Tag: nfl news

Ex-Broncos quarterback plans to unretire, return to NFL

Teddy Bridgewater plans to return to the NFL, and the Broncos might be seeking a backup quarterback this spring.

After serving as a backup quarterback with the Detroit Lions in 2023, Teddy Bridgewater retired from the NFL at age 31 and returned to his old high school, Miami Northwestern, as a coach.

In his first season coaching, Bridgewater led the Bulls to a state championship victory. Now he wants to return to the NFL.

“That’s the plan,” Bridgewater told Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero on an episode of The Insiders on Tuesday. “My team knows that’s the plan. We wanted to win a state championship and then coach goes back to the league, see what happens, and then come back February in the offseason, continue coaching high school football. We’ll see how it plays out.”

Still only 32 years old, Bridgewater will now seek an eighth NFL team. He played for the Denver Broncos in 2021, going 7-7 as a starter. Interestingly, the Broncos might be in the market for a backup quarterback this spring as both Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson are scheduled to become free agents.

Bridgewater, a former first-round pick out of Louisville, has a 33-32 career win-loss record with 75 touchdowns on his resume.

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Former Saints quarterback plans to make NFL return

Former Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater plans to make an NFL return, then head back to coach high school football in February:

Former New Orleans Saints quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, now head coach of Miami Northwestern High School in Florida, has announced that he may be returning to the NFL in a playing capacity for a few months while he has availability from now until February when he returns to coach.

This news came live on The Insiders show from NFL Media, where Bridgewater said the following when asked about “Coach Teddy’s upcoming plans.”

“Coach Teddy, hopefully I mean, we’ll see how these next week and a half two weeks play out,” Bridgewater said. “Might be signing with a team or something, and then returning back to coach high school football in February. So, we’ll see.”

Then when asked if he is coming back to the NFL or going pro somewhere, he responded with, “That’s the plan man, my team know that’s the plan. We wanted to win a state championship, and then coach goes back to the league, see what happens, and then come back February in the offseason, continue coaching high school football. So, we’ll see how it plays out.”

Ultimately the next few weeks will indicate where he signs next, and the likelihood of a playoff contender he knows well like the Detroit Lions being a landing spot for his return is speculatively possible. The Saints could use better depth at quarterback given Derek Carr’s injury, too. Regardless of where he goes next, Bridgewater will forever have a legacy with New Orleans.

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Bills sign ex-Broncos wide receiver to practice squad

The Bills signed ex-Broncos wide receiver Jalen Virgil to their practice squad.

The Buffalo Bills have signed wide receiver Jalen Virgil to their practice squad, the team announced on Tuesday afternoon.

Virgil (6-0, 210 pounds) entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Appalachian State with the Denver Broncos in 2022. He dressed for nine games as a rookie, hauling in two receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown. Virgil then missed the 2023 season with a knee injury.

Virgil competed in a crowded wide receiver room this summer and was ultimately cut when the Broncos set their 53-man roster in August. He then joined Buffalo’s practice squad. Virgil was promoted to the Bills’ active roster on Nov. 8 and he appeared in six games before being cut on Dec. 14. He now returns to Buffalo on the team’s practice squad.

Elsewhere on the ex-Bronco front, offensive lineman Zack Johnson worked out for the San Francisco 49ers this week and receiver/returner Isaiah McKenzie signed to the Miami Dolphins’ practice squad.

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Jaguars fill practice squad by signing LB

Jaguars fill practice squad by signing LB

The Jaguars filled their practice squad by signing rookie linebacker Kalen DeLoach to the unit on Tuesday, the club announced.

Jacksonville had a practice squad spot created by the Detroit Lions signing linebacker Anthony Pittman away from the unit to their active roster earlier Tuesday.

DeLoach signed with Tampa Bay after going undrafted this offseason but was waived during preseason roster cuts in late August. He returned to the Buccaneers’ practice squad in October but was released later that month.

DeLoach appeared in two preseason games for Tampa Bay, including against Jacksonville on Aug. 17. He recorded five tackles against the Jaguars and two against the Cincinnati Bengals the week prior.

A five-year linebacker with Florida State, DeLoach appeared in 55 games and recorded 212 total tackles including 26 for loss, 11 sacks, two interceptions, 11 defended passes, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery, which he returned for a touchdown.

Jacksonville’s roster remains one short of its 53-player limit after starting tight end Evan Engram was placed on the Jaguars’ injured reserve with a labrum injury Saturday.

Here’s how the Chargers can clinch a playoff berth in Week 16

The Los Angeles Chargers can clinch a playoff spot in Week 16.

The Chargers can clinch a playoff spot in Week 16.

Here’s how:

  1. Win over Broncos + Dolphins loss or tie to 49ers + Colts loss or tie to Titans
  2. Tie + Dolphins loss to 49ers + Colts loss to Titans + Bengals loss or tie to Browns

The Bolts are 8-6 and currently hold the No. 7 seed in the AFC, with three games left to be played in the regular season.

Here’s the AFC playoff picture with standings as we head into Week 16:

1. Chiefs (13-1)

2. Bills (11-3)

3. Steelers (10-4)

4. Texans (9-5)

5. Ravens (9-5)

6. Broncos (9-5)

7. Chargers (8-6)

8. Colts (6-8)

9. Dolphins (6-8)

10. Bengals (6-8)

AFC playoff matchups if the season ended today:

  • No. 2 Bills vs. No. 7 Chargers
  • No. 3 Steelers vs. No. 6 Broncos
  • No. 4 Texans vs. No. 5 Ravens

Report: Jaguars interim RB coach interviewed for college HC gig

Report: Jaguars interim RB coach interviewed for college HC gig

Jacksonville Jaguars interim running backs coach Tyler Tettleton recently interviewed for the head coaching position at his alma mater, Ohio University, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Tettleton joined the Jaguars as an offensive quality control assistant in 2022, signing onto Doug Pederson’s inaugural Jacksonville coaching staff. He has largely operated as an assistant running backs and wide receiver coach with the team.

Pederson named Tettleton as the primary replacement for former Jacksonville running backs coach Jerry Mack earlier this month when Mack left the club to become head coach at Kennesaw State.

“Tyler Tettleton, who’s been in that room before, we’re going to just sort of give him some running back responsibilities,” Pederson said on Dec. 2. “He’s coached them a little bit on the side the last couple of years. Been in that room, understands what we’re doing offensively.

“So, we’ll spread it out a little bit, but Tyler will be the main focal point there.”

An Ohio alumnus, Tettleton played quarterback for the Bobcats from 2009-13. He holds the program’s all-time passing records, career and single-season, for yards (9,125 and 3,302) and touchdowns (67 and 28).

Tettleton left on-field coaching positions with Ohio, as the Bobcats’ running backs coach and passing game coordinator, to align with the Jaguars in 2022.

Before his return to Ohio, Tettleton served as an offensive analyst for the LSU Tigers in 2020, an offensive quality control coach for the Cleveland Browns in 2019, a scouting assistant with the New York Jets in 2018 and a graduate assistant with the Oklahoma Sooners from 2015-17.

NFL announces Saturday flex decisions for Week 17

The Broncos’ game against the Bengals in Week 17 has been flexed to Saturday, Dec. 28. It will be nationally televised on NFL Network.

The NFL has finalized its Week 17 schedule that will feature three Saturday games on Dec. 28.

As expected, the Denver Broncos‘ game against the Cincinnati Bengals has been set for Saturday with a 2:30 p.m. MT (4:30 p.m. ET) kickoff.

Before the Broncos-Bengals showdown, the Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots game will be played at 11:00 a.m. MT. After the Denver-Cincy matchup, the Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams game will be played at 6:15 p.m.

All three Saturday games will be nationally televised on NFL Network and available to stream on FuboTV.

Two other games that were in contention for the Saturday windows — Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders and Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants — have now been scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 29.

After facing the Bengals on the road in Week 17, the Broncos will host the Kansas City Chiefs in their regular season finale in Week 18. Denver will wear its iconic throwback uniform against Kansas City.

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NFL draft order watch: Where the Jaguars are after Week 15

NFL draft order watch: Where the Jaguars are after Week 15

The Jaguars are locked into a top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

But where they will officially select come April remains to be determined, with three weeks left in the campaign and more than a handful of teams, including Jacksonville, still in the running for the No. 1 slot.

After losing to the New York Jets 32-25 in Week 15, the Jaguars rose to No. 4 in the draft order, per Tankathon. Jacksonville moved up from No. 5, where it previously fell to from the top spot after the team’s 10-6 win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 14.

The Las Vegas Raiders, who Jacksonville will meet in Week 16, currently possess the No. 1 pick, sitting at 2-12 and owning a strength of schedule tiebreaker with the New York Giants.

The New England Patriots, Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, Titans, Cleveland Browns, Jets, Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints round out the active top 10, in that order following the Raiders and Giants. Each team is within three games of the highest choice.

Find the top 18 picks of the 2025 NFL draft order, the non-playoff team range, through Week 15 below, via Tankathon.

  1. Las Vegas Raiders (2-12, .538 SOS)
  2.  New York Giants (2-12, .550)
  3. New England Patriots (3-11, .462)
  4. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11, .483)
  5. Carolina Panthers (3-11, .496)
  6. Tennessee Titans (3-11, .508)
  7. Cleveland Browns (3-11, .525)
  8. New York Jets (4-10, .508)
  9. Chicago Bears (4-10, .559)
  10. New Orleans Saints (5-9, .496)
  11. Miami Dolphins (6-8, .424)
  12. Indianapolis Colts (6-8, .475)
  13. Cincinnati Bengals (6-8, .479)
  14. Dallas Cowboys (6-8, .521)
  15. San Francisco 49ers (6-8, .567)
  16. Atlanta Falcons (7-7, .517)
  17. Arizona Cardinals (7-7, .529)
  18. Seattle Seahawks (8-6, .513)

The Huddle’s Blitzed Fantasy Football Podcast: Episode 227

Talking NFL news, playoff lineup management, DFS tips, and more!

In this episode, Steve and Harley bring you NFL news, picking starters for your playoff lineups, and “DFS Pay-ups, Stay-aways, and Value Plays.” So Huddle up, tune in, and get Blitzed!

Or, click here to listen

Could record-setting showing earn Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. ROTW?

Could record-setting showing earn Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. ROTW?

Could a franchise-record-setting performance finally earn Brian Thomas Jr. the NFL’s Rookie of the Week honor?

On Tuesday, Thomas was placed under consideration for the award for the sixth time this season, nominated for his 10-reception, 105-yard, two-touchdown showing in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 32-25 loss to the New York Jets in Week 15.

Thomas established new Jaguars rookie season receiving records against the Jets, surpassing Justin Blackmon’s 865-yard mark from 2012 and Allen Hurns’ six touchdowns from 2014. Thomas is one reception short of tying Blackmon’s 65-catch rookie record entering Week 16.

Through 14 games, Thomas has caught 64 passes for 956 yards and eight touchdowns.

Thomas previously went up for Rookie of the Week in Weeks 1, 4, 5, 7 and 14. He combined to catch 38 passes for 535 yards and six touchdowns in those games, against the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans and Jets.

“As the season progressed, you can see that he can handle more information. He can handle more responsibility. And each week we keep finding ways to load him up and he answers,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson described Thomas on Sunday. “That’s what you want from your top receiver.

“He’s just been such a bright spot. He’s been a workhorse offensively. There’s a lot of people we depend on and count on, but for a young player, he’s someone that you can dial the ball up and chances are he’s going to find a completion. Just been thoroughly impressed with Brian as the season’s gone on.”

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker, New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers and Green Bay Packers linebacker Edgerrin Cooper were also nominated for Week 15.

Fans can vote for NFL Rookie of the Week here.