Tag: lb

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Cameron Smith, a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, has announced his retirement one year after undergoing open heart surgery.

Cameron Smith, a reserve linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, has “taken the heartbreaking decision to retire from the NFL,” he said on Instagram on Wednesday night. Smith had open heart surgery last year.
Last August, Smith, 24, had surgery to treat an enlarged heart after a false positive COVID-19 test revealed a genetic abnormality.
He was set to return in 2021 after missing the 2020 season.
Smith got a few snaps in Minnesota’s preseason opener on Saturday before leaving with a concussion in the second quarter.
“Football has been such a huge part of my life for the past 18 years,” Smith wrote in the post.
“It has given me innumerable friendships, great memories, and priceless lessons that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Last year, when I had open heart surgery, I struggled a lot with what I was asking my body to do in order to play this incredible game.
Finally, I’ve determined that I’ve been asking too much of it.
“I have made the painful choice to retire from the NFL after great consideration and extensive discussion with my friends and family.”
“I know this change will be difficult, but I am thrilled to approach this next chapter of my life with the same passion and determination as I did football,” Smith wrote in his post. Smith was drafted by the Vikings in the fifth round out of USC in 2019.

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NFL News

Cameron Smith, a linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, has announced his retirement one year after undergoing open heart surgery.

Cameron Smith, a reserve linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, has “taken the heartbreaking decision to retire from the NFL,” he said on Instagram on Wednesday night. Smith had open heart surgery last year.
Last August, Smith, 24, had surgery to treat an enlarged heart after a false positive COVID-19 test revealed a genetic abnormality.
He was set to return in 2021 after missing the 2020 season.
Smith got a few snaps in Minnesota’s preseason opener on Saturday before leaving with a concussion in the second quarter.
“Football has been such a huge part of my life for the past 18 years,” Smith wrote in the post.
“It has given me innumerable friendships, great memories, and priceless lessons that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Last year, when I had open heart surgery, I struggled a lot with what I was asking my body to do in order to play this incredible game.
Finally, I’ve determined that I’ve been asking too much of it.
“I have made the painful choice to retire from the NFL after great consideration and extensive discussion with my friends and family.”
“I know this change will be difficult, but I am thrilled to approach this next chapter of my life with the same passion and determination as I did football,” Smith wrote in his post. Smith was drafted by the Vikings in the fifth round out of USC in 2019.

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NFL News

According to reports, the Steelers have acquired LB Joe Schobert from the Jaguars in a trade.

According to various sources, the Pittsburgh Steelers have acquired linebacker Joe Schobert from the Jacksonville Jaguars in a trade.
Schobert, 27, was the NFL’s leading co-tackler in 2017, earning him a Pro Bowl berth with 144 tackles.
Before signing a five-year, $53,750,000 deal with the Jaguars before of the 2020 season, the veteran spent the first four years of his career with the Cleveland Browns.
Schobert has 141 tackles (six for loss), three interceptions, and 2.5 sacks last season.
This article will be updated as time goes on.
(Picture courtesy of Getty Images/Wesley Hitt)

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According to an AP source, the Jaguars have traded LB Joe Schobert to the Steelers as part of their rebuilding efforts.

MARK LONG, AP Pro Football Writer JACKSONVILLE, Fla. AP National Sports JACKSONVILLE, Fla.
The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to trade linebacker Joe Schobert, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Because neither side had publicly signed the contract, the person talked to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Thursday night.
Schobert did confirm the trade to ESPN, saying “wonderful location to play behind that D-line.”
Both teams benefit from the move, and Schobert returns to the AFC North.
Cleveland was his home for the first four years of his NFL career.

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Chandler Jones, a Cardinals linebacker, has requested a trade because he is unhappy with his salary.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones has requested a trade.
According to the article, Jones is dissatisfied with his present deal and “future with the squad.”
He is not expected to be traded by the organization, and he is expected to attend training camp.
Jones, 32, was once one of the NFL’s most sought-after pass rushers, but he is coming off one of his most challenging seasons.
Jones tore his bicep against the Jets in Week 5 and was out for the remainder of the season.
In five appearances in 2020, he had 11 tackles and one sack.
He signed a five-year, $82.5 million contract in 2017 and is now in the final year of it.
He’ll be a free agent next offseason after earning $15.5 million this season.
The Cardinals intended to team Jones on the edges with newly acquired JJ Watt, but unless Jones signs a contract deal, they risk losing him to free agency.
Jones was second in defensive player of the year voting in 2019, with 19 sacks, and was chosen First-Team All Pro in both 2017 and 2019.
Last season, Arizona concluded with an 8-8 record.
Further NFL coverage:

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Broncos LB preview: Will Von Miller’s comeback be enough for a team that hasn’t changed much in the offseason?

It didn’t take long for new Broncos general manager George Paton and coach Vic Fangio to realize they had similar approaches to building a top-flight defense.
“In this league — Vic can tell you better than I can — you need pressure and you need cover players,” Paton said shortly after joining Denver earlier this year.
“If you look at the good defenders across the league, you’ll notice that they can rush the quarterback and cover.”
“The advantages of a rush-and-cover method may be evident, but maintaining that balance in the NFL is proving more difficult than ever.”
The ball is erupting at a faster rate.
On the field, there are more receivers.

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Vince Williams, a long-serving linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers, has announced his retirement from the game.

BALTIMORE, MD – NOVEMBER 01: Vince Williams #98 of the Pittsburgh Steelers reacts after the Steelers beat the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland on November 1, 2020.
(Getty Images/Benjamin Solomon) After eight seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, linebacker Vince Williams has announced his retirement from the league.
Because of their elite front seven and ball-hawking safeties in the secondary, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense is one of the best in the NFL.
They count on everyone to be in the right place at the right time and to accomplish their jobs to the best of their abilities.
Regrettably, the unit recently lost a key member of the squad on Wednesday.
Vince Williams, a long-time Steeler linebacker, announced his retirement from the NFL after spending his whole career with the team.
Vince Williams, a linebacker with the Pittsburgh Steelers, has announced his retirement after eight seasons with the team. Williams was picked by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2013 draft out of Florida State.
He spent his whole eight-year career with the Steelers, where he established himself as a reliable rotational backer, even starting some games.
On Wednesday, the 31-year-old notified the organization that he is hanging up his cleats and leaving the NFL.
“Vince Williams informed us today that he is retiring from football.”
We appreciate his decision and want to thank him for his time with us since, in addition to his efforts on the field, he continually demonstrated excellent character and leadership.
According to Steelers.com, General Manager and Vice President Kevin Colbert expressed his warmest wishes to Vince and his family.
Williams made 444 tackles, 48 tackles for loss, 43 quarterback hits, 20.5 sacks, five passes defended, five fumble recoveries, and two interceptions in 144 games (69 starts).
His 14 tackles for loss ranks ninth in the NFL in 2020.
Only ten players in Williams’ draft class played in more games than him in his career, according to Steelers.com.
In 2013, all ten were chosen ahead of the 206th overall pick.

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The 49ers have signed All-Pro linebacker Frank Warner to a five-year, $95 million contract extension.

May 25, 2021; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) during Organized Team Activities at San Francisco 49ers Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Warner is the highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL, earning an average of $19 million a year.
Bobby Wagner of the Seattle Seahawks was previously the highest-paid ILB, earning $18 million per year, according to Spotrac.
Warner has established himself as one of the greatest linebackers in the NFL in his three seasons with the 49ers, earning his first All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections last season.
Over his three NFL seasons, the 24-year-old has 367 tackles, four sacks, 21 passes defended, three interceptions, a touchdown, and five forced fumbles.
Warner stated in May that he wants to be a “Niner for life,” and his new deal allows him to do so.

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The 49ers and All-Pro LB Fred Warner have agreed to a five-year, $95 million contract deal.

May 25, 2021; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers middle linebacker Fred Warner (54) during Organized Team Activities at San Francisco 49ers Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

The 49ers and All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner have agreed to a five-year, $95 million contract extension (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter).
The new contract will keep him in the league through 2026, making him the highest-paid inside linebacker in league history.
Warner, a former BYU third-round pick, was due to enter the free agent pool next spring.
The Niners wouldn’t let him go without a new contract, giving him a huge raise to overtake Bobby Wagner as the league’s highest-paid ILB.
At least, that’s the title he now holds; Darius Leonard of the Indianapolis Colts could dethrone him in the coming weeks.
When questioned about a new deal for Warner in May, head coach Kyle Shanahan responded, “I want to get it done personally.”
“I feel like I’d say the same thing about him as I did about [George] Kittle [last year] when we were talking about it.”
I just think it’ll be a matter of time.
“I understand he isn’t in his free agency year or anything like that, so it isn’t always on my mind.”
But Fred is a guy who I intend to keep around for the rest of my life and who has earned it.
Wagner has a flawless attendance record as a pro, having played 95% of the team’s snaps over the last three seasons.
In 2020, he was named First-Team All-Pro after recording 125 tackles and earning the No. 1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus.
By far the best off-ball linebacker
Warner has always stated that he wants to be a “Niner for life,” and he now has a contract that will cover the majority of his NFL career.