Month: January 2021

Aug 24, 2020; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is shown Monday, August 24, 2020 during the team's training camp in Green Bay, Wis. Mandatory Credit: Mark Hoffman/Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-USA TODAY NETWORK

Packers fire defensive coordinator Mike Pettine

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Packers defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is done in Green Bay.

Technically, Pettine’s contract is expiring but the Packers are splitting with the former head coach and longtime coordinator in the aftermath of the NFC Championship game loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Pettine was retained by head coach Matt LaFleur in 2019 and spent the past three seasons — one under Mike McCarthy — as defensive coordinator.

“We want to thank Mike for his commitment to the Packers for the last three seasons. He was an important part of our success. As a first-time head coach, he was also an invaluable resource for us during our time together,” said LaFleur in a statement. “We wish Mike, Megan, and the rest of their family the best moving forward.”

LaFleur’s next hire will be the Packers’ third defensive coordinator in five seasons. Dom Capers was fired by McCarthy after the 2017 season.

The Packers also officially dismissed special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2021; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) passes the ball during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Rams could be a player for QB Matthew Stafford

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The Los Angeles Rams have been disappointed with the play of quarterback Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions are set to part ways with Matthew Stafford, with ESPN reporting Friday the teams could be open to doing business together.

According to the report, Stafford believes the Rams are “a viable contender in his trade market,” a source indicated.

The Rams signed Goff to a four-year, $134 million contract in 2019 that had $110 million guaranteed. A restructuring of the deal in April freed up $7 million for the Rams. But cutting Goff after five seasons would cost the Rams $65.2 million in dead money. Trading him would cost $22.2 million.

Goff, 26, is a two-time Pro Bowler that helped the Rams to the Super Bowl after the 2018 season, but he struggled in that game, a loss to the New England Patriots, and his quarterback rating the past two seasons was worse than the previous two.

Goff has thrown for 18,171 yards in 69 career games with 107 touchdowns and 55 interceptions. He led the NFL in pass attempts in 2019 with 626.

Goff threw for 3,952 yards and 20 TDs with 13 interceptions in 15 games this past season, undergoing thumb surgery after a Week 16 injury. The Rams went 9-6 with Goff as the starter and advanced to the divisional round of the NFC playoffs where they were defeated by the Green Bay Packers.

Stafford, 32, has played 12 seasons with the Lions after he was the No. 1 overall selection by the team in 2009 out of Georgia. Stafford has one Pro Bowl appearance, and he has delivered a better QB rating than Goff in each of the past two seasons.

Stafford has thrown for 45,109 yards in 165 career games with 282 touchdowns and 144 interceptions. He led the NFL in pass attempts in 2011 (663) and 2012 (727). He also led in completions in 2012 (435).

Stafford passed 4,084 yards this past season with 26 TDs and 10 interceptions in 16 games as the Lions went 5-11.

Goff has played in six career playoff games, while Stafford has played in three playoff games and none since 2016. He is 0-3 in the playoffs.

Trading Stafford will cost the Lions $19 million in dead money. Stafford and the Lions agreed last week to mutually part ways, it was reported Jan. 23.

–Field Level Media

Jan 3, 2021; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) looks on against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Legal Super Bowl LV betting estimated to reach $500M

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Super Bowl LV is expected to generate upward of a half-billion dollars in legal wagering throughout regulated markets in the United States, according to Play USA.

Dedicated to tracking the online gambling industry in the United States, Play USA analyzes sports betting, as well as online poker and other casino gaming.

The Feb. 7 matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs at Tampa, is estimated to draw $200 million more in legal wagering than last year’s Super Bowl between the San Francisco 49ers and Chiefs, won 31-20 by Kansas City.

“With the expansion of legal sports betting over the last year, both in terms of new markets and growth within existing markets, a historic weekend is inevitable,” Play USA lead analyst Dustin Gouker said in a release. “Half a billion dollars or more bet on one game seems almost unfathomable, but considering the direction of the US market, that handle is easily within reach.”

Online sports betting is now regulated in 20 states, with Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Indiana the largest players in the market.

Sports wagering sites like FanDuel, DraftKings and PointsBet all have the Chiefs installed as a 3-point favorite, as of Friday afternoon. Kansas City is a 3.5-point favorite at BetMGM. FanDuel, DraftKings and BetMGM have set the total points at 56.5, while PointsBet is at 56.

While the legal sports betting market continues to grow following the repeal in 2018 of the sports-betting ban, its activity still pales in comparison to the illegal betting market. The American Gaming Association estimated that last year’s Super Bowl generated $6.8 billion in legal and illegal wagering.

Play USA estimates that $125 million will be wagered legally on the Super Bowl in Nevada, while New Jersey is expected to handle $75 million in wagers, followed by Illinois at $60 million.

–Field Level Media

Nov 8, 2020; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Nick Boyle (86) catches the ball against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens TE Nick Boyle agrees to two-year extension

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Baltimore Ravens tight end Nick Boyle agreed to a two-year contract extension on Friday that will keep him with the team through the 2023 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed by the team, but NFL Network reported it is worth a total of $13 million, with $10.5 million fully guaranteed upon signing.

His existing three-year, $18 million contract was due to expire after the 2021 season.

Boyle sustained a season-ending knee injury during the Ravens’ 23-17 loss to the New England Patriots on Nov. 15. He is expected to return in time for training camp next season.

Boyle, 27, recorded career-high totals in catches (31) and receiving yards (321) in 2019 before finishing with 14 catches for 113 yards in nine games in 2020. He had two touchdown grabs in both campaigns for Baltimore, which relies heavily on fellow tight end Mark Andrews in the passing game.

Boyle has 120 receptions for 1,047 yards with four touchdowns in 73 career games since being selected by Baltimore in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

–Field Level Media

Aug 8, 2019; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni looks on against the Buffalo Bills during the second quarter at New Era Field. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Nick Sirianni evaluating Eagles’ roster, including ‘top-notch’ QBs

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Nick Sirianni has focused on the offensive side of the ball during his NFL coaching career, however he appeared to find himself on the defensive after being introduced as the Philadelphia Eagles head coach on Friday.

Sirianni was asked about the status of quarterback Carson Wentz numerous times. When asked directly if Wentz would return to the Eagles for the 2021 season, Sirianni said: “I can’t answer that. Again, evaluating everything.”

The 39-year-old Sirianni also was asked if there was a timeline for when a starting quarterback would be named, whether it be Wentz or Jalen Hurts.

“Haven’t really thought about that yet, naming a starter. That hasn’t even crossed my mind,” he said. “Just trying to evaluate the players on our team and get our staff together.”

Wentz, who was benched in favor of Hurts for the final four games of the 2020 season, completed just 57.4 percent of his pass attempts (251 of 437) for 2,620 yards and 16 touchdowns. He threw a league-leading 15 interceptions (tied with Denver’s Drew Lock) in 12 starts while averaging a career-low 218.3 passing yards per game. He also ran for five touchdowns.

Now 28, Wentz was the No. 2 overall pick by the Eagles in the 2016 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year, $128 million extension with the Eagles in June 2019.

Hurts, 22, completed 52.0 percent of his passes (77 of 148) for 1,061 yards with six touchdowns and four interceptions. He also rushed 63 times for 354 yards with three scores.

Sirianni, who labeled Wentz and Hurts as “top-notch” quarterbacks, spent the last three seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts posted an 11-5 regular-season mark under his watch in 2020, with the offense ranking ninth in scoring (28.2 points) and 10th in total offense (11th in passing, 11th in rushing).

The Eagles fired head coach Doug Pederson earlier this month after a five-year run that included a 42-37-1 record and Philadelphia’s first Super Bowl championship. Since the win over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, however, the Eagles are 22-25-1, including 4-11-1 in 2020.

Philadelphia’s offense ranked 24th in the NFL in yards per game (334.6), 26th in scoring (20.9 points) and 28th in passing yards (207.9).

–Field Level Media

Dec 27, 2020; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) rolls out of the pocket against the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Texans’ brass: ‘No interest’ in Deshaun Watson trade

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Trading Deshaun Watson is not part of the plan for the Houston Texans.

David Culley was introduced as head coach on Friday and echoed the sentiment of general manager Nick Caserio in a joint press session that the Texans are not trading their 25-year-old quarterback.

“The reason I’m in this position today is because I know he is going to be a Houston Texan,” Culley said of Watson.

That position runs counter to reports from multiple outlets that Watson requested a trade at the end of the regular season. In recent days, ESPN reported Watson is “dug in” on his trade demand.

Caserio opened the press conference by underscoring the Texans aren’t interested in trading Watson.

“Before we take a few questions: Organizationally, we want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson. We have zero interest in trading the player,” Caserio said.

Culley was named head coach this week and begins the task of setting a new direction for the franchise along with Caserio.

Watson reportedly has been incensed with management since star wideout DeAndre Hopkins was traded to the Arizona Cardinals last offseason. He also was pulling for Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to be hired as head coach, according to multiple reports.

Watson has a no-trade clause in the four-year, $156 million contract extension he signed last summer.

–Field Level Media

Dec 26, 2020; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks to head coach Bruce Arians before a game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Bettor places $2.3M wager on Bucs to cover in SB LV

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One bettor apparently is taking Bruce Arians’ “No risk it, no biscuit” mantra to heart.

A Nevada bettor placed a $2.3 million wager on Arians’ underdog Tampa Bay Buccaneers to cover the 3.5-point spread against the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on Nov. 7.

Darren Rovell of the Action Network reported that the wager was placed on the BetMGM mobile app. The unnamed bettor will pocket a $2 million profit should the Buccaneers cover in their “home” game against the Chiefs.

That sum of money eclipses the largest reported wager on last year’s Super Bowl, a $750,000 bet on the Chiefs.

“This was a bet we were very happy to receive,” Jason Scott, vice president of trading for BetMGM, told ESPN. “We had previously written several other six-figure bets, all on Kansas City, and the public is certainly behind Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 8, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles head coach Doug Pederson and running backs coach Duce Staley against the Arizona Cardinals during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Lions add Duce Staley, Mark Brunell to coaching staff

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The Detroit Lions announced the additions of Duce Staley, Mark Brunell and Mark DeLeone to their coaching staff on Friday.

Staley, 45, was hired as the assistant head coach/running backs coach with Detroit. It is the same title he held over the past three seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. He was an NFL running back for 10 seasons.

Brunell, 50, joins the Lions as the team’s quarterbacks coach. It marks the first NFL coaching job for the three-time Pro Bowl selection, who last played in the league in 2011. He has mentored quarterbacks at the NFL Scouting Combine.

DeLeone, 33, will serve as Detroit’s inside linebackers coach in 2021 after spending the past two seasons in the same role with the Chicago Bears.

The three join a new-look staff for the Lions, who named Dan Campbell as their coach, Aaron Glenn as the defensive coordinator and Anthony Lynn as offensive coordinator.

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Willie Gay Jr. (50) in the first half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium The Raiders defeated the Chiefs 40-22. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Chiefs LB Willie Gay Jr. (knee) to miss Super Bowl

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Kansas City Chiefs rookie linebacker Willie Gay Jr. will not play in Super Bowl LV after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus, NFL Network reported on Friday.

Gay, 22, sustained the injury during Thursday’s practice. He is expected to be ready for the start of the 2021 season, per the report.

Gay recorded 39 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in 16 games since being selected by the Chiefs in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

He did not participate in either of Kansas City’s postseason games due to a sprained ankle sustained in the season finale versus the Los Angeles Chargers on Jan. 3.

–Field Level Media

Jan 23, 2020; Kissimmee, Florida, USA; Baltimore Ravens receiver coach David Culley during AFC practice at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

David Culley introduced as head coach of the Texans

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David Culley is officially the head coach of the Houston Texans.

An NFL assistant coach for 27 years following 15 years in the college ranks, Culley takes over a franchise with pressing concerns that begin with the face of the team, quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson requested a trade and according to reports Friday, he is “dug in” and unmoved by the team’s hire.

“Heading into this process, it was imperative to find a head coach that our entire organization could rally behind and David is unquestionably that leader,” said Texans general manager Nick Caserio. “David’s infectious energy, passion for the game and ability to command a room was clear from the start. As he shared his vision for how a head coach should lead a football team, it further solidified our belief in him. His mentality of being selfless and willing to accept any challenge while investing in each person within our program resonated with all of us.”

Culley, 65, was assistant head coach, passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach of the Ravens the past two seasons.

“On behalf of my family, I would like to thank Janice, Cal and Hannah McNair for the amazing opportunity of being the next head coach of the Houston Texans,” Culley said. “To say that I am excited and that this is a dream come true is an understatement. Along the way, I have had countless people, organizations, family members and friends pour into me and prepare a path for me. My genuine hope is that this moment is as much theirs as it is mine. Let’s get to work and let’s do it together!”

Culley will be the oldest coach in NFL history at the time of his debut, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Bud Wilkinson (62 years, 133 days) is the current oldest from his 29-game stint with the then-St. Louis Cardinals in 1978-79.

The Texans started the 2020 season 0-4. Head coach Bill O’Brien was fired after Week 4, and Romeo Crennel ran the team on an interim basis.

Watson’s frustration stems from multiple decisions he took issue with, including O’Brien trading All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins last offseason. More recently, Watson hoped the Texans would prioritize Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy in their head-coaching search and reportedly wanted to be consulted in McNair’s decisions at general manager and head coach.

The Texans think they found the right man, however.

“Throughout his entire coaching career, David has shown an ability to lead and bring people together,” said McNair, the team’s chairman and CEO. “David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to our team as somebody who has seen it all in this league. In his over 40 years of coaching, David has learned from many of the best coaches in the NFL while helping players navigate both the physical and mental side of the game. Highly regarded individuals from all over the league reached out to us throughout this process in support of David because of his unique ability to connect with those around him and his passion for the game and the relationships he creates. During our meetings with David, it was evident he has the energy, communication skills and vision required to build a winning program. We are thrilled to welcome David, Carolyn and the Culley family to the Houston Texans.”

–Field Level Media