Bengals TE C.J. Uzomah left in the 1st quarter of Sunday's AFC championship game with a left knee injury. He was quickly deemed doubtful to return. We'll see about the severity of the injury in the coming days. Uzomah is headed for unrestricted free agency in March.
Lions beat writer Kyle Meinke wonders if QB Jared Goff's late-season play was enough to earn him the long-term starting job. “Goff was acquired to help stabilize the offense until Detroit could draft a long-term solution," Menike writes. “But [Goff] was so good down the stretch that he might have played himself into the conversation for that role.” The former Ram improved down the stretch when HC Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties. But the real dilemma here is a lack of top-tier QBs in the 2022 draft. While Detroit holds the 2nd overall pick, expect them to address a need elsewhere.
The Raiders are set to hire Josh McDaniels as their new HC, ESPN Adam Schefter reports. McDaniels has spent 13 of the past 16 seasons as New England's OC under Bill Belichick. In between his 2 stints with the Pats, McDaniels spent a little less than 2 years as Denver's HC. He went 8-8 in the 1st season and then 3-9 in the 2nd before getting fired after Week 13. We'll see if McDaniels fares better in his 2nd chance at a HC job.
Chiefs RB Darrel Williams (toe) is active for today's AFC Championship game vs. the Bengals. We're expecting him to 3rd in line for touches behind RBs Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. RB Derrick Gore is a healthy scratch for Kansas City.
The Bears are set to hire Luke Getsy as their new OC, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Getsy has spent the past 3 years as the Packers' QBs coach and passing-game coordinator under Matt LaFleur. Getsy previously worked under Mike McCarthy in Green Bay and has coaching experience at 6 different colleges. He held the OC title at Indiana (PA) in 2011 and 2012 and at Mississippi State in 2018. That Bulldogs team ranked outside the top 60 in total yards and points. Getsy is largely an unknown heading into 2022. The Packers, meanwhile, are expected to promote offensive line coach Adam Stenavich to OC.
QB Tom Brady is retiring, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington. Brady's camp has denied the report, and the Bucs say they haven't been informed of Brady's decision. But Schefter wouldn't miss on a story like this -- and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also confirms that Brady plans to retire. It ends the greatest career in NFL history. Brady won 7 Super Bowls and 3 MVPs across 22 seasons, setting records for career wins, passing yards and passing TDs. The 44-year-old continued to play at a high level this past year, throwing for 5,316 yards and 43 TDs. But he's hanging up the cleats due to health and family reasons, per Schefter. Brady's absence leaves the Bucs with only 2021 2nd-rounder Kyle Trask on the roster at QB.
Patriots beat writer Khari Thompson writes that the “next step” for RB Rhamondre Stevenson is “getting better as a pass blocker and receiver.” As a 2021 rookie, Stevenson excelled as a rusher, posting 4.6 YPC and excellent broken tackle metrics. But he graded out as a below average pass protector and pass catcher from Pro Football Focus, dropping 1 of 18 targets and fumbling on another. Still, the fact that Stevenson effectively matched Damien Harris in routes per game (7.2) is encouraging. There’s also not a receiving RB currently on the roster, assuming James White, 30, gets to free agency. Look for the 1-2 punch of Harris-Stevenson to continue in 2022.
Rams WR Van Jefferson (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's NFC Championship vs. the 49ers. He only got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday. Jefferson has just 3 catches on 4 targets over the past 2 weeks and will carry added risk if he suits up this weekend.
Chiefs RB Darrel Williams (toe) is listed as questionable for Sunday's AFC Championship vs. the Bengals. He was limited on Thursday and Friday after a full practice on Wednesday. If he suits up this weekend, he figures to be 3rd in line for touches behind RBs Jerick McKinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
The Giants have hired Brian Daboll as their new HC. Daboll has been a hot name in coaching circles for a couple of years and was reportedly also drawing strong interest from the Dolphins. The 46-year-old has worked his way through 3 different colleges and 6 different NFL teams to get here. He most recently served as Buffalo's OC and play caller for the past 4 seasons. The Bills struggled in those first 2 years but ranked top 5 in total yards and points in the last 2. Daboll, of course, won't have a Josh Allen in New York. QB Daniel Jones remains a big question mark. But Daboll does have skill-position talent in RB Saquon Barkley and WRs Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney. New York's offensive line still needs a lot of work. Daboll's arrival at least adds upside to this offense.
Browns WR Anthony Schwartz said he's not yet 100% recovered from lingering injuries. Schwartz missed a chunk of training camp with a hamstring issue — then sat out 3 games with a concussion. “It's not really soft-tissue stuff. It's a little bit more than that,” he said via the Akron Beacon Journal. “[I’m] mainly just getting my health back, trying to get everything from the season out of me, so I'm able to train fully and able to not have any setbacks. I really want to get my speed back to where I know it can be and being able to keep that speed up throughout the season and being able to stay healthy throughout the season, so I can contribute — be one of the top guys on the team.” Schwartz’s speed is indeed his best trait — he blazed a 4.27 forty-time at Auburn’s Pro Day. A 2021 3rd-round pick, the 6’0, 186-pounder carries some sleeper appeal in deep dynasty formats.
Seahawks beat writer Adam Jude of the Seattle Times writes that the team’s TE situation might be in for a “significant overhaul.” The top 2 targets, Gerald Everett and Will Dissly, are slated for unrestricted free agency. Everett just finished a middling 20th in PPR points per game among TEs. And Jude wonders if Seattle — thin at several spots — could better spend the money elsewhere. Currently, the Seahawks only have 2 top-75 picks in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, WR DJ Chark is “moving well and running” on the left ankle he fractured in October. Fowler doesn’t believe the injury will impact Chark’s free agency status. Meanwhile, New Orleans and Philadelphia, among others, have been floated as potential destinations. Recall that Chark broke out just 2 years ago, posting 118-73-1,008-8 alongside Gardner Minshew and Nick Foles.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler cites “multiple sources” saying the Buccaneers have "high interest" in re-signing WR Chris Godwin. Godwin, of course, is coming off a Week 15 ACL tear. Yet he's reportedly viewed as the Lavonte David of Tampa Bay’s offense — “the tough and physical player who sets a tone and embodies team culture.” In 2021, Godwin set career highs in targets (128) and catches (98), doing so in 14 games. While the ACL might keep his price down a bit, the 25-year-old certainly won't be cheap. Free agency officially opens up on March 16th.
Bills beat writer Joe Buscaglia believes it’s “likely” WR Cole Beasley returns to Buffalo next season. Buscaglia even believes Beasley could return “to a more prominent role.” Beasley caught 82 balls for the 2nd straight season but scored just once and notched a laughable 8.5 YPC. The veteran has 1 year left on his deal, although Buffalo can save ~$6 million with his release. Said GM Brandon Beane: “I didn’t sit down with Cole at the end [of the season] and see where he was at and things like that, but yeah, I would anticipate Cole being back.” With Emmanuel Sanders and Isaiah McKenzie slated for free agency, look for Buffalo to add some young talent to this position.
The Lions want to see RB D’Andre Swift improve as a pass catcher. “When you got a dynamic running back like Swift, who can also hurt you in the passing game, you got to get better as a pass receiver,” RB coach Duce Staley said. “So, what does that mean? You gotta learn coverages. Coverages are No. 1. You got to understand what they’re trying to do to you, no matter if you’re coming out of the backfield or you’re spread out in empty. That’s one of the things I can be better at teaching him. He’s been learning. He understands. I just got to find more ways to continue to hammer the point home.” Swift caught 62 balls in 2021 after snagging 46 as a rookie. His yards per catch dipped this past year to a pedestrian 7.3, though. The 23-year-old profiles as a Round 2 pick in early 2022 fantasy football drafts.
The Jets “really want to re-sign” WR Braxton Berrios, per beat writer Rich Cimini. Berrios, 26, came on strong late in the year, catching 5+ balls in 3 of his final 4 games. He even earned an All-Pro nod for his kick return performance. If the Jets bring back Berrios and move on from Jamison Crowder -- another free agent -- it’s possible the former carries some sleeper value into summer drafts. Of course, a lot will ride on the development of Zach Wilson -- 1 of Pro Football Focus' lowest graded passers of 2021.
Rams beat writer Lindsey Thiry believes it’s “unlikely” the team can retain both Odell Beckham and Von Miller for 2022. L.A. simply lacks the cap space to bring the veterans back. After arriving around mid-season, OBJ racked up 27 catches for 305 yards and 5 scores in 7 starts. He’s tallied 10-123-1 on 12 targets across 2 postseason games. A return to L.A. might seem appealing, but remember that Robert Woods should return from an ACL tear. Beckham will turn 30 in November.
The Bears are hiring Matt Eberflus as their new HC. The 51-year-old has been in the NFL since 2009, working as a LBs coach in Cleveland and Dallas before getting the DC job in Indianapolis in 2018. Under Eberflus over the past 4 seasons, the Colts ranked top 10 in points allowed, yards allowed and takeaways. We'll see who he tabs to run the Bears offense.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger announced his retirement via a video posted on Twitter on Thursday morning. It ends an 18-year career -- all with Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger played some ugly football over the past couple of seasons but had an awesome career in totality. He currently ranks 5th in career passing yards and 8th in passing TDs. Big Ben won 67% of his regular-season starts and went 13-10 in the playoffs with 2 Super Bowl wins. Roethlisberger is a no-doubt Hall of Famer. The Steelers, meanwhile, have only QB Mason Rudolph signed for 2022. He'll reportedly get a shot to win the starting job, but expect competition to be added.
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