@OzzyNFL

BREAKING – NFL SCHEDULE RUMOUR

Peter King is “Feeling good about Cleveland-Philadelphia in Brazil on the evening of Friday, Sept. 6.”

The Browns have not played an international game since 2017, vs. the Vikings.

Philly-Cleveland – Friday Night Football.

I’m in.

With Nerding on NFL thinking this for the Chiefs on Thursday, September 5

NFL Nerd

@NerdingonNFL

·

Feb 11

Five most likely opponents for the Chiefs in the kickoff game:

#Raiders

#Chargers

#Ravens

#Bengals

#Texans

– – –

Quite a shakeup top and bottom from last year on this list of NFL coaches by age:

Head Coaches ordered by oldest to youngest:

1 – Andy Reid – 65

2 – John Harbaugh – 61

3 – Mike McCarthy – 60

4 – Todd Bowles – 60

5 – Jim Harbaugh – 60

6 – Sean Payton – 60

7 – Doug Pederson – 56

8 – Matt Eberflus – 53

9 – Dan Quinn – 53

10 – Mike Tomlin – 51

11 – Dennis Allen – 51

12 – Sean McDermott – 49

13 – Brian Daboll – 48

14 – Dan Campbell – 47

15 – Raheem Morris – 47

16 – Antonio Pierce – 45

17 – Robert Saleh – 45

18 – Matt LaFleur – 44

19 – Kyle Shanahan – 44

20 – Dave Canales – 42

21 – Nick Sirianni – 42

22 – Kevin Stefanski – 41

23 – Jonathan Gannon – 41

24 – Mike McDaniel – 40

25 – Zac Taylor – 40

26 – Brian Callahan – 39

27 – DeMeco Ryans – 39

28 – Shane Steichen – 38

29 – Kevin O’Connell – 38

30 – Sean McVay – 38

31 – Jerod Mayo – 37

32 – Mike Macdonald – 36

CHICAGO

Ali Bhunpari of NFL.com ponders on what the Bears might receive for the first overall pick if they were to hang on to QB JUSTIN FIELDS:

When the Bears selected Justin Fields in the first round three years ago, the city of Chicago collectively celebrated. There was real consensus: The team finally got it right. After decades of futility at the position, the franchise had found its guy.

Not quite, it seems.

Chicago, in possession of the No. 1 overall pick for the second year in a row, appears ready to anoint a new QB1 in April. Caleb Williams is the universal favorite to be the first name called when the 2024 NFL Draft opens in Detroit, but fellow quarterback prospects Drake Maye and Jayden Daniels also have fans. If the Bears do indeed take a signal-caller, they will almost certainly send Fields — still beloved by many in and out of Halas Hall — to the highest bidder in the weeks to come.

Fields’ pro career to this point has been marred by inconsistency. Some of the lows (turnovers, missed reads, sacks) have been of his own making, for sure, and typical of a young passer finding his footing in the league. But many of the valleys during his three years in Chicago can be attributed to extenuating circumstances (coaching, supporting cast, roster turnover, injuries) — a fact not lost on Bears faithful.

Even now, with the opportunity to restart the all-important, cap-saving QB clock, there’s real trepidation in the fan base about moving on from Fields. And understandably so. His natural game-changing ability is undeniable. If only his elite playmaking skills could be properly nurtured and developed, the 24-year-old could become a Pro Bowl fixture. To see that potential realized in another uniform … Packers Super Bowl-level pain for Bears supporters.

Fields’ rare combination of arm talent and mobility is why he was my preseason pick for 2023 Offensive Player of the Year (a take that, admittedly, looked far wiser during the season’s second half than its first). Factor in his leadership traits, and it’s an easy choice for me: I’d rather rock with No. 1 than roll the dice at No. 1 overall.

If Bears GM Ryan Poles decides he’d rather ride with Fields going forward (which, again, seems unlikely as things stand), the bounty Chicago would bring in by trading the top pick could not only set up the franchise for a deep playoff run as soon as next season, but also lead to the type of talent infusion that fuels consistent postseason appearances — something this organization hasn’t known since the 1980s. And if for whatever reason, Fields were to remain closer to his floor than his ceiling when his contract expires in two years (assuming the fifth-year option would be exercised), what should be an absolutely loaded roster (via free agency and the draft) would provide the support needed for a new quarterback to succeed.

It was shortly after the 2023 NFL Scouting Combine when Chicago agreed to deal away last year’s first overall pick. Could we see something similar materialize in Indianapolis at this year’s event? If so, what might a trade actually net the Bears? With the help of crack NFL Media Senior Researcher Jack Andrade, here are four realistic trade packages QB-needy teams could theoretically offer Chicago to swap spots at the top of the draft board.

A few notes before we dig in:

The trade packages below are based on recent moves into the top five picks for QBs, which have required teams to “overpay” by approximately 20 percent on the Jimmy Johnson trade value chart. The deals also assume the No. 1 overall pick in 2024 is more valuable than the average No. 1 overall pick and will require at least a 25 percent “overpay,” with the cost increasing for potential suitors the farther down the board Chicago will have to move.

2025 picks are valued as the 18th overall pick in the round (last non-playoff team).

2026 picks are valued as the 32nd overall pick in the round.

Washington Commanders

2023 record: 4-13

BEARS RECEIVE:

2024 1st-round pick (No. 2 overall) | 2,600 points

2024 2nd-round pick (No. 36) | 540 points

2024 2nd-round pick (No. 40) | 500 points

2024 3rd-round pick (compensatory) | ~100 points

COMMANDERS RECEIVE:

2024 1st-round pick (No. 1) | 3,000 points

COST: Washington pays a 25% premium (3,740 total points) to move up one spot.

We haven’t had a trade up from No. 2 overall to No. 1 during the modern era, but if the Commanders want to guarantee they get their guy, and the Bears believe in Fields, this deal would give Chicago several quality swings at blue-chip prospects. After moving back one slot, I’d expect GM Ryan Poles to field even more calls from QB-needy teams trying to jump ahead of New England at No. 3, or, best case, a call from New England, allowing the Bears to gather even more assets while still ensuring they land the highest-ranked non-quarterback on their board. So in addition to the two second-rounders they’d net from Washington — including the pick they sent the Commanders for Montez Sweat at last October’s trade deadline — the Bears could acquire another top-40 selection this year and, if they were to send something back, possibly the Patriots’ first-rounder in 2025. Chicago would have the opportunity to add three to four affordable premium players who could contribute this season, while still holding multiple 1s next year.

New England Patriots

2023 record: 4-13

BEARS RECEIVE:

2024 1st-round pick (No. 3 overall) | 2,200 points

2024 2nd-round pick (No. 34) | 560 points

2025 1st-round pick | 900 points

2026 3rd-round pick | 116 points

PATRIOTS RECEIVE:

2024 1st-round pick (No. 1) | 3,000 points

COST: New England pays a 26% premium (3,776 total points) to move up two spots.

If the Patriots’ new leadership decides to make a splash for the top pick, the Bears would be wise to listen. In this scenario, Chicago would likely still be able to land consensus WR1 Marvin Harrison Jr. at No. 3 overall, pairing the dynamic pass catcher with DJ Moore to form one of the league’s most dangerous receiving combos. The Bears could then stick and pick at No. 9 or package that selection, with the newly acquired second-rounder, to move up for the No. 1 tackle on the team’s board. The opportunity to address two massive offensive needs with top-tier talent on team-friendly deals, while still holding multiple first-rounders in the 2025 draft, improves this squad immediately and for the future.

New York Giants

2023 record: 6-11

BEARS RECEIVE:

2024 1st-round pick (No. 6 overall) | 1,600 points

2024 2nd-round pick (No. 39) | 510 points

2024 3rd-round pick (No. 70) | 240 points

2025 1st-round pick | 900 points

2026 1st-round pick | 590 points

GIANTS RECEIVE:

2024 1st-round pick (No. 1) | 3,000 points

COST: New York pays a 28% premium (3,840 total points) to move up five spots.

Of the four scenarios, this package — modeled after the 2012 RG3 trade — seems the least likely, mainly because the Giants then have to solve for what to do with Daniel Jones and his contract. While Jones’ massive dead cap number in 2024 all but guarantees he’ll be on the Giants’ roster next season, the team could move on from the former first-rounder during the 2025 offseason without incurring a debilitating financial penalty. The overlap year, while unquestionably awkward and potentially unpleasant for all involved, could allow the G-Men to progress more patiently with whichever QB they select at No. 1. If keeping both passers is untenable, perhaps a contract restructure could be negotiated to make Jones a more palatable trade chip. Moving on from Jones for the draft’s top passer carries a hefty all-in price, but the team still has another 2024 second-rounder (No. 47 overall) courtesy of the Leonard Williams trade with Seattle from October.

For the Bears, the haul affords them the flexibility to move all over the top 10 for the No. 1 and, possibly, No. 2 non-QBs on their board. They will have an opportunity to get younger and more talented at multiple positions, especially at spots they are unable to address in free agency. And the extra first-rounder in 2026 could be hugely important if the decision to stick with Fields doesn’t play out as hoped.

Atlanta Falcons

2023 record: 7-10

BEARS RECEIVE:

2024 1st-round pick (No. 8 overall) | 1,400 points

RB Bijan Robinson | 1,120 points

2024 3rd-round pick (No. 74) | 220 points

2025 1st-round pick | 900 points

2026 2nd-round pick | 270 points

FALCONS RECEIVE:

2024 1st-round pick (No. 1) | 3,000 points

RB Khalil Herbert | 20 points

COST: Atlanta pays a 30% premium (3,910 total points) to move up seven spot

Trading for Fields makes a whole lot of sense for this franchise. But if the Falcons want to provide new coach Raheem Morris with the shiniest of presents (and complete the elusive QB-RB-WR-TE draft grand slam over the span of four consecutive first rounds), they could make a play for the first pick.

Modeled after Carolina’s climb to the top of the draft board last year, Atlanta would have to part with its best offensive weapon in this scenario, which could be a non-starter for GM Terry Fontenot. On the flip side, would Chicago be open to making a similar deal two years in a row? The return would certainly be enticing for the Bears (imagine the read-option possibilities!), building on their biggest strength (Bijan would be a clear upgrade over Herbert, who’s valued here as the first pick in Round 6) while furnishing the franchise with additional resources to revamp the roster. Acquiring Robinson and the four years of control remaining on his rookie contract (equal to 80% of his original 8th overall value) would also grant Chicago extended cap relief if Fields does reach his full potential and warrant a lucrative extension.

DETROIT

The Lions are moving on from S TRACY WALKER.  Jeff Kerr of CBSSports.com looks at why and where he might move on to:

The Detroit Lions have decided to move on from safety Tracy Walker, as the six-year NFL veteran announced on Instagram that he will be released by the franchise that drafted him. The 29-year-old Walker spent six seasons in Detroit and started 43 out of a possible 79 games, totaling 398 tackles and three interceptions.

Walker recorded 15 tackles for loss in his career, tied for the second-most by a defensive back in franchise history. He set a career-high in total tackles (105) in the 2021 season and joined Bennie Blades as the only Lions defensive backs in franchise history to post multiple seasons of 100-plus tackles. The 2018 third-round pick was one of two players in the NFL to accumulate at least 300 tackles and 15 special teams tackles from 2018 through 2021.

Walker fell down the Lions’ depth chart in 2023 and was a healthy scratch throughout the postseason. He had one year remaining on a three-year, $25 million contract with a cap hit of $12,821,668 for next season. The Lions save $5.5 million in salary cap space with the move.

Where could Walker end up next? Here are three potential teams who could use the veteran’s services.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles badly need help at safety with Kevin Byard likely a cap casualty if he doesn’t agree to a restructure and rookie Sydney Brown likely out for all of next season with a torn ACL. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio prioritizes the safety position, but is Walker a fit?

Walker has played under Paul Pasqualoni, Cory Undlin, and Aaron Glenn in his six seasons with the Lions. None have any connections to Fangio, but the Eagles could use a box safety who finds the football. There could be a No. 3 safety role for Walker.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers haven’t named a defensive coordinator yet, but they could get younger at safety — especially if they decide to move on from Tashaun Gipson. Walker just turned 29, and the 49ers will have Talanoa Hufanga back, along with Ji’Ayir Brown ready to take over a starting role.

This would be a good No. 3 safety role for Walker, especially since the 49ers could use a seasoned veteran. Of course, they have to find a defensive coordinator first.

New York Jets

The Jets will need to find a starting safety if Jordan Whitehead does not return. Chuck Clark is also a free agent, so the Jets may need to revamp the entire position.

With Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed at cornerback, the safety job in New York is ideal for anyone. The Jets need a box safety and Walker could start again and fill that void. He’d be a more cost efficient option, too.

NEW YORK GIANTS

RB SAQUON BARKLEY is heading for free agency among rumors he wants to play for a certain NFC East rival.  Todd Brock of USA Today:

Big Blue seems poised to create a big hole in their backfield. The Giants are said to be “highly, highly unlikely” to place a franchise tag on running back Saquon Barkley for the second year in a row after what New York fans see as a lackluster season.

And that has fans of other teams eyeing the two-time Pro Bowler and wondering what’s left in the tank. One former league exec, though, thinks the Cowboys should be doing more than wondering about the Penn State alum who figures to be one of the top free agents of the offseason.

Mike Tannenbaum says a Barkley fit in Dallas is “easy” to see, given the Cowboys’ own similar situation at the position.

“When you’re looking at free agency, the first thing you do is say, ‘If we’re going to go outside our building, who can we get in the division to help us and hurt our opponent?’” he said on ESPN’s Get Up. “And trust me, the last thing the New York Giants want to see, if Saquon Barkley graduates this year, is him with a star on the side of his helmet.”

The Cowboys, of course, have a decision to make with their own franchise-tagged back. Tony Pollard carried the same designation for Dallas in 2023, and, like Barkley, didn’t do much to lock down his shot at a long-term monster-money deal.

In fact, while making the same $10.091 million last season, Pollard and Barkley turned in eerily similar numbers.

                      Gms         Atts      Yds      Yds/Att TD        Recs     RecYds Yds/Rec           TD

Pollard              17         252       1,005    4.0        6          55         311       5.7        0

Barkley 14         247       962       3.9        6          41         280       6.8        4

The primary difference is that Barkley did it in 14 games, missing three outings due to a high ankle sprain. Pollard was in his first year as the Cowboys’ lead ballcarrier.

Serviceable stats for sure, but likely not worth the approximately $12 million that a second franchise tag would cost either club in 2024.

Barkley just turned 27 years old a few weeks ago and rattled off a 1,300-yard campaign as recently as 2022. He may not be the same player that was drafted second overall in 2018 and won Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he would no doubt be an attractive veteran option for a RB-needy squad like Dallas.

“He would be perfect,” Tannenbaum explained. “He can catch, he can run, I think his pass protection has actually gotten better. And based on the way Tony Pollard played, I actually think he would improve that position for the 2024 Cowboys.”

Whether the Cowboys also think so- and what they might be willing to pay Barkley to find out- remains to be seen. The deadline for teams to franchise tag players is March 5. Clubs may start negotiating with free agents on March 11 and can sign players beginning March 13.

NEW ORLEANS

Dennis Allen on his new OC Klint Kubiak.

New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen is banking on new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak revamping the offense to such a degree it gets the club back on track after missing the postseason the past two seasons under his helm.

Allen joined NFL Network’s The NFL Report with Steve Wyche and James Palmer on Tuesday, saying he believes the offense Kubiak runs is among the best in the NFL.

“I felt like Klint Kubiak was obviously the person of choice,” Allen said. “I’ve known Klint for a long time. I feel like I’ve known the family for probably over 20, 30 years. I remember watching Klint’s dad, Gary, play quarterback back at Texas A&M growing up. I feel like I’ve known this family. I feel like I’ve known this scheme for a long time. And I feel like this is the best scheme that gives your players the best chance to have success that’s going in the National Football League right now.”

The offense is sure to look similar to that of Kubiak’s father, Super Bowl-winning coach Gary Kubiak. Klint was an offensive assistant with the Broncos from 2016-2018. He then joined the Minnesota Vikings as quarterbacks coach under then-offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski in 2019. Kubiak was elevated to Vikings OC in 2021, replacing his retired father. In 2022, he was named passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach in Denver under Nathaniel Hackett. Kubiak eventually took over play-calling duties midway through the season. The 37-year-old then spent 2023 as the San Francisco 49ers’ passing game coordinator.

“I think Klint is highly intelligent. He’s (an) extremely hard worker,” Allen added. “I think we’ve put together an outstanding staff with a little bit of mixture of older veteran coaches that have been there done that, with some younger, progressive-mindset type of guys, and I think it’s gonna be a great mixture for our organization.”

The key for Kubiak is getting the most out of quarterback Derek Carr, who experienced a roller-coaster first season in New Orleans. When hiring a new OC, Allen said he discussed the options with Carr and felt Kubiak’s offense would best fit the quarterback’s skill set.

“I think Derek is going to do exceptionally well,” Allen said. “I thought there was a point in time this past season where we started incorporating a little more of the play-action passing game, and I really felt like that’s where our offense started to take off. I thought that’s where Derek really kind of started to take off. I’ve had communication with Derek throughout this process and talked to him about some of the different candidates that we were bringing in.

“His brother David had played for Gary in Houston, and that was David’s last year in Houston. I was a little bit concerned that maybe that wouldn’t go over that great, and David had some really good things to say about the offensive scheme and about how he really appreciated the scheme and the things that they were doing. And really enjoyed playing for Gary and felt like if there’s some similarities, which I think there’s a ton between Gary and Klint, that it was gonna be a great fit. So I’m really kind of excited about that.”

Allen is banking on Kubiak jumpstarting the offense. Otherwise they’ll all likely be looking for new jobs in 2025.

KANSAS CITY

Authorities in Kansas City have lifted some of the veil surrounding the shooting and shooters at the Super Bowl Victory Parade according to Mirna Alsharif and Dennis Romero of NBCNews.com:

If we read this right, four individuals have been charged, in pairs of two due to different birthdays.  Two are “men” and we are allowed to know their names are Dominic Miller and Lyndell Mays, even as they remain hospitalized.  Two “minors” remain unidentified.

Two men have been charged with murder in the Kansas City Chiefs Super Bowl parade shooting that killed one woman and injured more than 20 people last week.

The defendants were named by prosecutors as Dominic M. Miller of Kansas City and Lyndell Mays of Raytown. They each face charges of second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon, according to a statement from the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office.

“The defendants attended a Super Bowl parade and rally on Feb. 14, 2024, and were armed with firearms,” the office said. “A verbal altercation occurred and gunfire broke out with no regard for thousands of other individuals in the area.”

Previously, two juveniles were charged in the Feb. 14 shooting in downtown Kanas City, Missouri. Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, at a news conference announcing the charges, would not clarify if those minors had any connection to the adults who have been charged.

The charged adults, who were injured in the shooting and remain hospitalized, are being held on $1 million bond

Baker said preliminary evidence indicates the deadly shooting started after one of them got into a verbal argument with someone he had no prior connection to.

“That argument very quickly escalated,” Baker said. “Almost immediately, others pulled their firearms.”

According to court documents in the case, the altercation started with a remark about whether one person was looking at the other.

“Four males approached Lyndell Mays and one of the males asked Lyndell Mays what he was looking at, because they didn’t know him,” the charging documents allege.

“They began arguing about why they were staring at each other,” Detective Grant Spiking wrote in the documents of Mays and a group of men involved in the confrontation.

Guns were drawn, some from backpacks, on both sides, prosecutors said.

Miller allegedly opened fire, along with at least one other person, and it was his gunfire that struck Lisa Lopez-Galvan, there to celebrate the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl win, prosecutors alleged at the news conference.

Lopez-Galvan, a mother of two and local radio DJ, was killed, and 22 other people, ranging from 8 to 47 years old, were injured.

Spiking said in the documents that Mays admitted he opened fire. “Stupid, man,” he quoted the defendant as saying. “Just pulled a gun out and started shooting. I shouldn’t have done that. Just being stupid.”

A Glock 9 mm handgun found near Mays was reported stolen from a location in Kansas City, Spiking said.

In a statement Tuesday, Lopez-Galvan’s family thanked Baker, her team of prosecutors and police.

“Though it does not bring back our beloved Lisa, it is comforting to know that the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office and the KCPD made it a top priority to seek justice for Lisa, the other shooting victims, those who had to witness this tragedy unfold and the Kansas City community,” the family said.

The shooting is under investigation, and more charges may be filed against others, Baker said at the news conference.

“We seek to hold every shooter accountable for their actions on that day. Every single one,” Baker said. “So, while we’re not there yet on every single individual, we’re gonna get there.”

Baker is asking anyone with information on the shooting, specifically those who were injured, to come forward.

NEW ENGLAND

Special teamer deluxe MATTHEW SLATER has retired.  Kevin Patra of NFL.com:

One of the best New England Patriots to lace up cleats is calling it a career.

Special teams star Matthew Slater announced his retirement on Tuesday after 16 NFL seasons, all with the Pats.

“For the last 25 years of my life, 16 of them as a New England Patriot, I have been incredibly blessed to be able to emulate the man I saw on those fields in Meridian by playing the game that I love so much,” he said in a statement, via the team’s official website. “I have given all that I possibly can to respect and honor the game. Though it is time for my relationship with the game to evolve, the love I have for it will last a lifetime.

“As a player, God used the game of football to instruct, discipline, encourage, and develop me as a person.

“In 2008, I came here as a young man with hopes and dreams. In 2024, I can retire knowing this experience has exceeded any hope or dream I ever had.”

A three-time Super Bowl champion, Slater was one of the greatest special teams players ever, earning 10 Pro Bowl bids and All-Pro honors five times (two first-team).

The fifth-round pick out of UCLA was an all-world gunner and tackling maven. Bill Belichick noted last offseason that Slater was, in his opinion, the best core special teamer of “all time.”

Listed as a receiver, Slater finishes his career with 191 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He also caught one pass for 46 yards on eight targets.

Slater was truly a one-of-a-kind player and could eventually follow his father, Jackie Slater, into the Hall of Fame.

“Matthew Slater wasn’t just a special teams player for the Patriots,” Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in a statement on Tuesday. “He was a special team player who helped us win three Super Bowls and made a positive impact on the many lives he touched, both on and off the field. On the field, his 10 Pro Bowl appearances will likely earn him a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame one day alongside his father. Off the field, he will be remembered for so much more. He is a role model, not just for young players, but for everyone. He is a man of integrity and high moral character who is led by his faith and committed to his family. There is no finer person than Matthew Slater.”

– – –

Chad Graff of The Athletic looks at the coaching staff assembled by Jerod Mayo.

One month after becoming the New England Patriots’ head coach, Jerod Mayo brought his full coaching staff to Foxboro for the first time. They began working this week to rectify all that ailed the team in its 4-13 campaign in 2023, beginning Monday by cutting Adrian Phillips and Lawrence Guy in moves that save nearly $6 million in cap space.

But the new coaching staff for Mayo reflects yet another massive departure from the Bill Belichick era — and that includes its transparency.

Under Belichick, the Patriots typically didn’t announce additions to the coaching staff until a few days before training camp in July. Under Mayo, the team announced the addition of 17 coaches Monday evening. It’s not a full list of the entire staff, but it still represented a big addition to Mayo’s staff and a big departure in its transparency.

But that’s just one of the differences. Here are five other takeaways from Mayo’s additions to his coaching staff.

1. Mayo is making major changes on offense

After the Patriots tied the Carolina Panthers for the fewest points scored in their dismal 2023 season, Mayo revamped the offensive coaching staff. In 2024, the Patriots will have new coaches at every offensive position (as well as coordinator), though a few offensive assistants may remain in to-be-determined roles.

For the most part, though, Mayo is starting fresh. We knew Alex Van Pelt was going to be the team’s offensive coordinator, but we didn’t know before Monday that Tyler Hughes will coach wide receivers and Bob Bicknell will coach tight ends.

Hughes has an interesting career path. He spent nine years at Snow College, a junior college in Utah where he worked his way up from wide receivers coach in 2004 to head coach from 2011-12. He then spent a year at Ohio State under Urban Meyer, then worked as head coach at Division II Minot State (2014-16) and Bountiful High School in Utah in 2018-19. He got to know Mayo when he worked as a low-level Patriots offensive assistant in 2020-2022 before serving on the University of Washington’s coaching staff last year. Now he gets the important role of trying to improve the Patriots’ wide receivers.

For Bicknell, the move to the Pats is a bit of a homecoming for the Holliston, Mass., native who has spent the past 30 years coaching football. He was a senior offensive assistant with the New Orleans Saints for the past two years and spent the prior three years coaching the Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receivers.

2. Mayo’s staff will be much larger than Belichick’s

The legendary coach preferred a small group of assistants. He didn’t want to try to find what he deemed busy work for low-level assistants and didn’t want to worry about coaching those coaches on the proper ways to teach his schemes. That worked for a long time. But Belichick was hurt last season by a small staff that didn’t have anyone who could push back on his ideas and shrunk further with two midseason departures.

Mayo, on the other hand, is choosing a much larger staff. The total number of assistants under Mayo isn’t determined yet but could swell to more than 24. Belichick had 18 last season. That’s a meaningful departure from the Belichick era.

3. Ben McAdoo has an important job

Mayo had expressed his desire to be a head coach several times before succeeding Belichick, and he had a plan in place for what he wanted his coaching staff to look like before he officially became the Patriots coach. It wasn’t so much a plan with exact names for different jobs but more focused on the style of coaches he wanted to hire and the roles he sought for his staff.

One of those jobs Mayo knew he wanted was a senior adviser who had previously been a head coach to aide Mayo, a 37-year-old who has only five years as an assistant coach on his resume.

For that role, Mayo landed on McAdoo, the New York Giants’ head coach from 2016 to 2017. Mayo likes that the gig doesn’t have a primary position for McAdoo to worry about, but rather that he can help the staff as a whole and help Mayo navigate the challenges that come with being a first-time head coach.

4. Defensive assistants remain

The defense wasn’t the problem for the Patriots last season. That was obvious.

So perhaps it’s not a surprise that Mayo, who was on the defensive staff, has kept key staff members on that side of the ball.

DeMarcus Covington is the defensive coordinator (promoted from defensive line coach) while Brian Belichick (safeties coach) and Mike Pellegrino (cornerbacks coach) will remain in their jobs.

5. Dont’a Hightower returns

In a move similar to the one that brought Mayo into coaching, Hightower is coming back to the Patriots as the team’s inside linebackers coach. The one-time Super Bowl hero (and three-time Super Bowl champion) lands the same job Mayo got when he began coaching six years ago.

Hightower, 33, last played in the NFL in 2021 and enters the coaching ranks after being praised as one of the team’s smartest players during his standout career.

And here is Graff looking at the 10-part documentary that reveals behind the scenes from the team’s dynasty:

In the video, Tom Brady sits with his legs crossed and looks into the camera. He’s trying to express just how bad things had gotten between him and Bill Belichick in the late 2010s, toward the end of their 20-year run together with the New England Patriots.

By now, everyone knows how that time ended — with Brady fleeing the often-miserable ship Belichick presided over for greener pastures in Tampa Bay. Belichick didn’t offer the two-year, $50 million contract Brady wanted, one that would have given the legendary quarterback the stability he sought. For years, that has been viewed as the main reason Brady didn’t return to the Patriots.

But as part of a new 10-episode documentary on the Patriots dynasty, Brady makes clear his departure had more to do with who was coaching the team than the amount of money he was offered.

“Me and coach Belichick, we did what we loved and competed for 20 years together,” Brady said. “But I wasn’t going to sign another contract (in New England) even if I wanted to play until (I was) 50. Based on how things had gone, I wasn’t going to sign up for more of it.”

On Friday, Apple TV+ is unveiling “The Dynasty,” a lengthy documentary produced by Imagine Documentaries with two episodes dropping every Friday for the next five weeks. It’s proclaimed to be a look at the Patriots between 2000 and 2020, and it covers Brady’s rise to prominence after Drew Bledsoe’s injury, how the Pats navigated three Super Bowls in four years, the controversies that followed and how a second dynasty grew before eventually tumbling amid fractured relationships. Those early episodes are worthwhile for Patriots fans who want to relive the early years of the dynasty. And the middle episodes are worthwhile for Patriots haters who want to revel in some new details about Spygate, Deflategate and the team’s other indiscretions.

But more than anything, the documentary feels like a referendum on how bad the Brady-Belichick relationship got and why it never had a storybook ending with the two riding off together into the sunset. Even though the interviews were conducted months before the Patriots split with Belichick, the subjects in it — including Brady, Belichick, Patriots owner Robert Kraft, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and nearly every well-known Patriots player over the last two decades (except, notably, Jerod Mayo) — speak openly about the all-encompassing, dictatorial style with which Belichick ran the Patriots.

Players, including several still on the roster, disclose just how difficult it was playing for Belichick. “It was brutal,” Matthew Slater said. Rob Gronkowski described pulling up to 1 Patriot Place and not wanting to get out of his car to go into work. Wes Welker compared Brady to an abused dog for continually going back to work for Belichick.

ESPN made local headlines last month when a story following Belichick’s departure from the Patriots quoted someone referring to this forthcoming documentary as an “infomercial” for Kraft’s Pro Football Hall of Fame candidacy. This documentary, which The Athletic was allowed to screen for this review, is not that. It’s much more focused on the relationship between Brady and Belichick and, in totality, it’s the most comprehensive view yet of how miserable people in the building were in the final years of their dynasty. Or at least that’s the juiciest, most interesting part.

The first few episodes touch on the start of the Patriots dynasty. It’s still interesting all these years later to hear from Bledsoe and Brady about that injury-sparked transition, even if those early episodes won’t yield many headlines. The middle episodes (specifically the fourth, sixth and seventh) focus on Spygate, Aaron Hernandez’s arrest and Deflategate, respectively. There are captivating moments in those too, including a re-enactment from Robyn Glaser (who was recently named the Patriots’ executive vice president of football business and senior advisor to the head coach) of smashing the Spygate tapes with a hammer.

Those early episodes are worthwhile for fans who want to relive the glory days, and the middle ones are interesting, even if the series slowed down and occasionally dragged a bit in those parts. The documentary, it should be noted, doesn’t get into Belichick’s departure from the team last month or Mayo’s promotion to head coach via Kraft’s little-known succession plan.

For football fans less inclined to enjoy the shots of confetti falling on the Patriots, the documentary really picks up steam over the last four episodes when examining the splintering of Brady and Belichick’s relationship.

Brady, even while dodging a couple of the more pointed topics brought up by Emmy-winning director Matthew Hamachek — who also directed HBO’s Tiger Woods documentary in 2021 — is more blunt than usual. So is Kraft. Belichick, predictably, doesn’t say much. Perhaps his most interesting comment comes when dodging a question from Hamachek about why Malcolm Butler was benched in Super Bowl LII.

“Matt, we’ve talked about that,” Belichick says without any further explanation, implying some kind of agreement between the coach and director about avoiding that topic.

Former teammates, and occasionally Kraft too, are the ones who speak most directly about how bad the relationship between Brady and Belichick was. They describe a hostile work environment and miserable atmosphere inside the team’s headquarters.

The payoff from those final four episodes makes the overview of the Patriots from 2000 to 2015 worthwhile. The ending may not be enjoyable for Patriots fans. It leaves one with a feeling of what could’ve been had Belichick’s style been a bit different or had Brady been willing to deal with it a bit longer.

But on the whole, the documentary is gripping and a worthwhile watch, one that reveals how bad things had gotten with the Patriots before Brady’s departure.

As Kraft says, “Tom and I had a number of discussions about how Bill treated him. Tommy is very sensitive. He was always looking for Bill’s approval, almost in a father-son kind of way. And that’s not Bill’s style ever to give that.”

THIS AND THAT

TOP 25 FREE AGENTS

Frank Schwab of YahooSports.com looks at the top 25 upcoming free agents:

The story of NFL free agency this offseason might not be any particular player, but a team trying to retain two of its best players.

Maybe if the Kansas City Chiefs can’t retain all their top talent, someone can catch them and win a Super Bowl.

The Chiefs don’t have many huge questions this offseason, but they do have two of the 10 best free agents on our top 25 list. It will be a challenge to retain defensive lineman Chris Jones and cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, but not impossible. It’s crucial for their desire to win a third straight title. And, as is the case with just about any big-name free agent, the franchise tag could come into play.

Free agency officially starts March 13, and many players on the list could be extended or given the franchise tag before then, but here are the top 25 potential free agents as the new league year approaches:

1. Kansas City Chiefs DL Chris Jones

Jones went from perennially underrated to a three-time Super Bowl champ and a potential Hall of Famer. He’ll turn 30 in June but has plenty to give as a first-team All-Pro each of the past two seasons. He reportedly wanted $30 million per year during his holdout last season, and he should end up among the highest-paid defensive players in the NFL. He told the crowd at the Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade, “I ain’t going nowhere.” We’ll see if that ends up being true.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars EDGE Josh Allen

Allen was the seventh overall pick of the draft, will be 27 years old next season and is coming off a 17.5-sack season. Allen would get a monster contract on the open market, but it’s more likely he’ll get the franchise tag if the Jaguars don’t extend him before the deadline.

3. Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins

As we’ve seen, the market for receivers has exploded the past couple years. And Higgins would have been a No. 1 on many teams. He had a rough season with inconsistency and injuries but still has shown he can be a top-end target for any offense.

4. Carolina Panthers EDGE Brian Burns

In 2022, the Rams reportedly offered Carolina two first-round draft picks for Burns, and the Panthers declined. That says a lot about Burns’ value. He’s a former first-round pick with 46.5 sacks in five seasons.

5. Chicago Bears CB Jaylon Johnson

Johnson had the best Pro Football Focus grade among cornerbacks last season. He’ll be just 25 years old next season. The Bears couldn’t get a long-term deal done before his big breakout and now they’ll likely need to use the franchise tag to keep him.

6. Minnesota Vikings QB Kirk Cousins

Cousins is an interesting case. He’s often criticized but has put up good numbers throughout his career. Still, he’ll be 36 years old next season and coming off an Achilles tear. He’ll get paid more than some of the players ahead of him on this list because of his position and the desperation from many teams, but there’s a lot of risk due to injury and age.

7. Miami Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins

Wilkins, the 13th pick of the 2019 draft, has been a steady and durable producer on the interior of Miami’s line. On the verge of free agency, he had a career-best nine sacks last season. He’ll be in high demand.

8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr.

Winfield was considered the biggest Pro Bowl snub this past season but then got a spot as a first-team All-Pro, which is a better indicator of his value. Winfield is one of the best safeties in the NFL and just 25 years old.

9. Indianapolis Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.

Pittman would probably be a bigger name if he had better quarterback play throughout his Colts career. Despite that he had 109 catches for 1,152 yards this past season. It would be a bit surprising if Pittman doesn’t get the franchise tag or a long-term extension before the deadline.

10. Kansas City Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed

Sneed has been a great fit for Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme. He’s a versatile player who does a lot of things well. And he just turned 27. Kansas City has a challenge getting Sneed and Jones back for next season.

11. Minnesota Vikings EDGE Danielle Hunter

Hunter will be 30 years old next season, which works against him, but he has been to four Pro Bowls and is coming off a 16.5-sack season. He has reached double-digit sacks in five of his eight NFL seasons and pass rushers are always valued.

12. Baltimore Ravens DL Justin Madubuike

Madubuike picked a heck of a year to break out. He had 13 sacks, more than doubling his total through his first three seasons, and hits free agency at age 26.

13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Evans

Plenty of people picked Evans to take a step back last season. Instead, he led the NFL with 13 receiving touchdowns. Evans is a future Hall of Famer with 1,000 yards in all 10 of his NFL seasons. He’ll be 31 next season but showed he still is a No. 1 receiver.

14. Seattle Seahawks DL Leonard Williams

When Seattle was pushing for the playoffs in the 2023 season, it traded a 2024 second-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick for Williams. That shows he still has value as he goes into his age-30 season. He has 43.5 sacks in his nine NFL seasons with the Giants, Jets and Seahawks.

15. New York Jets EDGE Bryce Huff

Huff hasn’t started a game in either of the past two seasons and had just 7.5 sacks through his first three NFL seasons. The former undrafted free agent had a big breakout in 2023 however, with 10 sacks. He doesn’t turn 26 years old until April. His pass-rush win rate, via PFF, was third in the NFL behind Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons, and ahead of Nick Bosa and Aidan Hutchinson. That’s the kind of season that can lead to a monster contract, even with the risk that comes with just one breakout season.

16. Washington Commanders CB Kendall Fuller

Fuller has been a productive player for years, and he finished seventh among cornerbacks in Pro Football Focus’ grades this past season. At 29 years old there’s some concern he’ll slip, but he should get one more big contract this offseason.

17. New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley

Running backs do matter. But paying running backs top dollar is usually a bad investment. Barkley might be an exception. Barkley was one of the best running back prospects ever and the second pick of the draft, and he has had some big seasons. He also has dealt with injuries, including a torn ACL. He also hasn’t replicated his monster rookie season of 2018, and that’s a long time ago. It’s hard to say what market he’ll have after getting the franchise tag last season.

18. Houston Texas EDGE Jonathan Greenard

Greenard has been a solid edge rusher in his four NFL seasons and had 12.5 sacks this past season. He’ll be 27 years old next season and get a nice contract.

19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield

Perhaps Mayfield should be higher on the list, but it seems inevitable he returns to the Buccaneers. If things don’t work out there, he’d have interest elsewhere. Mayfield resurrected his career on a cheap one-year deal, led the Bucs to a playoff win and the former first overall pick will be just 29 years old next season.

20. Los Angeles Rams G Kevin Dotson

Dotson spent his first three seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, then his fourth season was a big one. He finished as PFF’s second-best-graded guard this past season. Guards are valued in the NFL landscape and the 321-pound Dotson should get a big deal.

21. Arizona Cardinals WR Marquise Brown

Brown has just one 1,000-yard season in his five-year NFL career, but injuries have been an issue. He has the talent. He was once a first-round pick and has a lot of ability. Some team will gamble on him staying healthy and productive as he goes into his age-27 season.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars WR Calvin Ridley

Ridley’s value is hard to gauge. At one point he looked like an elite receiver. But that was before a strange 2021 with the Atlanta Falcons in which he played just five games, a year-long gambling suspension in 2022 and an up-and-down 2023 with the Jaguars. He’s still good and just 29, but the shine is mostly off.

23. New England Patriots S Kyle Dugger

Dugger is a smart, do-everything safety. Last season he had 109 tackles, two interceptions and 1.5 sacks. He’ll mostly play near the line of scrimmage and that can be an asset for many defenses.

24. New England Patriots OT Trent Brown

The massive Brown has been a good left tackle for many years, and he still has plenty left in the tank. He could move on to a team that has offensive line issues.

25 (tie). RBs Josh Jacobs, Tony Pollard, Derrick Henry

Let’s lump all three running backs in together. They all are well-known stars, but we all understand how tough it can be for running backs in free agency. Barkley is part of the star running back group that will be looking for big, long-term contracts. That might be hard to find, but all of the big-name backs will have value to their teams in 2024 and probably beyond.

CANDIDATES FOR FRANCHISE TAG

From Judy Bautista of NFL.com:

How fast does the NFL turn the page to the next season? The confetti was still wafting through the Allegiant Stadium air in celebration of the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl LVIII victory when the Chicago Bears reminded everybody on social media that they were already on the draft clock. A few minutes after that, the New York Jets teased the release of new uniforms for the 2024 season.

The first significant action of the NFL offseason begins today, Feb. 20, with the opening of the 15-day window to apply the franchise tag to impending free agents.

The tag is a powerful tool for team management to keep the top potential free agents from hitting the open market. In the best case scenario, applying the tag is a precursor to the team and player striking a long-term deal. That’s what happened with Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, who received the non-exclusive franchise tag last offseason, signed a blockbuster contract with the Ravens and was the league’s 2023 Most Valuable Player. Less ideal is the case of New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley, who was tagged after he and the team failed to reach an agreement on a long-term deal. He played on an adjusted tag in 2023, missed three games due to a high ankle sprain and, along with the rest of the Giants’ offense, was significantly less productive than he was in 2022. Unless Big Blue tags him again or the sides come to an agreement in the coming weeks, Barkley will be a free agent this offseason.

Jackson and Barkley were two of the six players who were tagged last offseason. One big-name free agent-to-be who won’t get tagged this offseason: quarterback Kirk Cousins. During his career, he has used the franchise tag to his advantage better than any other player, and the structure of his current contract means the Minnesota Vikings cannot give him the tag now. The 35-year-old is set to hit the open market in an offseason in which numerous teams will be seeking a starting quarterback.

Here’s a look at some of the players who could receive the tag beginning Tuesday, listed alphabetically.

Josh Allen

Jacksonville Jaguars · OLB

Jacksonville general manager Trent Baalke said recently that Allen would be a Jaguar next year, and the edge rusher has repeatedly said he wants to remain with the team that drafted him seventh overall in 2019. Playing on his fifth-year option in 2023, Allen had a career season with 17.5 sacks, which tied for second in the NFL. Making him play out the 2024 season on the franchise tag — essentially forcing him to play two straight prove-it seasons — would likely make Allen very unhappy. The Jaguars have had few cornerstone pieces who play on second contracts — a reflection of their draft struggles through the years — but Allen should be one. If Allen gets the tag, it will almost certainly just be a placeholder while Jacksonville works to get a long-term deal done. There is a potential domino effect here, too. Receiver Calvin Ridley is also due to hit free agency, so swiftly getting a contract done with Allen would free up the tag in case the Jags want to use it on Ridley.

Saquon Barkley

New York Giants · RB

There’s no question the Giants are better with Barkley, but will they want to go through the franchise tag process with him again? He is 27 years old, just missed three games to injury, and his statistics were less impressive last season than in 2022. Barkley will have a market if he becomes a free agent, but first the RB’s representatives and the Giants are expected to talk during the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. With the offense struggling so badly last season, can the G-Men afford to let their best playmaker go?

Brian Burns

Carolina Panthers · OLB

The Panthers reportedly rebuffed a blockbuster trade offer for Burns during the 2022 season, so it’s hard to imagine they’d let him just walk out the door. A new long-term contract does not appear imminent, though, so the franchise tag looks likely. The only question then is if the Panthers still believe a multi-year deal is within reach or if they tag Burns and then trade him.

Kyle Dugger

New England Patriots · S

This is an interesting decision — not just because of Dugger, who played 98 percent of the defensive snaps last season, but because of what we might learn about the new direction of the Patriots. When Bill Belichick made the final decisions on personnel, New England generally skipped using the franchise tag. With Eliot Wolf now taking the lead, we’ll find out if the Pats are more open to using the tag. It will also tell us something about what head coach Jerod Mayo and defensive coordinator DeMarcus Covington have in mind for their D.

Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals · WR

Tagging Higgins would give the Bengals, the only consistent threat to the Chiefs, another chance to win the Super Bowl, keeping the powerhouse trio of Higgins, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase intact. Higgins would be a No. 1 receiver on many other teams, but he is WR2 in Cincinnati. Injuries limited him to just 12 games in 2023, but he had more than 1,000 receiving yards in each of the two seasons before that. His projected guaranteed salary would be about $20.7 million on the tag, per Over The Cap. Higgins might be the rare player who benefits from waiting to hit free agency. With other top receivers — including Chase and Justin Jefferson, among others — in line for new multi-year deals, the WR market might be reset by the time Higgins hits the open market if he is tagged this season and becomes a free agent in 2025.

Jaylon Johnson

Chicago Bears · CB

Johnson was given permission to seek a trade just before the deadline last season, when he and the Bears were unable to reach agreement on an extension. That the Bears did not receive an offer they thought was acceptable should tell us something about how highly they regard Johnson. The cornerback snagged a career-high four interceptions in 2023 and is clearly a good fit in Matt Eberflus’ defense. It’s hard to imagine Chicago letting Johnson walk for nothing after not trading him back in October, so he might be one of the players most likely to be tagged.

Chris Jones

Kansas City Chiefs · DT

Last seen getting the pressure on Brock Purdy that forced San Francisco to settle for an overtime field goal in the Super Bowl, Jones is a critical piece for Kansas City’s defense, which was the backbone of the team’s championship run. Jones is coming off his second straight first-team All-Pro season. At the Chiefs’ Super Bowl parade, he declared, before hundreds of thousands of witnesses, that he “ain’t going nowhere, baby.” Using the tag on him could be tricky, though. Because of franchise tag rules, Jones’ tag would reportedly project to be worth $32 million due to his 2023 cap number, rather than $20.7 million, the projected tag price for his position (per Over The Cap). That’s not entirely prohibitive if the Chiefs want to re-do other contracts to make it work, but it certainly makes it much less likely that Jones will get tagged. More realistically, the clock is ticking to see if Jones and the Chiefs can finally reach a long-term deal. If Jones is not tagged, the Chiefs could instead use the tag on star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, who forms perhaps the best cornerback tandem in the NFL with Trent McDuffie.

Justin Madubuike

Baltimore Ravens · DT

The sack leader of one of the league’s best defenses, Madubuike is coming off a breakout season, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s best interior defensive linemen. The Ravens have a plethora of defensive players in need of new contracts (Patrick Queen and Jadeveon Clowney among others) and are tight against the salary cap this offseason, but they can’t afford to lose Madubuike. If there is no long-term contract in the offing in the coming weeks, the tag would seem nearly certain.

Christian Wilkins

Miami Dolphins · DT

Fresh off a nine-sack season, Wilkins has played his way into a contract that should be in the range of what some of his fellow 2019 first-round interior linemen have already received — like the $22.5 million per year received by the Giants’ Dexter Lawrence. The Dolphins’ salary cap situation is more than tight this offseason, though, so the franchise tag would give them time to again try to get a long-term deal done with Wilkins or to find a trade partner.

Antoine Winfield Jr.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers · S

Winfield is one of the best safeties in the game, and he is one of three big potential Buccaneers free agents, along with Mike Evans and Baker Mayfield. Winfield is just 25, and Tampa Bay wants to lock him into a long-term deal. Bucs general manager Jason Licht hasn’t been shy about using the tag in recent years — tagging Shaq Barrett in 2020, and Chris Godwin in 2021 and 2022. Both players ended up signing long-term contracts with the team. With so much else to work on, the tag — and it’s $16 million-plus guaranteed for 2024 — could be in play for Winfield.