NFL reporters Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero both suspiciously referred to a specific agent as a “tight end guru” when reporting two contracts done on behalf of Wasserman agent Steve Caric.
The language they used in the breaking tweets was very similar. It was also curious because a mention of the agent involved in certain deals is not always mentioned when the deals are broken via social media.
The NFL reporters had similar wording with the announcement of tight end deals
Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz was signed by the Washington Commanders and the Houston Texans decided to re-sign tight end Dalton Schultz. The breaking tweets of both of these deals had suspiciously similar wording towards the end.
Three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz is signing with the #Commanders on a one-year deal worth up to $5 million, per source.
It’s a reunion for Ertz and Kliff Kingsbury, who got him a ton of targets in Arizona, on a deal negotiated by agent and TE guru @SteveCaric of @WassermanNFL. pic.twitter.com/GYvJaTmax0
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 6, 2024
Sources: The #Texans have agreed to terms on a deal to keep TE Dalton Schultz in Houston. He gets a 3-year, $36M new contract with $23.5M fully guaranteed at signing. Schultz is a key weapon for CJ Stroud.
The deal was done by TE guru and agent @SteveCaric of @Wass_Football. pic.twitter.com/DmvAEi43jm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2024
Jimmy Kempksi of Philly Voice alleges that the agent in question is giving these scoops to Rapoport and Pelissero with the idea that they will boost his reputation in the tweets they use to break said scoops.
Maybe only funny to me, but Zach Ertz’s agent is clearly telling reporters to call him a “TE guru” in return for scoops lol. pic.twitter.com/KJ5yfyjd06
— Jimmy Kempski (@JimmyKempski) March 6, 2024
Wasserman pushed back on the idea that reporters were being forced to use the phrase “tight end guru”
Ben Axelrod said in an article from Awful Announcing that Wasserman pushed back on the idea, stating that the reputation of “tight end guru” was earned through the agent’s hard work.
As Kempski’s post gained traction, Wasserman director of football Molly McManimie pushed back, insisting that Caric has never used the phrase “TE guru” and that he has earned the reputation on his through his work. If that’s the case — and it could be — then Pelissero and Rapoport both wording their posts in such similar fashions is quite the coincidence.
he’s never used that phrase in his life. People call him that because the amount we have on our client list.
— Molly McManimie (@MolllyMack) March 6, 2024
On top of representing Ertz and Schultz, Caric also represents New York Giants tight end Tyree Jackson and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Austin Hooper.
Many fans are upset with the reporters for what makes them seem like “PR lackeys” or “mouthpieces” for certain agents, but a lot of NFL fans just find the whole situation laughable.
The “value” of all these NFL News Breakers/Reporters is low.
They are mouthpieces for either NFL Agents or Teams themselves. I wish the Agents and/or Teams would just issue the Press Releases themselves.
— – AB – (@ABinVienna) March 6, 2024
These ‘reporters’ are absolutely embarrassing. They’re just PR lackeys.
— GXC 👾🥥🍥 (@lil_gxc) March 6, 2024
Nope. This should be hilarious to everyone
— Fakephillyfan (@CoolAid0715) March 6, 2024
I am crying. Respect to that agent trying to build his brand lmaooooo. I wouldn’t hitch my wagon to tight ends but I see the vision.
This guy has a sales background I know it.
— Drometheus (@justluciano) March 6, 2024
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