Saints Name Jake Haener Starting QB
Saints head coach Darren Rizzi has named Jake Haener the starting quarterback for the team’s Week 15 matchup with the Commanders, per Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football.
Haener will be the Saints’ third different starting quarterback this season. Derek Carr missed most of October due to an oblique injury, giving rookie Spencer Rattler a chance under center. Rattler struggled in his three starts, which included a benching in favor of Haener in Week 8, so New Orleans went back to Carr as soon as he was healthy in November. Five games later, Carr suffered a fracture in his left hand, and Rizzi put Haener on the field to close out a win over the Giants.
Now, Haener will get his first career start after zero regular season appearances as a rookie in 2023. That was partially due to a six-game suspension for violating league rules on performance-enhancing substances. He overcame skin cancer this summer while competing with Rattler for the Saints’ backup in training camp.
Haener appeared to win that competition by closing out the Saints’ first two games and replacing Carr when he went down in Week 5, but then-head coach Dennis Allen tapped Rattler to start in Week 6. Haener played five garbage-time snaps in Week 7, then took over after Rattler’s benching in Week 8. Haener went back to the sidelines once Carr was healthy with two kneel-downs in a blowout win over the Browns in Week 11.
Haener then closed out the Saints’ Week 14 win over the Giants after Carr exited the game. The veteran has not been officially ruled out for Week 15, per ESPN’s Katherine Terrell, but remains in concussion protocol heading into Friday, indicating that he is unlikely to play.
The Saints are all but eliminated from the playoffs, but they can still salvage some value from this season by evaluating their two young quarterbacks. Their salary cap situation may force New Orleans to move on from Carr in the offseason, so an extended look at Haener under center would give the team some idea if he can start over Rattler in 2025.
Nick Chubb Wants To Re-Sign With Browns
Browns running back Nick Chubb is set to be a free agent after this season, but he has every desire to stay in Cleveland for the rest of his career.
“I started here. I’d like to finish here,” said Chubb via Cleveland.com’s Dan Labbe. “Cleveland just means a lot to me. Everything we’ve been through, ups and downs, but I’m proud to be drafted here.”
Chubb agreed to a revised contract with the Browns this offseason as he worked his way back from last year’s knee injury. He’s managed just 291 yards and three touchdowns on 93 rushing attempts in his seven appearances this year, indicating that he’s still working his way back to his previous Pro Bowl form. Chubb will also turn 29 on December 27; combined, those two factors could complicate negotiations with the Browns.
Cleveland still has to figure out a plan for Deshaun Watson‘s fully-guaranteed contract. Absorbing a massive dead cap hit in 2025 could hinder their ability to keep in-house free agents like Chubb. After taking a pay cut this year, he may be looking to cash in on what could be the last big contract of his career.
The Browns haven’t gotten much production out of their other running backs this year. Jerome Ford, D’Onta Foreman, and Pierre Strong have combined for fewer than 600 rushing yards and just one rushing touchdown. Whether it’s Chubb, an external free agent, or a draft pick, the Browns will need to figure out a new plan for their backfield in 2025.
Chubb is not the only notable Browns player to publicly state that he wants to remain in Cleveland after his contract expires. Jameis Winston also wants to stick around, indicating that the Browns have maintained a cohesive organizational culture despite the turmoil surrounding the franchise since their ill-fated acquisition of Watson in 2022.
Bill Belichick To Become UNC Head Coach
Former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick is headed to the University of North Carolina to take over as head coach of the Tar Heels’ football program, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Belichick’s contract was initially reported to be worth $30MM over three years, per The Athletic’s Ralph Russo and FOX Sports’ Jordan Schultz, but CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones and NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero later reported that Belichick will be signing a five-year deal. UNC’s Board of Trustees is expected to officially approve the deal on Thursday, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Initial reports of Belichick’s interest in the UNC head coaching gig emerged last week, though he remained linked to several NFL jobs as well. A second interview in Chapel Hill indicated that Belichick was serious about coaching at the college level and was not using the interest from the Tar Heels as leverage to get back into the NFL. Extensive negotiations involved Belichick’s salary, a job for his son (and current University of Washington defensive coordinator) Steve Belichick, and UNC’s Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and recruitment strategy.
Bill Belichick appears to have gotten his way when it comes to funding for recruitment. The Tar Heels are expected to quintuple their NIL package for football from $4MM to $20MM, per USA Today’s Matt Hayes. UNC is also expected to hire as many as 30 additional staff members, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.
Belichick was not expected to garner much interest from the NFL during this year’s hiring cycle, according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Rather than wait for more vacancies to open up, Belichick opted to take his talents to the college level, likely giving up his career-long pursuit of Don Shula‘s NFL-record 347 wins. The ex-Patriots coach will turn 73 next April, so a return to the pros would run counter to the league’s recent trend of hiring younger first-time head coaches. Belichick’s Patriots run ended with the future Hall of Fame HC at 333 wins, second all time.
Belichick will replace longtime UNC head coach Mack Brown, the winningest coach in program history, who was fired at the end of November. The Tar Heels compiled a 44-33 under Brown since 2019 – his second stint in Chapel Hill – but have gone 1-4 in bowl games in that span.
Had the Tar Heels not met Belichick’s demands, UNC was expected to offer its head coaching job to Browns passing game specialist and tight ends coach Tommy Rees, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Like Belichick, Rees went through two interviews with the Tar Heels and even received support from former Alabama head coach Nick Saban.
Belichick’s decision sent shockwaves through the NFL’s winter meetings in Dallas, according to ESPN’s Diana Russini. Any team that was considering him as a head coach candidate will have to look elsewhere in the coming months. Though Belichick’s last four seasons in New England only yielded a 29-38 record, his status as a legendary football coach will bring excitement and legitimacy to the Tar Heels’ football program.
Packers Designate Luke Musgrave For Return From IR
The Packers have designated tight end Luke Musgrave to return from injured reserve, per ESPN’s Rob Demovsky.
Musgrave was placed on injured reserve on October 11 with an ankle injury that ultimately required surgery. Musgrave’s comments on Wednesday indicate that he fully expects to play again this year.
“As soon as possible that they’ll let me go, I’ll go,” said Musgrave, per The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman.
Musgrave recorded 34 catches for 352 yards in 11 games as a rookie last season, but only caught five passes for 22 yards before getting injured this year. Fellow 2023 Day 2 draftee Tucker Kraft has stepped up in Musgrave’s absence, ranking first on the Packers in receiving touchdowns (seven), second in receptions (39), and third in receiving yards (521).
Green Bay will be hoping that Musgrave can finish the season healthy after suffering a lacerated kidney that sidelined him for part of the 2023 campaign. The Packers have chosen to support franchise quarterback Jordan Love by drafting several young pass-catchers over the past few seasons, though injuries have remained a recurring issue for the group.
Musgrave now has three weeks to practice with the team before he must be activated. Otherwise, he will revert to season-ending injured reserve.
Texans S Jalen Pitre To Undergo Season-Ending Surgery
Texans safety Jalen Pitre will undergo surgery to repair a partially-torn pectoral, according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, ending his 2024 season and depriving Houston of one of their key defensive playmakers as they attempt to win the AFC South.
Pitre started the Texans’ first 12 games this season, but exited the game in Week 12 and did not play the following week. Though he avoided a full pectoral tear, the injury still required corrective surgery with a recovery period that will extend beyond the end of the 2024 season.
Pitre’s injury is a massive loss for the Texans’ defense. Though the 2022 second-round pick hasn’t matched his impressive rookie production of five interceptions and 147 total tackles in either of the last two seasons, he’s still a versatile and valuable playmaker from the slot and the box.
Veteran safety Jimmie Ward took over Pitre’s role in Weeks 12 and 13 and will likely remain there for the rest of the season.
The Texans will also be without the services of starting offensive lineman Juice Scruggs for at least two games, per Wilson. Scruggs injured his foot in Week 13 against the Jaguars, but is not expected to undergo surgery or be placed on injured reserve.
Scruggs began the year as Houston’s center before sliding to left guard to replace Kenyon Green when he landed on IR. Green was designated to return on Monday, so he could move back into his old spot with Scruggs now sidelined. Zachary Thomas also took snaps at left guard in practice this week, so he could start there if Green isn’t healthy enough to play in Week 15.
Jason Pierre-Paul Seeking NFL Return
Veteran edge rusher Jason Pierre-Paul is “in great shape and ready to come in and contribute,” according to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson.
Pierre has not played in the NFL for almost a year. He played in two games for the Dolphins in 2023 after they signed him from the Saints’ practice squad, where he made one appearance as a game day elevation.
Pierre-Paul played a total of 30 snaps between defense and special teams in 2023, but only recorded two tackles (one for loss) and zero sacks. He also appeared in 26 games for the Buccaneers and the Ravens in 2021 and 2022, but recorded just 5.5 sacks across both years after at least 7.0 in his last six healthy seasons.
Pierre-Paul’s 94.5 career sacks may tempt a playoff contender in need of pass-rushing help, but Pierre-Paul’s age and lack of recent production limits his upside. The former All-Pro will turn 36 on January 1, and few players at any position have been able to maintain their effectiveness at that age, much less as an edge defender where athleticism is paramount.
If Pierre-Paul receives any interest from an NFL team, it will most likely begin with a stint on a practice squad where he can prove himself in practice and earn game day elevations to audition for a playoff roster spot.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 12/10/24
Arizona Cardinals
- Released: C Keith Ismael
Carolina Panthers
- Released: WR Dax Milne
Chicago Bears
- Released: RB Demetric Felton
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Kaden Davis, WR Jaelen Gill, K Riley Patterson, OT Julian Pearl
- Released: DT Michael Dwumfour
Denver Broncos
- Signed: LB K.J Cloyd
Green Bay Packers
- Signed: LB Jeremiah Martin
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: DT Pheldarius Payne
- Placed on injured list: DT Trysten Hill
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Signed: G Jerome Carvin, RB Myles Gaskin
- Released: LS Tucker Addington, P Matt Haack
Las Vegas Raiders
- Signed: QB Jake Luton, DT Tyler Manoa
- Released: DT Marquan McCall
Los Angeles Chargers
- Signed: WR Dez Fitzpatrick
- Released: OT Alex Leatherwood
New England Patriots
- Released: LB Keshawn Banks
New Orleans Saints
- Signed: G Kyle Hergel
New York Giants
- Signed: DL Ross Blacklock, QB Tim Boyle, CB Ekow Boye-Doe, CB Azizi Hearn
- Placed on injured list: C Jimmy Morrissey
Seattle Seahawks
- Released: P Ty Zentner
Tennessee Titans
- Signed: LB Curtis Bolton, T Kellen Diesch, K Brayden Narveson
Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins has made just 64.0% of his field goal attempts this season, which includes two misses from inside 40 yards. Patterson kicked for Cleveland when Hopkins was injured at the end of last season, and his addition to the practice squad indicates that head coach Kevin Stefanski is considering a similar change this year.
The Titans signed Narveson as insurance for starter Nick Folk, who is dealing with an injury, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Narveson began the season as the Packers’ kicker, but after missing five of his 12 field goal attempts, all of which came inside of 50 yards.
Minor NFL Transactions: 12/10/24
Carolina Panthers
- Placed on injured reserve: RB Jonathon Brooks
- Waived: DL DeShawn Williams
- Signed to active roster from practice squad: DT Sam Roberts
New York Giants
- Placed on injured reserve: CB Tre Hawkins
- Signed to active roster from practice squad: CB Greg Stroman
Tennessee Titans
- Waived with injury designation: OT Leroy Watson
The Panthers officially placed Brooks on injured reserve after he re-tore his right ACL on Sunday against the Eagles. The second-round pick spent most of his rookie season on the Physically Unable to Perform list after his initial ACL tear last November. He only managed 12 touches for 45 yards in his first three NFL appearances before re-injuring his knee, which will require another lengthy rehab process and puts his availability for the start of the 2025 season in doubt.
Browns Place Greg Newsome On IR, Waive Kadarius Toney
The Browns placed cornerback Greg Newsome on injured reserve, per a team announcement.
The Browns have just four games remaining in the regular season and have been eliminated from playoff contention, so Newsome’s IR stint will end his season.
The former first-round pick felt a “pop” in his left hamstring late in the fourth quarter of Cleveland’s 27-14 loss against the Steelers on Sunday, per Chris Easterling of the Akron Beacon Journal. Newsome underwent surgery on the same hamstring at the beginning of training camp, though he was able to recover before the regular season started. While the two injuries may not be directly related, it’s still a point of concern for a cornerback entering a contract year.
The Browns picked up Newsome’s fifth-year option back in April, so he is under contract for $13.377MM in 2025, though he will likely be looking for a long-term extension before the start of next season. He has yet to play a full season in the NFL due to injuries with an average of 13.5 games per season.
Cleveland also waived wide receiver Kadarius Toney after a rough showing on punt returns in the fourth quarter at Pittsburgh. A taunting penalty on a fair catch was his first mistake, followed by a muffed return recovered by the Steelers that dashed any remaining hope of a Browns comeback. Given his struggles over the last few seasons, especially on Sunday, Toney is unlikely to be claimed on waivers and will become a free agent looking for his fourth NFL team since 2022.
Patriots Activate Cole Strange From PUP List
The Patriots are activating offensive lineman Cole Strange from the Physically Unable to Perform list, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Strange suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee last December, sidelining him for almost a year. He returned to practice on November 20, so his 21-day practice window was set to close this week. Rather than allow him to revert to the PUP list for the rest of the season, the Patriots will move their 2022 first-round pick to the active roster as they determine his immediate playing future.
New England has shuffled their offensive line a number of times this season. Chukwuma Okorafor left the team in September while David Andrews, Jake Andrews, and Caedan Wallace all landed on injured reserve with long-term injuries. Andrews is out for the season, while Wallace was designated to return on Monday. Mike Onwenu has also played 329 snaps at right tackle and 522 at right guard.
Strange’s return will give the Patriots another option along the interior for the rest of the year. At 3-10, they’re no longer fighting for a playoff spot, but rookie quarterback Drake Maye could still take crucial developmental steps over their last four games. Making sure he can get the most out of his rookie year – and ensuring he’s healthy going into his first full NFL offseason – are top priorities for the a rebuilding New England franchise.
All 27 of Strange’s starts over his first two seasons came at left guard, but he could also land at right guard or center upon his return. Left guard still seems like the most likely spot; Onwenu and Ben Brown have both started at right guard and center for the team’s last six games, while Layden Robinson just moved to left guard in Week 13.
Evaluating Strange’s effectiveness coming off of last year’s injury and a lengthy recovery will be crucial to New England’s upcoming fifth-year option decision. Strange’s fully-guaranteed fifth-year option is projected to be $17.4MM after this offseason’s explosion in the guard market, per OverTheCap. That would rank eighth in average annual value among current guard contracts, a hefty sum for a player who has yet to prove that he is one of the best at his position.