Connect with us

Sports

NFL Power Rankings post-free agency: The Texans are going for it, the Cowboys are … not

Published

on

NFL Power Rankings post-free agency: The Texans are going for it, the Cowboys are … not

The NFL’s free-agent frenzy is over, which doesn’t mean free agency is over. Players will continue to be added to rosters, but the headline makers are all off the market now.

That makes it a good time for the Power Rankings to re-evaluate where everyone stands. We’ve listed the notable additions and notable losses for each team, including not only free-agency signings but players acquired or lost via trade and/or release, to help us get a clearer picture. For some teams, those moves haven’t changed much. For others, they have warranted some movement up or down the rankings.

For the Chiefs, it’s business as usual, and that’s where this list starts again.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Post-Super Bowl rank: 1

Notable addition: WR Marquise Brown

Advertisement

Notable losses: WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling, OL Nick Allegretti, P Tommy Townsend

The reigning Super Bowl champions have made only one significant addition, signing the speedy but inconsistent Brown, but honestly, Kansas City could have signed only celebrity chef Alton Brown and it would still be No. 1 on this list. The Chiefs signaled their seriousness about going for a three-peat when they locked up defensive tackle Chris Jones. Cornerback L’Jarius Sneed also is still on the roster on the franchise tag, though he could be traded soon.

GO DEEPER

Who are the best available NFL free agents? Justin Simmons, Josh Reynolds lead list

Post-Super Bowl rank: 2

Advertisement

Notable additions: Edge Leonard Floyd, Edge Yetur Gross-Matos, DT Jordan Elliott

Notable losses: DT Arik Armstead, Edge Chase Young, DT Javon Kinlaw, TE Charlie Woerner, QB Sam Darnold

Out go interior defensive linemen, in come edge rushers. That’s basically a wash for a team that returns everyone from an offense that led the NFL in EPA (expected points added) per game (8.81) and the NFC in points scored (491) last season, according to TruMedia. Trade talk around star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk is worth listening for, though.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 3

Notable additions: DT D.J. Reader, Edge Marcus Davenport, CB Amik Robertson, CB Carlton Davis III

Advertisement

Notable losses: OG Jonah Jackson

Lions general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell did their major work the previous two offseasons. Now, it’s about improving on the margins in an effort to catch the 49ers. A defense that was 24th in the league in yards per play allowed (5.5) last season has gotten all the help in free agency.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 5

Notable additions: Edge Danielle Hunter, Edge Denico Autry, RB Joe Mixon, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, CB Jeff Okudah

Notable losses: Edge Jonathan Greenard, DT Sheldon Rankins, LB Blake Cashman, RB Devin Singletary

Advertisement

The Texans don’t want to waste any of the years in which quarterback C.J. Stroud is on a rookie contract. They gave Hunter a deal worth almost $25 million per year and retained most of their own free agents. Houston no longer has a first-round pick, thanks to a deal with Minnesota, but don’t be surprised if the Texans add to the wide receiver room in the second round.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 6

Notable additions: S Xavier McKinney, RB Josh Jacobs

Advertisement

Notable losses: OG Jon Runyan, LB De’Vondre Campbell, RB Aaron Jones

The Packers essentially swapped out 29-year-old running back Aaron Jones for 26-year-old running back Josh Jacobs, who signed a four-year deal that could be worth $48 million (or could be terminated pretty cheaply after one year). They also spent big on McKinney to help new defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley. Green Bay released David Bahktiari, but that doesn’t count as a notable loss because the left tackle has played only 13 games in the last three seasons.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 4

Notable addition: RB Derrick Henry

Notable losses: LB Patrick Queen, S Geno Stone, CB Ronald Darby, WR Devin Duvernay, RB Gus Edwards, Edge Tyus Bowser, WR Odell Beckham Jr.

Advertisement

The Ravens lost a lot of good players in free agency, but they extended star defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and added Henry, which makes it hard to be too down on Baltimore. Henry is 30 and since he entered the league in 2016, he’s the only player in the NFL with more than 10,000 yards. If he can hold up physically, the Ravens’ run game with Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson is going to be formidable.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Grading the good, bad and ugly of every major NFL free agency 2024 deal

Post-Super Bowl rank: 8

Notable additions: WR Jerry Jeudy

Notable losses: DT Jordan Elliott, LB Sione Takitaki

Advertisement

How we remember Cleveland’s March will depend entirely on Jeudy, the No. 15 pick in 2020 who has yet to top 1,000 yards in four NFL seasons. The Browns didn’t risk much, sending a fifth- and a sixth-round pick to Denver for Jeudy, but the reward could be high if Deshaun Watson and Jeudy develop a connection.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 10

Notable additions: DT Sheldon Rankins, S Geno Stone, RB Zack Moss, S Vonn Bell

Notable losses: CB Chidobe Awuzie, OT Jonah Williams

Cincinnati used its franchise tag on wide receiver Tee Higgins, who now wants a trade. The Bengals, though, are pretty stubborn negotiators, so Higgins will be back alongside Ja’Marr Chase with a healthy Joe Burrow at quarterback. That’s why the big-money free-agent deals focused on the defense.

Advertisement

Post-Super Bowl rank: 11

Notable additions: None

Notable losses: OT Tyron Smith, Edge Dorance Armstrong, C Tyler Biadasz, RB Tony Pollard

People are going to stop believing Cowboys owner Jerry Jones when he says he’s “all in” after Dallas added no players of consequence and watched three good linemen walk out the door. Yes, the Cowboys have to hang on to money for new deals with Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons, but there’s a difference between being prudent and playing dead.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 7

Advertisement

Notable addition: WR Curtis Samuel

Notable losses: WR Gabe Davis, S Jordan Poyer, CB Tre’Davious White, C Mitch Morse, RB Nyheim Hines, CB Dane Jackson

Quarterback Josh Allen’s contract starts getting expensive this season (from an $18 million cap hit to $30 million), which is one reason why the Bills had to cut so many contracts during free agency. They spent the money they had on retaining key free agents, including defensive tackle DaQuan Jones, and extending left tackle Dion Dawkins. In the next two seasons, Allen’s cap hit goes up another $33 million, so Buffalo’s window is closing.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 12

Notable additions: OG Jonah Jackson, TE Colby Parkinson, CB Darious Williams, S Kamren Curl

Advertisement

Notable losses: DT Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald, the No. 13 pick in the 2014 draft, was the Defensive Rookie of the Year in his first season. After that, he finished in the top five of Defensive Player of the Year voting for seven straight seasons, winning the award three times. In a 10-year career, he totaled 111 sacks and 260 quarterback hits. Donald’s retirement stands as the only significant loss for the Rams, but it’s a big one.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 13

Notable additions: S Jordan Whitehead, CB Bryce Hall

Notable losses: Edge Shaquil Barrett, LB Devin White

Advertisement

Tampa Bay didn’t add anybody of real consequence. Still, Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht called it “one of the greatest free-agency hauls ever” after his team re-signed wide receiver Mike Evans, linebacker Lavonte David and quarterback Baker Mayfield and used the franchise tag on safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Will that be enough for a fourth straight NFC South title?

Post-Super Bowl rank: 9

Notable additions: LB Jordyn Brooks, CB Kendall Fuller, S Jordan Poyer, TE Jonnu Smith, Edge Shaquil Barrett, C Aaron Brewer

Notable losses: DT Christian Wilkins, OG Robert Hunt, LB Andrew Van Ginkel, S Brandon Jones, DT Raekwon Davis, Edge Emmanuel Ogbah, CB Xavien Howard

Salary-cap bills came due to South Florida this offseason. The Dolphins lost good to great players at all three levels of their defense and a mauling offensive lineman in Hunt. The offense already has been carrying most of the weight in Miami (second in NFL in scoring last year, 29.18 points per game), but the spotlight is going to be even hotter on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who’s aiming to prove he’s worth a new deal in the final year of his contract.

Advertisement
go-deeper

GO DEEPER

NFL free-agency superlatives: The best and the most puzzling moves so far

Post-Super Bowl rank: 14

Notable additions: DT Raekwon Davis, QB Joe Flacco

Notable losses: QB Gardner Minshew, RB Zack Moss

Externally, it was a quiet free agency for the Colts, but they committed $170 million to hang on to their internal talent — re-upping with wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., linebacker Zaire Franklin, defensive lineman Grover Stewart and safety Kenny Moore II. Now, Indianapolis gets to see if young quarterback Anthony Richardson is the real deal. Richardson, whose rookie season was cut short by shoulder surgery, started throwing again in February.

Advertisement

Post-Super Bowl rank: 17

Notable additions: OT Tyron Smith, OG John Simpson, DT Javon Kinlaw, QB Tyrod Taylor

Notable losses: Edge Bryce Huff, S Jordan Whitehead, OG Laken Tomlinson, TE C.J. Uzomah

Everything is about Aaron Rodgers, as usual. With the veteran quarterback set to return from his Achilles injury, the Jets signed two offensive linemen to protect him and a better backup quarterback in case that’s not enough. The Jets’ defense had the second-best success rate in the NFL last year (63.6 percent) and added defensive tackle depth with Kinlaw.


The Eagles paid to upgrade their backfield with former Giants running back Saquon Barkley. (David Berding / Getty Images)

Post-Super Bowl rank: 15

Advertisement

Notable additions: RB Saquon Barkley, Edge Bryce Huff, S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, WR DeVante Parker, LB Devin White

Notable losses: C Jason Kelce, DT Fletcher Cox, S Kevin Byard, CB Avonte Maddox, RB D’Andre Swift

When the NFL schedule is released in May, get ready for everyone to circle the Eagles’ trip to MetLife Stadium in red. After six years in New York, Barkley jumped ship to a division rival after failing to get a long-term commitment from the Giants. Philly gave Barkley, the No. 2 pick in the 2018 draft, a three-year, $37.75 million deal hoping it would help offset the loss of organizational stalwarts Kelce and Cox, both of whom retired.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 29

Notable additions: QB Kirk Cousins, WR Darnell Mooney

Advertisement

Notable losses: TE Jonnu Smith, RB Cordarrelle Patterson

Nobody moved up more in these rankings than the Falcons. They will at least get that from the $100 million they guaranteed Cousins. The former Vikings quarterback could earn as much as $180 million in Atlanta, making it the largest total-value free-agency deal in NFL history. The Falcons believe the signing will pull together the rest of their offensive talent and allow them to snap a six-year postseason drought. Last year’s starting defensive ends — Bud Dupree and Calais Campbell — remain on the free-agent market.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 18

Advertisement

Notable additions: OT George Fant, C Nick Harris, QB Sam Howell

Notable losses: OG Damien Lewis, LB Jordyn Brooks, TE Colby Parkinson, TE Will Dissly, S Quandre Diggs, S Jamal Adams, LB Bobby Wagner, QB Drew Lock

The Seahawks kept defensive tackle Leonard Williams and tight end Noah Fant, but a lot of players who have felt synonymous with Seattle are gone, including Wagner, Brooks and Diggs. First-year head coach Mike Macdonald didn’t get an influx of talent either, so this season is going to be a challenge considering Seattle has only one pick in the first 80 selections of the draft.

19. Minnesota Vikings

Post-Super Bowl rank: 16

Notable additions: Edge Jonathan Greenard, Edge Andrew Van Ginkel, QB Sam Darnold, LB Blake Cashman, RB Aaron Jones

Advertisement

Notable losses: QB Kirk Cousins, DE Danielle Hunter, DE D.J. Wonnum, RB Alexander Mattison, LB Jordan Hicks

While the Falcons made a big bet by signing Kirk Cousins, the Vikings made a big bet by letting him leave. Now they’ve got to find his replacement. Minnesota has the Nos. 11 and 23 picks in the first round and is widely expected to try to package them with more draft capital to move up even further. The question is whether or not the Vikings can get as high as No. 3 or will have to settle for the fourth-best rookie quarterback prospect. Minnesota signed Darnold in case it can’t come out of the draft with a new starter.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

NFL Mock Draft: How will Kirk Cousins’ signing with the Falcons impact the top 11 picks?

Post-Super Bowl rank: 21

Notable additions: WR Gabe Davis, C Mitch Morse, DT Arik Armstead, WR Devin Duvernay, QB Mac Jones

Advertisement

Notable losses: WR Calvin Ridley, DT Foley Fatukasi, CB Darious Williams, S Rayshawn Jenkins

The Jaguars kept edge rusher Josh Allen with the franchise tag and added Armstead to the defensive line. That should help offset other defensive losses for a group that showed some promise last year but finished 17th in the league in points allowed (21.8 per game). On the other side of the ball, it appears Jacksonville botched its attempt to retain Ridley, but it did add size (Davis) and speed (Duvernay) to its wide receiver room.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 22

Notable additions: DT Christian Wilkins, QB Gardner Minshew

Notable losses: RB Josh Jacobs, DE Bilal Nichols, CB Amik Robertson, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, WR Hunter Renfrow, DT Jerry Tillery

Advertisement

The Raiders gave Minshew a two-year deal worth up to $25 million, which makes it seem like they are resigned to going into 2024 with Minshew as their starter. However, don’t rule out the Raiders trying to get into the trade-up conversation in April to get a quarterback. After losing Jacobs, wide receiver Davante Adams is going to start feeling lonely in Las Vegas if the Raiders don’t get a promising quarterback.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 19

Notable additions: QB Russell Wilson, QB Justin Fields, LB Patrick Queen, CB Donte Jackson, S DeShon Elliott

Notable losses: QB Kenny Pickett, WR Diontae Johnson, QB Mason Rudolph, QB Mitch Trubisky, S Keanu Neal, CB Patrick Peterson, WR Allen Robinson II, P Pressley Harvin III

Nobody has had a more interesting offseason than the Steelers, who moved out quarterbacks Pickett and Trubisky (and let Rudolph leave in free agency) and brought in Wilson and Fields. What it’s going to look like, no one knows. New offensive coordinator Arthur Smith tried hard when he was head coach in Atlanta to make former Florida quarterback turned tight end Feleipe Franks into a multi-threat offensive weapon. Fields could play that role and is a better passer and athlete than Franks.

Advertisement

Post-Super Bowl rank: 24

Notable additions: WR Keenan Allen, RB D’Andre Swift, S Kevin Byard, TE Gerald Everett

Notable losses: WR Darnell Mooney, DT Justin Jones, OL Cody Whitehair, S Eddie Jackson

The Bears have been busy. They re-signed cornerback Jaylon Johnson, upgraded at running back with Swift and at wide receiver with Allen and traded quarterback Fields to Pittsburgh for a 2025 sixth-round pick that could become a fourth if Fields plays enough this year. However, they hope the most impactful move is still a month away. The Bears have the No. 1 pick in the draft and are widely expected to take USC quarterback Caleb Williams, which will bump them up this list. Chicago also has the No. 9 pick and $31.7 million in cap space.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 25

Advertisement

Notable additions: WR Calvin Ridley, RB Tony Pollard, C Lloyd Cushenberry III, CB Chidobe Awuzie, LB Kenneth Murray, QB Mason Rudolph

Notable losses: RB Derrick Henry, LB Azeez Al-Shaair, CB Sean Murphy-Bunting, DE Denico Autry

Making quarterback Will Levis comfortable was the point of free agency, which is why Tennessee gave Ridley a four-year deal that could be worth $92 million and signed Pollard and Cushenberry. New head coach Brian Callahan should know by the end of the year whether Levis, the 33rd pick of the 2023 draft, is the future there or not. It will be odd not seeing Henry after eight seasons in Tennessee in which he carried the ball a Herculean 2,186 times.

25. Denver Broncos

Post-Super Bowl rank: 23

Notable additions: S Brandon Jones, DT Malcolm Roach

Advertisement

Notable losses: C Lloyd Cushenberry, LB Josey Jewell, QB Russell Wilson, S Justin Simmons

Head coach Sean Payton got Wilson out of town, but Jarrett Stidham is the only quarterback on the roster now. The Broncos made Stidham the starter to finish out last season, but during a four-year NFL career in which he’s 1-3 as a starter, he hasn’t proved that he can be a long-term answer. The Broncos still have $22 million in cap space, but they didn’t see fit to use any of it on Cushenberry or Simmons as Payton continues to remake the organization.

go-deeper

GO DEEPER

Kosmider: All signs point to Broncos grabbing QB in draft — but now or in 2025?

Post-Super Bowl rank: 20

Notable additions: RB Gus Edwards, TE Will Dissly

Advertisement

Notable losses: WR Keenan Allen, LB Kenneth Murray, TE Gerald Everett, RB Austin Ekeler, WR Mike Williams, LB Eric Kendricks

Jim Harbaugh’s first offseason with the Chargers involved cutting a lot of salary, which is why Allen and Williams are gone and Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack restructured their contracts. Edwards is an interesting addition and plays the power back role Harbaugh prefers better than Ekeler, but the exits outweigh the entrances on the roster so far, and Harbaugh’s first year might not be stellar.

27. New York Giants

Post-Super Bowl rank: 30

Notable additions: DE Brian Burns, OG Jon Runyan, RB Devin Singletary, QB Drew Lock

Notable losses: RB Saquon Barkley, S Xavier McKinney, DT A’Shawn Robinson

Advertisement

The most impactful move of free agency might not be a free agency deal at all. The Giants acquired the top free agent available, defensive end Brian Burns, after Carolina had franchise-tagged him and then moved him for a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick and a fifth-round pick swap. Burns had 46 sacks in five seasons with the Panthers, and now he will be joining Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the defensive line.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 26

Notable additions: Edge Dorance Armstrong, C Tyler Biadasz, LB Frankie Luvu, RB Austin Ekeler, S Jeremy Chinn, LB Bobby Wagner, QB Marcus Mariota

Notable losses: WR Curtis Samuel, QB Sam Howell, CB Kendall Fuller, RB Antonio Gibson, S Kamren Curl

The Commanders shipped out former starting quarterback Howell in a trade of late-round draft picks to clear the way for whichever quarterback they take with the second pick next month. Washington signed free-agent quarterback Marcus Mariota to back up the new guy and also added a lot of players who have a background with new head coach Dan Quinn, including Armstrong and Wagner.

Advertisement

Post-Super Bowl rank: 27

Notable additions: RB Antonio Gibson, QB Jacoby Brissett, LB Sione Takitaki

Notable losses: LB Mack Wilson, DT Lawrence Guy, CB J.C. Jackson, WR DeVante Parker, QB Mac Jones

The Patriots pick third in the draft, but they didn’t give any helpful hints about their intentions during free agency. Brissett signed a one-year deal worth at least $8 million and up to $12 million. That could be good backup money if New England takes a quarterback in the first round, or Brissett, who is 18-30 as a starting quarterback in eight seasons, could handle the starting job if the Patriots want to trade the No. 3 pick and get more draft assets. Jones, the former starter, was traded to Jacksonville.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 28

Advertisement

Notable addition: Edge Chase Young

Notable losses: DE Malcolm Roach, S Marcus Maye, WR Michael Thomas, QB Jameis Winston

One of the drawbacks to New Orleans’ strategy of constantly pushing the salary-cap option is the lack of options during free agency. Cedrick Wilson Jr., who has 101 catches in five pro seasons, and journeyman cornerback Lonnie Johnson were the only additions before Young joined on a one-year deal Monday. This is not quarterback Derek Carr’s fault, though. There are five veteran Saints whose salary-cap hits are higher than Carr’s. That will change in 2025 as Carr’s number goes way up, so this could be his last chance with the Saints.

Post-Super Bowl rank: 31

Notable additions: DT Bilal Nichols, OT Jonah Williams, DT Justin Jones, CB Sean-Murphy Bunting, LB Mack Wilson

Advertisement

Notable losses: WR Marquise Brown, OT D.J. Humphries

The Cardinals seem to be waiting for the draft to make their offseason noise, which makes sense considering they have six picks in the top 90. The addition of the former Bengal Williams will allow Arizona to make Paris Johnson Jr. its fixture at left tackle if it prefers. Jones and Nichols bolster a defensive line for a team that was 31st in the NFL in scoring defense last year (26.8).

32. Carolina Panthers

Post-Super Bowl rank: 32

Notable additions: WR Diontae Johnson, OG Robert Hunt, OG Damien Lewis, DT A’Shawn Robinson, DE D.J. Wonnum

Notable losses: DE Brian Burns, LB Frankie Luvu, C Bradley Bozeman, S Vonn Bell, S Jeremy Chinn, CB Donte Jackson

Advertisement

Losing Burns for second- and a fifth-round picks feels like a loss for the Panthers, but there are some potential bright spots. Carolina committed to the interior of the offensive line with deals that could total $153 million and got a wide receiver with the talent to be its top pass catcher by trading with the Steelers for Johnson. New head coach Dave Canales hopes those moves help him get 2023 No. 1 pick Bryce Young on track.

(Top photo of Danielle Hunter: Ryan Kang / Getty Images)

Sports

Russell Wilson escalates feud with Sean Payton, labels Broncos coach ‘classless’

Published

on

Russell Wilson escalates feud with Sean Payton, labels Broncos coach ‘classless’

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Russell Wilson and Sean Payton spent just one NFL season together, but tension lingered after a rocky year.

And it appears the tension that built up from that tumultuous stretch continues to linger.

Wilson’s interview on the “Bussin’ With the Boys” podcast, recorded before last month’s Super Bowl between Seattle and New England, recently resurfaced. 

In the interview, Wilson doubled down on his October comment labeling Payton “classless,” saying he felt slighted by his former coach’s remarks.

Advertisement

Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos talks to quarterback Russell Wilson on the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium Aug. 11, 2023, in Glendale, Ariz. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

“[When] you’ve been on the same side or this and that, and I got the same amount of rings as you got, meaning Sean, right?” said Wilson, who won a Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks as Payton did coaching for the New Orleans Saints. 

“I got a lot of respect for him as a play-caller, this and that, but to take a shot, I don’t like. I don’t think it’s necessary, you know, I mean, especially when I’m not even on your own team anymore. So, for me, there’s a point in time where you have to, I’ve realized, I’ve stayed quiet for so long. There’s a there’s a time and place where I’m not.

“I know who I am as a competitor, as a warrior, as a champion, too, and, you know, I’ve beaten Sean, too. You know, like we’ve been on the same place and the same thing. And so, it’s not a matter of disrespect. Just don’t disrespect me.”

Advertisement

Sean Payton and Russell Wilson of the Denver Broncos during an a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Empower Field at Mile High Nov. 19, 2023, in Denver, Colo. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)

After a rocky one-year stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, Wilson joined the New York Giants last offseason. However, he was relegated to a backup role after just three games.

Rookie Jaxson Dart quickly showed promise once he had the chance to start, but his season was briefly derailed by injury. Jameis Winston — not Wilson — stepped in for Dart in a handful of games. Dart threw three touchdowns in a Week 7 matchup with the Broncos, nearly pulling off an upset in what was eventually a close loss.

After the game, Payton said Dart provided a “spark” to the Giants’ offense.

“I was talking to [Giants owner] John Mara not too long ago, and I said, ‘We were hoping that that change would have happened long after our game,’” Payton said.

Advertisement

The New York Giants’ Russell Wilson attempts to escape a sack by Dallas Cowboys defensive end James Houston (53) in the first half of a game Sept. 14, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.  (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Payton also said the Broncos would have faced less of a challenge had Wilson been under center.

“Classless … but not surprised,” Wilson responded in a social media post. “Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later though the media.”

Despite last season’s struggles and chatter about his football future, Wilson does not appear ready to call it quits in 2026.

Advertisement

“I wanna play a few more years for sure,” he said. “I think, for me, I’ve always had the vision of getting to 40, at least. I think the game is different. Quarterbacks, we get hit. It’s not, you know, we get hit hard, but … there’s certain rules. I mean, back in the day when I started, bro, it was you just get [clobbered]. 

“I mean, so I feel like the game allows you to, you know, live a little longer, I guess. I feel healthy. I feel great. But I think, more than anything else is, do you love the game? Do you love studying? Do you love the passion for it all? Do you love the process? Do you love the practice? Do you love — everybody loves the winning part of it, but it’s process. There’s a journey that you got to be obsessed with. And that part I’m obsessed with.”

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Related Article

Russell Wilson not thinking about retirement, plans to play in 2026: 'I know what I'm capable of'

Continue Reading

Sports

Fatigue a factor as early matches begin at Indian Wells

Published

on

Fatigue a factor as early matches begin at Indian Wells

The early rounds of the BNP Paribas Open began Wednesday, with top seeds slated to start play Friday during the 12-day ATP and WTPA Master 1000 tournament.

A busy stretch of the tennis season reaches another gear at Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the second largest outdoor tennis stadium in the world.

While many consider it the “fifth Grand Slam” because of its elite player field, amenities and equal prize money for men and women, professionals acknowledge the tournament is part of a stressful stretch on the tennis calendar.

Indian Wells is followed by the Miami Open, another two-week Master 1000 tournament. The tour stops are known as the “Sunshine Double.”

Some players made the short trip from Indian Wells to Las Vegas this past weekend to participate in the MGM Grand Slam, an exhibition designed to help players ramp up for back-to-back tournaments.

Advertisement

American Reilly Opelka, a 6-foot–11 pro, said managing fatigue after a series of tournaments before hitting Indian Wells has altered his practice and play in exhibition matches, including a loss to 19-year-old Brazilian Joao Fonseca in Las Vegas.

“Normally in any kind of competition, you get excited and play with a pressure point … but you don’t feel this when you are practicing,” Opelka said.

“I was trying to feel like this a few days ago while practicing with … [Tommy Paul,] but instead we got tired and hungry. … That usually doesn’t happen. We just decided to stop and go to eat somewhere.”

Paul said despite the decision to cut practice short, he feels fresh for the upcoming events.

“I started the year pretty well and for Americans, we are excited for the Sunshine Double,” Paul said.

Advertisement

Casper Rudd lost to Opelka during the first round of the Las Vegas exhibition. The Norwegian also lost a week ago during the first round of the Acapulco Open, falling to Chinese qualifier Yibing Wu in straight sets.

Rudd said he felt “extremely tired” after the Australian Open in January.

Rancho Palo Verdes resident Taylor Fritz, ranked No. 7 in the world, said the best way to prepare yourself for grueling tour schedule is “putting [in] the time, work and repetition.”

“… Be there, be focused on the quality that you are doing,” said Fritz, a 28-year-old who won the Indian Wells title in 2022.

While some players are guarding against burnout, others struggled to even reach California. Some players who live in Dubai, including Russians Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, have to contend with closed airspace triggered by the U.S. and Israel bombing Iran.

Advertisement

The ATP announced Wednesday that, “the vast majority of players who were in Dubai have successfully departed today on selected flights.”

Continue Reading

Sports

Law firm fighting for women’s sports in SCOTUS battle comments on ruling possibly impacting SJSU trans lawsuit

Published

on

Law firm fighting for women’s sports in SCOTUS battle comments on ruling possibly impacting SJSU trans lawsuit

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

A law firm leading the charge in the ongoing Supreme Court case over trans athletes in women’s sports has responded after a federal judge suggested the case’s ruling could impact a separate case involving a similar issue. 

Colorado District Judge Kato Crews deferred ruling in motions to dismiss former San Jose State volleyball co-captain Brooke Slusser’s lawsuit against the California State University (CSU) system until after a ruling in the B.P.J. v. West Virginia Supreme Court case, which is expected to come in June. 

Slusser filed the lawsuit against representatives of her school and the Mountain West Conference in fall 2024 after she allegedly was made to share bedrooms and changing spaces with trans teammate Blaire Fleming for a whole season without being informed that Fleming is a biological male. 

 

Advertisement

Meanwhile, the B.P.J. case went to the Supreme Court after a trans teen sued West Virginia to block the state’s law that prevents males from competing in girls’ high school sports. 

The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) is the primary law firm defending West Virginia in that case at the Supreme Court, and has now responded to news that Slusser’s lawsuit could be affected by the SCOTUS ruling. 

“We hope the ruling from the Supreme Court will affirm that Title IX was designed to guarantee equal opportunity for women, not to let male athletes displace women and girl in competition. It is crucial that sports be separated by sex for not only the equal opportunity of women but for safety and privacy. Title IX should protect women’s right to compete in their own sports. Allowing men to compete in the female category reverses 50 years of advancement for women,” ADF Vice President of Litigation Strategies Jonathan Scruggs said.

Slusser’s attorney, Bill Bock of the Independent Council on Women’s Sports, expects a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the legal defense representing West Virginia, thus helping his case. 

(Left) Brooke Slusser (10) of the San Jose State Spartans serves the ball during the first set against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Court at East Gym in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Oct. 19, 2024. (Right) Blaire Fleming #3 of the San Jose State Spartans looks on during the third set against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Court at East Gym on October 19, 2024 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. ( Andrew Wevers/Getty Images; Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)

Advertisement

“We’re looking forward to the case going forward,” Bock told Fox News Digital. 

“I believe that the court is going to find that Title IX operates on the basis of biological sex, without regard to an assumed or professed gender, and so just like the congress and the members of congress that passed Title IX in 1972, allowed this specifically provided for in the regulations that there had to be separate men’s and women’s teams based on biological sex, I think the court is going to see that is the original meaning of the statute and apply it in that way, and I think it’s going to be a big win in women’s sports.”

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority appeared prepared to rule in favor of West Virginia after oral arguments on Jan. 13. 

Slusser spoke on the steps of the Supreme Court on Jan. 13 while oral arguments took place inside, sharing her experience with a divided crowd of opposing protesters. 

With Fleming on its roster, SJSU reached the 2024 conference final by virtue of a forfeit by Boise State in the semifinal round. SJSU lost in the final to Colorado State.

Advertisement

Slusser went on to develop an eating disorder due to the anxiety and trauma from the scandal and dropped out of her classes the following semester. The eating disorder became so severe, that Slusser said she lost her menstrual cycle for nine months. Her decision to drop her classes resulted in the loss of her scholarship, and her parents said they had to foot the bill out of pocket for an unfinished final semester of college. 

President Donald Trump’s Department of Education determined in January that SJSU violated Title IX in its handling of the situation involving Fleming, and has given the university an ultimatum to agree to a series of resolutions or face a referral to the Department of Justice. 

Among the department’s findings, it determined that a female athlete discovered that the trans student allegedly conspired to have a member of an opposing team spike her in the face during a match. ED claims that “SJSU did not investigate the conspiracy, but later subjected the female athlete to a Title IX complaint for ‘misgendering’ the male athlete in online videos and interviews.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

SJSU trans player Blaire Fleming and teammate Brooke Slusser went to a magic show and had Thanksgiving together in Las Vegas despite an ongoing lawsuit over Fleming being transgender. (Thien-An Truong/San Jose State Athletics)

Advertisement

SJSU Athletic Director Jeff Konya told Fox News Digital in a July interview that he was satisfied with how the university handled the situation involving Fleming.

“I think everybody acted in the best possible way they could, given the circumstances,” Konya said. 

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Related Article

'Horrible' moments exposed for UNR volleyball players when they were roped into the SJSU Title IX scandal

Continue Reading

Trending