Michael Smith

2 days ago | nbcsports.com | Michael Smith |Michaël Smith

The Falcons have added a backup quarterback. Easton Stick, who has spent the last six seasons with the Chargers, signed with the Falcons today. Stick was with the Chargers since they drafted him in 2019, but he barely played except for one four-game stretch in 2023 when he filled in for an injured Justin Herbert for five games. The Chargers lost all five games. Michael Penix Jr. will start at quarterback for the Falcons this season.

2 days ago | nbcsports.com | Michael Smith |Michaël Smith

The Bengals have invested a fortune in salary cap space in building the offense around Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin spent a lot of time during his pre-draft press conference talking about why it’s now time to invest in the defense as well. “I feel as strongly about the defense as I feel about the offense in terms of necessity, and it’s got to work together,” Tobin said.

3 days ago | nbcsports.com | Michael Smith |Michaël Smith

One of the top running back prospects in the 2025 NFL draft had a couple more pre-draft visits. Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo visited with the Lions and Titans, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Skattebo previously spent time with the Cardinals, Browns and Giants as he makes the rounds on his pre-draft visits. Last year Skattebo was one of the biggest reasons that Arizona State was one of college football’s biggest surprises.

3 days ago | nbcsports.com | Michael Smith |Michaël Smith

The Jets had three first-round draft picks in 2022, and they’re committing to all three of them at least through 2026. Jets General Manager Darren Mougey said today that the team will exercise fifth-year options on 2022 fourth overall pick Sauce Gardner, 10th overall pick Garrett Wilson and 26th overall pick Jermaine Johnson II. That means Gardner gets a guaranteed base salary of $20.1 million in 2026, Wilson gets a guaranteed $16.8 million and Johnson gets a guaranteed $13.4 million.

3 days ago | nbcsports.com | Michael Smith |Michaël Smith

The Patriots’ first-round draft pick last year, Drake Maye, was brought in to be the franchise quarterback, which always comes with high expectations. Their first-round pick this year won’t be a quarterback, but the expectations will still be high. That’s the word from Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel, who said they’re looking for a player who can handle those lofty expectations.