Right here we go — it’s December, Christmas is lower than three weeks away, the common season is winding down, and the playoff race is heating up. My apologies, I’m not making an attempt to hurry issues; blame the three groups which have already punched their tickets to the postseason: the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Buffalo Payments and Detroit Lions. That’s a transparent signal we’re getting near the tip.
It’s additionally the tip of the highway for a number of groups. The New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants are formally out of the playoff image, with work towards subsequent season already underway of their buildings. NFL house owners will meet in Irving, Texas, subsequent week and I count on a lot of dialog concerning the subsequent wave of head coach firings and hirings. At this level, Cleveland Browns marketing consultant and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson are the 2 high names groups are discussing internally.
We’ll have a lot to share over the following few weeks on the hiring and firing entrance. For now it’s crunch time within the NFL. Right here’s what I’m listening to:
• How the Falcons are dealing with Kirk Cousins’ stoop
• Forward of his return to Minnesota, a glance again on the tip of Cousins’ Vikings days
• Invoice Belichick, faculty coach? It might actually occur
• How engaging is the Bears job?
• The Al-Shaair suspension stays a dialog subject throughout the NFL
• What that Broncos-Browns shootout can train us about vacation buying
Falcons’ religion in Cousins nonetheless holds
Regardless of current struggles, Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has been clear: He’s standing by Cousins. Typically, we see head coaches open the door to hypothesis in moments like this, after Atlanta’s depressing loss to the Chargers, through which Cousins threw 4 interceptions and the remainder of the offense appeared misplaced. However Morris is assured Cousins will bounce again.
Across the league, different coaches have identified Morris’ steadiness and perception within the quarterback, understanding it’s by no means straightforward when you have got a high draft choose sitting on the bench behind you. There isn’t a denying Cousins performed poorly final week, however the group isn’t listening to these clamoring for Michael Penix Jr. I’m informed no inside discussions of a QB swap have occurred at this level. Atlanta is exhibiting religion in Cousins, notably with the added motivation of dealing with his former group, the Vikings, on Sunday.
We’ll see if something shifts because the season winds down — particularly if the group decides it wants a spark to assert the division it was anticipated to dominate.
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The way it resulted in Minnesota
From what I perceive, Cousins has no regrets about leaving Minnesota. It was by no means going to get messy when he left both — Cousins simply isn’t that form of man, and neither is Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. Everybody knew they needed to maintain working collectively for the 2024 season and past, however typically, plans change. And like all breakup, it stung. Cousins was disillusioned and O’Connell needed to modify.
Anticipating a robust market in a quarterback-needy league, O’Connell knew his probabilities of retaining Cousins had been slim. For months main as much as free company, contained in the Vikings’ facility, GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah led some powerful discussions concerning the future. Cousins was recovering from an Achilles damage — a problem for any quarterback, particularly one in his mid-30s. The Vikings had a call to make. O’Connell believed in Cousins and was assured he might bounce again and proceed because the starter, however not everybody within the group shared that optimism. The group additionally had its eyes on the long run, understanding the upcoming draft class was loaded with quarterback expertise. Possession was clear: They needed to draft a younger QB. That information didn’t sit effectively with Cousins, who had been hoping for a vote of confidence, not a smaller window with the Vikings.
Nonetheless, as resolution day in March drew nearer, Cousins was optimistic it will work out and Minnesota would step up. He and O’Connell had been staying in contact and each had been hoping the group’s supply can be adequate. On the similar time, rumblings of curiosity from the Falcons grew louder. Rumors had been swirling that, with a robust roster already in place, Atlanta was keen to offer a number of years of assured cash to land a seasoned quarterback.
Kevin O’Connell and Kirk Cousins had been each hoping for the quarterback’s return to Minnesota final offseason. (Quinn Harris / Getty Photographs)
When the authorized tampering interval opened, the Falcons swooped in with a four-year, $180 million deal, $100 million assured. It was the form of contract that mentioned, “You’re our man.” As for the Vikings, they didn’t budge when it got here to that form of assured cash.
Minnesota weighed different choices. It had monitored Matthew Stafford’s troublesome contract negotiation with the Rams (O’Connell was Stafford’s offensive coordinator in the course of the Tremendous Bowl season in LA), however Sam Darnold emerged as their first selection. Someday after Cousins left for the Falcons, Minnesota agreed to a one-year take care of Darnold.
For Cousins, the Falcons represented a contemporary begin and stability — one thing he craved after the uncertainty in Minnesota. He additionally wasn’t frightened about his group drafting a rookie quarterback. Nevertheless, that safety lasted lower than 60 days.
On April 25, the primary evening of the NFL Draft, every part modified once more. As Cousins informed the “Scoop Metropolis” podcast final summer time, he was heading house from a Falcons draft get together at Mercedes-Benz Stadium when his telephone rang. It was Zac Robinson, Atlanta’s offensive coordinator, calling with a heads-up: The Falcons had been about to draft a quarterback with the No. 8 choose. The decision was temporary, and moments later, Penix grew to become a Falcon.
That evening, the shock was palpable across the league. I referred to as Cousins’ agent, Mike McCartney, who answered instantly. He was getting calls from dozens of reporters wanting to know the dynamic. I might inform he was additionally stunned by the transfer. After I requested if he knew concerning the choose, McCartney mentioned they knew Atlanta had mentioned taking a quarterback sooner or later within the draft, however they didn’t count on it will be within the first spherical. Cousins, he informed me, was additionally surprised and disillusioned.
This was imagined to be Cousins’ final cease, a spot the place he might settle together with his household and play with no rookie respiration down his neck. But right here he was, as soon as once more dealing with uncertainty. Cousins dealt with the sudden change with class, reaching out to Penix to welcome him to the group. Since then the Falcons have been up and down. Cousins began out scorching, however the group is at the moment on a three-game dropping streak and questions nonetheless linger relating to Cousins’ consolation within the pocket since his Achilles surgical procedure.
In the meantime, O’Connell is a robust contender for the NFL Coach of the Yr award after one other stellar season with yet one more quarterback. The expectation is that the Vikings will supply O’Connell a contract extension — 2025 is the ultimate 12 months of his present deal — although at this level, there have been no discussions.
For now, although, the Vikings are targeted on maintaining their momentum and making a deep playoff run. And for Cousins, the problem now’s proving that, regardless of all of the twists and turns, he’s nonetheless the man Atlanta can belief to ship it into January.
Belichick again to highschool?
Eight NFL groups modified coaches in the course of the earlier cycle, and Belichick — a six-time Tremendous Bowl winner, and arguably probably the most achieved head coach in professional soccer historical past — attracted shockingly little curiosity. Belichick, fired by the Patriots in January after 24 seasons, formally interviewed for less than one of many different seven openings, rising as a finalist for the Falcons job that finally went to Morris. Since then, Belichick has turn into extremely seen by way of varied media ventures, and I’ve been informed by a number of folks that he’s targeted on a head-coaching place in 2025. That additionally contains faculty jobs.
Belichick was in attendance for a recreation between the College of Washington, the place his son Steve is defensive coordinator, and the College of Michigan in October. (Steph Chambers / Getty Photographs)
If we’ve realized something from his break day the sector, you continue to get a robust sense that Belichick loves speaking and educating soccer. However because it seems, Belichick could also be uninterested in ready for NFL house owners to name. He has had a number of conversations with the College of North Carolina about its teaching emptiness. He’s one in all a number of candidates for the job beforehand held by Mack Brown — and the talks should not for present. The curiosity is actual, and if Belichick is obtainable the job, a supply conversant in his considering expects him to take it.
Why would Belichick, 72, blink early and take a university job? Nicely, for one, he was turned off by January’s expertise and the shortage of motion he obtained. There’s the standard knowledge that Belichick needs to return to the NFL and surpass Don Shula’s document for profession victories (Belichick, with 333, trails the previous Dolphins and Colts teaching legend by 14 wins). Breaking that document would imply so much to Belichick, but it surely’s not the be-all, end-all. Remember, Belichick needs to run a program with out interference, and primarily based on the NFL jobs which might be anticipated to be obtainable, there aren’t many organizations who match that mildew.
Although he has spent his whole profession within the NFL, Belichick usually had faculty coaches like Kirk Ferentz, Greg Schiano and City Meyer go to in the course of the offseason, and spent high quality time with Nick Saban. He has additionally turn into extra conversant in the faculty recreation this season as his son, Steve, has served because the College of Washington’s defensive coordinator. Presumably, the Belichicks might reunite in Chapel Hill. However the backside line: Coaches coach.
Teaching candidates measurement up Chicago
There’s chatter across the league — and loads of combined opinions — about whether or not the Bears’ head-coaching job is as interesting as group president Kevin Warren claims it to be. On paper, you possibly can see his argument. They’ve obtained a younger quarterback on a rookie deal and a good salary-cap scenario, that are massive promoting factors to any coach.
However that’s not the problem. There are many years price of cautionary tales relating to the group from the highest down, and any candidate goes to need a clear understanding of the connection between Warren and GM Ryan Poles. Who has the ultimate say, and the way will that dynamic have an effect on the top coach’s authority?
It’s no shock that teaching brokers and potential candidates are already doing their homework on Chicago’s possession and management dynamic. They’re making an attempt to determine if this can be a secure scenario, or if it’s a dangerous touchdown spot. The group claims it’s looking for a “chief of males,” and that is perhaps true — however in Chicago, it appears the boys already within the constructing is perhaps below analysis as effectively.
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The Al-Shaair debate
Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair is formally out for the following month after the NFL spent about 45 minutes listening to arguments within the enchantment of his three-game suspension. The ruling stood. With the Texans on a bye this week, Al-Shaair received’t be allowed close to the group’s services, assembly rooms or video games till after the group’s Christmas Day recreation towards the Ravens.
It’s no secret Texans GM Nick Caserio, head coach DeMeco Ryans and Al-Shaair himself are pissed off with the league’s course of and what they contemplate inconsistencies in it. This suspension has sparked widespread debate across the NFL, with loads of differing opinions about how the league dealt with the scenario. One NFL head coach provided some perception into the league’s perspective: “The NFL has to guard its $250 million investments — it’s that straightforward. No one needs to observe video games with backup quarterbacks, and the league understands that. The refs do a stable job recognizing the ball the place the primary physique half touches, and pretend slides aren’t actually a problem anymore. After Kenny Pickett’s transfer, they modified the rule to mark gamers down in the event that they pretend a slide, in order that’s been addressed.
“However issues occur quick on the sector, and late slides are all the time going to be a grey space. Typically quarterbacks are going to get hit, however the hot button is ensuring defenders aren’t focusing on the top or neck with a helmet, shoulder or forearms — that’s the place the large penalties are available. Defenders must be coached to guide with their arms, not their heads. Sliding QBs decrease their goal space, which makes it harder to land a clear hit.
“I inform my quarterbacks to go for the Superman dive, like Carson Wentz used to do. You will get a number of additional yards whereas nonetheless being shielded from head and neck hits. The foundations are what they’re.”
Classes in worth buying
Lastly, a lesson as gift-giving season enters its most frenzied time: It seems, you don’t all the time get what you pay for.
Monday evening’s recreation between the Broncos and Browns was an ideal instance. The 2 groups lit up the scoreboard, combining for 73 factors and 952 yards of offense. Main the best way? Jameis Winston and rookie Bo Nix, quarterbacks making a mixed complete of lower than $9 million this 12 months.
Bo Nix and Jameis Winston put up monster numbers, whereas enjoying on comparatively paltry quarterback salaries, on Monday evening. (Justin Edmonds / Getty Photographs)
However right here’s the bogus half: Each groups are nonetheless shelling out large quantities of cash for quarterbacks who didn’t even swimsuit up. Denver is paying Russell Wilson greater than $39 million, and Cleveland is forking out $45 million-plus for Deshaun Watson. That’s roughly $84 million mixed.
Denver and Cleveland are prime case research within the dangers of swinging massive on the quarterback place — buying and selling for veteran stars and inking them to large contract extensions. Quick ahead to at present, and Wilson is having fun with a profession resurgence in Pittsburgh after flaming out as a Bronco, and Watson has suffered his second season-ending damage in as a few years.
Sean Payton endured criticism for benching Wilson late final season earlier than finally slicing him and rolling with Nix, the No. 12 choose of the draft. Watson nonetheless hasn’t recorded a 300-yard passing recreation since becoming a member of Cleveland in 2022. However each groups are examples of the significance of figuring out worth. Joe Flacco led the Browns to the playoffs final 12 months. Winston has injected life into his group, even when a postseason look isn’t within the playing cards. And Payton — bolstered by an enhancing Nix and one of many league’s stingiest defenses — has an inside observe on ending the NFL’s second-longest energetic playoff drought.
In order you’re racing by way of shops or scrolling on-line for items, bear in mind: It isn’t concerning the price ticket — it’s about getting the precise match.
(High picture: Matthew Stockman / Getty Photographs)