Pro Football Talk

JuJu Smith-Schuster had options, but he picked the Patriots. Why? “Honestly, Bill [Belichick], man,” Smith-Schuster said, via Chris Mason of masslive.com. “Being at a place where he’s a great head coach, and as far as everything else goes, I just feel like I fit here.” Smith-Schuster spent five seasons with the Steelers and a won [more] … [Read more...] about JuJu Smith-Schuster picked the Patriots because of Bill Belichick

We’ve already had two kickers selected in the 2023 NFL draft. The latest was Chad Ryland, selected by the Patriots in the fourth round with the 112th overall pick. The Patriots liked Ryland so much that they traded up for him, sending the 120th and 184th picks to the Jets for the 112th. Ryland spent [more] … [Read more...] about Patriots trade up to pick kicker Chad Ryland at No. 112

The Patriots have bolstered their secondary in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez went to New England with the 17th overall pick. Few people expected Gonzalez to fall into the second half of the first round. He’s a very talented cornerback who looked like a Top 10 pick, and [more] … [Read more...] about Patriots at No. 17 take Christian Gonzalez

Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer, who set the all-time receiving record for tight ends in only three seasons in South Bend, initially wanted to play basketball. He tried football on a lark, and it became his future. But his basketball skills have helped. During a Wednesday visit with #PFTPM, Mayer agreed with my characterization [more] … [Read more...] about Basketball skills have helped Michael Mayer make great catches in traffic

It was inevitable, but no one expected it to happen so soon. With Aaron Rodgers joining the New York Jets, the New England Patriots are now the worst team, on paper, in the AFC East. That doesn’t mean the Pats are doomed to land in the basement. Last year, the Jets finished fourth with a [more] … [Read more...] about The Patriots are now the worst team, on paper, in the AFC East

In theory, all four teams from a given division can make it to the playoffs, thanks to the presence of three wild-card berths in each conference. Whether more than one team from a given division depends on many factors. One, obviously, is the quality of the teams. But that’s just part of it. Another very [more] … [Read more...] about Scheduling formula could make it difficult for more than one AFC East team to get to playoffs

The Colts gave cornerback Stephon Gilmore a two-year, $23 million deal last April. He did not make the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2017, and the Colts won only four games. Indianapolis unloaded his contract to the Cowboys for a fifth-round pick last month. Few trades are win-wins, but Colts General Manager Chris [more] … [Read more...] about Chris Ballard on trade of Stephon Gilmore: It was good for both of us

The Eagles’ team website apparently jumped the gun on the hiring of Matt Patricia as an assistant coach. But what was posted and then deleted now is official, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports. Patricia is leaving the Patriots to become the Eagles’ senior defensive assistant. Eagles coach Nick Sirianni spoke about Patricia at his news [more] … [Read more...] about Report: Matt Patricia’s hiring now official

Edge rusher Nolan Smith is closing out the pre-draft visit window by spending time with the Cardinals. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that Smith is meeting with Arizona on Wednesday. It is the final day that teams can host draft prospects at their facilities. Smith had 110 tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, [more] … [Read more...] about Nolan Smith visits Cardinals Wednesday