All articles tagged with #special teams
The Pittsburgh Steelers fired senior special-teams assistant Derius Swinton II after ESPN reported a violation of team policy described as 'workplace misconduct'; specifics were not disclosed. Swinton, 41, has a long NFL resume, having worked for multiple teams and been part of Mike McCarthy's staff, including stints as Chargers’ special-teams coordinator (2021) and Raiders’ interim special-teams coordinator in 2025.
The Pittsburgh Steelers terminated assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton II for workplace misconduct, a club policy violation whose specifics were not disclosed. Swinton was hired earlier this year as part of mike McCarthy’s staff and his departure creates an opening on Danny Crossman’s special teams unit as the team reshapes its staff after multiple offseason losses.
The Pittsburgh Steelers parted ways with senior special teams coach Derius Swinton II after a violation of club policy, ending his first season with Pittsburgh; Swinton, entering his 16th NFL season, had spent the prior three years with the Raiders (including 2025 as interim ST coordinator) and previously held ST coordinator roles with the 49ers and Chargers.
The Steelers dismissed assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton II after only a few months on Mike McCarthy’s staff; no reason was disclosed, but ESPN reported it was for a violation of club policy. Swinton, 41, has NFL coaching experience dating to 2009, including time with the Raiders and prior stints as a coordinator, and had not previously worked with McCarthy or Steelers coordinator Danny Crossman.
The Steelers fired senior special teams coach Derius Swinton II for a policy violation, leaving Danny Crossman as the lone ST coach; details were not disclosed and it’s unclear if a replacement will be hired before OTAs.
The Pittsburgh Steelers dismissed senior assistant special teams coach Derius Swinton for violating team policy, though the exact nature of the violation wasn’t disclosed. Swinton spent three seasons with the Raiders as an assistant ST coach and has coached for multiple NFL teams, with Danny Crossman continuing as the Steelers’ special teams coordinator.
The Seattle Seahawks acquired wide receiver/special-teamer Irvin Charles from the New York Jets for a conditional 2028 draft pick. Charles, 29, went undrafted in 2022, spent four seasons with the Jets, and logged 450 special-teams snaps plus 14 ST tackles across 2023–2024 (seven in 2023, seven in 2024) and a blocked punt before tearing his ACL in Week 14. He had 53 offensive snaps and no receptions. With Seattle’s established WR corps (Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Cooper Kupp, Rashid Shaheed, Tory Horton), Charles figures to contribute mainly on special teams and provide depth if injuries arise.
The Seattle Seahawks acquired Jets WR and top special-teams contributor Irvin Charles for a conditional seventh-round pick. Charles, a 6'4", 219-pound undrafted receiver who has spent his NFL career on special teams (450 snaps) and recently tore his ACL in Week 14 of 2024, joins a Seahawks WR group with depth, and is expected to contribute mainly on special teams as Seattle pursues another championship.
The Packers’ Insider Inbox highlights a roster-building mindset that competition fuels improvement: Tyrod Taylor is added as QB2 to support Jordan Love and help groom a young quarterback, while coach Cam Achord champions multiple kickers in training camp to boost special teams. Fans’ questions touch on roster moves, rookie minicamp, and how the team plans to develop depth this offseason.
An assessment of the Steelers’ 2026 draft shows a defensive group with clear winners (Keeanu Benton, Malik Harrison, Cole Holcomb, Patrick Queen, Carson Bruener, Christian Kuntz, Cam Johnston) and a cadre of potential losers as new picks heighten competition at corner and safety. Daylen Everette’s third‑round selection complicates roles for Asante Samuel Jr. and Brandin Echols, while Cory Trice Jr., Donte Kent, Sebastian Castro, Robert Spears-Jennings, Logan Lee, and Esezi Otomewo battle for limited spots. The arrival of Gabriel Rubio and the re-signing of Dean Lowry further intensify depth battles. The takeaway: the fallout emphasizes depth and competition more than an immediate veteran starter impact.
Denver used the final pick of the 2024 NFL draft to select Buffalo linebacker Khalil 'Red' Murdock (Mr. Irrelevant). Known for a college-record 17 forced fumbles and 358 tackles over his last three seasons, Murdock combines instinct and a relentless motor with a less-fast 40-yard dash (about 4.67). The Broncos view him as a potential special-teams standout who could develop into a regular contributor behind the starters, thanks to his make-up and tackling instincts. GM George Paton praised his take-away talent and intangibles, while Murdock emphasized a team-first mindset as he competes for a roster spot among other depth linebackers in camp.
New England closed the 2026 NFL Draft with six Day-3 picks after trades with Jacksonville and Minnesota, adding Karon Prunty, Namdi Obiazor, Dametrious Crownover, Behren Morton, Jam Miller and Quintayvious Hutchins to bolster depth at corner, linebacker, tackle, quarterback, running back and edge/special-teams roles. Four of the six draftees are 24 years old, signaling an emphasis on experienced depth, with Crownover joining Lomu to strengthen the tackle room. The selections aim to provide immediate rotational help on defense and improved return coverage after last season’s defensive turnover and punt-return struggles, aided by the fact that several picks had 30 pre-draft visits.
New England used Day 3 to bolster depth on defense and add development at offense, drafting cornerback Karon Prunty, linebacker Namdi Obiazor, edge rusher Quintayvious Hutchins, offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover, running back Jam Miller, and quarterback Behren Morton, all aimed at creating competition and immediate special-teams impact; the team plans to pursue undrafted free agents (notably at WR) and could pursue trades, with lingering A.J. Brown talk.
The Browns drafted Alabama LB Justin Jefferson with the 149th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, a fast, versatile defender who started 15 games in 2025 after 41 college appearances. Cleveland envisions him contributing on defense and special teams alongside a revamped linebacker room led by Carson Schwesinger and Quincy Williams; Jefferson said he’s excited to learn and grow in the scheme.
The Seattle Seahawks selected Kansas wide receiver Emmanuel Henderson Jr. with the 199th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Henderson, a former Alabama transfer, posted 766 receiving yards and 45 catches with 5 TDs last season and also contributed as a returner (455 yards on kick returns, including a 94-yard TD), plus running-back experience, giving Seattle versatility. He emphasizes speed and playmaking, especially on special teams, a point echoed by NFL.com’s scouting notes that while he’s fast with potential after the catch, he’ll need work on route running and hands to secure a WR5/6 role and gunner duties on most rosters.