Detroit Retains Defensive End Marcus Davenport, But He Still Has Something to Prove

The Detroit Lions have re-signed defensive end Marcus Davenport to a new contract, retaining a key player on their defensive line. However, despite the re-signing, Davenport is facing another prove-it year in the NFL.

Davenport, a 26-year-old pass rusher, was acquired by the Lions in a trade with the New Orleans Saints last offseason. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, Davenport’s first season with the Lions was marked by inconsistency and injuries. He recorded 5.5 sacks and 23 tackles in 12 games, but struggled to make a significant impact on a consistent basis.

As a result, Davenport is facing another prove-it year in the NFL. The Lions’ re-signing of Davenport is likely a one-year deal, with the team wanting to see if he can stay healthy and produce at a high level over the course of a full season.

Davenport’s prove-it year is not just about his on-field performance, but also about his durability. He has struggled with injuries throughout his NFL career, missing significant time in each of the past three seasons. If Davenport can stay healthy and play a full 17-game season, it would go a long way in proving his value to the Lions and the rest of the NFL.

The Lions’ defensive line is expected to be a strength of the team in 2025, with Davenport joining forces with Aidan Hutchinson and James Houston to form a formidable pass-rushing trio. However, for Davenport to be a key contributor to the team’s success, he needs to prove that he can stay healthy and produce at a high level over the course of a full season.

In terms of what Davenport needs to do to prove himself, it’s simple: he needs to stay healthy and produce. If he can do that, he’ll likely earn himself a long-term contract extension and cement his place as one of the top defensive ends in the NFL.

Overall, the Lions’ re-signing of Marcus Davenport is a low-risk, high-reward move. If Davenport can stay healthy and produce at a high level, he’ll be a key contributor to the team’s success. But if he struggles with injuries or inconsistency, the Lions can simply move on from him at the end of the season.

Jets LB Jamien Sherwood Gets Great News Ahead of Free Agency

New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood reacting in the middle of an NFL game.
New York Jets linebacker Jamien Sherwood is about to get a lot richer.

Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic predicted that Sherwood “is going to get a pretty big contract for a linebacker” in free agency.

“I think he’s going to have pretty good interest around the league. Maybe even more than people might realize,” Rosenblatt added via “Flight Plan.”

Jamien Sherwood is about to get THE BAG in free agency! @ZackBlatt told @TimMMcMaster that he thinks Sherwood ‘is going to get a pretty big contract for a linebacker.’

‘I think he’s going to have pretty good interest around the league. Maybe even more than people might…

Jets and Sherwood Have Mutual Interest Ahead of Free Agency, Says Insider
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Rosenblatt said on “Flight Plan” on Wednesday, February 26 that he was unsure how the new Jets regime viewed Sherwood as a fit in their defense and if they wanted him back.

On Friday, February 28 Rosenblatt provided an update on social media.

“I will say that in the days since I said this on the pod I did hear that there is, in fact, interest in Jamien Sherwood returning to the Jets — from both sides,” Rosenblatt revealed.

I will say that in the days since I said this on the pod I did hear that there is, in fact, interest in Jamien Sherwood returning to the Jets — from both

Sherwood, 25, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason with his rookie contract set to expire. The former Auburn product spent the first three years of his career as a role player on defense and a key special teams cog.

This past season he ascended to full-time starter status and delivered a career season. Sherwood racked up 158 tackles, two sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and three pass deflections. He appeared in all 17 games and made 16 starts in 2024.

Contract Projections for Sherwood in Free Agency

Pro Football Focus projects Sherwood to sign a two-year deal for $15.5 million with $8 million of that guaranteed. Over The Cap ranks the projected $7.75 million annual salary as the No. 15 highest-paid figure among linebackers in the NFL.

Spotrac’s calculated market value projects Sherwood to make a little bit less than that on the open market. Sherwood is projected to sign a two-year deal for $14.36 million, per Spotrac. That $7.2 million annual salary would rank No. 17 among the highest-paid linebackers in football, per Over The Cap.

Either way, you slice it, Sherwood is projected to get a massive pay raise.

Sherwood entered the NFL in 2021 as the No. 146 overall pick in the fifth round. After he was drafted, Sherwood signed a four-year deal for $3.8 million in total value. Either projected contract has him making double his total salary over the last four years in the very first year of his new contract.

Sherwood is one of the best draft success stories the Jets have had this century. He was a safety in college, got converted to linebacker, and slowly developed into a player who finished top-three in total tackles this past season, per ESPN.

No Place Like Home: Denver Broncos Coach Sean Payton Resigns To Takeover New Orleans Saints Coaching Role…..

In a surprising turn of events, Sean Payton has resigned as head coach of the Denver Broncos to return to his former role with the New Orleans Saints. This move reunites Payton with the franchise he led to a Super Bowl victory in 2010, marking a significant shift in the NFL coaching landscape.

Payton’s tenure with the Broncos began in 2023, following his departure from the Saints. During his time in Denver, he revitalized the team’s offense, leading them to a 10-7 record and securing a playoff berth. However, despite these achievements, the allure of returning to New Orleans proved irresistible.

The Saints, who have experienced a period of instability since Payton’s initial departure, are hopeful that his return will restore the team’s competitive edge. Payton’s extensive experience and previous success with the Saints make him a promising candidate to lead the team back to prominence.

In the interim, the Broncos have begun the search for a new head coach to continue the progress made under Payton’s leadership. The NFL community watches closely as both franchises navigate this significant transition.

$12.5 Million QB Listed as a Top Free Agency Option for Jets: Analyst

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston reacting in the middle of an NFL game.

There is a world where Aaron Rodgers is not the starting quarterback for the New York Jets in 2025.

If that transpires, the team will need to add another arm to the bullpen.

Justin Melo of The Draft Network believes veteran quarterback Jameis Winston would fit the bill for the Jets in 2025.

“Aaron Glenn is the new head coach of the New York Jets. Glenn’s highest priority will be to improve what was a toxic culture this season. That probably begins with moving on from controversial quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The Rodgers gamble failed miserably on East Rutherford and it’s now time for a reset,” Melo explained.

“The Jets must focus on rebuilding from within throughout Glenn’s first campaign. New general manager Darren Mougey is aligned with Glenn, who spent a season with Winston in New Orleans (2020). Together, they probably won’t want to make any rash decisions at quarterback this offseason that carry a multi-year impact. The Jets need to do some soul-searching, and Winston would be an ideal candidate to simply get them through a recharging 2025 season.”

Pro Football Focus projects Winston to sign a two-year deal for $12.5 million with $7 million guaranteed in free agency this offseason. That $6.25 million annual salary would rank No. 27 among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL, per Over The Cap.

A Very Different Potential Jets QB Room in 2025

Rodgers is a future first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer. When he is on your roster he carries with him some gravitas and expectations.

If the Jets pivot away from that, the other options at the QB position aren’t great this offseason.

Winston, 31, would join a quarterback room with fellow veteran Tyrod Taylor and unproven youngster Jordan Travis.

The former Florida State product is a living breathing roller coaster ride on the football field.

“Winston injected some life into the league’s worst offense, previously led by one of the league’s worst quarterbacks, in a backup role for the Browns, leading to a breakout season for wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, who was acquired in the offseason from the Denver Broncos and extended to a deal that now looks like a major bargain. This alone was a welcome development and important to learn going forward, as Cleveland traded away Amari Cooper at the deadline. As for Winston, he is who we thought he was: a true gunslinger who is just as likely to keep his team in a game as take them out of it,” PFF explained.

Last season with the Browns, Winston enjoyed some incredible highs with 13 touchdown passes in spot duty, but he also suffered some incredible lows tossing 12 interceptions.

That is exactly what Winston has proven to be throughout his 10-year journey in the NFL. During that run, Winston has thrown for 24,225 passing yards, 154 touchdown passes, and 111 interceptions.

Winston is a gunslinger through and through. If you’re on the Winston train you’re going to score some touchdowns, have some fun, but you should hold on for dear life.

Rodgers Jets Update

Rodgers was interviewed while golfing at the WM Phoenix Open this week.

He confirmed to reporter Kira Dixon that he and the Jets have already spoken

“We will figure things out when we figure things out,” Rodgers added.

Well that’s a very interesting Aaron Rodgers #Jets update…

Rodgers told @KiraDixon at the @WMPhoenixOpen that he has already talked with the Jets 👀, ‘we will figure things out when we figure things out.’

Controversy Erupts as New Orleans Saints Owner Gayle Benson Considers Cutting Key Players’ Salary for Cost-Saving Measures…

The usually vibrant atmosphere surrounding the New Orleans Saints has been clouded by controversy as owner Gayle Benson explores the possibility of reducing the salaries of key players to alleviate financial pressures. This potential move has ignited a firestorm of debate among fans, players, analysts, and within the broader NFL community, raising questions about team loyalty, player compensation, and the business side of professional sports.

Benson, who inherited the Saints franchise after the death of her husband Tom Benson in 2018, has been lauded for her commitment to the team and the city of New Orleans.

However, recent reports suggest that the financial implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with escalating player costs, have prompted the ownership to consider measures that were once deemed unthinkable.

The specific details of the proposed salary cuts remain undisclosed, but sources indicate that the reductions could impact some of the team’s highest-paid and most influential players. This has sent shockwaves through the Saints’ locker room, creating an undercurrent of uncertainty and unease.

The players’ union has expressed its concerns, emphasizing the importance of honoring existing contracts and protecting the rights of its members. They argue that players have already made significant sacrifices, including pay cuts and other concessions, to help the league navigate the financial challenges posed by the pandemic.

Fans, meanwhile, are divided. Some express understanding for the financial realities facing the team, acknowledging that difficult decisions may be necessary to ensure the Saints’ long-term viability.

Others, however, view the potential salary cuts as a betrayal of the players who have dedicated their careers to the franchise and brought so much joy to the city.

Critics argue that Benson, as a billionaire businesswoman, should absorb the financial burden rather than jeopardize the team’s on-field performance and the morale of its players. They point to the Saints’ rich history and the unwavering support of its fan base, suggesting that the team’s ownership has a responsibility to prioritize the well-being of its players and maintain a competitive roster.

The controversy surrounding the potential salary cuts has also reignited the debate about the ever-increasing financial demands of professional sports.

Critics argue that exorbitant player salaries and escalating franchise values have created an unsustainable economic model that ultimately hurts the fans and undermines the integrity of the game

As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on Gayle Benson and the Saints’ front office. Their decisions in the coming weeks will not only impact the team’s immediate future but also set a precedent for how other NFL franchises navigate the complex financial landscape of professional sports.

The outcome of this controversy will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications, shaping the relationship between owners, players, and fans for years to come. It serves as a stark reminder that even in the realm of sports, where passion and loyalty often take center stage, the bottom line remains a powerful force.