Demaryius Thomas Involved In Car Crash
Free agent veteran receiver Demaryius Thomas was involved in a rollover crash in Denver early Saturday morning, ABC 7’s Oscar Contreras writes. He reportedly suffered minor injuries. 
Police responded to the single-vehicle accident shortly after midnight. Thomas and another man suffered minor injuries, but a woman inside the car sustained potentially serious injuries though they were not thought to be life threatening.
Police are investigating the crash, but investigators have said neither drugs nor alcohol appear to be involved in the accident.
That is a scary situation for the former Broncos wideout, but it’s great news he escaped the incident without any major injuries.
In his ninth season in the league, Thomas started the first eight games of the season for the Broncos, making 36 grabs for 402 yards and three touchdowns. He was acquired by the Texans at midseason and finished the campaign in Houston, logging 23 receptions for 275 yards and two touchdowns. Earlier this week, the four-time Pro Bowl selection was released from the team.
Latest On Antonio Brown, Steelers
We learned yesterday that Steelers owner Art Rooney II and All-Pro receiver Antonio Brown will sit down to clear the air in Florida. We now know that meeting is expected to happen next week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler writes. 
Brown hasn’t been shy about his desire to be traded this offseason, and just recently the star wideout took to Twitter to answer questions about his relationship with the team, coach Mike Tomlin and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. It marks the latest in a long line of headline-grabbing actions from the receiver in 2019, who in addition to requesting a trade, was also involved in a domestic dispute in January.
Should the Steelers emerge from the meeting with Brown determined to trade him, they will unsurprisingly look to move him to an NFC team first, Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes. It has been reported that Brown desires to play in San Francisco, while teams like the Cardinals, Jets and Raiders have emerged as teams expected to be in the running for his services. It is unlikely that a team would trade a first-round pick for the veteran receiver, who is owed $36.5MM over the next three season, but a team could be willing to part with a second- or third-round selection. Bouchette notes that trade talks are expected to commence at the NFL Combine, which begins in less than two weeks.
Despite the tumultuous end to the season and beginning of the offseason, Brown is undoubtedly still at the top of his game. The 30-year-old widoeut earned his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl selection in 2018, finishing with 104 catches, 1,297 yards and a league-leading and career-high 15 touchdown receptions.
Expected Chiefs LB Coach Matt House To Stay At Kentucky
University of Kentucky defensive coordinator Matt House will remain with the Wildcats rather than join the Chiefs as the team’s linebackers coach, Kentucky Sports Radio’s Matt Jones tweets.
According to Yahoo Sports’ Terez Paylor [Twitter link], Kentucky decided to not let House out of his contract after originally agreeing to a buyout. Paylor notes that House wanted to be with the Chiefs.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that House was expected to join the Chiefs, reuniting him with new defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, who he previously worked with while serving as a quality control coach and assistant linebackers coach with the Rams.
House emerged as a hot name in 2018 after leading the Wildcats to the No. 6 scoring defense in the country. That unit was led by Josh Allen, a standout pass-rushing linebacker who is expected to be taken in the top 10 of the upcoming NFL Draft.
The search will continue for the Chiefs, who are looking for a replacement for Mike Smith, who joined the Packers in January in a similar role. The team’s inside linebackers coach, Mark Deleone, also left the team, joining the Bears in the same capacity.
Coaching Notes: Patriots, Slauson, Boyer, Colts, AAF
Following a long run with the Patriots as cornerbacks and defensive backs coach, Josh Boyer will join new head coach Brian Flores in Miami, the Boston Globe’s Jim McBride writes.
Boyer joined New England in 2006 as a defensive assistant after serving as defensive coordinator at the South Dakota School of Mines. After spending three seasons as an assistant, he assumed defensive backs coach duties, and served in a similar position from 2009 to 2018. With the Patriots, Boyer won three Super Bowls.
He will become defensive backs coach in Miami while also serving as the defensive pass game coordinator.
Boyer becomes the latest member of the Patriots coaching staff to exit the team following the AFC powerhouse’s 13-3 win over the Rams in Super Bowl LIII. He joins Chad O’Shea (receivers coach) and Jerry Schuplinski (assistant quarterbacks coach) to follow former Patriots defensive coordinator Flores to Miami. Defensive line coach Brendan Daly also departed the staff, taking a similar role with the Chiefs.
Here’s more from the league’s coaching scene:
- Raiders defensive backs coach Derrick Ansley is joining the University of Tennessee staff in a similar role, NBC Sports’ Scott Bair writes. Ansley will reunite with head coach Jeremy Pruitt, who he served with while with the University of Alabama. Last year was Ansley’s first in the NFL, and the Raiders reportedly were happy with the job he did with the team’s young defensive backs.
- Recently retired offensive lineman Matt Slauson turned down a coaching job with the Colts, SiriusXM’s Alex Marvez tweets. Marvez notes Slauson said he wants to spend more time with his family following his nine-year run in the NFL but left open the possibility of entering the coaching ranks at a later date. In 2018, the right guard made five starts with Indianapolis.
- Former Dolphins defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle has resurfaced as the head coach of the Atlanta Legends of the AAF, ESPN’s Michael Rothstein writes. He originally joined the team expecting to be the defensive coordinator but assumed head coaching duties after former NFL head coach Brad Childress abruptly resigned. Miami’s defensive coordinator for four seasons, Coyle last appeared in the NFL as the Bengals’ defensive backs coach from 2016-17.
Patrick Chung Undergoes Surgery
Longtime Patriots safety Patrick Chung underwent surgery for the broken arm he sustained during Super Bowl LIII, the player confirmed in a post on Instagram. 
That is the first of two surgeries for the veteran defender, who is also in need of shoulder surgery. Both procedures are expected to keep him out through Organized Team Activities, but he should be good to go when the team opens up training camp.
Chung suffered the gruesome injury in the third quarter of New England’s 13-3 victory when he attempted to tackle Rams running back Todd Gurley. His arm was wedged between the All-Pro back and a teammate. The arm was placed in an air cast and the safety left the field under his own power.
The 31-year-old safety finished his ninth season with the Patriots in 2018, recording an interception and a half-sack while playing 15 games. He received an above average grade from Pro Football Focus, which ranked him as the No. 30 safety in the league in 2018.Chung is signed through the 2020 season and is owed $3.8MM.
Extra Points: Bears, NFLPA, XFL, Browns
The Bears are likely to release tight end Dion Sims, NBC Sports’ J.J. Stankevitz writes.
By releasing the veteran pass catcher, the Bears will save $6MM in cap space. The move shouldn’t come as much of a surprise, as Sims was ineffective when he played, which wasn’t much, as he only saw action in four games and recorded two receptions.
With Sims’ release, the Bears will rely more on Adam Shaheen to produce in 2019 behind Trey Burton. A second-round selection in 2017, Shaheen was injured to start the 2018 campaign and only managed to see action in six games. As high a pick as Chicago invested in the tight end, Shaheen is sure to see more action in his third season with the team.
- The NFLPA appears to be preparing for a work stoppage in 2021, Pro Football Talk’s Josh Alper writes. The PA’s executive director DeMaurice Smith said the union’s job is to prepare for “wars we hope we don’t have to fight.” Smith noted the contracts coaches are signing are indications of a future work stoppage.
- The XFL will not have a developmental deal with the NFL and wants to be seen as its own entity, Pro Football Talk’s Michael David Smith writes. The announcement doesn’t come as a shock, as the XFL has done as much as it can to distinguish itself from the NFL, which already has a development agreement in place with the AAF.
- The Cleveland Browns will enter the 2019 season with the most carryover cap space from the 2018 season, boasting a whopping $56.5MM in space, the NFLPA reports [Twitter link]. The Colts (49.1), 49ers (35) and Titans (25.6) are the other teams with figures above $20MM.
Poll: Which 2019 HOF Finalist Should Make It In 2020?
On Saturday, the 2019 Hall of Fame class was announced and Tony Gonzalez, Ty Law, Ed Reed, Champ Bailey, Kevin Mawae, Gil Brandt, Pat Bowlen and Johnny Robinson all found out they would be enshrined in August.
While eight inductees is certainly a full class, several other players, coaches and contributors were left just short of receiving their spot in Canton. Those individuals are likely to have a good shot at crossing the threshold in 2020, as only Troy Polamalu is likely to enter from the new class of eligible players on his first ballot. Others first-timers who could hear their names called include 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis and Colts receiver Reggie Wayne.
Of the 2019 snubs, who is the most deserving?
Steve Atwater – Made the Pro Bowl in eight of his ten seasons with the Broncos and earned two First Team All-Pro honors. His hard-hitting play at free safety helped Denver advance to three Super Bowls and win titles in his last two seasons with the team. He reportedly gained a lot of steam in the discussion room this season, so he will enter 2020 as a favorite to receive the honor. He will be on the ballot for the third time in 2020.
Tony Boselli – Among players who were not enshrined, Boselli seemed to be the name that generated the most buzz in 2019. According to NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco, the Jaguars’ left tackle’s case was argued for 26 minutes and 10 seconds, the second-longest of any player up for discussion behind Law (27:16). Though he only played seven seasons, Boselli was arguably the league’s best offensive lineman, earning five Pro Bowl nods and three First Team All-Pro selections. Terrell Davis earning induction in 2017 undoubtedly helps his case a short-career hopeful. He will be on the ballot for the fourth time in 2020.
Isaac Bruce – When Bruce called it quits following the 2009 season, only one player in NFL history had tallied more receiving yards — Jerry Rice. Though he has since been passed by Terrell Owens, Larry Fitzgerald and Tony Gonzalez, the Rams wide receiver produced eight 1,000-yard campaigns, earned four Pro Bowl selections and was a central figure in St. Louis’ “Greatest Show on Turf” offense. No first-team All-Pro selections certainly doesn’t help, but his accumulation of stats could put him over the top in 2020, his fourth year on the ballot.
Don Coryell – If you like the passing revolution in the NFL, then you probably think Coryell should be in Canton. An offensive innovator, the Chargers coach’s “Air Coryell” offense led the league in passing yards in seven of his nine seasons and ranked second in 1984. In his tenure with the Chargers, Coryell amassed a 72-60 record, won three division titles and appeared in a pair of AFC Championship games. Unfortunately, he was never able to get over the hump into the Super Bowl. Still, his offensive innovations paved the way for today’s NFL. He will be on the ballot for the sixth time in 2020.
Alan Faneca – A brick wall at left guard for Pittsburgh from 1998-2007, Faneca earned a Pro Bowl selection in every year of the 2000s and was named a First Team All-Pro an astounding six times. He was also a central figure on a tough Steelers squad that claimed a Super Bowl title during the 2005 season. Though he will be on his fifth ballot in 2020, Faneca is a safe bet for enshrinement in the coming years thanks to his All-Decade Team selection.
Tom Flores – A trailblazer on the field and on the sidelines, Flores was the first hispanic quarterback in league history and later became the first hispanic head coach. Apart from that, Flores is also one of 13 coaches to win multiple Super Bowls, after leading the Raiders to titles in Super Bowl XV and XVIII. A coach for 12 years, Flores spent his first nine with the Raiders and compiled an impressive 83-53 mark. He would be a finalist for the second time in 2020.
Steve Hutchinson – Between Seattle and Minnesota, Hutchinson paved the way for two of the most dominant running backs of the last two decades in Shaun Alexander and Adrian Peterson. The guard was rewarded for his efforts in those rushing attacks, earning seven consecutive Pro Bowl selections and claiming five First Team All-Pro honors. It is thought that he and Faneca split votes due to playing the same position. With a more open field in 2020, Hutchinson could receive the good news on his third year on the ballot.
Edgerrin James – One of four players in NFL history with 1,500 rushing yards in four different seasons, along with Walter Payton, Eric Dickerson and Barry Sanders, James was one of the most dominant and versatile backs of the 2000s. A four-time Pro Bowl selection and one-time First Team All-Pro, James helped form one of the most unstoppable offenses of the decade in Indianapolis with Peyton Manning. His accolades don’t look as sterling due to a stable of stellar backs in the decade, but James unquestionably has the statistical pedigree of a Canton inductee. He will be on his fourth ballot in 2020.
John Lynch – A third-round selection in 1993, Lynch helped turn Tampa Bay from a league laughing stock to one of the best defenses in history during his tenure with the Bucs. A star in the team’s signature Tampa-2 defense, Lynch earned five Pro Bowl selections with the Buccaneers before joining the Broncos in 2004 and earning another four selections before retiring in 2007. The hard-hitting safety will be on the ballot for his seventh time in 2020.
Richard Seymour – The only defensive lineman on the ballot in 2019, Seymour couldn’t muster enough support to enter the hall in his backyard of Atlanta. He will be in the running for 2020, however, thanks to his seven Pro Bowl selections, three First Team All-Pro honors and three Super Bowl titles with the Patriots. An instrumental figure in New England’s run of three titles in four seasons, Seymour could receive votes as a tribute to the team’s dynasty. Even without those votes, Seymour was one of the most versatile defensive ends of his era and could receive the necessary support in 2020, his second year as a finalist.
So who do you think is most deserving from the 2019 finalists to enter the Hall of Fame in 2020? Vote and then back up your case in the comments.
Eagles Seeking Third-Round Pick For Foles
The Eagles are expected to place the franchise tag on backup quarterback Nick Foles, ESPN’s Adam Schefter writes. That doesn’t make the Super Bowl champion any more likely to return to the team, however, as Philadelphia will seek a third-round pick for his services in a trade. 
Before that tag is used, the Eagles are expected to pick up Foles’ $20MM option next week. The quarterback then will have the opportunity to void the option by paying the team $2MM, which he is expected to do. The Eagles would then be expected to place the tag on Foles, allowing them to trade him to another team.
The long chain of events will culminate with the Super Bowl MVP more than likely suiting up for another team in 2019, assuming the Eagles can find a suitor willing to pay up for Foles. Several teams are expected to be interested in the six-year veteran, including the Jaguars, Redskins and Dolphins. With the process of events, Foles will likely have his choice on his landing spot.
Foles burst on the scene late in 2017, filling in for an injured Carson Wentz and powering the Eagles to a Super Bowl win over the Patriots, the team’s first-ever Super Bowl title. He followed up that performance by again taking the reins from a sidelined Wentz and propelling the Eagles to an improbable run to the postseason and a spot in the divisional round after knocking off the Bears in the wild-card round.
Demarcus Lawrence To Undergo Shoulder Surgery
Cowboys Pro Bowl defensive end Demarcus Lawrence is expected to undergo offseason surgery on his shoulder, though a time and place has yet to be discussed, the Dallas Morning News’ Jon Machota tweets. 
Lawrence has reportedly played with a torn labrum for the past two seasons, and he is now going to get it fixed.
Lawrence’s name will be a popular one this coming offseason. Not for his rehab of this likely minor injury, but for his contract status with the Cowboys. After playing the 2017 campaign on the franchise tag, the pass-rushing end will be looking to ink a long-term deal with the Cowboys in the coming weeks.
Dallas has substantial cap space — a projected $54MM — and Jerry Jones hinted they are more comfortable giving Lawrence a long-term deal following his standout 2018 campaign. If a deal cannot be reached, however, the Cowboys would likely use the franchise tag again, which would likely not sit well with Lawrence, who has professed his desire with the Cowboys.
“If they don’t want this energy and intensity and this focus every day to get better, then make your move. The ball is in their hands. I feel like I’ve prepared for this moment and showed them I’m here for the long haul.”
Should the Cowboys place the tag on him again in 2019, Lawrence would stand to make around $20.5MM.
Greg Zuerlein Avoids Injury Designation
When the Rams take the field in Super Bowl LIII, they will do it with Greg Zuerlein ready to go. The kicker and NFC Championship game hero avoided an injury designation, all but assuring he will be good to go in Atlanta, NBC Sports reports. 
There was some doubt on his availability after he was spotted with a boot on his left foot following their game on Sunday vs. the Saints. He also missed practice all week with a strained left foot, but it appears the absence was more precautionary than anything else.
Zuerlein played a large role in helping the Rams upend the Saints in the conference title game. Of his four made field goals, one came from 48 yards out with 15 seconds left to force overtime. He then added the game-winning 57-yard boot on the Rams’ lone overtime possession to secure the come-from-behind win.
In 11 games this season, the 2017 First Team All-Pro made 27 field goals, including 4-of-6 from beyond 50 yards. With Zuerlein a threat to score from midfield and punter Johnny Hekker a fake-punt artist, the Rams have two of the game’s biggest special teams weapons ready to go for their big tilt with New England next Sunday.