Dallas City News

Eagles’ A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith like freedom of Kellen Moore’s new offense for wide receivers – Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports

The new-look Philly offense is a welcome sight in the wide receiver room.

PHILADELPHIA — “Motion” was the key word in the Philadelphia Eagles offense last season, for all the wrong reasons.

The NFL has trended toward pass catchers moving fluidly at the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped. The San Francisco 49ers used motion prior to the snap 70.2% of the time, and the Kansas City Chiefs 60.5%. Both teams that reached the Super Bowl were in the top four in offensive plays that had a player in motion.

The Eagles were noticeably dead last in that category at 26.4%, the only team in the NFL under 30%. Somehow, the Eagles were the only one of the bottom-six teams in percentage of offensive plays that had a player in motion that made the playoffs.

As a result, the offense was predictable. It was stale.

That’s why Nick Sirianni’s offense isn’t at the forefront of the Eagles’ game plan anymore. In comes Kellen Moore, adding a fresh twist and a new offense to a roster that already has immense talent.

More motion is included, which the Eagles playmakers are fully embracing.

“I think it’s going to be great,” DeVonta Smith said at mandatory minicamp last week. “Get a new style of offense around. Let guys — not have more freedom — but be able to do things that we weren’t allowed to do.

“Move guys around, things like that. Overall, it’s always (good) to have a fresh start.”

Since Nick Sirianni took over as head coach, the Eagles have set a receiver in motion on 30.1% of their plays — the fewest of any team in the NFL. The league average in that span was 47.0%.

A change was necessary.

“I’d say when it comes to certain routes, trusting each other, me and Jalen [Hurts], Smitty [DeVonta Smith], everyone on the field,” A.J. Brown said. “Just trusting each other, being on the same page. Make sure you have the spot when it’s time.

Giants sign former UFL running back Jacob Saylors; WR Chase Cota to IR – Matt Citak, Giants.com

New York added depth to their backfield after Saquon Barkley’s departure.

The Giants have signed former United Football League running back Jacob Saylors.

In a corresponding move, wide receiver Chase Cota has been placed on injured reserve.

Saylors spent the 2024 UFL season with the St. Louis Battlehawks. The 5-foot-10, 199-pound back recorded 94 rush attempts for 461 yards (4.9 avg.) and five touchdowns along with 23 receptions for an additional 152 yards and three scores.

The 24-year-old earned All-UFL honors as he led all running backs in rushing yards and was tied for the second-most rushing touchdowns.

After going undrafted in 2023, Saylors signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he ran the ball nine times for 27 yards in the preseason before being waived. He then spent time on the Atlanta Falcons practice squad.

Saylors played five seasons at East Tennessee State from 2018-2022. He appeared in 51 games and finished his collegiate career with 608 carries for 3,851 rushing yards (6.3 avg.) and 33 rushing touchdowns in addition to 91 receptions for 781 yards and three receiving touchdowns. He holds the school record for most rushing yards in a single-game with 266 in a 2021 win over Western Carolina.

Saylors was twice named first-team All-Southern Conference (2021, 2022) in addition to earning AP FCS second-team All-American honors (2021). He was also named to the Southern Conference All-Freshman Team following his 2018 campaign.

Cota was signed to a reserve/future contract following the conclusion of the 2023 season.

Washington Commanders’ Proposed Trade Reunites Jayden Daniels with 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk – Caleb Skinner, Sports Illustrated

Aiyuk’s contract issues create for an intriguing storyline.

The Washington Commanders have looked to improve both sides of the ball this offseason after putting up a lackluster showing in 2023. They brought in veterans and mixed them with a young crop of talent, but they might not be done just yet as they could still look for help outside of their own roster.

In recent months San Francisco 49ers star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk has been fairly vocal regarding his next contract with the hopes an extension would get done with the Bay area team. That has still yet to come to fruition for Aiyuk who is set to play on his fifth-year option this season on his expiring rookie contract.

Aiyuk doesn’t seem too pleased with the direction things have gone regarding his contract negotiations, which has now led him to post to his TikTok account a FaceTime call with Commanders QB Jayden Daniels saying the 49ers “don’t want me back”.

It is very bold to post that if you’re Aiyuk unless it is a ploy to get the team back into talks about reaching a number that he is looking for. Daniels and Aiyuk are former teammates at Arizona State University before the former transferred to LSU and Aiyuk went to the league, so that got everyone thinking… would a trade make sense to bring the disgruntled star to the DMV?

If the Commanders were to look to add more firepower and theatrics to their offense, Aiyuk would seemingly fit that bill coming off of back-to-back 1,000-yard receiving seasons.

Even so, pairing Aiyuk with the likes of Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson would only elevate an offense that has the potential to break out this upcoming season.