HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Eagles LB/FB Ben VanSumeren Done For Season

November 30th, 2024 at 12:36pm CST by Ben Levine

Ben VanSumeren is done for the season. The Eagles linebacker/special teamer/part-time fullback suffered a season-ending knee injury during Friday’s practice, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer. VanSumeren is set to undergo more testing to determine the extent of the injury, but the initial diagnosis indicated that the player will miss the rest of the campaign.

The former UDFA caught on with the Eagles ahead of the 2023 campaign. He proceeded to get into nine games (one start) as a rookie, compiling 13 tackles while playing 180 of his 230 total snaps on special teams.

VanSumeren has seen a different role during his sophomore season. The 24-year-old has continued to play on special teams (213 snaps), but his defensive gig has completely disappeared. However, he has earned a job on the other side of the ball. As McLane notes, VanSumeren has served as the team’s fullback since they “shifted to more of a run-based offense” post-bye. VanSumeren was recruited to Michigan as a fullback, and that experience helped garner him some extra snaps in 2024.

While VanSumeren is a respected member of Philly’s special teams unit, the team’s more pressing need will come on offense. McLane suggests that practice squad tight end C.J. Uzomah might be the best option to serve as fullback during those handful of plays each game.

Dawn Aponte Drawing Interest For Front Office Jobs

November 30th, 2024 at 9:11am CST by Ben Levine

Dawn Aponte could soon make history as the first woman to lead an NFL front office. Dianna Russini of The Athletic writes that Aponte is drawing “real” interest from NFL teams that are seeking either new general managers or team presidents.

Aponte is no stranger to high-level roles. She currently serves as the NFL’s chief administrator of football operations, and she previously held high-ranking roles with the Jets, Dolphins, and Browns. Aponte started gaining momentum for GM gigs last offseason when she interviewed for the Chargers job, and she also met with the Commanders about a top front office role.

In a sport that’s historically been dominated by male leadership, Aponte’s inclusion in these job searches isn’t “about optics” nor an attempt “to demonstrate [the league’s] commitment to diversity and women in leadership,” per Russini. Rather, the executive has earned a reputation as a strong front office leader, with one source saying she’d be the perfect choice to “carry out ownership’s vision while creating streamlined processes, forcing accountability, and aligning the organization at all levels.”

Due to her lack of scouting and player personnel experience, Russini says Aponte would likely be paired with an executive who could focus solely on “the roster-building side of things.” This would better allow Aponte to handle “structure and alignment,” and her leadership and strategy skills would make her the natural leader among the new hires.

“She’s a tough, no-nonsense leader with a better resume and background in football than most of the men up for these jobs,” one coach told Russini. “This should be the year she gets a shot.”

Aponte’s name recently popped up in relation to the Jets’ front office opening. Former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum was recently brought on by his former team to help assist in the GM search. Tannenbaum and Aponte worked alongside each other in Miami, and there’s a sentiment that Tannenbaum’s desire “to do things differently” could lead to Aponte earning a role with the organization.

Bears Fire Matt Eberflus

November 29th, 2024 at 10:14pm CST by Adam La Rose

Matt Eberflus offered the public remarks often made by head coaches on the hot seat in the wake of the Bears’ most recent loss. The franchise is nevertheless making an unprecedented in-season change on the sidelines.

Eberflus has been fired, as first reported by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. His tenure in Chicago comes to an end after two-plus years at the helm of the team. He compiled a 14-32 record along the way, and the latest contribution to the team’s current six-game losing streak has marked the end of his first NFL head coaching gig. Recently-promoted offensive coordinator Thomas Brown will serve as interim head coach, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network adds.

[RELATED: Fallout From Bears’ Eberflus Firing]

Eberflus had a strong four-year run as the Colts’ defensive coordinator before being hired by the Bears to replace Matt Nagy. The 54-year-old was unable to guide the team to a run of success in two seasons with Justin Fields at quarterback, although during the second half of last year in particular the defense did show signs of improvement. A number of moves made this past offseason added new faces on offense, highlighted by the decision to move on from Fields and select Caleb Williams with the first overall pick. The latter’s rookie season has been marred by a string of close losses in recent weeks, several of which have increased the speculation Eberflus would not last the year.

Chicago had a 4-2 record heading into the bye week, an indication the team would at least be competitive in what has proven to be a very strong NFC North. The Bears lost to the Commanders on a Hail Mary (during which cornerback Tyrique Stevenson joined Eberflus in receiving considerable blame) in Week 8, however, and that marked the beginning of the current streak. Low-scoring defeats against the Cardinals and Patriots led to a play-calling change on offense, with Brown taking over from Shane Waldron as OC.

Williams’ play has generally improved since that move was made, but narrow losses to the Packers (on a blocked field goal), Vikings (in overtime) and Lions (during which the Bears mismanaged the situation at the end of the game and did not generate at least an attempt at a game-tying field goal) have now left Eberflus out of opportunities to rebound this season. Chicago sits at 4-8 on the year with the postseason no longer a realistic possibility. He defended the manner in which the Thanksgiving game ended yesterday before a brief media availability this morning. Shortly after multiple public appearances – during which, in both cases, he expressed a belief he would be retained – Eberflus is now out of the organization.

Three head coaching vacancies are now present in the NFL. The Jets moved on from Robert Saleh while Dennis Allen was dismissed by the Saints. Eberflus now joins them as a head coach with a defensive background on the lookout for a new opportunity. No shortage of candidates (particularly on the offensive side of the ball) will be involved in the 2025 hiring cycle, likely the earliest point at which Eberflus will join a new staff.

Brown made his NFL coaching debut in 2020 with the Rams. He was a member of Sean McVay‘s staff for three years before taking the Panthers’ OC gig last offseason. The 2023 campaign saw head coach Frank Reich fired amidst changes in play-calling duties with Brown. The latter spent much of the year at the helm, though, and the lack of development shown by quarterback Bryce Young helped lead to his departure. In a very short period of time, Brown has now ascended from passing game coordinator to OC and now, at least for a short-term spell, head coach.

From a big-picture perspective, today’s move represents the continuation of an unwelcomed trend regarding the HC-QB combination in Chicago. Mitch Trubisky spent one season with John Fox before a change on the sidelines was made. Nagy, in turn, spent one year with Fields in place before being dismissed at the end of the 2021 campaign. Now, Eberflus has received less than one full campaign following the Williams selection. The young passer’s development is of course the organization’s top priority, and finding a long-term coach to pair him with for 2025 and beyond will be critical in that process.

In all, Eberflus becomes the fifth Bears head coach to be fired since George McCaskey took over as chairman in 2011. Over that span, Chicago has posted a winning record only twice while cycling through three general managers and another three offensive coordinators. Finding stability will be key moving forward, but the latest attempt on that front will include a new voice on the sidelines.

Jameis Winston Wants To Stay In Cleveland

November 29th, 2024 at 9:50pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Jameis Winston is set to hit free agency after this season, but if it was up to him, he’d stay in Cleveland for the foreseeable future.

“Of course,” said Winston when asked if he wanted to re-sign with the Browns, per the Morning Journal’s Jeff Schudel, explaining that he and his family had found a home in Cleveland.

“I’ve truly embraced this city. I love the hard nose, I love the beautiful trees three months out the year,” said Winston. “I’m grateful for the fans challenging me. I’m grateful for the fans lifting me up. I’m grateful for you all challenging me and lifting me up.”

Winston signed a fully-guaranteed one-year, $4MM with the Browns this past offseason to serve as Deshaun Watson‘s backup, though he had to fend off competition from Tyler Huntley and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Cleveland is 2-2 in Winston’s four starts after starting the season 1-6, with the veteran quarterback injecting some life into their previously-anemic passing game.

Winston’s performance has also earned him the support of his teammates, including Nick Chubb and Jerry Jeudy.

“He has a huge impact,” said Chubb. “He loves football. That rubs off on all of us — the energy and passion he brings every day — and we appreciate that.”

Jeudy went a step further, saying that Winston is the “type of guy you just need around,” per Schudel.

The Browns will have to navigate Watson’s recovery from his season-ending Achilles tear as well as his fully-guaranteed contract this offseason. If Cleveland moves on from Watson – or if he’s not projected to be healthy when the 2025 season starts – they may search for common ground with Winston to retain the veteran quarterback for next year. However, his performance will allow him to demand more money this offseason, especially if he draws interest from other teams searching for a starting quarterback.

Eberflus Fallout: Bears, Warren, Brown, Poles

November 29th, 2024 at 9:48pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Bears’ Friday coaching change came as a surprise after head coach Matt Eberflus completed his morning media availability before he was fired. The coaching staff “had a normal morning” with their usual postgame meetings after Thursday’s loss to the Lions, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. Eberflus spoke to the media, though he was clearly aware of the potential to lose his job.

Meanwhile, chairman George McCaskey, team president Kevin Warren, and general manager Ryan Poles were amidst a multi-hour meeting debating Eberflus’s firing that lasted through his press conference, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. The Bears’ decision-makers came to their decision and informed Eberflus so he could tell his staff before they went home for the day.

Here is more fallout from the Bears’ coaching change:

  • Warren remained in the locker room for much longer than usual after Thursday’s loss, per ESPN’s Courtney Cronin. He spoke with several players, many of whom criticized Eberflus’s decision not to call a timeout before the last play of the game. Whether it was gathering feedback or assuring players that the front office would work to right the ship, those conversations likely factored into Warren’s approval of the firing. However, he was not present when the front office addressed the locker room after the coaching change was announced, per Breer.
  • Warren is expected to be on the search committee when the Bears interview head coach candidates after the regular season, per ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler. He’s had an “active role” in football operations since arriving in Chicago in 2023, according to Kahler. There is even “a perception around the league that Warren is the one making the calls,” indicating that Poles’ job security as general manager could be in question.
  • The scene in the locker room immediately after the game was “pretty ugly”, according to Breer. Players and coaches were frustrated with the team’s inability to close out a comeback after going down 16-0 in the first half.
  • Interim head coach Thomas Brown is well-regarded within the organization after starting the year as pass-game coordinator before taking over as offensive coordinator when Shane Waldron was fired earlier this month. It’s unlikely that Chicago’s first-ever midseason coaching change would install an interim that wasn’t a candidate for the full-time gig after the season is over, according to the Chicago Sun Times’ Patrick Finley. He now has five games to win over the Bears’ locker room and front office to cement his candidacy for a long-term position. If Brown inspires a turnaround, he could convince the team’s decision-makers that he’s the right man for the job before they have a chance to interview any other options.
  • Brown has been “hands on” with Caleb Williams over the last three games, according to the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs. Williams has averaged 275.7 passing yards in that stretch after averaging fewer than 200 over the team’s first nine games. The team appreciates Brown’s direct approach with Williams and wants to see if it has an impact on the whole team.
  • In addition to monitoring Brown’s potential as head coach, the Bears are still evaluating the rest of the coaching staff over the remainder of the season, per veteran NFL reporter Josina Anderson.
  • If Brown isn’t able to earn the job, the Bears are expected to target an offensive-minded coach to further Williams’ development, per Cronin. Offensive coordinators like the Lions’ Ben Johnson, the Buccaneers’ Liam Coen, the Falcons’ Zac Robinson, and the Cardinals’ Drew Petzig could all be on Chicago’s short-list.

Chiefs Discussed Marshon Lattimore Trade With Saints

November 29th, 2024 at 9:47pm CST by Adam La Rose

Shortly before the Saints traded Marshon Lattimore to the Commanders, a shortlist of other suitors known to be interested was in place. That included the Chiefs, a team which negotiated with New Orleans in an effort to work out a deal.

“We understood a [2025 third-round pick] might be involved, but we had to retain some [future picks],” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said, via The Athletic’s Nate Taylor (subscription required). “We approached New Orleans and wanted to do some different pick-swap ideas.”

In the end, the Saints sent the four-time Pro Bowler and a 2025 fifth-round selection to the Commanders for third-, fourth- and sixth-rounders in the upcoming draft. Kansas City represented a logical suitor for Lattimore given the season-ending injury suffered by Jaylen Watson. That ailment, coupled with the offseason trade of fellow corner L’Jarius Sneed, has left the defending champions short on established cover men aside from Trent McDuffie. As was the case with the Ravens, though, the Chiefs were outbid.

“If that was last year, we wouldn’t have made that call,” Veach added. “But there was a sense of, ‘Hey, if we can do this and not mortgage our future completely, then let’s try it.’”

Since Watson suffered a fractured ankle, Kansas City’s secondary has faced struggles and the team currently ranks 18th against the pass. The AFC’s No. 1 seed has exceled in one-score games this year in large part due to the team’s strength against the run, but adding Lattimore would have provided a notable boost to the CB room. Instead, he is set to debut for the Commanders soon; since he is on the books for two more years, Washington’s trade acquisition of Lattimore is not strictly a rental like many in-season swaps.

The Chiefs were active on that front, adding receiver DeAndre Hopkins and edge rusher Josh Uche ahead of the deadline. Both players are pending free agents, so they are in position to help Kansas City’s efforts at a three-peat on a short-term basis. Lattimore would have represented a lengthier commitment had a deal been worked out, but the Chiefs will instead move forward with their incumbent cornerback options.

NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/29/24

November 29th, 2024 at 9:17pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the latest practice squad transactions from around the NFL:

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

San Francisco 49ers

Minor NFL Transactions: 11/29/24

November 29th, 2024 at 8:23pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

Here are the NFL’s minor moves on Friday:

Atlanta Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals

San Francisco 49ers

Tennessee Titans

  • Signed to active roster from practice squad: DB Daryl Worley

The 49ers waived Bell after a frustrating season from the 2023 seventh-rounder. He appeared in all 17 games in 2023 and played all but two games this year, but only managed two catches for 22 yards despite expanded opportunities after Brandon Aiyuk‘s ACL tear. Any team that claims Bell on waivers will take on the remainder of his 2024 salary as well as the $2.2MM owed to him across 2025 and 2026, though that money is not guaranteed. However, Bell’s struggles this year will likely dissuade any team from claiming him on waivers. If he clears waivers, he will be free to sign with any team’s active roster or practice squad.

Buccaneers Place Jordan Whitehead On IR

November 29th, 2024 at 6:28pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Buccaneers are placing Jordan Whitehead on injured reserve, per The Athletic’s Greg Auman, sidelining the veteran safety for at least four games.

Tampa Bay feared that Whitehead suffered a torn pectoral in their Week 12 win over the Giants, but an initial MRI indicated that he would not require surgery and should be able to return this season. Still, the injury is severe enough to knock Whitehead out until at least Week 17. The Buccaneers are currently one game back of the Falcons in the NFC South, so they will be hoping Whitehead can return in time for a playoff push.

Whitehead does not have the salary or pedigree of a star safety, but he started every game for the Buccaneers so far this season with a 91% snap share on defense. Mike Edwards, who took replaced Whitehead in Week 12, will likely start at safety in Week 13, though rookie Tykee Smith could take some of Whitehead’s snaps in the box.

Tampa Bay has already given up the fourth-most passing yards in the NFL this year, and Whitehead’s absence will only make it harder to stop opponents through the air.

The Buccaneers signed practice squad linebacker Vi Jones to the 53-man roster to fill the opening created by Whitehead’s move on injured reserve. Jones was out of game day elevations, so Tampa Bay promoted him to the active roster so he can continue his role on special teams in Week 13.

Lions To Sign Jonah Williams Off Rams’ Practice Squad

November 29th, 2024 at 4:55pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

After several injuries on Thanksgiving, the Lions are signing defensive lineman Jonah Williams off the Rams’ practice squad, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Four Lions defensive linemen – Mekhi Wingo, Josh Paschal, and Levi Onwuzirke – suffered injuries during Thursday’s win. Wingo (knee) was able to return to the game, but Paschal (knee) and Onwuzirke (hamstring) missed the entire second half. Za’Darius Smith, Al-Quadin Muhammad, and DJ Reader were able to pick up the slack with 22 combined quarterback pressures, per Next Gen Stats, but Detroit still needed additional depth to weather the injuries.

Williams has appeared in just seven games this year – one for the Vikings and seven for the Rams – but he played in 33 games with 22 starts across 2022 and 2023 in Los Angeles. The versatile defender can line up off the edge or on the interior, so he could play a similar role as Paschal and John Cominsky, according to Detroit Football Network’s Justin Rogers.

Williams began his career as an undrafted free agent with the Rams in 2020 when current Lions general manager Brad Holmes was the Rams’ director of college scouting, so Holmes “would have been heavily involved in scouting the lineman,” per Rogers.

The Lions currently have 53 players on their active roster, so they will need to make a move to accommodate Williams. That will likely be placing linebacker Malcom Rodriguez on injured reserve after his ACL tear on Thursday.

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