The Washington Commanders proceed to indicate over the NFL’s worst statistical safety, together with eight-time Skilled Bowl linebacker Bobby Wagner on Wednesday, a provide confirmed to ESPN.

Wagner turns into the sixth defensive participant Washington has landed since Monday, hoping to bolster a bunch that ranked closing in every components and yards allowed closing season.

Wagner agreed to a one-year deal worth as a lot as $8.5 million with $6 million in ensures, in accordance with the NFL Group, which first reported the data.

Washington moreover has added three defensive ends — Dorance Armstrong, Dante Fowler Jr. and Clelin Ferrell — plus linebacker Frankie Luvu and safety Jeremy Chinn.

Washington’s coaches are conscious of Wagner: Head coach Dan Quinn coached him for two years in Seattle as a coordinator, and linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. was Wagner’s coordinator for 4 seasons with the Seahawks.

A few of the embellished inside linebackers of the ultimate decade and a future Hall of Famer, Wagner carried out in every sport closing season for the Seattle Seahawks and recorded an NFL-high 183 tackles, which moreover established his new career most interesting.

Wagner, 33, added 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 6 QB hits and three passes defensed whereas collaborating in in every sport.

In January, Wagner talked about he “100%” deliberate on persevering with to play in 2024, which will be his thirteenth NFL season.

A second-round determine by Seattle in 2012 out of Utah State, Wagner manned the middle of the “Legion of Progress” safety that led the Seahawks to a victory in Super Bowl XLVIII and a near repeat in Super Bowl XLIX. He spent his first 10 seasons with Seattle, making eight straight Skilled Bowls in that span whereas being named a first-team All-Skilled six situations.

He’s the Seahawks’ all-time major tackler.

After being launched by the Seahawks, Wagner spent the 2022 season with the Los Angeles Rams, with whom he mutually parted strategies after the season. He returned to Seattle on a one-year deal that carried a base price of $5.5 million, though Wagner earned an additional $750,000 by making the Skilled Bowl — his eleventh career alternative — on the preliminary ballot.

Wagner has been serving as his private agent for numerous years and has negotiated his earlier three contracts, along with a three-year, $54 million extension in 2019 that made him the NFL’s highest-paid inside linebacker.

He has topped 100 tackles in each of his first 12 NFL seasons, recording 1,706 in all. He has 33 sacks, 13 interceptions, 6 compelled fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries and 89 tackles for loss in 185 regular-season video video games.

ESPN’s Brady Henderson contributed to this report.

No. 20 BYU (22-9) vs. UCF (17-14).

Tip: Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. MDT.

Venue: T-Cell Center, Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.

TV: ESPN2.

Livestream: WatchESPN.

Radio: 102.7 FM/1160 AM.

Sequence: BYU leads, 2-0.

The traits

For BYU: The Cougars (22-9, 10-8 in Enormous 12 play) are the No. 5 seed throughout the Enormous 12 Match and earned an opening-round bye. Winners of three of their last 4 video video games, the Cougars have a formidable resume that includes a NET score of 12. BYU is 6-7 in opposition to Quad 1 opponents this 12 months, 4-2 in opposition to Quad 2 opponents, and an undefeated 12-0 in opposition to Quad 3 and Quad 4 opponents.

For UCF: The Knights (17-14, 7-11) are on a two-game worthwhile streak, the latest being a win over Oklahoma State throughout the opening spherical of the Enormous 12 Match. The Knights struggled all through the middle portion of the conference season, nonetheless closed the 12 months with wins in 4 of their closing six video video games.

Quotable

“Similar to every workforce, we have got been working in path of this all 12 months prolonged. And by no means working in path of a spot the place it’s a … crescendo pitch, nonetheless working in path of it like we are trying to rearrange and rep and rep and rep to be on this spot. So the fellows are grateful to be proper right here.” — BYU coach Mark Pope.

“Now we’ve to start studying them as soon as extra and we have got to aim to find adjustments that we’re capable of make, on account of we had two shut video video games. They’re a wonderful basketball workforce … Mark has completed a wonderful job with this group. We’ve to look at them this evening and uncover out the issue we’ve to do increased. All we focused on coming into this occasion was Oklahoma State because you on no account know if that’s going to be your last recreation or not, and so that you just pour each half into it, and now we’ll pour each half into BYU.” — UCF coach Johnny Dawkins.

The stakes

For BYU: The Cougars are, at this degree, a assured NCAA Match workforce. Most projections put them spherical a No. 5 seed throughout the Enormous Dance. Worthwhile the Enormous 12 Match of their first 12 months throughout the league might be memorable, nonetheless the tourney supplies little higher than bragging rights, barring an sudden deep run by BYU.

For UCF: The Knights are normally not projected to be an NCAA Match workforce this 12 months, like BYU their first throughout the Enormous 12. The NIT is the likely postseason trip spot for UCF and a shock run throughout the Enormous 12 Match could help warrant the Knights a extreme seed. The additional wins the upper form of issue.

Players to have a look at

For BYU: All eyes must be on Jaxson Robinson, the Enormous 12 Sixth Man of the Yr. Robinson has been necessary to the Cougars’ success this season — it might be argued he is the workforce’s biggest participant — all whereas coming of the bench in a reserve perform. Robinson accomplished the widespread season as BYU’s important scorer with 13.9 components per recreation, capturing 43% from the sphere and 34.8% from distance and the senior’s scoring capabilities have made him an actual NBA draft prospect.

For UCF: Ibrahima Diallo, Darius Johnson and Jaylin Sellers had been all Enormous 12 honorable level out this 12 months, nonetheless Johnson is arguably the one to pay the closest consideration to. Merely sooner than the tip of the widespread season — in opposition to TCU — the guard erupted for 33 components in a key victory for the Knights. In UCF’s opening spherical win over Oklahoma State, Johnson had solely 11 components, nonetheless he shot a team-best 3-of-5 from behind the 3-point arc and handed out a team-high 5 assists. Johnson has been UCF’s biggest shooter this season from 3-point range and the workforce’s chief playmaker.

The Padres and White Sox finalized what ought to operate the remaining blockbuster of the MLB offseason on Wednesday evening time in a deal that sends right-handed starter Dylan Cease to San Diego in change for a three-prospect, four-player package deal deal headlined by two right-handed starters and a teenage outfielder. Cease, who accomplished second in American League Cy Youthful Award voting in 2022, had beforehand been associated to the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and others all by means of the winter.

As is always the case when an infinite commerce happens, CBS Sports activities actions is correct right here to provide instantaneous analysis of the deal by handing out grades to every aspect. You would discover that below. First, though, let’s analysis the whole phrases of the commerce:

Now, let’s get to it.

Padres grade: A

Cease, 28, was the runner-up for the American League Cy Youthful Award in 2022. He’s moreover one amongst a handful of pitchers to notch on the very least 200 strikeouts in each of the ultimate three seasons. The other members of that membership are Corbin Burnes, Gerrit Cole, and Kevin Gausman — or, three of the very best pitchers in your entire majors. Cease took a step once more last season, posting a 97 ERA+ that registered as his worst full-season mark so far.

The Padres, along with a slew of various teams, wanted Cease all of the similar as a result of assumption that there’s nonetheless proverbial rooster left on the bone. CBS Sports activities actions lined that selling stage in further ingredient earlier this winter. Considered one of many causes teams suppose Cease might probably be even larger than he has been rests on his elite arsenal. To quote ourselves:

Cease’s arsenal choices two well-above-average pitches. His fastball clocked in at 95.6 mph last season, and featured virtually 19 inches of induced vertical break. For these new to the IVB metric, that may be a flowery method of writing that his heater has a great deal of “rising” movement to it.

For some perspective on how unusual that combination of velocity and rise is, here’s a complete report of the other starting pitchers (min. 10 begins) whose fastballs averaged on the very least 95 mph and 18 or additional inches of IVB in 2023:

Cease’s sweeping slider, his fundamental pitch last season, has generated 40% or additional whiffs in each of the ultimate three years. In 2023, his slider allowed opponents to hit .216 — and that represented the worst mark of his career.

Get Cease away from the White Sox and proper right into a additional nice pitching setting — by means of the ballpark, the safety, and the infrastructure — and in addition you might even see him shortly improve upon his career 113 ERA+. 

If the Padres are to make a crucial run on the playoffs this season, they needed their rotation to overperform. They misplaced 60% of ultimate 12 months’s starting 5 to free firm — that’s Michael Wacha, Seth Lugo, and Nick Martinez, for reference — and their blockbuster commerce that despatched outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Yankees netted them two potential mid-rotation arms (Mike King and, successfully, Drew Thorpe) and a seize bag of back-end and swingmen varieties.

Cease changes the dynamic. He can slot in alongside Joe Musgrove and King to offer the Padres doubtlessly three above-average starters on the doorway of the rotation. (That is the place we offer the caveat that King, whereas not lacking in experience, has been spotty alongside together with his effectively being.) Will that be ample to info the Padres once more to the postseason? We’ll uncover out. At minimal, it larger positions them to make a run every this 12 months and subsequent (oh, correct, Cease just isn’t a free agent until after the 2025 season).

Chances are you’ll question if the Padres, projected to play correct spherical .500 ball, must be shifting 4 avid gamers (three of them prospects) for a relatively short-term addition. We respect when teams exterior of the very best tier do what they may to make a push. Other than, the Padres may not have given up each of their prime two pitching prospects, counting on the evaluator. (Dylan Lesko and Robby Snelling being the plain contenders.) A.J. Preller just isn’t new to inspiring these types of questions — together with Cease makes it additional potential that he’ll get to proceed prompting them for on the very least one different 12 months, too.

White Sox grade: B

As we detailed just some weeks prior to now, holding onto Cease until the deadline under no circumstances made sense for the White Sox. The draw again hazard was too good. Cease might’ve gotten injured, or had one different down 12 months. With one of the best ways that teams overvalue workforce administration as of late, it might’ve been actively harmful to the potential return to hold onto him — significantly considering that the White Sox don’t have any precise aggressive aspirations this 12 months.

Whether or not or not new frequent supervisor Chris Getz was bluffing all alongside, or the Padres hit him with merely the exact present is irrelevant. The underside line is he ended up making a deal at virtually the ultimate second — one which further bolsters a White Sox farm system that has obtained a very good amount of tender love and care courting once more to last deadline.

We wrote up Thorpe earlier this winter, when he was traded from the Yankees to the Padres. Throughout the curiosity of working smarter, no more sturdy, right here is that writeup:

Thorpe, 23, is a former second-round determine who accomplished last season with 5 Double-A begins. Complete, he compiled a 2.52 ERA and a 4.79 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Although Thorpe just isn’t a tricky thrower by any measure, he’ll get by due to a high-grade changeup and good command. The Padres have confirmed they’re eager to promote avid gamers in an aggressive technique. It couldn’t qualify as a shock, then, if Thorpe ends up debuting sometime subsequent summer season.

Iriarte, 22, break up last season between Extreme- and Double-A. He notched a 3.49 ERA and a 2.84 strikeout-to-walk ratio, the entire whereas punching out virtually 27% of the batters he confronted. Iriarte has an excellent fastball-slider combination that he delivers from a low three-quarters slot. He does have an prolonged arm stroke that helps make clear why he’s struggled alongside together with his command. Ultimate 12 months, he walked a batter every completely different inning. The winds of change have impacted the profile and expectation of the start pitcher place recently, that implies that Iriarte nonetheless has a chance to be a mid-rotation starter.

Zavala, 19, break up last season between Extreme- and Low-A. He hit .243/.391/.406 with 14 home runs and 21 stolen bases. These marks don’t leap off the online web page, nevertheless it is worth noting that he was larger than three years youthful than his frequent opponent at every ranges. Zavala is a left-handed hitter with an infinite leg kick and above-average raw energy. He has struggled with strikeouts all by means of his expert career, and his swing-and-miss tendencies may cap his batting frequent upside. Zavala is youthful and established ample to foresee him rising proper right into a starting outfielder, potential in a nook.

Wilson, 29, made 102 appearances for the Padres over the previous two years. He compiled a 3.48 ERA (114 ERA+) and a 2.34 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Wilson threw his sweeping slider 60% of the time last 12 months, producing a 27.7% whiff payment and holding opponents to a .165 batting frequent. Wilson has 4 years of workforce administration remaining. He’s extra more likely to best serve the White Sox as a potential deadline commerce candidate.

When the Brewers traded Corbin Burnes, a free agent at 12 months’s end, to the Orioles for a pair of big-league-ready prospects and a draft determine, we gave them a C and wrote that it felt a bit fast. Proper right here, the White Sox obtained that further piece. Credit score rating it to Cease’s further 12 months of administration, Getz’s bluff, or Preller’s willingness to pony up as needed. Whatever the case, we anticipate every teams have function to be content material materials with this deal.

WTOP’s Jason Fraley previews Cindy Blackman Santana at The Carlyle Room (Half 1)

It takes an actual powerhouse to play drums for rock icons like Lenny Kravitz and Carlos Santana.

Cindy Blackman Santana rocks The Carlyle Room in Northwest D.C. this Friday and Saturday.

“We now have pretty various originals and a few works by totally different people like Wayne Shorter that we’ve type of revamped, so that they sound barely fully totally different, which is sweet, we put a model new spin on them,” Blackman Santana suggested WTOP. “This band is so good, everybody’s acquired such big ears that the music is de facto able to take a wide range of journeys, twists and turns, so it retains the joys, it retains the facility and everyone has a extraordinarily good sound on their instrument.”

Born in Yellow Springs, Ohio, in 1959, Blackman grew up listening to an array of funk, jazz, classical and rock ‘n roll. When her family moved to Connecticut, she studied on the Hartt College of Music in Hartford and the Berklee Faculty of Music in Boston sooner than lastly dropping out to hold out with beloved doo-wop group The Drifters.

“That was cool because of it afforded me some stability, barely probability to make some cash … and easily do fixed gigs, although it wasn’t the music that I wanted to play, it was an experience, so that was good,” she talked about.

In 1993, after shifting to New York Metropolis, she acquired a cross-country title from Lenny Kravitz, who invited her to Los Angeles to audition for his music video for “Are You Gonna Go My Technique.” She would flip into his touring drummer for nearly 20 years, featured inside the dwell efficiency documentary “Alive from Planet Earth,” filmed reside in Australia.

“I met Lenny by a mutual pal [who] talked about, ‘I’ve acquired this pal Lenny Kravitz who’s been in the hunt for a drummer.’ … I discussed, ‘Who’s that?’ He talked about, ‘The person that was married to Lisa Bonet,’” she talked about. “I went available on the market and ended up auditioning, there have been like 40 drummers, I carried out second and after I carried out, Lenny often called off the auditions like, ‘No, I choose Cindy.’ … Seventeen years participating in on the road was pretty an amazing run.”

Whereas participating in with Kravitz at a music competitors in Germany in 2005, she met future husband Carlos Santana.

“I was with Lenny Kravitz and Santana was participating in, they carried out first,” Blackman Santana talked about. “I acquired a possibility to fulfill him, nonetheless there have been no sparks or one thing like that, I was [already romantically] involved and I think about he was involved as correctly. Fast forward 5 years later … he was attempting to find out what drummer to get to sub. … Carlos and I merely associated musically, then as we started talking, we really associated spiritually.”

He dramatically proposed to her on stage all through a dwell efficiency in Chicago on July 9, 2010.

“I was participating in ‘Corazón Espinado’ and I took a drum solo,” Blackman Santana talked about. “He often called me as a lot as the doorway of the stage and he begins talking. … It appeared like with out finish, then he merely checked out me and it was like a golden silence, it wasn’t a dead-zone silence, it was really golden because of the finest manner he was having a look at me. We’re in entrance of 20 to 30,000 people, then he merely talked about it, ‘Cindy, will you marry me?’ I was pretty floored, nonetheless I discussed, ‘Positive, fully.’”

Fourteen years later, the husband and partner musicians are nonetheless going sturdy.

“It’s really good to do what you are eager on best with the one who you are eager on,” she talked about. “We’re able to share one factor that is so divine. Music to me is like prayer, it’s the easiest kind of communication, because of it transcends and transverses any type of barrier whether or not or not it’s racial, political, cultural — it does not matter what it is, it transcends that. So I like music and to have the power to share that with Carlos is just the ultimate phrase journey, the ultimate phrase pleasure, the ultimate phrase journey.”

WTOP’s Jason Fraley previews Cindy Blackman Santana at The Carlyle Room (Half 2)

Take heed to our full dialog on the podcast underneath:

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LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – Faculty of Nebraska athletic director Trev Alberts is leaving the Huskers to take the an identical place at Texas A&M Faculty.

Spherical 5 p.m. Wednesday, a provide inside Faculty of Nebraska Athletics confirmed the research that had been circulating all day and Texas A&M issued a press launch asserting the hire. They will have a press conference to introduce Alberts as their new A.D. early subsequent week.

The subsequent e-mail was despatched to athletic employees by Alberts Wednesday afternoon.

Faculty of Nebraska Interim President Chris Kabourek issued the following assertion Wednesday afternoon:

“A short time previously, Trev Alberts educated me that he has accepted the athletic director place at Texas A&M, environment friendly Friday.

I’m disillusioned to see Trev depart, nonetheless I am grateful for his 15 years of service to the Faculty of Nebraska. Every the Mavericks and the Huskers achieved good points beneath Trev’s administration and we wish him and his family all among the best.

We have unbelievable momentum in Husker Athletics because of the arduous work and dedication of all our employees, coaches and student-athletes. We will not be going to hit pause. As I’ve talked about many events, I’ve in no way been further obsessed with the way in which ahead for the Faculty of Nebraska and the alternate options now we’ve got to work collectively in the direction of our imaginative and prescient to compete on the very best ranges in all facets. I’ve full confidence we’ll uncover a visionary chief who will assemble on Trev’s good work and maintain the Huskers on the forefront on this altering panorama for college athletics.

Throughout the meantime, my fast focus is on doing each factor I can to assist our student-athletes, coaches and employees. I intend to name an interim AD in a short time and may quickly begin the tactic for a nationwide search for our subsequent chief.”

Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III talked about Alberts’s sturdy enterprise acumen, differ of experience and administration expertise make him the best choice to supervise A&M Athletics, which has larger than 650 student-athletes competing inside the Southeastern Conference in 20 varsity sports activities actions.

“With Trev’s expertise, the Aggies are poised to not solely excel on the fields, tracks and courts, however as well as effectively navigate the multi-faceted intersection of sports activities actions, commerce and student-athlete empowerment,” Welsh talked about. “He has a profound understanding of the intricate enterprise of athletics and the evolving panorama of college athletics, notably inside the realm of Determine, Image and Likeness (NIL).”

Welsh added: “I can’t take into consideration a larger specific individual to steer the Aggie Athletics program into the long term.”

Merely sooner than 9 a.m., the Houston Chronicle first reported that Alberts was targeted to change into the next Athletic Director at Texas A&M Faculty. The data appeared to take all people unexpectedly.

When 10/11 reached out to the Faculty of Nebraska system for a response Wednesday morning, Melissa Lee, the Chief Communications Officer for the Faculty of Nebraska System talked about, “Trev has not educated President Kabourek that he has accepted one different various.” Chris Kabourek has been serving as Faculty of Nebraska interim president since Jan. 1 after Ted Carter left to change into president at Ohio State Faculty in Columbus.

When requested regarding the potential departure of Alberts to Texas A&M, Nebraska Governor – and former Nebraska soccer participant and NU regent – Jim Pillen talked about, “I like Trev Alberts. Trev Alberts is a pacesetter in collegiate athletics in america and from my seat, Trev deserves Nebraska and we might like him to be essential our athletic division. We have among the many most interesting athletic departments in america. Unbelievable what we do for 600 student-athletes. It’s important for all of us and from my seat we’ve got to make sure that Trev is conscious of how lots we acknowledge him and have to carry him proper right here. He’s in demand throughout the nation.”

Alberts, a Nebraska alum and former All-American Husker soccer participant, signed a model new contract in November to take care of him on the Faculty of Nebraska by the use of 2031, though the contract had liquidated hurt buyouts that Alberts should pay to the Faculty if he have been to go away for a further various. Alberts was making a base wage of $1.7 million at Nebraska with an increase to $2.1 million in 2026. In the meanwhile, 10/11 Sports activities actions Director Kevin Sjuts sat down with Alberts for a 1-on-1 interview with Alberts saying “I do like my job, I actually really feel extraordinarily honored to be on the Faculty of Nebraska.”

Texas A&M had been attempting to change Ross Bjork, who left Texas A&M to change into the Ohio State Athletic Director in January.

Alberts was launched as Nebraska’s Athletic Director in July of 2021, making a switch from the Faculty of Nebraska-Omaha. Alberts modified Bill Moos.

All through his time as Athletic Director, Alberts modified head soccer coach Scott Frost with Matt Rhule. Alberts moreover spearheaded the worthwhile ‘Volleyball Day in Nebraska’ in 2023, sooner than the Volleyball group carried out for a Nationwide Championship. He moreover was moreover serving to guide plans for a major Memorial Stadium renovation. The Nebraska males’s and ladies’s basketball teams are every preparing for NCAA match bids.

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Copyright 2024 KOLN. All rights reserved.

Aroldis Chapman, a two-time World Sequence champion and seven-time All-Star, shocked baseball followers Tuesday with an odd video he posted on Instagram Tales.

The video confirmed the Pittsburgh Pirates star sitting on a settee and grabbing an older lady’s chest. The video then confirmed the lady push Chapman’s hand away sooner than he started to caress her stomach.

It wasn’t clear who the lady was. Sports activities actions Illustrated speculated it was Chapman’s mother. A separate video, which was moreover on Chapman’s story, confirmed the lady cooking in a kitchen with one different man, based mostly on the New York Publish.

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The video was away from his Instagram Tales by Wednesday afternoon nonetheless made its methodology spherical social media, including X.

METS GREAT DARRYL STRAWBERRY RECOVERING AFTER SUFFERING HEART ATTACK

Aroldis Chapman of the Texas Rangers holds the Commissioner’s Trophy after worthwhile Recreation 5 of the 2023 World Sequence between the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Topic Nov. 1, 2023, in Phoenix, Ariz. (Rob Tringali/MLB Photographs by means of Getty Photos)

The Pirates didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment by Fox Data Digital regarding the video.

The Cuban-born pitcher signed a one-year address the Pirates remaining month. He break up time between the Kansas Metropolis Royals and the Texas Rangers in 2023. He and the Rangers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks throughout the World Sequence remaining season.

Chapman has a career 2.53 ERA with 1,148 strikeouts and 321 saves.

He’s frolicked with the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and New York Yankees as successfully.

Aroldis Chapman of the New York Yankees pitches throughout the ninth inning in the direction of the Houston Astros all through Recreation 4 of the American League Championship Sequence at Yankee Stadium Oct. 17, 2017, throughout the Bronx borough of New York Metropolis. (Elsa/Getty Photos)

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Chapman, 36, is projected to make the 26-man roster as quickly because the season begins, based mostly on FanGraphs. He’s slotted as an eighth-inning setup man.

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Broad receiver Mike Williams is coming into free company.

The Los Angeles Chargers launched Williams simply hours earlier than the beginning of the brand new league yr on Wednesday, the team announced.

Williams’ launch saves the Chargers $20 million towards their wage cap. The Chargers entered Wednesday roughly $25 million over the wage cap, per Over The Cap.

The 6-foot-4 extensive receiver is probably going to attract important curiosity on the open market as one of many prime free brokers now accessible regardless of him coming off a torn ACL that reduce his 2023 season quick. USA TODAY Sports activities explores doable touchdown spots for the 29-year-old wideout.

New England Patriots

The Patriots have a large void at extensive receiver. New England did not have a wideout prime 50 catches final season, and the crew had the NFL’s twenty eighth ranked go offense in 2023.

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New England’s greatest wideouts coming into the season are Kendrick Bourne and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Williams is a greater receiver than each. He would carry the Patriots a wideout with a giant catch radius and any individual who thrives on making contested catches.

Nonetheless, New England’s gap at quarterback could possibly be a deterrent. Journeyman Jacoby Brissett is the highest QB on the Patriots’ roster, however the crew might choose a signal-caller with the No. 3 general decide within the 2024 NFL draft.

Chicago Bears

Chicago already has been energetic in free company due to their abundance of cap area. In keeping with Over The Cap, the Bears entered Wednesday with greater than $56 million in wage cap area.

Williams’ addition within the Windy Metropolis would give the Bears a dynamic mixture on the skin with DJ Moore.

Williams has averaged almost 10 yards a reception the previous two seasons. Moore averaged 10 yards a catch final yr. Plus, the Bears have tight ends Cole Kmet and not too long ago acquired former Charger Gerald Everett.

The Bears do have some questions at quarterback. An individual with information of the state of affairs informed USA TODAY Sports activities that the Bears are contemplating buying and selling Justin Fields. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

Chicago has the No. 1 general decide on this yr’s draft and plenty of across the NFL count on the franchise to pick out USC QB Caleb Williams.

Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings are an fascinating possibility, particularly with the unsure way forward for extensive receiver Justin Jefferson. Jefferson, who’s coming into the ultimate yr of his rookie contract, needs the Vikings or some other crew to again up the Brinks truck for his companies.

Minnesota final season drafted receiver Jordan Addison, who put up a nice rookie marketing campaign. However with Jefferson’s long-term future doubtful, Williams could possibly be added as insurance coverage.

The Vikings even have questions at quarterback, which could discourage Williams from signing in Minnesota. The Vikings changed Kirk Cousins with Sam Darnold. However Darnold figures to be extra of a bridge quarterback at this level of his profession.

Kansas Metropolis Chiefs

The Chiefs know all too nicely about Williams. Whereas enjoying for the division rival Chargers, Williams usually torched Kansas Metropolis.

Williams compiled 43 catches, 692 receiving yards and 6 landing receptions in 11 profession video games towards the Chiefs. It’s essentially the most catches, receiving yards and landing grabs he’s had towards any NFL opponent.

The Chiefs led the NFL with 44 drops in 2023. Williams has certain palms and would provide Patrick Mahomes with a professional X-receiver on the skin.

Kansas Metropolis launched Marquez Valdes-Scantling and are rumored to be within the extensive receiver market this offseason.

Los Angeles Chargers

Sure, there’s an opportunity Williams returns to Los Angeles, an individual near the state of affairs informed USA TODAY Sports activities. The particular person spoke on situation of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter.

For the reason that Chargers drafted Williams No. 7 general within the 2017 NFL draft, he has blossomed into one of many league’s premier deep threats. Williams produced 309 catches, 4,806 yards and 31 touchdowns in seven seasons with the Chargers. He averaged 15.6 yards per catch as a Charger and was a preferred determine within the crew’s locker room.

Williams suffered a season-ending ACL damage in Week 3 of the 2023 season, however is anticipated to be able to go in 2024.

He must settle for a team-friendly deal to return to the Chargers.

Comply with USA TODAY Sports activities’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.