| Chris Myers, with some DB stats, takes a look at the Super Bowl 59 matchup at FoxSports.com. We are 8-4 with our playoff picks so far, as we turn to the Super Bowl. It would not shock us if the Eagles dominated the game with their great lines, but the longer the game goes with the Chiefs still in contention, the greater Kansas City’s chances. We think the braintrust of Andy Reid and Steve Spagnuolo will keep things in line as the Eagles settle for field goal attempts (from the suddenly less than ultra reliable Jake Elliott). Then at the end, Patrick Mahomes will have another game-winning drive for another 3 or 4-point Chiefs win with both teams around the 20-point mark. Let’s say – Chiefs, 23-20. Peter Prisco of CBSSports.com is thinking along the same lines: Taking away Barkley is paramount for the Chiefs defense. Look for some interesting wrinkles from Spagnuolo to attempt to do so. That could put the game on the right arm and legs of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. He hasn’t had a great season, but he’s been solid and he hasn’t been asked to do so much with Barkley running wild. The Eagles were last in the league in passing attempts for a reason. He might have to do more here. When these teams met in the Super Bowl two years ago, Hurts was special. He threw for 304 and rushed for 70 with three touchdowns. He was the best player on the field that day. But he hasn’t played to that level this season. It doesn’t mean he can’t. His ability to pull the football off the zone reads could be key. He also has to hit the big shots to A.J. Brown when Brown gets the one-on-one chances on the outside. Like it always does in these big games, it will come down to Mahomes. This will again be a tight game in the fourth quarter. Mahomes and the Chiefs offense will need a touchdown to win it. Are you going to pick against him doing it? I am not. Mahomes will lead the Chiefs on a historic drive against the Eagles zone defense and the line will block up the front well enough to allow him to do it. He will hit Worthy for the game-winning score in the final minutes to pull off the three-peat, becoming the first team in the Super Bowl era to win three straight Super Bowls. At 29, Mahomes will be stamping himself as the GOAT of the quarterbacks — yes, ahead of Tom Brady He is the NFL’s Michael Jordan. That’s saying something. Three-peat was a Jordan thing. By Sunday night, it will be a Mahomes thing, too. Pick: Chiefs 30, Eagles 27 Here is ESPN’s panel of experts: Of the 67 experts who weighed in, the Chiefs were favored by 41 of them (61.2%), while the Eagles claimed 26 votes (38.8%). The most common score predictions were 27-24 (picked by 10 of our experts), 27-23 (five) and 31-28 (five). The lowest combined total was 31 (17-14); the highest was 73 (38-35). The largest margin of victory predicted was 14 points (38-24). And 63 experts said this game will be decided by a touchdown or less. JOSH ALLEN MVPJamison Hensley, ESPN.com’s Baltimore writer, grudgingly explains why QB JOSH ALLEN came away with the MVP Award: In the biggest surprise of Thursday night’s NFL Honors ceremony in New Orleans, Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen overcame the prevailing trend to beat Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson for The Associated Press’ NFL Most Valuable Player award. Allen is the first player in 21 seasons to win MVP without being selected first-team All-Pro. Since MVP was first handed out in 1957, the only other players to win the award despite not being a first-team All-Pro were Broncos quarterback John Elway (1987, when Joe Montana was first-team All-Pro) and Titans quarterback Steve McNair (2003, Peyton Manning). In what was one of the most hotly contested MVP races in recent memory, Allen received 27 of the 50 first-place votes, four more than Jackson, who was selected first-team All-Pro quarterback last month. It’s the same voters for MVP and All-Pro, which is why many thought Jackson was the favorite to win what would have been his third MVP award. How did it happen? Jackson had 30 of the 50 first-team All-Pro votes, while Allen got 18. Allen then won the first-place votes for MVP 27-23. But nine voters picked Jackson first for Offensive Player of the Year and Allen first for MVP, leading to the flip. Allen became the third Bills player to win MVP (O.J. Simpson in 1973, Thurman Thomas in 1991). The four-vote difference in terms of first-place votes is the smallest since 2003, when Manning and McNair were selected co-MVPs with 16 each. “I know this is an individual award and it says Most Valuable Player on it,” Allen said while holding the trophy, “but I think it’s derived from team success, and I love my team.” Allen thanked the other finalists, including Jackson, adding: “They all had great seasons and all could be standing here today and you guys would be deserving of it. You guys are true stewards of the game. I look up to you guys. I admire you guys.” Even though Allen trailed Jackson in nearly every major statistical category, the prevailing narrative was the Bills QB accomplished more with less. After losing his top two wide receivers — Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis — Allen led the Bills to the AFC East title and the second-best record in the AFC (13-4). Allen became the first player in NFL history to record at least 25 touchdown passes, 10 touchdown runs and fewer than 10 interceptions in a season. He finished with 28 touchdown passes, 12 rushing touchdowns and 6 interceptions. “Josh Allen’s leadership, his consistent leadership, was the biggest reason why we did what we did this season,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said during the season. “So, anybody that tries to say otherwise, I know better. I’ve seen it, and him now doing that every season for us, not an easy undertaking, but he is and was the reason, his leadership, his play … was connected to his level of leadership on our football team. So, I believe those two went hand in hand and he continues to do that, we’re going to win a lot of football games.” Jackson left the NFL Honors show empty-handed despite putting up his best statistical season, recording numbers that were superior to his MVP seasons in 2019 and 2023. He took his game to another level in his seventh NFL season, setting career highs with 4,172 passing yards and 41 touchdown passes. In leading the Ravens to their first No. 1 ranking in offense, Jackson became the first player in league history to produce more than 4,000 yards passing and 900 yards rushing in the same season. His 119.6 passer rating was the fourth highest in NFL history and trailed only Aaron Rodgers (122.5 in 2011 and 121.5 in 2020) and Manning (121.1 in 2004). Rodgers and Manning won MVP in those seasons. NFL MVP Vote The voting for the 2024 NFL MVP selected by The Associated Press in balloting by a nationwide panel of media. Voting is on a 10-5-3-2-1 basis: Player VotesJosh Allen 27-22-1-0-0–383Lamar Jackson 23-26-0-1-0–362Saquon Barkley 0-1-25-19-2–120Joe Burrow 0-1-15-10-12–82Jared Goff 0-0-6-5-19–47Patrick Mahomes 0-0-3-8-6–31Jayden Daniels 0-0-0-2-4–8Justin Herbert 0-0-0-3-0–6Ja’Marr Chase 0-0-0-2-2–6Sam Darnold 0-0-0-0-3–3Baker Mayfield 0-0-0-0-2—2 The DB would say, looking back at this period from say 20 years from now, which is a fairer representation of this era – Jackson with 3 MVPs and Allen with none or Jackson with 2 and Allen with 1? HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2026The Hall of Fame standard class had been seven the last few years – five “regular” player candidates of relatively recent vintage, a Senior second-chance player and a contributor. But after some changes to the process, we only get four this year – three regulars and Veteran Sterling Sharpe. None of the first-year eligible players, including Eli Manning, made it. Jeff Legwold of ESPN.com: Tight end Antonio Gates, cornerback Eric Allen, defensive end Jared Allen and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe are the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will be inducted Aug. 2 in Canton, Ohio. It’s the smallest class since 2005, also a four-member class. That’s the year Dan Marino, Steve Young, Fritz Pollard and Benny Friedman were enshrined. Indianapolis Colts and New England Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri, Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, all in their first year of eligibility, were not selected. The class was chosen by the Hall’s board of selectors in a virtual meeting in January. An eight-time Pro Bowl selection, Gates entered the NFL as an undrafted rookie with the San Diego Chargers in 2003. He played basketball at Kent State and helped it to an Elite Eight appearance in 2002. Gates finished his career with 955 receptions, fourth in league history for a tight end, and 116 receiving touchdowns, the most for a tight end. “The opportunity I got speaks volumes of how [the Chargers] believed in me,” Gates said. “I’m happy it all paid off.” Eric Allen’s 54 career interceptions are 21st all time, and 14 of the 20 players in front of him are in the Hall of Fame. Allen, who played for the Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints and Oakland Raiders, returned four of his six interceptions for touchdowns in 1993, one of his six Pro Bowl seasons. “Rarely does life play out like you want it to,” said Allen, who was elected on his 19th year of eligibility. “There’s always some curves and bends. But time always reveals the truth. … It took maybe time for people to see the complexity of my situation.” Jared Allen played 12 seasons, most notably with the Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings. His 136 career sacks are 12th all time since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. He also has an NFL-record four safeties. Ten of the 11 players in front of him are in the Hall of Fame. The one who isn’t, Terrell Suggs, was a finalist this year. “You almost appreciate it more,” Allen said about being one of four chosen for enshrinement. “Nothing comes easy. When I found out it was only four, it became more special. There’s a true emphasis on what it means to be a Hall of Famer. Clearly we fit that. For me, it was kind of a sigh of relief.” Sharpe, whose brother Shannon is a Hall of Famer, had his career cut short by a neck condition. But in his seven seasons, only Jerry Rice caught more passes and had more touchdown receptions than Sharpe, who played his entire career with the Green Bay Packers from 1988 to 1994. He led the league in receptions three times in his career, including his final two seasons. He also led the NFL in receiving yards once and touchdowns twice. “I don’t think that has really set in yet,” Sterling Sharpe said. “It’s one of those situations where the closer it gets to having the same color jacket he has and standing in same place he stood and being able to have a conv about the journey to get there I think it will set in. But right now it hasn’t hit home yet.” As Legwold points out, the first year eligibles next year have what the DB would say are two sure first year enshrines (QB Drew Brees, WR Larry Fitzgerald) and a bunch of other very solid candidates including the West Cost Eli, Philip Rivers. The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026 could feature some difficult decisions as the board of selectors balances the extended wait for some with the lure of several decorated first-time eligible players. Quarterback Drew Brees, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, tight end Jason Witten, running back Frank Gore and quarterback Philip Rivers will be among the players who will be in their first year of eligibility next year. All played their final NFL seasons in 2020. And beyond that powerhouse list of players, there will be perhaps the biggest name of all in the coach/contributor categories: Bill Belichick. Defensive tackle Geno Atkins, an eight-time Pro Bowl selection with the Cincinnati Bengals and a member of the All-Decade team of the 2010s; center Maurkice Pouncey, a nine-time Pro Bowl selection with the Pittsburgh Steelers; wide receiver Dez Bryant and tight end Greg Olsen are also in their first year of eligibility next year. A maximum of five modern-era finalists can be selected for enshrinement each year and several of the finalists who were not chosen for the Hall’s Class of 2025 will also be among those considered. Kicker Adam Vinatieri, linebacker Luke Kuechly, Giants quarterback Eli Manning, all in their first year of eligibility in 2025, are among the headliners. Tackle Willie Anderson, wide receivers Torry Holt, Steve Smith Sr. and Reggie Wayne, defensive end Terrell Suggs, running back Fred Taylor, safety Darren Woodson, guard Marshal Yanda and guard Jahri Evans were among the 15 finalists for the Class of 2025. Looking further down the road, Ralph Vacchiano identifies 10 figures in Sunday’s Super Bowl who could be enshrined in Canton: The two biggest reasons that Eli Manning was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year were Super Bowl XLII and Super Bowl XLVI. He came up huge both times he played in the NFL’s ultimate game, and both times his team won. Without those outcomes, he wouldn’t have much of a case for Canton. But that’s the power of the Super Bowl when it comes to the Hall of Fame. It’s the one game that can turn an NFL player’s legacy completely around. While there’s already plenty at stake in Super Bowl LIX, there might be even more on the line for certain members of the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs. A handful of their players and coaches figure to be finalists for the Hall of Fame someday. And when the selection committee is deliberating over their accomplishments and how they measure up to other all-time greats, every big-game performance and every championship will help. So, who can boost their legacy most this Sunday? Here are 10 Super Bowl participants — five from each team — who are at various stages of the Hall of Fame path. CHIEFS 5. DC Steve SpagnuoloNo one has ever been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame based primarily on their work as an assistant coach, but Spags might be the one to finally break that glass ceiling. He is already the only coordinator to win four Super Bowl championships, and the only one to win with two different franchises (he also won with the 2007 Giants). His work in turning the Chiefs defense into a top-10 unit is a big reason why this dynasty is still rolling (and could complete the first three-peat). His one head coaching stint was a disaster (10-38 with the Rams from 2009 to 2011), and it seems unlikely he’ll get another shot in the big chair, although he did interview with two teams in this cycle. But a fifth ring as a defensive coordinator has to get the selection committee’s attention. His bust would belong right next to Andy Reid’s. 4. DL Chris Jones His greatness tends to be overshadowed by all the stars in Kansas City, and by the fact that his career has largely overlapped with Aaron Donald. So, it certainly could be helpful to remind everyone of his greatness on Super Bowl Sunday. He’s on a Hall of Fame track, with 80.5 career sacks, six Pro Bowl selections and three first-team All-Pro nods. That résumé would already generate good discussion from the committee, but it might take him a few years to get enough votes. One way to change that is with a big game in the biggest moment. He has just 3.5 sacks in 21 career playoff games, and none in four Super Bowls. A big performance and a fourth ring on Sunday could go a long way once he’s nominated. 3. TE Travis KelceHe’s slowing down at age 35 and retirement is looming, but he’s already done more than enough to secure his place in the Hall of Fame — probably on the first ballot. He is one of the greatest receiving tight ends in the history of the NFL, ranking third in receiving yards (12,151) and fifth in touchdowns (77). He also obviously has the same remarkable championship run that Reid and Mahomes have, but he hasn’t exactly been carried along for the ride. In four Super Bowls, he’s averaged eight catches for 88 yards, and he’s averaged 7-69 in seven AFC Championship Games. He shows up in the big games. Doing it again on Sunday night might not just lock in that first-ballot vote but have some calling him the greatest to ever play his position. 1B. HC Andy ReidThere was a decent case to be made that Reid was a Hall of Famer just based on his 14 years in Philadelphia, but the second act of his coaching career has been so much better than his first. He probably clinched a spot in Canton when he led the Chiefs to a championship in 2020, but now he’s as big of a lock as his quarterback. He’s coaching in his sixth Super Bowl, winning three (so far). He’s coached in 12 conference championship games, including the last seven in the AFC. The conversation surrounding Reid doesn’t concern the Hall of Fame. It’s about where he stacks up among the greatest football coaches of all time. If the Chiefs win on Sunday, he’ll join Bill Belichick (6) and Chuck Noll (4) as the only coaches to win the Super Bowl four times. He’s also the fourth-winningest coach in NFL history (273). With Mahomes in tow, Don Shula’s all-time wins mark (324) can be had if Reid wants to stick around long enough to break it. 1A. QB Patrick MahomesIf Mahomes decided to retire before kickoff, he’d still be a lock to make the Hall of Fame in five years. That’s how good he’s been in his short career. He’s already led the Chiefs to seven AFC Championship Games in seven years as a starter, and gotten them to the Super Bowl in five of the past six years, winning three (so far). If he becomes the first quarterback to three-peat in the Super Bowl — in both the game and as MVP — he’s going to challenge Tom Brady’s status as the Greatest of All Time. And by the way, he’s still only 29 years old. Pretty soon, Canton will have to build him his own wing. EAGLES 5. CB Darius SlayFrom 2017 to 2023, Slay was one of the best corners in football. He was selected to six Pro Bowls in that seven-year span and even led the league in interceptions once (with 8 in 2017). But that was also his only All-Pro year, and so far he has yet to win a championship. Basically, while his overall career has been very, very good, it needs something to nudge it into greatness. Winning a Super Bowl won’t be enough. But if Slay has a big game in the Super Bowl — think multiple interceptions or MVP consideration — that will be something the voters remember. This just can’t be the final game of his career. 4. HC Nick SirianniThis is probably premature, and some might even find it laughable considering there was some thought that he might be fired after last season’s collapse. But if Sirianni wins a Super Bowl at age 43, he is absolutely on the Hall of Fame watch list. Granted, he’s got a long way to go since he’s only in his fourth season as a head coach and longevity is going to matter to the voters. But his four-year résumé will include two trips to the Super Bowl, four trips to the playoffs and a spectacular 48-20 regular-season record. So, securing this first championship could be huge considering he’ll theoretically have plenty of time to win another one. Nine of the 14 head coaches who won two Super Bowls are in the Hall, with Bill Belichick and Andy Reid on the way. 3. WR A.J. BrownThere’s no doubt Brown is off to a terrific start in his career with five 1,000-yard seasons in his first six years in the NFL. But in this era of offensive explosion, he’s got to keep that up for a while to have a shot at the Hall. His 7,026 career receiving yards ranks 162nd in NFL history, so he’s really only halfway there. And even if he keeps this pace for another 6-7 years, he’s going to have to do something to separate himself from a pack of Hall-worthy receivers from his generation. That’s where a big game in the Super Bowl can help. Brown played well in the Super Bowl two years ago (6 catches, 96 yards and a touchdown), but he’s had just one 100-yard performance in 11 career playoff games. Doing something spectacular on the big stage could get the HOF convo started. 2. RB Saquon BarkleyThough he was anointed as a “gold-jacket player” by former Giants GM Dave Gettleman before he was even drafted, he had no shot at Canton based on his first six years in New York. But all it took was one season in Philadelphia behind an offensive line that could actually block to remind everyone just how good he can be. Barkley, in fact, is just 30 yards from breaking Terrell Davis’ record for the most rushing yards in a single season (2476, including playoffs). Granted, as good as Saquon was this season, he’ll need to string together a few more All-Pro-type seasons to warrant serious consideration. But he is most responsible for the Eagles’ success this season. If he can finish the job and lead them to a championship, it’ll open a lot of eyes on the committee and put him back on the fringe of the gold-jacket conversation again. 1. OT Lane JohnsonThe evaluation of offensive linemen tends to be in the eyes of the beholder, and there are no guarantees when they actually get to the committee. Right tackles have an even steeper challenge considering they’re not considered the premium position player on the line. But Johnson’s case will be helped by the fact that he’s emerged as one of the best — if not the best — right tackle in the game over the past four years. It will also help that the Eagles’ line has been generally acknowledged as the league’s best in that span and that its center — the now-retired Jason Kelce — will probably lead the charge into the Hall. But for linemen, every line on the résumé helps. Johnson already has one Super Bowl ring. Another — especially if the line is a key component of the victory — could help put him over the top. We know it’s early, but we think Eagles DT JALEN CARTER’s odds of enshrinement are currently higher than Spagnuolo – but maybe Vacchiano had to go with five per team. |
| NFC NORTH |
| CHICAGORIP Virginia McCaskey. ESPN: – Virginia Halas McCaskey, who inherited the Chicago Bears from her father, George Halas, but avoided the spotlight during four-plus decades as principal owner, has died. She was 102. McCaskey’s family announced through the team that she died Thursday. She had owned the Bears since her father’s death on Oct. 31, 1983. “While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on earth,” the family said. “She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans.” Like her father, a co-founder of the NFL, McCaskey kept the team in family hands. She gave operational control and the title of president to her eldest son, Michael McCaskey, who served as chairman until being succeeded by brother George McCaskey in 2011. During her stewardship, the Bears won a Super Bowl in 1986 and lost a second 21 years later. “Virginia Halas McCaskey, the matriarch of the Chicago Bears and daughter of George Halas, the founder of the NFL, leaves a legacy of class, dignity, and humanity,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. “Faith, family, and football — in that order — were her north stars and she lived by the simple adage to always ‘do the right thing.’ The Bears that her father started meant the world to her and he would be proud of the way she continued the family business with such dedication and passion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McCaskey and Halas families and Bears fans around the world.”– – –McCaskey, the older of Halas’ two children, never expected to find herself in charge. Her brother, George “Mugs” Halas Jr., was being groomed to take over the team, but died suddenly of a heart attack in 1979. McCaskey assumed ownership upon her father’s death in 1983, and her late husband, Ed McCaskey, succeeded Halas as chairman. Not long after, she turned over control to Michael, the eldest of her 11 children. “I think it’s important that all of our family remembers that we really haven’t done anything to earn this,” McCaskey said in a rare interview in 2006. “We’re just the recipients of a tremendous legacy. I use the word ‘custodian,’ and we want to pass it on the best way we can. … We’ve been working on that for a long time.” McCaskey’s official title was secretary to the board of directors. Despite her generally hands-off approach and low public profile, she occasionally exercised ultimate authority on team decisions as matriarch of the family. One of those involved a 1987 lawsuit brought by the children of “Mugs” Halas, which was resolved by a stock buyout of their shares. A more recent reminder came in December 2014, when George McCaskey announced the firings of coach Marc Trestman and general manager Phil Emery at a news conference, and was asked to describe his mother’s role in the process. He paused, struggling to describe her unhappiness with the just-ended 5-11 season, and the team’s generally fading fortunes. “She’s pissed off,” George McCaskey said. “I can’t think of a 91-year-old woman that that description would apply, but in this case, I can’t think of a more accurate description. “Virginia McCaskey has been on this Earth for eight of the Bears’ nine championships, and she wants more,” he added a moment later. “She feels that it’s been too long since the last [Super Bowl win], and that dissatisfaction is shared by her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She’s fed up with mediocrity. She feels that she and Bears fans everywhere deserve better.” Virginia McCaskey came by her fandom honestly. According to family members, she often wouldn’t serve dessert on Sundays when the Bears lost. In that same 2006 interview, she recalled attending the first playoff game in league history, when she was 9. The Bears and Portsmouth Spartans finished the 1932 season in the first tie for first place, so the league added a game to determine a champion. Because of snow, the game was moved indoors to the old Chicago Stadium, and the Bears won 9-0 playing on an 80-yard field that came right to the walls. “I remember I didn’t save my ticket stub, but one of my cousins had saved his,” McCaskey said. “We sat in the second balcony and the ticket price was $1.25. “I took it to one of the Super Bowls to show [former commissioner] Pete Rozelle and then I don’t know what happened to it afterward,” she added. “But that’s OK.” Her tenure as the Bears’ owner included the establishment of the Bears Care program in 2005. The Bears said that Bears Care has issued grants totaling more than $31.5 million to 225 qualifying agencies to improve the quality of life for people in the Chicago area, especially disadvantaged children and their families. Bears Care also supported health awareness programs focusing on breast cancer and ovarian cancer. McCaskey had 11 children, eight sons and three daughters. She is survived by her sons Patrick, Edward Jr., George, Richard, Brian and Joseph, and daughters Ellen Tonquest, Mary and Anne Catron. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. |
| MINNESOTAOnce again, the AP voters emphasize the word “Year” in the title of the NFL Coach of the Year honor. Dave Birkett of the Detroit News with the story of Dan Campbell denied again to a “Kevin”: The Detroit Lions won their second straight NFC North title, but it wasn’t enough for Dan Campbell to win NFL Coach of the Year. Campbell was passed over as NFL Coach of the Year for the second straight year Thursday, finishing behind Kevin O’Connell. The Minnesota Vikings coach received 25 of 50 first-place votes and was named on all 50 ballots, for 361 points. Campbell, meanwhile, received 19 first-place votes, 10 second-place votes, eight third- and fourth-place votes and three fifth-place votes, for a total of 283 points. Two ballots did not have Campbell on them. Kansas City’s Andy Reid finished third, with four first-place votes and an appearance on 29 ballots. Campbell and the Lions swept their season series with O’Connell and the Vikings, including a 31-9 win in Week 18 at Ford Field that clinched the division and gave the Lions a first-round bye and the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. The Lions finished the regular season 15-2, but lost their playoff opener to the Washington Commanders, 45-31. The Vikings went 14-3 and lost their playoff opener to the Los Angeles Rams, 27-9. The Lions also beat the Vikings in Week 7 at U.S. Bank Stadium, 31-29, on a 44-yard field goal by Jake Bates with 15 seconds to play. Voting for Coach of the Year and the NFL’s other official end-of-season awards is done before the playoffs. Free Press sports writer Dave Birkett is one of 50 voters for the awards. The Lions tied for the best record in the NFL this season thanks in part to a powerhouse roster that featured four first- and two second-team All-Pro selections. The Lions led the NFL in scoring but dealt with a rash of injuries on defense that at one point left them with six starters on injured reserve: Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill, Marcus Davenport, Derrick Barnes, Alex Anzalone and Carlton Davis. Anzalone returned from a broken forearm for the Lions’ Week 18 win over the Vikings. The Vikings had two first- and one second-team All-Pro selection. “I thought Dan did a phenomenal job having the team prepared,” Lions general manager Brad Holmes said in his end-of-season news conference last month. “Look, 15 wins, that’s hard to do in a year where you don’t have all of the attrition that we had to deal with to get 15, but on top of all of the attrition that we’ve had to deal with, I mean that’s about as difficult as it gets. So, that was a heck of a job by him and the whole staff.” Campbell is 39-28-1 in four seasons as Lions coach. His .581 win percentage is the best by any Lions coach since Buddy Parker, who lead the franchise to two championships in the 1950s, and he ranked first in FTN Fantasy’s analytically based aggressiveness index, which measures a team’s success on fourth downs. Last year, Campbell finished third in Coach of the Year voting with 33 points, behind the Cleveland Browns’ Kevin Stefanski and the Houston Texans’ DeMeco Ryans, Stefanski and Ryans tied with 165 points, but Stefanski won the award with one more first-place vote. With all due respect to O’Connell, a fine coach – the DB wouldn’t be as quick to vote for coaches whose teams defy media expectations in one season at the expense of long term proven excellence. Reid and Sean Payton had great years that added to long-term resumes (Mike Tomlin was an early DB favorite for the award, but we admit his team stumbled and bumbled down the stretch). Campbell has done amazing work over the last three seasons. Dan Quinn, with a longer prior history than O’Connell, also vastly over-exceeded media expectations in 2025. But once again, a coach Kevin with Vikings ties gets the voters nod. |
| NFC EAST |
| NEW YORK GIANTSJordan Ranaan of ESPN.com with a good look at the pros and cons of QB ELI MANNING’s Hall of Fame candidacy with perspective from legendary scribe Gary Myers: Eli Manning will have to wait to get into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for at least another year. The legendary New York Giants quarterback didn’t make the cut for the Class of 2025 in his first year of eligibility. Manning was one of 15 finalists who were in consideration. He didn’t make the cut for the final 10 after a “vigorous discussion” about his candidacy. The group of four who will be inducted this summer in Canton did not include a quarterback. Instead, the group is made up of cornerback Eric Allen, defensive lineman Jared Allen, tight end Antonio Gates and wide receiver Sterling Sharpe. Manning’s case was complicated. He has two incredible playoff runs, two Super Bowl wins over the New England Patriots and two Super Bowl MVPs. There are also some gaudy stats that include being top 10 all time in passing yards (57,023) and touchdowns (366) when he retired following the 2019 NFL season and an incredible track record of durability — Manning never missed a game in his 16-year career because of injury. The biggest obstacle, according to some voters in the room, was that Manning was never really in the discussion as the best player at his position for a chunk of his career. He had Hall of Fame moments — including taking down Bill Belichick and Tom Brady twice on the biggest stage — but not necessarily a Hall of Fame career otherwise. “In the interest of full transparency, I voted for Eli Manning and spoke up for him at our meeting. I believe Manning beating the Patriots twice in the Super Bowl with two-minute drives and being named Super Bowl MVP each time, along with currently being 11th all time in touchdown passes and yardage, presents a convincing résumé,” Hall of Fame voter Gary Myers said. “To get selected in the future, the voters must get past that Manning was never All-Pro or regular-season MVP and realize he played when those spots were not so available, playing in an era with Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees.” Myers went on to say: “Eli’s record was just .500, but Dan Fouts was only two games over .500 and Warren Moon was only one game over .500 — but neither made it to the Super Bowl. In fact, Moon never made it to a conference championship game. Fouts and Moon were each first-ballot Hall of Famers.” Manning played in the same era as his brother Peyton, as well as Brady, Brees, Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and several others. He was a four-time Pro Bowl selection but never an All-Pro. The likes of Tony Romo, Cam Newton and Carson Palmer snuck in at least one All-Pro nod during Manning’s career from 2004-19. That complete picture left him on the outside looking in after one go-round during the Hall of Fame process. The decision also had more than a few shaking their heads. “To me, Eli was absolutely a first-ballot guy,” ESPN reporter and Hall of Fame voter Sal Paolantonio said. “There was a vigorous discussion about his candidacy — he has a lot of support to get into Canton, hopefully sooner rather than later.” “I certainly believe that he deserves it based on what he accomplished,” Peyton Manning said earlier in the week on the “Adam Schefter Podcast.” “To beat the Patriots once, OK, maybe. But to beat them twice, including their undefeated team, ask Belichick how he feels. I think it’s pretty clear. I’m hoping for it, but when the time is right.” It certainly doesn’t mean Manning won’t ultimately get in. In fact, several voters in the room believe his time will come, probably sooner rather than later. That could be as soon as next year when players such as Brees, fellow quarterback Philip Rivers, wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and tight end Jason Witten get added to the pool of possible inductees and are eligible for the first time. There are a lot of factors that go into whether a player is a first-ballot inductee aside from just whether he is deserving of making the Hall of Fame. The competition that specific year also plays a part. Only four to eight members are selected each year, so there is a cutoff, and sometimes there also are logjams from previous years that need sorting. In this case, remaining hopefuls at wide receiver and offensive lineman contributed to a first-timer such as Manning being a casualty. Manning is not the first notable NFL star to miss out on being a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Former Giants star Michael Strahan, the NFL’s single-season sack leader when he retired, didn’t get in until his second try in 2014. Players such as wide receivers Cris Carter and Terrell Owens and defensive lineman John Randle were other notables who had to wait. Perhaps the closest Manning comparison for the Hall of Fame given his combination of Super Bowl rings and statistical inconsistency, former Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler, was inducted posthumously in 2016. That was as a senior committee selection after years of being passed over. Belichick, who also becomes eligible for the first time for the Pro Football Hall of Fame next year, made his stance on Eli Manning’s candidacy known this past season during an appearance on the “ManningCast.” “Eli you don’t look that good in a hoodie, but you will look great in a gold jacket,” Belichick said. “I’m sure that’s going to happen, and you deserve it so much.” The voters disagreed, at least for the Class of ’25. |
| NFC WEST |
| ARIZONAWe are not sure if the Brittany Neuheisel will win a lot of money, but her attorney has put a complaint in the public record that furthers the claims of those who say Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill is not a nice person. Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com: A former assistant to Michael Bidwill is suing the Arizona Cardinals owner, alleging that he “unmercifully harassed” her in an effort to get her to leave the team. Brittany Neuheisel, who was Bidwill’s assistant from 2019 until she resigned last week, is suing on claims of constructive discharge, wrongful discharge, discrimination and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The 11-page complaint was filed Thursday in the Superior Court of Maricopa County. According to the complaint, Bidwill was demeaning to Neuheisel and would verbally abuse her “almost every day.” Neuheisel left the Cardinals nine days ago and walked out crying after, her attorney, Mike Caspino, told ESPN, “Bidwill screamed at her for over a half hour.”– – –Neuheisel says Bidwill asked her to make multiple false claims, including shipping a firearm through FedEx to an acquaintance. Neuheisel says she told Bidwill of the restrictions on shipping firearms but that Bidwill allegedly told Neuheisel “to proceed with the shipment.” Bidwill also allegedly asked Neuheisel to “provide false information” on federal and international forms that were related to his travel by private plane, according to the lawsuit. When Neuheisel objected, Bidwill would allegedly tell Neuheisel, a practicing Catholic, “Do it and then go to confession.” The lawsuit says Bidwill wanted to replace Neuheisel, a 54-year-old Navy veteran, with someone who was “young, beautiful and athletic.” After the Cardinals hired a woman who fit those descriptions, the lawsuit alleges that Neuheisel’s role was diminished and that duties she typically had done were taken over by the new hire. Mike Florio has more. This is nasty (if true), although not really about Neuheisel: She claims that he is in a “state of constant conflict with his family members,” and that Bidwill involved her in his “petty battles.” The complaint details a meeting between Bidwill and his niece regarding her college studies. Neuheisel alleges that she was instructed to remove the niece’s personal effects from her vehicle during the meeting, so that the car (which had been given to her by Bidwill) could be repossessed by him and sold. Neuheisel contends that she was instructed to videotape the car being loaded onto a flatbed, so that the video could be played for his niece. There is a dog involved: Neuheisel also claims that Bidwill’s dog became a tool for bullying her. She contends that, when she was told to go to Bidwill’s home to open the “doggy door” for the 59-pound pit bull, it attacked her. He later told her to take the dog to a park while he interviewed current G.M. Monti Ossenfort in early 2023. Not sure if this totally reflects badly on Bidwill: She contends that Bidwill repeatedly accused her of being an “enabler” for her adult children and grandchildren. Two of her children and three of her grandchildren live with her; Bidwill (per the complaint) “repeatedly told Plaintiff that she needed to ‘kick out’ her daughter and grandchildren from her home.” He allegedly “insisted” that she see the team’s psychologist, so that she could “learn how to deal with her children and grandchildren.” It all ended just a few weeks ago, when Bidwill didn’t introduce her to The Commish: The final straw apparently came last month, when the Cardinals loaned their home stadium to the Rams, who had been displaced from L.A. for their Wild Card playoff game by raging wildfires. Neuheisel alleges that Bidwill purposely shunned her when introducing Commissioner Roger Goodell to employees working in Bidwill’s suite at the stadium. Later, Bidwill allegedly directed a tirade at Neuheisel when Rams owner Stan Kroenke didn’t personally visit the suite to thank Bidwill for his hospitality. She thereafter resigned, convinced that Bidwill used “outrageous conduct” to get her to quit. Bidwill has already weathered several storms as Weinfuss reminds us, but it shows at the very least that he refuses to bend to 21st century management norms: ESPN investigated the Cardinals’ workplace culture under Bidwill in 2023 after it came under scrutiny following accusations made by Terry McDonough, the team’s former vice president of player personnel, who filed an arbitration complaint that accused the Cardinals and Bidwill of gross misconduct, including discrimination and harassment, among other allegations. In April, the Cardinals were ordered by an NFL arbitrator to pay McDonough $3 million for “false and defamatory” statements the team made about him to the media. Days later, McDonough’s wife and daughter filed a lawsuit for defamation, negligence and intentional infliction of emotional distress against the Cardinals, Bidwill and others connected to the team. |
| AFC NORTH |
| PITTSBURGHIt wasn’t much of a secret – but it is now official that the Steelers will be hosting a game in Dublin, Ireland this fall. NFL Nerd has his eye on who they might be playing: @NerdingonNFLSteelers non divisional opponents: BillsColts (already hosting in Berlin)Dolphins (already hosting in Madrid)PackersSeahawksVikings And this: Once the Chargers hosting in Brazil is announced, that will make 7 games for the 2025 international slate There was a possibility of a return to Mexico City, however 2026 is more likely Roger had his sights set on 8 international games for 2025, likely will come up one short |
| AFC SOUTH |
| JACKSONVILLECongratulations to Arik Armstead, the 2025 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year honoree. Grant Gordon of NFL.com: When Arik Armstead arrived in Duval after nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, the veteran defensive lineman didn’t leave his altruistic nature behind. As a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars, Armstead quickly immersed himself as a Samaritan within the community, maintaining a steadfast goal of ensuring all students — regardless of their socioeconomic state — are afforded an opportunity to succeed. That charitable drive and commitment led to Armstead being named the 2024 Walter Payton NFL Man of The Year on Thursday night at NFL Honors from the Saenger Theatre in New Orleans. “Even though I’m being honored tonight, I don’t feel that tonight is about me or our organization,” Armstead said during his acceptance speech. “Tonight is about all of you in this room right here and everyone watching at home. We live in a world that constantly tries to divide us. Whether that’s politically, economically, racially, sexual orientation, we’re constantly being divided. But I believe in humanity. I believe that we’re all more alike than we are different. I believe that all of us have the power to be the change that we want to see in our society. No act is too big and no act is too small, but I just encourage you to try to be a blessing in someone else’s life and see how that changes your life. Let’s define success by a new metric: not by the things that we acquire, but by how many people we positively impact.” Armstead is the second Jaguars player to win the Walter Payton Man of the Year award, joining former Jags standout Calais Campbell, who garnered the honor for the 2019 season. Like Campbell before him, Armstead is a versatile, big-bodied defensive lineman who can bring the fury on the field and a passion for giving back off of it. Armstead was a WPMOTY nominee for a fifth straight season — four with the 49ers and one in his first season with the Jaguars. Regarded as the NFL’s highest honor, the NFL Man of the Year award debuted in 1970, with legendary Hall of Fame quarterback Johnny Unitas garnering the accolade. It recognizes an NFL player for his exemplary community service along with his distinction on the field of play. Among the winners was Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Walter Payton in 1977. The award was renamed in Payton’s honor in 1999, the same year the revered running back died at 46 due to bile duct cancer. “To the Payton family, it’s been tremendous to get to meet you throughout these years,” Armstead said. “I think the true testament to Walter’s character is seeing his spirit live through you even to this day.” Each of the 32 nominees received a $55,000 donation in their name to a charity of their designation, while Armstead garnered $265,000 for his charity of choice. Armstead, 31, and his wife Melinda established the Armstead Academic Project in 2019, with a focus on providing students of all socioeconomic backgrounds “direct access to the resources they need to thrive, the Armstead Academic Project provides youth with positive spaces, tools, and academic support to unlock their potential and achieve their goals.” After Armstead’s career saw him sign with the Jaguars, AAP followed and now supports students in Sacramento, The Bay Area and Jacksonville. In addition to AAP, Armstead took part in the EverBank Touchdowns for Tomorrow program after coming to Jacksonville. The program also focuses on financial literacy. Continuing his onus on education, Armstead also lent his time to the nonprofit Blessing in a Backpack, which gives food on weekends and holidays to kids in need. The Jaguars signed Armstead in the hopes of bolstering their defense. However, Armstead joined the Jacksonville community and went on the offensive as it relates to his mission to establish education for all students, no matter their financial support system. On Thursday night, Armstead’s endeavors took center stage as he shined a spotlight on his cause and was celebrated as the Walter Payton Man of the Year. |
| AFC EAST |
| MIAMIWR TYREEK HILL has calmed down and is trying to mend fences with the Dolphins. Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN.com: Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill wants to remain in Miami, despite his “frustrated” comments at the end of the regular season that suggested otherwise. Speaking to local media after the Dolphins’ season-ending loss to the New York Jets in Week 18, Hill said he would do what’s best for his career this offseason “whether that’s here or wherever.” Hill later explained during a video game live stream this month that his comments came from a place of frustration, but confirmed Friday on the “Up & Adams Show” that he wishes to stay with the Dolphins. “I don’t want to go nowhere. I love [Miami], my family loves it,” Hill said. “It’s an amazing thing, man. We are really building something special in Miami. We made it to the playoffs the first two years. Obviously, this year was hard. If guys continue to buy in, to what coach is building and the culture that he’s trying to build, it’s going to be an amazing thing.” Hill pulled himself from that Jets game in Week 18, once it became clear Miami would not clinch a playoff berth. Hill played the entire season with a wrist injury he suffered in training camp, which both he and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said required surgery. Still, the All-Pro receiver offered an apology to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who did not play in the Week 18 game. “Tua, he’s my guy — always will be, no matter what,” he said. “I’m sure he understands my frustration, we all want to win … I’m looking forward to just us continuing to build our relationship — and this is my public apology to you, Tua. I love you bro.” When asked whether he was also apologizing to the rest of his teammates, Hill confirmed — although he said they knew his actions were out of character for him. “They know I’m not that kind of player,” Hill said. “A lot of people may say, ‘Oh, ‘Reek is a hot head. He’s this, he’s that.’ But all my teammates know — I come to work every day, I bust my tail, I show up to meetings on time and I do what I gotta do.” Hill turned in one of the worst statistical seasons of his career in 2024, recording 81 catches for 959 yards and six touchdowns. His 56.3 receiving yards per game were his lowest average since his rookie season in 2016; it was a sharp decline after consecutive 119-catch, 1,700-yard seasons in 2022 and 2023. Tagovailoa missed a career-high six games in 2024, however, which contributed to Hill’s lack of production. The Dolphins and Hill agreed to a restructured contract last offseason, which added more guaranteed money onto his deal without adding any years. He still has two years remaining on the four-year extension he signed in 2022, although his salary is not guaranteed beyond the 2025 season. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| TUSH PUSH KAPUT?Officiating grand master Mike Pereira has a palpable sense that Philadelphia’s version of the QB sneak could be banned. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: The Competition Committee could consider banning the quarterback push play after the Commanders’ repeated offsides penalties in the NFC Championship Game, Fox rules analyst Mike Pereira said Thursday. After the third consecutive foul, referee Shawn Hochuli warned the Commanders that officials had the power to award a touchdown. Pereira, who formerly worked as vice president of NFL Officiating before joining the network in 2010, called the sequence “ugly.” “I think it will be a conversation. . . . I think with the ugliness of that, they’ll take a further look at it,” Pereira said. The Eagles’ success rate on the Brotherly Shove play continues to be near perfect, above 90 percent, since they began using it regularly in 2022 for short-yardage plays. Some in the league, most recently Packers president Mark Murphy, have sought to ban the play. But there hasn’t been a strong enough push for the NFL to prohibit it, until perhaps now, when Hochuli threatened to invoke the palpably unfair acts rule in the fourth quarter two weeks ago. The rule has been on the books for decades, at least since 1942, but the league has never used it. “To think that any play in a game led to what a referee could do, which is actually award a score without a play,” Pereira said. “I mean when you get to that — called a ‘palpably unfair act,’ which I’d been waiting for 15 years to say on air. I was so excited. I almost spit it out right away. But I think with the ugliness of that, they’ll take a further look at it. But again, it’s going to evolve around injury data. If there’s been injuries from it, there is a chance that it could get [eliminated]. “I think it’ll continue being looked at, [and] maybe at somewhere down the road making a change.” We’re not sure that what LB FRANKIE LUVU of the Commanders did that was “unfair.” He tried to time the snap exactly – and missed it twice. If he gets it right the play is blown up and he is a hero. If he gets it wrong, the penalty is inches. If he doesn’t try, the Eagles probably score. |
| THE UMPIRE AND THE DOWN JUDGEA first-year NFL officiating vice president has taken a chance on two third-year officials and assigned them to the Super Bowl in a departure from long-standing norms. Kalyn Kahler of ESPN.com: Two officials on the crew who will be presiding over Super Bowl LIX are in their third season of NFL officiating, which two former league heads of officiating said is a notable difference from the custom of prioritizing experience for the Super Bowl. In the past, NFL officials have needed five or more years of officiating experience in the league to qualify for Super Bowl consideration. The league’s officiating department restructured this past offseason and hired former umpire Ramon George as vice president of officiating training and development, succeeding Walt Anderson in the role. George told ESPN he was responsible for assigning the Super Bowl crew. “It’s not collectively bargained to have a certain number of years [of experience],” George said. “That’s just a rule that whomever is in the position to select, that is their philosophy. I don’t live by that philosophy. If you are the best, then you should be on the field.” Down judge Max Causey and umpire Mike Morton, a former NFL player, are both in their third NFL seasons as officials, and it will be the third career postseason assignment for each. Morton also officiated the NFC Championship Game, which strayed from another previous custom that kept Super Bowl officials out of the championship games to avoid any risk of controversy occurring in that round that might affect the Super Bowl. “That’s a huge departure,” Mike Pereira, who was the NFL’s VP of officiating from 2004 to 2009 and is now a rules analyst for Fox, told reporters from the Super Bowl media center on Thursday. “I always felt like it took five years to get to the level to where you’ll feel comfortable going in front of thousands of people, and now you’ve got not only a third-year official, you’ve got a third-year umpire who worked [the NFC Championship Game] in Philadelphia. When I saw this, I was very surprised.” NFL postseason officiating crews are known as all-star crews because they feature the highest-graded officials, and the Super Bowl crew, theoretically, consists of the best officials at each position. Pereira said that in his time as the league’s VP of officiating, he would not have assigned an official who had less than five years of experience to the Super Bowl. “You have to consider experience,” he said. “Because this isn’t a typical regular-season game. It’s not a typical wild card or division or championship either. This is like a whole different thing … adjusting to the speed of this game, speed and the size — that’s not easy to do. This is not the SEC, this is not the Big Ten. This is the NFL, where the speed is incredible at almost every position. … I don’t think I ever would have changed my thinking about getting five seasons under your belt.” Causey officiated a wild-card game last season and a divisional round game this season, but never a championship game. Morton officiated a divisional round game last season and this year’s NFC Championship Game. “You’re always thinking experience, and you want those officials to have championship game experience,” Dean Blandino, who was the league’s VP of officiating from 2013 to 2017 and is now a Fox rules analyst, told reporters. “Doesn’t mean that officials without that experience can’t do a good job, but it is different.” Pereira said that among NFL officials and those in the football rules industry, this departure from the norm has been a topic of conversation. Referee Ron Torbert is in his 15th season, and this is his second Super Bowl assignment. Side judge Boris Cheek is in his 29th season, and this is his fourth Super Bowl assignment. The other three members of the crew have between seven and 10 years of experience. We should mention that DEI considerations are not involved in the selection of Morton or Causey. We would also say, that a down judge can pass through most games without his performance being noted (unless they give the Chiefs a favorable spot in a championship game), but the umpire, considering many blocks as possible holding calls, is going to be scrutinized. |
| 2025 DRAFTDeion Sanders says the lack of speed for SHEDEUR SANDERS has helped his quarterbacking. Michael David Smith of ProFootballTalk.com: Deion Sanders was an all-time great athlete. His son Shedeur is a talented quarterback and first-round prospect for the 2025 NFL draft, but not the same kind of athlete his father was. And Deion says that’s OK. Deion Sanders visited the PFT Live set today and said that if Shedeur had inherited his dad’s speed, he would have relied too much on that — and not developed into the kind of passer and cerebral player an NFL quarterback needs to be. “I don’t think Shedeur would be the quarterback he is if he had that,” Sanders said. “Because now he has to really use the intellect and the instinct and the understanding of the game and the understanding defenses.” Sanders said he believes that ups and downs Shedeur has struggled through have only served to turn him into a better player. “How many quarterbacks going into this draft have started every game in high school, every game in college but one, has had several different coordinators, and not the best protection we would want, and his numbers keep going up every year?” Sanders said. Deion went from the fifth overall pick in the 1989 NFL draft to the Hall of Fame. He thinks his son could be traveling a similar path. |
