| This from and about Tony Romo by Jayna Bardahl of The Athletic: Tony Romo pleaded no contest to the civil offense of operating while intoxicated (OWI) on Tuesday, a charge connected to the CBS NFL analyst’s July 23 arrest in Wisconsin. In a statement posted on Instagram, Romo added that he over-relied on alcohol following his 14-year NFL career to help him stop using pain medication. “I own this completely,” Romo, 46, wrote. “Multiple back surgeries ended my career earlier than I expected and left me with constant, debilitating pain. That pain led to a dependence on pain medication, and my efforts to get off those medications led to an over-reliance on alcohol. “None of this is an excuse. These are my failures, and I take full responsibility for them,” the former Dallas Cowboys quarterback continued. “I am working closely with a team of doctors to address my health and make the necessary changes.” In the statement, Romo said he was turning his attention to his health, family, and “in time, my return to CBS,” and asked for privacy.– – -Mike Jones of The Athletic has a list of the 26 most intriguing figures in the NFL for 2026. If it is in order from 1 to 26, are 4 of the top 6 really Buccaneers or Steelers? 1. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City ChiefsIn his nine NFL seasons, Mahomes has already accomplished everything there is to accomplish in this league: Three-time Super Bowl champ, three-time Super Bowl MVP, six Pro Bowl nods, two league MVP crowns. Mahomes, however, has never had to deal with serious injury, but now as he enters Year 10, he’s working to both complete a full recovery from a torn ACL and put the Chiefs back among the ranks of the NFL’s elite. Mahomes suffered his injury in mid-December, however he’s still expected to open the season in the starting lineup. After missing the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons and seeing their nine-year run of AFC West titles come to an end, the Chiefs seek resurgence. In addition to a healthy Mahomes, they’re counting on newly-acquired reinforcements, including running back Kenneth Walker III, who earned Super Bowl MVP honors with Seattle, to bolster their attack. 2. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers“This is it,” the 42-year-old future Hall of Famer declared entering his 22nd NFL training camp. Rodgers decided to return to Pittsburgh for a reunion with the Steelers’ new head coach Mike McCarthy to see if the two could win one more Super Bowl together 16 seasons after they did so in Green Bay. Rodgers had a solid campaign in his first season in the Steel City. But offensive line struggles, wide receiver inconsistencies and conservative play calling proved costly. Rodgers completed just 51 percent of his passes and was sacked four times and intercepted once in Pittsburgh’s wild-card round playoff exit. Can an offensive line overhaul and fresh offensive approach give him a storybook sendoff? 3. Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay BuccaneersAt times over the last three years, Mayfield, 31, has played like an MVP candidate. He has provided the leadership and grit that has helped the Bucs reach the playoffs in two of his three seasons. Mayfield hoped those heroics would have translated into a handsome extension. But he and the Bucs have remained at odds on his value as he enters this final year of his deal. Frustrated, Mayfield’s camp broke off talks and now the quarterback just wants to focus on the season. Entering camp, Mayfield declared, “If you’ve waited this long to take care of your franchise quarterback, that’s too bad because it’s only going to get worse from here. I’m going to have a really good year.” If he does indeed ball out, Mayfield’s asking price could exceed $50 million. 4. Mike Vrabel, coach, New England PatriotsVrabel faces intense scrutiny as he enters his second season. As if a listless performance by his team in the Super Bowl against Seattle and the impending challenges from a tougher 2026 schedule didn’t create enough pressure, Vrabel found himself under the microscope all offseason because of his relationship with reporter Dianna Russini, formerly of The Athletic. Vrabel is working to dispel concerns over the off-field distractions and prove that he still has strong control of the locker room. It’s the last thing he needed while facing the tall task of guarding his team against the dreaded Super Bowl hangover. 5. Todd Bowles, coach, Tampa Bay BuccaneersIf there’s anyone not named Mayfield that needs the quarterback to ball out, it’s Bowles, who found himself on shaky footing after last season’s 2-7 collapse to end the 2025 season and miss the playoffs. Bowles needs a strong rebound to make memories of that dismal finish fade. Injuries on both sides of the ball factored into Tampa’s awful second-half showing, but Bowles will have to position his players to better handle adversity and get them back into the playoff race and beyond. 6. Mike McCarthy, coach, Pittsburgh SteelersMike Tomlin, who hadn’t won a playoff game since 2017, stepped down after another early exit, and Pittsburgh brass settled on McCarthy as his replacement. A Pittsburgh native, McCarthy knows the rich history of the franchise well. He hopes to restore it to its former glory. Although he and Rodgers parted in Green Bay on shaky terms, the two have repaired their relationship. Can they also repair the anemic Steelers’ offense? And can McCarthy deliver better postseason guidance for the Steelers than he did in Dallas, where the Cowboys went 1-3 on his watch? 7. Fernando Mendoza, QB, Las Vegas RaidersThe top pick of the draft entered training camp as the No. 2 quarterback behind 15th-year veteran Kirk Cousins, as the Raiders planned to slowly give the Indiana product time to develop. However, Mendoza has steadily capitalized on opportunities, even getting first-team snaps here and there as coaches increasingly throw challenges his way. As coach Klint Kubiak continues to commend the rookie on his progress, it feels like a matter of when not if he takes over the starting job. 8. Deshaun Watson, QB, Cleveland BrownsSidelined for the 2025 season while recovering from a twice-torn Achilles, Watson aims for yet another comeback. Despite a rocky preseason that saw him play so poorly that Browns fans booed him at home, Watson landed the starting job, beating out Shedeur Sanders. Coach Todd Monken has praised Watson’s poise and experienced approach as a veteran, and his determination in working his way back from another injury (he also twice injured his shoulder in 2023). Thanks to injuries and the fallout and suspension following accusations of sexual assault and misconduct, Watson hasn’t played a full season since 2020. But he hopes that regained health and a fresh start granted by Monken will translate into a strong rebound. This should represent the final shot for Cleveland’s $230 million man. 9. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta FalconsIn Year 3, Robinson dominated by producing 1,478 rushing yards and 820 receiving yards to lead all offensive players with 2,298 all-purpose yards. The Falcons rewarded him with a handsome three-year extension worth $66.75 million, including $51.6 million guaranteed. With uncertainty at quarterback, look for new coach Kevin Stefanski to lean heavily on Robinson yet again. Could he become the NFL’s first 1,500-yard rusher/1,000-yard receiver? 10. C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston TexansOnce a beacon of hope, Stroud crumbled under pressure last postseason and foiled his team’s best shot at the franchise’s first Super Bowl. Four interceptions in the divisional round serve as the lasting memory of Stroud’s unceremonious postseason exit. That showing cast doubt on his long-term future with Houston. Rather than hammer out an extension, the Texans are content to wait and see. They have certainly given Stroud the pieces to succeed. They further bolstered their championship-caliber defense and overhauled their offensive line, running back and tight end rooms. Now, it’s on Stroud to deliver. 11. A.J. Brown, WR, New England PatriotsThe owner of four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and six in the last seven, Brown soured over his fluctuating role within the Philadelphia Eagles’ offense and forced his way out of town just one season after helping Philly win the Super Bowl. Now reunited with former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel in New England, Brown hopes to carve out a large role for himself as Drake Maye’s go-to guy. Brown should represent a nice upgrade over the steady, yet unflashy, Stefon Diggs, who helped Maye and New England reach the Super Bowl. Can he help the third-year quarterback continue to ascend and get the Patriots over the hump? 12. Myles Garrett, DE, Los Angeles RamsMonths after he set the NFL’s single-season sack record, the Browns traded Garrett to the Rams for much-needed draft capital and salary-cap relief. On paper, the move makes the Rams — who forked over a first-, second- and third-round pick and young pass rusher Jared Verse — an absolute juggernaut. Whether this all-in approach works for the Rams remains to be seen, but Garrett will have a significantly easier time wrecking opposing offenses if Aaron Donald — enticed by the opportunity to play alongside another future Hall of Famer — ends his retirement. 13. Sam Darnold, QB, Seattle SeahawksDarnold last season delivered one of the most inspiring career revival stories as the former New York Jets and Carolina Panthers cast-off built on a resurgent 2024 campaign with the Minnesota Vikings and found a home in Seattle, where he helped lead the Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory. While directing Seattle’s march to the Lombardi Trophy, Darnold recorded five touchdown passes, no interceptions and a quarterback rating of 102.4. Now, he will try to build on that success despite losing offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak to the Raiders and leading running back Kenneth Walker III to the Chiefs. 14. Christian Parker, defensive coordinator, Dallas CowboysJerry Jones and Cowboys fans always believe that this is the year they finally will end their Super Bowl drought, which has now extended to 30 seasons. Quarterback Dak Prescott often draws the ire of Cowboys faithful when Dallas fails to meet expectations. He has indeed had his postseason struggles, including two-interception outings in elimination games in both 2023 and 2024. But Dallas’ biggest problem in recent years involves its defense, which surrendered nearly 30 points per game in the last two seasons combined and gave up 48 points in Dallas’ last playoff game (2024). Second-year coach Brian Schottenheimer showed he can direct a high-powered offense, but if the Cowboys are to accomplish anything this season, it’ll take dramatic improvements from their defense. Schottenheimer hired Parker, a former Eagles assistant, in hopes that he can help the Cowboys buckle down defensively. Jones has added help along the defensive front. It could take time for it all to come together for Parker’s unit, but the clock is ticking. 15. Kyler Murray, QB, Minnesota VikingsAfter failing to live up to potential with the Arizona Cardinals, who took him No. 1 in 2019, Murray receives a fresh start in Minnesota, where he will find himself surrounded by the best supporting cast he has ever worked with in the pros. Coach Kevin O’Connell has played a role in the career resurrections of both Darnold and Daniel Jones, and now he’ll attempt to do the same with Murray, who beat out J.J. McCarthy midway through training camp. Murray’s athleticism should add another dimension to Minnesota’s offense, but he’ll have to stay healthy — something that proved challenging in Arizona — for the Vikings to contend. 16. Jesse Minter, coach, Baltimore RavensThe Ravens largely enjoyed 18 years of stability under John Harbaugh, reaching the playoffs 12 times and winning the Super Bowl in 2012. But after a gutting loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final week of the regular season, owner Steve Bisciotti felt the need for a change. He fired Harbaugh and hired Minter, a 43-year-old rookie head coach. A defensive assistant in Baltimore from 2017 to 2020, Minter most recently served as Chargers defensive coordinator in 2024 and 2025. Now, he’s charged with elevating Baltimore from perennial playoff squad to champion. Minter has brought a new energy to Ravens headquarters, and thus far, players have enthusiastically bought in. Minter has gotten off on the right foot with quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has eagerly worked to learn from new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle. Jackson won two MVPs under Harbaugh, but he desperately wants a Lombardi Trophy for his case. 17. Malik Willis, QB, Miami DolphinsMiami hit the reset button, replacing general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel with Jon-Eric Sullivan and Jeff Hafley. The change also meant pulling the plug on the Tua Tagovailoa experiment after six up-and-down seasons. Now the Dolphins will roll the dice with Willis, who shined during 11 cameos (three starts) with Green Bay. Willis has displayed great improvement from his rookie year as a third-round Titans pick out of Liberty in 2022. He completed 78.7 percent of his passes with the Packers for six touchdowns and no interceptions and a 2-1 record. He remains a developmental player, however, so the Dolphins must continue to surround him with a strong supporting cast. But the potential seemingly is there. 18. Sean Mannion, offensive coordinator, Philadelphia EaglesNick Sirianni’s decision to promote Kevin Patullo to offensive coordinator in 2025 to succeed Kellen Moore proved disastrous, and now the Eagles coach turns to the 34-year-old Mannion — Philadelphia’s fifth play caller since Sirianni took over in 2021. A journeyman quarterback for nine NFL seasons, Mannion made his coaching debut as an offensive assistant with the Packers in 2024 and served as Green Bay’s quarterbacks coach last season. Now, the rookie play caller draws the task of restoring an underachieving Eagles offense to the dominant form it sported during its Super Bowl march in 2024. Mannion is sorely unproven, but Sirianni loves his tireless work ethic, strong communication skills, attention to detail and leadership abilities. Mannion certainly has the pieces to work with (Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, 2024 rushing leader Saquon Barkley and three-time 1,000-yard wide receiver DeVonta Smith to name a few). But the Eagles have been disjointed despite their talent. Can Mannion figure out how to get them all back on the same page? 19. Bo Nix, QB, Denver BroncosAs a second-year pro, Nix helped put the Broncos within a game of reaching the Super Bowl. But a fractured ankle in the closing minutes of Denver’s overtime divisional win over Buffalo cost Nix and the Broncos, who fell a week later in the AFC Championship Game with their quarterback sidelined. Now healthy again, Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Davis Webb hope Nix can continue his development and become a top-flight quarterback. Nix directed seven fourth-quarter comebacks and game-winning drives last season. But he still struggled with accuracy and consistency while ranking 25th in the league in completion percentage (63.4) and 26th in passer rating (87.8). If Nix, who threw 25 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in 2025, can improve his decision-making and poise, the Broncos have a good shot to make another deep playoff run. 20. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit LionsOne of the league’s true home run hitters, Gibbs goes from splitting time with David Montgomery last season to workhorse back in 2026. The Lions traded Montgomery to Houston, and made Gibbs the highest-paid player at his position (three years, $67.5 million extension). After rushing for 1,223 yards and recording 616 receiving yards last season, Gibbs appears poised for even more elite production in 2026. 21. David Blough, offensive coordinator, Washington CommandersWith Jayden Daniels slowed by injury and Kliff Kingsbury’s offense stuck in neutral after an electrifying 2024, Washington coach Dan Quinn opted for change and a roll of the dice this offseason. After parting ways with Kingsbury, he promoted Blough from assistant quarterbacks coach. Just 31, Blough bounced around the league as a backup quarterback for five seasons, then broke into the coaching ranks with Washington in 2024. Everyone who has worked with Blough describes him as extremely bright and creative. He has played under Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota and under Ben Johnson in Detroit, and Quinn hopes he can bring a fresh approach and innovative ways to help Daniels and the unit rebound. In what could be a make-or-break year for Quinn, Blough must develop quickly. 22. Joe Brady, coach, Buffalo BillsDespite a 98-50 record and eight playoff appearances in nine seasons, Sean McDermott received his pink slip following the Bills’ crushing overtime loss to Denver in the divisional playoffs. Buffalo owner Terry Pegula then promoted Brady, the team’s 36-year-old offensive coordinator, to head coach, hoping a larger role for him would translate into a big step forward for a franchise still seeking its first Super Bowl victory. Brady’s familiarity with quarterback Josh Allen and the offensive personnel should help his transition, but the pressure certainly is high. Pegula and the Bills believe they have a championship-caliber team, meaning Brady doesn’t have time to ease his way into his first head coaching job. 23. John Harbaugh, coach, New York GiantsOwners of just three winning seasons and two playoff appearances since their Super Bowl victory after the 2011 season, the Giants made yet another change at head coach, firing Brian Daboll and replacing him with Harbaugh in hopes that he can bring the stability and competitive standard that he established in Baltimore to the Big Apple. Harbaugh inherits a roster full of young talent, but his new charges still are trying to figure out what it takes to win in this league. Harbaugh should have this team playing a physical brand of football, but the Giants have a big question at quarterback, where Jaxson Dart very much remains a project. 24. Ben Johnson, coach, Chicago BearsAfter guiding his team to the NFC North title and divisional round of the playoffs in his first season, Johnson has lofty expectations. He believes that he can position quarterback Caleb Williams and his offensive teammates to produce the most prolific offense in NFL history, and he hopes that success paves the way for the Bears to contend for the Super Bowl. 25. Mike McDaniel, offensive coordinator, Los Angeles ChargersFired as head coach of the Dolphins after a pair of disappointing seasons mired by injuries, inconsistencies and a lack of discipline, McDaniel had plenty of options this offseason. Still regarded as one of the brightest offensive minds in the game, Jim Harbaugh pursued, and ultimately landed, him in L.A. McDaniel draws the assignment of helping Justin Herbert further ascend, live up to his full potential and get his first playoff victory in four tries. 26. Kyle Shanahan, coach, San Francisco 49ersAlthough widely regarded as one of the best coaches in the league, the 49ers continue to wait for Shanahan to deliver the franchise’s first Super Bowl victory since the 1994 season. Shanahan has twice led his team to the Super Bowl, only to lose each time. Shanahan delivered one of his best coaching jobs last season while managing to get his team to the divisional round despite a year plagued by injuries. Pressure on Shanahan intensified when divisional foe Seattle won the Super Bowl, and now another NFC West team, the Rams, has the look of a contender. Shanahan’s 2026 season has gotten off to a tumultuous start as a recovery from a perplexing car accident initially limited his involvement. But now, the coach is focused on preparing his team for the season opener in Australia, hoping that performance on the grand stage sets the tone for a much-needed championship run. Where are Bears QB CALEB WILLIAMS? The always fascinating Lions Coach Dan Campbell? Giants QB JAXSON DART? Combustible Eagles coach Nick Siriani?The returning Rams DT AARON DONALD? |
| NFC NORTH |
| GREEN BAYRob Demovsky of ESPN.com makes the case that QB JORDAN LOVE is primed to break out – with some good insight from QB AARON RODGERS: – Aaron Rodgers. Jared Goff. Matt Ryan. Between those quarterbacks, they have five NFL MVPs and three Super Bowl appearances. Throw in Kirk Cousins, Robert Griffin III and Marcus Mariota, and you see a group of Matt LaFleur-coached QBs who have had more success than failure — which is why on more than one occasion LaFleur was given the opportunity to recant his statement about Jordan Love being the best he has been around when it comes to protections and adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Each time, whether it was in the moment on the NFL Network set during Packers training camp or in his next news conference, LaFleur held his ground. If that’s truly how LaFleur feels about his quarterback, then perhaps the 2026 season will prove transformative for the Packers’ offense — because in Love’s three seasons as the starting quarterback, LaFleur has been about as run-heavy of a playcaller as there has been in the NFL. LaFleur has called designed runs on 43.8% of his plays since the start of the 2023 season. Only two teams, the Baltimore Ravens (45.7%) and Philadelphia Eagles (44.8%), have been more run-heavy by design. Put that up against LaFleur’s four seasons with Rodgers, when the Packers ranked higher than 15th in designed run percentage only once (ninth in 2020), and it’s fair to wonder whether LaFleur is really ready to turn Love loose in 2026. The quarterback thinks so. “I definitely believe Matt fully trusts me,” Love said. This summer, LaFleur let Love do something he had never done before: call the offensive plays for one of the backups in a preseason game. There was Love with the headset on and the call sheet in hand during the second half of the preseason finale against the Arizona Cardinals, telling Kyle McCord what to run. “Just to hear his demeanor on the headset and how calm, cool and collected he was throughout the entire game, especially in those critical moments,” LaFleur said. “It’s not a surprise to me because that’s what we see on the field too.” TRUST DOESN’T DEVELOP overnight. Sometimes, it doesn’t develop in a season or two — even for Rodgers. While Rodgers sat for three years behind Brett Favre, it took another three for him to feel like he had earned coach Mike McCarthy’s trust. “Me and Mike got to that, but it wasn’t early,” Rodgers recalled recently. “It was years of working through things and having success. “And I felt like by the third year, he trusted me enough — because that was our fifth year together — that if I said something, it wasn’t just [that] I was trying to push back against them, or I was trying to do some sort of measuring. It was because I firmly believed that this is what was going to help us win or be the best on this play.” That doesn’t mean it was always congenial. Sometimes, Rodgers said, McCarthy would let things slide. Other times, it would turn contentious. Rodgers recalled times when McCarthy would call him into his office on a Monday morning with a list of 10 plays that Rodgers had changed in the previous game — and for each and every one of them, McCarthy wanted to know why. “We’d talk it out, and he’d see my side and I’d see his side, and we always kind of met back in the middle,” Rodgers said. “I think that was the beauty in the success that we had, it was a lot of push and pull. He gave me the latitude. I proved that I deserve latitude and could make it work. And when I went too far, he would rein me back in.” It didn’t take as long for LaFleur to trust Rodgers. He was a first-time head coach, and Rodgers had a pair of MVPs, a Super Bowl title and 14 years of starting experience to his credit. The 39-year-old coach was only four years older than his quarterback. Even so, there was the early issue of whether LaFleur would allow Rodgers the freedom to change plays willy-nilly like he could under McCarthy. In fact, to audible or not to audible was the dominant story in the early months after LaFleur was hired in 2019. Rodgers had a good year in 2019 with 4,002 yards, 26 touchdowns and four interceptions. He followed that up with MVP seasons in 2020 (4,299 yards, 48 TDs, five INTs) and 2021 (4,115 yards, 37 TDs, four INTs). He credited the offseason of 2020, when COVID restrictions forced all meetings to go virtual, for helping he and LaFleur to connect on another level. “I think the biggest jump for us was in the ’20 offseason, when we had all those phone calls and Zoom calls,” Rodgers said. “You start to take that ownership of the offense and tell them exactly what you want. As a young player, it’s natural where you feel like I can’t maybe put my stamp on this one or push too hard, there’s still that balance of the authority figure and the peer relationship. “I think that’s the beauty in the league, is that you are peers. There’s still that hierarchy, and you have to respect that, but the more you can use your voice to tell them exactly what you want when you want it, the smoother it ultimately goes.” Rodgers believes that Love, after three years as the starter and three straight playoff appearances (1-3 record), has reached that point. “This is his fourth year starting now,” Rodgers said. “I think with every year you get a little more confidence. Obviously your body of work is a chip on your shoulder to kind of use at any time, to say, ‘Look, I’ve done this. I’ve made plays. I’ve won in the playoffs. I’ve played at a high level.’ It just comes down to the communication part.” IT MAY BE a false — or at least misguided — premise that LaFleur hasn’t turned Love loose yet. Despite his run-heavy playcalls, LaFleur hasn’t made Love into a dink-and-dunk quarterback. In fact, it’s the opposite. When the Packers have passed, they’ve aired it out. Since 2023, Love has the third-highest average air yards per attempt (8.3) in the NFL, right behind the Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson and Jacksonville Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence, both at 8.4. And when the game is on the line, Love has delivered his share of comebacks. He has led eight fourth-quarter comebacks since becoming the starter, tied for most in the league during that span, according to ESPN Research. If that’s not evidence that Love is ready to take on more in the offense, then maybe this is: The only players with a better QBR than Love’s mark of 67.1 among quarterbacks who have made at least 40 starts over the past three seasons are the Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen (70.3) and Jackson (68.5). Both Allen and Jackson have won MVPs in that time. “There’s not a place on the field that’s a weakness for him,” former quarterback and 2002 NFL MVP Rich Gannon said of Love. “I just think there’s three or four plays typically that you’re watching a Packers game, you go, ‘What the hell is that? What happened there?’ And that’s really what he’s got to get cleaned up. “We’re not talking about a guy that has eight or nine of them, but there’s a couple, and he just has to eliminate some of the inconsistency.” To that end, LaFleur wanted Love to focus on one specific fundamental this offseason: footwork. Love was raw coming out of Utah State in 2020, and not having a normal offseason before his rookie year because the pandemic slowed his development. In 2023 and 2024, his first two seasons as a starter, Love’s accuracy was an issue. Last season, Love posted his highest completion percentage (66.3) in any season as a starter, college or pro. LaFleur believes that number could go even higher. “I think one of the things he’s been really focused and conscious of throughout the course of the offseason and on his own in the summer is just trying to play with as much balance in the pocket as he can,” LaFleur said, “knowing that there’s going to be times you get moved off the spot. “But can you maintain that balance? Because I think one thing you see from, I’d say a majority of quarterbacks in the league, when they are balanced in the pocket, they’re going to be more consistent and more accurate over time.” WHEN THE PACKERS have asked more of Love, he has usually delivered. After his second season as the starter, LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst urged Love to become a more vocal leader. Love accepted the challenge and was voted a captain before last season. From leadership now comes ownership. Ownership of the offense, that is. “That’s where Jordan Love can really take the next step,” said Gannon, who visited Packers training camp in August. “At the end of the day, it’s on you. … If he can become the CEO of that operation, taking more ownership and accountability and [making] sure that every play has an answer. “I think he’s at the point now where we’re not at Level 1. When you’re a freshman in college, you have 100 level classes. Now he should be at a 400 level where he’s at. And when you look at how good Matt is as a play designer and schemer and playcalling, that’s the next step to get to that level.” Statistically, Love’s best stretch of football came at the end of his first season as Green Bay’s starter. Over the final eight games of the regular season, Love completed more than 70% of his passes with 18 touchdowns and one interception. During that stretch, when the Packers were 6-2 after a 3-6 start, LaFleur’s designed run rate was 40.6% (which ranked 14th in the NFL) Two weeks before Love went on that run, LaFleur urged Love to “shut his mind off and let it rip,” while also acknowledging he needed to do the same as a playcaller. Last season, the Packers ranked fourth in designed run percentage 44.2%, but that was with running back Josh Jacobs for all but two games last season. With Jacobs placed on the commissioner exempt list on Sunday after being charged with two misdemeanors last week, the Packers might have no choice but to rely more on the passing game. On the third day of training camp this summer, LaFleur was in a playful mood to start his news conference. A day earlier, his younger son, Ty, was in the locker room pretending to be a reporter and asking players questions. LaFleur wanted to know what kinds of questions his 13-year-old was asking. A reporter jokingly said, “He was asking if you guys should run the ball more?” LaFleur then asked, “Do you want us to run the ball more?” The reporter responded by saying, “No … are you going to let Jordan Love cook this year?” LaFleur smiled and said, “Yeah, we’re going to let him cook.” |
| MINNESOTAOLB KYLE VAN NOY will be re-united with DC Brian Flores. The Minnesota Vikings agreed Tuesday night to sign 13-year veteran outside linebacker Kyle Van Noy, according to multiple reports. Van Noy, 35, played the last three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. He followed up a career year in 2024 with one of his most disappointing seasons last year, struggling to generate consistent pressure. He finished his last campaign with just two sacks, ending a run of six straight seasons with at least five. But with the Vikings, he should provide some needed depth and experience at the edge rusher position, where Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner give Minnesota a dynamic set of starters but the rest of the depth chart is largely unproven. Jonathan Greenard was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for salary cap savings in April, and second-year prospect Tyler Batty suffered a season-ending knee injury in the last preseason game Friday. Bo Richter, an undrafted free agent addition in 2024, and Chaz Chambliss, an undrafted free agent addition in 2025, are currently the top two backups on the roster. Rookie Jake Golday, who has primarily worked at inside linebacker, was drafted in the second round for his potential to play on the edge in a Van Ginkel-like role. Van Noy, who will join his fifth team in seven years, earned his first Pro Bowl selection in 2024 after posting 12½ sacks. Drafted in the second round in 2014 out of BYU by the Detroit Lions, Van Noy was traded to the New England Patriots midway through the 2016 season. With the Patriots, he had current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores as his position coach and played in three straight Super Bowls, winning two. During the 2018 postseason, Van Noy had three sacks and a forced fumble in three games. He also played one year for Flores when he was the head coach for the Miami Dolphins in 2020, before returning to the Patriots in 2021 and spending one season with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022. Van Noy has 57 sacks in 173 career regular-season games. The Vikings start the regular season at home against the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers on Sept. 13.. |
| NFC EAST |
| NEW YORK GIANTSThe Giants have shuffled some numbers among their receivers with WR ODELL BECKHAM, Jr. re-claiming “13”. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com: Jalin Hyatt’s decision, voluntary or otherwise, to surrender No. 13 to Odell Beckham Jr. wasn’t the only back-to-the-future move when it comes to Giants receiver numbers. Rookie Malachi Fields shed No. 0, which he had worn during the preseason, for No. 88. And that got Giants fans thinking immediately about former Giants receiver Hakeem Nicks. A first-round pick in 2009, Nicks spent five years with the Giants, one with the Colts, and a final season with the Giants. He was a member of the Super Bowl XLVI championship team, catching 10 passes for 109 yards in the victory over the Patriots. But Nicks’s number isn’t the only one making a comeback. Hyatt picked No. 81 after giving up No. 13. That number was worn by Amani Toomer from 1996 through 2008. He was a member of the Super Bowl XLI-winning team, catching six passes for 84 yards in the victory over the Patriots. Before 2004, receivers typically wore numbers from 80 to 89. In 2004, 10 through 19 were added to the mix. Nowadays, they can also wear single-digit numbers. |
| AFC SOUTH |
| INDIANAPOLISThe Colts expect veteran WR KEENAN ALLEN will be allowed to drive despite his DUI. The Associated Press: The Indianapolis Colts expect receiver Keenan Allen to play in the season opener against the Baltimore Ravens on Sept. 13 despite his recent arrest. Allen was arrested early Sunday morning on drunken driving charges, and general manager Chris Ballard told reporters Tuesday the team dealt with the incident internally. He did not say specifically what punishment, if any, had been applied. “He’ll play, yes,” Ballard said, noting the team does offer players rideshare services. “Fourteen years in the league, no issues, OK? Decorated career, decorated teammate. You know our relationship with Philip Rivers — I know Philip holds him in extremely high regard and (coach) Shane (Steichen) was with him. After you meet his mom and dad, who are amazing people, we feel good about who he is. We unequivocally feel good about who Keenan Allen is.” Allen has not spoken publicly since he was released from custody Sunday afternoon. He is facing preliminary misdemeanor charges of operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated – endangering a person. The arrest could lead to a league-imposed suspension though this is the first time in Allen’s 14-year pro career he’s been cited in a legal matter. He has a court date set for Sept. 16. Allen was reunited with Steichen when he signed with the Colts on Aug. 18. The 34-year-old Allen is expected to provide a veteran presence as Indy’s No. 3 receiver with Alec Pierce and Josh Downs holding the top two spots. The six-time Pro Bowler played 12 of his first 13 NFL seasons for the Chargers, working with Steichen there for his first seven NFL seasons. In November, Allen surpassed Hall of Famer Antonio Gates as the franchise’s career reception leader with No. 956. He spent 2024 with the Chicago Bears before returning to the Chargers last year. Allen’s career total of 1,055 receptions rank 13th on the league’s career list, and he begins this season needing 16 catches to pass Colts receivers coach Reggie Wayne for 11th. Among active players, Allen ranks fifth in yards receiving (12,051) and seventh in TD catches (70). “I’m not going to comment on what happened,” Ballard said Tuesday. “But what I am going to tell you is, you know, good people make mistakes and he’s a tremendous human being. Give him some grace, and he’ll work through the process of the legal system.” |
| AFC EAST |
NEW ENGLANDIf true, this is amazing. Ryan Paganetti: @RyanPaganettiMuch has been made of the Patriots’ mysterious “Pink Stripes.” How about yellow ones? I went through more than a decade of TV broadcasts and uncovered a diabolically clever piece of Patriots gamesmanship. When opposing kickers lined up at Gillette Stadium, the video board displayed a reverse view of the kick, placing a second, offset set of yellow uprights directly behind the real ones. In windy conditions, even the orange streamers on the video board appeared to point in the opposite direction from those atop the physical uprights, making the illusion even more disorienting. I found dozens of examples. In the same games, I reviewed 52 Patriots field goal attempts. The illusion appeared on Patriots kicks exactly zero times. We actually tried copying the idea when I was in Philadelphia, but the location of the video boards at Lincoln Financial Field made it nearly useless. It is the perfect encapsulation of the Patriots dynasty. No detail was too small, and no possible edge was left unexplored. We talked about this tactic and more on tonight’s episode of the Paganetti and Underhill show, out now on Youtube ![]() |
| THIS AND THAT |
| THE SEC vs. LSUEven if a Louisiana judge rules on behalf of the plaintiff players who want the same extra year of eligibility next year’s class is getting, the SEC will punish LSU severely if it abides by the temporary restraining order likely to be issued in Baton Rouge. The president of the SEC Executive, a woman named Donde Plowman weighs in at ESPN.com: The president of the SEC’s executive committee, Tennessee chancellor Donde Plowman, told ESPN on Tuesday that the league “will not budge” on its rule that NFL players cannot return to college. Speaking on behalf of the SEC’s presidents and chancellors, she made clear that the SEC is “prepared to defend our rules” and wants commissioner Greg Sankey to feel empowered to levy significant penalties. “We have a responsibility to try and lead the best we can in this time of chaos,” Plowman said. “Our group is united on this. This is not a rule we will budge on.” She added: “Enough is enough.” Plowman’s comments come amid a gripping potential showdown between LSU and the SEC over the eligibility of former NFL players who’ve committed to the Tigers but have yet to be formally added to the roster. If the SEC takes immediate action to punish LSU, the league would be violating a standing court order issued by a state judge in Louisiana that prohibits the SEC and Sankey from enforcing any rules — including conference-wide bans on pro players — that would keep the players involved in an ongoing lawsuit off the field. Plowman stressed that the SEC presidents and chancellors are most concerned with the “narrow” issue of players returning from the NFL to college, which has emerged amid a flurry of eligibility lawsuits of players seeking a fifth year of eligibility in the wake of the NCAA’s new eligibility rules. She called the return to college a “line in the sand” for the presidents and chancellors. “It’s not a new rule,” Plowman said of pros not being able to return to college. “We didn’t just cook up a rule. It’s not a new rule. The way we see it. We are a voluntary membership organization, and we have a right to set and enforce our rules. We want to clarify — this is not about the five-for-five. “This is about — if you signed a contract, you signed a contract. That’s always been the bottom line. You don’t get to unsign it and come back.” That opportunity may loom at LSU this week for aspiring LSU players Zxavian Harris and Dae’Quan Wright, who both signed NFL deals and have since indicated that they are planning to play at LSU. Tigers coach Lane Kiffin said this week that Wright is practicing with LSU, but neither has been announced as formally being signed or added to the roster. There’s a court hearing Thursday in state court in Baton Rouge where a judge will decide whether or not to issue a preliminary injunction. The injunction would be expected to also cover both the SEC and Sankey, who were named in an amended TRO on Friday. If the judge issues an injunction, LSU will then have to decide to risk potential consequences and potential legal action from the SEC if the players are formally added to the roster. No. 11 LSU hosts Clemson in what’s regarded as the biggest game on the college football calendar on Saturday. “SEC membership comes with shared rules and shared responsibilities,” Georgia president Jere Morehead said. “We expect every university to honor them, and we know there are consequences when we do not honor our rules.” Morehead, a past president of the SEC and chairman of the SEC Executive Committee, called the current situation involving professional athletes trying to return to college athletics as a “test” of the league’s ability to self-govern. “The SEC is a voluntary league,” Morehead said. “All 16 universities chose to be members of this league. Can we establish rules and can we follow the rules that we establish? We’ve had a rule about not playing professional athletes. That’s always been a part of the Southeastern Conference, that professional athletes are not to be participating in college sports. That’s a standard we’ve agreed upon as members of the SEC. To me, it’s a very simple rule, and we set our rules and we expect our members to follow our rules.” Plowman said that the presidents and chancellors have articulated to the SEC and Sankey that they support his ability to punish any violators of the rule. The SEC passed strong penalties last week in Birmingham for breaking the NFL-to-college rule, which include suspending a coach for half the season, loss of half of the sport’s annual budget and a revocation of league voting rights. Sankey also has the authority for additional sanctions. “He has the full spectrum of penalties that he can use,” Plowman said. “He needs to feel he has our authority to use those.” Does Donde rhyme with Rondé Barber’s first name? Our research indicates it is more like Don D, than Don day. |
| 2027 MOCK DRAFTFrom Nick Baumgardner of The Athletic: So, here’s a preseason first-round mock draft. The draft order below is based on Austin Mock’s projected 2026 win totals for the AFC and NFC. 1. Arizona Cardinals (4.4 projected wins): Arch Manning, QB, TexasSomething to remember: Both Manning and Dante Moore will have college eligibility left beyond the coming season, so they do not have to declare for the 2027 draft. Manning gets the early nod at No. 1, though, based on his ideal blend of size, arm talent and athleticism. But it’s very close between those two quarterbacks. Also keep in mind that the Jets currently hold three first-round selections in the ’27 class, so they’d be an obvious trade-up candidate. 2. Miami Dolphins (4.5 projected wins): Dante Moore, QB, OregonIf Moore can channel the calm he showed during a few of Oregon’s road wins last year (notably, at Penn State), then maybe he’ll elevate to QB1. Both Moore and Manning have similar issues to work on this season, consistent processing being among them. 3. Cleveland Browns (5.3 projected wins): Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio StateThe Browns will be somewhere in line for a quarterback next spring, but if the best player in college football — and the best wide receiver prospect we’ve seen since Julio Jones — falls to you, then you drop whatever you’re doing and turn in his name. 4. New York Jets (5.6 projected wins): Leonard Moore, CB, Notre DameMoore is a tremendous prospect. Size, speed, bend, ball skills and coverage IQ just ooze from the Notre Dame star, who can remind you a lot of Pat Surtain Jr. He’d be a great replacement in New York’s secondary for Sauce Gardner, whom the Jets traded away last November. 5. Tennessee Titans (5.8 projected wins): Dylan Stewart, edge, South CarolinaThe freakiest pass rusher in this year’s class, Stewart (6 feet, 5 inches tall and 245 pounds) not only has unique hybrid ability, but he moves like a receiver — or maybe a small forward. A stunning athlete at just 20 years old, Stewart is more prospect than polished product, but his ceiling is very high. 6. Las Vegas Raiders (6.2 projected wins): Cam Coleman, WR, TexasEvery time Coleman had a jaw-dropping catch last season at Auburn, someone wondered out loud how good he could be if he had a quality quarterback and played in a great offense. Now that he’ll have both of those at Texas, the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder could be the most impactful transfer in America. 7. Carolina Panthers (6.7 projected wins): Colin Simmons, edge, TexasHe’s less of a pure freak than Stewart, but Simmons (6-3, 255) might be the 2027 class’ most polished pass rusher. With a great first step and counters for everything, Simmons is 14 sacks away from the SEC’s career record — and he’s only a junior. 8. Atlanta Falcons (7.1 projected wins): Trevor Goosby, OT, TexasFour Longhorns in the top 10? I have no idea who spent the most money on a college roster this year, but I’d bet your car Texas was near the top of the list. Goosby can be a frustrating watch at times, but the 6-foot-7, 315-pounder has tremendous potential at left or right tackle. 9. New York Giants (7.1 projected wins): Charlie Becker, WR, IndianaOne of my favorite players to scout in this class, Becker is a team-first, do-everything receiver who is big enough to be an X, quick enough to work the slot and durable enough to block. He still hasn’t dropped a pass during his college career. 10. Washington Commanders (7.6 projected wins): Nick Marsh, WR, IndianaI’m quite a bit higher on Marsh right now than where he landed on Dane Brugler’s preseason board (No. 34), although I understand the 6-foot-3, 213-pound Michigan State transfer still has much to prove. But, like Coleman, he thrived in a pretty pedestrian offense. He could explode with Curt Cignetti and the Hoosiers. 11. New Orleans Saints (7.8 projected wins): Yhonzae Pierre, edge, AlabamaPierre is 244 pounds of dynamite and gasoline off the edge. A relentless, twitched-up pass rusher who is physical enough to be a factor versus the run, Pierre plays with great bend and explosion through his whole body. He’s a three-down energy giver. 12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8 projected wins): Trey’Dez Green, TE, LSUThe 2027 draft’s top tight end entering the season, Green (6-6, 240) is basically a gigantic receiver, with very good speed and an absurd catch radius. He posted 12 contested catches as a sophomore and will be a unique piece for Lane Kiffin. 13. New York Jets (from Indianapolis Colts, 8.3 projected wins): Sammy Brown, LB, ClemsonOne of the fastest defenders in the class, Brown (6-2, 235) — who has 4.41-second speed in the 40-yard dash and a 38-inch vertical — is a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker. The former standout wrestler is also a sure tackler and can rush off the edge. 14. Pittsburgh Steelers (8.4 projected wins): CJ Carr, QB, Notre DameOne of the youngest prospects eligible to join the 2027 class, Carr is nowhere near a slam dunk to declare for the upcoming draft, as he’s just a third-year sophomore. Still, he’s a very confident athlete with terrific instinct for the position. His dad (Jason Carr) and grandfather (former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr) played QB in college; his other grandfather, Tom Curtis, is a College Football Hall of Fame defensive back. 15. Minnesota Vikings (8.7 projected wins): Ashton Hampton, CB, ClemsonThe size here is just tantalizing — Hampton stands a legit 6-3, 204, with great explosion. His ability to disrupt passing lanes and receivers using his length is a bit reminiscent of Steelers corner Joey Porter Jr. 16. Jacksonville Jaguars (9.1 projected wins): Will Echoles, DT, Ole MissA versatile interior defender who could work out of the A, B or C gap, Echoles (6-2, 309) has great hands and contact balance up front. He’s disruptive against the run, and he added five sacks with 33 QB pressures last year. 17. Denver Broncos (9.1 projected wins): Jamari Johnson, TE, OregonJohnson (6-4, 242) could be a serious riser, depending on how he produces this season. A loose and explosive athlete with strong inline blocking ability, Johnson averaged 9.1 yards after catch last year. We’ll see how high he flies now that he’s no longer Kenyon Sadiq’s understudy. 18. New York Jets (from Dallas Cowboys, 9.2 projected wins): Drew Mestemaker, QB, Oklahoma StateMestemaker is in the same bucket as Carr right now — he’s very young, so there should be no rush. But his talent, both in terms of his arm and athleticism, at 6-4, 211, has the attention of every NFL scout. If he shatters records again this year, while playing against tougher competition after a transfer from North Texas, he’ll be impossible to ignore. 19. Houston Texans (9.3 projected wins): Kewan Lacy, RB, Ole MissThis honestly might be too late in Round 1 for Lacy, who is a complete three-down weapon. He forced nearly 90 missed tackles as a sophomore last year, showing off good open-field vision, great balance and lethal cutback ability. 20. Los Angeles Chargers (9.4 projected wins): Kade Pieper, iOL, IowaMy favorite interior offensive lineman this year, and one of my favorite players overall in the class, Pieper will move from guard to center this season and could wind up being Iowa’s best inside presence since Tyler Linderbaum. In fact, he’s talented enough to be the best center prospect, regardless of college, since Linderbaum was a first-round pick in 2022. 21. Chicago Bears (9.6 projected wins): Trevor Lauck, OT, IowaIf Lauck has a big year, he won’t be available in the 20s come draft weekend. The 6-5, 314-pounder was incredibly smooth at left tackle opposite Gennings Dunker last year. He can be a right or left tackle, offering terrific run-blocking potential at either spot. 22. Kansas City Chiefs (9.6 projected wins): Jordan Seaton, OT, LSUSeaton has tremendous pass-protection potential — he’s an ultra-quick big man who dropped a bunch of weight this offseason after transferring from Colorado. If he can clean up some technical stuff, he’s another prospect who will be much higher on this list come January. 23. Dallas Cowboys (from Green Bay Packers, 9.7 projected wins): Chris Cole, LB, GeorgiaCole (6-3, 235) has some serious mutant-like traits, including freakish athletic potential. Though he’s still young with a lot to prove, it’s impossible to ignore him on tape. 24. San Francisco 49ers (10.2 projected wins): Greg Johnson, iOL, MinnesotaA jumbo-sized guard, Johnson (6-6, 327) has also played some left tackle. He’s a very powerful blocker in both pass pro and the run game, and he plays with a great anchor, feet and IQ. He could also probably be a center if a team needed him to be. 25. Detroit Lions (10.2 projected wins): Ellis Robinson IV, CB, GeorgiaA long, explosive junior, Robinson is an effortless mover in space who posted four picks, four pass breakups and forced four incompletions as a sophomore. He needs to get stronger, but his coverage potential easily warrants a first-round grade. 26. New England Patriots (10.3 projected wins): Tae Johnson, S, Notre DameAnother of my favorites to watch in this year’s class, Johnson (6-2, 197) is a do-everything safety who has good eyes in zone coverage and great speed for his size. He offers big-time hybrid potential — but also big-time potential as a pure safety. 27. Cincinnati Bengals (10.3 projected wins): Jadan Baugh, RB, FloridaA throwback in terms of size for his position, the 6-1, 230-pound Baugh can be hell on wheels for linebackers and safeties. He is extremely hard to tackle in space because he’s a patient runner with great hands and power everywhere. He also made more than 30 catches as a sophomore. 28. Philadelphia Eagles (10.4 projected wins): KJ Bolden, S, GeorgiaAnother do-everything safety, albeit with a bit less size than Johnson, Bolden (6-0, 190) is a fearless downhill defender who was able to earn Kirby Smart’s trust as a freshman. He’s a very smart player who always seems to be at his best when it’s needed. 29. Buffalo Bills (10.8 projected wins): Ryan Coleman-Williams, WR, AlabamaIf he can cut down his focus drops and squeeze a bit more power out of his 6-foot, 175-pound body, Coleman-Williams could be electric in the NFL. He’s an acrobat in a football helmet and a very skilled route runner whose game is a bit reminiscent of DeVonta Smith. 30. Seattle Seahawks (10.8 projected wins): A’Mauri Washington, DT, OregonA big, long interior presence, Washington (6-3, 319) plays with a great first step and has the tools to be a three-down interior tackle, either at three-tech or nose. He could climb the board quite a bit with a productive season. 31. Baltimore Ravens (11 projected wins): Ahmad Hardy, RB, MissouriHardy (5-10, 206) has a gas pedal that goes from zero to “whoa” in a hiccup. He forced 97 missed tackles last year and is like watching a great punt returner when he has open grass. He’s an explosive football player and an ascending talent. 32. Cleveland Browns (from L.A. Rams, 11.6 projected wins): LaNorris Sellers, QB, South CarolinaPhysically and mentally, Sellers is a dream come true. A 6-3, 245-pounder with wheels, a huge arm and high-level intelligence, he checks so many boxes on paper. His tape can be more inconsistent. That’s partly because his team hasn’t been very good, but also because he needs to be more consistent in the pocket. |
