Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA;  Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (26) during a press conference in advance of Super Bowl LIX at New Orleans Marriott. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Saquon Barkley can earn another bonus if Eagles win SB LIX

Saquon Barkley will have many reasons to enjoy his 28th birthday, provided the Philadelphia Eagles defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday night in New Orleans.

An Eagles’ victory in the big game would net Barkley a $250,000 incentive bonus, which would match the total he received after Philadelphia’s 55-23 victory over the Washington Commanders in the NFC title game. Barkley rushed for 118 yards and three touchdowns in that game.

Barkley, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year, already has earned $3 million in incentives, per ESPN. That’s quite the boost for Barkley, who signed a three-year contract worth $37.75 million last March — complete with an $11.625 million signing bonus.

Barkley also could make NFL history on Sunday. His 2,447 rushing yards accumulated over the regular season (2,005) and the playoffs (442) are just 29 shy of the NFL record held by Terrell Davis, set in 1998 with the Denver Broncos.

Barkley joined the Eagles in the offseason after a six-year run with the New York Giants, with whom he totaled 5,211 rushing yards and 35 touchdowns. This season, his yards gained and his 15 rushing touchdowns spearheaded the Eagles’ potent ground game during their push to a 14-3 record and a Super Bowl LIX appearance.

A three-time Pro Bowl selection, Barkley was named first-team All-Pro for the first time in 2024. He also earned several Rookie of the Year awards in 2018 before winning the Bert Bell Award (top NFL player) in 2024.

–Field Level Media

Jan 17, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Randy Moss on the ESPN Monday Night Countdown set before a NFC Wild Card playoff football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Randy Moss returns to ESPN set amid cancer battle

Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Randy Moss made his return to ESPN on Sunday, joining the “Sunday NFL Countdown” crew in New Orleans amid his battle with cancer.

Moss had been on leave from the weekly pregame show since announcing Dec. 6 that he was taking time away to address a health issue. A week later, he said in an Instagram Live post that he had undergone major surgery to address a cancerous mass found in his bile duct between his liver and pancreas, adding he would follow up with radiation and chemotherapy.

He was welcomed back on Sunday, ahead of Super Bowl LIX, with a video featuring faces from throughout the NFL. Former teammate Tom Brady, wide receivers Justin Jefferson, Jerry Rice, Steve Smith Sr. and Malik Nabers, and ex-coach Bill Belichick were among those wishing him well.

Moss fought off tears after the video as he sat on the ESPN set at the Superdome, flanked by host Mike Greenberg and fellow analysts Rex Ryan, Alex Smith and Tedy Bruschi.

“I couldn’t do it alone,” Moss said after viewing the video.

“It’s been hard, but I got a lot of love and a lot of people believing in me, man, so I’m happy to be here.”

Moss, who turns 48 next week, has been part of ESPN’s “Sunday NFL Countdown” crew since 2016.

“For nearly a decade, Randy has been an invaluable member of the team, consistently elevating ‘Countdown’ with his insight and passion,” the network said in a statement when Moss took his leave of absence. “He has ESPN’s full support, and we look forward to welcoming him back when he is ready.”

Moss was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018 with 982 receptions for 15,292 yards and 156 touchdowns in 218 games with the Minnesota Vikings (1998-2004, 2010), Oakland Raiders (2005-06), New England Patriots (2007-10), Tennessee Titans (2010) and San Francisco 49ers (2012).

The four-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowl selection led the NFL in receiving touchdowns five times, including a single-season record 23 scores with the Patriots in 2007.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore on the sidelines during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens  at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Reports: Saints to name Eagles OC Kellen Moore head coach

The New Orleans Saints will name Kellen Moore as their next head coach, multiple outlets reported Sunday.

Moore has one piece of unfinished business before he’s free to take the job: the Super Bowl. Moore is the offensive coordinator of the Philadelphia Eagles, who will meet the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday night in New Orleans.

The Saints are replacing Dennis Allen, who was fired in November after a 2-7 start to the 2024 season. They are one of seven teams that had a vacancy at head coach; the other six jobs have been filled.

At 35, Moore will become the youngest head coach in the NFL, once the deal is official. It will be his first head-coaching role.

A record-setting quarterback at Boise State, Moore was a backup quarterback with the Detroit Lions (2012-14) and Dallas Cowboys (2015-17). After six seasons in the NFL, Moore transitioned to coaching, first as the quarterbacks coach of the Cowboys (2018) and then as offensive coordinator (2019-22).

When then-head coach Mike McCarthy took over the play calling in 2023, Moore exited Dallas and became offensive coordinator with the Los Angeles Chargers before joining the Eagles in 2024.

The Eagles generated 367.2 yards of offense in 2024 — eighth in the NFL — and were second in rushing (179.3 yards per game) behind Saquon Barkley and his 2,005 rushing yards.

Moore won’t have the luxury of an impact player like Barkley in New Orleans, which is $54.1 million over the salary cap, per Over The Cap, and faces roster questions and decisions on both sides of the ball.

–Field Level Media

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) throws his 500th career touchdown pass in the second quarter of the game against the Miami Dolphins on Jan. 5, 2025, in East Rutherford, N.J.

Report: Decision could come soon on Aaron Rodgers’ future with Jets

The New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers have been discussing whether the four-time league MVP will return to the team in 2025, with a decision potentially coming this week, NFL Network reported Sunday.

Rodgers, 41, has spent two seasons in New York. The quarterback suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the opener in 2023, and last season, he rebounded to start all 17 games but the Jets finished only 5-12. He completed 63.0 percent of his passes for 3,897 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

If he is to stay in New York, he likely will need to agree to a pay cut from his $37.5 million base salary. He is set to become a free agent after the 2025 season.

Per the report, the Jets will want a commitment that he’ll take part in offseason programs to learn the offense of coordinator Tanner Engstrand, brought on board by new head coach Aaron Glenn.

Rodgers spent 18 seasons with the Green Bay Packers before moving on the Jets. The future Pro Football Hall of Fame member ranks in the top 10 in NFL history in many statistical categories.

He is first in passer rating (102.6), fifth in career touchdown passes (503), and seventh in both pass completions (5,369) and passing yards (62,952).

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore on the sidelines during the first half against the Baltimore Ravens  at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Report: Saints set to hire Eagles OC Kellen Moore as head coach

The last head coaching vacancy in the NFL will be filled after the Super Bowl, as the New Orleans Saints plan to hire Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore, per an ESPN report on Saturday night.

Moore, 36, has never been a head coach, but in his lone season guiding Philadelphia’s offense, the Eagles ranked eighth in total offense (367.2 yards per game) and second in rushing (179.3).

Moore interviewed twice with the Saints in January, emerging as the leading candidate for the job. On Sunday, he will be in New Orleans on the Eagles’ sideline when they face the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome.

“There’s certainly a great opportunity. I think the big thing is really getting to know people,” Moore said earlier this week, referring to the New Orleans opening. “Certainly there’s philosophies and things that there’s going to be questions about, but I think it’s an excellent opportunity just to get face-to-face and get to know the people. And get to know the interactions and see the fit that it may be.”

To avoid breaking any rules, the Saints won’t try to finalize any deal until after the Super Bowl but expect it will go smoothly, per ESPN’s report.

Philadelphia is Moore’s third stop as an NFL offensive coordinator, following stints with the Dallas Cowboys (2019-22) and Los Angeles Chargers (2023). The former six-year NFL quarterback would have his hands full turning around a New Orleans team that finished tied for last in the NFC South at 5-12 in 2024.

New Orleans fired head coach Dennis Allen nine games in, and interim coach Darren Rizzi went 3-5 the rest of the season.

–Field Level Media

Oct 27, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham (55) walks off the field after the victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

Eagles DE Brandon Graham activated off IR for Super Bowl LIX

The Philadelphia Eagles activated defensive end Brandon Graham from injured reserve on Saturday, giving the oldest player on the roster a chance to play the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.

Graham, 36, is listed as questionable (elbow) on the injury report for Sunday’s game in New Orleans, which he has said could be his final game before retirement.

He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday before practicing in full on Friday.

The Eagles made room on the roster by placing offensive lineman Nick Gates (groin) on injured reserve.

Philadelphia’s game-day elevations, announced Saturday, are fullback Khari Blasingame and linebacker Nicholas Morrow.

Kansas City has elevated linebacker Swayze Bozeman and cornerback Steven Nelson from the practice squad.

Graham, a team captain in his 15th season with the Eagles, was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 26 after tearing a triceps muscle in a Week 12 win against the Los Angeles Rams.

He is the Eagles’ all-time leader with 206 games played and ranks third in franchise history with 76.5 sacks. Graham tallied 3.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits and 20 tackles in 11 games (one start) this season.

Graham was one of the heroes of Philadelphia’s 41-33 win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, recording a strip-sack of Tom Brady late in the fourth quarter to help clinch the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy.

–Field Level Media

Feb 3, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; An artist paints a Kansas City Chiefs mural at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

New Orleans reveling in Super Bowl after challenging events

NEW ORLEANS — Never a city short on color, New Orleans has been looking positively brightly adorned in recent days, as the city undergoes its makeover for Super Bowl LIX.

Murals have sprung up all over downtown, along with big, bold placards and advertisements, signaling that the city with a reputation for throwing a great party is once again hosting the biggest sports party of them this week.

This year’s Super Bowl logo and art style feature a colorful beadwork design, inspired by the local Black Masking tradition. That unique form of expression was created by Black Americans who were excluded from mainstream Mardi Gras celebrations for much of the city’s history and continues today.

The commissioned art, designed by local artist Tahj “Queen Tahj” Williams, incorporates bright red, green and yellow colors, and that theme is on display on the streets surrounding the Caesars Superdome, the site of this year’s game.

“I wanted the rest of the world to see what I saw when I saw this culture for the first time here in New Orleans,” Williams told Reuters.

Megan Braden-Perry, a local entertainment and culture reporter, sees the ramp up in accompanying events being typical for such a huge occasion. From drag brunches and celebrity-centered events to more typical tailgates and fan fests, New Orleans is hosting a buffet of entertainment options for hungry visitors.

According to Braden-Perry, the city prides itself on being “built to host,” and that comes directly from the people within the community who are experienced through decades of hosting big celebrations.

“We are raised from little to grow up and work in the service industry or retail, with a lot of jobs being concentrated downtown,” Braden-Perry said. “If we are still here working, we are absolutely still here hosting.”

Kevin Pedeaux, owner of CR Coffee Shop and operator of the St. Roch Market, agrees that the community is ready for the influx of tourists that some estimates put in the neighborhood of over 100,000 visitors.

“There has never been a better time to come to New Orleans since I’ve been alive,” Pedeaux said. “We are so excited to host this huge event and have visitors in our beloved city again. We want to share New Orleans with the world.”

That spirit to host has yet to be dampened, despite some recent challenges.

Most seriously, the city endured a terror attack on January 1, in which a man drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 and injuring dozens of others.

That incident called security for Super Bowl LIX into greater question. Cathy Lanier, chief security officer for the NFL, revealed Wednesday in a call with reporters that security has been ramped up in the wake of that tragedy, though she declined to get into too many specifics, emphasizing the importance of flexibility.

Still, she acknowledged that thousands of federal, state and local law enforcement officials are on hand while noting that “this team is ready” following almost two years of planning. She added that the league has received “no specific or credible threats.”

“I think the most important thing is, very clear and unequivocal, saying without hesitation that we are really confident in our security plan going into the Super Bowl,” Lanier said.

Anecdotally, Pedeaux saw business slow in the wake of that attack, though a more recent snowstorm, in which New Orleans saw 10 inches of snow in a single day — the biggest snowfall since at least 1895 — had a much greater impact on business and Super Bowl preparations.

“It was looking like we were finally picking up again, and then the snowstorm pulled the rug out from us again,” Pedeaux said.

But with snow melted, security in place, and Mardi Gras right around the corner, the community is excited to once again put its best foot forward.

“We New Orleanians are happy to show both teams and their fans a fun and safe time, and we hope they make lifelong memories here,” Braden-Perry said.

Pedeaux echoed the sentiment.

“We’re ready … Come be a part of the excitement!”

–David Gladow, Field Level Media

Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; A NFL shield logo on an Honors trophy at the Super Bowl LIX NFL Honors at Saenger Theatre. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Former Bears, Bills head coach Dick Jauron dies at 74

Former Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills head coach Dick Jauron died Saturday morning after a short battle with cancer. He was 74.

The news was first reported by the Daily Item in Swampscott, Mass., where he attended high school.

Jauron served as the head coach of the Bears from 1999-2003. His best season came in 2001, when he was named the NFL Coach of the Year after Chicago posted a 13-3 record.

Unfortunately for Jauron, the Bears went 4-12 in 2002 and 7-9 in 2003, and he was fired by the team. He finished with a 35-45 mark.

Jauron joined the Detroit Lions as defensive coordinator in 2004 and served as their interim head coach for the final five games of the 2005 season after Steve Mariucci was dismissed. Jauron went 1-4 in that time.

He was named the Bills’ head coach in 2006. The team was 24-33 in 3 1/2 before Jauron was fired after Week 10 in 2009.

“I was very fortunate to start my NFL career with Dick Jauron as my first head coach,” said Eric Wood, a former Bills center who was drafted in the first round by Jauron in 2009. “He set a great foundation for my career with his extensive knowledge of the NFL game and helped us develop as professionals both on and off the field. Coach Jauron was a sincere and thoughtful family man and a true gentleman. My heart goes out to his family during this difficult time.”

Jauron spent 2010 as the defensive backs coach/senior assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles and 2011-12 as the defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns.

Jauron, a safety, was selected by the Lions in the fourth round of the 1973 NFL Draft out of Yale.

A Pro Bowl selection in 1974, Jauron recorded 25 interceptions — including two returned for touchdowns — in 100 career games with the Lions (1973-77) and Cincinnati Bengals (1978-80).

–Field Level Media

Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham speaks with the media during a press conference at Hilton New Orleans Riverside. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Super Bowl injury report: Eagles’ Brandon Graham questionable

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham is questionable and Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore is doubtful for Super Bowl LIX, according to the final injury report for the game released Friday.

Graham (elbow) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday before practicing in full on Friday.

Graham, 36, hinted earlier in the week that he is considering retirement after the Super Bowl.

“I don’t know what the future holds,” he said, “but if this is my last game, I’m going to give it everything I have.”

Graham, a team captain in his 15th season with the Eagles, was placed on injured reserve on Nov. 26 after tearing a triceps muscle in a Week 12 win against the Los Angeles Rams.

Graham is the Eagles’ all-time leader with 206 games played and ranks third in franchise history with 76.5 sacks. He tallied 3.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits and 20 tackles in 11 games (one start) this season. He was one of the heroes of Philadelphia’s 41-33 win against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII, recording a strip-sack of Tom Brady late in the fourth quarter to help clinch the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy.

The Eagles also listed tight end C.J. Uzomah (abdomen) and reserve offensive lineman Nick Gates (groin) as questionable. Philadelphia ruled out receiver/return specialist Britain Covey (neck), who remains on injured reserve.

No other Eagles player carries a game designation into the weekend. Receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) was limited Wednesday through Friday but will play.

As for Kansas City, Moore hasn’t played since Week 7 and was placed on IR in October with a core muscle injury. He practiced in a limited capacity each day this week but is now deemed doubtful to play.

Moore is in his third NFL season, all with Kansas City, and did not record a reception in 2024 before his injury. He has 43 career receptions for 494 yards and one touchdown, plus a 4-yard touchdown catch against the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII.

He’s the only Chiefs player with any designation. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who suffered a high ankle sprain Dec. 15 vs. Cleveland, was a full participant all week. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) and punter Matt Araiza (illness) are also good to go.

–Field Level Media