MYLES GARRETT WOWS THE RAMS ON HIS FIRST DAY OF TRAINING CAMP WITH HIS NEW TEAM
LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Los Angeles Rams’ first practice of training camp Sunday was also the first time they’ve lined up as a full defense with Myles Garrett on the edge.
The experience left everybody on the field excited about what could be possible this season for the Rams.
“We’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time, and it definitely lived up to it,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said.
Garrett is still in the process of getting settled in with his new team less than two months after the blockbuster trade that sent him from the Browns to the West Coast. But even with the Rams going less than full speed in shorts and no pads, Garrett’s presence was unmissable — whether he was breaking into the backfield for a simulated sack or gracefully leaping to swat down a screen pass.
Even the highest-paid cornerback in the league was marveling.
“When he’s out there, you can just feel his aura,” Trent McDuffie said. “(It’s just) this aura that this guy has. I mean, he’s gigantic. He’s a monster. But I’m just excited to get him out here and get him loose and get him going, because I know he has a little chip on his shoulder, and I know he’s excited about being here, so I think that just fires everybody else up.”
One year after winning 12 games and reaching the NFC championship game, the Rams added Garrett, McDuffie and cornerback Jaylen Watson to a defense that started last season strong, but faded down the stretch and ultimately couldn’t match the performance of the NFL’s top-ranked offense.
With three proven veterans installed as starters, the Rams are optimistic their revamped defense will allow them to live up to their preseason status as a serious Super Bowl contender. Los Angeles gave up significant assets and will be paying top dollar for all three newcomers, but the players and coaches see only positives in general manager Les Snead’s aggressive moves.
“Honestly, I don’t know if many guys feel the expectation that everybody claims that we have,” McDuffie said. “For us, we’re here to play football, to enjoy the locker room, just to get to know each other. I feel like all the expectation, all that, we leave to you guys hyping us up. Whoever is on this field, whoever is on the team, whoever is in the locker room, I feel like we do a good job just enjoying each other’s presence and living in the moment.”
“Expectations are all the same,” Watson added. “All 32 teams have the same goal right now, and that’s to hold the Lombardi up at the end of the year.”
Even after winning two Super Bowl rings as teammates in Kansas City, McDuffie and Watson both said they haven’t arrived in Los Angeles with a need to change the Rams’ defensive culture. They think their new team already knows how to win in the culture set by coach Sean McVay, and they are attempting to build on it.
“The way we’re looking at it, it’s their team, and we’ve just got to learn the way they do things,” Watson said. “We can tell them things we did to be successful, get integrated, and hope it works out.”
Notes: NFL MVP Matthew Stafford skipped the opening practice as part of the Rams’ plan to keep him fresh through camp. McVay says Stafford is fully healthy this summer after starting camp last season with a back injury that kept him out for weeks. Stafford is scheduled to practice Monday. … Rookie QB Ty Simpson and backup Stetson Bennett appeared to split the snaps while the Rams went into 11-on-11 work on the first day of camp.
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COMMANDERS FIRE TES COACH BEN STEELE AFTER DWI ARREST
The Washington Commanders parted ways with tight ends coach Ben Steele on Monday, just before the start of training camp.
“The team will have no further comment at this time,” the Commanders said in a statement.
Steele, 48, joined head coach Dan Quinn’s staff in March following three seasons as the tight ends coach with the Arizona Cardinals.
Steele’s dismissal comes after an arrest last month on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. He was arrested on June 7 in Virginia and faces additional charges for refusing a blood/breath test and obstructing or resisting an officer without force.
A Commanders reporter for The Athletic posted on X on Monday that Steele was let go for a violation of team policy.
Quinn is expected to announce Steele’s replacement on Tuesday, per The Athletic.
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TONY ROMO WITHDRAWS FROM GOLF EVENT IN WAKE OF OWI ARREST
Tony Romo withdrew from an upcoming golf tournament in the wake of his arrest last week in Wisconsin for allegedly operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
The former Dallas Cowboys quarterback and current CBS Sports analyst had been scheduled to play in the Texas State Open starting Tuesday in Tyler, Texas.
The Cascades Country Club confirmed to NBC affiliate KETK-TV that Romo, who has played in the event nine times, has pulled out of the tournament.
An avid golfer, Romo has won the celebrity American Century Golf Tournament three times.
The 46-year-old was stopped last Thursday evening on Interstate 43 and “performed poorly” on standardized field sobriety tests, according to the Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office’s arrest report.
He was taken into custody and booked before being released. He has a court date scheduled for Sept. 21.
A first-offense OWI is generally a civil offense, not a criminal charge, in Wisconsin, with a citation typically carrying a fine between $ 150 and $ 300.
Romo is a native of nearby Burlington, Wis., where he was the first Burlington High School student-athlete to be named all-state in three sports: football, basketball, and golf. His high school football team, the Burlington Demons, plays on a field that was named Tony Romo Field in 2020.
Romo has been the lead NFL game analyst at CBS since 2017, paired with Jim Nantz and Tracy Wolfson to cover games.
Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2003 out of Eastern Illinois, Romo spent the next 14 seasons with the Cowboys. He became their starting quarterback in 2006 and led Dallas to six playoff games.
A four-time Pro Bowler, he holds a 78-49 record in 156 regular-season games (127 starts). He had a career 65.3% completion rate, amassing 34,183 yards with 248 touchdowns and 117 interceptions.
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BROWNS’ JERRY JEUDY: CLIP DIDN’T INDICATE HIS PREFERRED QB1
Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy insists he wasn’t weighing in on Cleveland’s starting quarterback battle during a livestream clip that quickly went viral.
Jeudy flashes four fingers in the TikTok video, taken by many to indicate his support for the player who wears that jersey number, Deshaun Watson.
“Y’all cut the clip perfectly for that narrative,” Jeudy posted Sunday on X, referencing the apparent skip in the clip between when the question is posed and when Jeudy holds up his fingers.
Jeudy, 27, who is entering his third season with the Browns, said he will not weigh in as new head coach Todd Monken and his staff evaluate the training camp competition between Watson and Shedeur Sanders.
“I don’t speak on decisions that aren’t mine to make. I support my teammates/Brothers, I do my job, and control what I can control,” Jeudy posted on X. “Let’s stop creating narratives that aren’t there for likes and clicks. I bet this won’t go viral because it’s too positive/real for y’all.”
Jeudy caught 50 passes for 602 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games (16 starts) in 2025, when Watson missed the entire season with a torn Achilles. Jeudy made the Pro Bowl in his first season with Cleveland in 2024, setting career highs in catches (90) and receiving yards (1,229).
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JETS’ GLENN, BUCS’ BOWLES AND BENGALS’ TAYLOR AMONG NFL COACHES FACING HOT-SEAT PRESSURE
The heat is on several NFL coaches — and it has nothing to do with the soon-to-be steamy dog days of training camp.
The regular season is still more than six weeks away, but some coaches already face questions about their job security.
For a few, such as the New York Jets’ Aaron Glenn, Tampa Bay’s Todd Bowles and Cincinnati’s Zac Taylor, slow starts could make their seats pretty toasty early in make-or-break seasons. For some others, such as Green Bay’s Matt LaFleur and Philadelphia’s Nick Sirianni, there’s not immediate pressure, but that could change if their squads don’t live up to lofty expectations and team owners ponder franchise-altering decisions.
Todd Bowles, Buccaneers
Through four seasons with Tampa Bay, Bowles is 35-33 in the regular season and has won three NFC South titles. But last season’s collapse, during which the Buccaneers went 2-7 down the stretch to finish 8-9 and miss the playoffs, had some thinking Bowles’ days with the team were done.
Instead, the Bucs opted to stick with him. He’ll likely need double-digit wins, a rebound performance from quarterback Baker Mayfield under new coordinator Zac Robinson and some postseason success to stay around. The Bucs’ defense — which Bowles calls himself — also must be much improved.
Dave Canales, Panthers
Carolina made the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season, but did so with an 8-9 record. The Panthers started 1-3 before three straight victories, and then alternated losses and wins over the next eight games before dropping its last two and backing into the playoffs, where the Panthers lost in the wild-card round.
Canales is 13-21 in his first two seasons in Carolina, which hired him in large part to develop Bryce Young into a quarterback worthy of his No. 1 overall selection in the 2023 draft. But Young has been up and down. Canales handed off play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, and his job could depend on Young finally showing consistent progress this season.
Aaron Glenn, Jets
The former Pro Bowl cornerback returned to New York as a head coach to lead the Jets back to respectability. Instead, Glenn became the first in team history to lose his first seven games in his debut season with the team, which went 3-14 and missed the playoffs for the 15th straight year.
Glenn overhauled his coaching staff and hired Frank Reich to run the offense, and Brian Duker was brought in as the defensive coordinator, but Glenn will now make the play calls for a subpar defense that became the first to not get an interception for an entire season. New York traded for Geno Smith as a bridge to the team’s future QB. Another losing season will put the Jets in play to draft one early next year, but Glenn might not be around in that scenario.
Matt LaFleur, Packers
Wait, how’s he on this list? LaFleur has made the playoffs six times in seven seasons, is 76-40-1 in the regular season and got a multiyear contract extension in January.
But he has only one playoff win since 2021, and his 3-6 record in the postseason has some Packers fans getting restless. A four-game losing streak to end the regular season and a first-round playoff exit at Chicago — during which Green Bay blew a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter — didn’t help.
With the Packers expected to again be playoff contenders with quarterback Jordan Love leading the way, LaFleur’s job status likely won’t be an issue until January. Things could go from lukewarm to sizzling, though, if Green Bay doesn’t win at least one postseason game.
Nick Sirianni, Eagles
Similar to LaFleur, Sirianni’s job would seem to be in no immediate danger. He has a Super Bowl victory, two NFC championship wins, three NFC East titles and a 59-26 regular-season record in his five years.
There was major disappointment last season, though, after the Eagles lost at home to San Francisco in the wild-card round. A bounce-back performance, including a solid postseason run, is expected, even without A.J. Brown as Jalen Hurts’ go-to receiver in new coordinator Sean Mannion’s offense.
Sirianni was on the hot seat entering the 2024 season after the Eagles started 10-2, faded down the stretch and got blown out by Tampa Bay in the wild-card round. He followed that by leading Philadelphia to a Super Bowl victory. Sirianni and the Eagles — and their fans — would certainly sign for a repeat of that rebound.
Shane Steichen, Colts
Steichen was mentioned as a potential AP Coach of the Year as the Colts got off to an 8-2 start. Then, quarterback Daniel Jones was lost for the season with a torn Achilles tendon and Indianapolis lost its last seven games — even after bringing Philip Rivers out of retirement — to miss the playoffs.
Owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon was encouraged by the team’s strong first half, though, and decided to keep the coach in place. Steichen is 25-26 in his three seasons with the Colts, who have missed the playoffs the past five years. With Jones healthy and signed to a two-year extension, Steichen would feel a lot more secure if the Colts resemble the promising team through 10 games last season.
Zac Taylor, Bengals
The Bengals have been notoriously slow starters in September under Taylor, but opened last season 2-0 and appeared on their way to putting that narrative to rest. A turf toe injury sidelined quarterback Joe Burrow for nine games and Cincinnati crawled to a 6-11 finish and a third straight season without a playoff appearance.
A healthy Burrow is paramount to the success of the Bengals, whose Super Bowl trip in the 2021 season is becoming a distant memory. A revamped defense, including acquiring defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, should help. So it’ll be on Taylor, in his eighth season with Cincinnati, to break the playoff slump or that might be someone else’s task next year.
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NFL WIDE RECEIVER RANKINGS-TOP 15
1. **Minnesota Vikings**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton
The Minnesota Vikings are structured to enable an underwhelming quarterback to succeed, thereby facilitating potential revitalization for either J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray in the upcoming season. Despite experiencing his least productive season as a professional, Jefferson achieved a career high in yards of separation per target. Addison similarly encountered a decline in performance, influenced by the overall instability of the Vikings’ quarterback situation in 2025. Jennings, who faced injury challenges throughout 2025, has the potential to excel on critical third downs when at full capacity, effectively capitalizing on the opportunities created by the team’s star players. This composition presents a complex dilemma for opposing defenses, yet it could be rendered ineffective by subpar passing or, conversely, elevate the performance of a particular player this fall.
2. **Dallas Cowboys**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin
George Pickens performs optimally when he senses a lack of respect from defenders; in 2025, this attitude translated to an impressive 82.7 expected points added (EPA), ranking second in the league only to Nacua. In 2026, he will operate under the constraints of a franchise tag. The second-highest receiving EPA on the team was attributed to Flournoy, who effectively functioned as a short-range safety valve beneath the star duo of the Cowboys, boasting a commendable 71.4 percent catch rate. Lamb continues to establish himself as a perennial All-Pro candidate, despite a dip in production following Pickens’ arrival, maintaining an average of 9.2 yards per target, which was the 18th highest in the National Football League. Notably, Turpin achieved an even higher average of 10.4 yards per throw, illustrating that he is a valuable asset beyond his role on special teams.
3. **Cincinnati Bengals**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Andrei Iosivas, Mitchell Tinsley
Chase and Higgins persist in causing disruption for opposing defenses due to their versatility. If the assessment were based solely on receiving duos, they would occupy the top position. However, concerns arise regarding the depth behind them. Iosivas possesses significant athletic potential but has yet to translate this into consistent performance, having surpassed 41 receiving yards on only three occasions in the previous season. Tinsley represents a theoretical deep threat, managing to convert 24 targets into only eight receptions last season. As a result, the Bengals remain precariously close to a decline due to potential injuries.
4. **Los Angeles Rams**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, Jordan Whittington, Xavier Smith
The receiving unit of the Rams is vulnerable to substantial challenges should one player, such as Nacua, face injury or suspension. This vulnerability arises from a roster constructed to optimize the later career stages of Matthew Stafford. Nonetheless, Nacua is recognized as one of the most efficient players in the league. Adams exhibits exceptional performance in the red zone, consistently outmatching other wideouts, while Whittington displayed promising potential as a rookie, notwithstanding the inconsistencies demonstrated in 2025.
5. **Detroit Lions**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Isaac TeSlaa, Greg Dortch
St. Brown remains a prolific receiver despite experiencing a decline in efficiency during a disappointing season for the Lions. Williams serves as an effective complementary option; he is a deep threat who has averaged over 17 yards per reception in each of the last two seasons and possesses the ability to evade tackles effectively. TeSlaa presents as an unpredictable factor; the former Division II standout was targeted on average deeper downfield than Williams, converting 27 targets into six touchdowns. The pivotal concern is whether his second season will elevate him beyond the status of a “bargain who salvaged daily fantasy lineups.”
**6. Denver Broncos**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Courtland Sutton, Jaylen Waddle, Troy Franklin, Marvin Mims (along with Pat Bryant)
Similar to the New England Patriots, the Denver Broncos have chosen to utilize the salary cap space generated by securing a 2024 draft pick for a quarterback to enhance their receiving corps. Jaylen Waddle, who was compelled to incorporate more deep targets following Tyreek Hill’s injury last season, still managed to demonstrate a positive impact despite the limited options available in Miami. He can now return to excelling in the intermediate range alongside a roster replete with rising talent.
Courtland Sutton, while not young, is robust and has the physicality to successfully secure passes in congested situations. Troy Franklin exhibited potential in a limited sample size, finding success in the red zone with four touchdowns, suggesting that he could flourish in the space created by the top two wide receivers, even if his targets decrease.
**7. Seattle Seahawks**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton
The reigning Offensive Player of the Year, Cooper Kupp, could benefit from additional support; however, Jaxon Smith-Njigba has demonstrated an ability to consistently defeat double teams and generate crucial yardage, as evidenced by the fact that 89 of his 119 receptions resulted in either first downs or touchdowns. Although Kupp is 33 years of age, he remains adept at creating separation in both intermediate and short-range scenarios. Rashid Shaheed, having transitioned north, was primarily utilized as a decoy rather than a home run hitter, but his speed significantly aids the overall offensive scheme. Tory Horton, who had a limited role as a rookie due to injury, has shown promise as an emerging downfield threat.
**8. New England Patriots**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** AJ Brown, Romeo Doubs, Mack Hollins, Kayshon Boutte or Kyle Williams or Demario Douglas
The New England Patriots have leveraged available resources to optimize their championship window during quarterback Drake Maye’s rookie contract. The formidable duo of AJ Brown and Romeo Doubs, earning an average of $49 million per year, is poised to assist a young quarterback in precarious situations—an issue that arose unexpectedly during the previous postseason.
Mack Hollins, despite being 32 years old, enters the season following a campaign in which he achieved career highs in catch rate and contested reception outs, making him a reliable safety net in addition to his strong blocking capabilities. Kayshon Boutte excels at contested catches, potentially duplicating AJ Brown’s role on the roster, while Kyle Williams and Demario Douglas contribute different skill sets that enhance the depth of the wide receiver position.
**9. Chicago Bears**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III, Kalif Raymond, Zavion Thomas
The receiving corps of the Chicago Bears becomes increasingly limited beyond their top two wideout options, partially due to the presence of two athletic young tight ends capable of performing effectively downfield (Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet). Although Rome Odunze experienced a reduced role in 2025 compared to his rookie season, he saw improvements in target share, expected points added, and yards per route run during Chicago’s postseason resurgence. Luther Burden III recorded an impressive 2.68 yards per route run, ranking third in the NFL, trailing only Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Notably, both players are under the age of 24.
**10. Jacksonville Jaguars**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington, Jakobi Meyers, possibly Travis Hunter
The acquisition of Jakobi Meyers during the middle of the 2025 season revitalized the Jacksonville offense under the direction of offensive coordinator Liam Coen. The question remains whether Meyers can reignite Brian Thomas, who experienced a significant decline in production following a rookie season exceeding 1,200 yards. Additionally, Parker Washington’s impressive conclusion to the previous year—amassing 48 receptions, 747 yards, and five touchdowns over the last ten games—raises the question of whether this momentum can be sustained. Meanwhile, Travis Hunter’s limited utilization may generate intrigue as he simultaneously aims to excel on defense. This wide receiver group presents one of the most compelling narratives in the NFL.
**11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Ted Hurst III
This assessment relies heavily on the assumption of successful comebacks. One must consider that Chris Godwin will complete a full season at age 30, maintaining his high-level run-after-catch ability. Furthermore, it is crucial to ascertain whether Emeka Egbuka will replicate his impressive performance from the first half of 2025 rather than his declining second half. Jalen McMillan’s recovery from an injury-plagued 2025 season is also of concern, as he aims to regain his 114-yard performance in Week 17. Ted Hurst, as a rookie from Georgia State, has the potential to provide a deep threat. Although the talent within this group is evident, it leads to a potentially contentious ranking among the top twelve.
**12. Philadelphia Eagles**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** DeVonta Smith, Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Marquise Brown
There exists a notable disparity in the ranking, as the subsequent teams possess top ten potential. The Philadelphia Eagles have effectively replaced AJ Brown’s departure with an infusion of new talent. Makai Lemon possesses the ability to create separation, both from the slot and on the outside. Though Dontayvion Wicks has seen a decline in both production and efficiency since an impressive rookie campaign in 2023, he remains a valuable mid-range target.
Marquise Brown provides a reliable veteran presence after concluding the most efficient season of his career. It will be imperative to determine whether new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion can effectively leverage this depth and versatility to challenge opposing defenses.
**13. Carolina Panthers**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Chris Brazzell II
Tetairoa McMillan has met expectations as a top 10 draft selection, demonstrating a commendable catch radius that was evident during his tenure at the University of Arizona. Jalen Coker recorded an impressive +20.8 percent Catch Rate Over Expected (CROE) while in the slot, suggesting he can excel in shorter route patterns. However, the prospects for the remaining wide receivers present challenges; Xavier Legette has been a liability for the offense, posting negative Expected Points Added (EPA) and CROE when targeted. Chris Brazzell II, a third-round rookie, may either supplant Legette or encounter similar difficulties.
**14. Tennessee Titans**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Carnell Tate, Wan’Dale Robinson, Calvin Ridley, Chimere Dike
The Tennessee Titans must experience optimal conditions to fulfill the expectations associated with this ranking. Nevertheless, with careful assessment, one can envision a favorable outcome. Carnell Tate, a recent prospect from Ohio State, is poised to make an immediate impact as a rookie. Wan’Dale Robinson, whose route proficiency was enhanced by necessity during his time in New York, continues to demonstrate success on deep routes. Calvin Ridley, relieved of significant pressure after a challenging 2025 season, may rejuvenate his performance at the age of 31. Both Dike and Elic Ayomanor have the potential to emerge as valuable young contributors. My outlook is optimistic despite past experiences with the franchise suggesting a cautious approach.
**15. New Orleans Saints**
**Presumptive Top 4 Wide Receivers:** Chris Olave, Jordyn Tyson, DeVaughn Vele, Bryce Lance
The potential of the New Orleans Saints’ receiving corps is considerable, contingent upon several factors aligning favorably. Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson have each dealt with injuries throughout the previous three seasons. DeVaughn Vele serves as a sizable and efficient target who can elevate his quarterback’s performance; however, his contributions tend to fluctuate. Bryce Lance, a rookie who transitioned from an FCS program, may also play a significant role. There will be instances where these components align, allowing Tyler Shough to shine within Kellen Moore’s offensive scheme. Nonetheless, the sustainability of such performances remains uncertain.
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