only goals for the 2026 season are to win the Super Bowl.
Speaking during a Sept. 10 news conference at Paycor Stadium, Chase said he felt good and has taken on his normal workload in practice. Chase injured his knee during an Aug. 25 training camp practice when he collided with cornerback DJ Turner II.
The missed practices for Chase that followed the collision were precautionary, he said. Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said he anticipated both Chase and receiver Tee Higgins would be available for the Sept. 13 home opener, and Chase was listed in the Sept. 9-10 injury reports as a full participant in practice.
More: Dexter Lawrence may be Bengals' missing piece. Dabo Swinney, Daniel Jones, others reveal why
With health seemingly no longer threatening his ability to begin the season on time, Chase is set to begin his sixth NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations, but no personal or statistical aims he felt were worth mentioning during his Sept. 10 news conference.
#chase
Speaking during a Sept. 10 news conference at Paycor Stadium, Chase said he felt good and has taken on his normal workload in practice. Chase injured his knee during an Aug. 25 training camp practice when he collided with cornerback DJ Turner II.
The missed practices for Chase that followed the collision were precautionary, he said. Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor said he anticipated both Chase and receiver Tee Higgins would be available for the Sept. 13 home opener, and Chase was listed in the Sept. 9-10 injury reports as a full participant in practice.
More: Dexter Lawrence may be Bengals' missing piece. Dabo Swinney, Daniel Jones, others reveal why
With health seemingly no longer threatening his ability to begin the season on time, Chase is set to begin his sixth NFL season with Super Bowl aspirations, but no personal or statistical aims he felt were worth mentioning during his Sept. 10 news conference.
#chase
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11 days ago
The Big Ten issued a statement regarding the controversial finish of the Western Michigan-Michigan game in Ann Arbor on Saturday.
The conference said after reviewing replays, there was a second left on the clock when a Western Michigan player, No. 18 Micah Davis, touched the Bryce Underwood Hail Mary after stepping out of bounds in the back of the end zone.
Once the ball was touched by a player who was out of bounds, it was dead.
That was the explanation for how a second was put back on the clock, setting up the Underwood pass caught by JJ Buchanan to give the Wolverines a 13-12 victory, avoiding a massive upset.
Micah Davis is a safety from Dexter, Michigan, who spent two seasons with the Wolverines before transferring to the Broncos.
#touched
The conference said after reviewing replays, there was a second left on the clock when a Western Michigan player, No. 18 Micah Davis, touched the Bryce Underwood Hail Mary after stepping out of bounds in the back of the end zone.
Once the ball was touched by a player who was out of bounds, it was dead.
That was the explanation for how a second was put back on the clock, setting up the Underwood pass caught by JJ Buchanan to give the Wolverines a 13-12 victory, avoiding a massive upset.
Micah Davis is a safety from Dexter, Michigan, who spent two seasons with the Wolverines before transferring to the Broncos.
#touched
13 days ago
The Atlanta Falcons have a supremely talented top option at wide receiver in Drake London, who's considered one of the top-10 performers in the game at his position. Unfortunately, the Falcons also have exactly zero proven options beneath him on the depth chart.
For now, it looks like Jahan Dotson will serve as WR2, even though he's only scored one touchdown over the last two years. Olamide Zaccheaus projects as Atlanta's WR3, but he really should never be more than a No. 4 option.
Rookie Zachariah Branch definitely has potential. However, he'll have to earn his way up the ladder to see real targets - and that will likely take some time. Collectively, this group has been ranked the 20th-best wide receiver room in the NFL, according to CBS Sports.
"If the Falcons had anybody we could remotely rely on behind the fantastic Drake London, they'd rank higher than this. Perhaps rookie Zachariah Branch blossoms early and becomes that guy. But Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahan Dotson aren't our idea of reliable options."
Matt Ryan deserves credit for some late-breaking moves to improve the Falcons roster, including adding Za'Darius Smith to help plug their holes on the edge with Jalon Walker out and James Pearce suspended. The trade for Gervon Dexter is also a huge deal for their interior defensive line rotation.
#london #jahan #olamide #zaccheaus
For now, it looks like Jahan Dotson will serve as WR2, even though he's only scored one touchdown over the last two years. Olamide Zaccheaus projects as Atlanta's WR3, but he really should never be more than a No. 4 option.
Rookie Zachariah Branch definitely has potential. However, he'll have to earn his way up the ladder to see real targets - and that will likely take some time. Collectively, this group has been ranked the 20th-best wide receiver room in the NFL, according to CBS Sports.
"If the Falcons had anybody we could remotely rely on behind the fantastic Drake London, they'd rank higher than this. Perhaps rookie Zachariah Branch blossoms early and becomes that guy. But Olamide Zaccheaus and Jahan Dotson aren't our idea of reliable options."
Matt Ryan deserves credit for some late-breaking moves to improve the Falcons roster, including adding Za'Darius Smith to help plug their holes on the edge with Jalon Walker out and James Pearce suspended. The trade for Gervon Dexter is also a huge deal for their interior defensive line rotation.
#london #jahan #olamide #zaccheaus
14 days ago
Tesla
TSLA
+0.26%
stock started the week with a bang, rising 5.5%
on Monday
. Investors’ optimism wasn’t easy to explain. The likeliest reason, according to
Future FundExternal link
co-founder
Gary Black
, was
robo-taxis
. Investors are getting more excited about a potential introduction of Tesla’s Cybercab into its fleet of self-driving cabs. Investors, however, might be getting ahead of themselves.
TSLA
+0.26%
Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
#tesla #Tsla #getting
TSLA
+0.26%
stock started the week with a bang, rising 5.5%
on Monday
. Investors’ optimism wasn’t easy to explain. The likeliest reason, according to
Future FundExternal link
co-founder
Gary Black
, was
robo-taxis
. Investors are getting more excited about a potential introduction of Tesla’s Cybercab into its fleet of self-driving cabs. Investors, however, might be getting ahead of themselves.
TSLA
+0.26%
Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
#tesla #Tsla #getting
16 days ago
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — After trading 2023 second-round draft pick Gervon Dexter and going through a training camp with injuries to key players, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles still views his team as capable of defending the NFC North ***** le.
The major reason is quarterback Caleb Williams' development in his second season under coach Ben Johnson and third year overall.
"I think the first year, he was white-knuckling the whole time, trying to figure it out, trying to do it right," Poles said Tuesday. "He continues to do that, wanting to do it right, but I think you see that joy back in his game where he's playing free."
Johnson backed that thought about Williams, who threw only five passes in preseason.
"I've seen a very composed person every time he steps into the building," Johnson said. "This guy, you know, might have had a little bit of goofy to him a year ago. And I use that term with love.
#johnson #williams
The major reason is quarterback Caleb Williams' development in his second season under coach Ben Johnson and third year overall.
"I think the first year, he was white-knuckling the whole time, trying to figure it out, trying to do it right," Poles said Tuesday. "He continues to do that, wanting to do it right, but I think you see that joy back in his game where he's playing free."
Johnson backed that thought about Williams, who threw only five passes in preseason.
"I've seen a very composed person every time he steps into the building," Johnson said. "This guy, you know, might have had a little bit of goofy to him a year ago. And I use that term with love.
#johnson #williams
17 days ago
It's goosebump time.
Every week it has become tradition to have an Ole Miss hype video with a former player coming back to narrate. This week it was a "kid from Largo" – Dexter McCluster.
Good ole number 22 was one of the most electrifying runners of the ball the last 25 or so years in Oxford. He rushed for more than 1,900 yards and totaled more than 3,600 total scrimmage yards during his four seasons at Ole Miss. In 2009, he became the first player in SEC history to rush for more than 1,000 yards and have more than 500 receiving yards in the same season.
McCluster also holds the single game rushing record of 282 yards against Tennessee, which if you were in attendance, was one of the more fun days of the Houston Nutt era.
Take it away RUNDMC.
#player #dexter #oxford
Every week it has become tradition to have an Ole Miss hype video with a former player coming back to narrate. This week it was a "kid from Largo" – Dexter McCluster.
Good ole number 22 was one of the most electrifying runners of the ball the last 25 or so years in Oxford. He rushed for more than 1,900 yards and totaled more than 3,600 total scrimmage yards during his four seasons at Ole Miss. In 2009, he became the first player in SEC history to rush for more than 1,000 yards and have more than 500 receiving yards in the same season.
McCluster also holds the single game rushing record of 282 yards against Tennessee, which if you were in attendance, was one of the more fun days of the Houston Nutt era.
Take it away RUNDMC.
#player #dexter #oxford
18 days ago
Famous Dex is once again behind bars, this time in Las Vegas on a domestic battery charge.
The Chicago rapper, whose legal name is Dexter Tiewon Gore Jr., was taken into custody Sunday, Aug. 23, and booked on the charge, according to TMZ. As of Tuesday (Aug. 25), he remained in custody at a Las Vegas jail.
The arrest marks a troubling reversal for an artist who had spoken publicly about getting his life in order. As recently as April 2023, Dex told TMZ he was 11 months sober and announced a collaborative album, Rich Forever 5, alongside Rich The Kid and Jay Critch.
The latest charge arrives years after a string of serious legal troubles in California. In late 2020, Dex allegedly physically harmed a woman in October of that year and was involved in a separate November incident in which police responding to a domestic disturbance found a woman with cuts and confronted Dex after he allegedly barricaded himself inside with firearms, prompting a SWAT standoff. Combined with the 2016 emergence of security footage reportedly showing him hitting his girlfriend in a hallway, the three incidents resulted in a total of 19 charges, including domestic violence and gun possession counts. The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office had indicated he faced up to 18 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
#years #allegedly
The Chicago rapper, whose legal name is Dexter Tiewon Gore Jr., was taken into custody Sunday, Aug. 23, and booked on the charge, according to TMZ. As of Tuesday (Aug. 25), he remained in custody at a Las Vegas jail.
The arrest marks a troubling reversal for an artist who had spoken publicly about getting his life in order. As recently as April 2023, Dex told TMZ he was 11 months sober and announced a collaborative album, Rich Forever 5, alongside Rich The Kid and Jay Critch.
The latest charge arrives years after a string of serious legal troubles in California. In late 2020, Dex allegedly physically harmed a woman in October of that year and was involved in a separate November incident in which police responding to a domestic disturbance found a woman with cuts and confronted Dex after he allegedly barricaded himself inside with firearms, prompting a SWAT standoff. Combined with the 2016 emergence of security footage reportedly showing him hitting his girlfriend in a hallway, the three incidents resulted in a total of 19 charges, including domestic violence and gun possession counts. The Los Angeles City Attorney's Office had indicated he faced up to 18 years in prison if convicted on all counts.
COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.
#years #allegedly
18 days ago
Today is the NFL deadline for teams to cut rosters to the 53-player maximum before 6 p.m. The Cincinnati Bengals enter the 2026 NFL season with high expectations and have the second-best odds to win the AFC North.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor is the only coach returning in the division this season and Cincinnati added veteran defensive players including defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, safety Bryan Cook and defensive end Boye Mafe, among others.
The Bengals made it through training camp and the preseason with limited injuries to starters. Defensive end Shemar Stewart was injured on the first day of training camp and defensive back Dax Hill also was injured.
Buy Bengals tickets
Follow live to see which players make the 53-man roster:
#cincinnati #injured
Bengals coach Zac Taylor is the only coach returning in the division this season and Cincinnati added veteran defensive players including defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, safety Bryan Cook and defensive end Boye Mafe, among others.
The Bengals made it through training camp and the preseason with limited injuries to starters. Defensive end Shemar Stewart was injured on the first day of training camp and defensive back Dax Hill also was injured.
Buy Bengals tickets
Follow live to see which players make the 53-man roster:
#cincinnati #injured
18 days ago
The Atlanta Falcons made a splash less than 12 hours before the NFL's 53-man roster deadline, trading cornerback Clark Phillips III and a fifth-round pick to the Chicago Bears in exchange for defensive tackle Gervon Dexter. It was known that the Bears had been shopping Dexter, who recorded six sacks in 17 starts for Chicago last season.
The Falcons needed defensive tackle depth after losing David Onyemata and Grady Jarrett in back-to-back offseasons. Dexter is set to make $2.1 million in 2026, which is the final year of his rookie contract.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Falcons beat out both the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants to acquire Dexter on Sunday morning. Atlanta will likely need to work out a long-term extension with the 24-year-old, but that hasn't been an issue for new GM Ian Cunningham thus far.
Fans seemed to feel Atlanta won the trade by a decent margin. Here's how those around the NFL reacted to the Falcons-Bears trade on social media.
The Falcons must trim their roster down to 53 players by Sunday's 6 p.m. ET deadline. Follow along with each move using our Falcons roster cuts tracker!
#atlanta #bears #roster #Chicago
The Falcons needed defensive tackle depth after losing David Onyemata and Grady Jarrett in back-to-back offseasons. Dexter is set to make $2.1 million in 2026, which is the final year of his rookie contract.
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Falcons beat out both the New Orleans Saints and the New York Giants to acquire Dexter on Sunday morning. Atlanta will likely need to work out a long-term extension with the 24-year-old, but that hasn't been an issue for new GM Ian Cunningham thus far.
Fans seemed to feel Atlanta won the trade by a decent margin. Here's how those around the NFL reacted to the Falcons-Bears trade on social media.
The Falcons must trim their roster down to 53 players by Sunday's 6 p.m. ET deadline. Follow along with each move using our Falcons roster cuts tracker!
#atlanta #bears #roster #Chicago
19 days ago
The New York Giants acquired defensive tackle C.J. Okoye from the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday in exchange for a 2028 seventh-round pick, reports NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo.
Art Staple of USA TODAY provided some additional clarity, reporting that the Giants are sending their own 2028 seventh-round pick to Baltimore as part of the deal.
Okoye, a 6-foot-6, 365-pound nose tackle, reunites with Giants head coach John Harbaugh after spending the 2025 season in Baltimore. The 24-year-old Nigerian product entered the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program following two seasons on the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad. He also trained at former Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora's Uprise camp.
Promoted to Baltimore's active roster last October, Okoye appeared in 13 games and recorded 15 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass deflection on 214 defensive snaps. The massive interior lineman gives New York another large body after the offseason trade of Dexter Lawrence and questions about depth behind veterans D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris.
The move comes as the Giants finalize their 53-man roster ahead of the regular season.
#baltimore #tackle #york #season
Art Staple of USA TODAY provided some additional clarity, reporting that the Giants are sending their own 2028 seventh-round pick to Baltimore as part of the deal.
Okoye, a 6-foot-6, 365-pound nose tackle, reunites with Giants head coach John Harbaugh after spending the 2025 season in Baltimore. The 24-year-old Nigerian product entered the NFL through the International Player Pathway Program following two seasons on the Los Angeles Chargers' practice squad. He also trained at former Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora's Uprise camp.
Promoted to Baltimore's active roster last October, Okoye appeared in 13 games and recorded 15 tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass deflection on 214 defensive snaps. The massive interior lineman gives New York another large body after the offseason trade of Dexter Lawrence and questions about depth behind veterans D.J. Reader and Shelby Harris.
The move comes as the Giants finalize their 53-man roster ahead of the regular season.
#baltimore #tackle #york #season
21 days ago
The Cincinnati Bengals front office went all in this offseason to rebuild the defense as quickly as possible going into 2026.
The Bengals traded for Dexter Lawrence and also brought in multiple free agents like Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, Jonathan Allen, and others.
Cook is an exciting addition after playing college football for the Bearcats and winning multiple Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cook has been dealing with a minor hamstring injury the past few weeks but is back in action now as the final week of preseason approaches.
"I'm buzzing with a lot of excitement right now," Cook said.
#bengals #multiple #lawrence
The Bengals traded for Dexter Lawrence and also brought in multiple free agents like Boye Mafe, Bryan Cook, Jonathan Allen, and others.
Cook is an exciting addition after playing college football for the Bearcats and winning multiple Super Bowls with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Cook has been dealing with a minor hamstring injury the past few weeks but is back in action now as the final week of preseason approaches.
"I'm buzzing with a lot of excitement right now," Cook said.
#bengals #multiple #lawrence
21 days ago
Former Florida defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr. is reportedly involved in trade discussions.
The Chicago Bears, who drafted Dexter No. 53 overall in 2023, "have had trade discussions ... and there are multiple scenarios where a deal could get done sending him to a new team," according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz.
Dexter is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is coming off his best NFL season. He started all 17 games for Chicago in the 2025 regular season, recording 44 tackles, six sacks, six tackles for loss and 38 pressures. Over the past two years, he's started 32 games. He has 115 career tackles and 13.5 sacks through three seasons.
Dexter spent three seasons with Florida, coming in as part of the 2020 recruiting class. He played in 38 games for the Gators, starting 24 of them, and left Gainesville with 125 total tackles (46 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, four pass deflections and two fumble recoveries.
Despite having college eligibility remaining, Dexter chose to enter the 2023 NFL Draft and ended up a second-round selection. At only 24 years old, Dexter has become a full-time starter since then, making him a young option for any team looking to bolster its defensive front.
#dexter #Florida #Chicago
The Chicago Bears, who drafted Dexter No. 53 overall in 2023, "have had trade discussions ... and there are multiple scenarios where a deal could get done sending him to a new team," according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz.
Dexter is entering the final year of his rookie contract and is coming off his best NFL season. He started all 17 games for Chicago in the 2025 regular season, recording 44 tackles, six sacks, six tackles for loss and 38 pressures. Over the past two years, he's started 32 games. He has 115 career tackles and 13.5 sacks through three seasons.
Dexter spent three seasons with Florida, coming in as part of the 2020 recruiting class. He played in 38 games for the Gators, starting 24 of them, and left Gainesville with 125 total tackles (46 solo), 9.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two interceptions, four pass deflections and two fumble recoveries.
Despite having college eligibility remaining, Dexter chose to enter the 2023 NFL Draft and ended up a second-round selection. At only 24 years old, Dexter has become a full-time starter since then, making him a young option for any team looking to bolster its defensive front.
#dexter #Florida #Chicago
21 days ago
When it comes to veteran defensive tackle Gervon Dexter Sr., the Chicago Bears are open for business. Should anyone be interested between now and the start of the 2026 NFL regular season, they're ready to trade away the defensive lineman and recoup value (because they're probably not going to bring him back beyond this year).
Unfortunately, both the Bears and Dexter have just hit an unfortunate injury snag as they try to find the defender a new home elsewhere. Per Bears head coach Ben Johnson, Dexter has a new hamstring injury. It will keep him out of joint practices with the Tennessee **** ans at the tail end of this week, as well as the two teams' preseason matchup this Saturday (where, as a current starter, he would've been unlikely to play anyway, but still).
Given the tricky nature of hamstring injuries in themselves, it's unclear what Dexter's recovery timeline is at the moment. It's probably safe to say, though, that he's not getting traded until he's fully recovered. That, for all intents and purposes, is a **** mer for everyone trying to get him to a new city:
Dexter is in the last year of his rookie contract with the Bears. We'll see whether he plays it out in Chicago or elsewhere soon enough.
Shemar Turner is listed as Dexter's backup on the Bears' depth chart. The 2025 second-round draft pick is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with a knee injury.
#probably #year
Unfortunately, both the Bears and Dexter have just hit an unfortunate injury snag as they try to find the defender a new home elsewhere. Per Bears head coach Ben Johnson, Dexter has a new hamstring injury. It will keep him out of joint practices with the Tennessee **** ans at the tail end of this week, as well as the two teams' preseason matchup this Saturday (where, as a current starter, he would've been unlikely to play anyway, but still).
Given the tricky nature of hamstring injuries in themselves, it's unclear what Dexter's recovery timeline is at the moment. It's probably safe to say, though, that he's not getting traded until he's fully recovered. That, for all intents and purposes, is a **** mer for everyone trying to get him to a new city:
Dexter is in the last year of his rookie contract with the Bears. We'll see whether he plays it out in Chicago or elsewhere soon enough.
Shemar Turner is listed as Dexter's backup on the Bears' depth chart. The 2025 second-round draft pick is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list with a knee injury.
#probably #year
22 days ago
A former Michigan State tight end has been added to the Eastern Michigan roster for the 2026 season. Reeves Taylor has joined the Eagles, a late announcement before the season begins.
Taylor, a Dexter (MI) native, played at Ventura Community College in 2023, his freshman year. Following that, he joined Michigan State as a walk-on tight end. He did not see game action for MSU.
Following a season with the Spartans, Taylor went to Independence Community College to play quarterback. At Independence he Completed 45-of-72 passes for 449 yards and two touchdowns. Now, he has joined Eastern Michigan, where he is slated to be a long snapper for the Eagles.
Contact/Follow us The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X Rex_Linzy
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Former Michigan State TE added to Eastern Michigan roster for 2026
#michigan #follow #joined #college
Taylor, a Dexter (MI) native, played at Ventura Community College in 2023, his freshman year. Following that, he joined Michigan State as a walk-on tight end. He did not see game action for MSU.
Following a season with the Spartans, Taylor went to Independence Community College to play quarterback. At Independence he Completed 45-of-72 passes for 449 yards and two touchdowns. Now, he has joined Eastern Michigan, where he is slated to be a long snapper for the Eagles.
Contact/Follow us The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X Rex_Linzy
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Former Michigan State TE added to Eastern Michigan roster for 2026
#michigan #follow #joined #college
23 days ago
The Chicago Bears have been involved in trade discussions surrounding defensive tackle, NFL insider Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday. Dexter, who turns 25 in October, is currently in the final year of his rookie contract.
Schultz previously reported in February that teams were calling on Dexter's availability around the time of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Now, Schultz is claiming that there are "multiple scenarios where a deal could get done".
Dexter was a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft coming out of Florida. He is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he tallied 44 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, and a career-high 6.0 sacks. He placed No. 32 among 107 qualified defensive tackles in PFN DT Impact Scoring, a ranking which indicates he's an average starting defensive tackle. That said, his pass-rushing production and youth gives him considerable upside on the open market.
Should the Bears actually trade Dexter, they would free up over $1.6 million in 2026 cap **** e. The reason to trade Dexter wouldn't be highlighted by the immediate cap relief, but rather, the draft capital Chicago could obtain in a deal. If the team realizes they likely won't extend him at the price he and his agency are asking for, it could make sense in the long run to get a draft pick for him, rather than let him walk in free agency for nothing.
Of course, the Bears' defensive line has been the subject of much discussion leading up to the 2026-27 NFL season. Their four-man front consistently struggled to generate pressure in the pass rush and had issues in run support, and they didn't do much to address the need this offseason. Trading Dexter would certainly weaken their interior defensive line and thrust the likes of Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and sixth-round pick Jordan van den Berg into bigger roles alongside Grady Jarrett, who is coming off a disappointing 2025 season.
#draft #pick #tackles
Schultz previously reported in February that teams were calling on Dexter's availability around the time of the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. Now, Schultz is claiming that there are "multiple scenarios where a deal could get done".
Dexter was a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft coming out of Florida. He is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he tallied 44 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss, and a career-high 6.0 sacks. He placed No. 32 among 107 qualified defensive tackles in PFN DT Impact Scoring, a ranking which indicates he's an average starting defensive tackle. That said, his pass-rushing production and youth gives him considerable upside on the open market.
Should the Bears actually trade Dexter, they would free up over $1.6 million in 2026 cap **** e. The reason to trade Dexter wouldn't be highlighted by the immediate cap relief, but rather, the draft capital Chicago could obtain in a deal. If the team realizes they likely won't extend him at the price he and his agency are asking for, it could make sense in the long run to get a draft pick for him, rather than let him walk in free agency for nothing.
Of course, the Bears' defensive line has been the subject of much discussion leading up to the 2026-27 NFL season. Their four-man front consistently struggled to generate pressure in the pass rush and had issues in run support, and they didn't do much to address the need this offseason. Trading Dexter would certainly weaken their interior defensive line and thrust the likes of Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and sixth-round pick Jordan van den Berg into bigger roles alongside Grady Jarrett, who is coming off a disappointing 2025 season.
#draft #pick #tackles
26 days ago
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams are a good pairing. Both of them are perfectionists and Williams is striving to be the best version of himself in training camp and this season.
It has not been perfect so far, but Williams is focused on being able to learn from his mistakes throughout training camp, joint practices and the preseason instead of dwelling on them. That way, the Bears offense can be at their best when the regular season starts.
"I think I've done a good job taking the coaching," Williams said. "Taking hard coaching, good coaching, whatever the case may be. I think that's how I'm judging it. Just being able to go out there and execute. There's going to be mistakes and things like that, but it's being able to go back into the film room, learn from them. And then when it becomes game day when it comes to all that, we're executing on a high clip."
In his first year with Johnson, Williams was playing a lot better than he was as a rookie. He was seeing the field better, making better decisions despite a lower completion percentage and was sacked far less which is also attributable to the improved offensive line.
However, the offensive line is not perfect. They struggled against defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence in Chicago's joint practice against the Cincinnati Bengals. There are new pieces on the line including center Garrett Bradbury and whoever wins the left tackle battle, so they will need time to build that chemistry. Luckily, Chicago has some time before the season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 13.
#good #Chicago
It has not been perfect so far, but Williams is focused on being able to learn from his mistakes throughout training camp, joint practices and the preseason instead of dwelling on them. That way, the Bears offense can be at their best when the regular season starts.
"I think I've done a good job taking the coaching," Williams said. "Taking hard coaching, good coaching, whatever the case may be. I think that's how I'm judging it. Just being able to go out there and execute. There's going to be mistakes and things like that, but it's being able to go back into the film room, learn from them. And then when it becomes game day when it comes to all that, we're executing on a high clip."
In his first year with Johnson, Williams was playing a lot better than he was as a rookie. He was seeing the field better, making better decisions despite a lower completion percentage and was sacked far less which is also attributable to the improved offensive line.
However, the offensive line is not perfect. They struggled against defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence in Chicago's joint practice against the Cincinnati Bengals. There are new pieces on the line including center Garrett Bradbury and whoever wins the left tackle battle, so they will need time to build that chemistry. Luckily, Chicago has some time before the season opener against the Carolina Panthers on Sept. 13.
#good #Chicago
26 days ago
It's time to cancel those Saturday night plans and settle on the couch for NFL action.
The Chicago Bears face off with the Cincinnati Bengals tonight, for what will serve as the second preseason game for both teams.
The two teams enter the game after starkly different results last season.
The upstart Bears nearly earned their way into the NFC championship game but were narrowly defeated by the Los Angeles Rams in overtime in the NFC divisional round. Despite the loss, it was something of a coming-out party for Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson on the national stage.
On the other side, the Bengals endured a disappointing campaign marred by another slow start and an injury-riddled season for Joe Burrow. As a result, head coach Zac Taylor has decided to play the Bengals' starters, including Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Dexter Lawrence, in an effort to avoid another slow start to the regular season.
#game #bears
The Chicago Bears face off with the Cincinnati Bengals tonight, for what will serve as the second preseason game for both teams.
The two teams enter the game after starkly different results last season.
The upstart Bears nearly earned their way into the NFC championship game but were narrowly defeated by the Los Angeles Rams in overtime in the NFC divisional round. Despite the loss, it was something of a coming-out party for Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson on the national stage.
On the other side, the Bengals endured a disappointing campaign marred by another slow start and an injury-riddled season for Joe Burrow. As a result, head coach Zac Taylor has decided to play the Bengals' starters, including Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Dexter Lawrence, in an effort to avoid another slow start to the regular season.
#game #bears
27 days ago
A Twitter/X account with more than 460,000 followers took a shot at the Cincinnati Bengals over the whole having-to-cross-the-street-to-get-to-practice thing, and many rushed in the replies to the Bengals' defense.
"TRENDING: #bears star quarterback Caleb Williams was stunned when he realized he had to cross an actual street just to get to the #bengals practice field in Cincinnati," MLFootball tweeted. "This is still one of the most pathetic things that a professional franchise has."
Did Williams really look stunned? Crossing a street doesn't seem to be as stunning a development as, say, a Dexter Lawrence interception of Williams during the teams' joint practice near Paycor Stadium.
After the practice, Williams sounded impressed with Lawrence and the Bengals' revamped defense.
#bengals #practice
"TRENDING: #bears star quarterback Caleb Williams was stunned when he realized he had to cross an actual street just to get to the #bengals practice field in Cincinnati," MLFootball tweeted. "This is still one of the most pathetic things that a professional franchise has."
Did Williams really look stunned? Crossing a street doesn't seem to be as stunning a development as, say, a Dexter Lawrence interception of Williams during the teams' joint practice near Paycor Stadium.
After the practice, Williams sounded impressed with Lawrence and the Bengals' revamped defense.
#bengals #practice
28 days ago
Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras felt a little better about his own battles in practice with defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence after watching him wreck an opposing team's offensive line.
The Bengals had their ups and downs during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 20 but Lawrence was in quarterback Caleb Williams' face all day.
Everyone got to see that at the end of practice as both teams gathered on one field for a period of 11-on-11s that started with 3:30 on the clock. It was the only time in practice when the Bengals offense got to watch the Bengals defense, and Lawrence had a sack and an interception in the first of two series, before Jalen Davis' interception ended the practice on the final drive.
"It was f---ing great," Karras said. "It validated a lot of my insecurities. I'm 1-on-1 with the best player in the league every single day 15 to 20 times."
The Bengals have been seeing Lawrence's impact all training camp, but Thursday was a chance to witness it against another team for the first significant amount of time. He played just three snaps in the preseason opener.
#time
The Bengals had their ups and downs during a joint practice with the Chicago Bears on Thursday, Aug. 20 but Lawrence was in quarterback Caleb Williams' face all day.
Everyone got to see that at the end of practice as both teams gathered on one field for a period of 11-on-11s that started with 3:30 on the clock. It was the only time in practice when the Bengals offense got to watch the Bengals defense, and Lawrence had a sack and an interception in the first of two series, before Jalen Davis' interception ended the practice on the final drive.
"It was f---ing great," Karras said. "It validated a lot of my insecurities. I'm 1-on-1 with the best player in the league every single day 15 to 20 times."
The Bengals have been seeing Lawrence's impact all training camp, but Thursday was a chance to witness it against another team for the first significant amount of time. He played just three snaps in the preseason opener.
#time
28 days ago
Chicago Bears training camp is in full swing ahead of the 2026 regular season. Under second-year head coach Ben Johnson, the Bears are looking to build on their success from last year and keep pace in a crowded NFC with important meetings and practices at Halas Hall.
Thursday's practice was a breath of fresh air as the Bears traveled to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals for a joint practice ahead of their preseason game this weekend. It was a back-and-forth affair with each team's offense trading blows, while their defenses stepped up in key moments.
Following every Bears training camp practice, we at Bears Wire will highlight the top players who stood out on the field. Here are the players who stood out from the joint practice:
Thursday's practice was the first time quarterback Caleb Williams had faced a different defense than his own since the divisional playoffs and he gave the Bengals defense fits while impressing the Cincinnati media in attendance. FOX 19's Jeremy Rauch said Williams "cooked" during 7-on-7 drills. The Bears quarterback delivered touchdowns to wide receivers Rome Odunze and Kaden Davis, along with a strike to tight end Colston Loveland (more on him in a bit) in 11-on-11s. His score to Odunze came while on the move to his left as the receiver broke free.
It wasn't perfect by any means, though. Williams threw a pair of picks and got sacked near the end of practice. But NBC 5 Cincinnati's Charlie Clifford jotted Williams' stats and had him completing 16-of-26 passes, including 10 straight in 11-on-11 drills. Meanwhile, Bengals star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who intercepted Williams, called him a "special quarterback" after the practice. Clearly, Williams made a strong impression on the Bengals beat with some strong throws.
#practice #bengals
Thursday's practice was a breath of fresh air as the Bears traveled to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals for a joint practice ahead of their preseason game this weekend. It was a back-and-forth affair with each team's offense trading blows, while their defenses stepped up in key moments.
Following every Bears training camp practice, we at Bears Wire will highlight the top players who stood out on the field. Here are the players who stood out from the joint practice:
Thursday's practice was the first time quarterback Caleb Williams had faced a different defense than his own since the divisional playoffs and he gave the Bengals defense fits while impressing the Cincinnati media in attendance. FOX 19's Jeremy Rauch said Williams "cooked" during 7-on-7 drills. The Bears quarterback delivered touchdowns to wide receivers Rome Odunze and Kaden Davis, along with a strike to tight end Colston Loveland (more on him in a bit) in 11-on-11s. His score to Odunze came while on the move to his left as the receiver broke free.
It wasn't perfect by any means, though. Williams threw a pair of picks and got sacked near the end of practice. But NBC 5 Cincinnati's Charlie Clifford jotted Williams' stats and had him completing 16-of-26 passes, including 10 straight in 11-on-11 drills. Meanwhile, Bengals star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, who intercepted Williams, called him a "special quarterback" after the practice. Clearly, Williams made a strong impression on the Bengals beat with some strong throws.
#practice #bengals
28 days ago
The
architect of a massive Ponzi scheme
that bilked more than 2,000 investors out of $380 million has been
sentencedExternal link
to 20 years in prison. A federal court in Georgia on Friday also ordered Todd Burkhalter, 55, CEO of the financial advisory group Drive Planning, to pay $233.8 million in restitution.
Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Welcome to Barron's Advisor! Our articles are free to Barron's subscribers and wealth management professionals. To subscribe to Barron's, click here. If you're a wealth management professional and would like access to the Barron's Advisor experience, please provide the information below.
If you're not a wealth management professional, you can find other great financial content at barrons.com. If you have any questions, please contact us at advisor.editorsbarrons.com.
#advisor #you 're
architect of a massive Ponzi scheme
that bilked more than 2,000 investors out of $380 million has been
sentencedExternal link
to 20 years in prison. A federal court in Georgia on Friday also ordered Todd Burkhalter, 55, CEO of the financial advisory group Drive Planning, to pay $233.8 million in restitution.
Copyright ©2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 87990cbe856818d5eddac44c7b1cdeb8
Welcome to Barron's Advisor! Our articles are free to Barron's subscribers and wealth management professionals. To subscribe to Barron's, click here. If you're a wealth management professional and would like access to the Barron's Advisor experience, please provide the information below.
If you're not a wealth management professional, you can find other great financial content at barrons.com. If you have any questions, please contact us at advisor.editorsbarrons.com.
#advisor #you 're
30 days ago
Washington Huskies ****** istant coach Quincy Pondexter is reportedly set to become the head coach of the Chicago Bulls' NBA G-League affiliate, the Windy City Bulls.
Pondexter, a standout on the court for the Huskies from 2006-10 who returned for his second coaching stint at his alma mater prior to the 2025-26 season, is expected to be hired as the Windy City Bulls' next coach, according to a report on Sunday.
The 6-foot-7 former forward from Fresno, California, played for the Bulls during the 2017-18 season under coach Fred Hoiberg, who has since returned to the college ranks as Nebraska's head coach. Pondexter has never been a head coach since entering the profession at UW in 2021 under former coach Mike Hopkins.
As of Monday afternoon, neither UW nor the Windy City Bulls confirmed the report of Pondexter being hired to replace former coach Billy Donovan III, the son of two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan.
Founded in 2016, the NBA G-League franchise has only two winning seasons—the first in 2018-19 and the last in 2022-23—and one playoff appearance while employing five different coaches during that stretch. With Pondexter set to be the sixth coach to lead the team, it's a gamble on both sides, but one each feels now is the right time to take.
#windy
Pondexter, a standout on the court for the Huskies from 2006-10 who returned for his second coaching stint at his alma mater prior to the 2025-26 season, is expected to be hired as the Windy City Bulls' next coach, according to a report on Sunday.
The 6-foot-7 former forward from Fresno, California, played for the Bulls during the 2017-18 season under coach Fred Hoiberg, who has since returned to the college ranks as Nebraska's head coach. Pondexter has never been a head coach since entering the profession at UW in 2021 under former coach Mike Hopkins.
As of Monday afternoon, neither UW nor the Windy City Bulls confirmed the report of Pondexter being hired to replace former coach Billy Donovan III, the son of two-time NCAA champion Billy Donovan.
Founded in 2016, the NBA G-League franchise has only two winning seasons—the first in 2018-19 and the last in 2022-23—and one playoff appearance while employing five different coaches during that stretch. With Pondexter set to be the sixth coach to lead the team, it's a gamble on both sides, but one each feels now is the right time to take.
#windy
1 month ago
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Vita Vea remain at an impasse over a new contract, but there may be reason to be optimistic that the situation won't ultimately end with the Pro Bowl defensive tackle being traded. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo provided an update Wednesday that should catch Buccaneers fans' attention. According to Garafolo, communication between Vea's representatives and Tampa Bay remains open, even though the two sides are far from an agreement.
Vea requested a trade after the Buccaneers and his representatives failed to agree on a contract extension. The 31-year-old is entering the final year of his current deal, which is scheduled to pay him roughly $18 million in 2026. However, the fact that the lines of communication remain open suggests Tampa Bay isn't simply preparing to move on from one of the most important players on its defense.
Garafolo also highlighted why Vea believes he deserves more money. Over the past two seasons, Vea has recorded 101 quarterback pressures and 11.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Those numbers compare favorably with other highly paid interior defensive linemen, including Jeffery Simmons, Quinnen Williams, Jalen Carter and Dexter Lawrence. Vea responded to Garafolo's post with a simple shrugging emoji, as if to say the numbers speak for themselves.
For the Buccaneers, keeping Vea would be a major boost to a defense that has already changed significantly. Tampa Bay is counting on young players such as Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter Jr. to contribute immediately, making Vea's veteran presence and ability to command attention even more valuable. The trade request doesn't necessarily mean a trade is inevitable.
As long as Tampa Bay and Vea's representatives keep talking, a path to common ground remains. The Buccaneers could potentially restructure or extend his contract while keeping one of their most important defensive players in Tampa.
#tampa #representatives #trade #remain
Vea requested a trade after the Buccaneers and his representatives failed to agree on a contract extension. The 31-year-old is entering the final year of his current deal, which is scheduled to pay him roughly $18 million in 2026. However, the fact that the lines of communication remain open suggests Tampa Bay isn't simply preparing to move on from one of the most important players on its defense.
Garafolo also highlighted why Vea believes he deserves more money. Over the past two seasons, Vea has recorded 101 quarterback pressures and 11.5 sacks, according to Pro Football Focus. Those numbers compare favorably with other highly paid interior defensive linemen, including Jeffery Simmons, Quinnen Williams, Jalen Carter and Dexter Lawrence. Vea responded to Garafolo's post with a simple shrugging emoji, as if to say the numbers speak for themselves.
For the Buccaneers, keeping Vea would be a major boost to a defense that has already changed significantly. Tampa Bay is counting on young players such as Rueben Bain Jr. and Josiah Trotter Jr. to contribute immediately, making Vea's veteran presence and ability to command attention even more valuable. The trade request doesn't necessarily mean a trade is inevitable.
As long as Tampa Bay and Vea's representatives keep talking, a path to common ground remains. The Buccaneers could potentially restructure or extend his contract while keeping one of their most important defensive players in Tampa.
#tampa #representatives #trade #remain
1 month ago
Joshua Báez made sure his major league debut somehow exceeded the wild expectations that preceded it.
Báez's emotional journey to the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup culminated Saturday, Aug. 15 when he hit a towering two-run home run on the first pitch he saw from Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd at Wrigley Field, sending the visiting dugout into padding-pounding pandemonium and the more than two dozen family members on hand from around the USA and Dominican Republic into unabashed glee.
Báez, 21, was already sporting a wide and disbelieving grin as he rounded first base, the perfect welcome-to-the-big-leagues moment for the Cardinals' No. 3 prospect. After all, Báez had already shown his flair for the emotional.
Báez was a third-round pick of the Cardinals in 2021, out of Dexter School in Brookline, Mass. He was midway through his second full pro season, at Class A Palm Beach, when his father, Jose Manuel, who'd had a profound impact on his baseball development, passed away.
Báez continued climbing the Cardinals' system and the prospect charts, rising to No. 56 in Baseball America's top 100 ratings this summer. And then came June 16, and the third anniversary of his father's death.
#cardinals #Baseball #Third
Báez's emotional journey to the St. Louis Cardinals' lineup culminated Saturday, Aug. 15 when he hit a towering two-run home run on the first pitch he saw from Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd at Wrigley Field, sending the visiting dugout into padding-pounding pandemonium and the more than two dozen family members on hand from around the USA and Dominican Republic into unabashed glee.
Báez, 21, was already sporting a wide and disbelieving grin as he rounded first base, the perfect welcome-to-the-big-leagues moment for the Cardinals' No. 3 prospect. After all, Báez had already shown his flair for the emotional.
Báez was a third-round pick of the Cardinals in 2021, out of Dexter School in Brookline, Mass. He was midway through his second full pro season, at Class A Palm Beach, when his father, Jose Manuel, who'd had a profound impact on his baseball development, passed away.
Báez continued climbing the Cardinals' system and the prospect charts, rising to No. 56 in Baseball America's top 100 ratings this summer. And then came June 16, and the third anniversary of his father's death.
#cardinals #Baseball #Third
1 month ago
St. Louis Cardinals rookie Joshua Báez made a strong first impression in his major-league debut on Saturday.
Báez, ranked as the Cardinals' No. 3 prospect by MLB.com, was called up from Triple-A Memphis on Friday night and penciled into Saturday's starting lineup versus the Chicago Cubs by manager Oliver Marmol.
Batting fifth and playing left field, Báez quickly announced his MLB debut by hitting the first pitch he faced from Cubs starter Matthew Boyd for a home run. Boyd left a 93 mph fastball out over the plate where Báez could extend his arms and he did not miss.
The 3-run homer from Báez gave the Cardinals an early 3-0 lead. St. Louis first got on the board following a leadoff walk by JJ Wetherholt and Iván Herrera getting hit by a pitch. Alec Burleson then drove in a run on a groundout. One pitch later, Báez gave the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.
Báez, 23, was St. Louis' 2021 second-round pick out of Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, Massachusetts. Before his call-up, he hit 34 home runs with 90 RBI and a .256/.328/.573 slash average for the Redbirds.
#first #boyd
Báez, ranked as the Cardinals' No. 3 prospect by MLB.com, was called up from Triple-A Memphis on Friday night and penciled into Saturday's starting lineup versus the Chicago Cubs by manager Oliver Marmol.
Batting fifth and playing left field, Báez quickly announced his MLB debut by hitting the first pitch he faced from Cubs starter Matthew Boyd for a home run. Boyd left a 93 mph fastball out over the plate where Báez could extend his arms and he did not miss.
The 3-run homer from Báez gave the Cardinals an early 3-0 lead. St. Louis first got on the board following a leadoff walk by JJ Wetherholt and Iván Herrera getting hit by a pitch. Alec Burleson then drove in a run on a groundout. One pitch later, Báez gave the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.
Báez, 23, was St. Louis' 2021 second-round pick out of Dexter Southfield School in Brookline, Massachusetts. Before his call-up, he hit 34 home runs with 90 RBI and a .256/.328/.573 slash average for the Redbirds.
#first #boyd
1 month ago
The Bears are one of a few NFL teams who have called the Buccaneers regarding the trade availability of Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported on Friday. It's worth noting that Garafolo said the Buccaneers still plan on keeping Vea, though the Bears are one of the confirmed teams to have checked in on his availability.
Vea, 31, recently requested a trade in the midst of his contract negotiations with Tampa Bay. The two-time Pro Bowler is currently in the final year of his four-year, $71 million contract he signed in 2022.
A first-round pick by the Buccaneers in 2018, Vea is coming off a season in which he posted a 78.6 PFN DT Impact Score, ranking No. 25 among 107 qualified defensive tackles in the metric. For reference, the only Bears defensive tackle to finish with a top-50 score in 2025 was Gervon Dexter. Vea finished the season with 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits.
The Bears have a well-documented need along their defensive line, and they were relatively quiet in their additions to the group, with the only ones of note being Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and sixth-round draft pick Jordan van den Berg. None of the three project as starters for Chicago's defense come Week 1.
Though Vea doesn't fit the typical mold of a Dennis Allen defensive tackle, the 347-pounder is a tremendous pass rusher for a nose tackle and has been an impact defender for much of his time in the NFL.
#bears #buccaneers #impact #score
Vea, 31, recently requested a trade in the midst of his contract negotiations with Tampa Bay. The two-time Pro Bowler is currently in the final year of his four-year, $71 million contract he signed in 2022.
A first-round pick by the Buccaneers in 2018, Vea is coming off a season in which he posted a 78.6 PFN DT Impact Score, ranking No. 25 among 107 qualified defensive tackles in the metric. For reference, the only Bears defensive tackle to finish with a top-50 score in 2025 was Gervon Dexter. Vea finished the season with 34 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 7.0 tackles for loss, and 13 quarterback hits.
The Bears have a well-documented need along their defensive line, and they were relatively quiet in their additions to the group, with the only ones of note being Neville Gallimore, Kentavius Street, and sixth-round draft pick Jordan van den Berg. None of the three project as starters for Chicago's defense come Week 1.
Though Vea doesn't fit the typical mold of a Dennis Allen defensive tackle, the 347-pounder is a tremendous pass rusher for a nose tackle and has been an impact defender for much of his time in the NFL.
#bears #buccaneers #impact #score
1 month ago
Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor was hesitant to say how many starters would play in the preseason opener and for how long, but he said he did want fans to know they will see "some exciting players" if they come to the game.
The Bengals host the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener Thursday, Aug. 13 at Paycor Stadium.
Among those confirmed to be playing are quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Taylor said he was still working through plans for playing time in part because some guys are still being **** sed for availability after being limited or out of practice Tuesday.
Here are five things to know going into the game:
1. Who will play and how much?
#taylor
The Bengals host the Detroit Lions in the preseason opener Thursday, Aug. 13 at Paycor Stadium.
Among those confirmed to be playing are quarterback Joe Burrow, wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Taylor said he was still working through plans for playing time in part because some guys are still being **** sed for availability after being limited or out of practice Tuesday.
Here are five things to know going into the game:
1. Who will play and how much?
#taylor
1 month ago
Joe Burrow went on Kay Adams' podcast and, among other things, was asked if nose tackle Dexter Lawrence is a big part of his championship-level expectations for this season.
The star QB said, "Of course he's part of that."
Then Burrow listed some of the other defensive players who are raising expectations:
"A lot of the guys we got this offseason – Boye [Mafe], Jonathan [Allen], Bryan Cook, getting DJ Turner back, Dax Hill back, Jalen Davis on the inside – we've got a lot of guys that we feel confident in that can go out and produce and play winning-level football."
You can watch the clip below:
#adams
The star QB said, "Of course he's part of that."
Then Burrow listed some of the other defensive players who are raising expectations:
"A lot of the guys we got this offseason – Boye [Mafe], Jonathan [Allen], Bryan Cook, getting DJ Turner back, Dax Hill back, Jalen Davis on the inside – we've got a lot of guys that we feel confident in that can go out and produce and play winning-level football."
You can watch the clip below:
#adams
