NFL LONGEVITY DEMANDS WISDOM AS MUCH AS DETERMINATION AND TALENT. THESE SEASONED GUYS CAN EXPLAIN
EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — Harrison Smith, just like anyone approaching middle age, has learned to accept the realities of getting older. The joints, for one, don’t quite move as effortlessly as they once did.
So that’s where the 14th-year free safety for the Minnesota Vikings has aimed his recent training regimens, customizing resistance exercises to simulate the stress that NFL games can place on critical areas of the body.
Reaching at full extension to make a tackle at full speed puts the arm muscles and tendons in a vulnerable position. The more fluidly the elbow can bend, the better.
“All the strength work in the world isn’t really going to translate to real strength on the field if your joints don’t have the range they once did, especially range under load,” Smith said. “I’ve come up with different ways to work out that aren’t necessarily just the traditional banging weights around. I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that, but if you don’t have your range ready, it’s kind of almost counterproductive.”
In a sport where less than half the players in the league last season had at least five years of experience, as salary cap constraints perpetually conspire with constant injury risk and overall physical decline, the fountain of youth can seem like a unicorn. Smith’s approach provides some valuable clues for finding the most vital source: wisdom.
“When you meet Harrison Smith, right away you understand why he might be the type of person to defy odds, and he’s done nothing short of convincing us that over these few years,” Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said.
The sturdy 30
From a famous quarterback like Aaron Rodgers dropping back in the pocket to a steady six-time Pro Bowl pick like Smith patrolling the secondary, the young man’s league still has some space for gray hair. But sticking around takes more than just determination and talent.
“I feel great, actually. I don’t feel like a 37-year-old. Not sure what they’re supposed to feel like, but I feel a little younger,” San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams said at the beginning of training camp. “As we get older, things start to change. I think you’ve got to pay a little bit more attention to what you put in your body, how you treat your body. Moreso than just being a football player, it’s just a natural maturation of a human being. When you get older you can’t do the same things you did when you were 22.”
According to an Associated Press review of the 90-man rosters across the league last week, there are 30 players currently with an NFL club who were born in the 1980s. That’s barely 1%. Not only has Generation X been long gone from the game, once Tom Brady retired in 2023, but Millennials are already in the minority.
Rodgers, of course, is the oldest active player at 41, followed by New York Jets kicker Nick Folk (40) and Cleveland Browns quarterback Joe Flacco (40). The sturdy 30 includes six long snappers, two punters and two kickers, plus nine quarterbacks — the positions that usually produce the longest-lasting players.
“You have to evolve every single year,” Kansas City Chiefs tight Travis Kelce said.
The 36-year-old Smith is the lone defensive back. Kelce is the only offensive skill-position player who’s not a quarterback. Williams and Arizona Cardinals left tackle Kelvin Beachum, now a backup, are the offensive linemen. Demario Davis of the New Orleans Saints and Nick Bellore of the Washington Commanders, who plays almost exclusively on special teams, are the linebackers. Then there’s a well-decorated group of five defensive linemen: Calais Campbell (Arizona Cardinals), Cameron Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers), John Jenkins (Baltimore Ravens), Cameron Jordan (New Orleans Saints) and Von Miller (Washington Commanders).
“I still feel great. I feel like I can go out there and dominate,” said Campbell, who returned this year to his original team, the Cardinals. “I wish I had a magic formula. I think I’ve just been blessed. God’s given me a lot of blessings to play this game I love.”
Grinding it out
The list has been trimmed, naturally, from last season. Nine players — tight end Marcedes Lewis, kickers Matt Prater, Justin Tucker and Greg Zuerlein, long snappers Jake McQuaide and Matt Overton, safety Kareem Jackson, defensive end Jerry Hughes and defensive tackle Linval Joseph — who logged time on the field in 2024 have not signed with a team this year.
Their peers still grinding through summer practices fully realize they’ll be permanently on the sideline sooner than later.
“I start a lot earlier doing my training. Just listen to my body when I need to take a rest,” Heyward said. “But it’s more just trying to get stronger as soon as possible after the season. Less time to recover, but recovering through the process.”
Mastering the art of recovery, forever a moving target, is a primary focus. Moving around on Mondays after games can be a chore, but figuring out how to maximize those summer strength and conditioning sessions for a mid-30s player is also a challenge.
Smith, a soft-spoken leader who’d much rather have a deep locker-room conversation about life in professional football than give the defense a rah-rah pregame speech, fields more questions from young players about recovery than any other topic.
“Sometimes you just grind it out and you don’t feel good, and that’s how it is,” said Smith, who also mixes in pickup basketball with his offseason work in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.
Pride and perspective are part of the NFL roadmap for longevity, too. Heyward’s oldest son, 9-year-old Callen, has spent a few nights with him in his dorm room.
“There’s a hunger there that I know I’m in a rare group that gets to see year 15, but it’s something I constantly think about,” Heyward said. “There’s things I want to check off before I hang them up, and I haven’t reached those goals yet.“
RAMS, WILLIAMS AGREE TO 3-YEAR, $33M EXTENSION
The Los Angeles Rams and running back Kyren Williams have agreed to a three-year extension worth $33 million, his agents Drew and Jason Rosenhaus told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Williams’ new contract includes $23 million in guaranteed money.
The two sides have been working on an extension for much of the offseason. Williams has been participating in training camp in Los Angeles despite not finalizing the deal until Monday.
The 24-year-old earned a Pro Bowl nod in 2023 after putting up 1,144 rushing yards in 12 games. His 5.0 yards per carry that season represented a career high, and his 95.3 yards per game led all qualified running backs.
Williams, whom the Rams selected in the fifth round of the 2022 draft, finished last season with a career-high 1,299 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns.
REPORT: RAIDERS DEAL BENNETT TO EAGLES FOR BOOKER
The Philadelphia Eagles added to their secondary depth, acquiring Jakorian Bennett from the Las Vegas Raiders for defensive tackle Thomas Booker IV, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Bennett, a former fourth-round pick, performed well in spurts last year for the Raiders, ranking 22nd in the NFL with seven pass breakups. However, at 5-foot-10, he doesn’t exactly fit new coach Pete Carroll’s penchant for long, lengthy cornerbacks.
He was the odd man out of the first-team defense at Raiders practices, Tashan Reed of The Athletic reported earlier in the week, with the trio of Eric Stokes, Decamerion Richardson, and Darien Porter getting the majority of the snaps.
Bennett joins an Eagles secondary that parted with Darius Slay in the offseason, leaving an opening at outside corner on the other side of Quinyon Mitchell. Adoree’ Jackson and Kelee Ringo have battled in camp for that spot.
Booker arrives in Las Vegas after the Raiders released defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in July.
The former Stanford defender started just one game last year for the Super Bowl champions, but he saw action in 17 contests.
JETS’ MASON TAYLOR OUT AT LEAST A WEEK WITH HIGH ANKLE SPRAIN; TYROD TAYLOR DEALING WITH KNEE INJURY
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor has a high ankle sprain that will keep him sidelined for at least a week.
Taylor, a second-round pick out of LSU, had been one of the bright spots on offense for the Jets during the first few weeks of training camp. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor didn’t practice Monday or Tuesday after a day off Sunday.
High ankle sprains often take several weeks to heal. But Coach Aaron Glenn, who announced the nature of the injury after practice Tuesday, doesn’t believe Taylor’s progress will be hampered by missing some practice time this summer.
“He’s a damn good player,” Glenn said. “He has the pedigree of being an NFL player because of his dad. I think he’s going to be just fine. I’m not worried about that player at all.”
Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor has a knee injury that is being evaluated. The 36-year-old Taylor is expected to back up starter Justin Fields this season.
“Listen, we all know he’s an older player and obviously when you get to that point, there’s some wear and tear,” Glenn said. “So we wanted to make sure we get it taken care of so he can be ready for us when the season starts.”
Glenn added that the knee issue isn’t expected to keep Taylor sidelined for long.
“I don’t see it as a long-term (thing),” the coach said. “But I don’t want to just stamp that right now, but I am sure it is not.”
It was a busy day for the trainers, who had to handle a few other injuries at practice as the Jets prepare for their preseason opener at Green Bay on Saturday.
Defensive tackle Byron Cowart injured an ankle during individual drills and rode the cart in the passenger seat from the field into the facility.
Rookie cornerback Azareye’h Thomas injured his right shoulder when he fell on it while trying to break up a pass. Thomas was a third-round pick out of Florida State and is expected to have a role this season.
Edge rusher Will McDonald had back spasms during individual drills and sat out the rest of practice.
The Jets are already without Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams (calf), left guard John Simpson (back) and special teams ace Kris Boyd (shoulder).
Rookie safety Malachi Moore is being worked slowly back into practice as he recovers from an oblique injury. He was a fourth-rounder out of Alabama.
PACKERS CORNERBACK NATE HOBBS REMAINS OUT OF PRACTICE AFTER UNDERGOING KNEE PROCEDURE
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs has undergone a surgical procedure on his knee that will keep him out of training camp for now.
Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Tuesday he didn’t want to speculate on when Hobbs might return. Green Bay Packers on SI first reported Hobbs’ injury and said he could return in about three weeks.
“I’m not going to put a timetable on it, but unfortunately he had to have something cleaned up,” LaFleur said. “We’re hoping to get him back here sooner than later.”
Hobbs didn’t practice on Friday or Saturday. LaFleur said he believed the injury occurred during a collision in training camp.
The Packers signed Hobbs to a four-year, $48 million contract in March after he spent his first four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. The 26-year-old Hobbs started 38 games, forced three fumbles and intercepted three passes during his time in Las Vegas.
Hobbs is expected to help the Packers absorb the loss of two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander, who got released in June and has since signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The Packers entered training camp with Keisean Nixon, Hobbs and Carrington Valentine as their top three cornerbacks.
The Packers have attempted to boost their cornerback depth by having wide receiver Bo Melton work primarily on defense in training camp. They also added a familiar face Monday by signing Corey Ballentine, three days after the Indianapolis Colts released him.
Ballentine, 29, made seven starts and appeared in 37 regular-season games and three playoff contests with the Packers from 2022-24. He contributed primarily on special teams last season.
“(He’s) a guy that’s got experience and knows our system not only on defense but on ‘we-fense,’” LaFleur said, referring to the nickname the Packers have for special teams. “Really excited to see him.”
49ERS SIGN WR EQUANIMEOUS ST. BROWN, RELEASE WR ANDY ISABELLA
The San Francisco 49ers signed Equanimeous St. Brown and released fellow wide receiver Andy Isabella on Tuesday.
St. Brown, 28, landed a one-year deal after stints with the Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints.
A sixth-round draft pick by the Packers in 2018, he has 63 catches for 928 yards and two TDs in 62 games (28 starts).
Isabella, 28, was a second-round pick by Arizona in 2019. He has 33 catches for 447 yards and three TDs in 43 career games (three starts) with the Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens and Buffalo Bills.
BILLS BOLSTER DEFENSIVE LINE, SIGN VETERAN JUSTIN HOLLINS
The Buffalo Bills bolstered their defensive line Tuesday by signing veteran edge rusher Justin Hollins.
Hollins, 29, has recorded 10.5 sacks with five teams over five seasons.
Hollins has 123 tackles and three forced fumbles in 67 games (five starts) for the Denver Broncos (2019), Los Angeles Rams (2020-22), Green Bay Packers (2022-23), New York Giants (2023) and Los Angeles Chargers (2023).
A fifth-round pick by the Broncos in 2019, he won a Super Bowl with the Rams in 2021 and spent last season with the Washington Commanders’ practice squad.
VIKINGS’ 4-TIME PRO BOWL LB ANTHONY BARR TO RETIRE
Four-time Pro Bowl linebacker Anthony Barr, who spent nine of his 10 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, is hanging up his helmet.
His foundation, Raise The Barr, announced in a Facebook post Monday that the 33-year-old veteran “will officially retire from the NFL in just a few weeks.”
The former first-round draft pick did not play last season and finishes his career with 554 tackles, 18.5 sacks, 10 fumble recoveries and five interceptions in 116 games (108 starts) with the Vikings (2014-21, 2023) and the Dallas Cowboys (2022).
Minnesota selected him ninth overall in the 2014 NFL Draft out of UCLA and he made the Pro Bowl in four straight seasons from 2015-18.
REPORT: BUCCANEERS SIGNING QB TEDDY BRIDGEWATER
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to sign veteran quarterback Teddy Bridgewater after a visit and a physical, multiple outlets reported Tuesday.
Bridgewater, 32, recently vacated his position as head football coach at Miami’s Northwestern High School after being suspended for allegedly providing impermissible benefits to his players.
Bridgewater was on the Detroit Lions’ roster last December as a backup to Jared Goff but has not thrown a pass in the regular season since the 2022 season with the Miami Dolphins.
The Bucs are looking for depth behind starter Baker Mayfield, who missed multiple days last week with a bruised right hand. Backup Michael Pratt has been out with a back injury. Kyle Trask and undrafted rookie Connor Bazelak also are on the training camp roster.
Last season with Detroit, Bridgewater completed his only pass for 3 yards in the Lions’ divisional round loss to the Washington Commanders.
In 10 NFL seasons with the Minnesota Vikings (2014-15, 2017), New Orleans Saints (2018-19), Carolina Panthers (2020), Denver Broncos (2021), Miami Dolphins (2022) and Detroit (2023-24), Bridgewater completed 1,372 of 2,067 passes (66.4 percent) for 15,120 yards with 75 touchdowns and 47 interceptions. He added 844 rushing yards and 11 scores on the ground.
Bridgewater was named to the Pro Bowl in his second season after starting all 16 games for the Vikings and leading them to an 11-5 record.
In Tampa, he will be reunited with his former Louisville head coach Charlie Strong, now the defensive line coach for the Bucs. Bridgewater was also a high school teammate of linebacker Lavonte David at Miami Northwestern.
Bridgewater retired after a decade in the NFL and took over as the head coach at his alma mater in 2024, leading the program to a state championship in his first season. After his suspension last month, he posted on social media that he had self-reported paying for players’ Uber rides, meals and recovery services.
REPORT: PACKERS CB NATE HOBBS (KNEE) OUT FOR PRESEASON
Green Bay Packers starting cornerback Nate Hobbs will miss the rest of training camp after weekend knee surgery, ESPN reported Tuesday.
Hobbs, who signed a four-year, $48 million contract as a free agent in March, could be back for the Sept. 7 season opener against the visiting Detroit Lions.
Hobbs, 26, underwent a procedure Saturday to repair a partial meniscus tear, per the report. He has not practiced since Thursday.
He had been having a strong training camp, adding such a physical presence that coach Matt LaFleur had to ask him to save something for the regular season.
“The thing you admire most about him is he’s passionate about the game and he loves to compete,” LaFleur said last month. “That’s one of the reasons we went out and got him is he shows it. He’s that consistently on a daily basis.”
He played his first four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, who drafted him in the fifth round in 2021. He posted 281 tackles, 3.0 sacks, three interceptions and 19 passes defensed in 51 games (38 starts).
With Hobbs sidelined, cornerbacks Carrington Valentine and recently signed Corey Ballentine could see more time on the outside opposite Keisean Nixon.
FORMER NFL PLAYER CONVICTED IN LARGE-SCALE DOGFIGHTING OPERATION IN OKLAHOMA
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A former NFL player from Oklahoma has been convicted for his role in a large-scale dogfighting operation, federal prosecutors announced.
Leshon Eugene Johnson, 54, of Broken Arrow was convicted of six felony counts of possessing dogs for use in an animal-fighting venture. He was acquitted of 17 other similar counts. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 on each count when he’s formally sentenced at a later date.
“The FBI will not stand for those who perpetuate the despicable crime of dogfighting,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a statement. “Thanks to the hard work of our law enforcement partners, those who continue to engage in organized animal fighting and cruelty will face justice.”
Prosecutors alleged that Johnson operated Mal Kant Kennels in Broken Arrow and Haskell, Oklahoma, and selectively bred pit bull-type dogs known as champions or grand champions because of winning dog fights. Earlier this year, the government seized 190 dogs from Johnson that have been in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service.
Johnson allegedly bred dogs that had won as many as five fights and then sold “stud rights” and their offspring to other dogfighters, according to the Justice Department. The trafficking took place across the U.S. and helped to grow the dogfighting industry, while resulting in Johnson profiting financially, prosecutors alleged.
Johnson’s attorney, Billy Coyle, said his client was a dog breeder who was never accused of fighting dogs and noted that the jury acquitted Johnson on most of the counts against him.
“He was simply a breeder of the American pit bull terrier,” Coyle said. “Obviously the jury found that some of his dogs bred were probably or were used in dog fighting, and those were difficult charges to fight.”
Coyle said federal agents also used heavy-handed tactics, with more than 40 officers raiding his home late at night, pointing guns at Johnson and his wife and seizing his dogs and property.
Johnson previously pleaded guilty to state animal fighting charges in 2004 in Oklahoma. He was given a five-year deferred sentence, according to court documents.
Johnson was a running back who played for the Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals and New York Giants from 1994-1999.
