Amon-Ra St. Brown names Bears receiver most underrated pass-catcher in the NFL originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago The hype around the Bears this offseason feels overwhelming. The energy around the 2024 Bears is palpable. With a whole cast of new, elite talent on the roster, there’s reason for the excitement. Still, there are players on the team who are …

For the third day of NFL Predictions Week, we are taking things to the AFC and NFC North! “First Things First” co-hosts Nick Wright and Chris Broussard are continuing their prediction reveals ahead of kickoff with rankings for all 32 NFL teams by divisions.  To start the week, the FOX Sports personalities shared their early predictions for the AFC and …

Aug. 28—Illinois Last year: 5-7 overall, 3-6 Big Ten Coach: Bret Bielema (18-19 at Illinois, 115-77 overall) Returning starters: 11 (5 offense, 5 defense, punter) Players to watch: QB Luke Altmyer, OT J.C. Davis, WR Pat Bryant, RB Kaden Feagin, LB Seth Coleman, LB Gabe Jacas, CB Terrance Brooks, S Matthew Bailey The big questions: Can quarterback Luke Altmyer, who …

Aiyuk-49ers saga hits inflection point as ‘hold-in’ persists originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area SANTA CLARA — The Brandon Aiyuk saga might have hit an inflection point on Wednesday. Despite suggestions that this was the day that Aiyuk would end his “hold in,” nothing changed when the 49ers took the practice field. And now, this is when things could …

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA – OCTOBER 29: Logan Kopp #43 of the North Dakota State Bison celebrates a tackle against the Illinois State Redbirds at FARGODOME on October 29, 2022 in Fargo, North Dakota. (Photo by Sean Arbaut/Getty Images) Nearly everyone has critiqued the Colorado Buffaloes for scheduling Football Championship Subdivision powerhouse North Dakota State in their season opener, including CU …

Bears’ Ian Wheeler’s journey unveils unique side of team’s coaching, management originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago One of this offseason’s “Hard Knocks” diamonds in the rough, Ian Wheeler, has one of the team’s most fascinating stories. He’s on a path to go to medical school in hopes of becoming a doctor. But he also wants to be an NFL …

After the 2023 season, Penn State made it a priority to work in the offseason to find ways to get more out of its wide receivers in 2024. Despite losing some players to the transfer portal, including the team’s leading receiver, Penn State hired a new offensive coordinator and added a key transfer as part of a plan to revamp …

An NFL offseason defined by landmark contract extensions and dramatic holdouts among the top tier of NFL wide receivers may continue the theme into the season. Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase showed up late to practice Wednesday in street clothes and did not work out with the rest of the team as the fifth overall pick in the 2021 NFL …

How Bears plan to stay sharp during long lull between training camp and Week 1 originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago LAKE FOREST, Ill. – The Bears have already put in a lot of work this summer. They reported to training camp a week early because of the Hall of Fame game. That game meant they had to participate in …

San Francisco 49ers star receiver Brandon Aiyuk is expected to practice soon for the first time this summer, but he was absent at the start of practice on Wednesday, per reports. The star receiver is also apparently no closer to signing a long-term extension with the team. Coach Kyle Shanahan spoke Wednesday before the team held its first practice since …

Aug. 28—It doesn’t matter where you’re from — big city or small town — you have a following in the bleachers on Friday nights cheering your name as you take the football field. You have a group of peers who may be your best friends, or maybe they aren’t, but they are a part of a brotherhood you get to …

49ers GM Lynch expects medically cleared Aiyuk to practice Wednesday originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Programming Note: Watch “49ers Now” with Matt Maiocco and Carlos Ramirez at 5 p.m. PT today from Santa Clara, streaming live on the NBC Sports app. Watch the show later on YouTube and Facebook. SANTA CLARA — Things are getting real around the …

Alabamna A&M head coach Connell Maynor against Alabama State University at Legion Field in Birmingham, Ala., during the Magic City Classic on Saturday October 27, 2018. Magic13 The Alabama A&M Bulldogs are excited to face the Auburn Tigers this Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Bulldogs head coach Connell Maynor says his players feel they can play with the likes of Auburn …

Shanahan hopes Aiyuk practices Wednesday despite 49ers contract saga originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Programming Note: Watch “49ers Now” with Matt Maiocco and Carlos Ramirez at 5 p.m. PT today from Santa Clara, streaming live on the NBC Sports app. Watch the show later on YouTube and Facebook. SANTA CLARA — Coach Kyle Shanahan said he hopes wide …

Photo: Isaiah Hole Michigan football may be set to kick off on Saturday but the NFL opens up its 2024 season the following week. And there was a lot of movement on Wednesday as NFL franchises finalized their rosters. Some players found themselves on the bad end of things. Recently traded to Seattle, linebacker Michael Barrett was cut from a …