Week In Review

5 Key Stories: 2/26/23 – 3/5/23

The calendar has flipped over to March, which means the NFL Combine and the impending franchise tag deadline have driven most of the headlines in recent days. Here’s a quick recap of some of the top stories from the past week:

  • Bears Open To Trading No. 1 Pick: Only twice this century has the No. 1 pick in the draft been traded, but that is a distinct possibility in 2023. The Bears are reportedly leaning toward a move down the board, something which GM Ryan Poles hinted at when giving incumbent quarterback Justin Fields a strong endorsement. Several QB-needy teams have top-10 picks, so a bidding war shouldn’t be difficult for the Bears to generate while fielding calls. Interestingly, Poles added that a trade involving the top selection could take place before free agency begins, which would be an unprecedented move.
  • Saints Prepared To Sign Carr: Derek Carr figures to have several suitors as the top quarterback currently available, but New Orleans is reportedly “ready” to sign him right now. The Saints are in the market for an upgrade under center from their 2022 setup, and they pursued Deshaun Watson last offseason. They have plenty financial work remaining to become cap compliant, however, and will likely face competition from the likes of the Jets and Panthers to sign the 31-year-old. Carr could make his decision in the coming days, so his future – and that of the Saints at the QB position – could become clearer soon.
  • Raiders To Tag Jacobs: The NFL’s leading rusher could have commanded a hefty payday on the open market, but he will remain in Vegas for at least one more season. Unless a long-term deal can be agreed upon with Josh Jacobs, the Raiders will tag him at a cost of $10.1MM. A multi-year deal appears to be each party’s preference, though Jacobs’ 2022 performance would no doubt drive up his contract demands; the two sides can negotiate a pact until mid-July assuming the tag gets used. The same holds true of Tony Pollard with the Cowboys.
  • Wentz, Mariota Headline Veteran Cuts: Joining Carr in early quarterback free agency this past week were Carson Wentz of the Commanders and Marcus Mariota of the Falcons. Neither move came as a surprise, as the veterans lost their No. 1 positions midway through the 2022 season after being signed as bridge starters. Both Washington and Atlanta are likely to make additions under center this offseason, albeit with less expensive options to compete with Sam Howell and Desmond Ridder, respectively. Wentz and Mariota will look to catch on with a preferable situation as they attempt to rebuild their value. They are joined on the open market by other notable veterans such as wideout Kenny Golladay and running back Leonard Fournette.
  • Jaguars To Tag Engram: After an up-and-down tenure with the Giants, Evan Engram enjoyed a career-year in 2022 with the Jaguars. He and the team have expressed their desire to continue their partnership, and the 28-year-old will remain in Duval County on at least the franchise tag (valued at $11.35MM). A long-term deal remains a strong possibility, and could take shape before the March 7 tag deadline. Failing that, Engram and the Jags could keep negotiating through July 15 as they look to retain several core members of last season’s playoff squad.

5 Key Stories: 2/19/23 – 2/26/23

With free agency not far away, the coordinator hiring cycle has begun to wind down as teams look to make financial moves to become cap compliant and free up flexibility. In case you missed any of this past week’s top headlines, here’s a quick recap:

  • Giants Continuing Jones, Barkley TalksAll teams have important decisions to make in the next few days, but the Giants face the dilemma of keeping quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley on the roster for at least one more year. They have resumed contract negotiations with Jones, in the wake of reports that he is seeking north of $40MM (perhaps as much as $45MM) per season. New York is trying to finalize a deal at a more affordable number, knowing that the franchise tag deadline (March 7) is approaching. That one-year option remains for Barkley in particular, though the team’s intention remains multi-years deals for both. Progress will need to be made soon on at least one front if they wish to avoid either player hitting the open market.
  • Rams Moving On From Wagner: All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner chose to sign with his hometown team on a five-year deal last offseason, but that contract resulted in only a one-year stint there. The Rams and Wagner will mutually part ways when the new league year begins, and he will likely once again have a robust market for his services. The 32-year-old remained highly productive in 2022, but will turn his attention to signing with a contender. In the wake of that news, it has since come out that star corner Jalen Ramsey is expected to be traded as the Rams reset financially.
  • Chiefs Promote Nagy To OC: The departure of Eric Bieniemy left a vacancy at the offensive coordinator spot for the Super Bowl champions. The Chiefs made the expected move of promoting from within, naming Matt Nagy as their new OC. The ex-Bears head coach is now in his second stint under that title in Kansas City, though it does not include play-calling duties on a full-time basis. Nagy worked as quarterbacks coach in 2022, and has experience working not only with HC Andy Reid but QB Patrick Mahomes as well. The decision will give the Chiefs continuity as they look to lengthen their recent run of success.
  • Titans Shed Significant Salary: Cost-cutting season is in full swing, and the Titans made several notable moves by releasing wideout Robert Woods, linebacker Zach Cunninghamleft tackle Taylor Lewan and kicker Randy Bullock within a matter of hours. The slew of cuts freed up more than $35MM in cap space, but Tennessee still sits outside the top-10 in the league in terms of financial wiggle room. In Lewan’s case, retirement could very well be the next step, but the other three will now get a head start on free agency. The Titans will have a number of replacements to find in the coming weeks and months in their bid to rebound from a disappointing 2022 campaign.
  • Broncos Reunite With Joseph: The Broncos have plenty of new faces on their coaching staff, including Sean Payton at the helm. However, their defense will have some familiarity under Vance Joseph, who was hired to come back to the Mile High City after his HC stint there ended in 2018. Since then, he had led Arizona’s defense and recently been let go by the Cardinals’ new staff. The 50-year-old won out over a few other notable candidates, including Rex RyanMatt Patricia and Sean Desai. He will aim to continue Denver’s success on defense in 2022, while Payton and Co. attempt to revive the team’s offense.

5 Key Stories: 2/12/23 – 2/19-23

With Super Bowl LVII in the rearview, all 32 NFL teams are now in offseason mode. In case you missed any of the top developments in the days following another season coming to an end, here’s a quick breakdown:

  • Raiders Release Carr: A move which had long been expected finally became official this week, as the Raiders cut quarterback Derek Carr before the guarantee trigger in his contract took effect. A trade to an interested team was not an option, after the four-time Pro Bowler made it clear he would force Las Vegas to make him a free agent. Now, Carr can sign with a new team at any time (as opposed to other free agents who can only do so when the new league year begins in March). He has already met with the Saints, and most recently, the Jets. A number of other suitors are likely to show interest in him as well.
  • Colts Hire Steichen As HC: The Colts conducted a lengthy, wide-ranging search for their next full-time head coach, one which included interim HC Jeff Saturday for quite some time. Not long after narrowing their list of finalists, though, they landed on Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen. The 37-year-old has received glowing reviews for his previous work with quarterbacks in particular, something which will play a central part in his success in Indianapolis, a team desperate for a long-term solution under center.
  • Gannon Takes Over As Cardinals’ Coach: Hours after the news broke that Steichen was headed to Indianapolis, it was learned that Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon had been hired by Arizona. That put him in place as the final HC hire of the 2023 cycle, and made the Eagles the first team in a decade to see both their offensive and defensive coordinators depart in the same offseason. Gannon, 39, emerged as a late contender for the Cardinals’ head coaching gig, and will face the tall task of rebuilding the AFC West squad alongside new general manager Monti Ossenfort and a pair of new coordinators.  
  • Commanders Hire Bieniemy As OC: After five straight one-year contracts tying him to Kansas City, Eric Bieniemy has landed a new coaching opportunity in Washington. While it isn’t the HC position many have been clamoring for, the 53-year-old will have his first opportunity to have full control of an offense, along with a raise and bump in title as the Commanders’ assistant head coach. The two-time Super Bowl winner inherits a far different situation than the one he left in Kansas City (from the distinct lack of an established quarterback to the uncertain future of HC Ron Rivera), but he will have the chance to guide his new team to an improved showing on offense and, in turn, boost his own stock.
  • Ridley Applies For Reinstatement: On the first day he was eligible to do so, wideout Calvin Ridley applied to be reinstated to the NFL. The 28-year-old was suspended for the 2022 campaign due to a violation of the league’s gambling policy, but was still traded at the deadline from the Falcons to the Jaguars. If he is allowed to suit up in 2023, the former first-rounder will look to build off his success in Atlanta while helping Jacksonville’s new-look pass-catching corps take another step forward.

5 Key Stories: 7/31/22 – 8/7/22

With training camps well underway, there have been a number of significant developments with on- and off-the-field implications this past week. In case you missed anything, here’s a quick recap of the top stories from around the league:

  • Watson Given Six-Game Suspension: The long-awaited ruling from former judge Sue L. Robinson was handed down Monday morning, and imposed a ban for the first six games of the season on Deshaun Watson. The Browns QB was found to have violated the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy by virtue of his “nonviolent sexual conduct” during massage sessions dating back to his time with the Texans. As it stands, the punishment will cost Watson $345K in salary; things could change significantly soon, however, since the league has appealed the decision, and is looking to have both its length and financial penalties increased by a new third-party arbiter.
  • Samuel Signs Extension: After formally requesting a trade earlier this offseason, wideout Deebo Samuel completed his course reversal by inking a three-year, $71.55MM extension. The new deal will keep him in San Francisco through 2025, and moves him into the top-10 in the league in annual compensation ($23.85MM) at the position. The 26-year-old now has the financial security to replicate his success from last season – where he earned All-Pro honors for his unique effectiveness in the air and on the ground – but also the opportunity to hit the open market in the not-too-distant future.
  • Dolphins, Ross Punished For Tampering: The Dolphins were docked a 2023 first-round pick and a 2024 third-rounder for their attempts to acquire QB Tom Brady and head coach Sean Payton. In addition, owner Steven Ross was suspended until October and fined $1.5MM. The organization was found to have committed tampering violations of “unprecedented scope and severity,” leading to the substantial discipline being handed down. Ross and the team were, on the other hand, cleared of any wrongdoing with respect to the tanking allegations made by former head coach Brian Flores.
  • Steelers Extend Johnson: In the immediate build-up to his new deal being finalized, all signs seemed to point to Diontae Johnson departing in free agency at the end of this season. Instead, he signed a two-year extension worth $36.71MM. Surprisingly, the Pro Bowler came in short of the $20MM-per-year mark that each of his 2019 draft classmates (among several other wideouts) who have been extended this offseason eclipsed. Like Samuel, though, he can build off of a career-year over the course of the pact’s short term and test the free agent market while still in his prime.
  • Cardinals Extend Humphries: Not long after signing QB Kyler Murray to a massive extension, Arizona took care of his blindside blocker as well. Left tackle D.J. Humphries signed a three-year, $66.8MM extension to keep him on the books through 2025. The 28-year-old now ranks ninth in the league in terms of annual average compensation ($16.98MM) amongst left tackles as a result of the deal. He will look to continue his Pro Bowl form of last year as another key member of the Cardinals’ offense who is on the books for the foreseeable future.  

5 Key Stories: 7/10/22 – 7/17/22

With the deadline for franchise-tagged players passing on Friday, it was an important week on the NFL’s offseason calendar. Here’s a quick recap of the top headlines from the past seven days:

  • No Progress Made Between Bengals, Bates: The most contentious situation of the four which were in the spotlight leading up to the deadline was that between the Bengals and safety Jessie Bates. It came out on Friday that no inroads had been made regarding a long-term contract, something made more significant by the fact that Bates hasn’t signed his $12.9MM tender. He has also been public about not playing on the tag in 2022, so the threat of a training camp holdout looms large.
  • Late Brown Extension Push Falls Short: Circumstances were rather similar between the Chiefs and left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Kansas City did, however, make a late run at finalizing a long-term deal with the three-time Pro Bowler, offering a pact which would have vaulted him to the top of the o-line market in terms of annual average compensation. A lack of guaranteed money later on in the proposed contract led to talks breaking off, though, meaning that Brown will be tied to a 2022 salary of $16.7MM if/when he signs the tag. Just like Bates, Brown could hold out from training camp without financial penalty.
  • TEs Schultz, Gesicki Set To Play On Tags: Unlike Bates and Brown, tight ends Dalton Schultz and Mike Gesicki had already signed their one-year tenders, valued at $10.93MM, by the time the deadline passed without either landing a long-term contract. No substantive talks had taken place between the Cowboys and Schultz in weeks, so this was the expected outcome in his case. For Gesicki, he will enter the season after little negotiation took place regarding a new deal, facing competition from Tyreek Hill for targets in the Dolphins’ new-look offense.
  • Texans Settle 30 Watson-Related Suits: While the decision on Deshaun Watson’s league discipline continues to be contemplated, the Texans reached settlement agreements with 30 women who either had made, or were planning to make, claims against the team for its role in their former QB’s alleged sexual misconduct. The team made it clear that doing so does not constitute an admission of guilt, and that it feels no further investigation into their actions will be necessary. The news has no bearing on Watson’s (presumed) impending punishment, or the four remaining civil suits he faces.
  • Incognito Headlines Retirees: Three veterans ended their careers within a short span, including All-Pro tackle Mitchell Schwartz and Super Bowl-winning corner Jason McCourty. Another player who hung up his cleats was Richie Incognitowho chose to end his career as a member of the Raiders. The 39-year-old missed all of last season due to health issues, putting an end to his up-and-down, controversial NFL tenure. A four-time Pro Bowler (including three straight all-star seasons in Buffalo), Incognito missed multiple other campaigns for various reasons, making him one of the league’s most polarizing figures. He’ll finish with more than $32MM in career earnings.

5 Key Stories: 7/3/22 – 7/10/22

Here’s a quick recap of some of the top headlines from around the NFL this past week:

  • Browns Send Mayfield To Panthers: It took longer than all parties involved expected it to, but the Browns traded Baker Mayfield to the Panthers on Wednesday. The Browns received a conditional fifth-round pick in return, showing how much of a depreciated asset the former No. 1 overall pick had become this offseason. Mayfield reduced his salary by $3.5MM to facilitate the deal, while the Browns will absorb $10.5MM of his fifth-year option cost of $18.9MM. The swap marks the second consecutive offseason involving a top-three QB from the 2018 class for the Panthers, as they acquired Sam Darnold last year. The team plans on keeping both signal-callers in 2022.
  • Raiders Hire New President: Continuing a decades-long line of historic personnel hires, the Raiders made Sandra Douglass Morgan the new team president. The former Nevada Gaming Control Board chairwoman becomes the first Black woman to hold that title in the NFL. The move comes amidst another round of workplace misconduct allegations against the franchise, which Morgan has already acknowledged. “I am not here to avoid or sidestep problems or concerns that need to be addressed,” she said in a letter to team employees. She replaces Dan Ventrelle as president, after the veteran exec claimed he was fired in May as a result of his decision to alert owner Mark Davis to the presence of a hostile workplace environment.
  • Miller Nearly Chose Cowboys, Rams Over Bills: Von Miller gave the Bills a significant boost to their pass rush when he signed in Buffalo on a six-year, $120MM deal. Before doing so, he had an offer on the table from the Cowboys equal to the one Randy Gregory backed out of (five years, $70MM). Looking back, the future Hall of Famer said “I would have taken less to go to Dallas because it’s Dallas. But I wouldn’t take that much less.” At one point, he was also “90%” sure of staying in Los Angeles, after his Super-Bowl winning run with the Rams. Instead, he will try to earn a third ring with a third different franchise.
  • Steelers Not Prepared To Top $20MM For Johnson? One of the top storylines this offseason has been the skyrocketing WR market, and the deals 2019 draftees have signed to continue driving up the cost of young stars at the position. In the case of Diontae Johnson, the Steelers aren’t expected to offer an extension valued at $20MM per season – the benchmark several receivers, including non-Pro Bowlers, have reached or eclipsed in recent months. If the team has reached a price point it is unwilling to extend beyond, the sense that 2022 could be the 26-year-old’s final campaign in Pittsburgh will only grow.
  • Murphy To Step Aside In 2025:  The Packers will have a new president in three years’ time. Mark Murphy confirmed that, as required by the clubs by-laws, he will be retiring in 2025, ending a tenure of sustained success for the franchise. Included in that stretch is the team’s fourth Super Bowl title, adding to Murphy’s personal collection of rings dating back to his playing career. “It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as the Packers president,” he wrote to fans. “I plan on making the last three years as successful as possible, with multiple Super Bowl championships!”

5 Key Stories: 6/26/22 – 7/3/22

Even in the quietest part of the offseason, there were still some significant developments around the NFL. Here’s a quick rundown of the week’s top headlines:

  • Watson Hearing Concludes: The top offseason storyline in the league reached another critical stage, as the hearing presided over by Sue Robinson concluded after three days. Her decision on whether Browns QB Deshaun Watson will be suspended – and if so, for how long – will be the next step in this process, and could be delayed by a matter of weeks. Any appeals process (which would be administered by commissioner Roger Goodell or his appointee) would then follow, and have drastic consequences on Watson, the Browns and, given the precedent it could set, any players who find themselves in a similar situation in the future.
  • McLaurin Signs Extension With Commanders: The offseason was building towards Terry McLaurin signing a lucrative extension in Washington, and he did just that by inking a three-year deal. The pact carries an average annual value of $23.3MM, and includes a signing bonus of $28MM. With the new contract in hand, McLaurin will see significant guaranteed money, while still being eligible for another significant deal at the age of 30.
  • Mayfield Dispels Talk Of Browns Reconciliation: With a Watson suspension looming, many have pointed to Baker Mayfield as the Browns’ best QB option in 2022. He remains on the roster, as trade talks have sputtered throughout the offseason, but the fences between himself and the team still aren’t likely to be mended. “I think it’s pretty obvious the mutual decision on both sides is to move on,” he said, when asked about the possibility of rescinding his trade request to play out the final year of his contract in Cleveland. Finding a trade partner could still remain challenging for the team, though.
  • 49ers Nearing Samuel Extension?: With McLaurin (and fellow 2019 draftee A.J. Brown) having signed big-money extensions, attention will turn even more so to the 49ers and Deebo Samuel. It was reported that, as trade talk cools around the highly-productive ‘wide-back,’ the team is “expected to continue working toward” a new deal with Samuel. In that event, he could find himself under contract by training camp later this month, presumably joining the $20MM-per-year WR club as many others have already done this offseason along the way.
  • Texans Facing First Watson Suit: The civil litigation filed against Watson has been well-documented, and, even after 20 of those suits were settled, will remain a significant storyline into, quite possibly, next offseason. Another development related his case, though, was the news that the first lawsuit related to his conduct while with the Texans was filed against the franchise itself. A statement from plaintiff’s attorney Tony Buzbee suggested that many others could follow, claiming that “the overwhelming evidence collected indicating that the Houston Texans enabled Watson’s behavior is incredibly damning.”

5 Key Stories: 6/12/22 – 6/19/22

In case you missed some of the top stories around the NFL this past week, here’s a quick recap:

  • Watson’s Camp, NFLPA Expecting Lengthy Suspension: A final decision is looming with respect to league discipline being handed down to Browns QB Deshaun Watson, and all parties involved expect a “significant” suspension to be announced. Watson is facing 24 lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct and/or sexual assault, and recent reports have shed more light on the scale of his actions. The Browns committed significant draft capital and a fully-guaranteed $230MM contract to acquire him, but it appears to be very much in doubt that he will see the field in 2022.
  • Steelers Extend Fitzpatrick: As expected, Pittsburgh made a long-term deal with All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick a top priority. New general manager Omar Khan got a deal finalized with the 25-year-old, which will make him the league’s highest-paid safety ($18.4MM per year) when it kicks in. He is set to play on the fifth-year option in 2022, but he is now on the books for another four years beyond that.
  • Snyder Won’t Testify To House Oversight Committee: Commanders owner Dan Snyder will not be appearing before the House Oversight Committee to testify about the workplace culture of the team, something which has been the subject of a lengthy investigation. A letter sent from his attorney explains that Snyder is unavailable for the scheduled date of his attendance, June 22, and states that he would be willing to testify at another time.
  • Browns, Panthers Still Discussing Mayfield Trade: It has long been known that QB Baker Mayfield will be on his way out of Cleveland soon, leading to plenty of speculation that he will end up in Carolina. The two sides have continued trade talks involving the former No. 1 pick, which date back to the draft. Some members of the Panthers’ front office would still prefer acquiring Mayfield to the alternative of a Sam DarnoldMatt Corral pairing, but finances remain the largest hurdle to overcome to get a deal done.
  • Ravens Resume Contract Talks With Jackson: With Lamar Jackson back at the Ravens’ facility for mandatory minicamp, he was able to resume contract talks with GM Eric DeCosta. The former MVP is expected to play on the fifth-year option this season, with little progress being made to date on negotiations for a long-term extension. If you haven’t done so already, be sure to have your say on how this situation will turn out by voting in PFR’s latest poll, which can be found here.

5 Key Stories: 4/3/22 – 4/9/22

Here’s a look back at the week that was in the NFL:

  • Texans Re-Up Brandin Cooks: On Thursday, the Texans re-upped Brandin Cooks on a brand-new two-year extension. The deal — worth roughly $40MM with $36M in guarantees — takes the standout wide receiver off of the trade market following weeks of speculation about his future. Previously, Cooks was set to earn $12.5MM in base salary this season, the final season of his five-year, $81MM extension from 2018. Now, he’ll build on his work in Houston, where he’s topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of the last two years.
  • Saints Acquire First-Round Pick From Eagles: With a few weeks to go before the draft, the Saints moved up two spots in the first round. The Eagles received pick Nos. 18, 101, and 237, plus a 2013 first-rounder and a 2024 second-rounder. In exchange, the Saints get No. 16 overall, plus No. 19 and No. 194 in this year’s draft. New Orleans now has additional ammo in this year’s draft, while Philly can potentially plan for a move in a 2023 draft that is expected to feature a better crop of quarterbacks.
  • Ravens Re-Sign Calais Campbell: Calais Campbell is staying with the Ravens after agreeing to a two-year deal worth up to $16.5MM. The deal also contains $6MM in guaranteed money, locking in much of what could be his final NFL contract. While Campbell left the door open to retirement, he later confirmed that he wanted to stick around for at least another season. “It just felt like the right move,” Campbell said. “I feel like we started something special and we have unfinished business there.”
  • Eagles Meet With Tyrann Mathieu: Tyrann Mathieu is still on the market, but the Eagles might bring his free agency to an end. Although they re-signed Anthony Harris, the Eagles have an opening alongside him at safety. Mathieu could take over at Rodney McLeod‘s long-held spot, but it’d cost the Eagles much more than Harris’ one-year, $2.5MM deal.
  • Dwayne Haskins Dead At 24: Former Ohio State standout and first-round pick Dwayne Haskins died after being run over by a truck over the weekend. The quarterback, who would have turned 25 in May, enjoyed an extraordinary run with the Buckeyes and parlayed his success into a first-round selection. After two years in Washington, Haskins spent the 2021 season with the Steelers. “I am devastated and at a loss for words with the unfortunate passing of Dwayne Haskins,” said Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin. “He quickly became part of our Steelers family upon his arrival in Pittsburgh and was one of our hardest workers, both on the field and in our community. Dwayne was a great teammate, but even more so a tremendous friend to so many. I am truly heartbroken.”

5 Key Stories: 12/27/21 – 1/1/22

Been busy? Let’s get you caught up with a look back at some of the NFL’s biggest stories from the past week:

  • NFL Legend John Madden Passes Away: Late last week, NFL legend John Madden passed away at the age of 85. Madden, of course, is one of the most iconic NFL personalities of all time, evolving from Hall of Fame coach to famed broadcaster to the face of the sport’s most popular video game franchise. “On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” said commissioner Roger Goodell in a statement. “We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.”
  • Jaguars Kick Off HC Search: The Jaguars requested interviews with Bucs offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Colts DC Matt Eberflus, Cowboys OC Kellen Moore and DC Dan Quinn, Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett, and experienced HCs Doug Pederson and Jim Caldwell. Quinn has since declined the opportunity for an early interview, but he could still chat with the Jags at a later date.
  • Colts Reached Out To Rivers: Colts head coach Frank Reich recently asked Philip Rivers if he’d be interested in coming out of retirement. Even though Rivers has left the door open to an eventual return, it doesn’t sound like the 40-year-old is interested in filling in for Carson Wentz. In his lone Colts season, Rivers completed 68% of his passes and finished with a 24-to-11 TD-INT ratio.
  • Giants’ Joe Judge Likely To Return: The Giants reportedly plan to stay patient with head coach Joe Judge, even as they wrap up another losing season. For his part, Judge says he’s still committed to turning things around in New York. “I’ve said this from the beginning: I’m not interested in having some kind of quick flash,” Judge said. “I’m not interested in shortcuts. I’m not interested in quick fixes. I want to do this the right way. When I took this job I made it very, very clear that I was only going to do this if we’re all committed to doing this the right way. And that’s something that’s been very clear from ownership on down.”
  • Roethlisberger Addresses Likely Steelers Exit: Ben Roethlisberger has not publicly committed to retiring after the season, but Monday’s matchup with the Browns will almost certainly be his final home game with the Steelers. On Thursday, Big Ben addressed the speculation and seemingly acknowledged the end of his 18-year Pittsburgh run. As of this writing, Roethlisberger sits 24th in QBR for this season.