The Kansas City Chiefs could turn to former No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick Carson Wentz as Patrick Mahomes’ backup quarterback, as free agency moves into its second wave. Wentz, chosen by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2016 NFL Draft, played in instrumental role in Philadelphia’s run to the Super Bowl during a stellar 2017 campaign but injuries and inconsistency have marred the 31-year-old’s career in recent years. Still, CBS Sports believes Wentz could be an ideal fit as Patrick Mahomes’ backup as the Kansas City Chiefs aim to become the first franchise to win three consecutive Super Bowls…
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 Atlanta Falcons have garnered significant praise for signing quarterback Kirk Cousins, with some believing it has the chance to be the most impactful move of the NFL offseason. “Falcons signing QB Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $180 million deal,” NFL analyst Aaron Schatz writes for ESPN, naming Cousins’ signing the biggest move made so far. “Quarterback is the most important position in the game, so additions at that position are going to move the needle a lot more than additions at other positions. Cousins is a major upgrade over Desmond Ridder. He doesn’t make the Falcons Super Bowl contenders…
The New York Giants have been linked to selecting a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but, at least one analyst believes general manager Joe Schoen could take a pass on Michigan’s J.J. McCarthy even if he’s still on the board. In ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr.’s latest post-free agency mock draft, somehow McCarthy is still available. And yet, Schoen and the Giants opt to tab University of Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze and add him into Daniel Jones’ arsenal rather than mine a potential franchise quarterback with the selection. “This would…
Former Buffalo Bills All-Pro cornerback Tre’Davious White is generating significant interest as NFL free agency shifts into its second wave. According to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, White is set to visit the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, with the Las Vegas Raiders also showing interest and trips lined up to visit the New York Giants and Tennessee Titans in coming days. Presuming Los Angeles doesn’t offer the 29-year-old a contract that he can’t refuse during his visit. https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1770181982497976720 What Tre’Davious White Offers His Next Team At this stage of his career, White might not be the same impact…
Las Vegas Raiders GM Tom Telesco may have sights set on the franchise’s quarterback of the future in the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft. Even after signing Gardner Minshew, who is likely a bridge quarterback both into the Antonio Pierce era as head coach and to whichever signal caller the Raiders choose in the Draft, adding a long-term quarterback remains a top priority. Especially after releasing Jimmy Garoppolo earlier this offseason. In CBS Sports’ latest mock draft, the Raiders trade up into the first round, with the San Francisco 49ers, to select University of Washington Heisman Trophy finalist Michael Penix Jr.…
The rich get richer. When the San Francisco 49ers signed former Buffalo Bills defensive end Leonard Floyd, one of the most dominant and swarming pass rushes in the NFL became even more formidable. According to Bucky Brooks of the NFL Network, the 49ers’ Floyd signing is one of the most underrated across the league. “The 49ers’ desire to return to basics on defense relies on the unit producing more sacks and pressures without blitzing,” Brooks writes for NFL.com. “Floyd has efficiently registered 39.5 sacks since 2020, with at least nine each season. Playing opposite Nick Bosa, the ninth-year pro should…
Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles is in the midst of what can best be described as a transformational offseason. Poles traded away Justin Fields, signed explosive and versatile running back D’Andre Swift, and traded for deep-threat wide receiver Keenan Allen to drop into the offense opposite speedster D.J. Moore. The Bears’ moves in the early days of free agency orchestrate a soft landing for USC quarterback Caleb Williams, viewed by many as a generational prospect at the position and expected to become Chicago’s next franchise quarterback. But, splashy position-player playmakers aren’t the only additions that Poles and the Chicago…
The Tennessee Titans’ Calvin Ridley signing adds a potentially game-altering weapon to second-year quarterback Will Levis’ supporting cast and rounds out an explosive duo opposite DeAndre Hopkins, but, the move doesn’t come without risk. Ridley is one year removed from serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s gambling policy, and has been somewhat inconsistent throughout his career with the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars. Pro Football Focus believes this is a classic risk-reward gamble for the Titans. “Ridley was the big fish on the market once all of the top wideouts either re-signed or got franchise-tagged,” Brad Spielberger points out.…
With the stroke of a pen, the Kansas City Chiefs elevated arguably the roster’s biggest concern into a major strength. The Chiefs’ run to a second consecutive Super Bowl championship in 2023 was marred by inconsistency and dropped passes from Patrick Mahomes’ wide receiving corps. Save for Rashee Rice’s emergence down the stretch and through the postseason, the Kansas City Chiefs’ vertical offense was hampered by poor receiver play. Enter marquee free agent signing Marquise “Hollywood” Brown. Pro Football Focus gives the Kansas City Chiefs high marks for addressing a glaring need, without overpaying. “Darnell Mooney’s contract figured to be…
The Kansas City Chiefs seem intent on giving Patrick Mahomes’ supporting cast a substantial upgrade this offseason, and general manager Brett Veach might not be done even after signing Hollywood Brown. The receiving corps around Mahomes has come into focus after a wildly inconsistent season that was marred by dropping a league-high 44 passes during Kansas City’s run to a second consecutive Super Bowl victory. In CBS Sports’ latest NFL Mock Draft, Veach and the Kansas City Chiefs add another weapon into Patrick Mahomes’ arsenal by selecting Keon Coleman, out of Florida State, with the No. 32 overall selection. “Yes,…
