Friday 5 – March 15, 2024
Aaron Donald
After 10 incredible seasons, Rams DT Aaron Donald is retiring from the NFL. Donald has been a force at his position. He was a three-time Defensive Player of the Year winner, an eight-time first-team All Pro, was selected to 10 Pro Bowls and was the 2014 Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Donald had 111 career sacks, so quarterbacks throughout the league are not devastated by his retirement. Neither are offensive lineman and offensive coordinators.
The future Hall-of-Famer announced his retirement on Friday.
Steelers-Eagles Trade
Russell Wilson and the Pittsburgh Steelers made it official on Friday, and Adam Schefter is reporting that former Steelers QB Kenny Pickett is on his way to Philly via a trade. At least he stays in the same state.
The Eagles get Pickett and 2024 fourth-rounder, while the Steelers get a 2023 third-rounder and two 2025 seventh-rounders. Pickett was Pittsburgh’s 2022 first-round draft pick but finished this past season as Mason Rudolph’s backup. In his two NFL seasons thus far, Pickett was 14-10 with 4,474 passing, 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Wilson is currently the only Steelers’ QB on the roster, so they’re going to add some people to that room.
Vikings-Texans Trade
We’ve got a draft trade! On Friday morning, the Minnesota Vikings acquired the 2024 23rd overall pick, as well a seventh-round pick, from the Houston Texans. The Texans get the 2024 Vikings’ second-round pick, 2024 sixth-round pick and their 2025 second-round pick.
Although Minnesota signed QB Sam Darnold to a one-year deal earlier this week, the Vikings now have two first-round picks which they could use to move up and draft a QB to replace Kirk Cousins (who signed with Atlanta this week).
If anyone wants my scouting report, I know a quarterback out of the University of Michigan that would look fabulous in purple.
More NFL Updates
In a week where the NFL’s free agency frenzy has been just that, the Dallas Cowboys have been pretty unfrenetic. They did manage to steal LB Eric Kendricks away from the San Francisco 49ers at the 11th hour, but other than that, fans have not been pleased.
On Friday, they made moves to release two of their 2018 draft picks in LB Leighton Vander Esch and wide receiver Michael Gallup. Vander Esch was released with a failed physical designation, while Gallup was released as a post-June 1 cut. Parting ways with Gallup will save $9.5 million in cap space for 2024.
Meanwhile in LA, the Rams are signing Jimmy Garoppolo to a one-year deal to back up Matthew Stafford. After a short absence, Jimmy G is back in the NFC West.
Juwan Howard
The Michigan football team had a heck of a season, winning the National Championship. The Michigan basketball team had a very different season, leading the firing of head coach Juwan Howard after the team finished 8-24 and lost its last nine games. It was a mess.
In his first year as head coach in 2019, Howard coached Michigan to a 19-12 season that would have led to a NCAA tournament invite if it had not been canceled due to COVID. In his second year, Michigan made it to the tourney and to the Elite Eight (that was fun). The Wolverines went to the Sweet 16 the next year, but the last two were very disappointing.
Howard finishes with a record of 87-72. The former member of the Fab Five is still, and will always be, a Michigan legend.
