5 Key Stories: 1/20/19 – 1/27/19

Brady, Brees Hall of Fame ceremonies will be further delayed: After a controversial Championship Sunday, the football-following world was denied a Tom BradyDrew Brees Super Bowl clash. But fans do not have to worry about either legend walking away after the 2018 season. Despite the Saints’ historically brutal playoff exit, Brees offered immediately he plans to return for a 19th season. Brady has continued to insist he will play into his mid-40s, and the Patriots passer reiterated he is not going anywhere — win or lose in Super Bowl LIII — after this season. The 2019 season would be Brady’s 20th.

Fitz makes it official for a 16th season: While Brady and Brees’ contracts run through 2019, Larry Fitzgerald had played out his deal. And the future Hall of Famer did so for a 3-13 Cardinals team. Despite the Cards’ descent, Fitzgerald re-signed to play at least one more season this week. Fitz’s latest deal will be worth at least $11MM. He had previously communicated with Kliff Kingsbury and appears to be sufficiently intrigued by the former Texas Tech head coach coming to revamp the Cardinals’ offense.

 

Ravens finalize John Harbaugh deal: As the Eric DeCosta GM era begins, the most successful head coach in Ravens history’s time in Baltimore will continue. Harbaugh’s extension became official this week, completing his move off the hot seat and in firm command as the Lamar Jackson era gets going. The 12th-year Baltimore HC’s responsibilities are also set to remain the same under DeCosta.

Redskins not expecting Alex Smith to play in 2019: Previously viewed as having a chance to return by training camp, Smith encountered some complications in the hospital. Infections induced several additional surgeries. Now, Washington’s quarterback appears to be in line to miss all of what would have been his age-35 season. Smith appeared in public this week but did so with crutches and a cumbersome apparatus bracing his injured leg. If the former No. 1 overall pick is to return to the field, it will take an arduous process to do so.

Coordinator shuffle continues, with Chiefs entering equation: The Chiefs scored 24 points in the fourth quarter of the AFC championship game and still lost, with a crucial defensive penalty denying the franchise its first Super Bowl berth in 49 years. Two days later, the Chiefs fired DC Bob Sutton. After being connected to Rex Ryan, they replaced him with Steve Spagnuolo, a longtime Andy Reid assistant before his Giants days.

The Dolphins also identified their defensive coordinator in Patrick Graham, and the Bengals are going young on offense, pairing 35-year-old Zac Taylor with 34-year-old OC Brian Callahan. Tight ends coach continues to be a launching-pad Titans position, with new OC Arthur Smith following in Mike Mularkey‘s footsteps in rising from that role to a key job. The Adam GaseDowell Loggains partnership will continue in New York.

Nothing is official in Dallas yet, but 30-year-old Kellen Moore may be set for a staggering rise. The recently retired quarterback is the Cowboys’ top OC candidate. And he may be tabbed to call plays, with Jason Garrett‘s CEO-type role in line to continue.

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