Las Vegas Raiders general manager Tom Telesco didn’t see it coming. When veteran wide receiver Michael Gallup, signed by the Raiders this offseason after spending the first six seasons of his career with the Dallas Cowboys, suddenly announced his retirement, it caught Telesco off guard. “I didn’t see that one coming at all,” Telesco said Thursday, via The Athletic’s Tashan Reed. “That just kind of came up out of the blue. When I talked to him, it seemed like he had a pretty clear vision. He’s ready to move on. It’s too bad.” Gallup retires after catching 266 passes for 3,744…
Author: Matt Lombardo
Matt Lombardo
Matt Lombardo is a seasoned NFL reporter, with over 12 years of experience covering the league. In addition to his work at Gridiron Heroics, Lombardo covers the NFL for Heavy.com, is an on air sports contributor for FOX29 Philadelphia, and writes an NFL Substack "Between The Hashmarks." Lombardo is the former Senior NFL Insider of FanBuzz, and prior to taking that role was a national NFL reporter at FanSided where he hosted a weekly podcast "The Matt Lombardo Show." A former beat reporter for NJ Advance Media (Parent company of NJ.com and the Newark Star Ledger), Lombardo covered the Philadelphia Eagles from 2011 through the 2017 season before moving to cover the New York Giants for the Star Ledger for two seasons from 2018 through 2020. During his career to date, Lombardo has covered five Super Bowls, four NFL Drafts, multiple NFL Combines, and has had his work frequently featured in publications such as Pro Football Talk, CBS Sports, and more. In addition to his journalism work, Lombardo is a strong on air presence and is a former sports talk radio host on 97.5 FM The Fanatic, Philadelphia's first FM Sports Station and the radio home of the Philadelphia 76ers and Philadelphia Flyers.
The Las Vegas Raiders may have made a grave mistake when players used a Kermit The Frog puppet to taunt Kansas City Chiefs three-time Super Bowl-winning quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ voice. Throughout his career, many have suggested that Mahomes’ voice sounds like the beloved Muppet character’s, and the Raiders played it up on the sideline prior to an early training camp practice. Mahomes needed only seven words to fire back at the Raiders for their potentially ill-advised taunt. “It’ll get handled when it gets handled,” Mahomes told reporters following practice on July 26. The Chiefs and Raiders are set to square…
The New York Jets are leaving no stone unturned looking for quality wide receiver depth in quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ arsenal. According to a league source, the Jets are hosting free-agent wide receiver Justin Hall for a free-agent visit and workout. Hall, 25, rewrote the Ball State record books during his collegiate career, setting the program record for receiving yards with 3,385 while catching 18 touchdown passes, and rushing for 10 more. For his efforts, Hall became a five-time All-Mid-American Conference selection (three-time First Team selection). What Justin Hall Could Add for New York Jets At 5-foot-9 and 186 pounds, Hall…
Cameron Heyward reported to training camp alongside his Pittsburgh Steelers teammates, after staying away from the team’s voluntary workouts this spring amid negotiations on a long-term contract extension. Heyward, 35, has spent the first 13 seasons of his career in Pittsburgh since the Steelers chose him with the No. 31 overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft. Entering the final season of his current deal, Heyward is set to count $22.4 million against the cap for the Steelers in 2024. Heyward is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he posted 33 total tackles and two…
The Philadelphia Eagles, and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, have high expectations for Jordan Davis as the defensive lineman enters his third NFL season. Davis will be called upon to play a vital role up front, especially following the retirement of franchise legend Fletcher Cox, after making incremental progress last season. Originally chosen No. 13 overall in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft Davis produced 45 total tackles with 2.5 sacks last season, seeing his role in the defensive line rotation increase as the season progressed. Eagles’ Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio Impressed by Jordan Davis If early training camp…
The Dallas Cowboys and Dak Prescott remain locked in a contract stalemate as training camp gets underway, casting doubt about the quarterback’s future as the market has exploded around both sides and owner Jerry Jones this offseason. As Prescott enters the 2024 campaign potentially playing out the final year of his contract and is looking for a new deal amid the backdrop of Jared Goff, Trevor Lawrence, and Kirk Cousins each signing massive contract extensions this offseason with the Green Bay Packers potentially primed to make Jordan Love the highest-paid player at the position across the sport. However, despite seemingly…
The San Francisco 49ers boast one of the premier offensive weapons and arguably the top running back in the sport, in Christian McCaffrey, but as a Super Bowl favorite, rounding out quality depth behind him is a top training camp priority. McCaffrey accounted for 2,023 yards from scrimmage, representing 29 percent of the 49ers’ total offense during San Francisco’s Super Bowl campaign. Logging 272 carries, McCaffrey rushed for a career-high 1,459 yards as the focal point of the 49ers’ offense. If nothing else, finding balance and a capable secondary option to limit the wear and tear on McCaffrey during the…
The Tennessee Titans are counting on DeAndre Hopkins to be a focal point in the franchise’s quest for an AFC South crown, as well as in helping power the development of second-year second-round pick Will Levis into a franchise quarterback. Hopkins made an instant impact last season, catching 75 passes for 1,057 yards and seven touchdowns after signing a two-year deal worth $26 million. Following an early training camp practice, Hopkins addressed his uncertain future with the franchise and the possibility of signing a new deal. “I take it day by day,” Hopkins told reporters on July 25, according to…
The Detroit Lions boast one of the league’s most young and talented rosters, and as the 2024 NFL season nears, aren’t shying away from lofty expectations. On the heels of a 2023 blitzkrieg to the NFC Championship Game, the Lions believe they have the pieces in place to go at least one step further in 2024. Lions star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown needed just eight words to sum up he and his teammates’ mission statement for the upcoming season. “We all want to win the Super Bowl,” St. Brown told reporters following the first training camp practice of the…
Early impressions of No. 6 overall pick Mailk Nabers suggest the New York Giants wide receiver has been turning heads all spring, but the former LSU standout isn’t the only rookie who could potentially make a major impact this season. The Giants’ backfield — and offense at large, is going to look significantly different this season, following Saquon Barkley’s departure this offseason. While veteran Devin Singletary could be counted on to carry a significant load in replicating the production lost with Barkley signing with the Philadelphia Eagles, one of New York’s incoming rookies may actually steal the show. Tyrone Tracy…
