Photo by Chris Leduc/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Here is our scouting report on Omarion Hampton from North Carolina We continue our 2025 NFL Draft preview of draft prospects that could interest the Dallas Cowboys. Today we are looking at running back Omarion Hampton from North Carolina Omarion Hampton RBNorth Carolina Tar HeelsJunior4-star recruit 6’0”220 lbs Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images History: Omarion Hampton was born on March 16, 2003, in Forest City, North Carolina. He was a three-sport athlete in high school (football, basketball, and track), and he comes from a family with athletic ties—his brother Jamal played cornerback at Chowan University, and his cousin Giorgio Lowrance was a wide receiver at North Carolina A&T. He moved to Clayton, North Carolina, during middle school and his football journey began at Cleveland High School, where he played from 2018 to 2021 and established himself as a standout talent. As a sophomore in 2019, Hampton rushed for 2,402 yards and 35 touchdowns, marking him as one of the top high school running backs in the country. Despite an injury-shortened junior year in 2021, he rebounded as a senior, rushing for 1,949 yards and 39 touchdowns, averaging 12.1 yards per carry. His senior performance earned him accolades as North Carolina’s Player of the Year. A four-star recruit, Hampton chose to stay in his home state, committing to the University of North Carolina over offers from powerhouse programs like Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State. Hampton quickly made an impact as a true freshman in 2022. In his collegiate debut against Florida A&M, he rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first Tar Heel freshman since 1946 to rush for over 100 yards in a single game. He finished his freshman season with 401 rushing yards and six touchdowns across 13 games. His sophomore year in 2023 saw him take on a full-time starting role, rushing for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns on 253 carries, earning First-Team All-ACC honors, a Doak Walker Award finalist nod, and First-Team All-America nomination. In 2024, as a junior, Hampton continued his dominance, amassing 1,660 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns, finishing sixth nationally in rushing yards per game and recording six straight 100-yard games, a feat not achieved by a Tar Heel since 1970. Over three seasons, he accumulated 3,565 career rushing yards, placing him fourth all-time at UNC, and 36 total touchdowns. 2024 Statistics 686 Offensive Snaps281 Rush Attempts 1,660 Rush Yards5.9 YPC17 Total TDs38 Receptions 373 Receiving Yards 1 Fumble81 First Downs73 Missed Tackles Forced0 Penalties NFL Combine/Pro Day TBC Awards All-America (2024)First-Team All-ACC (2024)All-America (2023)First-Team All-ACC (2023) Scorecard Overall- 87.9Speed- 87Acceleration- 86Agility- 79Strength- 82Contact Balance- 92Vision- 81Elusiveness- 81Receiving- 77Blocking- 56Discipline- 99 THE GOOD Hampton thrives in power-based schemes. His 220-pound frame allows him to absorb contact and consistently gain yards after initial hit, often dragging defenders for extra yardage. Has fantastic contact balance in all levels of the field. Demonstrates exceptional stamina, with no significant drop-off in performance late in games. Shows good instincts in finding creases in the offensive line, particularly in gap power schemes. Explodes through holes in A- and B-gaps with decisiveness. Shows good power running skills and combines that with deceptive speed. His top-end speed is functional for an NFL back. Rarely goes down on first contact due to his strong leg drive and low center of gravity. Excels at keeping his feet moving through traffic and falling forward for extra yards. TAPE TIME RB Omarion HamptonNorth Carolina ✅ THE GOOD✅#scouting #NFLDraft #TarHeels pic.twitter.com/wWOV347ZJ0 — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 23, 2025 THE BAD Lacks patience in the backfield. As soon as he collects the ball he wants to from 0-60 in an instant rather than letting his gaps develop. His receiving skills are underdeveloped. While powerful, he lacks elite lateral quickness or juke moves to evade defenders in open space. His agility is best described as average in the open field. His game is more about running through than around opponents which raises concerns of durability. Blocking skills are a work in progress. He’s willing but inconsistent in picking up blitzes, often relying on his size rather than technique, which could limit his third-down snaps. Hand placement and setting his base too wide often sees him get pushed backward on blocks. His style may not translate seamlessly to the modern day NFL playbook as he’s more suited to gap-heavy offenses rather than zone-stretch systems. TAPE TIME RB Omarion HamptonNorth Carolina ❌THE BAD❌#scouting #NFLDraft #TarHeels pic.twitter.com/O44fZPCUf8 — Mike Poland (@kenfigkowboy) February 23, 2025 THE FIT Omarion Hampton projects as the classical, 1990’s style workhorse running back with potential to be more of the modern type three-down back in the NFL, provided he refines his pass-catching and blocking skills. His size, strength, and relentless running style make him an ideal fit for teams like the to prioritize physicality in their ground game. His limited versatility might cap his draft stock in a league trending toward multi-dimensional backs. Expect him to land in the Day 2 rounds, with a chance to climb higher if he tests well at the combine. The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2024 season with a committee approach at running back after letting Tony Pollard depart in free agency. Ezekiel Elliott returned as a veteran presence, but his production was very lack-luster. Rico Dowdle emerged as the lead back, but his breakout production had to wait until the back half of the season. Deuce Vaughn, a 2023 sixth-round pick, remains the change-of-pace option, which means the Cowboys’ rushing attack is a glaring need for the 2025 offseason. Hampton’s 220-pound frame and downhill style fits the Cowboys’ need for a power running back, where he can exploit creases behind guards like Tyler Smith. Hampton’s proven he can handle 20+ carries per game, addressing Dallas’s need for a bell-cow back to control the tempo, something that was absent since Elliott’s prime. His ability to generate yards post-contact mitigates the need for pristine blocking. Hampton would step in as the clear

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports The Dallas Cowboys training room and staff are under intense criticism. When it comes to the Dallas Cowboys there is no shortage of opinion from across the internet. Fans of the team have a lot to say about the organization and these days it is mostly negative. Having the longest NFC Championship Game appearance drought, among other things, will have that sort of impact. While fan opinion certainly matters. it is always interesting to see what players themselves think. Thankfully for all of us we can legitimately understand what they did in fact say. On Wednesday the latest round of NFLPA Team Report cards emerged and the Dallas Cowboys graded out fairly nice overall with a ranking of 10th in the NFL. The problem spot is near the very bottom of the league and concerns the team’s training staff/facilities. NFLPA Team Report Cards Treatment of Families…………………A (4th) Food / Dining Area……………………. B+ (11th) Nutritionist / Dietician……………….. B+ (17th) Locker Room……………………………. A (6th) Training Room………………………….. C (27th) Training Staff……………………………. C (30th) Weight Room……………………………. A- (11th) Strength Coaches……………………… B+ (18th) Team Travel………………………………. B- (23rd) Head Coach………………………………. A (14th) Ownership………………………………… B (18th) As you can see, most of the grades for the team were either very good or average. The Cowboys fared most well with regards to treatment of families (it was noted they provide daycare during home games and a family room as well) and the locker room (although it was noted that a third of responded felt there were ongoing plumbing problems in the locker room). The Cowboys graded poorly in both the training room and training staff departments. Here is what the report offered. Training Room 75% of Cowboys players feel they have enough full-time trainers, ranking them 30 out of 32 teams. 60% of players feel they have enough full-time physical therapists, a rank of 32 out of 32. 95% of players feel they have enough hot tub space, a rank of 9 out of 32. 88% of players feel they have enough cold tub space, a rank of 13 out of 32. Players report that the training room is understaffed, particularly an insufficient number of physical therapists. They also feel that the training room lacks certain modalities found in most other NFL training rooms. Training Staff 72% of Cowboys players report that they receive enough one-on-one training treatment, ranking them 29 out of 32 teams. The players feel that their training staff slightly contributes to their overall success, ranking them 31 of 32. This is a pretty big indictment against the way that the Cowboys go about handling their training room and staff, and this is a matter that has been brought up before. It is important to remember that these are evaluations based on the season and year that just finished, so we are talking about what preceded the Brian Schottenheimer era as he was just hired. Mike McCarthy is gone as the team’s head coach, but he advocated often for things like this in the name of helping his players. On the subject of McCarthy, he was given a pretty high mark in the blurb that was offered in the team overview. The Dallas Cowboys finish this season in the top 10, excelling in several areas. Their facilities, including the locker room and weight room, are top-tier, and they consistently rank among the best in how the organization treats players’ families. When the players were asked what the team is currently doing best, the most consistent answer was the leadership of head coach Mike McCarthy and the culture he fostered. (Note: Mike McCarthy was fired as head coach after the season.) It should be noted that McCarthy was not fired and that his contract simply expired. There is a difference in a technical sense. But it is something to note that the players felt that the thing that the team was doing best was the leadership of Mike McCarthy and that the Cowboys did not bring him back. Hopefully the Cowboys take this seriously and work on their training situation in the name of giving Schottenheimer the best chance possible.

Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images The Cowboys have some work to do at linebacker. DeMarvion Overshown’s emergence as an impact player was one of the Dallas Cowboys’ few bright spots in 2024, but a Week 14 injury ended his year and put part of next season in jeopardy. Accounting for his absence, and potentially the loss of another top linebacker in free agency, are major topics for Dallas this offseason. Under Contract DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau, Damone ClarkBuddy Johnson, Brock Mogensen Potential Departures Eric Kendricks, Nick Vigil, Darius Harris Overshown tore multiple right knee ligaments last December and his return is not expected until sometime during the 2025 regular season. Given the 2023 injury to his left knee, Overshown’s return will no doubt be treated with extreme caution by the Cowboys as they don’t want to compromise one of their most exciting young talents long-term. But at this point, you could just as easily project that he’ll be back in October as guessing he won’t return until 2026. That uncertainty presents a pickle for the front office. Do you strategize around the hope of an earlier return or prepare for the worst? One could leave you shorthanded, and the other could feel like wasting resources at one position at the expense of another. But like it or not, that’s where we are. Eric Kendricks’ first year in Dallas went about as well as anyone could’ve hoped for. The veteran provided immediate stability, leading the team in tackles while chipping in three sacks, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles. His one-year contract is up and Mike Zimmer isn’t here anymore for the personal connection, so whether or not the 33-year-old gets re-signed is hard to say. Thankfully, despite a lot of hand-wringing after the last draft, Marist Liufau looked more than deserving of being a third-round pick. He pushed Damone Clark down the depth chart and is the one reliable asset currently signed to play linebacker in 2025. He’ll certainly need help, especially with a new defensive system coming under Matt Eberflus, but Liufau showed the potential to start in his second season. Speaking of Clark, the coordinator change may do him some good. After starting all 17 games in 2023, something didn’t click between Clark and Zimmer’s scheme and he fell into a minimal backup role. Now entering the final year of his rookie deal, Clark should be highly motivated to reverse course in his career. He could still vie for a big part in the rotation, especially for whatever period Overshown is absent. Free Agency Again, there are several ways this can go depending on Dallas’ confidence in Overshown’s return. Another short-term deal with a veteran, be it retaining Kendricks or looking to someone like Lavonte David or Bobby Wagner could make sense both for roster need and the leadership, mentoring role for the Cowboys’ young prospects. Taking a chance on Dre Greenlaw could be interesting, but would they want to double down on injury risk given the Overshown situation? And would you want to add a younger guy like him or Nick Bolton if you think Overshown and Liufau can cover the position for the next few years? At the very least, Dallas will need someone to compete with Liufau and Clark for a starting job in camp. Maybe Overshown comes back on the early side and makes that free agent less useful, but extra depth isn’t really a problem. 2025 NFL Draft Given what they already have in young, recently-drafted prospects, the Cowboys probably won’t spend anything above a Day 3 pick at linebacker. We’re not talking about the likes of Abdul Carter or Jalon Walker; they’d primarily be edge rushers in Dallas with some position flex like Micah Parsons. Dallas could justify one of them at any point, especially depending on some of their free agent departures at defensive end. No, this is about the true MIKE and WILL backers who would patrol the middle of the field. Once you get into the fifth round and Dallas’ multiple picks there, a new LB for development and depth makes sense. If someone falls from the likes of Smael Mondon, Chris Paul, and Jeffrey Bassa, they could easily be taken at the 150th pick to fill a spot and probably replace Clark in 2026. Granted, we’re assuming that Dallas won’t come out of free agency with at least a re-signed Kendricks or someone to replace him. But if that were to happen, the draft need would naturally increase. They could very well consider Walker or Jihaad Campbell early at that point, given their versatility in both coverage and pass-rushing skill. Or perhaps Clemson’s Barrett Carter on Day 2. Final Thoughts It’d be easier to project how Dallas will behave if not for its well-established reputation for offseason apathy. But with Overshown’s unknown status and only Liufau and Clark behind him, it’s hardly a year that the Cowboys can afford to take the position for granted. They went through it in 2023 when Overshown’s first injury and Leighton Vander Esch’s issues forced Clark to start and Markquese Bell to get pulled over from safety. They barely got by that year, and that may be generous given the consistent weakness against the run. Transitioning to a new defensive coordinator increases the need for options. Will Eberflus want someone who he’s worked with and who can help the rest of the group? Will he have stylistic preferences that make current options more expendable? Given the versatile roles they play depending on the schemes, linebackers are generally one of the positions most impacted by a coaching change.

Photo by John McGloughlin/ISI Photos/Getty Images Mel Kiper’s latest mock has the Cowboys going with a running back in the first not named Ashton Jeanty. It is not hard to find a mock draft that has the Dallas Cowboys taking Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty at number 12 overall. Generally. we always reach a point in the draft process where a target becomes very well-connected to the Cowboys, but that tends to happen much closer to draft time. Given who Ashton Jeanty is and who the Cowboys have been, people have been drawing the line between them for a few months already and we are still only in February. When you add to this mix that the Cowboys have a head coach now in Brian Schottenheimer with a history with running the ball, and what the league looked like this past season, the math continues to check out at every step of the process. But what if Ashton Jeanty is well gone by the time that Dallas is on the clock? Mel Kiper has the Cowboys taking UNC’s Omarion Hampton at 12 overall There is a contingent of people who do not want to see the Cowboys take Ashton Jeanty, even if he were to fall to 12 overall. It is certainly possible that he may not given the type of player he has shown himself to be, although the draft process still has a lot to unveil to us before names start getting written down on cards. However you feel, Jeanty was not an option for the Cowboys in Mel Kiper’s latest mock as he had gone to the Las Vegas Raiders six picks earlier. Kiper appears to really believe that Dallas is set on running back though as he has the Cowboys taking UNC’s Omarion Hampton. 12. Dallas Cowboys Omarion Hampton, RB, North Carolina I’ve talked to people in the NFL who have Jeanty and Hampton neck and neck for RB1, and there are even some who prefer Hampton. And I look at Dallas’ decision to hire Brian Schottenheimer as coach and can’t help but think about his father, Marty, and all those run-heavy offenses he had over 21 seasons in the same job for four different teams. One would think some of that will rub off on the Cowboys’ new coach, even with Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb in the offense. But to jump-start the run game, the Cowboys actually need a legit running back. Rico Dowdle was decent (1,079 yards), but he’s a free agent and Dallas will likely want to upgrade. Plus, this team has been known to use early picks at the position in the past, including drafting Ezekiel Elliott at No. 4 in 2016. Hampton is a home-run hitter who had 1,660 yards and 15 rushing TDs in 2024. Omarion Hampton has in no way been as connected to the Cowboys as Ashton Jeanty, but he is a wildly talented player. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah has Jeanty as his third overall player, but still thinks highly of Hampton as he has him at 19. Hampton does not seem to be as prolific as Jeanty, but that may say more about the latter than the former. The Cowboys can very much benefit from Hampton and his own level of explosiveness, but the bigger takeaway here may be that NFL draft experts really think that Dallas is going to go running back in the first round even if Jeanty is gone. It may sound shocking to see two running backs going so high in the draft given the narrative around the position and its level of worth in recent history. Interestingly enough, the last time that two running backs went in the top 12 was actually only two years ago when Bijan Robinson went to the Atlanta Falcons (8) and Jahmyr Gibbs went to the Detroit Lions (12). While that was the case, running back is still in a precarious spot overall relative to the draft. This is when the first running back was taken off of the board dating back to Dallas selecting Ezekiel Elliott at fourth overall. 2024: 46th overall – Jonathan Brooks to Carolina Panthers 2023: 8th overall – Bijan Robinson to Atlanta Falcons 2022: 36th overall – Breece Hall to New York Jets 2021: 24th overall – Najee Harris to Pittsburgh Steelers 2020: 32nd overall – Clyde Edwards-Helaire to Kansas City Chiefs 2019: 24th overall – Josh Jacobs to Oakland Raiders 2018: 2nd overall – Saquon Barkley to New York Giants 2017: 4th overall – Leonard Fournette to Jacksonville Jaguars 2016: 4th overall – Ezekiel Elliott to Dallas Cowboys On some level it has felt like Jeanty to Dallas was inevitable, but this is an interesting emphasis on the position being the pick almost no matter what. Maybe the Cowboys are that hellbent on re-establishing the run or maybe this is your standard chum in the water during the week of the NFL combine.

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports The Dallas Cowboys have a handful of the top players set to hit free agency this offseason. One of the most sure signs of the offseason’s arrival, in case you did not feel like it was fully here yet, is the unveiling of a particular list. NFL.com has a top 101 free agents list that drops around this time every year, something that Gregg Rosenthal has been doing for a long time now. The list is exactly what it sounds like. From top to bottom there are 101 names listed and ranked with the “best” free agents being listed at the top. Obviously there is some positional importance involved here and the list could be weighted differently based on different team needs. The Dallas Cowboys were among the more average teams in the league last year at their best and among the very worst when things were truly bottoming out. In spite of this, they still have a handful of players in the top 101. The Cowboys have 5 players in NFL.com’s top 101 free agents list It should come as no surprise to learn that this year’s top 101 free agents list from NFL.com features defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa front and center. He is inside of the top 10, squarely so at number seven. Odighizuwa is far from the only Cowboys players ranked, though. Dallas Cowboys on NFL.com’s top 101 free agents list 7: DT Osa Odighizuwa 48: DE DeMarcus Lawrence 65: RB Rico Dowdle 69: CB Jourdan Lewis 91: DL Chauncey Golston Before this week’s NFL combine even started formally there was already a report that the Cowboys have begun to have contract negotiations with the aforementioned Odighizuwa. Time will obviously tell as to whether or not they are able to get something done there. In that same report, Stephen Jones was also cited as saying that the franchise would like to keep Rico Dowdle and Jourdan Lewis. There is a little bit of an assessment involved with DeMarcus Lawrence though as he is longer in the tooth than anybody else listed. Consider that his fellow draft classmate Zack Martin is set to retire from the NFL as context in that sense (Martin would have surely been on this list if not for that). Word from the Cowboys so far is that they plan on being more involved this year (define that how you will) with the disposition being titled as “selectively aggressive.” This mentality is necessary not only with regards to external free agency, but with your own players who are set to hit the market as well. Consider last year’s top 101 list from Rosenthal as an example. These were the players who the Cowboys had on it at the time and what happened as a result. 13: Tyron Smith (New York Jets) 25: Stephon Gilmore (Minnesota Vikings) 54: Tony Pollard (Tennessee Titans) 57: Dorance Armstrong (Washington Commanders) Tyler Biadasz and Dante Fowler were not listed on last year’s list, but they were also free agents departing the Cowboys who ultimately wound up elsewhere. The overall point here is that the Cowboys retained literally none of their own players on this particular list. This isn’t to say the list is some guidebook that must be followed, but looking at last year’s results is helpful context. For what it’s worth, both Tyron Smith and Stephon Gilmore have found themselves on the list again this year. Smith is at number 88 while Gilmore is at 75. Some, arguably the Cowboys, would offer that this serves as a perfect example as to the perils of free agency and why paying for something is such a risk. Whatever the case may be, there are a number of players on the Cowboys roster that merit serious discussion for returns.

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The latest Cowboys news What is it like inside the Cowboys’ combine interview room? – Todd Archer, ESPN The combine has arrived. At some point in the next few days, a video memory will pop up on Jake Ferguson’s cell phone, as it has every February since 2022. It’s a video he took at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, zooming in and out on a Cowboys hat, a couple of months before the Dallas Cowboys took the Wisconsin tight end in the fourth round. “I was like, ‘I want to go to the Cowboys. I want to go to the Cowboys,’” Ferguson said. “I was manifesting it, and I walked in the [combine interview] and I was like, ‘OK.’ I remember smiling at Coach [Mike] McCarthy, too. But I walked in and I was like, ‘All right, this feels like home.’” That year, Ferguson was one of 45 players formally interviewed by the Cowboys at the combine inside a suite at Lucas Oil Stadium. It lasted 18 minutes, hardly enough time to get to know everything about somebody, but enough to want to know somebody more — or maybe less. Ideally, these interviews serve as a checklist as to whether the Cowboys want to bring the player in for one of their critical top-30 visits. In Ferguson’s case, the Cowboys got all the answers they needed in the interview process and were not compelled to bring him to The Star for a visit. Open Market: Using free agency to solidify Cowboys at offensive tackle – Patrik Walker, DallasCowboys.com Is it possible Tyron Smith could make a return? What’s Out There: Note: These players will be unrestricted on March 13, barring a newly-signed deal with their incumbent team prior to that date, and legal tampering can not begin until March 11. Tyron Smith: I mean, who’d say no? I’m sure someone would, but hear me out. Smith, a Cowboys’ legend and future first-ballot Hall of Famer was able to stay on the field for the New York Jets for a total of 10 starts in 2024. That’s more than enough to justify bringing him back to Dallas to finish his illustrious career and to begin the best possible mentoring program for Guyton as well. Having probably one more year left in his tank, Smith will consider all of his options and returning to a Jets team that is back to square one at quarterback and head coach, or picking up and moving to a third city in as many years with the mileage he has on his frame — versus returning home to an ovation by the fanbase — feels like an easy call … at least to me, anyway. Of the veterans set to his free agency this year, Smith makes the most sense, including financially, with a market value of roughly $7 million (per Spotrac), so bring the cyborg home. Is DeMarcus Lawrence’s time with the Dallas Cowboys coming to an end? – Calvin Watkins, DMN DeMarcus Lawrence could have played his last game as a Dallas Cowboy. The Cowboys could be on the verge of losing another long-tenured player. DeMarcus Lawrence, a 2014 second-round pick, will become an unrestricted free agent this spring. On the surface, it appears the 32-year-old will play for someone else in 2025. Cowboys officials plan on meeting with Lawrence’s agent, David Canter, this week during the NFL scouting combine to figure out his plans. However, the Cowboys have younger defensive ends Sam Williams and Marshawn Kneeland ready to start opposite Micah Parsons. Williams is coming off a torn ACL suffered in training camp and Kneeland missed five games with a knee injury. Cowboys officials like the upside with both players. Kneeland, in 11 games, had 14 tackles and three quarterback hits. Also, Carl Lawson, a seven-year veteran, is a free agent and the Cowboys could retain him with a one-year deal. Last season, Lawson had 15 tackles, five sacks and 15 quarterback hits. “We’ll have more discussions this week,” Cowboys co-owner and COO Stephen Jones said. “I don’t want to get out in front or assume anything one way or the other with D-Law. He can speak to that. That’s where we like to leave it just as Zack spoke for himself when he was going to retire. We’ll have the same respect for DeMarcus Lawrence. I’m not aware of anything right now, other than he’s playing.” Raiders’ Pete Carroll ‘glad’ to aid Cowboys’ Jerry Jones process in hiring Brian Schottenheimer as head coach – Garrett Podell, CBS Sports A little insight on hiring Brian Schottenheimer. Carroll, who returned to the NFL Scouting Combine as the new head coach of the Raiders, explained what he told Jones and how he was excited that he was able to help his former pupil secure his first NFL head-coaching job. “He is ready. He’s been waiting for this opportunity for a number of years,” Carroll said, via transcript, on Tuesday. “He’s been ready for some time. I just told him all of the positive stuff about Brian. The stuff we’ve been through together and the confidence I had in him. Trying to reassure him. It sounded like he was really in a good position to get that job. I was trying to help Jerry feel good about it, too. He was starting to get ready for it. I was glad I had a chance to help him.” Schottenheimer himself expanded on how Carroll challenged and pushed him to expand his offensive playbook to keep up with NFC West rivals like Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan back when he worked for the Super Bowl champion head coach. “Going to Seattle was, I would say was critical to my development as a coach. Pete Carroll challenged me in a number of ways,” Schottenheimer said at his introductory press conference. “He challenged me to be authentic, to continue to dive into the relationships that

Brad Penner-Imagn Images The latest news from around the divison. Matthew Stafford trade rumors: Steelers, Giants among teams eyeing Rams QB, who wants huge raise, per reports – John Breech, CBS Sports New York has thrown their hat in the ring for the Rams’ quarterback. After just four seasons in Los Angeles, Matthew Stafford could be leaving the Rams. The Super Bowl-winning quarterback has been given permission to speak with other teams so that he can gauge what his value might be on the open market and it’s a move that could open the door for the 37-year-old to leave L.A. With Stafford now possibly available in a trade, several teams have already shown some interest in the Rams quarterback. The Steelers, Browns, Raiders and Giants are among the teams that have “thrown their hats in the ring,” according to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Of course, showing interest in Stafford and actually acquiring him in a trade are two totally different things. As things currently stand, Stafford is set to make just $27 million from the Rams in 2025 and he wants a substantial raise, which has created a standoff because the Rams don’t want to commit a big chunk of money into an aging quarterback. Stafford is looking for a deal that would pay him roughly $50 million per year, According to NFL Media’s Peter Schrager. If a team wants to trade for Stafford, it will almost certainly be costly: Not only will they likely have to give him the raise he wants, but they’ll also have to send several draft picks back to the Rams. So can any of these interested teams afford him? Here’s how much available cap space each of the interested teams currently has (via OverTheCap): Giants ($48.4 million). Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen are both going to be under a lot of pressure to win this year and adding Stafford might be their best option to win in 2025. The Giants struck gold in the 2024 draft with receiver Malik Nabers and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., and this team could take a huge step forward if they can find the right quarterback. If the Rams are looking to land a high draft pick, the Giants could make the 34th overall pick part of the deal. Commanders’ GM Adam Peters is not desperate – Ivan Lambert, USA Today Sacrificing Washington’s future isn’t being taken into consideration. The NFL combine is upon us, and this is when teams begin to make personnel decisions for the following season. Remember three years ago when Pete Carroll, then with the Seattle Seahawks declared he had no intention of trading away his starting quarterback Russell Wilson? Next thing you know, a huge deal was being announced. Wilson was being sent to the Broncos, and Denver sent the Seahawks a boatload of draft picks. This causes Washington fans to recall that Ron Rivera and the Commanders were interested in Wilson. Aren’t you glad THAT deal was not executed? If so, Washington would have Wilson and would not have Jayden Daniels. In addition, the Commanders would be “out” of all of those draft choices sent to Denver in the deal. You may recall Rivera openly expressing how much he wanted a new quarterback and being open for business. Commanders Wire warned the fan base that Rivera and company must be careful not to appear desperate to make a deal. If they came across as too needy, they were going to get fleeced in a deal. And sure enough, the Colts got the better end of the deal for Carson Wentz. One thing the fan base can be certain of this year during the combine is that current Commander GM Adam Peters is not desperate and will not get fleeced in a deal. This is why I strongly doubt he will trade for Myles Garrett. Peters is not going to be desperate enough to fill a glaring need, only to create more needs by giving up too much in a trade. If Peters makes a deal, he will not give up too much of the future Commanders resources. However, he might surprise us by cutting a player or two to free up more salary cap space. Eagles Projected To Hit Jackpot With 21-Year-Old Linebacker – Patrick McAvoy, Sports Illustrated Philadelphia is expected to draft a defensive player at the end of the first round. The Philadelphia Eagles will have to wait awhile on the first night of the upcoming National Football League Draft before they can make their first pick unless they make a trade. Philadelphia took down the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX and currently has the No. 32 pick in the draft. The Eagles will have a chance to add some solid talent at the pick if they don’t trade it away. If they don’t move the pick, it could make sense to go defense. The Eagles have Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Zack Baun all going to free agency. It’ll be tough to keep all three around so adding a piece to help replace them could make sense. CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson and Mike Renner released a mock draft on the ”With the First Pick” podcast and projected the Eagles to select Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell at No. 32. “Ryan Wilson: ‘I think you can line Jihaad up all over the place,’” CBS Sports’ Tyler Sullivan shared. “He’s still 20 years old, I think, and he’s going to get bigger, stronger and faster, presumably.” Campbell would be a solid pickup for the Eagles’ defense. In 2024, he racked up 117 tackles in just 13 games to go along with five sacks, 12 tackles for loss, one interception, and one fumble recovery. He’s just 21 years old and could be a guy to help fill holes on the Eagles’ defense for the next few years if he’s available at No. 32.