Falcons Owner Arthur Blank To Evaluate Atlanta’s Football Ops For Rest Of Season
After another disappointing year from the Falcons, major changes could be coming in Atlanta this offseason.
Owner and chairman Arthur Blank will spend the rest of the season evaluating the team’s football operations, including head coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
The Falcons were already eliminated from the playoffs before their Kyle Pitts-driven win over the Buccaneers on Thursday night. However, their Week 14 loss to the Seahawks locked in their eighth losing season in a row. Atlanta finished with an 8-9 record in 2024, their first year under Morris, but the team’s lack of improvements this year have raised doubt about his future. The same is true of Fontenot, who is in his fifth year as GM without much year-to-year progress.
Of the two, Fontenot feels more likely to leave Atlanta this offseason. He has struggled to find starters in the draft and does not have a strong record outside of the first round, though he has built a strong offensive line over the years. Fontenot also drove the Falcons’ controversial quarterback moves in the 2024 offseason. He signed Kirk Cousins to a four-year, $160MM deal with $90MM fully guaranteed and drafted Michael Penix with the eighth overall pick less than two months later.
Individually, both decisions were questionable, but together, they set up a difficult dynamic in Atlanta. Cousins was surprised by the Penix pick, which immediately put a clock on his time with the Falcons. The veteran quarterback played well to start the 2024 season, but a rough stretch of five games in the second half inspired an earlier-than-expected transition to the rookie. Penix showed some flashes in his three starts and entered 2025 as the clear starter while Cousins attempted to force an offseason move out of Atlanta.
Fontenot then made another controversial decision in the 2025 draft by trading up from the second round to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr. with the 26th overall pick despite already adding Jalon Walker at No. 15 overall. He gave up a bevy of picks in the deal, including second- and third-rounders in 2025 and a first in 2026, which could be a top-10 pick.
Morris has not led the Falcons to the immediate success for which Blank was likely hoping, but his team has been decimated by injuries this season, especially on offense. Right tackle Kaleb McGary suffered a leg injury in training camp that knocked out the left-handed Penix’s blind side blocker for the entire season. Penix then went down with a season-ending injury after nine starts, and Drake London has missed multiple games, too.
The Falcons had a decent start to the year with a 3-2 record on the back of a defense that didn’t allow more than 300 yards of total offense in that five-game span. Atlanta then lost five straight, a stretch that included some rough defensive showings and ended with Penix’s injury. The result was a season that fell well short of Blank’s expectations and will spur plenty of conversations in Atlanta about the futures of Morris and Fontenot. Giving Morris another year to see what he can do with a healthier roster makes sense, but Blank may be running out of patience with Fontenot’s inability to build a competitive roster.
Top QB Prospect LaNorris Sellers To Return To South Carolina In 2026
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, one of the top draft-eligible college quarterbacks, will return to school for the 2026 college football season, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Sellers reached an agreement on an NIL deal with the school for his redshirt junior year that will keep him in Columbus – and out of the NFL – for at least one more year. He was viewed as one of the top quarterbacks eligible for the 2026 draft; now, he will likely join what is considered to be a loaded 2027 class.
Sellers, 20, is a two-year starter who burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman in 2024. He dazzled with his dual-threat capabilities and earned plenty of recognition at the end of the season, including SEC Freshman of the Year, third-team All-SEC, and Freshman All-American honors. That positioned him as one of the top prospects to watch in 2025, but he regressed statistically and raised concerns about his readiness for the pros.
Though many early draft rankings – including those from Pro Football Focus, The Athletic, and multiple ESPN analysts – ranked Sellers as a top-five quarterback prospect in the 2026 class, some scouts and league insiders believe he would benefit from another year in college. Apparently, Sellers and his team at Equity Sports agree.
With the growing payouts of NIL deals, Sellers can continue to make money as a college quarterback while improving his perception in the NFL. Right now, he could be taken late in the first round or sometime on Day 2, but improving his stock could make him a surefire first-rounder and a potential top-10 pick, which could mean a difference of tens of millions of dollars on his rookie contract.
However, there is risk in Sellers’ decision. If he does not take a step forward next year, teams may hesitate to use a top draft pick on a quarterback who has not demonstrated the ability to develop from one season to the next.
As a result, 2026 will be crucial for Sellers’ ability to stand out among the rest of the 2027 quarterback class and raise his draft slot and earning potential.
Steelers OLB T.J. Watt Hospitalized With Lung Injury
DECEMBER 12: Testing at the Steelers’ facility revealed a “tiny hole” in one of Watt’s lungs, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports (video link). That led to his hospitalization, and the issue has been addressed. A final determination for Week 15 has not yet been made, but Pelissero deems it unlikely that Watt – who merely needs time to recover at this point – will be available for Monday.
DECEMBER 11: Steelers outside linebacker T.J. Watt has been hospitalized due to a lung injury, per a team announcement.
The injury happened while Watt was receiving medical treatment at the Steelers’ facility on Wednesday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Head coach Mike Tomlin said on Thursday (via ESPN’s Brooke Pryor) that Watt is still in the hospital undergoing additional testing which will determine his status for their Week 15 matchup against the Dolphins.
Watt, 31, has started all 13 of the Steelers’ games this season with an 82% snap share. He is having another excellent season with seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss, which rank first and second on the team. He has also been credited with 43 pressures, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required) which lead the Steelers and rank 19th in the NFL.
In other words, an absence from Watt would be a major blow to Pittsburgh’s defense, though they are positioned to withstand it in the short-term. The four-time All-Pro almost exclusively lines up on the left side of the defense with Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig splitting snaps on the right side. One of the two – likely Herbig – can fill some of Watt’s snaps off the left edge
Rookie Jack Sawyer will also be in line for some more opportunities. The second-round pick has appeared in every game this year but played just 182 snaps (19.4% snap share) without much production. Sawyer has primarily rotated in for Watt on the left side and should see an uptick if he cannot play. That could also result in a practice squad elevation for fourth-year defensive end DeMarvin Leal.
The Steelers will be monitoring Watt’s condition carefully over the next few days to evaluate his availability for Monday night’s game.
Colts Pursued Broncos QB Sam Ehlinger After Daniel Jones Injury
The Colts made a stunning reunion with Philip Rivers this week after Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury, but as it turns out, they also pursued another one of their former quarterbacks: Sam Ehlinger.
The Colts, who drafted Ehlinger in the sixth round of the 2021 draft, reached out to his agent shortly after Jones suffered a torn Achilles on Sunday, per Parker Gabriel of The Denver Post. Rookie quarterback Riley Leonard, who finished the game after Jones went down, had also injured his knee. So not only did the team need to figure out an emergency starter, they may also have needed an emergency backup.
Indianapolis was already planning on reaching out to Rivers, but the uncertainty of coaxing him out of retirement and the potential need for multiple passers caused them to explore additional options. Ehlinger, who spent the last four years in Indianapolis, was an obvious option. However, he turned down the opportunity for a 53-man roster spot and potentially some playing time to stay on the Broncos’ practice squad as their third-string quarterback.
“We’re really happy here and enjoy the organization, the path we’re on and what we’re building. I want to be part of that,” Ehlinger said of his decision (via Gabriel). “I was in Indianapolis for four years and I love everybody over there. It’s just a difficult situation, obviously.”
There are a few reasons behind Ehlinger’s choice. The first is that he was not guaranteed playing time in Indianapolis. He was in touch with the Colts on Monday and Tuesday, by which time Rivers had agreed to come back. Leonard had also been diagnosed with a Grade 1 PCL sprain and could be available in Week 15 to start or back up Rivers. That would leave Ehlinger in the same situation as he was in Denver.
Ehlinger may also believe he has a better long-term future in Denver with head coach Sean Payton and quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, according to Gabriel. The Colts’ situation is very much in flux, but Broncos backup Jarrett Stidham is 29 years old with a contract that expires after the 2026 season. Payton and Webb may be grooming Ehlinger to take over that job behind Bo Nix as soon as next year.
This is not the first time that Ehlinger has turned down interest for another team’s active roster. He has declined multiple offers this year and seems content, if not determined to stay in Denver for the foreseeable future.
South Carolina CB Brandon Cisse Declares For 2026 Draft
Projected first-round pick South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse is declaring early for the 2026 NFL Draft, per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
“I’m excited to fulfill my lifelong dream,” Cisse said (via Thamel). “It’s definitely been a special feeling. It’s something I prayed for my whole life.”
Cisse, 20, is a true junior and former three-star recruit who originally committed to North Carolina State. He lined up in dime packages as a freshman and took on a bigger role in 2023, leading to a transfer to South Carolina earlier this year.
The six-foot, 190-pound corner started every game for the Gamecocks this year and recorded 19 tackles, one interception, and five passes defended. Cisse’s production is not particularly exciting, but his age, athleticism, and coverage skills are. He has allowed catches on only 34.6% of his targets this season, per ESPN’s Jordan Reid, as part of a breakout season that has seen him shoot up big boards.
Many early draft rankings – including those from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler, Pro Football Focus, and ESPN’s Matt Miller – have him pegged as a first-round pick and one of the top cornerbacks available. Cisse’s youth gives him tremendous upside, so he could be viewed similarly to Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins, who was taken 29th overall in the 2024 draft.
Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel Likely To Keep Job
Don’t look now, but the Dolphins have turned it around.
Mike McDaniel‘s squad has won four games in a row and five of their last six. The offense has looked good in spurts with at least 30 points three times in that stretch, but the defense has been the highlight. The Dolphins allowed 28 points in their loss to the Ravens – many of which came off offensive turnovers – and has not allowed more than 17 otherwise. They have also forced 10 turnovers in their last six matchups.
Miami’s turnaround has quieted the chatter around the team parting ways with McDaniel. Those prognostications seemed to be a reflection of the Dolphins’ poor performance more than their desire to move on from the 42-year-old head coach. Reports out of Miami consistently indicated that McDaniel could be retained in 2026 regardless of the team’s finish.
That decision, of course, lies with owner Stephen Ross. His vision for the Dolphins’ future will shape what appears to be a pivotal offseason for the franchise. In the past, he has seemed willing to tank and rebuild the roster, but he does not seem inclined to do so now. Ross fired general manager Chris Grier before the trade deadline partially because Grier wanted to tear down the roster and restart, per Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post.
If Ross isn’t looking to rebuild, then it stands to reason that he will keep McDaniel for at least one more season. The Dolphins are already stuck with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for 2026 due to his untradeable contract, so they might as well retain the coach they hired to pair with him.
That is a common perspective around the league, according to La Canfora, as even teams who are in need of a quarterback will not want to take on his $54MM guaranteed compensation for 2026. The Dolphins seem poised to run it back with McDaniel and Tagovailoa, which may give them one last chance to save their jobs. However, Ross could already have given up on this iteration of the Dolphins and may be waiting for the 2027 offseason when he can cleanly move onto a new head coach and quarterback at the same time.
Ross’ decision on Grier’s replacement will also be a key factor in the Dolphins’ offseason. They will likely get renewed interest in assets like Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane, but McDaniel may not want to move on from key cogs in his offensive scheme. Moving those players would indicate that McDaniel and Tagovailoa are having a lame duck year with very little chance of sticking around in 2027.
49ers To Designate DE Yetur Gross-Matos To Return From IR
The 49ers are designating defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos to return from injured reserve, per Matt Barrows of The Athletic.
Gross-Matos, 27, appeared in San Francisco’s first five games of the season before going down with a hamstring strain. He spent a few weeks on the shelf before re-aggravating the injury at the end of October. That forced the six-year veteran onto IR on November 1, and his absence has now extended to eight games.
The 49ers have been decimated by injuries this season on both sides of the ball, and their defensive end room has been no exception. All-Pro Nick Bosa and first-round rookie Mykel Williams are both out for the season, which, along with Matos’ injury, has forced the team to pivot. Bryce Huff and Sam Okuayinonu have stepped up to lead the position group in snaps with mid-season acquisitions Keion White and Clelin Ferrell also taking on rotational roles.
Those four are not churning out high-level production – the 49ers are last in the NFL with 16 sacks – but they have stopped the run effectively and contributed to some turnovers in the last few weeks. That has kept San Francisco in the NFC playoff picture through their Week 14 bye. Getting Gross-Matos back would at least add some depth to the team’s defensive line, though he did not have a great start to the year. He only logged four tackles and one quarterback hit before he got hurt, but at the time, he occupied a 27% snap share. There may be much more playing time available once he returns to the field.
Gross-Matos will have 21 days to practice with the team before he must be added to the active roster or revert to season-ending IR.
Bengals Designate Shemar Stewart To Return From IR
The Bengals designated rookie defensive end Shemar Stewart to return from injured reserve on Wednesday, per ESPN’s Ben Baby.
Stewart was placed on injured reserve on November 15 with a knee injury. He is returning to practice as soon as he is eligible and could play on Sunday against the Ravens, according to head coach Zac Taylor.
Stewart, the No. 17 overall pick in April’s draft, has dealt with a number of bumps in his rookie year. First was a contract dispute that sidelined him for offseason workouts and the first week of training camp. He played in the first two games of the regular season before an ankle sprain sidelined him for four weeks. He returned in Week 7 but went down against in Week 9 and missed another month.
Those absences may have hindered Stewart out of the game. The Texas A&M product was considered a raw prospect coming out of college who would need significant development to unlock his physical potential. But the stop-and-start nature of his rookie season seem to have impacted his performance. Stewart has just six tackles and one quarterback hit in five games and 177 offensive snaps this year as part of the Bengals’ overall lackluster defensive effort.
On the other hand, the Bengals need every bit of help they can get to keep their season alive. They host the Ravens this weekend after handily winning their first matchup on Thanksgiving. In that game, Cincinnati turned in one of their best performances of the season, forcing five turnovers and holding Baltimore to just 14 points, all without their starting defensive end duo of Stewart and Trey Hendrickson. If at least one is back in the fold on Sunday, the Bengals defense could have another strong day and keep the team’s playoff hopes alive.
Stewart will have 21 days to practice with the team before he must be activated to the 53-man roster or revert to season-ending injured reserve.
Nick Sirianni To Remain More Involved With Eagles Offense
Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni has become more involved with the team’s struggling offense in recent weeks amid a rash of poor play.
Sirianni’s involvement has included more time at the head of offensive meetings, per ESPN’s Tim McManus, though offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo still runs them and has play-calling responsibilities.
“I’m the head coach, so my attention goes to places that I feel like it needs to go,” Sirianni said after Monday night’s loss to the Chargers (via Pro Football Talk’s Myles Simmons). “This week was with the offense, and I’ll continue to go in there with those guys and grind it out through the weeds with them and continue to move forward with that.”
Given how the Eagles offense performed against the Chargers, it is unclear if the extra attention from Sirianni helped. Despite a defense that forced three turnovers and only allowed 106 net passing yards, Philadelphia could only muster 19 points in the overtime loss. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw four interceptions, including one that led to the Chargers’ game-winning score. On another play, Hurts was credited with both an interception and a fumble, a first in NFL history.
In general, the sixth-year quarterback has been an inconsistent passer and an ineffective rusher this season. The former has held back the Eagles’ air attack, while the latter has allowed opposing defenses to smother Saquon Barkley.
Despite Hurts’ pedigree – which includes a Super Bowl MVP won this calendar year – there is already chatter around his future in Philadelphia. The Eagles first drafted Hurts on Day 2 to replace Carson Wentz when he was no longer worth his contract. Now, half a decade later, general manager Howie Roseman could be considering a similar decision, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. A new QB would not be a sure thing, but the Eagles’ stacked roster means they could afford to take a Day 2 shot on another cheap, young passer. Once he is ready to take over, the team could trade Hurts for draft capital, and continue to invest heavily in other parts of their roster
Riley Leonard Dealing With PCL Sprain, ‘Very Real Chance’ Philip Rivers Starts For Colts
DECEMBER 10: Leonard will practice on Wednesday, according to Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star. The Colts will decide their starter by the end of the week, Erickson adds.
DECEMBER 9: The Colts’ quarterback situation remains in flux after a season-ending injury to quarterback Daniel Jones.
Riley Leonard, who finished Sunday’s game, is dealing with a Grade 1 PCL sprain, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. His status will be updated on Wednesday when the Colts release their first injury report of Week 15. That could position Philip Rivers to start within a week of re-signing in Indianapolis.
With Leonard considered day-to-day, there is a “very real chance” that Rivers starts for Indianapolis in Week 15, Rapoport added later in the day. His Monday night workout showed that he still can pass the football, but his conditioning may not be game-ready quiet yet, according to ESPN’s Eric Holder.
The Colts may have been planning to bring Rivers in regardless of Leonard’s injury, but it certainly has raised the urgency for the team to add another quarterback, especially one that could come in and play right away. Rivers is very familiar with Colts head coach Shane Steichen after spending six seasons together with the Chargers. Steichen was the team’s quarterbacks coach for four years while Rivers was the starter. Their relationship played a role in this latest reunion, per Holder.
And despite not playing in the last few years, Rivers still has a deep understanding of the Colts’ offensive scheme. After retiring, he took over as the head football coach at St. Michael Catholic High School in Fairhope, Alabama. He has been running a version of Steichen’s offense, per CBS Sports’ J.J. Watt, with the two discussing it weekly.
This is not the only time that Rivers has considered coming out of retirement with other quarterback situations occasionally stirring some conversations, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, but none have ever made enough sense to actually pull the trigger. His past relationship with Steichen and the Colts clearly make this a different situation.
Rivers will have a short week to get into playing shape and build chemistry with his new teammates, though he has already played with a few. Left guard Quenton Nelson and right tackle Braden Smith blocked for Rivers in 2020; also in that offense were then-rookies Jonathan Taylor and Michael Pittman.