POLL: Are you mad about Jahmyr Gibbs’ sit-in?

ALLEN PARK, MICHIGAN - JUNE 17: Jahmyr Gibbs #0 of the Detroit Lions works out at mandatory minicamp at Detroit Lions Meijer Performance Center on June 17, 2026 in Allen Park, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Turns out the offseason rumors were right.

The Detroit Lions opened training camp on Wednesday morning, and running back Jahmyr Gibbs wasn’t there on the practice field. He has officially reported to camp, as evidenced by a photo from the Lions’ media team, but at this point it’s pretty clear Gibbs doesn’t intend to actually practice until there is some sort of new contract deal in place.

While this isn’t the first time the Lions have found themselves in some contractual drama (remember Alex Anzalone last year?), this is the first time there has been a snag in extending a core player beyond their rookie contract while Brad Holmes has been in town. Typically, those deals have gotten done well ahead of time with literally no drama.

Now, the Lions do still have a long runway with Gibbs. After exercising his fifth-year option earlier this offseason, the Lions have their star running back under contract through the 2027 season. But this is the time in which the Lions have typically given new deals to their best players still on rookie contract, so it’s somewhat reasonable for Gibbs to be making this negotiating tactic.

So today’s Question of the Day is:

Are you mad about Jahmyr Gibbs’ sit in? If so, who’s to blame?

My answer: At this point, I don’t think there’s any valid reason to be mad. Gibbs has missed a single practice, and it appears there’s been at least some progress in contract talks, as evidenced by Adam Schefter’s relatively optimistic reporting on the situation. If this thing lingers several weeks into training camp, that’s the time to be annoyed.

Don’t get me wrong. It would be nice to have Gibbs out there for the entirety of training camp. I’d love to see him out there getting used to Drew Petzing’s new scheme, preparing his body for a more full workload, and I’d rather him not set this sort of precedent for other players in similar situations.

However, I can also recognize that Gibbs doesn’t want to risk any sort of injury before getting paid. An NFL career is so fragile and it can turn your fortune around completely in an instant. We saw how quickly the career outlook of Kerby Joseph changed last season, and there’s already been a handful of NFL players who have suffered season-ending injuries before the first week of training camp has ended. With running backs’ careers being especially short and fragile, I don’t fault for Gibbs trying to cash in when he can.

It’s not an ideal situation, and I certainly understand those who are frustrated to see this happen after what has already been a pretty frustrating offseason. But until Gibbs actually misses significant time, I’m not too worried about it.

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Billy Ray Smith Jr, Chargers legend and College Football Hall of Famer, dead at 64

Billy Ray Smith Jr., the longtime San Diego Chargers linebacker and College Football Hall of Famer, died Wednesday following a “long journey with dementia caused by CTE,” his family have announced.

He was 64 years old.

“It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Billy Ray Smith Jr., who passed away peacefully surrounded by family,” Smith’s family said in a statement.

Billy Ray Smith Jr. was a standout at Arkansas. AP

“Billy Ray faced his long journey with dementia caused by CTE with unmatched bravery, dignity, and strength.

“Billy Ray brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the world as a devoted father, husband, son, and loyal friend.

“On the NFL gridiron for a decade with the Chargers, and decades that followed in sports broadcasting, Billy Ray earned deep respect from teammates, colleagues, and fans, who he cherished in returrn.

“He leaves an irreplaceable void in our lives. His undeniable legacy will live forever in our hearts, and we thank our incredible community for the outpouring of love and support.”

Smith followed in his father’s footsteps and starred at the University of Arkansas, where he was named All-American in 1981 and 1982.

“I knew going into [the recruiting process] that I’m not going to leave Arkansas and go to another school unless they just blow me away and they didn’t,” Smith Jr. told Pro Players Business Network.

Bill Kenney #9 of the Kansas City Chiefs looks to get his pass off under pressure from Billy Ray Smith Jr. #54 of the San Diego Chargers during an NFL football game circa 1983 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. Getty Images

Lou Holtz, who coached Arkansas from 1977 to 1983, once said of Smith, “Billy Ray is so quick he plays tennis with himself.”

Smith was team captain in 1982, leading Arkansas to a 9-2-1 record. He recorded 299 tackles at Arkansas, including 63 tackles for a loss.

The San Diego Chargers selected Smith fifth overall in the 1983 NFL Draft, making him the first defensive player picked in the class.

He would go on to play his entire 10-season NFL career with the Chargers.

In 1986, he recorded a career-high 11 sacks and forced four fumbles. The following season, Smith intercepted a career-high five passes despite only playing 12 games because of the NFL Players’ strike.

The 1989 season saw Smith named Second-Team All-Pro.

Smith also made the highlight reel in an unlikely way when he kicked the game-winning field goal in a 1985 exhibition game against the Saints.

Billy Ray Smith Jr. became a San Diego radio staple after his playing days. Facebook/Billy Ray Smith

With groin injuries sidelining the Chargers’ usual kickers, Smith, who last kicked in high school, made a field goal with four seconds to go, but it was nullified for having tape on his kicking shoe. The linebacker-turned-kicker threw the shoe away and made the field goal with no time remaining for a 21-20 win.

Smith was also active in the community, working with teammates to create “Bates Street,” an after-school program for local kids. He met his wife Kimberly Hunt, an ABC 10News anchor, during a United Cerebral Palsy telethon.

He also became a television and radio personality in San Diego after his playing days ended.

Smith would be named to the Arkansas All-Decade Team, Arkansas All-Century Team and was enshrined in the Arkansas State Hall of Fame and the Razorback Hall of Honor.

In 2000, Smith was the sixth Razorback player to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame

“The overriding feeling that I had was, ‘I wish I could bring all the guys that were in the huddle, that helped make me a consensus All-American,” he told Pro Players Business Network. “Football is the ultimate team game. You feel a little bit uncomfortable getting so much praise. These guys need to be there and be with me when we do this but they can’t handle that many people at one celebration so I guess I’ll do it.”

Smith was also celebrated in 2009, when he was voted by fans and the Chargers Hall of Fame as one of the 50 greatest players in team history.

“To know Billy Ray was to love Billy Ray. Yes, he was a member of our 50th Anniversary team. Yes, he was a Charger for life, playing his entire 10-year career here,” Chargers owner Dean Spanos said.

“But he wasn’t merely a great football player. He was, truly, larger than life. Always smiling. Lighting up every room he walked into. Infectious laughter. The kind of friend a friend should be. That was Billy Ray.”

“When someone who brought so much positivity into the world leaves us, it’s hard to process. Hard to accept. That’s how I feel right now, and I know I’m not alone,” Spanos continued.

“Billy Ray loved his family, loved the Chargers, loved his teammates, loved his community and loved helping those in need. And we all loved him back,” Spanos added.

“Our hearts are with his wife, Kimberly, daughter, Savannah and the countless people whose lives were made just a little bit brighter because they had the privilege of knowing Billy Ray.”

He is survived by his wife Kimberly and daughter Savannah.

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Bucketheads Podcast: Will Guillory of The Athletic joins to talk about Bruce Thornton

LAS VEGAS, NV - JULY 18: Bruce Thornton #2 of the Houston Rockets drives to the basket during the game against the Memphis Grizzlies during the 2026 NBA Summer League Semifinals game on July 18, 2026 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE (Photo by Mike Kirschbaum/NBAE via Getty Images) | NBAE via Getty Images

“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.

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On episode 211 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Justin and Connor are joined by Will Guillory of The Athletic. Guillory covers the Houston Rockets, which is now the home of two former Buckeyes, Bruce Thornton and Jae’Sean Tate.

Guillory was on site in Las Vegas for all the Summer League action, so we discussed Thornton and his performance. Where does Thornton fall in the rotation? Can he expect minutes early? Was Guillory surprised by the decision to draft Thornton? And what does Guillory like about Thornton’s game?

We also talked about Jae’Sean Tate and his role with the Rockets, Kevin Durant and working with the players, and some of the stories he has written in his career.

Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review! We have episodes every Thursday morning.

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Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN

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Twitter: @lemons_connor

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Commanders tap Wes Welker to replace tight ends coach fired after DWI arrest

Wes Welker was names Commanders tight end coach.

The Commanders have a new tight ends coach, and it’s probably a name you remember well.

After the team fired its previous tight ends coach Ben Steele following a DWI arrest, Washington named the former All-Pro receiver Wes Welker to the position. 

Welker joined the Commanders staff a year ago and was elevated to an assistant this offseason. He also worked with the tight ends when Steele was initially suspended after driving while intoxicated.

Wes Welker was named Commanders tight end coach. Getty Images

Steele was pulled over at 1:15 a.m. on June 7 in Loudoun County, Virginia (where the Commanders practice), for suspicion of DWI and refused a breath and blood test. 

Steele was additionally charged with resisting and obstruction without force, and has a court date on Aug. 13. He was suspended by the Commanders for the last two voluntary spring practices and their three-day mandatory minicamp before his firing. 

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn told reporters that Welker doesn’t have an official role for his position, but that he will be in charge of the tight ends, a job pass game coordinator David Raih held the last two seasons.

Welker spent 2025 with the Commanders as a personnel analyst following his firing as the Dolphins wide receivers coach. 

He spent 2022-24 as Miami’s receivers coach, working with dynamic threats Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. 

Before that, he spent three seasons as the 49ers receivers coach and two as an offensive and special teams assistant for the Texans. 

Former New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. AP

But Welker is most well-known for his playing career.

Across 11 seasons with the Dolphins, Patriots, Broncos and Rams, Welker had 9,924 receiving yards and 50 touchdowns. 

Welker was a five-time Pro Bowler, two-time First Team All-Pro and led the NFL in receptions three times. 

He will work with a Commanders tight end room featuring John Bates, Ben Sinnott and Chig Okonkwo. 

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Everything you need to know as Eagles begin 2026 training camp

Everything you need to know as Eagles begin 2026 training camp originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

It’s finally here.

After months of waiting, the Eagles kick off training camp this week at the newly renamed Jefferson Health Training Complex.

This will be the Eagles’ 14th training camp in South Philadelphia after a run at Lehigh University that ended in Andy Reid’s last season in 2012.

We’ll be covering training camp all summer with daily practice reports, Eagle Eye podcasts and on TV with Birds Huddle.

Here are a few links to get you ready for training camp:

• 15 offensive players to watch

• 15 defensive players to watch

• 15 veterans on the roster bubble

• Pre-camp 53-man roster projection

• Some candidates to be Training Camp Darling

Key dates

July 28 — Eagles report to training camp
July 29 — First training camp practice
Aug. 15 — Preseason game No. 1 at Ravens, 7 p.m.
Aug. 19 — Joint practice with Patriots in New England
Aug. 20 — Joint practice with Patriots in New England
Aug. 22 — Preseason game No. 2 at Patriots, 7 p.m.
Aug. 25 — Public practice at Lincoln Financial Field, 6 p.m. 
Aug. 28 — Preseason game No. 3 vs. Bengals, 8 p.m.
Aug. 30 — Roster must be trimmed to 53 by 6 p.m.
Sept. 13 — Season opener vs. Commanders, 4:25 p.m. 

One public practice

The Eagles are holding just one public practice again this summer. The practice at Lincoln Financial Field is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 25 at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the public practice are available on Ticketmaster.com. General admission seats are $15, while there’s a $50 VIP option that includes field access before the practice. There are no ticket limitations for the public practice and parking is free. All proceeds from the open practice ticket sales benefit the Eagles Autism Foundation. Everyone over the age of 2 will require a ticket for entry.

Key storylines

1. A bunch of changes on offense

The Eagles were far too talented last season to finish with the NFL’s No. 24-ranked offense. So after the season, they moved on from Kevin Patullo and launched an exhaustive offensive coordinator search that eventually led them to Sean Mannion. The former NFL backup quarterback has been coaching for just two seasons but the Eagles are excited about his potential with a Shanahan-style scheme he’s bringing to Philly. This offense will look very different in 2026 than what we have seen in the first five years under head coach Nick Sirianni.

2. No more A.J. Brown

As the calendar flipped to June, the Eagles finally traded A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots after months of speculation. Brown had an incredible four-year run in Philly but he desired a fresh start and the Eagles facilitated that. There’s no way around it: The Eagles are going to miss Brown’s production. But they prepared all offseason for the inevitable trade. DeVonta Smith will take the reins as the WR1 in this offense and the Eagles added Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks, Hollywood Brown and more this offseason.

3. What will happen with Jalen Carter?

The Eagles already picked up Jalen Carter’s fifth-year option for the 2027 season but it is a little surprising the two sides haven’t yet agreed to a long-term contract extension. The former No. 9 overall pick is already a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle with tremendous potential. Carter hasn’t been as consistent as you’d probably like to see and perhaps that’s the hesitation. This next deal for Carter is going to be a massive one that could either reset the defensive tackle market or come close. So it’s not super easy to reach a deal, but it’s usually the Eagles’ M.O. to get these things done early.

4. The defense should be elite

The Eagles lost Jaelan Phillips, Nakobe Dean and Reed Blankenship, but the defense has the chance to be elite again under Vic Fangio for the third straight season. This defense has talent at all three levels and so many of these players have been playing for Fangio for two seasons already. The Eagles are still stacked with talent, boasting a defensive roster with guys like Jalen Carter, Jonathan Greenard, Jordan Davis, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and more. The expectations for this side of the ball are understandably very high.

5. The battles

There aren’t a ton of starting jobs up for grabs in training camp but there are still plenty of battles we’ll be following closely:

Safety: Drew Mukuba returns for Year 2 as a full-time starter and Cooper DeJean is going to play safety in the Eagles’ base package. But with the loss of Reed Blankenship in free agency, the Eagles need to find their other starting safety. The frontrunner in this competition is Marcus Epps but others like Michael Carter II, Cole Wisniewski and more will be challenging him.

Receiver: We know DeVonta Smith is the Eagles’ WR1 but there’s a battle behind him for playing time and another battle for the last one or two receiver spots on the roster. Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown will be fighting each other for playing time and targets, while guys like Darius Cooper, Elijah Moore and Johnny Wilson are trying to earn a roster spot.

Backup OL: The Eagles’ starting five is set but there is a competition behind them. Fred Johnson and Markel Bell offer solid depth at tackle but Drew Kendall is now the top backup interior lineman. Guys like Myles Hinton, Cameron Williams, Micah Morris, Willie Lampkin and Michael Jordan are battling for limited roster spots.

Edge rusher: While Johnathan Greenard was added to be the Eagles’ top edge rusher, the top two incumbents, Nolan Smith and Jalyx Hunt, will be competing for the other starting job and snaps in this defense. We’ll also see how veterans A.J. Epenesa and Arnold Ebiketie fit into the rotation.

Backup QB: After Jalen Hurts, the Eagles have Tanner McKee and Andy Dalton, who split QB2 reps in the spring. McKee is entering his final year under contract but the Eagles traded to bring in the veteran Dalton. The Eagles then drafted Cole Payton in the fifth round. It’s not ideal to keep four quarterbacks on the 53-man roster, so we’ll see if the Eagles end up moving either McKee or Dalton before the start of the season.

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How new veteran leaders are transforming Rams at training camp

The Rams didn’t just add star players this offseason. Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie and other veteran leaders are helping build one of the NFL’s smartest teams.

The Rams won the NFL offseason.

They traded for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie. Signed cornerback Jaylen Watson. Traded for two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner Myles Garrett and drafted their future franchise quarterback in Ty Simpson.

And that doesn’t even include re-signing their own free agents.

But the Rams didn’t just spend the offseason collecting Pro-Bowlers, they assembled veteran leaders that can also help teach the next generation of young players.

Trent McDuffie is pictured during the Rams’ training camp practice July 26. MediaNews Group via Getty Images

Sunday marked the Rams’ first day of training camp at Loyola Marymount University, an opportunity for the entire team to get together and practice what football is all about: 11-on-11, the best on offense going against the best on defense. And after that first day, one theme echoed through the noise: The Rams have a bevy of veteran leaders in all three facets of the game that can help teach the younger players.

Let’s start with two-time Super Bowl Champions McDuffie and Watson.

“They’re true pros,” defensive coordinator Chris Shula said of his new cornerbacks. “They bring a great perspective to the room. Leadership is influence.”

The evidence of that was already unfolding on the practice field at LMU.

Young defensive backs peppered McDuffie and Watson with questions between sessions. Veterans shared ideas instead of holding them close to the chest. Conversations flowed as naturally as the breeze off the Pacific Ocean.

“Everybody is combining their knowledge to become the best defense possible,” Shula said.

McDuffie, fresh off four seasons with the Chiefs, could have walked into camp with his two Super Bowl rings. Instead, he left his résumé at the door.

Myles Garrett is pictured during the Rams’ training camp practice July 26. Getty Images

“I’m not trying to change the culture,” McDuffie said after practice. “It’s a clean slate. Let’s come in and build with each other. I don’t think there should be one guy up there that has to talk all the time. Everybody should have a voice.”

That philosophy already existed inside the Rams’ locker room where they had a handful of veteran leaders in quarterback and reigning MVP Matthew Stafford, safety Quentin Lake, linebacker Nate Landman, running back Kyren Williams, defensive end Kobie Turner, and punter Ethan Evans. All captains last season and players who coaches called “the glue” of the team and “coaches on the field.” You can now add McDuffie, Watson, and Garrett to that list.

Garrett’s arrival may be the biggest addition of them all. The seven-time Pro-Bowler and five-time All-Pro changes games with his mere presence. Last season with the Browns, Garrett set the NFL’s single-season sack record with 23 sacks, breaking the previous mark held by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. Now, his influence on his teammates could become just as valuable as his pass rush.

Jaylen Watson is pictured during the Rams’ practice June 2. Getty Images

“When he’s out there you can just feel his presence,” said McDuffie of Garrett. “Everybody talks about a player’s aura, and he definitely has one. He’s gigantic. He’s a monster.”

New Rams’ special teams coordinator Bubba Ventrone, who coached Garrett in Cleveland, knows him better than anyone.

“When there was an opportunity to acquire him, people started asking me about his character and the kind of person he is,” said Ventrone. “Having coached him over the last three years, I can tell you he’s a great dude, a great teammate, and incredibly hard worker and just a complete freak of an athlete. Everyone is going to see it. He’s a special, special player.”

Jaylen Watson is pictured during the Rams’ practice June 2. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Ventrone, who was hired in the offseason to revamp a miserable Rams’ special teams unit that was ranked among the worst in the league last season, brought on two veteran special teamers in Joe Cardona and Grant Stuard to help leadership and accountability to that unit.

“They’re two of my favorite players that I’ve ever coached,” said Ventrone of Cardona and Stuard’s NFL credibility. “They’re not only smart football players. They’re smart people. I’m grateful Les and Sean were able to bring them here.”

Snead and McVay didn’t just simply add talent this offseason, they surrounded one of the NFL’s youngest teams with veteran leaders, teachers, and extensions of the coaching staff.

If that investment pays off with another Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium next February, then they didn’t just assemble one of the most talented teams in NFL history. They may have assembled the smartest.

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YouTube Gold: Showtime In L.A.

During his playing days, Jerry West was devastated nearly every year when his Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics. He briefly coached, but given his high-strung nature, that really didn’t suit him in his post-player career.

He worked as a scout until 1982, when he took over as GM.

The Lakers had a nice base with Jamaal Wilkes, Norm Nixon, Michael Cooper, and the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but things changed enormously when L.A. drafted Magic Johnson, and Showtime was born.

Johnson was a 6-9 point guard who could play any position on the court. He had immense charisma, and his teams tended to win.

Los Angeles started to run, and while the main focus was winning, the Lakers introduced a level of entertainment that the basketball world had never seen.

When West took over as GM, he truly found his second career. He drafted James Worthy, but he was part of the decision, and he traded Norm Nixon for Byron Scott.

Later, he would draft A.C. Green, who also did very well.

The Lakers became a globally iconic franchise during the Showtime era, and a measuring stick for every team outside of the Celtics, who had their own identity.

Showtime started to wind down when Jabbar retired in 1989, and when Johnson abruptly retired in 1991, after being diagnosed with HIV, it ended.

It’s been 35 years since Showtime officially ended, and the NBA has still not found anything quite as much fun.

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