Just several more months until the 2024 NFL season…
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Chiefs celebration ends in tragedy
In what was supposed to be a day of celebration, the Chiefs’ championship parade ended with a senseless shooting that left at least 39 people injured and one dead—Lisa Lopez-Gavlan, a mother of two. All 12 hospitalized children were thankfully released, and they received visits from Patrick and Brittany Mahomes. Also, Taylor Swift gave $100K to the family of Lopez-Gavlan. Two of the three people arrested for the shooting were juveniles, and police say the situation was a dispute that turned into a shooting.
Statement from the Kansas City Chiefs pic.twitter.com/erKsrF3SX8
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) February 14, 2024
Niners fire DC Steve Wilks
Following their Super Bowl loss, the Niners are moving on from defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after one season.
- 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said “it just ended up being not the right fit” in trying to blend their usual scheme with Wilks’ system.
- You could see at the end of the Super Bowl, when Shanahan called a timeout and was yelling into the headset (presumably about the soft coverages being played) that this was a possibility.
- San Francisco is searching for a new defensive coordinator, and we’d think candidates would love to land there.
- Wilks easily could have been named the Panthers’ full-time head coach last offseason after a strong run as the interim coach, and it’s unfortunate that he’s now in a tough spot this late in the 2024 coaching cycle.
Jimmy G suspended
♂️ Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was suspended two games for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Substances Policy.
- According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Garoppolo used a prescribed medicine without having a valid Therapeutic Use Exemption. So, it sounds like this was an accident/procedural error.
- The Raiders no longer owe Garoppolo guaranteed money for 2024, and he’s expected to be released.
- Though the two-game suspension hurts, Jimmy G could draw interest from teams like the Broncos in the coming weeks.
Haason Reddick wants to stay in Philly
Days after it was reported that Eagles star pass rusher Haason Reddick was given permission to seek a trade, Reddick told Jordan Schultz that he wants to remain in Philadelphia.
Just spoke to #Eagles All-Pro pass-rusher Haason Reddick, who tells me he never requested a trade and he wants to stay in Philadelphia. “I would like to get an extension done here at home. At no point did I ever tell the organization I want to be traded.”
Reddick has one year… pic.twitter.com/qLsJpWYrG9
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) February 13, 2024
This isn’t a surprise, as Reddick is from the Philadelphia area and wants to remain in midnight green. However, he is entering the final year of his contract and certainly wants an extension. The 29-year-old had 11.0 sacks in 2023 after 16.0 sacks in his first season with Philly. The previous news might have been part of the negotiations by the Eagles, but it’s a situation to track this offseason.
Franchise tag window opens today
At 4:00 PM ET today, the window opens for teams to be able to place the franchise or transition tag on players. Teams have until March 5 at 4:00 PM ET to use the tag in 2024. Among the candidates to get tagged:
- Jaguars EDGE Josh Allen
- Buccaneers S Antoine Winfield Jr.
- Panthers EDGE Brian Burns
- Chiefs CB L’Jarius Sneed
- Giants RB Saquon Barkley
- Bengals WR Tee Higgins
- Raiders RB Josh Jacobs
- Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins
- Ravens DT Justin Madubuike
- Bears CB Jaylon Johnson
- Patriots S Kyle Dugger
- Colts WR Michael Pittman Jr.
- Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield
Players like Titans running back Derrick Henry and Chiefs defensive lineman Chris Jones are unlikely to be tagged given their salaries on the tag.
NFL transactions
⬛ The Ravens signed wide receiver Nelson Agholor to a one-year contract extension after a solid first season with Baltimore.
We have signed WR Nelson Agholor to a one-year contract extension! pic.twitter.com/a6NXo7gcU9
— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) February 18, 2024
The Bears have released former All-Pro safety Eddie Jackson and offensive lineman Cody Whitehair.
The Patriots release veteran defensive lineman Lawrence Guy and safety Adrian Phillips.
✍️ The Eagles signed pass rusher Julian Okwara, who was a 2020 third-round pick of the Lions and played the past four seasons in Detroit.
More NFL news
☠️ The Buccaneers and Mike Evans did not agree to a long-term extension by yesterday’s soft deadline, meaning Tampa Bay takes a $7.4 million dead cap hit in 2024. The two sides will reportedly continue to negotiate ahead of free agency next month.
Chiefs guard Nick Allegretti tore his UCL in the second quarter of the Super Bowl but played through it in the KC victory.
Speculation was ramping up that the Steelers are interested in acquiring Bears quarterback Justin Fields, but now reports say they want to stick with Kenny Pickett or Mason Rudolph. Overall, no one really knows what’s going to happen.
Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson has started throwing after shoulder surgery cut short his rookie season last year. The No. 4 pick in the draft has sky-high expectations in Indy.
Veteran running back Mike Davis has retired from the NFL.
As I turn 31 today, I sit back and look on my NFL career and how thankful I am to be apart of a brotherhood. This game has allowed me to make a lot of friends and memories. I’m grateful for every organization in NFL. With that being said I’m retiring! ✌🏾
— IG MikeDavisRB (@MikeDavisRB) February 19, 2024
➡️ The Commanders hired longtime Lions executive Lance Newmark as their assistant general manager.
NFL assistant coaching moves
There continues to be movement in the assistant coaching ranks, including more moves involving recent former players transitioning into coaching.
- Former Bears head coach Marc Trestman was hired as a Senior Offensive Assistant for the Chargers.
- The Raiders hired former NFL running back and Auburn running backs coach Cadillac Williams to the same position.
- Former Vikings first-round pick Sharrif Floyd was hired as an assistant defensive line coach under new Cowboys defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer.
- After previously playing 11 years for the Chargers, the franchise hired former center Nick Hardwick as the team’s assistant offensive line coach.
- The Commanders hired former NFL quarterback David Blough and former Steelers cornerback William Gay to assistant roles.
- The Titans are hiring former NFL special teamer Colt Anderson to be the team’s special teams coordinator.
Other Sports Updates
William Byron won the Daytona 500, which was delayed to Monday due to weather.
A race he'll never forget! @WilliamByron is a #DAYTONA500 Champion! pic.twitter.com/TRAPvHjZni
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 20, 2024
EA Sports College Football 25 is officially happening, with the game launching this summer and a full reveal in May after a teaser trailer.
Yeah, It’s really happening! Coming this summer. Full reveal in May #CFB25 pic.twitter.com/yMMXz7OeR8
— EASPORTSCollege (@EASPORTSCollege) February 15, 2024
️ In the 2024 NHL Stadium Series at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ, the Devils beat the Flyers on Saturday night, and the Rangers came back to defeat the Islanders on an Artemi Panarin overtime goal on Sunday. The 2025 Stadium Series will take place between the Red Wings and Blue Jackets at Ohio State’s Ohio Stadium in front of 100,000+ fans.
The 2025 @NavyFederal NHL #StadiumSeries heads to Ohio! 🏟️@DetroitRedWings vs. @BlueJacketsNHL
Saturday, March 1, 2025 pic.twitter.com/S1MmGXaeKB
— NHL (@NHL) February 18, 2024
Maple Leafs star Auston Matthews already recorded his sixth hat trick of the season, the most since Mario Lemieux in 1995-1996.
⚾️ MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced his tenure will end January 2029.
️ The Phillies signed versatile utility man Whit Merrifield to a one-year, $8 million deal.
The Dynasty, a series focusing on the New England Patriots led by Bill Belichick and Tom Brady, launched with its first two episodes on Apple TV last week.
Let's start at the beginning.
First two episodes of The Dynasty: New England Patriots are now streaming. pic.twitter.com/iabcbz9sHZ
— Apple TV (@AppleTV) February 16, 2024
Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark broke the NCAA Division I women’s scoring record.
In Case You Missed It
- Ranking Chiefs’ potential opponents for 2024 opener
- Oregon State OT Taliese Fuaga scouting report ()
- Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy scouting report ()
- Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. scouting report ()
- BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia scouting report ()
- Alabama CB Kool-Aid McKinstry scouting report ()
- Iowa CB Cooper DeJean scouting report ()
- Georgia WR Ladd McConkey scouting report ()
- Clemson CB Nate Wiggins scouting report ()
- LSU WR Brian Thomas Jr. scouting report ()
- Penn State EDGE Chop Robinson scouting report ()
- Final 2023 NFL power rankings