Tag: nfl news

Broncos moved to prime-time in NFL’s first-ever ‘Thursday Night Football’ flex

For the first time in NFL history, a game has been flexed to Thursday Night Football. The Broncos will now face the Chargers in primetime.

For the first time in NFL history, a Sunday afternoon game has been flexed to Thursday Night Football.

The Denver Broncos‘ road game against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16 has been flexed from Sunday, Dec. 22 to Thursday, Dec. 19, the NFL announced Friday. The original TNF matchup was set to see the Cincinnati Bengals host the Cleveland Browns. That game was moved to an afternoon slot on Dec. 22.

The Broncos previously played on TNF in Week 7 when they went on the road and defeated the New Orleans Saints 33-10. Denver is also scheduled to play on Monday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns in Week 13.

NFL rules prevent a team from being given two TNF away games when the initial schedule is released in the spring, but in-season flexes are allowed. So after playing in New Orleans on a short week earlier this season, the Broncos will play in Los Angeles on a short week later this year.

It is perhaps less-than-ideal for Denver from a competitive perspective, but it’s a sign that the league views the Broncos as an entertaining team worthy of a national spotlight. That’s quite a change from recent seasons.

Thursday Night Football is available to stream on Prime Video.

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John Elway says Bo Nix can help Broncos compete for world championships again

“The sky’s the limit for him,” John Elway said of Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix.

Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway likes what he’s seen from Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix this season.

“I’m happy for him,” Elway said during a recent interview with Broncos Wire about Dupuytren’s contracture and his treatment. “I’m happy for the Broncos and the Broncos fans out there. It’s kind of been a long dry spell and I think that everybody’s excited about what’s going on there. Obviously, the new ownership group is tremendous, with Sean Payton as a head coach and then obviously we draft Bo Nix, who I think Sean really likes and obviously, everybody likes now because we’ve seen him grow through the first 11 weeks of the season.

“It’s exciting to watch. But I think there’s a combination of both in the fact that Bo Nix has great talent. He’s very mature. He’s got 60 starts in college, which I think has really helped him.

“But I think even more importantly is the way that Sean and (quarterbacks coach) Davis Webb handle him, they’re not putting them in situations he can’t handle. They’re bringing him on slowly, getting him to understand the NFL game, which is a big jump from the college game, and so I think the whole combination of what is going on there is showing up in Bo’s play.

“He’s got the ability; Sean and Davis are putting him in situations that he can handle and those situations keep getting more and more week in and week out. And so, you know, the sky’s the limit for him. He’s just going to continue to get better and better.

“And as long as Vance Joseph keeps that defense going and keeps (Nix) in games week in and week out, then that allows the quarterback to grow at his own speed too and also win football games.”

Nix has broken multiple franchise (and NFL) records this season, passing several former marks set by Elway in his rookie year. Does Elway feel bad about seeing his records fall?

“I don’t,” Elway said with a laugh. “You know what? I’m glad he’s breaking them because it was my rookie year, we weren’t very good, so it’s nice to see that he’s got out to a better start than I had. And I think that’s a good sign for all the Bronco fans out here to be able to watch that knowing that they’ve really got somebody they can build around right now. Because, you know that quarterback position is so important in the NFL and it looks like they found their guy and [he will] continue to grow and bring back that excitement and start to compete for those world championships again.”

John Elway spoke with Broncos Wire in a three-part interview this week. Elway dicsussed Dupuytren’s contracture in Part 1. Stay tuned for Part 3, featuring Elway’s take on Denver’s playoff chances this season.

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NFLN: Four Jaguars assistants named ‘young coaches to watch’

NFLN: Four Jaguars assistants named ‘young coaches to watch’

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson’s name has come up for all the wrong reasons as the NFL’s annual coaching carousel approaches.

However, some Jacksonville staffers have entered the conversation as potential candidates for a promotion.

NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero on Tuesday identified assistant coaches under 45 years old who could be worth monitoring for the 2025 hiring cycle and in the future.

Among the potential candidates for this offseason’s wave was Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor.

Jaguars OC Press Taylor, 36

A two-time national [junior college] champion as a QB and the brother of Bengals coach Zac Taylor, Press broke into the NFL as a quality control coach in Philadelphia in 2013 and made a notable contribution to the Eagles’ Super Bowl LII win: Doug Pederson credited Taylor with the idea for the “Philly Special.”

Reunited in 2022 with Pederson in Jacksonville, Taylor built the offense and quietly called plays in the second halves of games as the Jaguars made a surprise playoff run. Evan Engram, Christian Kirk and Zay Jones have all enjoyed career years playing in Jacksonville’s offense. This has been an ugly season for the Jags, who are 2-9 — including a league-high six one-score losses — and are now playing without injured quarterback Trevor Lawrence. But Taylor remains a young assistant worth watching.

Taylor’s Jaguars offense has struggled this season, ranking No. 23 in the NFL in points per game (18.9) and No. 28 in yards per game (290.8) through 11 weeks, falling from No. 14 in points (22.2) and No. 13 in yards (339.5) per game in 2023.

Pelissero also named Jacksonville special teams coordinator Heath Farwell, wide receivers coach Chad Hall and assistant cornerbacks coach Cory Robinson as potential head coaching candidates for future cycles.

Farwell spent 10 seasons in the NFL, holding down roles as a core special teamer as a reserve linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks. He served as an assistant special teams coach for the Seahawks and Carolina Panthers before coordinating those units for the Buffalo Bills (2019-21) and Jaguars (2022-present).

Hall has overseen Jacksonville’s wide receivers the last two seasons after beginning his coaching career with Buffalo, as an offensive assistant from 2017-18 before his promotion to wide receivers coach in 2019. He played wide receiver for the Eagles, San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs between 2010-13.

Robinson joined Jacksonville’s coaching staff this offseason in an assistant role, tasked with instructing the Jaguars’ cornerbacks. He has coached professionally and collegiately since 2015, including stints with the Tennessee Volunteers, New Orleans Saints and Maryland Terrapins.

5 Ravens players to watch in Week 12 vs. Chargers

The Ravens pose several problems for the Chargers in Week 12, led by their dominant rushing attack.

With four straight victories, the Chargers are now set for a huge primetime matchup against the Ravens. Baltimore is coming off a close loss to their division rival, the Steelers, so they’ll be coming in fired up.

Here are some players to watch from Baltimore’s side of the ball on Monday evening:

WR Zay Flowers

Flowers is the Ravens’ best wideout and most dangerous pass catcher. His 727 receiving yards rank fifth, and he’s particularly potent after the catch. In that aspect, he ranks 10th in the NFL, with 362 yards coming after the catch. The Chargers secondary will need to keep tabs on him at all times, as he could pose them with some serious problems.

C Tyler Linderbaum

Linderbaum has developed into one of the best centers in all of football. According to Pro Football Focus, he dominates opposing defensive lines and has an elite 83.2 overall grade this year. If the interior part of the Chargers’ defensive line allows him to dominate, it may be a long night, particularly in the run game. The Ravens are second in the NFL in rushing with 177.3 yards per contest, and Linderbaum is a big reason for that.

DT Nnamdi Madubuike

Madubuike has a similar effect on the defensive line as Linderbaum does on the offensive line. He’s quietly one of the most underrated defensive lineman in football. His $98 million contract extension in March has proved its worth thus far, as he has racked up 5.0 sacks, a forced fumble, and 26 total tackles. Center Bradley Bozeman is the weakness of the Chargers’ offensive line, and they may be exposed on Monday against Madubuike.

EDGE Odafe Oweh

Oweh, a former first-round pick out of Penn State, is coming off a stellar performance. He tied his career high with 2.5 sacks against the Steelers in Week 11, as he was disruptive all game long. In 2024, he’s up to 7.0 sacks, already the most he’s had in a season. The Chargers’ elite offensive tackle duo must keep Oweh away (get it?) from Justin Herbert.

S Kyle Hamilton

No one understood how he fell to the Ravens at No. 14 overall in the 2022 NFL draft. He was an All-Pro honoree in 2023 and seems well on his way to another appearance this season. His 81 total tackles already match his career high, and he’s added two sacks, seven pass deflections, a forced fumble, and three tackles for loss. Herbert must always monitor Hamilton on the backend.

Dejected Drew Lock reacts to not being named Giants’ starter

“It’s just an interesting situation,” Drew Lock said after the Giants benched Daniel Jones and Tommy DeVito jumped Lock on the depth chart.

The New York Giants announced this week that quarterback Daniel Jones has been benched. Surprisingly, Drew Lock is not replacing him.

Lock served as New York’s backup quarterback for the first 10 games of the season. After benching Jones, however, the Giants are turning the offense over to Tommy DeVito, not Lock.

So why was Lock listed above DeVito on the depth chart all season until Jones was benched?

“Yeah, that’s a question I might still have for myself,” Lock told reporters on Wednesday, via SNY.tv. “You know, it was expressed to me that I was going to be the [No.] 2 and, I don’t know, it’s just an interesting situation.

“Not much I can really say about it besides, again, I’m going to be here for him and we’re still communicating, we’re still very good friends, believe it or not. No, yeah, I’m going to be here for him. This team needs to get a win and if you start winning, everything gets a little better around here.”

There’s been speculation that New York is not starting Lock in part because his contract includes reachable incentives based on playing time and performance. Whatever the reason, DeVito will start for the Giants going forward.

Lock, 28, was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft out of Missouri. He is 9-14 as a starter in the NFL.

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Key things to know about Chargers’ Week 12 opponent: Ravens

Here are some important things to know about the Ravens ahead of the Week 12 matchup with the Chargers.

The Chargers are at home to face the Ravens in primetime on Monday, Nov. 25, at 5:15 p.m. PT.

To get you prepped for the Week 12 bout, here are a few key things to know about Los Angeles’ opponent ahead of the matchup.

How things are going…

The Ravens are 7-4 on the season, with their most recent game being a loss to the Steelers.

Harbowl II

Jim and John Harbaugh will meet for the second time. Harbowl I occurred in Super Bowl XLVII in 2013 when John’s Ravens beat Jim’s 49ers 34-31.

Running up the scoreboard

The Ravens have been a problem to opposing defenses this season. Baltimore is averaging the second-most points in the NFL (30.4).

Lamar is legit

One of the main reasons the Ravens’ offense is impactful is Lamar Jackson’s play. Jackson has thrown for 2,876 yards and 25 touchdowns with three interceptions. He ranks first in EPA/play and success rate. Along with being a prolific passer, Jackson is lethal with his legs. He’s carried the ball 95 times for 584 yards and two scores.

All hail King Henry

The Ravens’ acquisition of Derrick Henry this past offseason has paid dividends. The former Titan has run wild this season, leading the league in yards (1,185), rushing touchdowns (13), and 20+ yard rushing plays (13). Between Jackson and Henry, Baltimore is averaging a whopping 177.3 yards per game on the ground.

Uneven defense

The Ravens have been stout against the run, allowing just 77.5 yards per game, which ranks No. 2 in the league. However, Baltimore has been torched through the air. They’ve given up the most passes (39.5) and passing yards per game (284.5).

Look out for…

Zay Flowers. Flowers, the second-year wide receiver, has established himself as Jackson’s top target. He has the fifth-most receiving yards (727) and is nearly always bound to make a big play.

Third suspect arrested after Josh Reynolds shooting

A third person has been arrested in connection to the Josh Reynolds shooting.

A third suspect has been arrested in connection to the Josh Reynolds shooting from October, according to a report from The Denver Post‘s Shelly Bradbury.

Dirk Lisica-Lange, 31, was arrested last week “on suspicion of attempting to influence a public servant, a low-level felony,” according to Bradbury.

Last month, Luis Mendoza, 35, and Burr Charlesworth, 42, were arrested and their charges included six counts of attempted first-degree murder.

Reynolds and two companions were shot after leaving a club in the Denver area on Oct. 18. They were followed by suspects who fired “at least 30 rounds” into the vehicle carrying Reynolds and two others.

It was a “coordinated, organized” attack, the Denver District Attorney’s Office said in court this week, according to Bradbury.

Reynolds, 29, is a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos. He was already on injured reserve with a finger injury when the shooting happened, and the team described his wounds as minor. The receiver is eligible to return from IR and could be back on the 53-man roster later this week.

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Report: Jets tried to trade a WR to Broncos this spring

The Jets offered Allen Lazard and a “Day 2 draft pick” to the Broncos for Jerry Jeudy, but Woody Johnson nixed the deal, per The Athletic.

Before the Denver Broncos agreed to trade wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to the Cleveland Browns this spring, they received a better offer (in terms of draft picks) from another AFC team.

Former New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas — who was fired this week — offered the Broncos a “Day 2 draft pick” and wide receiver Allen Lazard in exchange for Jeudy, according to a report from Zack Rosenblatt and Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

The second day of the draft features the second and third rounds, so that would have been better compensation for Jeudy than what the Broncos ended up getting from the Browns (fifth- and sixth-round picks).

The Jets deal was vetoed by New York co-owner Woody Johnson, according to the Rosenblatt and Russini report.

Getting a higher draft pick for Jeudy would have been nice, but Denver also would have inherited Lazard’s contract. The receiver, turning 29 next month, is scheduled to have base salaries of $11 million in 2025 and 2026.

After Johnson nixed the trade, the Broncos later traded Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele in the NFL draft. Those receivers will have team-friendly contracts over the next four years with the highest cap hit among them being Franklin’s $1.4 million charge in 2027.

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Woody Johnson wanted to bench Aaron Rodgers after Broncos beat Jets

After an ugly loss to the Broncos in Week 4, Jets co-owner Woody Johnson suggested benching quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

The New York Jets had a meltdown following their 10-9 loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 4.

Following that loss, Jets co-owner Woody Johnson wanted to bench veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who struggled against the Broncos’ defense.

One day after the loss, Johnson held a meeting with team brass and “suggested to the coaches that they bench Aaron Rodgers in favor of Tyrod Taylor because he felt Rodgers’ performance was holding the team back,” according to a report from The Athletic‘s Zack Rosenblatt and Dianna Russini. The report has since been confirmed by ProFootballTalk.com’s Mike Florio. Jets coaches and general manager Joe Douglas talked Johnson out of it.

Two months later, Douglas has been fired. New York is 3-8 and it would take a near-miracle to reach the playoffs this season. Rodgers has completed 63.4% of his passes for 2,442 yards with 17 touchdowns against seven interceptions through 11 games this fall.

It appears that the Jets never bounced back from that Broncos game.

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Legendary Jaguars RB Fred Taylor a semifinalist for 2025 HOF class

Legendary Jaguars RB Fred Taylor a semifinalist for 2025 HOF class

Not much has gone right for the Jaguars this season. Perhaps the Pro Football Hall of Fame can help them end the year, and 30th anniversary as a team, on a good note.

Legendary former Jacksonville running back Fred Taylor was one of 25 “Modern-Era Players” named a semifinalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 on Wednesday, the organization announced.

It marks the sixth consecutive class in which Taylor has been named a semifinalist; he advanced to the round of 15 modern-era finalists for the first time last year.

Among the nominees, Taylor is tied with former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Reggie Wayne for the fourth-most semifinalist nods. Former St. Louis Rams (and one-year Jaguars) wide receiver Torry Holt leads the group with 11; former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson are tied for second with nine.

Taylor, Jacksonville’s ninth overall pick in the first round of the 1998 NFL draft out of Florida, spent 11 seasons with the Jaguars and holds the franchise’s all-time rushing yards record with 11,271. He also rushed for 62 touchdowns and caught 286 passes for 2,361 yards and eight touchdowns with the club.

Taylor’s 11,695 career rushing yards, of which 1,299 were compiled with the New England Patriots between 2009-10, are the 17th most in league history. Every eligible running back ahead of Taylor on the list is a Pro Football Hall of Famer.

The candidate pool for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025 was cut from 167 “modern-era players” to 25 on Wednesday, including six first-year eligible players: Former Carolina Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Terrell Suggs and offensive lineman Marshall Yanda, Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas and Indianapolis kicker Adam Vinatieri.

Find the 25 semifinalists below.

  • Eric Allen, CB — 1988-1994 Philadelphia Eagles, 1995-97 New Orleans Saints, 1998-2001 Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2021-25)
  • Jared Allen, DE — 2004-07 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-15 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2021-25)
  • Willie Anderson, T — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2021-25)
  • Anquan Boldin, WR — 2003-09 Arizona Cardinals, 2010-12 Baltimore Ravens, 2013-15 San Francisco 49ers, 2016 Detroit Lions | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
  • Jahri Evans, G — 2006-2016 New Orleans Saints, 2017 Green Bay Packers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2023-25)
  • Antonio Gates, TE — 2003-2018 San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2024-25)
  • James Harrison, LB — 2002-2012, 2014-17 Pittsburgh Steelers, 2013 Cincinnati Bengals, 2017 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 3 – 2023-25)
  • Rodney Harrison, S — 1994-2002 San Diego Chargers, 2003-08 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2021, 2023-25)
  • Torry Holt, WR — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars | (Times as a Semifinalist: 11 – 2015-2025)
  • Luke Kuechly, LB — 2012-19 Carolina Panthers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
  • Eli Manning, QB — 2004-2019 New York Giants | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
  • Robert Mathis, DE/LB — 2003-2016 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
  • Steve Smith Sr., WR — 2001-2013 Carolina Panthers, 2014-16 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
  • Terrell Suggs, LB/DE — 2003-2018 Baltimore Ravens, 2019 Arizona Cardinals, 2019 Kansas City Chiefs | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
  • Fred Taylor, RB — 1998-2008 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2009-2010 New England Patriots | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2020-25)
  • Earl Thomas, DB — 2010-18 Seattle Seahawks, 2019 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
  • Adam Vinatieri, PK — 1996-2005 New England Patriots, 2006-2019 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
  • Hines Ward, WR — 1998-2011 Pittsburgh Steelers | (Times as a Semifinalist: 9 – 2017-2025)
  • Ricky Watters, RB — 1992-94 San Francisco 49ers, 1995-97 Philadelphia Eagles, 1998-2001 Seattle Seahawks | (Times as a Semifinalist: 5 – 2020, 2022-25)
  • Reggie Wayne, WR — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts | (Times as a Semifinalist: 6 – 2020-25)
  • Richmond Webb, T — 1990-2000 Miami Dolphins, 2001-02 Cincinnati Bengals | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)
  • Vince Wilfork, DT — 2004-2014 New England Patriots, 2015-16 Houston Texans | (Times as a Semifinalist: 4 – 2022-25)
  • Steve Wisniewski, G — 1989-2001 Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders | (Times as a Semifinalist: 2 – 2014, 2025)
  • Darren Woodson, S — 1992-2003 Dallas Cowboys | (Times as a Semifinalist: 9 – 2015, 2017, 2019-2025)
  • Marshal Yanda, G/T — 2007-2019 Baltimore Ravens | (Times as a Semifinalist: 1 – 2025)