2025-2026 NFL Season Thread

[R3P0]

For as much crap as he took I am sad to see Backus go

Lions LT Jeff Backus is retiring from football.

The No. 18 pick of the 2001 draft, Backus missed one game in 12 seasons. He was never a Pro Bowler or All Pro along the way, but was a strong pass protector up until 2012, where his play began to slip. He had been bandied about as a candidate for release before today's announcement. The Lions are now left with holes at both tackle spots, and will have to thrust unproven 2012 first-round pick Riley Reiff into one of them. The owners of the No. 5 pick, the Lions should be linked to each of the draft's top tackles between now and April 25.

Source: Lions on Twitter
Mar 14 - 4:01 PM

He was one of the most consistent starters in football and despite the fans always ripping him here will be very hard to replace.

[Navster]

Great pickup for the Falcons, so its either going to be Falcons, Niners or Seahawks in the Super Bowl this year

[fatediesel]

Originally Posted by Navster

Great pickup for the Falcons, so its either going to be Falcons, Niners or Seahawks in the Super Bowl this year

One bad playoff game and everyone gives up on the Packers, plus the Giants always do their best once everyone counts them out.

[R3P0]

Originally Posted by Navster

Great pickup for the Falcons, so its either going to be Falcons, Niners or Seahawks in the Super Bowl this year

Umm great pickup you mean what was said months ago lol

[StereoMike]

Competition Committee proposes 6 rule changes, 3 bylaw changes

1. A play that would have been automatically reviewed by instant replay will still be reviewed even if a coach throws his challenge flag. Any coach who challenges a play that he’s not permitted to challenge would be charged a timeout, and wouldn’t get his timeout back even if he wins the challenge, or would lose 15 yards if his team is out of timeouts. But the play itself will still be reviewed. Call this the Jim Schwartz Rule. The league will also consider reviewing incomplete passes that are ruled a fumble all the way through the fumble — if a play is ruled on the field to be incomplete and overturned on replay as a fumble, the replay can consider everything that happens after that fumble.

2. Player safety: On field goals and extra points, restrictions are added to what rush teams can do. No more than six defensive players would be permitted to align on either side of the snapper, defensive players can’t push their teammates across the line, and the long snapper is considered a defenseless player.

3. Eliminate the tuck rule.

4. Allow tight ends and H-backs to wear 40-49.

5. Player safety: Offensive players will not be allowed to block low when going toward their own end lines in the tackle box. Can’t go low when peeling back anywhere on the field.

6. Player safety: Initiating contact with the crown of the helmet is a foul if the runner or tackler delivers a forceable blow against his opponent when both players are outside the tackle box.

[Batman1980]

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

Packers free-agent WR Greg Jennings dining tonight in Minnesota with Vikings officials.

Source - Twitter
What, no sexboat?

[Blu-Benny]

Originally Posted by Darth Anakin

Source - Twitter
What, no sexboat?

i can't believe he doesn't feel dirty just standing in that state!!

[Tony208]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

One bad playoff game and everyone gives up on the Packers, plus the Giants always do their best once everyone counts them out.

Is the Packers window over...? They've got holes on D to fill and some big contracts coming up too. The favorites right now are the teams loaded with good young talent on cheap contracts which means 49ers and Seahawks.

[sycro]

Originally Posted by fatediesel

This will certainly help Atlanta with the release of Michael Turner. I'm a bit surprised Green Bay didn't sign him because they really need help at running back.

[ChadFL]

This rules committee can go to hell They better not implement some of these rules watering down the game.

[Moviefan1203]

Geno Smith was very impressive in his pro day today. He really showed he can throw a deep ball with great touch. I know pro days are typically very rehearsed, but he only helped his draft stock.

[StereoMike]

[R3P0]

Goodson to Jets

Jets signed RB Mike Goodson, formerly of the Raiders, to a three-year, $6.9 million contract.

Goodson has spent his entire four-year career buried on depth charts. He started off behind DeAngelo Williams/Jonathan Stewart in Carolina and then spent last year caddying for Darren McFadden and Marcel Reece with the Raiders. But as evidenced by Goodson's career 4.51 YPC average, he has some burst at 6'0/210. With the Jets, he'll be battling Bilal Powell and possibly a draft pick to be the top dog in a committee. Goodson can also help passing game and return kicks. It's a rare inexpensive, quality addition for the Jets.

Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter
Mar 15 - 10:16 AM

[sycro]

Lol... Buttfumble is the 15-time defending Worst of the Worst from SportsCenter's Not Top 10. Based off this week's #1, it will win again.

[fatediesel]

Dustin Keller is going to the Dolphins on a one-year deal. I'm guessing he didn't get the long-term offers he was looking for coming off an injury and that's why he went with a one-year deal.

In addition, the Cardinals and Kevin Kolb couldn't agree to a restructured contract so Kolb has been released.

[Batman1980]

Adam Schefter @AdamSchefter

Steelers RFA WR Emmanuel Sanders visiting Patriots today. Pats could sign him to offer sheet that cap-strapped Steelers struggle to match.

Source - Twitter

[fatediesel]

I'd be surprised if the Pats signed Emmanuel Sanders to an offer sheet. They only have 5 total draft picks (rounds 1-3, 2 in round 7) and signing Sanders would cost the team a third round pick.

I think this may be more of a case of the Patriots interviewing a player that might be an unrestricted free agent next year. There's been rumors they did that last year with Amendola when he was a restricted free agent. He was definitely in Boston during free agency last year but it's never been confirmed if he met with the Patriots.

[SleeperAgent]

So the Ravens defense has basically lost 50% of their starters, but they are continuing in talks with James Harrison.

I must say, this is something I can get excited about. Harrison is a monster on the field. Having seen him twice (sometimes thrice) a season I know he can hit and is super aggressive.

Ngata, Upshaw, Suggs, and Harrison. That's a brutal quartet if I ever saw one.

[walruswarrior]

Originally Posted by R3P0

Goodson to Jets

Decent signing. I like what Idzik is doing. Clean house, get a lot of cap space, and then go after it in 2014. No more butt fumble and his albatross of a contract. Get some draft picks because we need a bunch of quality players. Trade Revis for a 1st next year, third this year, and Blount.

[Tony208]

I find myself rooting for Falcons now that Steven Jackson is there, hopefully he can get a ring. He's been the most consistently good player for almost a decade at the RB position which is so hard to do.