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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
5x All-Pro Watt among Texans selected to ESPN NFL All-Quarter Century Team
5x All-Pro Watt among Texans selected to ESPN NFL All-Quarter Century Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. With June marking the halfway mark of 2025, that means it's list season for a lot of NFL publications. And with 2025 marking the quarter mark of the 21st Century, we get some exclusive lists. On Wednesday morning, ESPN released its NFL All-Quarter Century Team. Advertisement The article named a full 53-man roster and coaching staff comprised of what the publication thought were the best NFL players since 2000. The Houston Texans ended up having five representatives on the team, with four players and one coach making the final cut. Former Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt was among five representatives from the Texans named to ESPN's NFL All-Quarter Century Team on Wednesday.© Thomas Shea-Imagn Images Defensive end J.J. Watt (2011-2020) was the most notable representative from Houston to make the list. The 5x All-Pro and Texans Ring of Honor member was listed as the team's "versatile defensive lineman". "We wanted to save a spot for Watt because he can play as an edge rusher or interior lineman," ESPN writer Aaron Schatz said of Watt's selection. "He is one of only three players in history to win Defensive Player of the Year three times, and he has the best plus-EPA of any player since 2000 (minimum 50 games)." Along with Watt, Vince Wilfork and Ed Reed were also named to the team, at the nose tackle and safety positions respectively. Wilfork and Reed both spent a short amount of time in Houston, with Wilfork wearing the blue and red from 2015-2016 and Reed spending seven games with the Texans in 2013. Advertisement Shane Lechler was selected as the team's punter. Lechler spent five seasons in Houston from 2013-2017 following a 12-year long tenure as the Oakland Raiders punter. Lechler retired in 2017 but was still impressing until the end, leading the league in punt yardage in his age 41 season with Houston. "One of the greatest and longest-tenured punters in NFL history, Lechler was named a first-team All-Pro in his rookie season," Schatz said of Lechler. "Throughout his 18-year career, he racked up more first-team All-Pro selections (six) than any other punter in NFL history (no one has had more than four). Lechler led the league in gross punt average in five seasons, and his career average in yards per punt is an NFL record for punters who have played over 120 games." The Texans didn't just have players represented on the list, as former defensive coordinator and interim head coach Wade Phillips was selected as the team's defensive coordinator. Phillips was on Gary Kubiak's staff from 2011-2013 and took over as interim head coach following Kubiak's dismissal after starting 2-10 in 2013. Advertisement Speaking on Phillips' time in Houston, Schatz said, "He took the Texans' defense -- with some help from rookie J.J. Watt, of course -- from 30th in 2010 to eighth in 2011. Then he took the Broncos to No. 1 in defensive DVOA in both 2015 and 2016, with a Super Bowl championship. Including Phillips' stops as a head coach (Bills and Cowboys), his defenses have ranked in the top half of the league in 15 of 18 seasons since 2000." This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chiefs Star Tight End Travis Kelce Focuses on 2025
Chiefs Star Tight End Travis Kelce Focuses on 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Kansas City Chiefs did not finish an already subpar 2025 the way they wanted, with a Super Bowl defeat. The offense struggled much of last season, with Patrick Mahomes posting one of his worst statistical seasons on record. The same can be said of star tight end Travis Kelce, who finished with less than 1,000 yards receiving for just the fourth time in his career, and the second season in a row. Advertisement The seven-time All-Pro still made his 10th Pro Bowl, but it was with far fewer numbers than what he's used to producing. Entering the final season of his contract, he's focused on the task at hand, another Super Bowl win, rather than what might come after his deal expires. "I got one year on this contract, I know that," Kelce said to the media after minicamp practice on Wednesday. "We'll try and figure out something for next year. The Chiefs organization knows how much I love them. I can't see myself playing ever anywhere else. We'll deal with that down the road when the time is right, but right now I'm focused on winning a championship this year." Kelce has possible distractions that could take him away from the game – his podcast with his brother, his public life with Taylor Swift and his budding acting career. Advertisement But he knows where his passion is. "I love football," Kelce said. "I didn't really think about it that much. My friends and family, the team, the guys and women in this building, I love coming into work every single day. It wasn't a very tough [decision] for me. I know I'm getting older, but at the same time, I still feel like I got a lot I can prove in this league. That being said, man, it wasn't really that hard of a decision for me." There was a lot of speculation at the end of last season that Kelce would hang up his cleats in retirement at that time. But he didn't "feel" like he was done with football. "I didn't feel like it was my last game. I just felt like I got a lot more to prove." Advertisement Related: 'Hollywood' Brown 'Grateful' For Second Chiefs Chance Related: Six-Time Pro Bowl Ex NFLer Says Everyone Should Still Fear Chiefs This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 18, 2025, where it first appeared.
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Commanders Saved From Shame by Three Unforgettable Legends
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Regardless of how things ended in January, Washington Commanders fans have to be thrilled with the events of the past year-plus. Josh Harris has been a revelation as he and Mark Clouse have ushered in an era that will hopefully erase the pain caused by Dan Snyder. Adam Peters is the new GM. Dan Quinn enters year two as head coach hoping to build upon the success seen during his first run. Their quarterback is Jayden Daniels, a Pro Bowler during his first NFL season who earned Offensive Player of the Year honors at season's end. Champ Bailey #24, Washington Commanders news Champ Bailey #24, Washington Commanders news Photo by/Newsweek/Getty Images Make no mistake. Washington isn't patting itself on the back following a deep postseason run. They don't feel as though they overachieved. In fact, it's the opposite. Seeing their season end one game short of the NFL's biggest game left them feeling relatively unsatisfied. So, they added to their roster, signing Deebo Samuel, Deatrich Wise, and Javon Kinlaw among others. They traded for Laremy Tunsil. They drafted Josh Conerly and Troy Amos. Suddenly, the roster is stacked. Did we mention that it didn't always be this way? Must read: PFF's Commanders Evaluation Is Music to Jayden Daniels' Ears Three Commanders save the franchise from total omission from an elite roster of legends When it's all said and done and NFL stars call it a career, they want to know they've made an impact, that they'll be remembered. It's all about legacy, setting their families up for success, and earning the respect of the guys they played with. Washington, for the most of the past quarter century, has endured name changes and relative obscurity as evidenced by their near-omission on an intriguing all-star team of NFL legends. ESPN's Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder recently dropped their NFL All Quarter Century team, a talented grouping of 53 players and coaches. It even has a practice squad. When smoke cleared and dust settled, three familiar faces were on the list. Two never played under the Commanders team name, but you get the idea. We all still have a soft place for all of them. Trent Williams (2010-19) Unfortunately, Trent Williams' career will be remembered for an ugly standoff with the front office, but for ten seasons, he was one of the best O-lineman this franchise has seen in a while. He earned Second-Team All-Pro honors in 2015 and seven of his 11 Pro Bowl nods playing in the burgundy and gold. Champ Bailey (1999-2003) It feels like this can be stated now. If Washington had a time machine, they'd probably go back and rethink the trade that landed Clinton Portis in exchange for Champ Bailey and a second-round pick. Oh well, you live and you learn. Portis earned a Second-Team All Pro nod and Pro Bowl mention during the 2018 NFL season, but during his seven-year run in the DMV, Champ earned three First-Team All-Pro mentions with the Denver Broncos. Bailey also earned two of his four Second-Team All-Pro mentions and eight of his 12 Pro Bowl mentions in the Mile-High City. Not only that, he's a Pro Football Hall of Famer whose career in Denver outlasted Portis's time with Washington by three seasons. Yep! It's safe to state that Denver certainly won this trade. Bobby Wagner (2024-present) Bobby Wagner is the lone Commanders star still active whose name appears on ESPN's quarter century all-star squad. He'll probably be best remembered as a Seattle Seahawks legend, but his time with Washington has been very fruitful. Wagner earned a Pro Bowl nod, his tenth, and his fifth Second-Team All-Pro nod. Better yet, he's been a fantastic influence on the young stars on both sides of the ball. Must read: Former Rival Says Commanders' New Roster Addition Should Concern the NFL Wagner has been a revelation and has been, without question, an important cog in this turnaround. Worth mentioning: Fear not if you have suffered for a while. Washington's future looks better and brighter now. Jayden Daniels is the real deal. Who knows? Years from now, in 2050, maybe he'll find his way onto an all-star team of the next 25 NFL seasons. For more Washington Commanders and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Texans punter Shane Lechler, DE J.J. Watt named to NFL All Quarter Century team
Texans punter Shane Lechler, DE J.J. Watt named to NFL All Quarter Century team The Houston Texans have been an above-average roster over the past several seasons and they've had some impactful players along the way. Perhaps bigger than defensive end J.J. Watt, who is expected to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer when the time comes in 2027. Who else deserves love? How about the punter that set up Houston's defense in the 2010s, Shane Lechler, a prominent figure in the locker room and around the league for decades. Well, ESPN believes he might be the G.O.A.T. of the 2000s in special teams. Aaron Schatz and Seth Walder unveiled their NFL All Quarter Century team, which includes a slew of Hall of Famers, future Hall of Famers and some of the most impactful players in the game. Technically, four players made the cut, but only two are known for their time in H-Town: does anyone really think of Houston star Ed Reed or Vince Wilfork? Watt is the first in a long line of promising defensive ends in Houston, where he established himself as perhaps the league's best past rusher for over five season. He spent 10 seasons with Houston, and reamins the franchise's all-time leader in tackles for loss (172) and sacks (101). Watt was named first-team All Pro five times and was selected to the Pro Bowl five times. He also earned Defensive Player of the Year three times, starting in 2012 after recording a franchise leading 20.5 sacks. "We wanted to save a spot for Watt because he can play as an edge rusher or interior lineman," Schatz wrote. "He is one of only three players in history to win Defensive Player of the Year three times, and he has the best plus-EPA of any player since 2000 (minimum 50 games)." "Another way to describe Watt's greatness is with a look at defeats. That's a metric that adds together turnovers, tackles for loss and plays that prevent a conversion on third or fourth down. There have been only a dozen seasons of more than 40 defeats since 1991. Watt has three of them, including a record 57 defeats in 2012." Lechler is widely considered the best punter of the new century and his consistency with hang time, arch angle, plus length of punt easily clears all other participants. He was only in Houston for five seasons, but it made the difference in helping Houston win multiple division titles. "One of the greatest and longest-tenured punters in NFL history, Lechler was named a first-team All-Pro in his rookie season. Throughout his 18-year career, he racked up more first-team All-Pro selections (six) than any other punter in NFL history (no one has had more than four). Lechler led the league in gross punt average in five seasons, and his career average in yards per punt is an NFL record for punters who have played over 120 games." The Texans open up the regular season on the road against the Los Angeles Rams.
CTV News
14 hours ago
- Sport
- CTV News
Travis Kelce's decision to return for another season with Chiefs wasn't much of a decision at all
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Travis Kelce said the decision to return for his 13th season with the Kansas City Chiefs wasn't much of a decision at all. In fact, the four-time All-Pro tight end indicated Wednesday that No. 14 isn't out of the question. 'I got one year on this contract, I know that. And we'll try to figure out something for next year,' Kelce said after the second day of the Chiefs' mandatory three-day minicamp, which was moved partially indoors because of lightning in the area. 'The Chiefs organization knows how much I love them. I can't see myself playing anywhere else,' Kelce continued. 'We'll deal with (2026) down the road, when the time is right. But right now, I'm focused on winning a championship this year.' The question of whether the 35-year-old would hang up his cleats was among the biggest to follow the Chiefs' lopsided loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. While he still played at a high level last season, Kelce saw his production dip noticeably — 97 catches for 823 yards and just three touchdowns for a team that won 15 regular-season games. Throw in Kelce's myriad business interests, including a successful media career thanks in part to his popular podcast, and his relationship with pop superstar Taylor Swift, and it made sense to wonder how much longer he would play. Yet it took only a matter of weeks for Kelce to decide to chase another championship. Part of it was the way last season's run had ended. Kelce had a throwback game in the divisional round against Houston with seven catches for 117 yards, but he had only four for 39 in the 40-22 loss to the Eagles in the Super Bowl. 'Really didn't feel like it was my last game. Just felt like I had a lot more to prove,' he said. 'Yeah, you want to let the emotions die down; you don't want to make a decision off initial emotions. Once they died down, I felt like I still had that fire in my chest to come in and keep building and chase another Super Bowl, man.' The Chiefs made it to the Super Bowl despite playing most of the season without their top two wide receivers, Rashee Rice and Marquise Brown, both of whom are fully healthy now after their injuries. They also made it despite massive issues at left tackle, which the Chiefs hope to have solved by drafting Ohio State standout Josh Simmons in the first round. Now, they have a motivated — and noticeably slimmer — Kelce back at tight end. There were reports that he had dropped about 25 pounds since the end of last season, though Kelce insisted that may have been an exaggeration. 'Don't believe all you read on the internet, guys. I'm down some weight from the end of last season — last year — but each year is different, man. You have to rebuild it,' he said. 'This year, I had some time to really focus on some form running and some things early in the offseason that I didn't have time for last year. Certainly feeling good and I think it'll pay off.' Patrick Mahomes certainly hopes so. After leading one of the NFL's most productive offenses early in his career, Mahomes has struggled to get the Chiefs on track the past couple of seasons, largely because of injuries and offensive line trouble. Still, the Chiefs' star quarterback said he never put any pressure on Kelce to return for another season. 'I think you have in the back of your mind, for anybody that's played a lot of seasons, there's always the chance if they're going to come back and put in the work,' Mahomes said. 'For him, I think it was just recalibrating, seeing where he was at, and from what I've seen, he's ready to go. He's put in the work this offseason and he's excited to make another run at it.' The Chiefs wrap up their three-day minicamp on Thursday, then break for about a month, before reuniting at Missouri Western State University for training camp. And while the thought of spending a few weeks living in college dorm rooms probably doesn't sound very enticing to Kelce, the prospect of starting another championship run there clearly drives him. 'I love this game. It's still my childhood dream,' Kelce said. 'When I really thought about it this offseason, I got back to wanting to focus on this game and getting the most out of this game as I can, while I'm still putting on the cleats and pads. This will always be No. 1 in terms of my business world and career path.' ___ Dave Skretta, The Associated Press
