| We have a look from Chris Myers at the FOX Super Bowl Broadcast at FoxSports.com – – – It’s an end to “End Racism” as an NFL rallying cry – at least at this year’s Super Bowl. Kyla Guilfoyl of NBC News: The NFL will remove the words “End Racism” from the end zones at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans ahead of the Super Bowl on Sunday, the NFL confirmed to NBC News. Instead, the field will have stencils of the phrase “Choose Love” as the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Philadelphia Eagles, NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement Tuesday. Throughout the 2024-25 season, NFL teams have advertised pro-diversity slogans at their stadiums and on their uniforms. The field stencils have been a part of the league since 2020, McCarthy said. “Teams have used on the field this year ‘Vote,’ ‘End Racism,’ ‘Stop Hate,’ and ‘Choose Love.’ This is part of the NFL’s Inspire Change,” he said. At their conference championship games on Jan. 26, the Chiefs had “Choose Love” in their end zone and the Eagles had “End Racism.” The NFL said Tuesday that it would have stenciling only of the phrase “Choose Love.” Sunday’s game will be the first Super Bowl since February 2021 at which “End Racism” will not be in an end zone stencil. “The Super Bowl is often a snapshot in time and the NFL is in a unique position to capture and lift the imagination of the country,” McCarthy said. He said the phrase is most fitting because of tragedies the country has endured in recent weeks. “‘Choose Love’ is appropriate to use as our country has endured in recent weeks wild fires in southern California, the terrorist attack here in New Orleans, the plane and helicopter crash near our nation’s capital and the plane crash in Philadelphia,” McCarthy said. The statement comes the same day a White House official told NBC News that President Donald Trump will attend the Super Bowl.– – –NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said at a news conference Monday that he does not think the league’s policies to promote diversity conflict with Trump’s push to eliminate DEI programs. “Our policies have been designed to be well within the law, well within the practice,” Goodell said. “There are no quotas in our system. This is about opening that funnel and bringing the best talent into the NFL.” He added that the NFL’s policies are consistent “with the current administration, as well as the last administration.” “We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League, and we’re going to continue those efforts because we’ve not only convinced ourselves, I think we’ve proven ourselves, that it does make the NFL better,” Goodell said. Apparently “End Racism” had already been stenciled on the field before the NFL called an audible. The DB can confirm that “Lift Every Voice And Sing” – called the Black National Anthem by some – remains on the schedule for Sunday’s game with Ledisi on tap to do the honors. This will be the fifth Super Bowl at which the NFL has chosen to have “Life Every Voice And Sing” performed. The DB can only find the 2023 U.S. Open (tennis) and a 2020 NASCAR race in the Poconos are other sporting events (not including other NFL events) where the song has preceded games and events. The AP is reporting that Donald Trump will be the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl, an additional layer of “stuff” that we can only imagine how the frazzled NFL staff is handling. This: Trump also plans to sit for an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier as part of the network’s preshow programming, which is set to be taped from Florida before the game. Presidents traditionally grant an interview to the network that’s broadcasting the football game, though both Trump and his predecessor, Joe Biden, were inconsistent about participating. Trump, a New Yorker who now calls Florida home, has not indicated which team he’s supporting. On Tuesday at the White House, Trump declined to answer a question from a reporter predicting a winner of the game. “I don’t want to say, but there’s a certain quarterback that seems to be a pretty good winner,” Trump said, appearing to refer to Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Trump posted congratulations to the Chiefs after their AFC Championship Game win last month. |
| NFC NORTH |
| CHICAGOCourtney Cronin of ESPN.com on how the Bears landed Ben Johnson (turns out he is a Cubs fan) – and she carries news of a likely contract extension for GM Ryan Poles: On Sunday, Jan. 19, the day after the Detroit Lions’ surprising playoff loss to the Washington Commanders, the Chicago Bears discussed whether to fly their hiring committee to Michigan to show Ben Johnson how badly they wanted him to be their head coach, according to a team source. Johnson, the Lions’ offensive coordinator since 2022 and a top candidate for three straight coaching cycles, had gone dark after interviewing virtually with the Bears on Jan. 11 during Detroit’s first-round bye. League rules prevented Chicago and other teams from meeting with Johnson for a second interview until Jan. 20, two days after Detroit’s season ended. The Bears’ contingent ultimately decided against making the trip, opting to let Johnson deal with the disappointment of losing as the NFC’s No. 1 seed. Johnson had spurned previous head coaching opportunities because he wanted to win a Super Bowl with Detroit, but now he knew he would be moving on. Though the Bears wanted to respect Johnson’s time and space, there also was a sense of urgency. There was a feeling Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady was making a push for Johnson, and even if the Bears didn’t believe that to be true, there were other openings Johnson might consider. The Bears emphasized “culture and the quarterback” during the interviews, according to someone familiar with the process, and they were convinced Johnson would excel on both counts, including maximizing Caleb Williams’ potential. Download the ESPN app and enable Adam Schefter’s news alerts to receive push notifications for the latest updates first. Opt in by tapping the alerts bell in the top right corner. For more information, click here. “Having gone through the process, and having interviewed an extensive field of candidates when Ben was clearly No. 1, and [general manager] Ryan [Poles] said we need to go get him, you had to be ready to move,” Bears chairman George McCaskey said. But before they did, the Bears hosted Tennessee State coach Eddie George on Jan. 19. That put the Bears in compliance with the Rooney Rule, which requires at least two external in-person interviews with minority candidates — Ron Rivera was the other. George’s interview was scheduled at least a week before, two sources said. It was George’s only head coaching interview this cycle. A source close to George described the interview as a “great experience” that will lead to other coaching opportunities for the former NFL running back. George’s interview was deemed “excellent” by a member of the Bears’ interview committee. If team president Kevin Warren had any doubt about the favorite of his team’s fan base, it was tempered on the night of the Lions’ loss, when he and his wife, Greta, went to dinner at Old Pueblo Cantina in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. With the game on the bar’s big screen, Bears fan Chris Stein sent two shots of tequila to the Warrens with a note written by Stein’s girlfriend, Ryanne Braun. “Kevin, Please, hire Ben!!” Warren responded by sending back two shots. Message received. THE BEARS INTERVIEWED 17 candidates, including Mike McCarthy, Pete Carroll and Mike Vrabel. Fourteen were done virtually and three at team headquarters. For two days during Detroit’s first-round bye week, Johnson was bunkered in a conference room at the Lions’ team facility in Allen Park, Michigan. There he conducted four virtual interviews — with the Patriots and Raiders on Jan. 10, followed by the Bears and Jaguars on Jan 11. As Johnson began his interviews with the Bears, he met one-on-one with Poles for 30 minutes, followed by a two-hour meeting with all seven members of the committee, and then 30 minutes with McCaskey and Warren together. “The first words out of his mouth were, ‘I want this job,'” McCaskey said. The search committee, which consisted of Poles, Warren, McCaskey, director of football administration Matt Feinstein, senior player personnel director Jeff King, chief administrative officer Ted Crews and chief human resources officer Liz Geist, graded each interview. Johnson received the top grade, according to a team source, who said: “He was the leader in the clubhouse.” Johnson’s credentials included three straight seasons of the Lions finishing in the top five in scoring, including leading the league this season at 33.2 points per game. Quarterback Jared Goff played some of his best football under Johnson, throwing for at least 4,000 yards in each of the past three seasons. And his 64 Total QBR in 51 regular-season starts under Johnson was better than what Goff had under five previous playcallers. But Johnson emphasized during the interviews that he was more than an offensive mind. “Listen, it’s no secret that I was being portrayed as an offensive guru,” Johnson said at his introductory news conference. “Whether I was quality control, position coach, tight end coach, receivers coach, coordinator, I’m whatever the job requires me to be. “And so that’s where I really wanted to let those people know on every call that I had, that there was more substance than maybe I articulated in any media session or what you might see on the sideline.” One thing Johnson’s agent, Rick Smith, articulated before the interview process started was the importance of being aligned with his general manager. “Is the GM willing to check his ego at the door as the coach is willing to check his ego at the door so that they get in the same boat and row in the same direction?” Smith said on the 2nd City Gridiron podcast. Poles was hired on Jan. 25, 2022, two days before the Bears hired Matt Eberflus as head coach. Four days after Eberflus was fired on Nov. 29 with the third-worst win percentage (.304) in franchise history, questions about Poles’ job security and his role in hiring the next coach were raised during a news conference. Unlike Jaguars owner Shad Khan, who publicly left the door open for a candidate to have sway over changes to Jacksonville’s front office, the Bears remained firm there would be no changes to their structure. A team source told ESPN that Johnson never requested a change at general manager. “I truly believe in the character and integrity of this man,” Johnson said of Poles. “… We are going to be locked at the hip and connected every step of the way with all the decisions that are made.” The Bears do not publicly comment about the contracts of coaches and front office personnel, nor would Poles address whether he has assurances of receiving a contract extension when asked on Jan. 7. According to a team source with knowledge of the situation, Poles’ deal runs through the 2026 season, and the expectation is he will receive an extension to align him with Johnson, who signed a five-year contract with Chicago, a term that is common for first-time head coaches. What’s less common for first-time head coaches are substantial salaries. He’s believed to be making $13 million per year, whereas Eberflus made $6 million. As one source put it, the Bears “didn’t cut corners” when it came to paying Johnson. WEARING A CAST on his right hand from having a cyst removed, Williams was training in Florida when he heard the news, and he said he yelled in excitement. His was among the first calls placed by members of the committee Jan. 20, after Chicago had an agreement in place with Johnson, according to a team source. Not long after, Johnson called his new quarterback on FaceTime. Two days later, Williams, wide receivers DJ Moore and Rome Odunze, and tight end Cole Kmet were front row at Johnson’s introductory news conference, a sign of solidarity that was organized by the four players. Williams, clad in a black suit and leather trench coat, made a quip about the out-of-body experience he felt throughout much of his rookie season that was defined by individual success but also by a scheme that didn’t fit him, coaches being fired and expectations failing to be met. “That’s why I have this suit on and this aspect because I look like I was in the Matrix,” said Williams, referring to the movie about parallel realities. “That’s how I felt last year.” Coincidentally, Williams played some of his best ball with Johnson on the other sideline. He threw for 590 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions in the two losses to the Lions. “Having a quarterback helps,” Johnson said during his news conference, with a wry smile. Williams said Johnson made clear he would be coached to his own strengths, and that he wouldn’t be asked to emulate Goff, who’s not quite as mobile. “He told me that it’ll be my offense,” Williams said. “He’s going to build around me, but also, he’s going to test me. He’s going to challenge me in the offseason.” The Bears walked away impressed not only in Johnson’s plan for Williams, but also in the speed at which he has put his staff together. Within six days of being hired, Johnson had named Dennis Allen his defensive coordinator, Declan Doyle his offensive coordinator and retained special teams coordinator Richard Hightower. “The coaches that kind of rise to the top are the ones that have a plan, and not only just in words, but have relationships where you can get it done,” a team source said. The Bears landed their top choice, despite a lack of stability in the position. Chicago has hired five full-time head coaches since its last playoff win in 2011, but that doesn’t scare Johnson. “There’s several reasons why I wanted this job,” Johnson said at his news conference. “The first is, this place. For the last 10-plus years, my family and I have been coming up for a Cubs series every summer. And it doesn’t take long to realize this place is special. These people are special. “No. 2, is this roster that Ryan’s already built. It is stocked. It’s loaded. Everyone wants to talk about the quarterback, and Caleb, I’m excited to work with you, but it’s going to take more than just you. And there are a lot of pieces already in place. And I can’t wait to get to work with the rest of you guys.” |
| NFC EAST |
| PHILADELPHIAAppearing on the Bleacher Brothers podcast, former Rams coach Mike Martz offers these reasons of hope for the Eagles. * “This is the worst kind of match-up for Kansas City. Philadelphia is very physical”* “I’m concerned about the Chiefs two offensive tackles. I’m not sure they can handle the Eagles DL.” * “With Saquon Barkley such a threat, the Chiefs will have to play a single safety deep (and bring up the other safety), otherwise they will get run over… And that means Jalen Hurts will face a lot of man-to-man. Making his reads simpler (and more predictable for him)…” * “The Chiefs offense doesn’t really threaten (deep) as much as they have in the past…” |
| NFC WEST |
| LOS ANGELES RAMSMike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com checks the odds on where WR COOPER KUPP might land: The Rams are trying to trade receiver Cooper Kupp. His contract points to the distinct possibility of a release. Regardless, he’s on track to have a new team in 2025. DraftKings has posted odds for Kupp’s next destinations. The co-favorites are the Steelers and Bengals, at +500 each. Next, at +600, are four teams: the Broncos, Commanders, Patriots, and Chargers. Kupp’s current team, the Rams, has 15-1 odds to keep him. It’s a possibility if the Rams present him with a reduced deal for 2025 that is better than any other team would offer him. The only thing that’s known for now is that Kupp’s $20 million compensation package for 2025 will be ripped up. He’s guaranteed to make $5 million from the Rams. Whether and to what extent he exceeds that amount — and where that will be — is to be determined. Why do we think Kupp and QB JAYDEN DANIELS with the Commanders would be a nice match? |
| AFC WEST |
| KANSAS CITYShould it happen, it will be an officially licensed “Three-peat©” per Darren Rovell of cllct. If the Kansas City Chiefs become the first NFL team to win three Super Bowls in a row Sunday, Pat Riley has a chance to make some money. That’s because the former NBA player, coach and current Miami Heat executive owns six trademarks to various forms of “Three-Peat,” giving him rights to the use of the phrase on everything from apparel to jewelry to his latest two filings — on backpacks and beverages. Riley’s trademark attorney John Aldrich told cllct Tuesday there is an agreement in place with the NFL to use “Three Peat” if it happens. Aldrich would not comment on what percentage royalty Riley would make, but did say plans are, as has been in the past, to earmark it for the Pat Riley Family Foundation. When reached Tuesday, a league spokesperson said the deal, which is not yet formally signed, would be with the Chiefs, not with the league. Current licensees that would make product once a deal is struck, the spokesperson said, would be Fanatics, New Era, Wilson, Riddell and Wincraft. The products would exclusively be sold at Chiefs retail. Riley first filed for “Three-Peat” at the start of the 1988-89 season, right after the Los Angeles Lakers, who he coached at the time, won consecutive championships. Riley never cashed in on “Three-Peat,” as the Detroit Pistons beat his Lakers the next year. Four seasons later, however, Riley got paid when Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls won their third straight title in June 1993 and became the first NBA team to win three in a row since the Celtics did it in 1966. Jordan leaving to play baseball provided a gap that allowed Riley to cash in again when the Bulls won three straight from 1996 to 1998. The phrase was used on merchandise for the New York Yankees “Three-Peat” in 2000 and again when the Lakers finally did it from 2000 to 2002. Although Riley will make some money, reports in the last week saying he could make millions are extremely exaggerated, one source in the licensing industry told cllct. Licensees usually pay a 10% to 15% royalty on the wholesale price of an item. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CINCINNATIThe ring of illegal aliens from Chile who robbed QB JOE BURROW shipped their loot to New York – and now someone with a Russian name has been arrested at a suspicious pawn shop per Mark Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: A Tuesday arrest in New York’s Diamond District could be linked to the December burglary of Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow’s home. NBC News reports that investigators contend the business worked with a group that has been targeting homes across the country, with the Burrow theft specifically mentioned. Two men, Dimitriy Nezhinskiy and Juan Villar, were arrested under a felony indictment for conspiracy to receive stolen property and receiving stolen property, according to the criminal complaint. Per the report, investigators are exploring whether the men have ties to the group that recently was arrested in connection with the Burrow burglary. The authorities claim that Nezhinskiy and Villar have been linked by evidence including phone contacts between Nezhinskiy and two of four Chilean nationals who were arrested last month. “Nezhinskiy and Villar regularly served as ‘fences’ for burglary crews based out of South America who traveled around the United States committing burglaries, typically targeting wealthier neighborhoods or jewelry vendors, and stealing luxury accessories,” the U.S. attorney’s office said in a statement. “Nezhinskiy and Villar’s operation provided an essential market for the stolen goods.” “The defendants created an illicit market and fueled demand for burglaries by South American Theft Groups and other crews around the country by purchasing stolen watches, jewelry and other luxury items, and then re-selling them in their New York City store,” U.S. attorney John J. Durham added. Having a way to sell stolen goods is a key piece of the operation. Stealing the items is the first step. Turning them into cash is the second. Searches conducted in New York and New Jersey yielded “large quantities of suspected stolen property,” including high-end watches and handbags, wine, sports memorabilia, jewelry, artwork and burglary tools. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| MAHOMES vs. BRADYHe will have only about half as many playoff wins, but if QB PATRICK MAHOMES emerges victorious Sunday, Austin Mock of The Athletic says it will be clear that the Chiefs QB is the GOATiest playoff QB ever: If Patrick Mahomes and his Kansas City Chiefs win the Super Bowl this Sunday in New Orleans, the debate is over. Mahomes would become the greatest playoff quarterback of all time. Tom Brady fans might not want to admit it, but they wouldn’t have to. A mountain of evidence points to Mahomes taking the mantle from him. Before diving into the debate, let’s clear one thing up: With all due respect to the other quarterbacks with four Super Bowl rings (Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw), this is a two-horse race. Mahomes has already won more playoff games than Montana (17-16), and Bradshaw’s statistical profile pales in comparison with Brady and Mahomes. So it’s really down to two. And as you’re about to see, it’s actually down to one. Mahomes is about to become the clear playoff GOAT. Admittedly, it’s shocking how little time it will have taken for the torch to be passed. Just two years after Brady announced his retirement, Mahomes is poised to do something Brady — or any other QB — never did: win a third consecutive Super Bowl. Just by getting to this stage, he’s already accomplished something Brady never did. No quarterback who had won back-to-back titles had ever even returned to the Super Bowl in their quest for a three-peat. Until Mahomes. If he wins Sunday, he’ll be a four-time champion before he turns 30 years old — once again, something no other quarterback has ever done. As you’ll see, the only argument in favor of Brady’s being the better all-time playoff QB than Mahomes is longevity. If you argue Brady is still the playoff GOAT because he won more rings (7-4 if Mahomes wins Sunday) in his 21 seasons as a healthy starter, that’s your prerogative. But just remember, Brady won 33 percent of the Super Bowls he was eligible to win; if Mahomes wins Sunday, he’ll be at 57 percent (4-of-7 as a starter). By the time Brady won his fourth title (at age 37), he was at 30 percent. By the time you’re finished reading this story, you will understand that a four-time Super Bowl champion Mahomes wins the argument in three of the primary categories you would use to settle this debate. Mahomes will have the higher peak (three-peat); his performance in the clutch far supersedes Brady’s; and he has easily been the superior statistical performer. Let’s start with that last point. If you just want to use stats to analyze Brady vs. Mahomes in the playoffs, this debate won’t last long. It’s Mahomes by a mile. Mahomes vs. Brady, Part 1 Playoff games (W-L) 20 (17-3) 48 (35-13)Win % 85% 72.9%EPA/Dropback 0.23 0.14Dropback success rate 51.1% 49.8%TD/INT 5.4 2.2Sack rate 5.2% 4%Yards/attempt 7.7 7.0Passer rating 105.8 89.8Rushing first downs + TDs 43 35Fourth-quarter comebacks 6 9Game-winning drives 7 14 As you can see, Mahomes has the advantage in just about every stat that’s indicative of quarterback success or is typically used in determining superiority. Brady’s only advantage comes in sack percentage and in the places where longevity matters (total wins, fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives). But Mahomes is already closing in on Brady’s game-winning drives total, despite playing in 28 fewer games. From an advanced metric standpoint, Mahomes’ 0.23 EPA is roughly equivalent to what Buffalo Bills superstar Josh Allen (0.24) posted during the regular season. That is to say, Mahomes plays at an MVP level in the playoffs. Brady’s mark of 0.14 nearly mirrors what Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts (0.13) posted this season. It’s also worth pointing out what an asset Mahomes has been as a runner in the playoffs. Despite playing in 28 fewer games, he’s already tallied more rushing touchdowns and first downs than Brady — the original king of the QB sneak — ever did. And that’s with virtually no difference in passing volume. Mahomes averages 277.8 passing yards per game in the postseason, and Brady averaged 279.2. Taken on the whole, there’s pretty much no statistical argument for Brady. But Mahomes’ superiority goes beyond total stats. We all know Brady’s reputation in the playoffs was that if you gave him the ball in a had-to-have-it situation, he was going to make you pay. It was inevitable. Put another way: Before Mahomes, you could have won any GOAT QB argument in favor of Brady by simply asking: If you could pick any quarterback to win one playoff game, who would it be? The answer was Brady. It had to be. But not anymore. If you could pick any QB to win one big game, to lead your team down the field in a have-to-have-it situation, you pick Mahomes. He’s the new clutch king. The data speaks for itself. These are their playoff numbers in one-score games in the last five minutes and overtime: Mahomes vs. Brady, Part 2Total dropbacks (games) 71 (12) 156 (25)EPA/Dropback 0.49 0.27Dropback success rate 58.1% 46.2%Total TDs 4 6Turnovers 1 3Yards per attempt 9.9 6.6Sack rate 5.6% 2.6%Passer rating 119.6 82.6Rushing first downs 5 2 The gap between Mahomes and Brady is even wider here. Look at the EPA. Brady raised his play to MVP level in these scenarios, but Mahomes goes to another planet. The greatest EPA regular season ever recorded (dating to 2000) was posted by Peyton Manning in 2004. He delivered 0.45 EPA, according to TruMedia. Brady’s historic 2007 season EPA was 0.41. Somehow, when it matters most, Mahomes is better than the best ever. Brady and the New England Patriots used to feel inevitable, but they don’t hold a candle to Mahomes and the Chiefs. Now, to get ahead of (at least) one argument Brady’s defenders will try to use, we’ve analyzed another set of data to prove our point. Eras. Some will say the early part of Brady’s career occurred before the league became so pass heavy. That’s somewhat fair. Though it’s impossible to assess what kind of numbers Brady might have posted if he had played in a more pass-happy league in the early part of his career, it’s at least worth mentioning the difference in eras isn’t quite as severe as you’d think. NFL teams in 2024 averaged 1.5 passing touchdowns and 217.6 yards per game. In 2000, Brady’s first year as a starter, teams averaged 1.3 passing touchdowns and 206.9 yards per game. QBs today complete a greater percentage of passes and throw fewer interceptions, but again, the numbers aren’t drastic. Still, let’s try to even things out a little. Let’s drop early-career Brady and his first three Super Bowls and use only his numbers from 2014 until his retirement when he won four Super Bowls. That’s an eight-year sample, similar to the seven years Mahomes has been the starter in Kansas City, with their time overlapping for five seasons (2018-22). So, let’s take a look at how the data stacks up now. Again, we’re looking at one-score playoff games in the last five minutes and overtime: Mahomes vs. Brady, Part 3Total dropbacks (games) 71 (12) 80 (13)EPA/Dropback 0.49 0.29Dropback success rate 58.1% 51.9%Total TDs 4 3Turnovers 1 2Yards per attempt 9.9 7.7Sack rate 5.6% 2.5%Passer rating 119.6 89.6Rushing first downs 5 1 Brady saw an increase in his performance when dropping his 2001-13 data, but it’s clear his numbers still don’t stack up against Mahomes’. It’s a similar story if you move away from clutch situations and look at their playoff numbers as a whole. Mahomes wins in almost every significant category. Sure, it’s fair to suggest Mahomes’ metrics could fade as he ages. After all, few have ever held off time and aged as gracefully as Brady. Then again, haven’t we all learned by now that betting against Mahomes is a bad idea? OK, so when we said there was only one argument (longevity) in favor of Brady, that might have been a touch unfair. It should at least be mentioned that Brady is 2-0 against Mahomes in the playoffs, including a Super Bowl victory. However, for those keen to use that argument for Brady, let’s remember Eli Manning is 2-0 against Brady in the playoffs, including two Super Bowls, and no one would dare suggest Manning is the superior playoff quarterback. Two games are too small of a sample to determine much, and head-to-head matchups are too circumstantial to use as significant evidence. The truth is, the further you dive into this debate, the more the evidence stacks up for Mahomes over Brady. Here’s just a small sampling of further research: • With a win against the Eagles on Sunday, Mahomes will have won 10 straight playoff games, which would tie Brady’s record from 2001 to 2005. The difference, however, is Brady’s Patriots missed the playoffs entirely in 2002, whereas no one has beaten the Chiefs since the 2021 AFC Championship Game. • Mahomes already has the second-most wins in the playoffs when his team trails by double-digits (five). He’s only one behind Brady, but Mahomes is 5-2 when he has found himself down double digits, and Brady finished 6-8. • Mahomes’ teams have scored 595 points in his first 20 playoff games (29.7 points per game); Brady’s teams scored 455 (23.9) in his first 20. Want to adjust for era again? Mahomes’ 595 points are more than Brady’s teams scored in his last 20 playoff games, too (568). • Brady’s defenses only allowed 20.8 points per game in the playoffs, and Mahomes’ defenses have yielded 23.1. Once again, if you adjust for era and only count Brady’s playoff games from 2014 onward, Brady still got more help from his defenses. They allowed just 21.8 points per game. I understand those who want to stand by Brady and his seven championships. But if you had to pick one QB to win a Super Bowl, could you really pick against Mahomes? I couldn’t. If his Chiefs win Sunday, the debate will be over. Mahomes will be the greatest playoff quarterback of all time. And part of me wonders: Isn’t that just really saying he’s the greatest quarterback of all time? That’s an argument for another day. Not that we can figure out EPA/Dropback, but it seems unfair that if Brady’s 35 to 17 advantage in playoff wins counts for nothing in the Mahomes-Brady comparison, it means everything to Mock in the Mahomes-Montana measurement. Some selected stats that we can find: Mahomes MontanaPlayoff games (W-L) 20 (17-3) 23 (16-7, 14-5 with 49ers)TD/INT 5.4 2.1Yards/attempt 7.7 7.9Passer rating 105.8 95.6Fourth-quarter comebacks 6 5Game-winning drives 7 5 |
| “RIDICULOUS” AND “INSULTING”It is officially “ridiculous” and “insulting” to think that the long list of favorable calls received by the Chiefs were intentional. Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com: The NFL Referees Association on Tuesday joined league commissioner Roger Goodell in dismissing suggestions that officials favor the Kansas City Chiefs when working their games. A day after Goodell called it a “ridiculous theory,” NFLRA executive director Scott Green said in a statement that Goodell’s comments were “spot on.” League rules prohibit officials from speaking publicly except in postgame pool reports that are monitored by the league. But Green, a retired referee speaking on behalf of the officiating union, pointed out that crews don’t work more than two of any team’s games. “It is insulting and preposterous to hear conspiracy theories that somehow 17 officiating crews consisting of 138 officials are colluding to assist one team,” Green said. “NFL officials are graded every week, on every single play of each game. These grades are the determining factor as to who receives postseason assignments. The NFLRA commends its members, who all strive to do exactly what all 32 NFL teams do, which is to excel at their jobs so that they are working the last game of the season — the Super Bowl.” Goodell and other league officials have said the league will likely expand its replay assist program to include some calls that have drawn attention around Chiefs games, most notably quarterback slides. Those options will be discussed by the league’s competition committee. “There are many things that fans can worry about over a 17-game season,” Green said, “such as coaching decisions, player injuries, the weather and, yes, even close calls on incredible plays made by incredible athletes. But you can rest assured that on every single down, NFL officials, both on the field and in the replay booth, are doing everything humanly possible to officiate every play correctly.” There, that settles it. |
| 2025 DRAFTA Mock Draft from ESPN’s Matt Miller: Let’s get to it. Here are my first- and second-round projections for April’s draft, including landing spots for the Senior Bowl’s top risers, Shrine Bowl standouts and four quarterbacks. Round 1 1. Tennessee TitansAbdul Carter, Edge, Penn StateTitans president Chad Brinker said the team will not pass on a generational talent with the No. 1 pick. Carter is the closest thing to that. After showing situational pass-rush ability in his first two seasons, Penn State made him a full-time edge rusher in 2024. Carter turned in a dominant performance with 12 sacks, 61 hurries and an FBS-best edge pressure percentage of 19.6%. If that sounds like Micah Parsons … well, it should. Like Parsons, Carter is a player you can build a defense around. And while Tennessee has needs at quarterback and right tackle, this might be a case where it’s better to draft the best player on the board versus reaching for need. 2. Cleveland BrownsTravis Hunter, WR/CB, ColoradoThe Browns are facing questions about quarterback Deshaun Watson’s future, so it’s logical to think they would be all-in on a passer here. But Cleveland isn’t a lock to draft a QB given the money it has committed at the position. Instead, the Browns might go with the most dynamic player in the draft. Hunter wowed en route to winning the Heisman Trophy, catching 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns while still finding time to pick off four passes at cornerback. He played an FBS-high 1,458 snaps. The debate over which position he should play in the NFL is ongoing, but the Browns need help at receiver and corner. 3. New York GiantsCam Ward, QB, MiamiThe Giants are in quarterback-or-bust mode, as they passed on Michael Penix Jr., J.J. McCarthy and Bo Nix for wide receiver Malik Nabers in 2024 and then cut Daniel Jones. While Nabers was fantastic, he needs a reliable point guard under center. Ward has a big-time arm, excels at finding passing windows and can create with his feet. He led the FBS with 39 touchdown passes in 2024 and was second in QBR (88.7). The Giants — who were 28th in QBR this season at 44.9 — need a quarterback who can move in the pocket and has the arm talent to maximize Nabers’ special skills. Ward is that quarterback and can help turn things around for this offense. 4. New England PatriotsMason Graham, DT, MichiganNew coach Mike Vrabel will want to fortify the offensive line in front of second-year quarterback Drake Maye, but the Patriots can do a lot of that work in free agency with nearly $92 million in cap space, according to Roster Management System. LSU tackle Will Campbell is an option if New England isn’t satisfied with its free agent haul. But I wonder if Vrabel might use this pick to find a defensive cornerstone like he had in Tennessee with Jeffery Simmons. Graham is a fiery, active interior pass rusher with great technique and the burst needed to be a difference-maker at the 3-technique. Graham, third-year defensive end Keion White and standout interior lineman Christian Barmore (currently out because of blood clots) would be a nice starting point for Vrabel and his new defense. 5. Jacksonville JaguarsWill Johnson, CB, MichiganWhile new coach Liam Coen has an offensive background and might want to beef up the O-line or add another pass catcher, Jacksonville has to find some defensive playmakers. It forced an NFL-worst nine turnovers in 2024, making Johnson — who had two pick-sixes this past season — the right selection here. He could line up opposite Tyson Campbell. Scouts are all over the board with Johnson, though. Some think he’s a lock as a top-five pick. Other are worried about his missed tackles, his questionable speed and the foot injury that limited him to six games this past season. He needs to run well at the combine, but I think he will — and then solidify his stock in the top 10. 6. Las Vegas RaidersShedeur Sanders, QB, ColoradoSometimes dots connect themselves in the NFL draft. Sanders has worked with Raiders minority owner Tom Brady in previous offseasons and would land with his mentor here. The Raiders have two foundational stars in tight end Brock Bowers and defensive end Maxx Crosby, but they need a strong leader to cultivate an offensive identity. Sanders stays poised within the pocket and displays excellent toughness, with a knack for timing-based throws. He doesn’t have blazing speed or superior arm strength, but he is extremely accurate, as his 6.5% off-target percentage in 2024 was second among quarterbacks in this class. 7. New York JetsWill Campbell, OT/G, LSUDespite drafting Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu with the No. 11 pick last year, the Jets could still use help in the trenches. Starting tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses are free agents, which would allow Campbell to team up with Fashanu. There are questions about Campbell’s shorter arms — I’ve been told scouts measured them under 33 inches this past summer — but his quick feet and understanding of angles served him well as a three-year starter. New York could try Campbell at tackle first, where he has the tools to be an impact starter, and then shift him to guard if necessary. Regardless, he gives the Jets another young, talented offensive lineman to build around. 8. Carolina PanthersJalon Walker, Edge, GeorgiaThe Panthers need impact players everywhere. Walker split time between off-ball linebacker and edge rusher at Georgia in 2024, finishing with 6.5 sacks, 29 pressures and 7 tackles for loss. There is some debate on how Walker would be best used in the NFL, but he was a menace in the SEC with his versatility and speed off the edge. Regardless, Carolina allowed 6.0 yards per play this season, last in the league. Wide receiver is another position the Panthers could address, depending on what they do in free agency, but Walker is an easy choice here. 9. New Orleans SaintsTetairoa McMillan, WR, ArizonaChris Olave is great when healthy (he played only eight games this past season), but the Saints lack impact receivers beyond him. That’s why the 6-foot-5 McMillan could fit. He can win deep down the field and gain even more yards after the catch. His range and ability to win 50-50 balls reminds me of the Falcons’ Drake London, who was a first-round pick in 2022. There is concern about McMillan’s pull-away speed at the pro level, so how he runs at the combine will be important for his draft stock. But he’s one of the best receivers in this class going off tape alone, finishing third in the country with 1,319 receiving yards in 2024. 10. Chicago BearsKelvin Banks Jr., OT/G, TexasThe Bears scored at right tackle in 2023 when they drafted Darnell Wright with the No. 10 pick. They could use that pick slot this year on Banks to help the left side of the line. He started every game of his Texas career and gave up only one sack in three seasons. Banks’ 6-foot-4 frame has some scouts thinking he’s an NFL guard, which would be fine because the Bears have Braxton Jones at left tackle. But Jones will be a free agent after 2025, giving the Bears the option to kick Banks out to OT if they believe he’s ready. This pick would fill a short-term need at guard and a long-term one at tackle if Jones departs. Chicago allowed a league-high 68 sacks this season, so getting better there will be important this offseason. 11. San Francisco 49ersJosh Simmons, OT, Ohio StateChristian McCaffrey’s injury issues were the headline for the 49ers’ offensive woes this season, yet their offensive line was a mess and will be a priority fix for general manager John Lynch. The 49ers made a great selection on guard Dominick Puni in the third round of the 2024 draft, but a plug-and-play right tackle who could eventually take over for All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams could be the next step. Simmons is recovering from a torn ACL suffered Oct. 12, but he was in the mix to be the first tackle off the board prior to getting hurt. 12. Dallas CowboysMatthew Golden, WR, TexasBoise State running back Ashton Jeanty is the popular pick here in early mock drafts, and he could be the splash that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones loves to make. But passing on a receiver at No. 12 would be risky given the deep class of running backs. (For context, I don’t have a single receiver ranked between Nos. 26 and 58 on my board, but I do have five RBs.) Golden is a surging prospect. He started the season as Texas’ No. 2 receiver but became its go-to target late in the season and in the College Football Playoff, finishing with 58 receptions for 987 yards and nine touchdowns. His yards-after-catch ability and speed would provide a perfect complement to CeeDee Lamb. 13. Miami DolphinsArmand Membou, OT/G, MissouriThe Dolphins’ main priority in 2025 should be giving quarterback Tua Tagovailoa more protection. Protecting from the inside out is crucial, and Miami has a hole at right guard. Membou played right tackle at Mizzou and is an excellent mover in the run game at 6-foot-4 and 332 pounds, making him perfect for the Dolphins’ run scheme. Some scouts believe he is the best pure tackle in the class, so kicking him outside in the future could be an option if current right tackle Austin Jackson leaves after his contract expires in two seasons. 14. Indianapolis ColtsTyler Warren, TE, Penn StateThe Colts’ secondary needs attention, so a pick there would make sense. But Warren could really help quarterback Anthony Richardson — and there’s always Round 2 to boost the defensive back group. Warren produced touchdowns as a receiver, runner and passer at Penn State and could be a reliable outlet for Richardson. Warren was a prolific pass catcher (104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns), but he also has the size to be a standout blocker in the run game. The Colts must determine whether Richardson is their long-term quarterback, and providing him with Warren — who has the potential to be a top-five NFL tight end — would support that process. 15. Atlanta FalconsMykel Williams, Edge, GeorgiaThe Falcons had only 31 sacks in 2024, the second fewest in the NFL. That has to change in Raheem Morris’ second season as the coach. Williams is right in the team’s backyard at Georgia and flashes the power, speed and production that generally excites front offices. Georgia’s two games against Texas this past season showcased Williams at his best, as he registered four combined sacks in those matchups. But he had only one sack in the remaining nine games he played in. Williams is an upside player who could be a double-digit sack-getter with some development. 16. Arizona CardinalsJahdae Barron, CB, TexasThe Cardinals could go a number of directions with wide receiver, cornerback and defensive end all being issues. Barron took home the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back after making a move from slot cornerback to the outside before the 2024 season. He had five interceptions and 10 pass breakups, and he boosted his profile from a Day 3 pick to one of my top 15 players in the class. Some teams might view him as an inside corner, while others like Barron’s tape on the outside. Playing him on the inside with Budda Baker gives the Cardinals instant improvement on the back end. 17. Cincinnati BengalsShemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&MThe lack of talent around Trey Hendrickson on the Bengals’ defense was a huge reason Cincinnati missed the playoffs for a second straight season. Along with a new defensive coordinator, we should expect several key defensive additions in the offseason. Stewart is a tough evaluation. He checks every box, from his 6-foot-5, 281-pound size to his speed and power. But he had only 1.5 sacks in the each of the past three seasons. That’s something teams must dig in on in the coming months. If the Bengals can unlock that next-level talent, he’d give them inside-outside pass-rush ability. 18. Seattle SeahawksJihaad Campbell, LB, AlabamaSeattle fans would rather the team address the trenches in Round 1, but general manager John Schneider has shown in the past that he values the linebacker position more than others (i.e., the Jordyn Brooks pick in 2020). So while there’s a strong case for Alabama guard Tyler Booker here if Seattle goes all-in on running the ball in 2025, I’m looking more at how Campbell’s three-down impact could fill a massive hole. Additionally, Campbell would also bring value as a pass rusher on third down, with five sacks in 2024. He is the closest thing coach Mike Macdonald can get to what he had with Roquan Smith in Baltimore. 19. Tampa Bay BuccaneersLuther Burden III, WR, MissouriWide receiver is an early need for the Bucs, with the impending free agency of wide receiver Chris Godwin and the fact that future Hall of Famer Mike Evans will be 32 next season. The team hit with rookie Jalen McMillan in the third round of the 2024 draft, but building on this group is a must. Burden is hard to evaluate because Missouri’s passing game just wasn’t very good in 2024. But his play power, burst and clutch ability are starter-level traits. He’s a case of “what can he do?” versus “what has he done?” And scouts will no doubt go back and forth on the answer to those questions. If Tampa Bay schemes him early touches as he develops his route running, Burden would be a special No. 2 receiver from the get-go. 20. Denver BroncosColston Loveland, TE, MichiganLoveland is one of my favorite players in the entire class; he’d give coach Sean Payton and quarterback Bo Nix another target in the passing game to complement receiver Courtland Sutton. Loveland, who battled through injuries in 2024, can line up all over the formation but is at his best as a flex tight end. He ran the full route tree at Michigan and has the grace of a wide receiver at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds. The Broncos are a team in transition as the front office starts adding more playmakers around Nix. Finding him a young safety valve to grow with is the best roster-building move and would open up the middle of the field in the passing game. 21. Pittsburgh SteelersEmeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio StateEgbuka does it all as a slant-route king. He is a heck of a punt returner and one of the best blocking wide receivers, too. He doesn’t flash elite speed or size at 6-foot and 203 pounds, but he’s a smart route runner with solid hands (a drop rate of just 2.8%) and an all-out effort on every snap. He caught 81 passes for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns this past season. The Steelers need to start thinking about rebuilding their wide receiver room if George Pickens doesn’t return after his rookie deal expires before the 2026 season. And regardless of Pickens’ future, the team could use a true No. 2 receiver right now. Pairing Egbuka with Pickens and 2024 rookie Roman Wilson would be a good start. 22. Los Angeles ChargersAshton Jeanty, RB, Boise StateFinding a landing spot for a running back in Round 1 is always tough because a mock draft is based on positional value and team need. If we were drafting based on player talent and ranking, Jeanty would be a top-10 pick. As it stands, he could be drafted much earlier than this, but a making a prediction before free agency is difficult. Chargers fans should rejoice if Jeanty — who rushed for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns as a junior — is the pick, though. He is the ideal replacement for free agent J.K. Dobbins with his power, contact balance and ability to run away from defenses. Jeanty didn’t add a ton in the passing game in 2024 (23 catches), but he is tailor-made for Jim Harbaugh’s downhill power scheme. 23. Green Bay PackersJosh Conerly Jr., OT, OregonLeft tackle Rasheed Walker has exceeded expectations, considering he was a seventh-round choice in 2022, but he’s also set to be a free agent after next season. The Packers love to invest first-round picks in the trenches, and they can pluck one of my favorite tackles off the board to be their future on the blind side. Conerly was a high school running back until outgrowing the position. Despite still adding play power to his frame in 2024, he had his best season yet, allowing only one sack and seven pressures in the Big Ten. Getting Conerly at No. 23 would be great value for Green Bay, and the need matches up, too. 24. Minnesota VikingsWalter Nolen, DT, Ole MissFilling gaps on both lines will be a major focus of the Vikings’ offseason regardless of their decision at quarterback, and Nolen is too great a fit to bypass here. Senior Bowl week was huge for him. Nolen showed scouts his trademark speed and gap-splitting ability but also mixed in a dose of power that wasn’t always on his game tape. The Vikings could be big spenders in free agency to lock up a 3-technique, but Nolen is a plug-and-play fit in Brian Flores’ defense if that money is diverted elsewhere. 25. Houston TexansTyler Booker, G, AlabamaBooker earned A-plus grades for work ethic and drive from the coaches and scouts I spoke to at the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl. He’s also a really good football player. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound lineman is a mauler in the run game, with great initial power in his hands and the lower-body drive to move defenders out of gaps. The Texans’ interior protection was a mess in 2024, which was a huge factor in quarterback C.J. Stroud’s sophomore slump. They allowed 54 sacks, tied for third in the NFL. Investing early draft picks in long-term solutions up front has to be on the front office’s wish list. Booker is a dream fit. 26. Los Angeles RamsAzareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida StateOffensive tackle is a popular pick in mock drafts for the Rams given the impending free agency of Alaric Jackson, but teams rarely let starting left tackles hit the market. If Jackson is retained, the Rams’ focus shifts to a secondary that had only nine interceptions all season — tied for fifth fewest in the league. Thomas is a press cornerback with easy movement ability and the reach at 6-foot-2 to line up across from WR1 types. He had one interception this season, but he also allowed only 12 receptions and 94 yards in coverage. Plus, Thomas was the best cornerback during practices at the Senior Bowl, showing off his press coverage ability and answering any questions scouts had about his ability to run with receivers down the field. 27. Baltimore RavensJonah Savaiinaea, OT/G, ArizonaWide receiver would be an ideal pick if Baltimore signs left tackle Ronnie Stanley before he hits free agency, but the top five options on my board are gone, and there’s no early-Round 2 players worth reaching for here. Instead, Baltimore could get a replacement for free agent guard Patrick Mekari in the powerful and versatile Savaiinaea. Savaiinaea has experience at left tackle, right guard and right tackle, and the 6-foot-4, 339-pounder has 34⅝-inch arms. He’d also give the Ravens more youth up front, where rookie Roger Rosengarten excelled this season. 28. Detroit LionsDerrick Harmon, DT, OregonThe Lions will have hard decisions to make in free agency with guard Kevin Zeitler and defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike both on expiring contracts. But general manager Brad Holmes should beef up the interior defensive line whether Onwuzurike returns or not. Harmon would be a perfect replacement or even work well in tandem. The Michigan State transfer had six sacks and 35 pressures for the Ducks, with the right build at 6-foot-5 and 310 pounds to play in a 3-technique or shade the center. His power to handle double-teams in the run game — plus his ability to command attention away from Aidan Hutchinson — would make this a slam-dunk pick. 29. Washington CommandersJames Pearce Jr., Edge, TennesseeBuilding around quarterback Jayden Daniels at wide receiver or on the offensive line would be a smart move, but the Commanders have to plug up the defensive holes that led to a 32-point loss in the NFC Championship Game. Pearce is a speed rusher with legitimate burst off the snap, which led to 17.5 sacks and 92 pressures the past two seasons combined. He needs time to build up his lower body to better hold up in the run game, but he has a similar profile to the Eagles’ Nolan Smith Jr. and could be that type of early-impact player. 30. Buffalo BillsNick Emmanwori, S, South CarolinaGetting more skill-position options for quarterback Josh Allen will be a heavy consideration for Buffalo after it fell short of the Super Bowl again, but it also has to address a secondary that is too often out of place. Emmanwori is a player scouts rave about once they see him in person. At 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, he has rare speed and range at deep safety, with the power to charge downhill and erase running backs or mobile quarterbacks. He had four interceptions, including one pick-six, and allowed a QBR of just 28.6 this past season. 31. Philadelphia EaglesMike Green, Edge, MarshallWe came into Senior Bowl week wanting to see whether Green’s speed would translate against Power 4 offensive tackles and if he had enough power to create countermoves when his speed was shut down. It was an uneven week. He flashed better power when getting the best of Josh Conerly Jr. in a rep on Wednesday but also telegraphed his speed rush way too often. The net gain was noticeable, though, as Green proved that his play at 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds can translate against better competition. After leading the nation with 17 sacks in 2024, Green would be Philadelphia’s replacement for free agent Josh Sweat and hopefully make up for the underwhelming signing of Bryce Huff last offseason. 32. Kansas City ChiefsKenneth Grant, DT, MichiganThree-peat or not — and I’m predicting one here — this roster has some holes and question marks moving forward. Wide receiver remains a concern. Tight end and right guard could become priority areas if Travis Kelce retires and/or Trey Smith leaves in free agency. But the defense has long needed a running mate for Chris Jones at defensive tackle. Grant is a massive prospect at 342 pounds but has the athletic tools to crash gaps and penetrate the backfield. Plugging Grant between Jones and George Karlaftis would automatically divert attention and give them more room to operate. Grant’s impact would also be felt immediately in the run game, where he can keep the Chiefs’ linebackers much cleaner from interior blockers. Check out his second round picks here. Some QB highlights below: 40. New Orleans SaintsJaxson Dart, QB, Ole MissThe Saints added a receiver in Round 1, and now they’d get a long-term option who can throw him the ball with Derek Carr’s future with the team in question. Dart likely needs to sit for a year to learn NFL concepts — he had some initial struggles at Senior Bowl practices — but he throws a beautiful deep ball and has plus-level tools that will help him start in the future. 42. New York JetsQuinn Ewers, QB, TexasIt will be fascinating to watch Ewers’ predraft process, and a strong combine could boost him into Round 1. The Jets need an heir apparent to Aaron Rodgers and might need that successor to start immediately. Three seasons as a starter at Texas would have Ewers ready for that task. He threw for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this past season. |
