San Francisco Giants pitcher Jordan Hicks introduces himself to journalist Michael Wagaman ahead of a Jan. 18, 2024 news conference at Oracle Park after Hicks' contract became official. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle) Charismatic local sportswriter Michael Raymond Wagaman, who worked for multiple outlets including the Chronicle, died Friday night at his Vallejo home at the age of 59.Wagaman was renowned for his outgoing nature and good humor and he was as well-liked by those he covered as by his fellow sportswriters."Wags always stood out for his incredible personality and his ability to make people laugh," Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr said. "No matter what he was going through, he always brought great energy to the room. You knew when Wags was there. We're really going to miss him."The San Francisco Giants held a moment of silence for Wagaman before Sunday's game and hosted Wagaman's son, Michael Joseph Patric Wagaman, and Wagaman's ex-wife and best friend, Loretta Abeyta, in the press box.Duane Kuiper paid tribute to Wagaman on the Giants' broadcast, saying it was a "tough, tough day, to lose a really super guy." On the Sacramento Athletics telecast, analyst Dallas Braden called Wagaman "a fountain of positivity.""If the saying, It's tough to have a bad day at the ballpark' was a human, it would be Wags," Braden said. "To be in his orbit was to truly appreciate an authentic blend of love of work and love of life that we all probably struggle to create. He will be deeply missed, to say the least."Wagaman was a frequent presence at Giants and A's home games, as well as the Warriors. He became particularly close to former A's and Giants manager Bob Melvin, who was supportive throughout Wagaman's 2022 surgery to remove a tumor that was wrapped around Wagaman's brain stem."Wags was my Cal basketball seatmate," Melvin said via text. "We watched many games together. Having him cover my teams on top of that was like having a family member cover me. I'll miss him tremendously."Wagaman was hospitalized for three months after his brain surgery and had two strokes and a seizure. He had to learn to swallow and to walk again, but he promised his son he would be at his college graduation. Six months later, Wagaman was at UC Irvine to see Michael receive his diploma and soon after was back at work."The whole time he kept saying, I'm so proud of you,' and I sat down and was like, I know, Dad. I'm proud of you because you did all this to get here,'" the younger Wagaman said. "He was so determined." Michael Wagaman with son Michael Joseph Patric Wagaman and ex-wife Loretta Abeyta. (Courtesy of Michael Joseph Patric Wagaman) Wagaman graduated from Hogan High School and worked at the Vallejo Times Herald over two different stints, along with the Turlock Journal and Raiders publication Silver & Black Illustrated. In recent years, he freelanced extensively for the Associated Press and NBC Sports Bay Area and many other national and local outlets, including the Chronicle."Mike's comeback from brain surgery was remarkable," AP sportswriter Janie McCauley said. "We didn't know if we would lose him then and there, and he just had the spirit and fight that inspired everybody. Mike never appeared to feel sorry for himself. I remember how wonderful it was in April 2023 when he came back and was able to write his first game story since the procedure- he just did not get deterred, and he worked to get back to the highest level."We drove together to the Super Bowl this year and to the World Cup, and he was so happy to be back doing big events. The World Cup was a dream of his, bucket list, he said."A man of strong religious conviction who attended Century Assembly in Lodi, Wagaman was active in amateur coaching and other community efforts in and around Vallejo. He also mentored numerous young print and broadcast journalists.Wagaman is survived by his son, ex-wife and siblings Ernie Wagaman and Dawn Wagaman Watson, along with numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.SubscribeTheres more to San Francisco with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25.This article originally published at Longtime Bay Area sportswriter Michael Wagaman dies at 59: A fountain of positivity'.

Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesCollege football is abuzz about the continued recent dominance of the Big Ten over the SEC, especially after an unheralded Indiana squad won the national championship in 2026.And while many have pointed to the Big Tens three straight titles by three different teams in the conference, ESPNs Kirk Herbstreit believes the Big Tens advantage runs even deeper than that.In an appearance onThe Dan Patrick Show this week, Herbstreit argued that Big Ten teams are more invested and appear to have a stronger competitive spirit than their counterparts down south. Herbstreit pointed to the Big Tens head-to-head advantage over the SEC, as well as its ability to keep players motivated and retain them in the NIL era.I think in this new era that were in, I think the Big Ten has proven to do a better job at keeping their players more invested in their team, Herbstreit said. Meaning if were 7-3 or 8-4 and were going to the Outback Bowl or the Citrus Bowl or whatever it is, I feel like SEC players as soon as theyre out of the Playoff, theyre like, them and their agents, Im out of here. And I feel like the Big Ten is doing a much better job of keeping them invested to the finish line.This past bowl season, Illinois beat Tennessee, and Iowa beat Vanderbilt, though Texas also beat Michigan. In the College Football Playoff, the Hoosiers blowout win over Alabama was discussed as a significant big-picture inflection point for the sport.One team looks really inspired, and one team doesnt, Herbstreit said of Big Ten-SEC clashes.Its almost like the Big Ten is tired of hearing about the SEC collectively, and theyre out to kick some ass. And the SECs like, Whatever, Im going to the NFL, Im transferring. Theyre just not invested in this new era.As Herbstreit notes, the professionalization of college football may be more strongly felt in the SEC and could partially explain these dynamics. SEC rosters are often used as feeder systems for smaller schools in the transfer portal, and SEC stars are often making the most money and are considered more strongly for the NFL Draft.The supposed disparity in effort will be put to the test early this season, with key matchups between Michigan and Oklahoma and Ohio State and Texas looming in Week 2.Herbstreit, an Ohio State alum who often calls the biggest SEC game of the week for ESPN, said: Fans of the SEC are already tired of hearing about the Big Ten.The chatter about the two conferences wont be dying down any time soon.The post Kirk Herbstreit: Big Ten teams more invested than SEC teams in NIL era appeared first on Awful Announcing.

GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) Green Bay coach Matt LaFleur is still sorting through potential offensive line combinations as he addresses a position group that ranked among the Packers biggest concerns last season.That uncertainty lends some intrigue to the Packers preseason schedule that begins Thursday at Pittsburgh.I think theres a ton of value in the preseason games and getting those guys out there to kind of work out some of the kinks, LaFleur said Monday.Green Bay has a new look on the offensive line after losing Rasheed Walker to Carolina in free agency and releasing center Elgton Jenkins, who ended up in Cleveland.The most likely starting five heading into training camp included Jordan Morgan at left tackle, Aaron Banks at left guard, Sean Rhyan at center, Anthony Belton at right guard and Zach Bako-Bewele at right tackle.That isnt necessarily the case anymore.Belton, who started seven games as a rookie last season, criticized his lack of consistency after the Packers Family Night workout on Friday. He has spent the last couple of days working primarily at tackle, where Morgan and Bako-Bewele are the clear-cut starters.With Banks recovering from a knee issue and Belton working at tackle, Jacob Monk and rookie fifth-round pick Jager Burton got most of the first-team reps at guard. That right guard situation might not sort itself out anytime soon.We have many more opportunities for these guys to showcase what they can do, and ultimately, when it comes down to it, we will make a decision after the preseason concludes, LaFleur said.Belton says he must improve his pass blocking, whether hes at guard or tackle.My main focus is just getting through camp not just getting through camp, but showing up every day with improvement, the 2025 second-round pick from NC State said. Im not really worried about how things are going to look Week One because Ive got to get better days ahead of me in camp.Monk, a 2024 fifth-round pick, is eager to see how far hes come after dealing with a hamstring injury for much of last season and then tearing his biceps in Green Bays playoff loss at Chicago.Im excited to go out there this week and play a game, Monk said. I think thatll be a better gauge. Im really just worried about one day at a time, not really looking back in the past, but focusing on today and being where my feet are.At the other guard spot, the Packers are awaiting the return of Banks, who says hes making incremental progress but doesnt know when hell be practicing fully again.Kind of hard to set a timeline, but not concerned for Week One of the season, Banks said.Green Bay must stabilize a line that allowed only 29 sacks matching the NFL's seventh-lowest total - but struggled to create running room last year. After gaining 4.7 yards per rush in 2025, the Packers slipped to 4.1 last season for their lowest average since 2012.Part of the problem last year stemmed from injuries that impacted Green Bays cohesiveness.Jenkins played just nine games last year before having a season-ending ankle injury that caused Rhyan to take over at center. Bako-Bewele, who announced last week he was changing his name from Zach Tom, partially tore his patellar tendon in mid-December and just started practicing in team drills Sunday. Banks missed two games and dealt with groin and ankle issues.It was just a lot of moving pieces last year, Banks said. So for us to be able to go out there and just gain reps together and just continue to close that fist and be one fist is huge for us.How soon that will happen remains unclear.I think it takes games for that to happen, LaFleur said. The more these guys can play together, then the faster it will happen.NOTES: WR Chris Hilton Jr. was claimed off waivers from the Washington Commanders. ... S Javon Bullard didnt practice Monday and was wearing a boot on his right foot but said hes dealing with just a little bruise. If we had a game tomorrow, Id play, Bullard said. ___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - AUGUST 8: Jake McCarthy #31 of the Colorado Rockies hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals in the third inning at Busch Stadium on August 8, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Joe Puetz/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesAfter a spectacular week against the Tampa Bay Rays and the St. Louis Cardinals, Major League Baseball has named Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy as the National League Player of the Week. He is the first Rockie to win NL Player of the Week since Hunter Goodman earned the honor on September 8, 2025, and the first Colorado outfielder to do so since Brenton Doyle won the award on July 8, 2024. Can't stop Jake pic.twitter.com/GllOl1aI9q Colorado Rockies (@Rockies) August 10, 2026McCarthy, 29, led the NL in batting average (.519), OPS (1.352), hits (14), and total bases (23), while his eight runs scored tied for second. In 28 plate appearances over six games, McCarthy also hit three doubles and two home runs while driving in five runs and stealing three bases. Perhaps the most interesting fact was that he struck out just one time during the week. View LinkOn Saturday, August 8, McCarthy had four hits, including his two home runs, marking his fifth career game with at least four hits and third career game with multiple home runs. During that game, he became just the third player since 1920 to have four hits, two homers, three RBI, and two stolen bases in a game, joining Shohei Ohtani in 2024and Breggo Roth. He also became the eighth player since 1900 to have at least four hits, two home runs and two stolen bases in a game, and the first to do so since Mickey Moniak accomplished the same feat for Colorado last September.View Link2026 has been a breakout season for the Scranton, Pennsylvania native. Since being acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks, McCarthy has settled into a crucial role at the top of the Rockies lineup. He enters the start of the series against his former club on Monday batting .306/.342/.518 with a career-high 13 home runs, including two inside-the-park home runs, as well as career-highs in doubles (25) and RBI (67) with 20 stolen bases. He also has 32 multi-hit games, which are tied with rookie TJ Rumfield for the most on the club. McCarthy has also settled in nicely as the leadoff hitter, where he has hit .307/.336/.546 with 11 home runs out of the top spot in the lineup. He has also slugged four leadoff home runs for the Rockies this season, with his leadoff home run on Saturday marking the second to come on the first pitch of the game. He is the first Rockie with multiple first-pitch leadoff home runs in a single season and the first Rockie with at least four leadoff shots in his first season with the club. Whats more important is that McCarthy has not been fazed by home and road splits. At Coors Field, he is hitting .318/.345/.559 with eight home runs, while on the road he is hitting .293/.339/.471 with five home runs. Additionally, on the platoon front, he is hitting .297/.333/.498 against right-handed pitching and .333/.366/.573 against left-handed pitching. Under team control for two more seasons, McCarthy has found a comfortable home in Colorado with his continued dynamic level of play.Join the conversation!Sign up for a user accountand get:Fewer adsCreatecommunity postsComment on articles, community postsRec comments, community postsNew, improved notifications system!Please keep in mind ourPurple Row Community Guidelineswhen youre commenting. Thanks!

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. Hunter Henry isn't going anywhere. Just before Monday's training camp practice, news broke that the New England Patriots gave the veteran tight end a two-year, $16 million extension that's worth up to $20 million, with $14.5 million guaranteed and a $4.2 million signing bonus.And with a huge smile on his face, Henry said it was "perfect timing" that today he was scheduled to speak with the media following their work on the field.It means a lot, man. This place means a lot to me and my wife. Just the organization as a whole, man. The Kraft family has taken me in. Theyve been so good to me and my family. Giving me a chance, kind of in the middle of my career, to come over here. We have just appreciated it the whole time. We really have, Henry said. Weve enjoyed the area. Enjoyed this fan base. Just really appreciated things a lot. Its just a blessing. It really is. Its a true blessing to be able to do this 11 years coming up, this is my 11th year, and then some more years to go; Im excited. Excited to be part of this team. I feel like we have a really good football team too, and excited to be a piece of that.Henry signed with the Patriots as a free agent in 2021 after beginning his career with the Los Angeles Chargers. And he's certainly made an impact; Henry is third on the franchises all-time list for receptions by a tight end, trailing Rob Gronkowski and Ben Coates. As for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, he ranks fourth. The tight end has not had the easiest time in New England, coming in and making it to the playoffs in his first season, followed by two four-win years with Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo as head coach. And then, last year, he welcomed in a new head coach when Mike Vrabel was hired. But there is now consistency, with Henry getting to play his third season with Drake Maye and his second with Vrabel. Plus, his connection with Maye factored into his decision to stay in New England going forward. That definitely helped. Drake is a good friend of mine and obviously a great quarterback. Just excited to build with him, Henry said. Thats my guy. Just a special person. Weve grown really close over the last few years, and Im excited to kind of build that relationship off the field but also on the field. Hes just a special player to be around.Follow Patriots Wire onTwitterandFacebook.This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Why Hunter Henry chose to stay with Patriots and Drake Maye

HENDERSON, NEVADA - JUNE 09: (L) Fernando Mendoza #15 and Aidan O'Connell #12 of the Las Vegas Raiders warmup during mandatory minicamp at the Las Vegas Raiders Headquarters/Intermountain Health Performance Center on June 09, 2026 in Henderson, Nevada. (Photo by Louis Grasse/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesKirk Cousins as the starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders should provide no shock value. Not with minority owner Tom Brady adamant that a rookie signal caller sit, watch, and learn during their first year in the NFL. That modus operandi (MO) is echoed throughout Las Vegas as head coach Klint Kubiak and general manager John Spytek expressed the same philosophy. And thus, its the 37-year-old Cousins (who turns 38 on Aug. 19, by the way), who is QB1 and headlining Kubiaks Raiders offense this coming season. The familiarity that the veteran signal caller has with not only Kubiak, but offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko and offensive line coach Rick Dennison help expedite the learning curve for Cousins and the early returns are promising. Cousins age alongside being a short-term bridge quarterback to highly touted Fernando Mendoza the Indiana product that the Raiders selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft and the oft-unpredictable nature of the NFL game where injuries happen within a blink of an eye, getting both Mendoza and fellow backup signal caller Aidan OConnell game-ready is vital for the Silver & Black. Like anything else in pro football, theres significant challenges to accomplish this. Namely: Practice rep limitations, the learning curve mentioned above, and the career trajectories both backup quarterbacks have. And as our Matt Holder explored in his most-recent mailbag piece, there are viable reasons as to why OConnell may be the first man up if something awry occurs to Cousins. That all noted, itd be in the Silver & Blacks best interest to simulate situations to prep the backups and a tiff between Cousins and elite edge rusher Maxx Crosby that resulted in both sitting out team sessions during the Raiders Saturday practice gave the team that golden opportunity. As our Marcus Johnson observed, Mendoza had a sharp outing as de facto QB1 with Cousins held out. After a practice where Fernando Mendoza got ALL the action with the first team, #Raiders QBs coach Mike Sullivan talks about what stood out to him about his development so far and how the other QBs are a a great asset to one another #RaiderNationpic.twitter.com/lxLx4nvIs0 Raider Nation Radio (@RNR920AM) August 8, 2026 Well, I think as much as he has opportunities that are going to put him in realistic situations, and it could be with the threes or the twos or the ones. Also, along those same lines as the defensive players because the speed picks up a little bit, Raiders quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan said when asked how important it is to get Mendoza reps with the first team like Saturdays practice. So, I think its important that he doesnt get too far ahead of himself, which a young man like that doesnt do that, and he is locked in on the process and just trying to improve. And so those are the things that were looking for to help him take those next steps.That development process is likely with the second- and third-team unit as Sullivan noted above. Which is an opportune time to talk about the biggest impediment of getting Mendoza or OConnell first-team reps as practices are geared towards next weeks preseason opener and the regular season. The QB1 TaxDue to the NFL collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the players union placing strict limits on practice, full-contact, and padded sessions with eyes on reducing injury, off-setting season expansion to 17 regular-season games, and allow for player recovery snaps for backup quarterbacks with first-team offense is severely dampened. This was the case long before the new CBA and 17-game expansion the starter took over 90-percent of the reps to prep, hence, QB1 tax and now its even more limited as theres only so many snaps to go around for all 32 teams. Prior to Saturdays practice that saw Cousins sit during the team sessions, Mendoza and OConnell split the scraps. Meaning, the two did the most with the meager opportunities given to them as the elder statesman of the quarterback room readies himself for being the starter. This compounds both Mendozas and OConnells ability to establish chemistry and rhythm with the rest of the offense. But its not all doom and gloom in this regard as the reps the backup quarterbacks do get help them establish rapport with other second- and third-team elements, fellow Raiders who would also be thrust into the spotlight if starters ahead of them became suddenly unavailable. #Raiders GM John Spytek on Aidan O'Connell:"He had a great spring. He came back a little bigger, a little stronger. He's thrown the ball really well."(via @Raiders) pic.twitter.com/7EFUkD7J3p SleeperRaiders (@SleeperRaiders) July 30, 2026Learning CurveWhile Cousins uphill trek in assimilating to the Kubiak system once more has built-in familiarity, the current Raiders coaches hes worked with prior evolved over time when they were apart from the quarterback. Thus theres an acclimation period even for the 15-year veteran. Now exponentially multiply that for both backup quarterbacks. And the growing pains are evident for the entire quarterback room so far in camp. Each has taken their turn impressing the coaching staff alongside miscues that provide both on-field instruction and valuable teach tape. While Mendoza comes from a Hoosiers pro-style offense, the assimilation to a dominantly under-center operation that Kubiak runs to create play-action success is a big transition. Mendozas processing skills and ability to learn certainly help but alongside that are missteps that all rookie quarterbacks go through. Theres 60 to 80 plays in a game and theres going to be ups and downs, Kubiak said regarding Mendoza after one of the teams practices last week. So, what quarterback can get the rest of the other 10 players playing at their best. Thats what were looking for. There will never be a perfect game or a perfect practice. I think hes doing a good job. I dont expect him to be perfect right now.Flip it to OConnell and the fourth-year veteran is doing much of the same. Hes also starting from square one with zero prior experience in Kubiaks offense and while he has critical NFL experience (21 games total with 17 starts), much of his veteran advantage is zapped due to newness. What does help him is hes no stranger to assimilating to complex offenses as he cut his teeth as a 25-year-old rookie in 2023 under then-head coach Josh McDaniels complex scheme. Now mix in divergent paths for Mendoza and OConnell and things get a bit more complex. As the top pick in the 2026 draft, the former is viewed as the long-term heir apparent at the Raiders quarterback position. OConnell, meanwhile, will be a 28-year-old on the final leg of his rookie contract as the teams fourth-round pick (135th) in the 2023 draft. Raiders rookie QB Fernando Mendoza finds RB Dylan Laube on a quick outlet out of the backfield. After the period, HC Klint Kubiak spends extra time coaching up Mendoza on the details.: @cinedirector12#RaiderNation | #Raiderspic.twitter.com/gUkXmwOMsV Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) August 3, 2026Yeah, its been fun. Obviously, when youre in a quarterback room, you spend a lot of time with each other, talking about football a lot, but also talking about life a lot too. So, its been fun to get to know those guys on a personal level, and I think then when you do talk about football, its a better relationship because of that, OConnell said when asked about the competition amongst the quarterbacks. And we can all learn from each other. Weve all seen different things and had different experiences. So, I think it takes a growth mindset from each one of us, and I think thats what each of us have.Kubiak has long said he expects both Mendoza and OConnell to push Cousins and theres also undrafted free agent Jacob Clark (6-foot-5, 220 pounds, Missouri State) rounding out the quarterback room. And for Kubiak, its imperative the coaching staff to challenge themselves and the entire roster not just the quarterbacks to stress the importance of attention to detail so everyone is in the best possible position to succeed. Hes very coachable, all the quarterbacks are. Really, all of our players are, Kubiak responded when asked about Mendoza. Weve got guys that want to get better. So, when theyre eager to get better, you better make sure youre on it as a coach. So, weve got to challenge ourselves as coaches and make sure that were giving them the right coaching points and helping them get to where they want to get to.The opportunities for Mendoza and OConnell is without question finite during practices with Cousins as the alpha of the quarterback wolfpack. Getting to observe, intake, and learn from the relationship the QB1 has with the head coach and primarily play caller is valuable. And leaning on that when its their turn is vital.

Cardinals outside linebacker Josh Sweat remains on the active/physically unable to perform list with a knee issue. Coach Mike LaFleur has repeatedly said he is not worried about Sweat's availability for the Sept. 13 opener.General Manager Monti Ossenfort reiterated that belief Monday."Josh is making good progress. Josh is getting closer every day," Ossenfort said, via video from PHNX Cardinals. "I think Josh is going to be out there in due time to get ready for the season opener, and we're excited to get him out there and get him going."Sweat, 29, was the subject of trade chatter in the offseason, as the Cardinals received calls about him. Ossenfort said the Cardinals are not interested in trading Sweat, who had a career-high 12 sacks last season."I'd say [trade] discussions that come by that, there's always a lot of talk that goes around that," Ossenfort said. "We have no interest in trading Josh. We're excited to have him. Some of those discussions [we're] going to keep private, but excited to have Josh here. [He] had a great year last year. Excited for more good things out of him this year."

Quarterback Josh Dobbs is officially a member of the Lions.Word that Dobbs would be joining the team came on Sunday and the move was announced on Monday afternoon. Defensive tackle Aidan Keanaaina was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move. The Lions moved to sign Dobbs after Teddy Bridgewater informed them that he was retiring. Dobbs now steps into the No. 2 role behind Jared Goff with undrafted rookie Luke Altmyer on hand as the team's third quarterback. Dobbs appeared in four games as a reserve for New England last season. He started games for the 49ers, Cardinals, Vikings and Titans in previous NFL stops. Keanaaina signed with the Lions after going undrafted earlier this year.

The Green Bay Packers' Family Night is all about families and creating memories.And Jordan Love's family included a new addition this year as his newborn was part of the festivities. The quarterback's wife, Ronika, highlighted the event in a series of photos on Instagram from her vantage point and her baby's a post that's overloaded with Packers cuteness."Core memory," Ronika wrote in the caption.Love needed just one word to describe his wife's post and all the memories that were made with Ronika and baby Rayna from inside Lambeau Field before and after the practice on Aug. 7: "Amazing." View this post on Instagram

The fortress in Dallas isn't open for demolition anytime soon. Star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams has agreed to a three-year, $105.9 million extension with the Cowboys, NFL Network reported Monday. The deal for Williams reportedly includes $101 million guaranteed with $63.35 million due at signing. Williams, 28, is heading into his eighth NFL season and his second with the Cowboys after being traded to Dallas at last years trade deadline. He now joins a long list of defensive linemen signing big extensions this summer. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter reset the market in July, signing a long-term extension worth $38 million annually that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league. Williams falls right behind him, set to earn $35.3 million annually. Williams had two years remaining on his contract, but Cowboys owner and general manager Jerry Jones made sure to lock him up through the 2030 season. With the extension in place, he is now bound to an overall five-year, $153.15 million deal. With $101 million in total guarantees, Williams now holds the second-most guaranteed money among all NFL defensive linemen, perSpotrac. Williams was selected with the third overall pick by the Jets in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Hes been one of the leagues best defensive linemen since entering the NFL, earning four Pro Bowl selections and first-team All-Pro honors in 2022. The Cowboys put quite the investment into Williams before the extension. At last years trade deadline, they traded defensive lineman Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick and the more favorable of their two 2027 first-round picks for Williams. In just seven games, Williams made his impact known. He recorded 21 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, an interception and a pass deflection, while posting an 88.8Pro Football Focus grade, ranking second among all defensive linemen. With Williams locked up for the long term, the Cowboys and second-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer can shift their focus to the start of the season. They're looking to make it back to the postseason after falling short in each of the last two years, going 7-9-1 in 2025.