football

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Continue To Have Saddest QB Battle Of The Offseason

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Only a miracle was going to prevent the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from regressing at the quarterback position after the retirement of Tom Brady. After all, how do you replace the greatest quarterback of all time? Furthermore, the Buccaneers are one of the teams that rarely see the value in big trades up or big trades out when it comes to draft capital. This means that they would be unlikely to be aggressive in the draft or to grab a big-name veteran.

However, that has left them with an underwhelming quarterback room to put it nicely. The current starter is listed as Baker Mayfield, the former Browns standout who has become something of a journeyman in recent years. He most recently played for the truly terrible 2022 Rams. After him is Kyle Trask, a 2021 second-round pick that the Buccs hoped could challenge Brady for the starting role. Finally, there’s John Wofford, the former Rams backup who came over with Mayfield in the offseason. That is not the quarterback room of a team that is looking to win a lot of games. Furthermore, it’s been made worse by the footage coming out of the team’s OTAs.

OTA Footage Adds To The Pain Of A Bad QB Battle

In footage shared by Kyle Burger, an ABC anchor in Tampa, the true pain of the Buccaneers’ QB battle was on display. Both Trask and Mayfield were painfully inaccurate, consistently missing targets or forcing overly-difficult catches for their receivers. The only time the pair consistently threw on-target passes was on routes where their receivers were physically stopping and waiting for the pass to come to them.

Granted, it’s early in the offseason workouts and the Buccaneers have plenty of time to figure things out before their September 10 opener in Minnesota. However, even this early in the offseason, you want to be seeing the basic fundamentals from your quarterbacks. The Buccaneers did not make a lot of changes at the wide receiver position, adding five rookies (four undrafted) to their rotation. While Mayfield is a new face on the team, he has been in the NFL since 2018. Meanwhile, Kyle Trask has been with the team since 2021. There is no complete rebuilding of the QB-WR dynamic to blame these bad performances on. Again, it’s early in the offseason but if this doesn’t improve, it’s going to be a long season for Buccaneers fans.

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Tom Brady Would Be Allowed To Play For The Raiders If Needed

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Will Tom Brady ever fully retire? It’s a question that has divided scholars for a number of years now. Of course, Brady initially retired in 2021 before un-retiring to play another season in 2022. After that season, Brady again retired and appeared to be done for good. He expressed excitement about beginning his broadcast deal with Fox in 2024 and spending time away from football. One of the few football things he has publicly done is buy a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.

Speaking of the Raiders, they are having an interesting offseason. After parting ways with long-time starting quarterback Derek Carr, the Raiders searched high and low for his replacement. Maybe they could trade up in the draft or trade down for one of the many young exciting backups already in the league? Maybe they could go big after one of the veteran free agents? Instead, the Raiders signed Jimmy Garoppolo, the 31-year-old veteran fresh off a season-ending foot injury. In fact, the Raiders hedged so hard on Garoppolo that they had him sign an injury waiver.

NFL Confirms Ownership Doesn’t Bar Brady From Playing

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – OCTOBER 25: Las Vegas Raiders fan Gabriel “DARKSIDEDEMON” Andrade of California carries a skeleton with a photo of Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady outside Allegiant Stadium before the Raiders’ game against the Buccaneers on October 25, 2020 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

With Garoppolo’s waiver clause, and the news that the foot injury will need surgery, rumors about Brady suiting up in the Black and Silver began to silver. Behind Jimmy G, the Raiders current QB room is career backup Brian Hoyer, fourth-round rookie Aiden O’Connell, and 2022 undrafted free agent Chase Garbers. Not exactly inspiring but could be worse. However, that has led a number of people, including TMZ, to wonder if Brady could legally take the field for the Raiders as a last resort.

Turns out that the answer is yes. According to an NFL spokesperson who answer questions from TMZ, as long as Brady passes two votes from the NFL owners, he could both own the Raiders and start under center for them. The first vote is one that Brady needs to pass regardless of any desire to play. That’s the vote from NFL ownership to approve his purchase of an ownership stake in the Raiders. However, the second vote, again taken by the NFL owners, would specifically be about whether they would approve of Brady taking the field. Furthermore, both votes hold a three-fourths majority threshold, meaning Brady would need the support of 28 NFL owners. While the first vote is expected to pass easily, there is definitely a chance that the owners would object to Brady retaking the field. Of course, all of this is purely speculation as Brady, for now, is very keen to stay retired.

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Tom Brady And Leonardo DiCaprio Spotted At Same Yacht Party

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Despite not preparing for an NFL season for the first time since 1999, Tom Brady has been keeping himself busy. Amid preparations to become a broadcaster next year, Brady has kept himself in the NFL by purchasing a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.

However, it is also European vacation season for the rich and famous. Last week marked the 2023 edition of the Cannes Film Festival, which is always a draw for the Hollywood elite. Among those taking in the scenic sights of southern France was Leonardo DiCaprio. DiCaprio had been spotted yacht-hopping during the festival, which was also featuring his new film Killers of the Flower Moon. However, eagle-eyed paparazzi spotted the veteran QB and veteran actor attending the same party.

Brady and DiCaprio Celebrate Mutual Friend’s Birthday

CAP D’ANTIBES, FRANCE – MAY 23: Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio attend the Cannes Film Festival Air Mail /Warner Brothers Discovery Party at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 23, 2023 in Cap d’Antibes, France. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images for Air Mail/Warner Brothers Discovery)

Brady and DiCaprio, who share an ex in Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen, were both spotted on board a yacht celebrating the birthday of mutual friend Bert Hedaya. The pair were spotted as part of a group photo shared by Miami hospitality mogul David Grutman. However, no photos of Brady and DiCaprio interacting have emerged from the party. That leaves as very much a case of “two famous people in the same place at the same time”. The party reportedly took place off the coast of the Italian island of Sardinia.

As mentioned, DiCaprio was in Europe as part of the media tour for his upcoming film, Killers of the Flower Moon. The epic western is DiCaprio’s first film role since 2021’s political satire, Don’t Look Up. Killers of the Flower Moon was screened as part of Cannes’ “Out of Competition” selection. That selection also included HBO’s The Idol, the controversial series starring Lily Rose-Depp and The Weeknd. Follow all the latest sports and celebrity news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Troy Aikman Reveals If He Thinks Tom Brady Will Play Again

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Troy Aikman won three Super Bowls as the quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys. Overall, he is one of the franchise’s most respected legends. Moreover, he is a commentator for Monday Night Football, where he gets to voice his opinion on the biggest game of the week. That said, he is definitely someone with the authority to speak on big topics within the football world. One such topic has involved none other than Tom Brady. Just last week, he signed a deal to become a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

Subsequently, there are now all sorts of rumors that he will play for the team. However, none of this has actually been substantiated. Instead, people are just making things up as they go along. Additionally, these rumors have come in light of the fact that Jimmy Garoppolo reportedly failed his physical due to a foot injury. This subsequently forced the Raiders to restructure his contract. In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Troy Aikman was asked about Brady and whether or not he thinks he will play.

Read More: Travis Scott Mentors Rookie Quarterbacks Alongside Tom Brady

Troy Aikman Gives His Take

“I don’t want speak for Tom, I wouldn’t rule anything out,” Aikman said. I would bet that just nothing is off the table, as far as what may occur during the season or what Tom’s role may be.” Overall, this is a very safe and political answer. However, it really is all that can be said at this juncture. No one knows for sure whether or not Tom would want to play again. Moreover, at his age and circumstance, it just seems entirely unlikely. That said, Brady has been known to make some peculiar decisions over the years.

Hopefully, for the sake of his family, he remains retired. Not to mention, he wasn’t exactly his old self last season. He got blown out in the playoffs by the Dallas Cowboys, despite Dak Prescott being a frequent choker. That said, you can let us know what you think about Brady potentially coming back, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the sports world. We will always keep you informed.

Read More: Tom Brady Shares Mother’s Day Post Featuring All His Exes

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Aaron Rodgers Confirms He’s A Swiftie

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Taylor Swift is currently in the midst of her Eras Tour. The tour began in March and runs through August, hitting 20 cities. Swift has set multiple records at a variety of the stadiums she is playing at. However, Last week she was in New England for a trio of shows at Gilette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. She also received a governor’s citation from Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey.

For their part, the Patriots made sure that Swift felt welcome during her time in their stadium. Leading the way amongst the Patriot Swifties was quarterback Mac Jones. The three-year starter attended one of Swift’s tour stops alongside her girlfriend Sophie Scott. Furthermore, the Patriots put together a video highlighting some of their other players’ favorite T-Swift songs.

Aaron Rodgers Goes Hard On Swift

@nyjets

CONFIRMED: Aaron Rodgers is a Swiftie TaylorSwift

♬ original sound – New York Jets

After Foxborough, Swift headed to New Jersey with a trio of concerts at MetLife Stadium. After the Patriots showed out, it was clear that Rodgers, the new signal-caller for the hometown Jets, would be asked about the pop star’s concerts. Turns out Rodgers is a major Swiftie. “I’m a fan, big fan,” he began when asked before going into a deep dive into Swift’s discography. “It’s tough. It’s really tough. I think my favorite album is Folklore and my favorite song off that album is probably “August.” And my favorite music video is ‘I Bet You Think About Me.’”

Furthermore, like the Patriots, the Jets put together a video showcasing their roster’s knowledge of Swift. But back to Rodgers, he also confirmed that would he would be in attendance at least one of Swift’s shows. Elsewhere, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy named the state sandwich after Swift. Murphy announced the “Taylor Swift ham, egg, and cheese” sandwich ahead of her stop at MetLife. After East Rutherford, Swift hits another 10 NFL stadiums so expect to learn the Swiftiness of Justin Fields, Joe Burrow, Pat Mahomes, Brock Purdy, and Russell Wilson to name a few. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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DeAndre Hopkins Cut Sparks Multi-Team Speculation

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The DeAndre Hopkins saga has written its newest chapter. After months of speculation that the Cardinals could trade or otherwise offload the veteran wide receiver, the Cardinals finally cut him. As a result, the Cardinals will eat $22.9 million in dead cap and Hopkins will become an unrestricted free agent. Hopkins had initially missed the start of the Cardinals’ OTAs as his status remained in limbo.

After serving a six-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy, Hopkins played in nine games last season. He racked up 757 yards and 3 touchdowns as the Cardinals went 4-13. He was traded to the Cardinals in 2020 by the Texans. In three seasons with the Cardinals, he recorded 2696 yards and 17 touchdowns. However, he will now be able to pursue the team of his choice.

Multiple Teams Interested In Hopkins

GLENDALE, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 27: DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Arizona Cardinals celebrates after catching a touch down pass against the Los Angeles Chargers at State Farm Stadium on November 27, 2022 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)

Hopkins’ sudden free agency has sparked a lot of interest around the league. Among the teams interested are the Bills, Patriots, and Ravens. Hopkins, who last rushed for 1000 yards in 2020, would find very different fortunes. He could be the final piece the Bills need in their near-Sisyphean quest to reach a Super Bowl. Meanwhile, Hopkins would bring a veteran calm to somewhat-embattled Mac Jones. However, the Ravens are an intriguing prospect given their already very full receiver room.

Meanwhile, social media has also floated the possibility of the Chiefs making a play for the veteran wideout. Like the Ravens, the Chiefs have a very full receiver room. However, the Chiefs are missing that X-factor standout downfield. As for the Cardinals, they will now roll with Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, and 2023 third-round draft pick Michael Wilson. Recently, Hopkins gave an interview in which he listed the top quarterbacks he would like to play under. At the top of that list was the Bills’ Josh Allen as well as the Eagles’ Jalen Hurts. Where do you think Hopkins will land? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.

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Antonio Brown Hints NFL Return Amid Arena Football Drama

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Antonio Brown simply cannot stay out of the news. After his dramatic exit from the NFL in 2021, Brown made his return to football earlier this year after buying a majority stake in the Albany Empire, an arena football team in New York. However, drama has followed Brown like a shadow. There is an overarching mystery about just who actually owns the team. An investigation recently released that Brown is actually more akin to a mouthpiece for an ownership trust.

Furthermore, Brown’s tenure has been marred by scandal. Despite the Empire being two-time defending champions, they are 1-3 in the 2023 season. Furthermore, they lost a well-respected head coach after multiple payment deadlines were missed. That was followed by rumors that Brown will be suiting up for the team. Now more drama, and more rumors, have surfaced.

New Rumors, New Drama

ATLANTA, GA – FEBRUARY 03: Antonio Brown attends Friday’s at Red Martini Restaurant and Lounge on February 3, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

Let’s start with the drama. Brown recently had to eat humble pie after a local Italian restaurant claimed that the team walked out on a $700 tab. Eventually, after a days-long local media blitz, Brown visited the restaurant to pay the tab and offer an apology. However, that is not the end of the recent problems for the team. Brown has long claimed that he owns “95%” of the Empire. The other 5% is currently owned by a local couple, Charlotte and Steve von Schiller. The von Schillers purchased their stake last year but now want to be bought out due to the infamy that Brown’s ownership tenure. Furthermore, the von Schillers have indicated they are willing to pursue legal options if needs be.

However, Brown now has his eye back on the NFL. According to his agent, JR Rickert, Brown has been receiving “genuine” interest from NFL teams ahead of the 2023 season. “He is exploring the right fit,” his agent told CBS. “I think that he is a multi-talented individual who does everything at a high level,” Rickert continued, “and whatever he commits to, he goes all in.” Do you think an NFL team should re-sign Brown? Let us know in the comments.

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Patrick Mahomes Speaks Out On Brother Jackson’s Arrest

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On May 3, Jackson Mahomes was arrested on charges of sexual battery. The arrest stemmed from a March incident where Mahomes allegedly forcibly kissed the owner of a restaurant in Kansas City. Surveillance footage shows Mahomes grabbing the woman by the throat from behind and pulling her back towards him before kissing her. The woman appears uncomfortable during the interaction. Additionally, a male server at the restaurant has accused Mahomes of shoving him. Mahomes was initially held on a $100,000 bond and will face a court hearing later this year.

However, Mahomes has vehemently denied the allegations. “Our investigation has revealed substantial evidence refuting the claims of Jackson’s accuser including the statements of several witnesses,” Mahomes’ attorney Brandan Davies said. “We have reached out to law enforcement to provide the fruit of our investigation so that they may have a complete picture of the matter.”

Patrick Mahomes Addresses The Arrest

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY – MAY 06: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes (C) of the Kansas City Chiefs looks on in the paddock before the start of the 149th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 06, 2023 in Louisville, Kentucky. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

Mahomes has garnered some minor social media fame and a lot of social media controversy. However, his biggest claim to media attention is that his brother is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes. Since joining the NFL in 2017, the Mahomes has won two Super Bowls as well as two MVPs. He is one of the pre-eminent quarterbacks in the league and still in his prime at just 27 years old.

However, Mahomes has finally broken his silence on his brother’s arrest and the allegations against him. “At the end of the day,” the QB told the media, “I come here to play football and try to take care of my family, at the same time. So, [I] just kind of keep it to myself and just go out there and play football when I’m in the building. It’s your family,” he said, “but you have to come in here and do a job. And that’s what I try to do every day.” With that, Mahomes has made it clear that he doesn’t want to be asked about Jackson, especially as the case unfolds against him.

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Michigan State To Host Penn State In Regular Season Finale At Ford Field

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2022 was a season to forget for the Michigan State Spartans, finishing 5-7 in a major step back from their 11-2 2021 campaign. The 5-7 record included losses in all three of their rivalry games (Indiana, Michigan, and Penn State). Furthermore, long-time starting quarterback Payton Thorne opted to transfer, choosing to join Hugh Freeze at Auburn.

Meanwhile, Penn State is expected to vie for the Big Ten title this season. They have been building towards this point for a number of years and 2023 feels like the best year to do it. The Nittany Lions have a number of highly-regarded draft prospects, such as offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. Furthermore, they have a new quarterback in Drew Allar after the graduation of Sean Clifford. This could be Penn State’s year. This belief is exacerbated by the loss of major starters for both Michigan and Ohio State. However, both programs still remain at the top of the conference power rankings.

Michigan State V Penn State to Anchor Thanksgiving Coverage

STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 26: Abdul Carter #11 of the Penn State Nittany Lions leaps to knock down the pass by Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Beaver Stadium on November 26, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)

The first game between Michigan State and Penn State was played in 1914, with the fixture becoming an annual tradition in 1993 when Penn State joined the Big Ten. The two schools are the the oldest land grant colleges in the United States. Therefore, the rivalry trophy is thus known as the “Land Grand Trophy”. The all-time rivalry record is tied at 18-18-1. Furthermore, the teams are 5-5 in their last 10 matchups. However, Penn State has won three of the last four matchups.

Additionally, the 2023 edition of the game will get an all-star setting. As part of a broadcasting deal with NBC, the game will be played at Ford Field in Detroit. As per tradition, the game is the season finale for both schools. Furthermore, the game will serve as part of NBC’s Thanksgiving Weekend coverage, which will also feature a Lions-Packers game on Thanksgiving as well as the Michigan state football championships. The Spartans-Nittany Lions matchup will have a primetime slot on Black Friday (November 24). “We anticipate that the experience will be so much more than a football game for our Spartan faithful,” Michigan State AD Allen Haller said in a statement.

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Damar Hamlin Participates In Bills Practice

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Four months ago, Damar Hamlin lay unresponsive on the field of Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Moments before, he had suffered a cardiac arrest after tackling Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins. Hamlin was transferred to a Cincinnati hospital and released a week later. In the months since he had was released, he has become a very public figure. This included a visit to Capitol Hill, where he advocated for putting more automated external defibulators in schools. It was the fact that Paycor Stadium had an AED that saved Hamlin’s life.

Hamlin has seemingly made a miraculous recovery, one good enough to allow him to play for the Bills in the upcoming NFL season. At the time of writing, Hamlin’s name appears on the Bill’s active roster. This was further evidenced by Hamlin’s appearance at the Bills’ Organized Team Activities as we move deeper into the offseason.

Hamlin Sees Limited Participation

Hamlin’s participation in the OTAs was limited. According to Batavia Daily‘s Alex Brasky, Hamlin participated in “stretches, agility and conditioning work, along with individual drills.” Meanwhile, Hamlin did all this while “wearing a jersey, without pads”. However, head coach Sean McDermott made sure to temper expectations. “We’re taking it one day at a time and just support Damar in every way possible.” Hamlin also reconfirmed his intentions to play. “My heart is still in it. My heart is still in the game. I love the game,” Hamlin told reporters, “This event was life changing,” he continued. “But it’s not the end of my story. So I’m here to announce that I’m planning on making a comeback to the NFL.”

The Bills are blessed with plenty of depth at the safety position. Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are still projected to start for the Bills, giving Hamlin plenty of time to build up to full strength. However, his participation at OTAs are a great sign that we might see Hamlin, who has played 29 games since being drafted in 2021, in the 2023 season. However, it’s a long way until the Bills open their season against the Bills. We’ll have all the latest NFL news as the season approaches here on HotNewHipHop.

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