| We’re back with two longtime assistants, Eric Bieniemy of the Chiefs and Chris Foerster of the 49ers, in the news for different reasons. |
| NFC EAST |
| PHILADELPHIALet’s catch up with Frank Schwab of YahooSports.com’s presesason power rankings. He’s got the Eagles at #9: Other NFL team previews: 32. Dolphins | 31. Jets | 30. Cardinals | 29. Browns | 28. Titans | 27. Raiders | 26. Falcons | 25. Giants | 24. Saints | 23. Panthers | 22. Buccaneers | 21. Colts | 20. Steelers | 19. Vikings | 18. Commanders | 17. Bengals | 16. Jaguars | 15. Packers | 14. Chargers | 13. 49ers | 12. Chiefs | 11. Bears | 10. Texans | 9. Eagles The next book A.J. Brown reads on the sideline might be one about all the drama surrounding the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles. There are enough stories for it. What happened with the Eagles last season really wasn’t new. In 2023, after a Super Bowl appearance, the Eagles took a step back and underachieved despite a loaded roster. The drama might have been amplified that season, and last season as well. It’s Philly after all. But the bottom line was a team that was dominant on its way to the Super Bowl LIX title looked last season like it wanted nothing to do with each other. The Eagles were talented enough to win 11 games and a division title, but there was a predictable flameout in the playoffs for a club that was clearly underachieving. The two biggest subtractions were Brown, who everyone knew was on his way out by the time last season ended, and offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo, who wore the majority of the criticism for a stale and ineffective offense. Trading a player like Brown doesn’t make Philadelphia better on paper, but it was a move with chemistry in mind. The last time the Eagles were coming off a miserable finish to a season, they rebounded to win a Super Bowl. There’s enough talent on hand where that’s a realistic goal this time around as well. Jalen Hurts always seems to be doubted, but he’s a Super Bowl MVP and also played better than anyone else in Super Bowl LVII, which the Eagles lost to the Chiefs. The issues with the downturn in production for him, Saquon Barkley and the offense as a whole might be largely related to the play-calling. When ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky shredded the Eagles for running the same unimaginative plays with the season on the line in the playoff loss to the 49ers, it summed up all of the Eagles’ fans complaints about Patullo. Maybe Sean Mannion, a 34-year-old fast riser who will be a first-time coordinator this season, will fix some of those woes. He’ll have a scheme that is expected to be a huge change for Hurts, putting him under center far more often than he’s ever done. The defense, which was arguably the NFL’s best in 2024, was still very good last season. The roster as a whole is still one of the NFL’s best. It’s everything else that needs to improve. Some comments from Hurts in 2022 are instructive four years later. “When you’re playing a team sport, it’s not all about X’s and O’s,” Hurts said, according to the team’s site. “A lot of it is ball, but the other part of it is getting to know that person, being on the same page with that person, knowing how that person thinks, and just getting to know him thoroughly.” It’s not always easy to figure that out, and it’s not like Brown was the only reason for the discord. Hurts’ role in the offense’s deterioration, and particularly his reluctance to adapt his game to playing more under center, was detailed in an ESPN story this offseason. That story also discussed tension between Hurts and coaches, and also between Hurts and teammates like Brown. Again, it’s nothing new in Philly. There were similar stories of despair during the 2024 offseason. That Eagles team won 16 of its last 17 games on its way to a championship. Doing it again in 2026 would make for a heck of a story, not that Philadelphia ever lacks content when it comes to the Eagles. Offseason gradeThe headline of the offseason was a trade that everyone knew was happening for months. Finally, on June 1, the Eagles officially traded A.J. Brown to the Patriots for a 2028 first-round draft pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick. The Eagles got four fantastic seasons from Brown, including a Super Bowl title, then traded him for close to the same picks they gave up to get him (Philadelphia traded a first- and third-round pick to Tennessee for Brown in 2022). Not bad. It also leaves a hole in the offense, but the Eagles prepared for that. They drafted Makai Lemon in the first round, trading ahead of the Steelers to steal him at 20th overall from Pittsburgh. Philadelphia also acquired Marquise Brown as a free agent and Dontayvion Wicks from the Packers for a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 sixth-round pick. None of them can be expected to fully replace Brown right away, but there was a plan. Brown isn’t the only loss. The Eagles lost edge rusher Jaelan Phillips when the Panthers offered him a massive four-year, $120 million deal. That caused the Eagles to pivot and trade two third-round picks to the Vikings for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard, then signed Greenard to a four-year, $98 million extension. The Eagles also lost linebacker Nakobe Dean and safety Reed Blankenship, but signed cornerback Tariq Woolen and edge defender Arnold Ebiketie. The draft as a whole was praised, as all Howie Roseman drafts are, with the team’s consensus grade being eighth-best overall. In addition to Lemon, the Eagles added tight end Eli Stowers in the second round and offensive lineman Markel Bell in the third. That’s a lot of movement. The Eagles’ roster can’t be considered better with a trio of players who aren’t as good as A.J. Brown trying to replace him and Greenard being Plan B after Phillips left, but as usual, Roseman did well given the challenges. Grade: B- Quarterback reportHiring Sean Mannion was a big gamble by Nick Sirianni. Mannion takes over as Eagles offensive coordinator after just two seasons as an assistant coach with the Packers. Mannion was an NFL quarterback from 2015 through the 2023 season and quickly became a rising star in the coaching ranks upon his retirement. “If I were to lock the three smartest people in the facility in one room, Sean would be there,” Eagles offensive tackle Jordan Mailata told the media this offseason. “And I think Sean would just be by himself. It would just be Sean. He’s a wizard.” It has been said often this offseason that Mannion’s scheme will emulate the Sean McVay/Kyle Shanahan scheme, which will be a massive change for Hurts and the Eagles. Hurts has spent most of his career in shotgun and pistol. Mannion’s scheme expects to have him under center more to use motion and play action, which typically helps a quarterback. Reports have said Hurts has resisted being under center in the past, but all signs this offseason are that he’s accepting the changes. Hurts is coming off a down season. The offense was in a rut and Hurts had his lowest yards per attempt of his career. How he accepts the scheme changes and produces in Mannion’s new offense will shape the next phase of his career. Odds breakdownFrom Yahoo’s Ben Fawkes: “A.J. Brown is gone, but Philadelphia still has high expectations for this season (favored in 13 games and a win total of 10.5). Rarely has a successful team seemed so unhappy — will the locker room be more united with Brown in New England? Philadelphia is still the favorite (+115) to win the NFC East, but a tough schedule awaits. “More responsibility for Jalen Hurts behind an aging offensive line is concerning, as are the losses via free agency on defense (although trading for Jonathan Greenard should help the pass rush). The Eagles will need to get off to a strong start (favorites in seven of their first nine games), as a late three-game homestand (Colts, Seahawks, Texans) looms large for their playoff hopes. I like the under 10.5 wins.” Yahoo’s fantasy takeFrom Yahoo’s Scott Pianowski: “Philadelphia is one of the smartest organizations in football, so I expect its offensive remodeling to be a long-term success. But it takes time for quarterbacks and receivers to build chemistry, so I’m going to fade Jalen Hurts in this transition year without A.J. Brown. Note that Hurts ran less last year, with a loss of 209 yards and six touchdowns from the previous season. His passing stats could rise with the shape of the offense changing, but Hurts’ fantasy case has always been directly tied to the Konami Code. I’ll pass on Hurts, instead targeting several interesting QB options in the later tiers.” Stat to rememberSaquon Barkley went from having one of the greatest seasons in NFL history in 2024 to barely making the NFL’s top 10 in rushing yards last season. Barkley had 2,005 rushing yards in 2024 and 1,140 last season. His yards per carry went from 5.8 to 4.1. He had 17 20-yard runs in 2024 and four last season. Barkley had 482 touches in 2024, counting playoffs, the most in the NFL in 10 years. Just about every back that had been even close to Barkley’s 2024 workload experienced a significant drop the next season, and Barkley had that dip that many predicted. While most of the attention for the Eagles will be on how Jalen Hurts performs in a new scheme and how the team replaces A.J. Brown, the most pressing issue might be whether Barkley can produce closer to his NFL Offensive Player of the Year level or if he’ll now just be a good but not great back. Barkley is 29 years old and most running backs who don’t look like Derrick Henry start to slow down at that age, if not before. Other running backs who have had 400 or more touches never fully rebounded after their big seasons. Barkley is fighting plenty of history to bounce back to his peak. Burning question: Can the Eagles have the NFL’s best defense again?In 2024, the Eagles had the No. 1 defense in DVOA, led the league in yards allowed and were second in points allowed. It’s not like the Eagles were bad on defense last season, but slipped to seventh in DVOA, 13th in yards allowed and fifth in points allowed. They were also ninth in EPA (expected points added) per play allowed and 10th in success rate allowed. That’s pretty good, just a step back from the previous season. Some losses in free agency last offseason didn’t help. The Eagles can improve this season. They have perhaps the best cornerback trio in the NFL after signing Riq Woolen to a one-year, $12 million deal, though Woolen had worn out his welcome with the Seahawks and didn’t get a multi-year deal elsewhere. Jonathan Greenard might have been a fallback option after Jaelan Phillips cashed in big in free agency, but Greenard had 24.5 sacks in 2023-24 before posting only three last season. One key is defensive tackle Jalen Carter. Carter is undeniably talented, and his best plays are as impressive as any defender in the NFL. But consistency has been elusive and likely a reason the Eagles haven’t signed him to a huge extension yet. He has the ability to be the NFL’s best interior defensive lineman but needs to show that over full games, and for an entire season. Safety is also an issue, especially after Reed Blankenship left. There aren’t many flaws in Vic Fangio’s defense, however. The Eagles might not be the best defense in the NFL again, but the pieces are there for a top-five finish. Best-case scenarioAt this time last year, the Eagles looked like a potential dynasty. The roster was as deep and talented as any in recent memory. While last season wasn’t what Philadelphia wanted, 11 wins and a division title isn’t a bad floor. Drama is just part of the Eagles’ everyday existence, even when they’re the best team in the NFL. Last season’s noise doesn’t mean the Eagles can’t bounce right back with a better offensive scheme. Any team with Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith, Jordan Mailata, Lane Johnson, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Jonathan Greenard, Zack Baun, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean and some others can be the best team in the NFL. The Eagles had the second-youngest roster in the NFL last season so it’s not like they should be declining. It’s possible that Hurts finds that being under center, using the cheat code of motion and play action more often, leads to a career year. Smith might explode now that he doesn’t have to share targets with A.J. Brown. The defense can be among the NFL’s best, as it was two seasons ago. Carter might be a dark horse NFL Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Let’s not forget how good the Eagles were two seasons ago. They can reach that height again. Nightmare scenarioThe Eagles will look a lot different on offense, with a new scheme and no A.J. Brown. Sean Mannion was a quarterback for a long time and people rave about his knowledge, but he also has just two seasons of experience as an assistant and now steps into one of the most talked-about coordinator jobs in the NFL. Maybe the offense, which also saw Saquon Barkley’s production cut nearly in half last season after they rode him hard during a Super Bowl run, won’t be any better. It’s also worth noting that the offensive line lost one of the best position coaches in football, as Jeff Stoutland stepped down. He was the Eagles’ line coach from 2013 to 2025 and one of the most respected coaches in the NFL. That could end up being a massive loss that hasn’t been talked about enough. The Eagles are too talented to completely crater. But if a new coordinator and new scheme doesn’t fix things, what’s next? And while plenty of teams would sign up for an 11-6 record even with a home playoff loss, a repeat of last season won’t be good enough for a franchise that looked like it could win multiple championships in this era. The crystal ball saysYou can see from the countdown that the Eagles aren’t our top-ranked NFC East team. That’s more of an optimistic projection on the Cowboys than a statement on the Eagles, though there are certainly more questions about Philadelphia than there were a year ago. Sean Mannion could be a major upgrade at offensive coordinator, but he has to prove that. The defense was good last season but not on the same tier it was in 2024. A.J. Brown might not have been happy but defenses had to account for him on every play. Philadelphia has the talent to win 14 games, as it did two seasons ago, and make a deep playoff run, but we’ll pick them to get a wild-card playoff spot and come up short of another Super Bowl trip. That would certainly be accepted calmly and rationally by Philadelphia’s fans and media. |
| WASHINGTONAfter a DUI, the Commanders have canned their tight ends coach. John Keim of ESPN.com: The Washington Commanders fired tight ends coach Ben Steele on Monday, two days before training camp begins, and more than a month after he was arrested for driving while intoxicated. On June 7 in Loudoun County, Virginia — where the Commanders train — Steele was charged with DWI after he was observed to “change course after signal,” according to Loudoun County General District Court. Steele also was charged with obstruction/resisting without force. According to court documents, Steele refused a blood/breath test. He was released on his own recognizance. The incident occurred during a time when the Commanders were still holding spring practices. He was placed on leave by the team, according to a team source, and missed the final two OTA workouts as well as minicamp the following week. During that period, Wes Welker, an offensive assistant, and David Raih, who was their tight ends coach the past two years but was promoted to pass game coordinator, worked with the position group. Washington hired Steele in the offseason to fill Raih’s role. Steele was on the Arizona Cardinals’ staff the past three years and was credited in part with Trey McBride’s ascension. Steele served as an offensive assistant under Dan Quinn in Atlanta in 2019 and was the Atlanta Falcons’ tight ends coach a year later. |
| NFC WEST |
| ARIZONAQB JACOBY BRISSETT has won a new contract. Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com: The Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Jacoby Brissett have reached agreement on a reworked contract that will pay him $15.5 million guaranteed this season with the chance to make $21 million with incentives, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Sunday. He did not receive any new years on his deal and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after the season. Brissett had never set out to add more years to the two-year contract he signed in 2025, a source had told ESPN. “It’s good. Happy for him. Happy for our team. It was productive. For it to get done now, sooner than rather than later, it’s good,” Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said Sunday. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: LaFleur also said that he’s happy to eliminate a reason to think or talk about anything other than football. “It hasn’t been a distraction by any means,” LaFleur said, via the team’s website. “We have very much mature and professional players. We have a mature roster. Never thought it was ever a distraction but it’s one less thing we have to talk about, or that they have to read about. We can move on with the football aspect of it.” Brissett’s contract stance kept him away from the team for the voluntary portion of the offseason program, but the Cardinals will be banking on his experience helping him to streamline the process of getting acclimated to the offense ahead of Week 1. |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSMore rumblings that DT Aaron Donald is indeed going to come out of retirement. Sarah Barshop of ESPN.com leaves no doubt that Coach Sean McVay wants it to happen: Former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald is going through a “very strict, regimented process” to decide whether he wants to unretire this season, Rams head coach Sean McVay said. And if Donald does decide he wants to play, McVay said, “we are going to try to be able to make that happen.” Donald retired in March 2024 after 10 NFL seasons, but the Rams’ trade for Myles Garrett in June spurred conversation about the possibility of Donald returning to play alongside the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. “For those of you guys that do know Aaron, he’s very diligent,” McVay said. “Anything that he does, he does all-in. And so he’s going through a very strict, regimented process that was similar to what he did when he played.” McVay said he “genuinely” does not know what Donald will decide, but said, “If he feels good, then you guys know he’s going to be ready to rock.” “We’ll see how his body’s responding to some of the training and the way that he puts himself through the paces to know what it looks and feels like to be ready to take on what the rigors of an NFL season entail,” McVay said. McVay said the pair first had a conversation about the possibility because he had reached out for Donald’s opinion when the team was discussing trading for Garrett. “But this is his decision,” McVay said. “He’s earned the right to be able to do it on his terms. And that’s why I think you guys are seeing us take this approach. But I did not ever really think this would be something, but I’m not going to sit here and act like I’m not excited about the possibility of it.” McVay addressed the possibility of Donald’s return on the first day of training camp at Loyola Marymount University. Among the group to report was wide receiver Puka Nacua, who is entering the final season of his rookie deal. McVay said he expects Nacua to participate in practice. McVay also said left tackle Alaric Jackson, who was arrested on a domestic violence charge in June but will not face a felony charge, will be at training camp. McVay said it is an “ongoing” legal situation that the team is still gathering information on. |
| SAN FRANCISCO Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com is amazed (and concerned) that Kyle Shanahan could be in an auto accident that required hospitalization – and it took 12 days to reach the public: Saturday’s news that 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan had been in a serious car accident was surprising, to say the least. Although he’s dealing with more than a few significant physical issues, including a severe concussion, the injuries were not life-threatening, and it appears that he’s on a path to recovery. There’s a separate issue that’s hard to ignore regarding the accident itself. It happened on July 14. The 49ers managed to keep it from being reported for 11 days. It possibly would still be a secret today; the disclosure coincided with the first day of the team’s 2026 training camp. And, in hindsight, the effort to get the word out seems to have been engineered. The 49ers posted their statement regarding the accident at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday. Adam Schefter of ESPN posted his first tweet on the situation exactly one minute later, at 12:01 p.m. ET. The ESPN article about the accident was published at 12:02 p.m. ET. Nick Wagoner, who covers the 49ers for ESPN and who shared credit with Schefter for the story, reposted Schefter’s tweet at 12:03 p.m. ET. Why would ESPN hold the information until the 49ers disclosed it? Beyond the obvious fact that the NFL now owns 10 percent of ESPN (which means the 49ers own 1/32nd of the 10 percent), this kind of negotiated reporting isn’t uncommon. Given that ESPN had information that wasn’t in the 49ers’ release (e.g., injury details and news from local law enforcement about the other driver not being injured, the finding that alcohol or drugs were not a factor, and the decision that no one should be cited for the crash), it’s fair to wonder if ESPN made a deal with the 49ers to hold the news until the team announced it — possibly in exchange for receiving the full specifics about Shanahan’s injuries. Others who cover the 49ers knew about it, too. Before the news was released, Tim Kawakami of the San Francisco Standard dropped a hint: “I think there’s going to be some news later this morning.” Kawakami later admitted that he was aware of the situation, but that he didn’t report it because he “knew about 15% of the details.” Still, he apparently knew 100 percent of the fact that there was an accident. Not every detail related to the story needed to be reported, especially when plenty of the basic information about the collision was available from public sources. News regarding events that entail the involvement of the police and/or other first responders rarely gets held. It’s public information. (For example, news regarding Tony Romo’s recent arrest was shared as soon as Fox News 6 in Wisconsin obtained the public arrest detention report.) In this situation, the conduits for publicly-available information to the general public either were asleep at the switch or made a deliberate choice not to perform one of the core functions of journalism. Brokering a deal (either in exchange for more facts or because the team asks nicely) to hold publicly-available information until the team decides to disclose it isn’t journalism. It’s the antithesis of journalism. But it’s hardly uncommon in sports. Whether it’s an exercise in trading favors or ensuring that the organization being covered doesn’t freeze out a reporter who failed to go along with the plan, it happens all the time. This is just the latest example of it. As Jay Glazer of Fox told me years ago, true journalism in sports involves finding out the stuff they don’t want us to know, not reporting something that’s going to be announced in five minutes. Implicit in finding it out is, after doing so, finding a way to report it. Shanahan’s accident happened on a public roadway. Public agencies responded to it. Basic information about the situation was publicly available. And folks who publicize relevant information to the public for a living chose not to do it until they got the go-ahead from the 49ers. That’s not how it’s supposed to work. Reporters owe a primary duty to their audience, not to the entities they cover. In sports, that line started to blur when leagues and teams began hiring reporters to cover them. Twenty years later, that line is long gone. This from Kawakami: @timkawakamiFlorio can attack me all he wants. He’s trolling, which he does sometimes. I knew around Thursday that Shanahan wouldn’t do the presser yesterday. I knew he likely wasn’t going to be coaching at the start of camp. I could guess why. I didn’t know exactly. CONSPIRACY! COMPLYING!– – –Who was that mysterious man in sunglasses and a mustache? Yes, that was Kyle Shanahan (who usually never wears sunglasses) popping on the field for about 20 minutes of the 49ers’ first camp practice today. A day filled with 11-on-11 drills. With Shanahan out, longtime NFL assistant Chris Foerster is running the team. Vic Tafur of The Athletic: “He knows Kyle inside and out, what Kyle wants, what Kyle needs,” general manager John Lynch said. “We’ve got guys like (offensive coordinator) Klay Kubiak, (defensive coordinator) Raheem Morris, obviously, who has head coach experience, (special teams coordinator) Brant Boyer. The list goes on and on. “And I think one of the great things Kyle does, aside from coaching his team, is leading this organization, and I think he’s a tremendous developer of his staff and so we’re not going to miss a beat.” One of the reasons Foerster was so fired up to break down the team after practice Sunday was that Lynch had suggested that he might delegate that responsibility. “Chris is kind of a grouchy guy,” Lynch said, smiling. “He doesn’t really believe in breakdowns and all that, so Raheem may do the breakdowns. Fred may do the breakdowns.” Foerster agreed that he is not a big speech guy, just a lifer who enjoys talking ball. “I like talking about technique and fundamentals. … John made fun of it yesterday — he didn’t think I was a breakdown guy. And I challenge ‘grumpy,’ but … I think maybe I am a little grumpy.” Foerster prefers to watch the video of practice before telling players whether it was a good or bad one, but Sunday was different. “I got a little fired up because I was challenged, and I told the team how much I love the way they practice and the energy they bring every day.” Offensive tackle Trent Williams was watching Foerster address the team and cracked a big smile. He played for Foerster back in Washington in 2010 and considers the coach family. “It sounded like it was second nature just watching him address the team,” Williams said. “He’s been doing this longer than everybody in that locker room’s been alive, probably except for me. So, it’s like a hand in glove fit, man. I’m so proud of him, just watching him just be a head coach for a day or no matter how long it is.” Foerster has coached with the Vikings, Buccaneers, Colts, Dolphins, Ravens, 49ers, Washington, 49ers again and Dolphins again before joining the 49ers for good in 2019. He helped game plan and then took over as offensive line coach in 2021 and then became Shanahan’s right-hand man in 2022 when Mike McDaniel left to become head coach of the Dolphins. Foerster said he is fired up, but not because he is in charge after all these years or anything like that. “I love the opportunity to help,” Foerster said. “What I learned a long, long time ago, I believe leadership is you serve in leadership. You help people by serving. And servant leadership is any way I can help. Any way I can help Kyle, John or the players. That’s where I get a charge out of life. I learned that through a lot of difficult times in my life.” Foerster resigned as Dolphins offensive line coach in 2017 to seek medical help after a social media video surfaced in which he appeared to snort a white powdery substance at his desk. Shanahan was there for Foerster, to the point where Foerster said he might cry when asked about Shanahan’s car accident. “He’s family to me, this whole organization,” Foerster said. “I’ve known Kyle for a long time. He’s one of my best friends in the world, by far. There’s not many people that I call friend, for a lot of reasons, and Kyle is one of them. “He did some things for me and pulled me in at a time in my life when nobody would really wanna be with me … that loyalty is never gonna be forgotten.” The only advice Shanahan has given Foerster this week was to do whatever he has to do — Shanahan has confidence in him — and when in doubt, “delegate it to somebody else.” One change that Foerster has made is to the structure of team meetings. “Instead of me running every team meeting, we’ll split up in offense and defense and Raheem and Klay will do that,” Foerster said. “One of the greatest things that Kyle does is how he leads a team and talks football, teaches the team football, and teaches the team everything. That’s not going to fall on me … (because) Kyle is an outstanding head coach.” “Kyle usually sits up here and talks football for 30 minutes,” Lynch added. “We’re not going to try to replicate that. I believe our culture kind of speaks for itself, and we believe that our culture is the people, and Chris is one of those who we think very highly of.” But as he showed after practice Sunday, Foerster will speak up when he has to. “When he talks, everybody listens and everybody has a ton of respect for him,” Williams said. “And I think he’s the mouth you want to address your team if Coach Shanahan can’t.” |
| AFC WEST |
| KANSAS CITYThe wife of Chiefs OC Eric Bieniemy was shot in the couple’s Virginia home over the weekend. Mike Florio: Nate Taylor of ESPN reports, citing unnamed sources, Mia Bieniemy has been hospitalized following the incident. Taylor adds that police in Loudoun County, Virginia, have confirmed a person was being treated for “serious injuries.” The authorities did not disclose the victim’s identity. Eric Bieniemy is in Missouri, for Chiefs training camp. Via Taylor, the Chiefs said in a statement they are “aware of the incident involving Eric Bieniemy’s family.” The Chiefs released no other details. Bieniemy returned to the Chiefs as offensive coordinator in 2026. He had served in that role from 2018 through 2022. Not much emotion about Mia’s health in that Chiefs statement. As we go to press, the other shoe drops and it’s a family tragedy for Bieniemy. Florio: The Loudon County, Virginia, sheriff’s office has announced that Bieniemy’s son, Elijah, was “arrested and charged with Malicious Wounding, Use of a Firearm in Commission of a Felony, and Discharge of a Firearm Inside of a Dwelling.” Mia Biemieny was shot multiple times, and she suffered “serious injuries.” Elijah Bieniemy is being held without bond. The investigation, per the sheriff’s office, is ongoing. |
| LAS VEGASAlbert Breer of SI.com likes what he sees in the Raiders after the signing of QB FERNANDO MENDOZA: This offseason was a pivotal one for the storied franchise. They have a new coach for the fourth time in five offseasons. They had the No. 1 pick in a draft that had a quarterback worthy of being picked that high. They traded their best player only to have him returned to them like a shiny new car with faulty brakes sent back to the dealership. They spent big in free agency. Through it all, the offseason program gave them a little (much-needed) momentum. If Mendoza had held out into training camp, it may not have killed all that, but it would’ve put a dent in all the progress new coach Klint Kubiak and his staff have made thus far—and that wasn’t worth continuing to haggle over the details of a slotted rookie deal. “Contracts are always more complicated than what people think,” second-year GM John Spytek told me Monday. “There was always a way to work through that, and we just wanted to do good deals for everybody and we wanted everybody to be here at the same time, and that’s easier said than done. But in the first run with Klint and me here, we didn’t want any distractions. We didn’t want to be talking about other things outside of football.” Spytek then co-opted Bo Schembechler’s famous line that served as a foundation for his own alma mater’s program: The Team, The Team, The Team. Having all 10 draft picks under contract now was essential for keeping the focus there, as it was through the spring. That’s where the aforementioned momentum has been coming from, and it’s essential, again, specifically because of where the Raiders sit right now, that it stays there. The roster has 30 rookies on it and 16 new veterans. The team projects, as it stands right now, to have newcomers in nine of 22 starting positions. So there’s a lot to bring together there for Kubiak and his staff. “Watching Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean and Kwity Paye on defense mold with Maxx [Crosby], and with Jeremy Chin, Malcolm Koonce, Eric Stokes, guys that have been here, has been cool,” Spytek said. But there’s also a lot to keep together. Kolton Miller and Crosby, to name two guys, could be slow to trust the team, given all they’ve been through, playing for Jon Gruden, Rich Bisaccia, Josh McDaniels, Antonio Pierce and Pete Carroll. And Crosby, especially, given the offseason he just had. Instead, Crosby has set the tone for Kubiak’s program while working to come back from meniscus surgery. “He reported on Thursday with everybody else and you didn’t see his name pop up on the PUP list, so that should be pretty indicative of what we’re trying to accomplish here,” Spytek said. “I mean, he could have easily said, ‘I’m gonna nurse this and I’ll be back mid-training camp or late August.’ But he wasn’t on the PUP, so yeah, that’s what we want. We want guys that want to be here, want to be in this building, want to work, want to be a part of building a team and being on the field as soon as they can. “And we accomplished that. We didn’t have anybody on the PUP or NFI (non-football injury list) or any of it, at least with the guys returning from injury. And I don’t have any expectations on Tuesday when the rest of the group gets here that we’ll have that. I think we’re gonna have 91 guys on the grass.” Which is a start. According to BetMGM, the Raiders win total line is currently 5.5 wins. The Raiders were 3-14 last year under Pete Carroll. Spytek, Kubiak and Tom Brady are serious, responsible people and the team is undoubtedly better off, in terms of roster and process, than it was a year ago. It’s a tough division, but you might think at least 6 or 7 wins is possible. Let’s say they go only 1-5 in the division games, how many possible wins does the rest of the 4th place AFC West schedule have? 1 Sun, Sep 13 vs Miami3 Sun, Sep 27 @ New Orleans5 Sun, Oct 11 @ New England6 Sun, Oct 18 vs Buffalo 7 Sun, Oct 25 vs LA Rams8 Sun, Nov 1 @ NY Jets9 Sun, Nov 8 @ San Francisco10 Sun, Nov 15 vs Seattle12 Sun, Nov 29 @ Cleveland13 BYE WEEK16 Sun, Dec 27 vs Tennessee17 Sun, Jan 3 @ Arizona Well, it actually is pretty hard with 3 killer NFC West games and New England and Buffalo. How many of the six boldfaced games can they win? |
| AFC NORTH |
| CINCINNATIWriting at 365scores.com, Scott Kacsmar has some thoughts on QB JOE BURROW: Joe Burrow: The Only QB with a Reputation More Durable Than His BodyWith so many 2026 quarterback rankings in the news this week, we picked a good time to do the Bengals since Joe Burrow continues to rank so highly on them despite missing the playoffs for the third year in a row. I keep thinking back to our February deep-dive on the broken quarterback discourse as what do people even value from the position anymore? There are also some wild double standards as players like Mahomes and Jackson seem to have been penalized more for injury and missing the playoffs in 2025 than Burrow has for doing that multiple times since 2023. Burrow also doesn’t have the overall resume of those two. Then there’s the way other quarterbacks would get downgraded for playing with the league’s best (and most expensive in history) wide receiver duo. But Burrow openly clamored to make those deals happen for Chase and Higgins, and no one bats an eye at why the game’s “purest passer” needs a WR2 making just under $29M per season. So, why does Burrow keep getting the benefit of doubt from people around the NFL? I have a few theories for that: * Burrow had that magical, Heisman-winning championship season at LSU in 2019, so some people (Troy Aikman, Dan Orlovsky, etc.) are always going to be enamored with him and think that’s the quarterback he’s meant to be every year. * Burrow had that Super Bowl run in 2021, his second season, and even though it didn’t result in a ring, ending the Bengals’ long playoff win drought and coming back from 21-3 down at Arrowhead to win resonated so much in NFL circles. * Then the Bengals got stronger in 2022 to show it wasn’t a fluke, and nearly upset the Chiefs again at Arrowhead in another AFC Championship Game. * So, when Burrow misses the playoffs in the years since those runs, people are quicker to blame injuries in 2023-25, or the defense/special teams in 2024 since he led the NFL in yards and touchdowns that season. * Then stylistically, Burrow is the “Brady-like” pocket passer of his era, who can throw the ball 40 times every week and have the offense fall on his shoulders as he’s doing his damage from the pocket while those other players like Allen, Mahomes, and Jackson use their legs a lot to extend plays or scramble. That style, a dying breed, still resonates more with certain people too. * But if you put Burrow’s NFL success into proper context, you start to see he hasn’t been on the same level as what I call the Big 3 in Mahomes, Allen, and Jackson. Truth be told, Burrow has taken advantage of some of the Big 3’s most vulnerable moments for his limited success, and the real question should be if we’re certain he’s the best quarterback in the 2020 class, or is it Justin Herbert, who won Rookie of the Year? That’s the fairer comparison at the moment, because if you really dig into what made the Bengals work, you won’t be that surprised why they haven’t been able to recapture that 2021-22 success.– – –It’s a Big 3, not a Big 4. While those quarterbacks can say their success stands on its own regardless of what Burrow does, the same cannot be said for Burrow. He needed those Jackson injuries to help him make the playoffs and get home playoff games. He needed to face Huntley in a playoff game instead of a quarterback who has owned the Bengals in his career. He needed that horrific half from Mahomes in the title game, and he needed Allen and the Bills to be lethargic in their only blowout loss in nearly two years. Burrow has the Super Bowl appearance that Jackson and Allen lack, but is it really that impressive given he got the worst Mahomes’ AFC playoff game ever to get there while Allen and Jackson routinely watch Pat shred their defenses? Or how Burrow needed all those Tannehill turnovers to overcome a 9-sack day in Tennessee, and someone like Jackson has watched his Baltimore defense force a measly two turnovers in eight playoff starts. Burrow has the talent to be a HOFer, but his game has flaws that seem to get overlooked for years, and we’re not just talking about a lack of durability. He takes too many bad sacks, and he lacks that killer instinct in the big moments to seize the game that the others seem to have in larger supply, especially Mahomes. I think Burrow is a likeable player if you’ve listened to his interviews and watched him on documentary shows like Netflix’s Quarterback and HBO’s Hard Knocks In-Season. He takes accountability for losses and mistakes, he’s driven to succeed, and he seems to stray from the pack on social issues as most other NFL quarterbacks largely lean the same way on their views. He was even going to spend $3M on a replica Batmobile from The Dark Knight before a home burglary made him reconsider. I only criticize Burrow often because it seems like no one else is willing to call a spade a spade.His fans are also insane, but that goes with the territory of quarterback fandom. Just thought NFL scouts, coaches, and execs would be a little more interested in digging beyond the surface level. Burrow being a perfectionist is also likely hurting his career. Football is an imperfect game, and you’re going to have to make up for mistakes. You’re going to have to adjust the plan on the fly. That perfectionist mentality is another reason I believe he lacks success in clutch moments. It also could help explain those Cincinnati oddities like how Zac Taylor has done better in shootouts and clutch games without Burrow than he has with him: Zac Taylor is 3-9 when the Bengals allow 28+ points without Burrow and 2-17 with him.Taylor has won four games after trailing in the final 8:00 with Jake Browning (2), Joe Flacco (1), and Brandon Allen (1) compared to one such win with Burrow. |
| CLEVELANDAre you going to believe the video evidence? WR JERRY JEUDY says don’t per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com: Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy is pushing back against a viral video in which he appears to name his preference on who he believes should be named the team’s starting quarterback. In the TikTok video, Jeudy flashes four fingers on a livestream, which has been taken by many as a reference to Deshaun Watson, who wears the No. 4. However, the video appears to have been edited as there is a skip in the clip between when Jeudy shows his fingers and when the question is shown. “Yall cut the clip perfectly for that narrative,” Jeudy posted to X on Sunday. He added that he isn’t going to weigh in on the decision that coach Todd Monken will be making when Watson and Shedeur Sanders compete for the Browns’ starting quarterback job in training camp. “I don’t speak on decisions that aren’t mine to make. I support my teammates/Brothers, I do my job, and control what I can control,” Jeudy wrote in another post to X. “Let’s stop creating narrative that aren’t there for likes and clicks. I bet this won’t go viral because it’s too positive/real for y’all.” Watson, entering the final season of his five-year, fully guaranteed $230 million contract, and Sanders split first-team practice reps throughout the offseason workout program. Their competition will continue into training camp. There are four QBs in camp and Oyefusi outlines their chances: Here is where each quarterback stands as training camp opens Wednesday: Deshaun Watson | Age: 30Stat to know: Watson’s 33.1 Total QBR since he made his Cleveland debut would rank last among qualifying quarterbacks if he had enough starts to qualify. Once one of the brightest stars in the league, Watson’s career is now at a sort of crossroads. Beset by suspension and injuries, he has played in only 19 games since the Browns acquired him for three first-round picks and gave him a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million contract in March 2022. His latest ailment — a torn Achilles tendon that required a pair of surgeries — sidelined him for the 2025 season. When he has been on the field in a Browns uniform, Watson hasn’t been able to recapture his former Pro Bowl form; in those 19 games played (9-10 record), Watson threw just 19 touchdowns. Watson is now healthy and has expressed excitement to be paired with an offensive-minded head coach who has had success with mobile quarterbacks. Browns coaches praised Watson’s form and physical abilities during the spring, but the next test will be carrying it over into games, where he has failed to perform with consistency in recent years. “Deshaun’s athleticism shows up,” Monken said in May. “Obviously he’s had that, but he’s had injuries that have set him back. I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise, but it’s exciting to see — it’s a weapon for him. It’s one of his superpowers, his athleticism.” Shedeur Sanders | Age: 24Stat to know: Sanders had an average time to throw of 3.24 seconds, the longest of 38 quarterbacks who made at least six starts in 2025. Sanders joined Cleveland last season under a microscope that belied his fifth-round draft status. His fall from a projected first-round pick to a Day 3 selection only added to the outsized attention and scrutiny. And it heightened even further as Sanders, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, took zero first-team reps in camp and opened the 2025 regular season as the inactive, emergency quarterback on game days. Sanders, though, worked his way up the depth chart and made his debut in Week 11, when he was thrust into action in the second half against the Ravens. Though his first taste of NFL action was a struggle — 4-of-16 for 47 yards and one interception — Sanders bounced back the following week and got a win in his first start against the Las Vegas Raiders. Sanders remained QB1 for the final seven games of the season, and his two-month run as the Browns’ starter was an up-and-down affair; he made big plays with his arm and legs but also committed rookie mistakes, namely holding on to the ball too long and turning it over. He finished with a 3-4 record, including wins against the division rival Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals in the final two games. Coaches lauded Sanders’ growth during the offseason workout program, particularly his grasp of Monken’s offense and ability to get through his progressions more quickly. However, noncontact practices don’t compare to live pass rushes that require snap decisions. Sanders will have to find a balance between playing in structure and unlocking his playmaking skills. “I think he’s being more decisive,” Monken said in June. “Now, it’s easy to say we’re not in pads. It just feels like he’s making quicker decisions. The ball’s coming out of his hands, which he’s going to have to do. Not that he doesn’t have playmaking ability, because he does, but his ability to process quicker and get the ball out of his hands and eliminate lost yardage plays is going to be huge for us to be able to stack plays and score, which is ultimately the No. 1 thing here.” Dillon Gabriel | Age: 25Stat to know: Gabriel averaged 5.7 air yards per attempt last season, lowest among 38 quarterbacks who made at least six starts. The Browns selected Gabriel on Day 2 of last year’s draft, and the previous coaching regime quickly prepared him for a starting opportunity, giving him first-team reps in training camp and making him the backup to then-Browns QB Joe Flacco during the regular season. Gabriel entered training camp last year as a roster lock based on his draft standing and the QB pecking order through the spring and summer. The same can’t be said this year based on his positioning behind Sanders and Watson as well as the presence of Green. As a standout at UCF, Oklahoma and Oregon, Gabriel was a pinpoint passer but played a risk-averse brand of football during his six starts as a rookie. His accuracy and decision-making will have to be his calling card as a limited athlete. “He may be forgotten externally, but he’s not forgotten to us,” Browns general manager Andrew Berry said in February. “[He’s] going to handle everything within his control … Dillon’s a guy that has a bright future in this league.” Taylen Green | Age: 23Stat to know: Green accounted for 7,247 total yards in two seasons at Arkansas, the second most in the SEC since 2024 and trailing only former Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia. The Browns made one quarterback addition this offseason when they selected Green with their final pick of the 2026 draft. Berry said the 6-foot-5, 227-pound Green, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash time for a quarterback at the NFL combine (4.36 seconds), has “rare physical gifts” but also acknowledged “he’s going to need some polish with his game.” Those comments set Green up for what will likely amount to a redshirt season as a rookie, developing behind the scenes if he makes the 53-man roster. Monken has already spoken of wanting to shorten Green’s elongated release. Monken and Berry are open to using Green’s physical attributes in specialized packages, but he’ll have to show enough progress as a passer this summer to not only make the roster but also be active on game days. With limited practice reps available as Sanders and Watson compete to start, the preseason games will mark huge opportunities for Green. “I’ve been super impressed with his ability to really learn, process and take it to the field and then getting through his progressions, really impressive,” Monken said in May. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| ESPNESPN did some layoffs last week with Karl Ravatch being perhaps the biggest ESPN longtimer to go. And of course, former NFL DB Ryan Clark who had a racial focus to much of his commentary. Andrew Marchand of The Athletic has thoughts: The reason fans care so much about the ESPN layoffs is the same reason they love their favorite teams and players. There is a lifelong emotional connection to the network. ESPN remains the most ubiquitous and talked-about brand in sports media. Its live-rights portfolio — including Super Bowls, NBA Finals, Stanley Cups and College Football Playoffs — is arguably the most impressive in TV history. Ratings are strong. When familiar faces such as Karl Ravech, Ryan Clark and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero are let go, as they were this week, it prompts all kinds of visceral reactions from fans. I love that guy!I can’t stand him! Though that trio received the headlines during ESPN’s latest round of layoffs, it is the loss of David Lloyd, Stephania Bell, NFL Network’s Charles Davis and a slew of NFL Network behind-the-scenes people that continues to strip the invincibility from the network once known as the “Worldwide Leader in Sports.” Lloyd, Bell and Davis are the antithesis of ESPN’s biggest stars, Stephen A. Smith and Pat McAfee, who might be popular but are also loud, self-promoting and divisive. What Smith and McAfee are not is personally responsible for the layoffs. Smith’s $21 million a year salary, McAfee’s potential $60 million-$65 million per year deal, the incorporating of NFL Network and how to reach ESPN’s financial targets are ultimately the decisions of ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro. ESPN is valued at $25 billion to $30 billion, so while Smith and McAfee are easy targets, it is too simplistic to put the firings at their feet. They are going for theirs, and the bosses have decided they are swing-for-the-fences hitters who are essential to the success of the business. But the disparity between what ESPN values in Smith and McAfee and in the traits of Lloyd, Bell and Davis says something about who ESPN is today. There are still a lot of employees remaining who share Lloyd’s, Bell’s and Davis’ old-time traits. However, increasingly, the Bob Ley types are fewer and constantly left on unstable ground, muttering to themselves about how the place used to be. Since its birth in 1979, there have been two ESPN eras. First came the pre-2013 era, when the place was Shangri-la, one of the greatest media businesses in history with its dual revenue streams of around 100 million subscribers and advertising that created a multibillion-dollar moat shielding it from the emerging digital realities that were attacking the rest of the media. Now, there is the post-2013 era, when layoffs finally found their way to the once-impregnable Bristol, Conn., as cable subscribers have sunk into the 60 million range and with dreams that a new “Unlimited” direct-to-consumer app can reverse fortunes. Since 2013, this has resulted in earth-shaking layoffs in Bristol every couple of years, derailing careers for those who are cut and shattering nerves for those who survive. Pitaro — who became the leader of ESPN in 2018 when the business was tougher — is a huge New York Yankees fan and has channeled George Steinbrenner at times, willing to spend big to get what he wants. His No. 1 goal when he got the job was repairing the relationship with the NFL that had deteriorated under Pitaro’s predecessor, John Skipper, despite the network paying the league billions. Pitaro picked up a couple of Super Bowls, brought in the Mannings, Joe Buck and Troy Aikman and acquired NFL Network. Mission accomplished on that front. But who a company decides to keep and who must go always says something about who it is. This brings us to why Lloyd’s departure is particularly of note. Lloyd joined ESPN in the golden years, before the turn of the century. At that time, in the footsteps of Chris Berman, Dan Patrick and Keith Olbermann, “SportsCenter” anchor was one of the most competitive jobs in media. Lloyd got one of those coveted spots. Internally, ESPN has preached over the years to work hard, not make it about oneself and to represent the company well. Lloyd was on “SportsCenter,” but even after nearly three decades, you might not know his name. He didn’t have a signature show or catchphrase, but his attitude represents how pre-2013 ESPN — before the new realities of the business hit — won. His style was akin to moving over a runner, boxing out or throwing a crucial block. Bell is an innovative symbol of what has made ESPN successful over the years, turning nothing into something. Like Mel Kiper Jr. on the NFL Draft or Joe Lunardi with NCAA Tournament Bracketology, Bell pioneered making the role of injury expert a thing on TV over her nearly 20 years at ESPN. This ingenuity is what has helped ESPN stand out. Now, ESPN owns NFL Media. In February, the NFL received a 10 percent stake valued at $3 billion in a series of deals, allowing Roger Goodell and the owners to cash out. That left former NFL Network employees to deal with the elimination of jobs for corporate America’s favorite pastime, finding synergies. So Davis — a draft analyst and consummate professional adored by everyone who works with him — was shown the door. He went, as part of what turned out to be a behind-the-scenes NFL Network bloodbath, impacting scores of people you never heard of but who kept the lights and cameras going. The post-2013 ESPN era steamrolls ahead. The Aug. 21 launch of ESPN’s updated app, including new access to all of ESPN’s live games without cable, is a huge moment for the network.What gets rewarded is the individual over the company, with the reasoning in 2026 being it is the only way to break through in the crowded media environment. Maybe that is true; maybe it’s not. The result is Lloyd, Bell, Davis and the nameless production staffers are gone. Post-2013, if you work for ESPN, you know earthquakes happen in Bristol. It is still a destination spot in sports media, but it has not been utopia for a long time. It might just be the reality of the digital media world’s impact catching up to ESPN. But when there is no room for Lloyd, Bell, Davis and the rest, it says something about what type of team you are building. ESPN is no longer the 1998 Yankees. There is less room for those who play the game the right way. |
| MIKE LOMBARDI ON ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVEWhat’s going on with Mike Lombardi? The University of North Carolina doesn’t provide much info, but something is afoot. Brad Crawford of CBSSports.com: North Carolina has placed Michael Lombardi, the general manager of the Tar Heels’ football team, on paid administrative leave, according to a university press release Monday from vice chancellor for communications Dean Stoyer. “As is standard procedure with personnel matters, leadership, staff, and student-athletes are prohibited from addressing this topic further, and has no reflection on the merits,” the statement reads. Lombardi joined the program in December 2024 after Bill Belichick was hired to lead. He’s one of the nation’s highest-paid general managers at $1.5 million annually and is credited with helping North Carolina sign a top-25 recruiting class during the 2026 cycle. Belichick’s top advisor on staff, Lombardi has worked with the eight-time Super Bowl winner at multiple spots including his last NFL stint with the New England Patriots in 2016. Lombardi was brought to North Carolina to serve as Belichick’s personnel compass, the high-level evaluator charged with turning an NFL-style vision into an ACC roster. It would seem that Lombardi’s “paid” administrative leave could be related to his health or a family situation or some other benign reason. But there is a sense it could be more ominous than that. Andy Staples has a tweet: Following the move, fans and others around college football seem to be reacting pretty positively to the news. On3’s Andy Staples, replying to his own post on X breaking the news of Lombardi’s leave from the program, detailed how unique this situation is in terms of reactions. “Not sure I remember the last piece of college football breaking news where so many people — from fans to people in the football business — reacted with this much glee,” Staples said. |
