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There’s little debate the top need for the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason remains at quarterback. But pundits have predicted a weak incoming quarterback class, and the Steelers don’t select until No. 21 overall.Therefore, the team will likely have to settle for other immediate offensive improvements.It’s also not as though the Steelers don’t have other offensive areas where they need to be better. The team had just one pass-catcher with more than 486 receiving yards during 2025.With that in mind, Pro Football Focus’ Gordon McGuinness projected the Steelers to select Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion. McGuinness made that prediction in his latest 2026 NFL mock draft released Monday.“It’s an offseason of change for the Steelers, with head coach Mike Tomlin stepping down after the team’s wild-card round loss to the Houston Texans. Big questions remain at the quarterback position, but answers are unlikely to come in the first round of the draft,” wrote McGuinness.“Pittsburgh’s other big problem on offense was wide receiver depth. Concepcion earned a 78.2 PFF receiving grade against man coverage in 2025 and would pair nicely with DK Metcalf.”In one season with Texas A&M, Concepcion posted 61 catches for 919 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. He averaged 15.1 yards per catch.Concepcion also returned 25 punts for 456 yards and two scores. He registered 18.2 yards per punt return on his way to All-American honors as an all-purpose player.Over two campaigns with NC State to begin his college career, Concepcion had 124 receptions, 1,299 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns in 25 contests.Steelers Projected to Pair D.K. Metcalf With KC ConcepcionThe Steelers assembled some of the best skilled position talent in the league from 2014-18. But since the departures of Le’Veon Bell and Antonio Brown, the team has struggled to replenish its offense with top talent.In 2025, running back Kenneth Gainwell led the team with 73 catches. With 486 receiving yards, Gainwell and tight end Pat Freiermuth were ranked second for the Steelers in the category behind D.K. Metcalf.Calvin Austin III was second among Steelers receivers in yards with 372.For a short period last offseason, it appeared the Steelers would have both Metcalf and George Pickens as outside receiving threats. But last May, the Steelers traded Pickens to the Dallas Cowboys for a third-round pick.General manager Omar Khan could use that selection to find more receiving talent to replace Pickens. Or, he could take a big swing with Concepcion.It’s obviously very early in the NFL draft process. But in the early going, draft experts seem to consider Concepcion a fringe top-5 receiver in the 2026 class.On December 1, PFF’s Trevor Sikkema ranked Concepcion as the class’s No. 5 wideout. Sikkema also placed the Texas A&M star at No. 35 on his overall big board.When’s the Last Time the Steelers Selected a WR in the First Round of the NFL Draft?The Steelers have a long recent tradition of drafting wide receivers on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. A lot of those wideouts developed into stars and/or great complimentary players.But if the Steelers selected Concepcion in the first round, the franchise would be breaking a 20-year drought of no wideouts picked on Day 1 of the draft.The last time the Steelers picked a receiver in the first round was when they traded up for Santonio Holmes in 2006. Pittsburgh moved up from No. 32 to 25 overall to select the future Super Bowl MVP.The Steelers chose wide receiver Chase Claypool with their first available selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. However, the Steelers didn’t have a first-round pick that year.The 2026 NFL Draft will be a big event for Pittsburgh. Not only will it mark the first draft class for the Steelers’ new head coach, the city will host the event for the first time since 1947.The first-round will take place on Thursday, April 23. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe…

The Baltimore Ravens interviewed Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady for their vacant head coaching position. On January 19, the team fired head coach Sean McDermott, potentially leaving Brady’s current job in limbo. However, it also could make him the lead candidate in Buffalo, which could complicate matters for BaltimoreAt 36 years old, Brady could be one of the youngest head coaching candidates in the current cycle. Yet, he does possess a wealth of coaching experience. After his playing days at the College of William and Mary, Brady leapt into coaching. He gained national acclaim and praise as the passing game coordinator for LSU in 2019.The Tigers won the national championship, and Brady headed to Carolina to serve as the Panthers’ offensive coordinator. After his tenure in Charlotte ended, Brady landed with the Bills in 2022 as their quarterbacks coach. On November 14, 2023, Buffalo fired then-coordinator Ken Dorsey, elevating Brady.Ravens Interview Bills OC Joe Brady to Fill Head Coach OpeningBrady ran the offense in Buffalo under a defensive-minded head coach, who gave him free rein. In that time, the team posted a 36-15 regular-season record. In the postseason, the Bills went 4-3. The offense under Brady never finished lower than tenth in yards or points.Moreover, the team excelled in the run game, ranking in the top ten in yards, rushing touchdowns, and yards per attempt. Josh Allen, under Brady’s scheme, saw his completion percentage improve and his interceptions decrease while winning an MVP trophy.If the Ravens did hire Brady, he would inherit a quarterback with a skill set similar to Lamar Jackson’s. Yet, one difference needs to be accounted for. Allen’s running style centers around physicality and the ability to shed tacklers. In contrast, Jackson prefers the open field, where his speed and change of direction help him slide away from defenders, giving him the room to accelerate downfield. GettyBaltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson drops back against the New England Patriots. Brady’s offense relies on a comprehensive approach in which skill-position players play a role in the overall success. In 2024, the coach detailed his thought process.“And so every rep in practice, the individual, there’s such an intention behind what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.”The Bills’ 2023 statistics bear this out. According to Pro Football Reference, the Bills distributed the ball among receivers: seven players had more than 20 receptions, and the offense gained at least 350 yards in 13 games. GettyBuffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen throw a pass against the Denver Broncos during a January 17, 2026 game. In Baltimore, Brady would enjoy a rushing attack behind an offensive line that excels at blocking downhill. Both offenses feature a mobile quarterback around 30 years old. The Ravens hold a slight edge, as wide receiver Zay Flowers is the clear No. 1, proven by his back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and by averaging at least 14 yards per catch over the past two years. Flowers made his second Pro Bowl. Grade Zay Flowers’ season: 86 Receptions 1,211 Receiving Yards 5 Touchdowns He topped 80+ receiving yards in 4/17 games played. pic.twitter.com/4PuJbzjA7I — SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) January 16, 2026https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsWhile no word has circulated on what direction Baltimore is taking, Brady could end up as a viable option. Buffalo’s current coaching opening could force Baltimore’s hand in the hiring process. If they feel Brady is their top candidate, they could conceivably make an offer sooner than later. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Joe Brady News Could Impact Ravens Amid HC Search appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Las Vegas Raiders are getting serious in their scouting of Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza. It’s expected that he’ll be the player the team will select with the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.While Mendoza seems like an obvious choice on the surface, there has been debate about whether or not the Raiders have enough talent to afford using such a valuable asset on a quarterback.Former quarterback Derek Carr recently suggested that the team shouldn’t draft Mendoza unless they feel like they have the pieces around him to set him up for success. Many took this as Carr saying the Raiders should pass on Mendoza this year.However, that’s not exactly what he meant. He took to social media to clarify that Mendoza is a worthwhile pick at No. 1, but he just doesn’t want the Raiders to ignore their other issues in hopes that he fixes everything.“Woahhhh let’s correct. He’s the obvious pick if the Raiders actually fix the problems around him,” Carr wrote on X. “Drafting him and changing nothing won’t work. Get healthy. Add studs. Go Raiders.”Raiders Sending Leadership to Scout MendozaThe Raiders are going to turn over every stone to make sure Mendoza is the right player for them to draft. He’s shown major promise all season. He’s won the Heisman Trophy and led Indiana to the National Championship.There have been many quarterbacks who have been incredible in college but struggled at the NFL level. Mendoza seems like the real deal, but the Raiders want to see him up close to make sure. According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, the Raiders are sending some important leadership to watch Mendoza at the National Championship game in Miami.“As the Las Vegas Raiders whittle down the candidates to fill their head coaching vacancy, league sources tell The Athletic that several candidates will be in Miami to meet with key organizational decision-makers in person,” Russini wrote.“Minority owner Tom Brady will be in attendance at the national title game, which will feature Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner and potential No. 1 pick.”Raiders Interview Mike McDanielThe Raiders aren’t only going to be scouting Mendoza during their Miami trip. They are also going to continue with their head coaching search. The team has multiple interviews planned during their Miami trip.The first one they completed was with former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. He was just recently fired from his head coaching job, but he went 35-33 in four seasons.He’s one of the best offensive minds in the NFL, but there are concerns about whether or not he has the leadership qualities to be a successful head coach. It’s also fair to blame some of his Miami woes on injuries and lackluster play from Tua Tagovailoa.Pairing McDaniel with a quarterback like Mendoza could be a recipe for success. He’s a smart coach for them to speak to, as he could also be in the mix for offensive coordinator jobs if he doesn’t get a head coaching job. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Derek Carr Clarifies Stance on Raiders Drafting Fernando Mendoza appeared first on Heavy Sports.

After the record-setting signing of free agent Kyle Tucker by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the New York Mets following a day later by scooping up former Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette, there was only one big-name hitter left on the market. That was New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger. With the Dodgers and Mets likely maxed out on their free agent spending, there was only one landing spot left for the former National League Rookie of the Year and MVP — a reunion with the Yankees. Or so it seemed. The Yankees reportedly put an offer on the table that would pay Bellinger $160 million over five years, giving the two-time All-Star two chances to opt out along the way. But Bellinger and his agent, Scott Boras, have yet to agree to what the Yankees are said to consider an eminently fair offer. Bellinger and Boras, as reported by Brendan Kuty of The Athletic, are holding out for a seven-year deal with an average annual salary higher than the $32 million the Yankees are offering. Now, according to a report Sunday by a veteran New York sportswriter, the Yankees have made a final decision and have a definitive message for Bellinger and Boras. Read More From Heavy Yankees Lose Former Top-5 Prospect to Seattle as Bellinger Talks Hit ‘Impasse’ Yankees Offer is Final Longtime Yankees insider Bob Klapisch, author of the 2019 bestselling book Inside the Empire: The True Power Behind the New York Yankees, reported on Sunday that the Yankees consider their offer to Bellinger to be final, and if he wants a better one, he will need to look elsewhere. “Yankees have made an internal decision not to engage in a bidding war for Cody Bellinger if Mets or anyone else swoops in with a blow-away offer,” Klapisch reported on his social media account. “Yankees believe they’ve made a fair proposal — five years, $160 million, two opt-outs. They’re prepared to let Bellinger walk.” In a report for NJ Advanced Media on Sunday, Klapisch said that his information came from “a person with knowledge of the situation” who had “requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.” Read More From Heavy Yankees, Cody Bellinger at ‘Impasse’ But There’s a ‘Safety Net,’ Insider Says Yankees Message to Boras and Bellinger Klapisch wrote that the Yankees’ message to Bellinger and his high-powered agent was crystal clear. “While the door remains open for further talks with agent Scott Boras, the message to Bellinger’s camp is unmistakable: Take it or leave it,” the veteran sportswriter stated. A New York Post editor, Dan Bartels, reported on Sunday that the talks between the Yankees and the Bellinger-Boras camp are ongoing — but not going anywhere. “The talks between Cody Bellinger and the Yankees have reached another stalemate. Both sides don’t seem willing to budge,” Bartels wrote. “The Mets could swoop in the same way they did with Bo Bichette to get a deal done. If any of that is likely taking place, odds are it’s happening soon.” Read More From Heavy Yankees Free Agent Cody Bellinger Just Upped His Contract Demand: Report How Bellinger Compares to Tucker Tucker signed with the Dodgers for four years at an average annual value of $60 million. Bellinger is telling the Yankees that $32 million per year is not enough. So how does Bellinger stack up against Tucker in terms of offensive productivity? Measured by bWAR — wins above replacement as calculated by Baseball Reference — Tucker has been considerably better. In 3,158 plate appearances through his career, Tucker has compiled a bWAR of 27.3, an average of 4.3 bWAR per every 500 trips to the plate. Bellinger averages 3.2 bWAR per 500 plate appearances, with 30.5 in 4,765 trips. Tucker also boasts a significantly higher career OPS — .865 to Bellinger’s .817. Read More From Heavy Blue Jays Sign 17-Year-Old 20/20 OF Prospect on Day Kyle Tucker Chooses Dodgers Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy…

There’s a level of trust J.J. McCarthy must gain back if he is going to be the Minnesota Vikings‘ starting quarterback next season, and if not, there is an ideal veteran who has a history with Kevin O’Connell waiting in the wings.General manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell were non-committal on McCarthy remaining the starting quarterback next season in their end-of-year news conferences. O’Connell emphasized the importance of having a deep quarterback room and his desire for competition.Meanwhile, Adofo-Mensah pivoted to team success when asked about McCarthy’s prospects of starting next season.“I want the Vikings to achieve our goals, and I think one of those goals is to make playoff runs and do different things like that. I think [McCarthy] has the character and ability to be the person and do that for our organization. If I say that in 2026, that kind of binds us into a certain area,” Adofo-Mensah said on January 13. “The way we’ve set this team up, we built this corridor, really like we’ve always talked about, give ourselves multiple shots at it, because you never know when there’s going to be a year where the field feels a little bit wide open and you can make that run.“So, that’s what we’re really focused on talking about. Whether it’s this year or next year isn’t really my immediate reflection. It’s my job to really bring that deep, competitive room that we’ve talked about to the Vikings.”Several names have begun circling the Vikings fan lexicon, and while some require far-fetched, blockbuster deals that would shake the NFL, there is one quarterback who has familiarity with O’Connell and is coming off a season that would be ideal for the Vikings to replicate.Marcus Mariota Deemed an Ideal QB to Pair With Vikings’ JJ McCarthy GettyWashington Commanders QB Marcus Mariota reacting after an NFL game. Playing quarterback matchmaker, Sportsnaut’s Matt Johnson urged the Vikings to pursue Washington Commanders veteran Marcus Mariota in free agency.“The Minnesota Vikings are not going to pursue a quarterback who would be viewed as a serious challenger to J.J. McCarthy in training camp. What Kevin O’Connell wants is a veteran who can, if needed, come off the bench and play effectively within the structure of the offense,” Johnson wrote.“Look at what Marcus Mariota has done in the last two seasons when Jayden Daniels was sidelined. Across 14 games, he posted a 93.4 passer rating with a 14-7 touchdown-to-interception line, a 63.8 percent completion rate and 7.6 yards per attempt. Plus, he offers rushing ability. He is an ideal and cost-effective option for Minnesota. If McCarthy struggles early next season, the offense could improve with Mariota under center.”Mariota played eight games this season in Washington with Daniels out. And while the 2-6 record is far from encouraging, the Vikings have shown to have the offensive infrastructure to prop up veteran quarterbacks who can operate a higher-level of O’Connell’s offense.Other Vikings Veteran QB CandidatesAppraising the upcoming quarterback market, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert gave his thoughts on who the Vikings could target this offseason.Seifert discounted the likelihood that Joe Burrow or Daniel Jones could land in Minnesota, but below that tier of quarterbacks are veterans who could be content taking a back seat to McCarthy, but also catch fire if given a chance to start.“Green Bay Packers backup Malik Willis, who has started six games in four seasons, is a pending free agent but is likely to have multiple suitors. The Atlanta Falcons could release former Vikings starter Kirk Cousins, 37, in mid-March. Aaron Rodgers, 42, and Joe Flacco, 41, will be free agents. So will Jimmy Garoppolo, who has started seven games in the past three seasons, and Russell Wilson, who is 37 and ranks No. 32 in NFL QBR since the start of the 2021 season,” Seifert wrote.The following quarterbacks would likely push more competition in training camp.“The San Francisco 49ers‘ Mac Jones and the Las Vegas…