Hall‑of‑Fame quarterback Drew Brees reveals on Front Office Sports Today that he’s eyeing the Monday Night Football analyst slot expected to open when Troy Aikman departs. After a rocky start at NBC—including a criticized 2022 Raiders‑Bengals playoff call—Brees rebounded with ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown, a Netflix special, and now a full season as Fox’s No. 3 analyst alongside Adam Amin. While he’s praised for his football pedigree, critics still find his on‑air style bland compared with peers like Greg Olsen and Tony Romo. Brees says he wants to be "the best" and would love the MNF gig if it becomes available.
It is hard to believe that the fantasy playoffs are right around the corner, but we are officially entering the […]
The latest Arrowhead Pride Mailbag recaps the Chiefs' 35-12 win over the Jets and dives into fans' biggest question: does rookie wideout Josh Downs fit Kansas City’s WR room? Downs, a 5’9”, 170‑lb third‑rounder, arrives with 2,494 career receiving yards and a career‑high 9.5 average depth of target in 2026, marking his best deep‑route performance yet. While not a Tyreek Hill replacement, analysts argue he can raise the offense’s floor and offer more downfield threat than recent small receivers. The piece also touches on O‑line concerns and other fan queries.
Veteran defensive tackle Cam Heyward reveals on his "Not Just Football" podcast that former Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin still guides him from afar via a nonstop group chat. Even after Tomlin stepped down in January, he texts Heyward and T.J. Watt each week, offering film notes and morale boosts—most recently after the Steelers’ Week 8 28‑17 win over the Browns that kept Pittsburgh atop the AFC North at 6‑2 under new coach Mike McCarthy. Heyward says Tomlin’s mentorship underscores their lasting "players coach" bond, showing the ex‑coach’s influence remains a quiet force in Pittsburgh’s success.
Week 9 sees several Syracuse alumni making their mark across the NFL. Atlanta’s Matthew Bergeron earns the highest PFF offensive rating (80.3) with a standout 90.9 run‑blocking grade, while Cleveland’s Andre Szmyt is perfect on the day, converting three field goals, including a 51‑yard tie against New Orleans (19‑21 on the season). Kyle McCord is set to debut for Miami against Indianapolis, and the Jets trade safety Andre Cisco to Detroit for a 2028 sixth‑round pick. Other former Orange contribute on special teams for teams like the Cardinals, Cowboys, Chargers and Buccaneers.
Brad Ausmus, the Yankees’ bench coach since 2024, is set to become the Houston Astros’ next manager after the club announced Joe Espada will not return for 2027. The move, reported by Astros insider Brian McTaggart, marks the first major hire for new GM Randy Flores under owner Jim Crane. Ausmus, a former Astros catcher, previously managed the Detroit Tigers (2014‑17) and the Los Angeles Angels (2019), posting a 386‑422 record and a 2014 division title. His departure leaves the Yankees scrambling for a bench coach, after they already lost quality‑control coach Tanner Swanson to Seattle and see hitting coach James Rowson heading to the Giants.
The Kansas City Chiefs waived veteran returner Nikko Remigio a day after trading for WR Josh Downs and a 2027 seventh‑round pick. Sources suggest Downs could take over return duties, adding to his 33 catches for 354 yards and a touchdown with Indianapolis. The move opens a slot on the special‑teams rotation, giving head coach Andy Reid more flexibility as the Chiefs, now 6‑2 after a 35‑12 win over the Jets, aim for a postseason push. Downs' dual role could be key against the Falcons in Week 10.
Every draft season produces the same tug of war. A team needs a quarterback, suspects its preferred prospect
The post Does the Fifth-Year Option Justify Trading Into the Late First Round for a Quarterback? appeared first on We Never Stop .
The Giants allowed six sacks on Sunday, including a hit by Jonathan Greenard that beat left tackle Andrew Thomas. Despite Thomas practicing with a groin issue and right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor returning from a calf injury, the article urges a protection adjustment on the left side for Thursday’s game. It suggests using a tight end as a chip blocker on longer passes and shifting extra help to the interior when Washington’s edge rush, like Frankie Luvu, attacks. Over‑committing seven blockers could stifle the offense, so the author recommends an early, visible help that withdraws once Thomas proves he can handle the matchup.
The Keenan Allen trade is smart value for the 49ers, but it also suggests the team is not sure what it will get from Mike Evans' Achilles.
Ahead of Thursday Night Football, former Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale mocks Washington Commanders wideout Stefon Diggs, joking that his recent breakup with Cardi B has “taken his legs.” Martindale predicts the Giants must set an NFL record for max pressures to contain quarterback Jayden Daniels, noting Diggs isn’t the primary threat. Diggs, who joined the Commanders on a one‑year deal, has 30 catches for 303 yards and five TDs as Washington sits 2‑5‑1 in the NFC East. The rivalry game marks their final meeting of the 2026 season after a Week 5 tie.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano reveal that the Los Angeles Rams were the only team to approach the Chargers about wideout Ladd McConkey before the trade deadline, but the Rams never pursued him seriously. Expecting Puka Nacua and Davante Adams to return, the Rams trust quarterback Matthew Stafford to run their existing receiver group. McConkey, a 2024 second‑round pick and former Georgia star, is in the third year of a four‑year, $9.99 million deal, posting 17 catches for 286 yards and one TD in six games this season.
Q&A: Giardi on the NFL trade deadline, what lies ahead with the Lions 11.12.26 10 AM
The Colts’ refusal to part with Jonathan Taylor for less than a first‑round pick halted Denver’s trade push at the 2026 deadline. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano report that Indianapolis demanded a first‑round equivalent, a price the Broncos weren’t willing to meet, despite interest in bolstering their backfield. Denver also eyed J.K. Dobbins but keeps both him and Jonah Coleman on IR, leaving the team quiet on the deadline. The stalemate leaves the Broncos without a major upgrade while Indianapolis plans to rebuild around Taylor.
The Eagles’ offense sputters again in a 17‑10 loss to the New York Giants, mustering just 220 yards, 13 first downs and a paltry 3.3 yards per play. Rookie quarterback Joe Milton’s scrambles keep the game marginally watchable, but the unit’s protection collapses on a left‑side four‑man slide, leaving rookie tackle and Markel Bell exposed. The ground game stalls at 1.75 yards per carry without Milton’s runs, and the passing attack fails to create clean windows despite a defensive pass‑interference boost to Darius Cooper. The author concludes the 2026 Eagles offense remains boring and disjointed, urging a fresh start after November’s disappointing performance.
The Denver Broncos set an NFL record with their 16th straight one‑score win, beating the Carolina Panthers 23‑20 in Week 9 and climbing to the No. 2 AFC seed. Pro Football Focus grades show offensive standouts Luke Wattenberg (75.2), QB Bo Nix (75.1) and TE Nate Adkins (74.4), while FB Adam Prentice (50.1) and RB Jonah Coleman (60.6) rank at the bottom, the latter penalized for poor pass protection. Defensively, DL Tyler Onyedim (92.4) and OLB Nik Bonitto (89.9) lead the way, with CB Jahdae Barron (30.1) the poorest performer. Special teams highlight S Devon Key (90.2). The Broncos head into a Week 10 bye before facing the Las Vegas Raiders on Nov 22.
The Houston Texans sit at 3-5 through Week 9 of the 2026 season, mirroring their record at the same point last year when they launched an eight‑game winning streak to clinch a wild‑card berth. While the AFC South looks tougher—Jacksonville leads at 6-2 and the Colts sit a surprising 2-7—the Texans hold a 3-3 conference record and must reach the magic 11‑win mark, meaning they need to go 8‑1 to stay alive. Their remaining slate includes games against the Browns, Colts, Ravens, Steelers, Commanders, Jaguars, Eagles, Packers and Titans, with several opponents struggling. The article compares this schedule and playoff picture to 2025, arguing the Texans’ fate now hinges on self‑execution rather than rival collapses.
The trade for Kirk Cousins came together quickly on Tuesday, but the Raiders’ plan...
The post Raiders Believe Fernando Mendoza was Ready Before Now appeared first on Raiders Beat .
The Vikings officially add quarterback Kirk Cousins, prompting a roster shuffle that sees wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. released from the 53-man roster and re‑signed to the practice squad. GM Nolan Teasley also cuts C.J. Hanson and T Corey Robinson II. Cousins is now the clear starter, with Kyler Murray likely as QB2 and Carson Wentz as emergency QB3, while Max Brosmer may be waived. The move comes ahead of Week 10 at Lambeau Field, where Cousins could help Minnesota improve its 7‑2 record.
The New England Patriots let the 2026 NFL trade deadline slip by, opting not to part with draft assets after finding offers too costly. Front office boss Eliot Wolf shields future capital, leaving the team without new talent ahead of their Week 10 showdown at Detroit. Analysts debate the move, citing injuries, a shaky offensive line and quarterback Drake Maye’s leadership as key factors. The preview highlights Lions rookie Jordan Love’s MVP surge, predicts a 30-24 Lions win, and links to podcasts and video breakdowns for deeper insight.
Poll posted at 11:04 a.m.
The post Jason Licht Confidence Poll (Annual Bye Week Edition) appeared first on JoeBucsFan.com .
The Las Vegas Raiders made a headline move at the NFL trade deadline, sending starting quarterback Kirk Cousins to the Minnesota Vikings for a 2027 third‑round pick, their second of the year. The trade signals the start of the Fernando Mendoza era, with the No. 1 overall draft pick set to debut against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. No other players were dealt or acquired, leaving fans to question whether the Raiders addressed needs at wide receiver and defensive line.
A recap of the AFC West at the trade deadline proves that the Las Vegas Raiders weren't the only team to make a big deal.
The much-maligned kicker is enduring a difficult season with the Chiefs. But does that mean he's really done in the NFL?
San Francisco 49ers fans dreamed of trading for New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson; instead, they got Keenan Allen at the NFL trade deadline.