Month: January 2024

Sep 17, 2023; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) reacts before playing the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Pats not picking up Mac Jones’ 5th-year option

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The New England Patriots will not pick up quarterback Mac Jones’ fifth-year option for the 2025 season, MassLive.com reported on Tuesday.

The deadline for NFL teams to exercise their options for first-round picks from the 2021 NFL Draft is May 2.

Jones, who has regressed after a solid 2021 rookie season and was benched multiple times in 2023, would then become a free agent after the 2024 season.

Picking up the option would put the Pats on the hook for an estimated $23 million in guaranteed salary in 2025. Instead, New England will attempt to trade Jones, 25, this offseason, per the report.

Jones was the No. 15 overall pick in 2021 out of Alabama. He made the Pro Bowl and went 10-7 in his first season, passing for 3,801 yards with 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

Over the past two seasons, however, Jones is 8-17 as New England’s starter with 24 touchdowns and 23 interceptions.

Bailey Zappe, undrafted in 2022, wound up starting six games for the Patriots during head coach Bill Belichick’s final season with the franchise in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Jan 1, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) poses with the MVP Trophy after defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-USA TODAY Sports

Report: NCAA eyeing Tennessee for possible NIL violations

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The NCAA is investigating the Tennessee football program for possible NIL violations, Sports Illustrated and CBS reported Tuesday.

According to reports, the case centers around quarterback Nico Iamaleava, a Class of 2023 five-star recruit.

Iamaleava signed a lucrative name, image and likeness deal with Spyre Sports Group, Tennessee’s primary collective.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reported last year that Iamaleava’s NIL deal was worth $8 million.

Tennessee has not received a formal notice of allegations from the NCAA, the university told news outlets.

Iamaleava appeared in five games for the Volunteers in the 2023 season. The freshman was named the Citrus Bowl MVP after rushing for three touchdowns and passing for one touchdown in a 35-0 win against Iowa on Jan. 1.

–Field Level Media

Jul 26, 2023; Costa Mesa, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers helmet of long snapper Josh Harris (47) during training camp at Jack Hammet Sports Comples. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Chargers name Joe Hortiz general manager

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The Los Angeles Chargers named Baltimore Ravens personnel director Joe Hortiz as the team’s general manager on Tuesday.

Per the Chargers, Hortiz will oversee all player personnel and scouting matters, including free agency and the NFL draft.

Hortiz, 48, served in his current role with the Ravens since 2019, having worked for the team for 26 years. Baltimore’s head coach since 2008 has been John Harbaugh, the brother of new Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh.

“Joe is one of the most respected player evaluators and personnel minds in the league whose contributions to the Ravens front office over the past two decades cannot be overstated,” John Spanos, the Chargers’ president of football operations, said in a statement.

“When you consider his football IQ, eye for talent, ability to think both short and long term as it pertains to roster construction, organization, thoroughness and ability to be creative within the confines of our collective bargaining agreement, it’s hard not to be excited about the future. Factor in his experience working with two of the best in the business in (former Ravens GM) Ozzie Newsome and (current Ravens GM) Eric DeCosta and the consistency of performance that their teams have achieved, Joe is without a doubt the right person to help Coach Harbaugh and his staff build a team that will make Chargers fans proud.”

Teaming with Newsome and DeCosta, Hortiz helped shape two Super Bowl championship teams and a club that went an NFL-best 13-4 this season before losing to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.

“When you’ve had the privilege of working with one organization your entire career, something that’s exceedingly rare in our business, the opportunity and fit has to pretty much be perfect to consider a change,” Hortiz said. “This is that opportunity — the Chargers’ brand, the uniforms, foundational building blocks already on the roster, a new training facility, SoFi Stadium and a clear commitment from the Spanos family to dedicating every resource possible towards bringing a Lombardi Trophy home to our fans — it’s all there. Then of course, having known the Harbaugh family for all these years and the chance to continue that special relationship in this new role, I truly could not be more fortunate.”

Tom Telesco was the Chargers’ general manager until Dec. 15, when he and head coach Brandon Staley were fired after a 63-21 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders dropped Los Angeles’ record to 5-9. The Chargers went 0-3 under interim head coach Giff Smith to finish the season.

The Raiders hired Telesco as their general manager last week.

Los Angeles finished 18th in total offense this season (329.4 yards per game), 21st in scoring offense (20.4 points per game), 28th in total defense (362.9 ypg) and 24th in scoring defense (23.4 ppg).

–Field Level Media

Dec 17, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers helmet on the sidelines in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Panthers hiring Bucs’ Brad Idzik, 32, as OC

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The Carolina Panthers are planning to hire 32-year-old Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receivers coach Brad Idzik as their new offensive coordinator, ESPN reported Tuesday.

Idzik would rejoin former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales, who was named head coach of the Panthers last week. They also worked together with the Seattle Seahawks before joining the Bucs’ staff in 2023.

Idzik’s Buccaneers unit produced two 1,000-yard receivers this season. Mike Evans caught 79 passes for 1,255 yards and 13 touchdowns and Chris Godwin had 83 grabs for 1,024 yards and two scores.

Idzik would replace Thomas Brown, the offensive coordinator on former head coach Frank Reich’s staff. Carolina finished 2-15 in 2023 under Reich and interim coach Chris Tabor.

The Panthers ranked 31st in the NFL in scoring (13.9 points per game) and 32nd in total offense (265.3 yards per game) with 2023 No. 1 overall draft pick Bryce Young at quarterback.

Idzik was on Pete Carroll’s coaching staff in Seattle for four seasons as an assistant wide receivers coach (2019-20, 2022) and offensive quality control/assistant quarterbacks coach (2021).

–Field Level Media

Jan 13, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) reacts during the second half of the 2024 AFC wild card game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Chiefs to wear home red jerseys in Super Bowl LVIII

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The Kansas City Chiefs will be wearing their home red jerseys when they take the field against the San Francisco 49ers for Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas.

Kansas City, which is the designated home team for the game on Feb. 11, was afforded the selection of uniform color.

The teams will be wearing the same uniform colors from Super Bowl LIV in February 2020. The Chiefs recorded a 31-20 victory over the 49ers in that game.

Wearing red on Super Bowl Sunday largely has mixed results for Kansas City. The Chiefs wore that color in a 23-7 win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl IV, however they dropped a 31-9 decision to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV. The Chiefs wore white in their 35-10 loss to the Green Bay Packers in the very first Super Bowl as well as their 38-35 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII last year.

Their loss to the Chiefs aside, the 49ers have won the two other Super Bowls in which they wore white uniforms.

San Francisco posted a 26-21 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XVI and breezed to a 55-10 win over the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXIV.

–Field Level Media

Dec 24, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith shown on the field after the game against the Indianapolis Colts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Steelers hiring ex-Falcons coach Arthur Smith as OC

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The Pittsburgh Steelers are expected to hire former Atlanta Falcons head coach Arthur Smith as their offensive coordinator, NFL Network reported Tuesday.

The Falcons fired Smith on Jan. 8 at the conclusion of his third straight 7-10 season.

Smith, 41, was the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and 2020 before taking the Atlanta job.

He originally joined the Titans in 2011 as a quality control coach before working with the offensive line (2013) and the tight ends (2014-18).

The Steelers fired offensive coordinator Matt Canada on Nov. 21. Running backs coach Eddie Faulkner took over the day-to-day responsibilities of the OC position and quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan became the new play-caller.

Pittsburgh (10-7) rallied to make the playoffs with three straight wins to close the regular season. The campaign ended with a 31-17 road loss to the Buffalo Bills in the wild-card round.

The Steelers finished 28th in the NFL in scoring (17.9 points per game) and 25th in total offense (304.3 yards per game).

When Smith directed the Tennessee offense from 2019-20, it was a run-heavy attack behind All-Pro Derrick Henry. Henry led the NFL in rushing both seasons, including a 2,027-yard campaign in 2020.

Smith’s stable of running backs in Pittsburgh includes three-time 1,000-yard rusher Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren, who gained 1,154 yards from scrimmage in 2023.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson speaks at Detroit Lions headquarters and training facility in Allen Park on Thursday, Jan. 25, 2024.

Report: Ben Johnson to remain as Lions OC

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Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson reportedly is staying in the Motor City next season.

NFL Network reported on Tuesday that Johnson informed the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders that he’s remaining with the Lions. He previously interviewed for the Falcons’ head coaching position, but Atlanta opted to hire Raheem Morris instead.

Johnson, 37, has been credited as the architect of an offense that led Detroit to a 12-5 record and its first division title in 30 years. He joined the Lions in 2019 as an offensive quality control coach and held other titles until becoming the team’s offensive coordinator in 2022.

Prior to joining the Lions, Johnson was with the Miami Dolphins from 2012-18. He started his coaching career at Boston College, where he was a graduate assistant from 2009-10 before being promoted to tight ends coach for the 2011 season.

The Commanders and Seahawks reportedly will meet with Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald for their respective head coaching vacancies.

Washington fired Ron Rivera as head coach after four seasons on Jan. 8, while Seattle parted ways with Pete Carroll after 14 seasons on Jan. 10.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; General view of the Big 12 logo on the field at TDECU Stadium before the game between the Houston Cougars and the Texas Longhorns. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Expanded Big 12 to keep playing nine league games

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The 16-team Big 12 Conference unveiled its 2024 football schedule on Tuesday.

Like in the Big Ten, each team will continue to play nine conference games. The Southeastern Conference and Atlantic Coast Conference are moving to an eight-game format in 2024.

Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado joined the expanded Big 12 from the Pac-12 Conference, while Texas and Oklahoma left the Big 12 for the SEC. The Buffaloes previously competed in the Big 12 from 1996-2010.

The Big 12 season kicks off on Sept. 14 when UCF visits TCU in Fort Worth, Texas.

The Big 12 announced in November that the schedule would prioritize geographical and historical rivalries. Kansas plays at Kansas State on Oct. 26, BYU will visit Utah on Nov. 9, Baylor will play at Houston on Nov. 23 and Arizona will host Arizona State on Nov. 30.

The Big 12 championship game is scheduled for Dec. 7 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

In a scheduling quirk, two contests involving new league members — Baylor at Utah (Sept. 7) and Arizona at Kansas State (weekend of Sept. 14) — are considered nonconference games because they were previously scheduled.

–Field Level Media

Oct 19, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael smiles before a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Broncos to hire former Saints OC Pete Carmichael

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The Denver Broncos are expected to hire former New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael, NOLA.com reported on Tuesday.

While the exact role for Carmichael is unknown, the move will reunite him with Broncos head coach Sean Payton and potentially offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi.

Carmichael, 52, was fired on Jan. 16 after an 18-year stint with New Orleans, including a significant portion as the offensive coordinator under the then-Saints head coach Payton.

Carmichael initially joined Payton’s staff in 2006 and worked with the team’s quarterbacks and passing game for three seasons. Carmichael has served as New Orleans’ offensive coordinator since 2009 and worked through the coaching transition from Payton to Dennis Allen.

The Saints (9-8) finished 14th in total offense (337.2 average yards per game) and 21st in rushing offense (102.5) in 2023, missing out on the playoffs in a tiebreaker with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South division title.

–Field Level Media

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates a touchdown against Tampa Bay Buccaneers with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the second half of the NFC divisional round at Ford Field in Detroit on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024.

Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Eagles’ Jalen Hurts added to Pro Bowl

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Detroit Lions rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs and wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown were added Tuesday to the NFC roster for the upcoming Pro Bowl.

Gibbs is replacing San Francisco 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey, whose team defeated the Lions in the NFC Championship Game on Sunday. The 49ers will compete in Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb. 11 in Las Vegas.

St. Brown is taking the place of Philadelphia Eagles injured wideout A.J. Brown, while the Eagles are sending two of their own to the Pro Bowl. Quarterback Jalen Hurts is replacing Niners quarterback Brock Purdy, and cornerback Darius Slay will replace San Francisco cornerback Charvarius Ward.

Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Kenny Clark and Minnesota Vikings fullback C.J. Ham also were added to the NFC roster. They will replace 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and fullback Kyle Juszczyk, respectively.

Also, Baltimore Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler, New York Jets edge rusher Jermaine Johnson and Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and center Ryan Kelly have been added to the AFC roster. Zeitler is replacing Kansas City Chiefs guard Joe Thuney and Johnson will take the place of Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack. The Colts duo is replacing Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and center Creed Humphrey, respectively.

Gibbs, 21, had 182 carries for 945 yards and 10 touchdowns to go along with 52 catches for 316 yards and a score in 15 games this season. He was selected by the Lions with the 12th overall of the 2023 NFL Draft.

St. Brown, 24, recorded a career-high totals in catches (119), receiving yards (1,515) and touchdowns (10) in 16 games this season.

Hurts, 25, passed for career highs of 3,858 yards, 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 17 games (all starts) this season. He also rushed for a career-high 15 scores.

Slay, 33, had 57 tackles and two interceptions in 12 starts this year before having arthroscopic knee surgery in mid-December. This marks Slay’s sixth nomination to the Pro Bowl.

Clark, 28, had 7.5 sacks, 44 tackles and two forced fumbles in 17 games (all starts) this season.

Ham, 30, provides a presence in the backfield that overshadows his statistics. He had one carry for seven yards and seven catches for 25 yards in 17 games (five starts) this season.

Zeitler, 33, will be headed to his first Pro Bowl after starting all 15 games in which he has played this season.

Johnson, 25, recorded 7.5 sacks, 55 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 17 games (all starts) this season.

Buckner, 29, has eight sacks, 81 tackles, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery for a touchdown in 17 games (16 starts) this season.

Kelly, 30, started all 14 games in which he played this season.

–Field Level Media