Tag: comeback

Nov 22, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) runs with the ball asTampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebacker Lavonte David (54) tackles during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Eagles giving former 1st-round WR John Ross tryout

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former first-round pick John Ross reportedly is attempting a comeback to his NFL career.

Arguably best known for being selected one pick ahead of Patrick Mahomes in the 2017 NFL Draft, Ross will participate in rookie minicamp with the Philadelphia Eagles on a tryout basis, NFL Network reported Sunday.

The speedy wide receiver initially retired prior to training camp last season with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The ninth overall pick in 2017 by the Cincinnati Bengals, Ross’ high selection was partly due to running the then-fastest 40-yard dash time (4.22 seconds) in NFL Combine history.

Production didn’t follow as Ross caught just 51 passes for 733 yards and 10 touchdowns in 27 games (20 starts) over four seasons with the Bengals.

Ross requested a trade during the 2020 season that didn’t come to fruition and later sustained a season-ending foot injury. He played in just three games that season.

In 2021, Ross played 10 games (one start) for the New York Giants and caught 11 passes for 224 yards and one score.

Ross played college football at Washington and was a standout in his final season when he caught 81 passes for 1,150 yards and 17 touchdowns.

–Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell (26) scores the winning touchdown during the fourth quarter of their game Sunday, December 22, 2013 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Pittsburgh Steelers beat the Green Bay Packers 38-31.

Ex-Steelers RB Le’Veon Bell to attempt NFL comeback

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Pittsburgh Steelers star running back Le’Veon Bell is eyeing an NFL comeback.

Bell, who turns 32 later this month, has not played in the league since 2021.

The two-time All-Pro expressed his desire to return in a series of Snapchat videos Friday night, according to ESPN.

Bell said he will start training next month and that he will only play for “one team,” presumably Pittsburgh.

“And I’m gonna be honest with myself, I got to go out there and be like, I’m going to put my foot in the ground. Do I feel it? Am I hurting? Can I go out there and really play again?” he said. “And bro, I’m telling you all right now when I go out there and train in March and if I hit April and I make this decision to come back to play in the NFL again, mark my words down — I will be better than I ever was.

“And I will only come back for that one team. You all know who it is. I don’t have to say no team. You all know who it is.”

A comeback in Pittsburgh seems like a long shot for multiple reasons. The Steelers appear to be set at the position with Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, and Bell didn’t exactly leave on good terms.

Bell sat out the entire 2018 season after refusing to sign his franchise tag. He returned to play for the New York Jets (2019-20), Kansas City Chiefs (2020), Baltimore Ravens (2021) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2021) but never achieved the level of success he enjoyed in Pittsburgh.

Bell earned three Pro Bowl selections in five seasons with the Steelers (2013-17), rushing for 5,336 yards and 35 touchdowns in 62 starts during that span. His career totals include 9,843 yards from scrimmage and 51 touchdowns in 96 games (81 starts).

–Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd (56) sacks New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) early in the first quarter during the home opener at MetLife Stadium on Monday, Sept. 11, 2023, in East Rutherford. Rodgers was carted off the field after being hit.

Jets QB Aaron Rodgers on doubters: ‘Watch what I do’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers isn’t closing the book on playing again in the NFL — and he’s not just talking about next season.

Speaking publicly for the first time since tearing his Achilles tendon on Monday night, Rodgers said Friday on ESPN’s “The Pat McAfee Show” that his career is not over.

“I think what I’d like to say is give me the doubts,” Rodgers said. “Give me the timetables, give me all the things that you think can, should or will happen because all I need is that extra one percent of inspiration. That’s all I need. Give me your doubts, give me your prognostications and then watch what I do.”

When asked if he could return as soon as this season, Rodgers channeled a Basketball Hall of Famer with a tongue-in-cheek response. “I think as Kevin Garnett said, ‘Anything is possible.’”

Rodgers was injured four offensive snaps into the Jets’ season-opening 22-16 overtime victory over the Buffalo Bills. He noted during an Instagram post that he had surgery on Wednesday.

The four-time MVP turns 40 in December but is signed for 2024. He indicated prior to the injury that he intends to spend multiple seasons with the Jets and said Wednesday that he is looking to make a comeback.

–Field Level Media

Jan 16, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on before a wild card game against the Dallas Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady: ‘I’m certain I’m not playing again’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tom Brady insists that he is staying retired this time.

“I’m certain I’m not playing again,” the seven-time Super Bowl winner told Sports Illustrated on Thursday, responding to the latest rumors regarding a potential return to the league.

“So I’ve tried to make that clear, and I hate to continue to profess that because I’ve already told people that lots of times,” Brady said.

Speculation surged following Monday’s reports that Brady, 45, has finalized a deal to purchase a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.

The three-time MVP quarterback said he already has plenty on his plate.

“I’m looking forward to my broadcasting job at Fox next year,” Brady said. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity ahead with the Raiders, and we’re in the process of that along with the other different things that I’m a part of professionally and in my personal life. Just spending as much time with my kids as I can and seeing them grow up and support the different things that they have going on, and that’s a very important job. And I take them all pretty seriously.”

Brady’s 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox Sports begins in 2024.

He announced his retirement from the NFL on Feb. 1 after 23 seasons.

Brady set NFL records for wins by a quarterback (251), Super Bowl wins, passing yards (89,214) and passing touchdowns (649) during his career with the New England Patriots (2000-19) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-22).

–Field Level Media

Aug 6, 2022; Canton, OH, USA; Terrell Owens arrives on the red carpet during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Enshrinement at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Terrell Owens eyes Cowboys comeback at 49

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens wants to make a comeback with the Dallas Cowboys at age 49, Sports Illustrated reported Wednesday.

Owens’ Houston-based agent, Gregory D.L. Daniel, confirmed to SI that he has been in contact with the Cowboys and other NFL teams.

“We’ve been in constant communication with Jerry Jones’ office over the last few days about the possibility of him returning to the Cowboys,” Daniel said. “Terrell is ready to contribute and play any role, big or small. He’s in outstanding shape. He looks no different than he did years ago. I watched him running routes full-speed with DeSean (Jackson) and he looked great. He didn’t drop a pass.”

Owens, who has been out of the league since 2010, turned 49 on Dec. 7 and would become the oldest player in NFL history.

Quarterback and kicker George Blanda was 48 when he played his final season with the Oakland Raiders in 1976.

“He most recently ran a 4.5 40-yard dash, which was his warmup. He’s a legend,” Daniel said. “We want to make history and see him break these records. If anybody can do it, it’s him. His three Ds are desire, dedication and discipline. He embodies that every day, even running hills at 3 a.m. on Christmas morning.”

Owens played three seasons with Dallas during a 15-year career that saw him catch 1,078 passes for 15,934 yards and 153 touchdowns in 219 games with the San Francisco 49ers (1996-2003), Philadelphia Eagles (2004-05), Cowboys (2006-08), Buffalo Bills (2009) and Cincinnati Bengals (2010).

The five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. He is third on the all-time list in receiving TDs behind Jerry Rice (197) and Randy Moss (156).

–Field Level Media

Tennessee Titans cornerback Malcolm Butler (21) smiles before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Sept. 20, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. Gw46924

Report: CB Malcolm Butler planning comeback in 2022

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Two-time Super Bowl champion cornerback Malcolm Butler “definitely” plans to attempt a comeback in 2022, the Boston Globe reported Friday.

Butler, who turns 32 next month, sat out the 2021 season for personal reasons. The Arizona Cardinals released him from the reserve/retired list on Thursday, making him a free agent.

Butler played four seasons with the New England Patriots (2014-17) and three with the Tennessee Titans (2018-20) before signing a one-year, $3.25 million deal with the Cardinals in March 2021.

He posted 406 tackles, 17 interceptions and five forced fumbles in 100 career games (84 starts) with the Patriots and Titans. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 and won two Super Bowls with the Patriots.

The most memorable play of his career was his interception of a Russell Wilson pass at the goal line in the waning minutes of Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, sealing the Patriots’ 28-24 win over the Seattle Seahawks.

–Field Level Media

Aug 21, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) smiles on the sidelines during the second quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tom Brady on possible NFL return: ‘Never say never’

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Just a week into his retirement, Tom Brady said his playing days may not be over after all.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion quarterback replied “never say never” when host Jim Gray asked about the possibility of playing in the NFL in 2022 on the “Let’s Go!” podcast Monday.

“I’m just going to take things as they come. I think that’s the best way to put it, and I don’t think anything, you know, you never say never,” Brady said. “At the same time, I know that … I feel very good about my decision. I don’t know how I’ll feel six months from now.

“I try to make the best possible decision I can in the moment, which I did this last week. And, again, I think it’s not looking to reverse course. I’m definitely not looking to do that. But in the same time, I think you have to be realistic that you never know what challenges there are going to be in life. Again, I loved playing. I’m looking forward to doing things other than playing. That’s as honest as I can be with you there.”

Brady, at 44, led the NFL in passing attempts (719), completions (485), yards (5,316) and touchdown passes (43) in 2021 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In his first public comments about his retirement, Brady said the decision to walk away after 22 seasons with the New England Patriots (2000-19) and Bucs had more to do with family than with age or injuries.

“I think the choice is, everything certainly comes at a cost, and the cost is, ‘What am I missing out on other aspects of my life?’” Brady said on the podcast. “And things that are, as you get older, you experience things that are outside of the sport that demand the level of attention and energy that football has always gotten. And it’s time for me to commit to those types of things.

“A lot of things have come up over the years in the last 10 years of my life — as I’ve got closer to this decision this last week — and it, just in the end, felt like it was just the right time to do it. I think for anyone who loves the sport like I have over the years, it’ll always be in my heart, as it should be, because I’ve committed a lot of time and energy and hours to it. But at the same time, there’s a time and place for everything. I’ve had an amazing time and place doing it, and I’m just … I am really excited for what’s ahead, and I don’t know what that means or where it takes me, but I know that it’ll be fun and exciting and I’m going to make the most of whatever opportunities present themselves as I go forward.”

A 15-time Pro Bowl selection and three-time NFL MVP, Brady is the league’s all-time leader with 84,520 passing yards and 624 touchdown passes.

–Field Level Media