| BURGLARY RING BROKENFollowing up on the arrest by Ohio police of three illegal Chileans, the FBI has now arrested seven South Americans who were invading homes of famous athletes. Richard Pollina of the New York Post: A gang of Chilean nationals has been charged with a string of robberies that stole millions in valuables from “high-profile athletes” across the U.S. — including the homes of Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow. The seven illegal immigrants — Pablo Zuniga Cartes, 24; Ignacio Zuniga Cartes, 20; Bastian Jimenez Freraut, 27; Jordan Quiroga Sanchez, 22; Bastian Orellano Morales, 23; Alexander Huiaguil Chavez, 24, and Sergio Ortega Cabello, 38 — were all charged with conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property, a criminal complaint unsealed in Tampa, Fla., on Tuesday, revealed. The men are suspected members of a “South American Theft Group” who “targeted high-profile athletes in the National Football League (“NFL”) and National Basketball Association (“NBA”), all of whom were away or playing in professional games at the time of the burglaries,” prosecutors said. Mahomes had his Belton, Mo., mansion robbed just after midnight on Oct. 6. and Kelce’s home was also broken into in the Kansas City area on Oct. 7, according to Cass County Sheriff’s Office. The gang is suspected of breaking into the homes while the Chiefs were gearing up to face off against the New Orleans Saints in Kansas City. The Chilean nationals allegedly made off with “jewelry, watches, cash, and other luxury merchandise” during the Missouri burglaries, prosecutors revealed. Two weeks later, the illegal immigrants allegedly struck again, but in Tampa. “On October 21, 2024, the home of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player was burglarized while the team played in Tampa. Jewelry, designer watches, a luxury suitcase, and a firearm were stolen,” the criminal complaint said. The Buccaneers were playing the Baltimore Ravens in Tampa around the time of the robbery. The alleged gangbangers are also linked to a burglary at the home of a Milwaukee Bucks player during a game in Milwaukee on Nov. 2. “A safe containing several watches, chains, personal items, jewelry, and cash was stolen, along with a designer suitcase and designer bags,” prosecutors said. “The total value of property stolen was approximately $1.484 million.” Days later, the gang is suspected of breaking into the home of Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on Dec. 9 while the team was in Texas to play the Cowboys. The Chilean migrants made off with roughly $300,000 worth of his luxury possessions, including the NFL star’s personalized diamond-encrusted chains, federal prosecutors said. Three of the suspects’ names in the charging documents — Quiroga Sanchez, Orellano Morales, and Ortega Cabello — brazenly posted photos with their stolen loot. The photos, laid bare in court documents, showed the alleged perps flashing Burrow’s watches, glasses, Louis Vuitton luggage and wads of cash. Surveillance footage also captured at least one of the men carrying luggage through a wooded area behind the home after the break-in. The trio was eventually nabbed on Jan. 10 near Fairborn, Ohio during a local traffic stop and indicted in federal court in Cincinnati earlier this month for the robbery. They have also been charged with falsifying records in a federal investigation. Lastly, the complaint said in the “late afternoon on December 19, 2024, and the early morning of December 20, 2024, the Tennessee home of a Memphis Grizzlies player was burglarized while the team played in Memphis, Tennessee.” The brazen gang again made off with “jewelry, watches, and luxury bags valued at about $1 million.” In total, the alleged perps stole an estimated more than $2 million in valuables in the string of robberies. If found guilty, the men could each face a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. It is unclear from the reporting if the four other illegal Chileans are in custody or on the lam. |
| NFC NORTH |
| DETROITDavid Shaw, once the respected head coach at Stanford, returns to coaching. Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com: David Shaw was formally announced Tuesday as part of the Detroit Lions’ 2025 coaching staff, his first formal coaching job since serving as Stanford’s head coach from 2011-22. Shaw, 52, was hired by the Lions as passing game coordinator under a revamped offensive staff headed by new offensive coordinator John Morton, whose hiring was previously announced. Shaw, Stanford’s all-time winningest coach who won four Pac-12 Coach of the Year awards, left the college ranks in 2022 and returned to the NFL last year. In 2024, he worked with the Denver Broncos in their front office as a senior personnel executive. Shaw, who hasn’t coached in the NFL since 2005, will be entering his 10th coaching season in the professional ranks. In 2005, he was the wide receivers coach for the Baltimore Ravens and was their quarterbacks and wide receivers coach from 2002-04. Before Baltimore, he served as the Oakland Raiders’ quarterbacks coach in 2001 and offensive quality control coach (1998-2000). In 1997, Shaw was an offensive quality control coach with the Philadelphia Eagles. Shaw’s father, Willie, served as the Lions’ defensive backs coach from 1985-88. Former Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice has also been hired as the Lions’ new running backs coach while Scottie Montgomery will change to wide receivers and assistant head coach. Former Iowa assistant Tyler Roehl was named the Lions’ tight ends coach in his first NFL role. Choice previously coached Lions star running back Jahmyr Gibbs at Georgia Tech from 2019-21 where they developed a great rapport. Detroit is coming off a record-setting 15-win season while earning the NFC’s No. 1 seed for the first time in franchise history. However, the Lions were bounced by the Washington Commanders in their playoff opener after receiving a first-round bye. After the early playoff exit, head coach Dan Campbell’s coaching staff took a major hit with eight assistants taking new positions in the offseason — including defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn (New York Jets) and offensive coordinator Ben Johnson (Chicago Bears) — who both accepted head coaching roles. |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASNew DC Matt Eberflus is confident the Cowboys defense will have plenty of takeaways under his tutelage. Grant Gordon of NFL.com: Get the ball. That’s Matt Eberflus’ simply stated onus for the Dallas Cowboys defense in 2025. Addressing reporters Tuesday, the former Chicago Bears head coach and new Cowboys defensive coordinator forecast an exciting and opportunistic unit. “Pretty simple: we will take the ball away,” Eberflus said, via the Cowboys’ website. “That’s what we will do. We will stop the run, and we want to make exciting plays for our football team.” It’s an unsurprising answer from Eberflus, who was Dallas’ linebackers coach from 2011-2017 prior to a four-year stay as the Indianapolis Colts’ defensive coordinator and the Bears’ head coach for two-plus seasons. Trademarks of Eberflus’ defenses have been stopping the run, causing turnovers and bending, but not breaking. Generating turnovers has been his most consistent calling card. From 2018 through last season, Eberflus’ Colts and Bears squads ranked in the top 10 in takeaways in all but one season — 2022 with Chicago when it was 14th. Last season, the Bears, who finished the campaign sans Eberflus after his firing, were 10th in takeaways (24 total). They weren’t too far ahead of the Cowboys (12th with 22). After what amounted to a disastrous 4-8 start rife with agonizing losses, chaotic finishes and unfulfilled potential, Eberflus was let go by the Bears. Landing on his feet with the Cowboys wasn’t a major shock considering his past experience with the club. Thus, he returns to a familiar spot in Dallas and a familiar role in being a DC. “I was here seven years before, so I know the [Jones] family well,” Eberflus said. “I know the community, I know the fanbase, and it’s exciting to be back. That’s what excites me the most: the fan base, the players that we get to work with and in working with the Jones family and Brian Schottenheimer.” In an interesting dynamic, Eberflus is aiming to bounce back after his first head coaching job went awry while helping Schottenheimer as he prepares for his rookie year as an HC. Eberflus is plenty happy to be back solely helming a defense, though. “I’ve always loved putting the game plans together, working with the players and calling the game on game day,” he said. “That’s always been something that I’ve loved to do: going against the great offensive coordinators in this league. That’s something that’s fun for me and our staff — putting those game plans together.” Those plans will revolve in large part around pass rusher Micah Parsons, arguably the most talented player on Dallas’ roster. As Parsons prepares for his third DC in as many seasons, Eberflus is excited to concoct a defense featuring the four-time Pro Bowler. “Micah is a premier pass rusher,” Eberflus said. “We’re going to use him that way, certainly, and he’s one heck of an athlete that can do a lot of different things for us on defense. And when you have a guy like that, you want to be able to utilize his skill set. As we’re around him more, we’ll see what that skill set is, and really take advantage of that. “He knows that we’ll just make him in the best light that he can be in terms of position, in terms of pass rush, and really utilizing what he does best, and that’s rushing the passer.” Since he was taken with the 12th overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Parsons has been an all-star for the Cowboys. The same can’t be said for 2023 first-rounder Mazi Smith, as the defensive tackle has largely struggled. In 17 starts a season ago, he registered a 34.8 overall PFF grade. Expectedly, Eberflus is optimistic about what lies ahead for Smith in his system. “I’m excited about Mazi,” he said. “I liked him coming out [of Michigan]. He’s a real explosive athlete, with a big body type that can move really well. Excited about bringing his game to the next level, and he could certainly do that.” It’s excitement season for Eberflus as he’s getting going in his new gig. It’s a new chapter, but he’s hoping for a successful defensive formula that he’s incorporated for years now: get the ball. |
| WASHINGTONThe Commanders have hired Jesse Madden as an offensive quality control coach. And, yes he is related to the great John Madden. Amos Morale III of The Athletic: Madden is the grandson of Pro Football Hall of Famer John Madden, who coached the Oakland Raiders to a Super Bowl XI victory over the Minnesota Vikings. He became even more famous for his broadcasting career, video games and Miller Lite commercials. This is Jesse Madden’s first NFL coaching position after graduating from Michigan. He joined the Wolverines as a quarterback and appeared in one game during his freshman season. He switched to defensive back after that season and won the 2023-24 national championship with the Wolverines. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| CAROLINAQB ANDY DALTON likes teaming in the QB room with QB BRYCE YOUNG – and he’s signed a nice two-year extension. David Newton of ESPN.com: Veteran quarterback Andy Dalton has been instrumental in the development of Bryce Young, and Tuesday the Carolina Panthers made sure that relationship will continue. Carolina re-signed Dalton, 37, to a two-year contract, the team announced. Terms were not disclosed, but a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter the contract is worth $8 million, includes $6 million guaranteed and has a max value of $10 million. Dalton was scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent next month. He made it clear after the season that his preference was to return to Carolina, and Young, the top pick of the 2023 draft, made it clear that he wanted Dalton back. “Me and Andy are super close,” Young, the Panthers’ starting quarterback, said late this past season. “From when I first got here, just being able to talk with him through things, him having perspective on a situation that I had never been a part of. I was always leaning on him, always having conversations. “You can’t add up the hours we spent here. … And just being able to have someone that you can bounce stuff off of, ask how you see things, whether it’s X’s and O’s or it’s a philosophical thing or stuff outside of football somewhere nuanced in between. He is always there just trying to help me out.” Dalton signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Panthers in 2023 to help develop Young. The veteran became the starter in Week 3 this past season after Young was benched due to bad numbers during an 0-2 start following a 2-14 rookie season. Dalton threw for 319 yards and three touchdowns in his first start, a 36-22 victory against the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite losing the next four games, he remained the starter until suffering a thumb injury to his throwing (right) hand in a multicar accident the week before the team’s Week 8 game at the Denver Broncos. He never got the job back as Young, after losing to the Broncos, led Carolina to consecutive wins and showed steady improvement the rest of the season. Dalton finished the season with 989 yards passing, 7 touchdowns and 6 interceptions while completing 66.3% of his passes. A second-round pick of the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2011 draft, Dalton has thrown for 39,500 yards with 253 touchdowns and 150 interceptions in 14 seasons. He has been selected to three Pro Bowls. |
| NEW ORLEANSDoug Nussmeier, who already has a famous family member in Louisiana, will be the new OC of the Saints. Charean Williams of ProFootballTalk.com: The Saints are working to finalize a deal with Doug Nussmeier to make him their offensive coordinator, Josina Anderson of bovadaofficial reports. It will be Nussmeier’s first NFL coordinator job, but he served in that role at Florida, Michigan, Alabama, Washington, and Fresno State in the college ranks. Nussmeier and Moore have worked together at three different stops, going from the Cowboys to the Chargers to the Eagles. They both were with the Cowboys from 2018-22 before Nussmeier followed Moore to the Chargers in 2023 and to the Eagles in 2024. Nussmeier was the Rams’ quarterbacks coach (2006-07), the Cowboys’ tight ends coach (2018-19), the Cowboys’ quarterbacks coach (2020-22), the Chargers’ quarterbacks coach (2023) and the Eagles quarterbacks’ coach (2024). The Saints drafted Nussmeier in 1994, and he played five games, with two starts, in the 1996-97 seasons for the team. The former quarterback went on to success in the Canadian Football League, including a Grey Cup with the British Columbia Lions in 2000. He began his coaching career in the CFL in 1997. The Saints’ job will allow Nussmeier to move closer to his son, LSU quarterback Garrett, who is among the Heisman favorites for 2025. |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSThe Rams and QB MATTHEW STAFFORD have yet to come to agreement on Stafford’s contract going forward. Jordan Rodrigue of The Athletic explores the Stafford-Rams relationship with a WR COOPER KUPP update at the end” Though it has been clear over the past month that the Los Angeles Rams are ready to move on from receiver Cooper Kupp, quarterback Matthew Stafford’s situation remains fluid. The sides met to talk before the Super Bowl, although not much progressed after their opening conversations, and will pick back up in the coming weeks, a league source said. It’s not a given that Stafford will remain with the Rams despite both sides’ initial openness to work out a deal. The Rams have to recognize that the most competitive path forward is for Stafford to return for another year and one more run while he continues to play at a high level. But the fact that coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead didn’t overtly commit to Stafford in season-ending news conferences basically signaled their open phone lines for a potential trade. If there is a difference between Stafford and the Rams, it would likely be this: The Rams don’t want to make a significant financial commitment to a veteran quarterback whose long-term future or durability they can’t be certain about, and a youthful roster built through the draft is now their core identity. Stafford’s ability — and availability — over the last two seasons is inarguable. He has missed only one game due to injury, and although he faced a couple of slumps this season, he especially excelled in the playoffs. Stafford has played some of his best football in postseason runs for the Rams, including this January and during their Super Bowl run in 2021-22. The Rams have one foot still in their previous team-building era of the early 2020s, when Stafford was the final major piece of their Super Bowl puzzle. They have another foot in their future after successfully drafting high-level starters in their previous two classes and rebuilding the core of their roster. Deciding when to step, and in what direction, is the key question of their offseason. There are two truths: Eventually, the Rams need to secure a long-term quarterback who will grow with the roster and won’t prohibit them from paying their first- and second-year stars when those extensions are due (plus whoever comes next at quarterback). But also, their roster is ready to win earlier than many expected, so why wouldn’t they plug back in their elite quarterback and make another run? Stafford’s wife, Kelly, recently said on her podcast that Stafford doesn’t want to “put the team in a bad situation,” but the Rams understand there is a certain level of financial respectability owed to a quarterback of his skill level and status. Would that be a sticking point for the Staffords? Matthew Stafford threw for 3,762 yards, 20 touchdowns and eight interceptions for Sean McVay’s team last season. (Robert Hanashiro / Imagn Images)An NFC executive who spoke to me on the condition of anonymity said if he were in the Rams’ position, he couldn’t get rid of Stafford because he’d be too hard to replace at his current level. An NFC coach said something similar, adding that he believed Stafford had at least one more year in him at his current level of play but noted if the Rams keep him, they’re only avoiding their future problem for that one additional year. An AFC executive said he could see the Rams trading Stafford if they could recoup enough assets (the implication was they haven’t hesitated to trade star players in the past), and a separate AFC executive believed Stafford would play one more year in L.A. See? Things have been … up in the air, even in the perception of the broader league. The buzz around the quarterback exists for good reason: The Rams and Stafford couldn’t reach a multiyear agreement on his existing extension (signed in 2022) before training camp last summer so reworked it to frontload his remaining guaranteed money into 2024 with the expectation that they’d revisit the conversation now. Because that remains unresolved, Stafford’s future with the team remains in question, and trade speculation has only increased as the offseason has continued. If the Rams move on from Stafford or even begin to imagine a world without him, they don’t have a viable backup plan in place. Jimmy Garoppolo, their backup last season, will be a free agent, and 2023 fourth-round pick Stetson Bennett was drafted specifically to be a long-term QB2. McVay really likes Garoppolo — more than some league sources whom I spoke with expected him to — because of his amiability, work ethic and understanding of the offense. Garoppolo, though, would be a bridge to the next franchise quarterback, whether that player arrives via draft or trade. League sources were generally split on whether the Rams/McVay would work best with a rookie or continue McVay’s preference for a veteran’s experience in his constantly changing offensive scheme. Draft experts agree that this incoming quarterback class is somewhat thin and certainly top-heavy. As of now, the Rams don’t pick until No. 26 in this year’s draft. Free-agent quarterbacks include Sam Darnold (who has ties to L.A. in a roundabout way through Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and other staff) — though Darnold would not be cheap and the Rams would have to be certain of his long-term fit — Justin Fields, Jacoby Brissett, Drew Lock, Marcus Mariota, Daniel Jones and Mac Jones. Aaron Rodgers is also expected to be released by the New York Jets, and though Rodgers’ highly publicized television appearances are not a natural match for a head coach who only wants his players focused on football (and not weekly TV shows or podcasts), it should be noted that the Rams were interested in Rodgers’ potential availability before trading for Stafford in 2021. Also notable: Neither McVay nor Snead would cede any roster control to Rodgers, who has a history of bringing his friends to his new teams. Similar to Garoppolo, such a move would only serve as a bridge to whatever investment comes next at the position. Overall, the Rams will not spend big money or trade/draft capital on a quarterback unless they believe he is their present and their future. The latter component is one of the reasons Stafford’s status even remains in question. My sense is that many within the organization want to get something done with Stafford but are also thinking about the ascending young group of players, including some with early contract extensions coming due over the next two years. There’s a financial point and/or term limit the Rams are unlikely to cross, even if Stafford undoubtedly gives them their best chance to make a run in 2025. That, in part, brings us to Kupp, whose situation has not changed much since he learned of the Rams’ intent to trade him this offseason. The move is the product of a combination of factors, including his expensive contract and struggles to stay healthy and the emergence of a tight-knit core of young players who have built their identity inside a locker room that is detached from the previous Super Bowl era, especially after Aaron Donald’s retirement. Kupp’s issues with injuries over the past three seasons should also come with some context. His all-out physical and mental effort to secure the NFL’s triple crown in 2021 and help the Rams win a Super Bowl certainly altered him, and it always seemed like he had to play catch-up with his rehabilitation process in the offseason until he could fully train this summer. And he still missed four games with an ankle injury during the season. Because the Rams previously designed much of their passing and running game to flow through Kupp, they found themselves reliant on his health and adjusted elements of their offense when he wasn’t able to play, including difficult in-season pivots. Especially over the past year, they leveraged young star Puka Nacua (whom Kupp has mentored) into the No. 1 receiver spot, and they need to improve their overall speed and get younger at the new Nos. 2 and 3 spots. Could Kupp still be a No. 1 target somewhere else? He was openly dismayed by his No. 2/3 role by the end of the season, which might hint toward his hopes with a new team. Teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers (who inquired about Kupp before the trade deadline), Kansas City Chiefs or Denver Broncos could be fits where he’d see a decent volume of targets. Kupp also noted that the Rams would work with him to find a trade partner, which means they might accept less (and take on some of his remaining salary) for the right fit. Kupp has a $7.5 million roster bonus due March 17, so the situation has to be resolved by then whether he is traded or released. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONRB JOE MIXON gets his $25,000 back after the NFL fined him for something he did not say. Jordan Dajani of CBSSports.com documents Mixon’s win with a hearing officer who didn’t appreciate the NFL played bait and switch with the fines: After a series of twists and turns, running back Joe Mixon will not be fined $25,000 for criticizing officials following the Houston Texans’ postseason loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. According to Pro Football Talk, Mixon has won his appeal. This somewhat confusing saga began last month, when the NFL reportedly fined Mixon for words that were actually posted on social media by former NFL wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Those words were included in an SI.com article titled: “Look: Joe Mixon calls out officials after Chiefs’ win over Texans,” although they were correctly attributed to Houshmandzadeh: T.J. Houshmandzadeh@housh84Why play the game if every 50/50 call goes with Chiefs. These officials are 🗑🗑🗑🗑 & bias6:33 PM · Jan 18, 2025 Mixon even took to social media to voice his frustration about the NFL’s mistake, saying the league was “wild” for fining him for something he never said: ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️@Joe_MainMixonI’m getting fined by the @nfl for what someone else said. What’s next? I get fined by them for Connor McDavid cross checking an opponent on a @nhl game! The NFL then reportedly changed the fine, pointing to words Mixon did actually say in the locker room following the divisional round. Whether those words were inflammatory enough to draw a fine was immediately questioned. “Everybody knows how it is playing up here,” Mixon said. “You can never leave it in the refs’ hands. The whole world see, man.” ⚡️Primetime!!!⚡️@Joe_MainMixonSo let me get this straight NFL fines me 25k for something I didn’t even say. Call them out for it, and they response was fine me AGAIN for something that’s not even a violation without even rescinding the first one. Where’s the accountability? Just respect the players. Cold 🌎 Ultimately, hearing officer Chris Palmer overturned the $25,000 fine, explaining why in a one-page decision obtained by Pro Football Talk: “During the appeal hearing, you stated what you meant by your statements referring to the officials,” Palmer wrote. “As you know, statements can be interpreted differently by every individual and it seems like you clearly understand the weight and detriment of public criticism towards officials can be, given how impactful your platform is as a player, which I appreciate. “Integrity of the game and its officials is the responsibility of everyone involved in the NFL. After reviewing the totality of the evidence. I find that you did not necessarily publicly criticize the officials. Accordingly for the reasons set forth above, the NFL will rescind the $25,000 fine amount.” |
| THIS AND THAT |
| CAP CUT CANDIDATESBradley Locker of ProFootballFocus.com offers a list of 15 players whose compensation exceeds their value and are likely to be cut soon: As the start of the NFL’s official negotiating window is only 20 days away, teams are firmly focused on how to maximize their cap space. Cutting underperforming players on large deals is a simple way to generate more spending money while simultaneously easing some financial headaches down the line. Last week alone, cuts began in earnest, featuring RB Raheem Mostert, CB Kendall Fuller and EDGE Preston Smith, and more will assuredly follow suit in short order. Below are 15 names with a strong chance of being released. Dl Sheldon Rankins, Cincinnati BengalsAs the Bengals look to retain Tee Higgins and upgrade their defense, they’d be wise to shed some deadweight on a unit that finished 28th in success rate allowed. Rankins played only 287 total snaps this past season, posting only four pressures and a subpar 46.2 PFF run-defense grade. Not only is Cincinnati likely to better its interior defensive line through the draft, but cutting Rankings would save $9.6 million. This feels like a no-brainer. EDGE Von Miller, Buffalo BillsMiller was highly effective when on the field for the Bills last year, turning in an 84.5 PFF pass-rushing grade with an 18.4% pass-rush win rate. However, he’s played under 500 snaps in three straight seasons, meaning his productivity is unreliable. Currently sitting $16 million below in cap space, the Bills will need to do some retooling in order to fortify their wayward defense. Considering that Miller is 36 years old, counts for over $23 million against the cap this year and could save roughly $8.4 million if cut, releasing the future Hall of Famer to get younger at edge rusher probably makes the most sense. Dl Larry Ogunjobi, Pittsburgh SteelersThe Steelers boasted one of the best defensive lines in the NFL this past year, but Ogunjobi didn’t exactly hold up his end of the bargain. Across 550 snaps, Ogunjobi produced only a 48.3 overall PFF grade, including a 41.6 PFF run-defense grade and a mediocre 16 pressures. When the Steelers re-signed Ogunjobi to a three-year, $28.75 million contract, they certainly expected more than they have received. Releasing Ogunjobi would save $7 million while simultaneously enabling an upgrade next to Cameron Heyward, presumably through a very deep interior defender draft class. Dl Grady Jarrett, Atlanta FalconsJarrett has long been a staple on Atlanta’s defense, but his on-field production isn’t matching his star power anymore. Last year, Jarrett’s 60.6 PFF pass-rushing grade was a career low, and his 61.5 PFF run-defense grade was also below average. The offseason priority for Atlanta will be bolstering its defense, particularly its defensive line. Cutting the soon-to-be 32-year-old Jarrett would free up $16.25 million and allow for a natural takeover of the reins. EDGE Sam Hubbard, Cincinnati BengalsAnother Bengals defensive lineman who underwhelmed as part of a bad overall unit, Hubbard struggled big time in 2024. His 6.3% pass-rush win rate was his lowest since 2020, and his 58.9 overall PFF grade was a career-worst. Assuming that Cincinnati can iron out a deal with sack leader Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals will still possess one of the NFL’s foremost edge defenders. However, it’s clear that Cincy can find a better running mate for Hendrickson. Cutting Hubbard would save $9.5 million — further helping to offset Higgins’ projected $25 million or more in 2025 alone — and foster just that. EDGE Cameron Jordan, New Orleans SaintsThe Saints’ annual trip to cap hell is upon us once more. Restructuring Derek Carr’s contract (if he stays in New Orleans) could free up $30 million, but the team will still have to dig to clear its $54 million deficit. Cutting Jordan, particularly after June 1, would be a logical step in addressing that. The 2024 season didn’t go as planned for the franchise legend, who finished with a 54.3 PFF pass-rushing grade and a career-worst 54.4 PFF run-defense grade. Jordan was effectively relegated to backup duties behind Carl Granderson and Chase Young, too. Cutting Jordan after June 1 would save $11 million, as opposed to costing the Saints roughly $3 million if moving on before then. WR Christian Kirk, Jacksonville JaguarsThe Jaguars’ forthcoming hire at general manager will inherit a swamp of tough contracts, with Kirk’s close to topping the list. During an injury-shortened 2024, Kirk generated only a 68.2 PFF receiving grade and 1.72 yards per route run, his worst in both categories since 2020. Jacksonville will bring back star rookie Brian Thomas Jr. and likely one of Gabe Davis or Kirk, but cutting Kirk holds much greater financial benefits — set to save the team $10.4 million. Executing a trade for the former Cardinal would also be in play, but if no suitors arise, then removing his $24 million cap hit outright is in play. EDGE Denico Autry, Houston TexansHouston’s group of edge rushers finished the year third in overall PFF grade and fourth in pass-rushing grade, primarily fueled by Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Autry did play a role, but his 65.2 PFF pass-rushing grade was the worst among Houston’s primary four edge defenders. On top of that, Autry closed the year with a sub-55.0 grade in both run defense and tackling. Autry is set to count for over $10 million against the cap this year, but that price feels far too rich for a rotational edge piece. Moving on in favor of a cheaper depth player would net Houston roughly $5.8 million — money that would certainly alleviate limited cap room. WR Allen Lazard, New York JetsAaron Rodgers’ tenure in New York has come to an unceremonious end, which could very well mean the departure of some of his staple targets. In two years with the Jets, Lazard posted a middling 63.9 PFF receiving grade with only 1.21 yards per route run and a fourth-percentile separation mark. As new general manager Darren Mougey looks to revise his roster, releasing Lazard is feasible given that the move would free $6.6 million. TE Noah Fant, Seattle SeahawksSeattle’s offense leaned conspicuously heavily on rookie A.J. Barner last season, which might be an ominous sign of things to come for Fant. The 27-year-old turned in a solid 70.2 PFF receiving grade, but his 34.5 PFF pass-blocking mark was the sixth-worst among qualifying tight ends. Given that Fant will be a free agent next offseason and that cutting him would clear $8.9 million, moving on might be the ideal play. After all, Seattle appears likely to keep deploying Barner and could land one of several intriguing tight ends in the draft. Dl Raekwon Davis, Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis’ defensive line is in a bit of an odd place next season, as several starters are set to return but some more juice is likely needed. This past year, Davis was responsible for some of those woes, turning in only four pressures and a 38.5 PFF run-defense grade on 349 total snaps. Releasing Davis before June 1 would grant the Colts around $6.5 million. Plus, Indy is a definite candidate to take advantage of the talented IDL draft class, as previously discussed. EDGE D.J. Wonnum, Carolina PanthersCarolina urgently needs more pass-rushing help after ranking dead last as a team in that category last year. Wonnum didn’t make a drastic difference in his first season in Carolina, turning in only 26 pressures and a 56.4 PFF pass-rushing grade. Jadeveon Clowney should be back with the Panthers, but assuming the team lands someone else to play beside him, that would relegate Wonnum to a backup role. That would only add incentive to cut Wonnum after only one year and save $6.2 million in the process. OG Wyatt Teller, Cleveland BrownsAlthough the Browns boast the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, their offseason situation isn’t exactly enviable. The team must navigate a pending trade request from Myles Garrett, plus getting out from -$31 million in cap space. There aren’t many clear ways to revise that with cuts, but releasing Teller after June 1 could work. Last year, the 30-year-old posted only a 62.6 overall PFF grade, his lowest since 2019. Factoring in Cleveland’s need for OL upgrades, as well as Teller’s injuries and declining play, that could warrant making the sacrifice there. ILB Cole Holcomb, Pittsburgh SteelersEven though Elandon Roberts will be a free agent, Pittsburgh’s inside linebacking room appears to have its two clear-cut starters via Patrick Queen and Payton Wilson. That would theoretically make Holcomb movable this offseason. The 28-year-old missed all of 2024 with a knee injury and generated only a 65.5 overall PFF grade during a shortened 2023 in the Steel City. Unfortunately, Holcomb’s health and role don’t equate to his $7.6 million cap hit. Releasing the veteran would save Pittsburgh $6 million. TE Gerald Everett, Chicago BearsDuring his last two seasons in Detroit, Ben Johnson dialed up the fourth-most plays with two tight ends on the field. The Bears already have one viable option in Cole Kmet, but Johnson will presumably want to upgrade from Everett. After inking a two-year, $12 million deal with Chicago in 2024, Everett played only 247 snaps and was targeted just 12 times, good for a 41.5 PFF receiving grade. Releasing the 30-year-old would free up $5.5 million in cap space and the pursuit of a better player like Mike Gesicki or Tyler Conklin. |
| CHARGERS TO BRAZILThe Chargers will become the first team to play on five continents! That and other news from Daniel Popper of the New York Times about the Bolts hosting the NFL’s second game in Brazil: The Los Angeles Chargers will play their 2025 season opener in São Paulo, Brazil, the NFL said Wednesday. Los Angeles will be the designated home team for the second regular-season game in the South American country. Last season, the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers opened the season in São Paulo at Corinthians Arena. The game will be played on Friday, Sept. 5. Los Angeles’ opponent will be announced when the league releases its full schedule this spring. It’s one of a growing number of international games on the schedule for 2025. The initial plan was to play eight next year (only seven have been confirmed) and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has said he envisions 16 international games in the future if the NFL expands to an 18-game regular season. The NFL will play three games in London next year, one in Berlin, one in Madrid and one in Dublin. The New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns are the home teams in London. The Indianapolis Colts are tabbed for Berlin, the Miami Dolphins will host the Madrid game and the Pittsburgh Steelers will host in Dublin. The Chargers will become the first NFL team to play on five continents, the league said. They played a preseason game against the Cardinals in Tokyo in 1976 and played preseason games in Berlin, Tokyo and Sydney in the 1990s. They’ve also played in London and Mexico City. Who might the Chargers play in Brazil?The Chargers are due for an international game. They last hosted a game on foreign soil in 2019, when they played the Kansas City Chiefs in Mexico City. They have not hosted a game outside North America since 2018, when they played the Tennessee Titans at Wembley Stadium in London. The Chargers also have avoided playing in any international games as a road team since 2008. They faced the New Orleans Saints that year in London in what was the second-ever regular-season game of the NFL’s International Series. The Chargers have nine home games in 2025, so even with this international home game, they will still host eight games at SoFi Stadium. Who will the Chargers be playing? A couple of teams can be ruled out as potential opponents in Brazil. The Eagles, one of the Chargers’ nine home opponents in 2025, hosted the Brazil game last year against the Packers. The Colts, another scheduled home opponent for the Chargers in 2025, have already been announced as the host team in the NFL’s Germany game in Berlin. With the Steelers hosting a game in Ireland, that removes them from consideration. The leaves six opponents: The Chiefs, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Denver Broncos, the Washington Commanders, the Minnesota Vikings and the Houston Texans. The Vikings hosted a game in London last year. The Chiefs hosted a game in Frankfurt, Germany, in 2023. Of the six, all but the Raiders made the playoffs last year and would seem to of sufficient interest for a big opening week game. |
| 2025 DRAFTA Mock Draft from NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah: With the start of the NFL Scouting Combine just around the corner, here’s my second projection of the year for Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. I always look forward to seeing official testing numbers from the crop of prospects at the combine. We will have some risers and fallers coming out of Indianapolis, like we do every year, and then the start of free agency will further shake things up. As I’ve said before, I’m not against projecting trades in my final mock, but I won’t start entertaining those scenarios until we get closer to the start of Round 1 on April 24. 1 Tennessee TitansAbdul CarterPenn State · Edge · JuniorThe Titans have their share of holes to fill and decide to take the best player available in this year’s class. They choose to find their QB of the future in next year’s draft. 2 Cleveland BrownsCam WardMiami · QB · SeniorThe Browns could look to Travis Hunter here, but they need to usher in a new era at quarterback. 3 New York GiantsTravis HunterColorado · WR/CB · JuniorThe Giants do their best to make up for letting Saquon Barkley walk in free agency last year by adding a dynamic two-way player in Hunter. 4 New England PatriotsWill CampbellLSU · OT · JuniorThere are higher-rated players available here on my board, but the Pats need to upgrade their offensive line in a big way. 5 Jacksonville JaguarsMason GrahamMichigan · DT · JuniorThis seems like a perfect marriage between need, talent and fit. Graham is one of the most consistent players in the class. 6 Las Vegas RaidersShedeur SandersColorado · QB · SeniorI wouldn’t be shocked if the Raiders decided to wait until Day 2 of the draft to address the QB position, but I do see Sanders as a good fit in Chip Kelly’s offense. 7 New York JetsTyler WarrenPenn State · TE · SeniorThe Jets ranked second to last in rushing offense last season, and they desperately need another target in the passing game. Warren helps them improve in both of those areas. 8 Carolina PanthersJalon WalkerGeorgia · Edge · JuniorThe Panthers have needs all over the defensive side of the ball and could be an obvious trade-down candidate if someone wants to make a move up the board. If they stay put, Walker would be a versatile playmaker for them. He offers enormous upside as a pass rusher. 9 New Orleans SaintsMike GreenMarshall · Edge · Junior (RS)The Saints ranked third to last in yards allowed last season, so they have to improve on that side of the ball. New head coach Kellen Moore saw the impact a dominant pass rush can have on a squad during his time with the Eagles. New Orleans selects Green, a very polished and productive rusher. 10 Chicago BearsKelvin Banks Jr.Texas · OT · JuniorThe Bears need to devote their offseason to upgrading the group playing in front of Caleb Williams. Banks has the skill set to play tackle or guard. 11 San Francisco 49ersWill JohnsonMichigan · CB · JuniorJohnson is a scheme fit, and his size will play well in a division featuring wide receivers built like power forwards. 12 Dallas CowboysWalter NolenMississippi · DT · JuniorNolen is a very twitchy disrupter and could replace Osa Odighizuwa if he departs in free agency. 13 Miami DolphinsTyler BookerAlabama · OG · JuniorBooker was a rock in the middle of the Alabama offensive line and he would provide a much-needed upgrade in Miami. 14 Indianapolis ColtsArmand MembouMissouri · OT · JuniorMembou has the tools to play right tackle, and he would be a plug-and-play starter at right guard for the Colts. 15 Atlanta FalconsMykel WilliamsGeorgia · Edge · JuniorOne of these years, I’m going to be right, and the Falcons will take a pass rusher in the first round. 16 Arizona CardinalsKenneth GrantMichigan · DT · JuniorGrant would immediately assist against the run, and he has enormous upside as a pass rusher. The hope is he eventually develops into an impact defender in the mold of Dexter Lawrence. 17 Cincinnati BengalsJahdae BarronTexas · CB · SeniorI’m sure the Bengals would consider a defensive tackle here, but Barron is too good to pass up. Also, there will still be talented DTs available when Cincinnati is on the clock in Round 2. 18 Seattle SeahawksGrey ZabelNorth Dakota State · IOL · SeniorZabel has five-position flexibility on the offensive line and could start at one of the interior spots from Day 1. He was dominant at the Reese’s Senior Bowl. 19 Tampa Bay BuccaneersTetairoa McMillanArizona · WR · JuniorMcMillan could go earlier in Round 1, but Tampa Bay would be a perfect landing spot. Chris Godwin is due to become a free agent, and Mike Evans can’t play forever, can he? 20 Denver BroncosColston LovelandMichigan · TE · JuniorThe Broncos fill a huge need by selecting a tight end with great length, quickness and big-play ability. Sean Payton gets his “joker” on offense. 21 Pittsburgh SteelersAshton JeantyBoise State · RB · JuniorThe Steelers spent the past two drafts beefing up their offensive line. Now they land a top-five player in the class to run behind it. 22 Los Angeles ChargersOmarion HamptonNorth Carolina · RB · JuniorThe Chargers desperately need to give Justin Herbert more offensive firepower. Hampton would hit a lot of home runs in this offensive system. 23 Green Bay PackersJosh SimmonsOhio State · OT · Junior (RS)Simmons is coming off a knee injury, but he’s as gifted as any offensive lineman in the class. He also has the tools to play multiple spots on the O-line, something Green Bay has always valued. 24 Minnesota VikingsTreVeyon HendersonOhio State · RB · SeniorThe Vikings have had an up-close look at what a dynamic runner can do for an offense that also features a loaded passing attack (SEE: Jahmyr Gibbs in Detroit). Minnesota finds its own RB weapon in Henderson, with Aaron Jones headed for free agency. 25 Houston TexansEmeka EgbukaOhio State · WR · SeniorC.J. Stroud gets to reunite with his college teammate. Egbuka’s professionalism and dependability would be a perfect fit in Houston. 26 Los Angeles RamsDarius AlexanderToledo · DT · SeniorThe Rams continue to add dynamic players to their young defensive line. Alexander put on a show at the Senior Bowl, and he’s starting to generate some first-round buzz in league circles. 27 Baltimore RavensShemar StewartTexas A&M · Edge · JuniorStewart just feels like a Raven to me. He’s big, explosive and disruptive. The production will come. 28 Detroit LionsDonovan JacksonOhio State · OG · SeniorJackson would be a perfect replacement for Kevin Zeitler if the veteran departs in free agency. 29 Washington CommandersJihaad CampbellAlabama · LB · JuniorCampbell is one of my favorite players in the class. I believe you’ll see some teams work him out as an edge rusher this spring. When he’s allowed to rush, he flashes elite potential. 30 Buffalo BillsMatthew GoldenTexas · WR · JuniorThe Bills have needs on defense, but this is strictly a value play. Golden would be a perfect fit with Josh Allen. 31 Kansas City ChiefsJosh Conerly Jr.Oregon · OT · JuniorThe Chiefs must address the left tackle spot in free agency or the draft. In this scenario, they find a match in Conerly. 32 Philadelphia EaglesMalaki StarksGeorgia · S · JuniorThe Eagles add another versatile piece to the secondary in Starks, who joins the “Georgia North” all-stars in Philadelphia. |
