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The Wolf Sports Newsletter: April 23, 2024


The 2024 NFL Draft in Detroit begins this Thursday at 8:00 PM ET! Sign up for Fantasy Consigliere to access our final big board when it’s released later this week. And the final mock draft (unlocked) will be out on Thursday.

 

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Matt Ryan officially retires

 

Matt Ryan (AKA “Matty Ice”) has officially retired from the NFL. This was expected after Ryan sat out last season and worked for CBS Sports, but he made it official by retiring as a member of the Atlanta Falcons and penning a very nice retirement letter.

 

 

Ryan should certainly have a realistic shot to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and it’s a shame from his perspective that his Falcons were on the wrong end of the epic 28-3 comeback by the Patriots in Super Bowl LI. Among his accomplishments:

 

  • 2016 NFL MVP
  • 2016 NFL Offensive Player of the Year
  • 2008 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
  • 62,792 passing yards (seventh all-time)
  • 381 passing touchdowns (ninth all-time)
  • Most passing yards through first 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14 seasons in NFL history
  • Most consecutive games with 200+ passing yards (64)

 

Bill Belichick’s coaching cycle fact or fiction

 

We get it if you don’t want to trust a story littered with anonymous sources, but ESPN released an interesting article about legendary head coach Bill Belichick last week. Among the highlights:

 

  • Belichick was an early favorite with the Falcons but ultimately did not finish among the team’s top three candidates (Raheem Morris, Mike Macdonald, and Bobby Slowik).
  • Again this is anonymously sourced, but Patriots owner Robert Kraft reportedly told Falcons owner Arthur Blank not to trust Belichick.
  • Washington co-owner Magic Johnson really wanted to consider Belichick for their head coach opening but was essentially overruled; Belichick reportedly would have been interested in the Northeast franchise.
  • The Eagles (who considered Belichick before sticking with Nick Sirianni), Cowboys, and Giants are three teams to watch for Belichick in 2025.
  • Omaha Productions is expected to sign Beliehick soon for a media role.

 

 

This passage from Bill Walsh’s Finding the Winning Edge might give real insight of what’s happened with the lack of serious interest in Belichick:

 

 

Football fans will be treated to the eight-time Super Bowl champion’s expertise during the draft when he joins Pat McAfee’s “Draft Spectacular” this Thursday on ESPN+.

 

https://twitter.com/PatMcAfeeShow/status/1780650700126470336

 

Zach Wilson lands in Denver

 

The No. 2 overall pick in the 2021, Zach Wilson was traded from the Jets along with a seventh-round pick to the Broncos for a sixth-round pick. Four of the five 2021 first-round quarterbacks have been traded for Day 3 draft picks.

 

 

This is an interesting landing spot with Broncos head coach Sean Payton, with Denver (picking No. 12 overall) thought to be in the hunt for a quarterback in the draft. However, Wilson is only 24 years old, and despite struggles with the Jets, he undoubtedly showed flashes in a near-impossible situation—particularly last year, including nearly knocking off the Chiefs on Sunday Night Football.

 

New uniforms

 

Both the Lions and the Broncos unveiled new uniforms leading up to the draft.

 

Detroit’s new unis include the return of a black option, which head coach Dan Campbell basically got done after team president Rod Wood promised would be the case when they win the NFC North.

 

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1781348010426859992

 

Denver had one of the older uniforms in football, and their new design is much more modern and includes a sleek mountain peak sleeve cap on the shoulders.

 

 

Also, the Browns announced that they’ll be using white facemasks on their helmets full-time.

 

https://twitter.com/NFL/status/1780604046413599139

 

Player and coach news

 

The Chiefs signed head coach Andy Reid, general manager Brett Veach, and team president Mark Donovan to contract extensions through 2029.

 

https://twitter.com/Chiefs/status/1782560402947088862

 

The NFL reinstated five players indefinitely suspended last year for gambling policy violations: WR Quentez Cephus, S C.J. Moore, DL Demetrius Taylor, DE Shaka Toney, and LB Rashod Berry.

 

The Dolphins are picking up fifth-year options for receiver Jaylen Waddle and pass rusher Jaelan Phillips.

 

The Broncos signed cornerback Levi Wallace, and the Packers signed offensive tackle Andre Dillard.

 

Rashard Higgins and Christian Kirskey retired as members of the Browns, and punter Jon Ryan retired as a Seahawk.

 

https://twitter.com/Browns/status/1780224194565017670

 

 

Recently retired Patriots legend Matthew Slater is joining the team in a full-time position as a right-hand man to head coach Jerod Mayo’s staff, according to ESPN’s Mike Reiss.

 

More NFL news

 

Former NFL general manager Duke Tobin passed away at 83.

 

Roman Gabriel, the 1969 NFL MVP and the first quarterback of Filipino-American descent died at 83.

 

2024 NFL Draft prospect Amitral “AJ” Simon tragically died at 25.

 

 

Rapid blood tests that could diagnose concussions within minutes have received FDA approval.

 

The Bills are exploring a sale of around 25% of the team. This comes as the team is building a new stadium.

 

Walt Anderson has stepped down from his role as the NFL’s senior VP of officiating, and new 2024 officials(including his son Derek Anderson) were announced.

 

Other Sports Updates

 

Changes to NCAA football rules for 2024 include the addition of a two-minute warning and the ability for helmet communications.

 

 

The Biden administration revised Title IX rules to expand protections to men identifying as women in an intensly debated move.

 

The Stanley Cup Playoffs are underway!

 

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1781186108757336560

 

Ryan Garcia upset Devin Haney in a triumphant split decision on Saturday night.

 

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani set the record for most home runs by a Japanese player in MLB history (176).

 

Baseball Hall of Famer Whitney Herzog has passed away at 92.

 

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