Chicago is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved sports icons. Steve “Mongo” McMichael, has died at the age of 67 after a courageous battle with ALS. He was a Hall of Fame defensive lineman and key figure in the legendary 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl team. He announced his ALS diagnosis in April 2021. McMichael, a 6-foot-2, 270-pound force on the field, was known as much for his fierce play as for his larger-than-life personality. He became a fan favorite in Chicago for his contribution to one of the NFL’s greatest defenses. His passing was shared on Wednesday by Jarrett Payton, son of McMichael’s former teammate and a spokesperson for the family during his illness. “With deep sorrow, I share that Steve McMichael passed at 5:28 PM after a brave fight with #ALS, surrounded by loved ones,” Payton posted . “I’m grateful to have been with him in his final moments. Please keep Steve and his family [in] your prayers.” McMichael played 15 seasons in the NFL, recording 213 games, 171 starts, 847 tackles, and 95 sack. His 92.5 sacks with the Bears trail only Richard Dent in franchise history. He leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten in the Windy City.

The Carolina Hurricanes wrapped up practice on April 15, ready to hit the road for two final regular-season games in Montreal and Ottawa. But Coach Rod Brind’Amour had other plans. “‘Roddy’ came to us after Tuesday’s practice, and we already had our suits on and our bags packed,” said Sebastian Aho. “And he said we’re not going on the trip.” Aho, along with linemates Seth Jarvis and Jackson Blake, was told to stay behind. Captain Jordan Staal, Jordan Martinook, Jaccob Slavin, and Jalen Chatfield were also given the same directive. With their playoff position locked, Brind’Amour opted to rest key players rather than risk injury or fatigue in back-to-back games with no stakes. The move is paying off. The Hurricanes lead the New Jersey Devils 2-0 in the Eastern Conference First Round ahead of Game 3 at Prudential Center on Friday. “There’s always that worry that you come out a little sluggish,” Brind’Amour admitted. “It was a calculated risk, maybe, but at least after Game 1, that was the right decision.” Carolina won the opener 4-1 and followed it with a 3-1 win in Game 2. The players who got the break say it helped them recharge mentally and physically. “You’re not ‘on-on’ as much as you would be to get ready for a game,” Staal said. “You can breathe a little more… just hang with the family and rest the body and mind.” With fresh legs and renewed focus, Carolina is showing why rest might be a secret weapon in the playoffs.

Just before kicking off the 2025 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans signed former Seahawks star Tyler Lockett. The veteran wideout announced the move Wednesday on social media. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the deal is for one year, worth $4 million with a maximum value of $6 million. “I’m excited to be a Tennessee Titan!! I’m super thankful and grateful,” Lockett posted. “Let’s get it!! God you get all the glory!! #Thankful #Grateful #GodGetsAllTheGlory.” Lockett, 32, was released by Seattle earlier this offseason after spending 10 years with the franchise. He brings leadership, reliability, and route-running savvy to a Titans receiving corps that already includes Calvin Ridley, Treylon Burks and Van Jefferson. The signing gives Tennessee a seasoned target to support their next quarterback, expected to be selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft. Lockett’s experience could prove especially valuable in helping guide a young signal-caller through the transition to the NFL.

The Detroit Lions are continuing their trend of locking down key players, and safety Kerby Joseph is the latest to benefit. On Wednesday, Joseph agreed to a four-year, $86 million contract extension. This deal has made him the highest-paid safety in NFL history, according to NFL Network Insider. Joseph’s new deal surpasses the previous benchmarks set by Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Both deals are valued in total ($84.1 million) and average annual salary ($21.025 million). Joseph’s contract averages $21.5 million per year. Before the extension, Joseph was set to earn $3.621 million in base salary this season. At just 24 years old, Joseph has quickly become one of the league’s top young defensive backs. He led the NFL with nine interceptions last season and earned first-team All-Pro honors, though he was notably left off the NFC Pro Bowl roster. “I feel like I’m the best (safety in the NFL),” Joseph said earlier this offseason on The Jim Rome Show. “And I’m always going to strive to continue to be the best.” With this massive deal, Joseph is now not only striving to be the best, he’s being paid like it. He becomes the latest cornerstone player in Detroit’s effort to build a long-term contender.

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches, the New Orleans Saints face significant uncertainty at quarterback. Derek Carr, the team’s starter for the past two seasons, may be sidelined for the upcoming campaign due to a shoulder injury. With the No. 9 overall pick in hand and an aging quarterback battling health issues, the Saints are viewed as a prime candidate to draft a quarterback in the first round. Speaking ahead of Thursday’s first round, Saints general manager Mickey Loomis addressed the situation but offered limited details. “He does have an issue with his shoulder,” Loomis said Wednesday. “We’re hoping to get some resolution and clarity on that in the near future, and when we do, I’ll report back to you. Otherwise, I don’t have any more to state about Derek.” Rapoport previously reported that Carr is considering surgery which could impact his availability for the 2025 season. Should Carr be sidelined, the Saints’ current fallback options are Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler. Although Loomis stayed vague on the severity of Carr’s injury, he emphasized that it won’t influence the Saints’ draft strategy. “I don’t think the draft approach for us is any different than it would be in any year,” he stated. The Saints hold nine total picks, including four in the first two days (No. 9, 40, 71, and 93). Many analysts link them to quarterback prospects such as Shedeur Sanders(widely considered the draft’s No. 2 quarterback) or Jaxson Dart.  Whether the Saints are willing to use a top-10 pick on either player remains an open question.

Patrick Mahomes has never needed much help finding motivation, but this offseason hits differently. After falling short of a historic Super Bowl three-peat, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback is fueled by the sting of defeat. “I’m pretty motivated anyways, but I think when you get some of those tiring sets or tiring reps that you’re in the workout, you have something in the back of your mind that you’re kind of pushing towards,” Mahomes said Wednesday. “You have that bad taste in your mouth from the last time you stepped on the football field and you kind of have to hear about it all offseason, so it gives you the push that you want to go out there and be better and show what we’re really about.” Mahomes has been here before. After a blowout loss to the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, the Chiefs missed the big game the next season, losing to the Bengals in the AFC title game. But since then, Kansas City has returned to the Super Bowl each year. This offseason, Patrick Mahomes has also sported a fresh haircut – another subtle reset after the loss. With a revamped roster and his usual drive, he’s confident the Chiefs can bounce back strong. The mission for Mahomes is clear: use the pain as fuel and come back better than ever.