🏈 The Touchdown Collective: Jets owner buys stake in Premier League club
Woody Johnson, Travis Hunter and Jalen Ramsey all feature to keep you ahead of the game, one play at a time.
In today’s Touchdown Collective there’s the latest on Woody Johnson, Travis Hunter, Jalen Ramsey and Joe Alt in Press Coverage, the countdown is on in Get to the Post, while Inside Zone has the scoop on Sam Cosmi’s return.
📰 Press Coverage
New York Jets
Jets owner Woody Johnson has agreed a £190m deal ($254m) to buy John Textor’s 44.9% stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace, report the BBC.
Johnson, who has owned the Jets since 2000, previously tried to buy Chelsea in a $2bn deal. He must pass the Premier League’s owners’ and directors’ test before he can complete the purchase, but that is likely to be ratified in a matter of weeks.
Insiders close to the deal with knowledge of the negotiations have indicated the American businessman has signed documents to confirm the sale, which could boost Palace’s hopes of being cleared to play in European football next season.
That is currently an issue as Textor also has an interest in French club Lyon, which is a problem for European governing body UEFA.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter signed a historic rookie contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking a significant milestone as he became the first non-quarterback not drafted first overall to receive his full signing bonus paid entirely up front.
His four-year contract is worth $46.65million, fully guaranteed, with a $30.57m signing bonus paid immediately. This contract setup is unprecedented for a player in his draft position (2nd) and highlights Hunter’s exceptional prowess as a dual-position player in the league.
Only two first-round picks – Cincinnati rusher Shemar Stewart (17th) and Denver cornerback Jahdae Barron (20th) – are yet to sign their rookie deals.
Denver Broncos
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has given an insight – as broken down on SI.com – into how he believes safety Talanoa Hufanga and linebacker Dre Greenlaw will impact their play this coming season.
The Broncos also took cornerback Jahdae Barron in the first round of the Draft and Joseph said: “Our defense is still pretty young as a whole. Both guys bring experience of being in big games and being on dominant defenses. That’s an attitude, and that’s practice, that’s meetings, that’s every day. You see it with those guys.
“Those guys love football. So to add those kind of guys to our mix has been tremendous for us. We’re looking forward to the fall.”
Baltimore Ravens
Jaire Alexander joined the Ravens after leaving Green Bay – and reportedly considered a few other options including Atlanta and Miami.
But Marlon Humphrey is glad Alexander landed in Baltimore and says this year is going to be fun.
“A quote that’s never been said and probably will never be said in NFL history is, ‘We got too many corners that can cover,’” Humphrey said. “I think that’s a great problem to have. Really excited for that addition. The options are endless. It’s going to be a fun secondary.”
Miami Dolphins
Miami wide receiver Tyreek Hill says he will do what he can to convince cornerback Jalen Ramsey to remain with the Dolphins despite a trade looking likely.
“I’m getting Ramsey back in a Dolphins jersey, I don’t care what they say,” Hill said at Fanatics Fest in New York City.
Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler says the Dolphins are “optimistic” about securing a trade for Ramsey before the season starts.
He said: "This is the next domino to drop league-wide when you talk to other teams, this is the next big move that is anticipated around the NFL. The Dolphins are optimistic that they can work out a deal with Ramsey. Nothing hard and fast developing or imminent right now, but they've talked to multiple teams in recent weeks and months.
“The LA Rams are believed to be still sort of in the mix here. At least that's a team that others have identified as just the perfect fit. You know, they have a need, they're familiar with the player, they won a Super Bowl with him, so we'll see. But the hangup still is that big time money he's got on his contract, $20-plus million guaranteed for 2025. Teams have a hard time reconciling how much they're gonna have to pay at that contract."
I reported the feeling from LA on a move for Ramsey here in Friday’s edition of The Touchdown Collective.
Arizona Cardinals
Newly drafted defensive end Walter Nolan says he knows he has it all to prove this season after a negative bout of press reports the week of the Draft.
Some media reported “maturity concerns”, others questioned his “sense of entitlement”.
“Seeing that stuff,” Nolen told The Arizona Republic, “it did make me feel some type of way.
“I feel like you’re just supposed to give everybody a chance. Everybody deserves a chance. Everybody deserves a second chance. I don’t know. Just how I’ve always been.”
Tennessee Titans
Linebacker James Williams says he is “ready to get the job done” with the Titans.
Williams played on special teams for the most part last season but is in contention for a starting spot on defense, saying coaches have told him “a lot of things are coming for me”.
"I feel like I came in here last year and did the little things, and showed them I am capable of being a pro,” he said. “I am willing to change my position, and understand the things that come with being a pro. Now, I am ready to continue to put work in to be who I want to be. I want to get the job done."
LA Chargers
Right tackle Joe Alt is “on course for a Hall of Fame type of career” after just one season in the league, according to his head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Alt started all 16 games last season and had the fourth-highest mark in the NFL for offensive tackles – but has still been putting in the work this off-season and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“As good as he was last year, I’d call him right now one of our most ascending players on the team,” Harbaugh said on the Chargers Weekly podcast. “He’s that much better, that much improved.
“I think he’s on track for a Hall of Fame type of career. I do not feel like I’m going out on a ledge by saying that.”
↗ Get to the Post
Aren’t we all…?
Drake Maye has one ring sorted, now he’ll be chasing another…
And everybody wants a jersey from the GOAT…
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🔁 Last week’s poll results – Q: Will Green Bay win the Super Bowl? Your answer: No Pack No! (100%)
🔁 Last week’s most clicked: Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is eager to “put on a show” this season.
🤫 Inside Zone
Washington guard Sam Cosmi went down with an ACL injury in January but is making good strides in his recovery.
Seattle and Green Bay will hold a joint practice on August 21 ahead of their pre-season game two days later.
Alex Wright is aiming to win the Browns’ edge rusher battle this season.
🫵 Extra point
I’ve been reading on Substack a lot this past week, so here is the NFL content I enjoyed the most over the past seven days.
Oliver Bateman’s really good read on Aaron Rodgers – for Real Clear Pennsylvania – summed up a lot of the feelings around Rodgers’ Steelers deal.
Former NFL center Matt Skura’s take on feeding your internal fire – for Matt Skura’s Newsletter – is a refreshing look at how continued belief can make a difference.
📩 Who am I? I’m Michael Ham, the Daily Star Sunday and Sunday Express Sports Editor – and an avid NFL fan. I have almost 20 years of experience in sports news journalism and I’m the writer behind The Touchdown Collective.
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