Tag: Packers

Jets decide to move on from former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers

The Jets will move on from former Packers QB Aaron Rodgers this offseason, according to reporting from Jay Glazer of FOX Sports.

The New York Jets have informed former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers of their plans to move on from him this offseason, according to reporting from Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. Numerous media outlets, including NFL Network and ESPN, also reported the Jets are expected to move on from Rodgers, who was traded from the Packers to the Jets in 2023.

The decision from new Jets leadership marks the end of a tumultuous two-year stint for Rodgers in New York. He played only four snaps before suffering a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in 2023 before laboring through a 5-12 season and numerous staff changes as a 17-game starter during a highly disappointing 2024 season.

Rodgers, who turns 41 this December, played his first 18 seasons in Green Bay.

It remains unclear if Rodgers will continue his NFL career elsewhere or decide to retire after 20 seasons. Several NFL teams are expected to be in the veteran quarterback market this offseason, so Rodgers could have options if he desires to keep playing.

While a trade is possible, a release is the more likely transaction for the Jets.

Rodgers completed 63.0 percent of his passes, averaged 6.7 yards per attempt, tossed 28 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions and finished with a 90.5 passer rating in 2024. He finished 21st in the NFL in passer rating, while the Jets finished 24th in scoring.

One potential ripple effect of the Jets moving on from Rodgers is the likely exit of former Packers receiver Davante Adams, who could be a possibility on the open market if general manager Brian Gutekunst wants to pursue a veteran receiver this offseason. Adams was traded from the Raiders to the Jets in 2024.

Former Dolphins LB coach hired as Jaguars defensive coordinator

A familiar face is back in Florida and set to serve as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator.

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced late Thursday night that they hired Anthony Campanile to be their new defensive coordinator.

Campanile, 42, spent four seasons as the linebackers coach of the Miami Dolphins before leaving last year to become the linebackers coach and run game coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. In his sole season in Green Bay, the team allowed the third fewest rushing yards per attempt in the NFL.

During his final season in Miami, Campanile earned some air time on HBO’s Hard Knocks: In Season, giving the world a glimpse at his passionate coaching style (NSFW language):

Campanile joined the Dolphins as a member of Brian Flores’ staff in 2020 after spending the previous season as the linebackers coach of the Michigan Wolverines. The Dolphins finished sixth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per attempt in both the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

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Saints officially reschedule in-person interviews with several head coach candidates

The New Orleans Saints officially rescheduled their in-person interviews with several head coach candidates after a historic snowstorm struck the Gulf South:

The New Orleans Saints have officially rescheduled in-person interviews with a couple of head coaching candidates in the wake of the city’s record snowfall, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The team will be flying both Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver and New York Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka to New Orleans in the next couple of days. Weaver is expected to arrive ahead of Kafka this Friday, while Kafka will be looking to interview on Saturday.

It was also noted that former Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay packers head coach Mike McCarthy will likely have his first interview with the team sometime next week. Philadelphia Eagles OC Kellen Moore and his Buffalo Bills counterpart Joe Brady are also expected to interview soon, with the date pending as both will be coaching for a shot at the Super Bowl this weekend.

With the league’s top candidates now off the board, the Saints will likely slow down their approach a bit and thoroughly evaluate each of their options going forward.

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Pro Football Focus suggests the team that should sign Khalil Mack this offseason

Pro Football Focus believes Khalil Mack should return to the NFC North.

The top soon-to-be free agent for the Chargers this offseason is edge defender Khalil Mack.

While Mack will be Los Angeles’ No. 1 priority to bring back, there is the possibility he decides to hang up the cleats or play for another team.

Should he sign with another team, Pro Football Focus says the Packers should bring him to Green Bay.

Mack’s 137 pressures over the past two years are the 12th most among edge rushers, and his 91.6 PFF run-defense grade ranks first. Mack would be a home-run signing to pair with Rashan Gary.

Mack will be 34 next season, but he can still play at a high level, as evidenced by being named to his ninth Pro Bowl after recording six sacks, six quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, and nine passes defensed.

The Chargers would greatly benefit from his presence because Joey Bosa could be released to clear up cap space, leaving them without a productive veteran in the positional room.

All the while, Mack might feel that his football career is over because he made it clear that he wants to spend more time with his family. Or he might want a change of scenery, with Green Bay being a potential destination.

Mike McCarthy won’t return to the Cowboys, putting him in Saints’ crosshairs

Mike McCarthy won’t return to the Cowboys, putting him in the Saints’ crosshairs. And he just hired the same agent as Sean Payton:

This is a stunner — the Dallas Cowboys have decided they won’t reach a new deal with head coach Mike McCarthy before Tuesday’s deadline, putting a big name on the market in the middle of this year’s hiring cycle. His contract will expire and the Cowboys will let him walk away.

And he may not have to walk too far. The New Orleans Saints have been not-so-quietly keeping tabs on McCarthy’s status from across the Louisiana-Texas state line, and he could be near the top of their list when looking for Dennis Allen’s replacement.

McCarthy didn’t bring Jerry Jones the Super Bowl win he coveted, but he’s been a wildly successful head coach. Few of them can say they’ve reached the playoffs 12 times in 18 years leading the Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. Saints fans can’t act like they’re good for that after a four-year playoff drought.

He has several Saints connections worth noting. For one thing, McCarthy first rose to prominence as the team’s offensive coordinator from 2000 to 2004, and one of the people who hired him (former Saints general manager Randy Mueller) is consulting with this year’s head coach search.

For another, McCarthy hired Sean Payton’s longtime agent Don Yee to represent him. Yee is a high-profile sports agent whose clients have also included Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady, so we’re guessing his phone will be busy. And the Saints have had his number on file for a very long time given his relationship with Payton.

There’s been a lot of smoke linking the Saints to McCarthy, assuming he’ll become available. That’s now the case. Let’s see if there’s a fire burning there after all.

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Former Chiefs OC Doug Pederson fired as head coach of the Jaguars

Former Kansas City #Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson fired as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars | @EdEastonJr

The NFL had its annual ‘Black Monday’ with multiple coaches, coordinators, and general managers losing their jobs after the regular season. One of the names let go by their franchise was former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Doug Pederson from the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Jacksonville dismissed Pederson on Monday after three seasons and a 4-13 record this season. Throughout the year, he was plagued by injuries to star quarterback Trevor Lawrence and others, and he suffered his lone losing season with the franchise in 2024.

Pederson was a former NFL quarterback, notably with the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles under Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. He transitioned into coaching, serving under Reid in Philadelphia as a quality control and quarterbacks coach. He spent 2013 to 2015 in Kansas City and spoke highly of Reid’s influence during a conversation with Chiefs Wire’s Ed Easton Jr. before the start of this season.

“I’ve learned so much as a player from him when he coached me and Brett Favre in Green Bay, which are still some of the things that I use as a head coach now in Jacksonville…” said Pederson. “Watching how he comes to work every single day and his attention to detail and his focus and drive, and how he leads his football teams.”

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/nuZomwIaSaE

Pederson was a Super Bowl champion from his time as head coach of the Eagles and could potentially be a candidate to return to work with Reid again if he doesn’t land another head coaching job soon.

New Orleans Saints will be picking either 9th or 8th in the 2025 NFL draft

The New Orleans Saints will be picking either 9th or 8th overall in the 2025 NFL draft. With their 2024 season in the books, all eyes are on the Raiders-Chargers game:

We saw some good things from the New Orleans Saints in the first half of their Week 18 game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — but they couldn’t keep that momentum going after the break, and the Bucs came back to win the day, 27-19. The Saints finished their season at 5-12. So where does that have them picking in the 2025 NFL draft?

That isn’t settled just yet, but it’s close. The Saints will be picking at either ninth or eighth overall, depending on how things go in Sunday’s finale between the Los Angeles Chargers and Las Vegas Raiders. New Orleans got some help from the Chicago Bears, who upset the Green Bay Packers in a tense rivalry game full of long-range field goals and high-profile injuries. That Bears win moved the Saints up from tenth to at least ninth.

If the Raiders can defeat their own divisional rivals, the Saints will climb even higher, going from ninth to eighth. But that’s yet to be determined. The Chargers are playing to win with critical playoff seeding on the line. So tune in to CBS for kickoff from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas and see if the Raiders can help the Saints out, too.

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How did Saints use their running backs in Alvin Kamara’s absence?

An early scoring deficit made the Saints call an audible on which running back to lean on in Week 16. What’s the plan moving forward?

Darren Rizzi told reporters the New Orleans Saints would take a committee approach to replacing Alvin Kamara. Rizzi laid out the plan was to use Kendre Miller, Jordan Mims and Jamaal Williams in the backfield. It seemed to be the plan to use the triumvirate equally, though it had primarily been Miller sharing the backfield with Kamara.

Plans had to change offensively after falling into an early hole against the Green Bay Packers, and that directly impacted the running back room.

“The way the game played out, we dug such a hole. We had a plan for Kendre coming in, and we got into a lot of the two minute drill,” Rizzi responded when questioned about Miller’s usage. He added, “That’s why you saw more of Mims.”

That’s reflective when looking at how the two running backs were used. Miller had the most carries and touches, but Mims was right behind him in usage. Miller’s 10 touches were comprised of eight rushes, while Mims caught the ball on five of his nine touches of the day.

Surprisingly, Williams was the runner with the least amount of activity between the three. It’s unclear if that is connected to the scoring deficit. It is clear Jordan Mims is viewed as the preferred receiving back of the trio.

New Orleans shouldn’t get into an early hole versus the Raiders. Therefore, we should get a more accurate vision of how Rizzi wants to use the running back room if Kamara is unable to play next week,

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Darren Rizzi explains bizarre clock management to close the first half vs. Packers

The clock dripped from 40 seconds to 15 seconds after a Kevin Austin fumble. Darren Rizzi explained what went wrong in those 25 seconds:

One of the more confusing parts of the Green Bay Packers’ demolition of the New Orleans Saints came at the end of the first half. Kevin Austin Jr. caught a pass from Spencer Rattler, but fumbled the ball out of bounds.

What happened next was just strangle. There were 40 seconds left in the half when the ball rolled out of bounds. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi didn’t take a timeout until there was only 15 seconds left on the clock. Rizzi explained how the clock mismanagement came down to a miscommunication between him and the officials.

“Both covering official ruled the clock stopped. I asked the official if the clock would remain stopped, I got a yes,” Rizzi said. From there, he ” turned back to talk to the offensive coaches, kind of talk about our plan and what we were going do at the end of the half. Then they decided he fumbled the ball forward.”

Someone on the Saints sideline must have pointed out the running clock to Rizzi because the coach said, “it just wasn’t communicated to me that the clock had restarted.”

This explains why Rizzi was so heated on the field. He asked for confirmation and was given wrong information. Rizzi didn’t give what he would have done differently if he did know the clock would start running. He could have called the timeout immediately or the offense could have moved with urgency.

Those 25 seconds that vanished proved to be crucial. Rattler took a bad sack on the next play which forced New Orleans to take their last timeout. If that play happened with about 27 seconds instead of 10 seconds, throwing a short pass to get into field goal range would have been an option. The Saints, instead, had to.

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Prime time has featured the worst version of the Saints in 2024

The Saints have been outscored by 70 points in prime time games. It’s also been a showcase of the team’s most embarrassing performances:

Doesn’t matter if Dennis Allen or Darren Rizzi is the head coach, the New Orleans Saints have been embarrassing in prime time games. The Saints went winless in three night games and were outscored by 70 points.

Not only did New Orleans fail to win any of those games, it was some of their worst performances of the season.

The Kansas City game was their best performance. It was also the only game of the trio to feature Derek Carr, Chris Olave or Rashid Shaheed. Erik McCoy and Alvin Kamara also missed at least one game.

Spencer Rattler getting his feet wet in the NFL and injuries definitely played a part, but the Saints looked absolutely pitiful against the Denver Broncos and Green Bay Packers.

Against the Packers, the Saints became the first team to be shutout this season. The 34 point margin of defeat is the most for the Saints this year. The Saints fell in Sean Payton’s return to New Orleans by 23 points. That’s the third largest margin of defeat. New Orleans scored 10 points, their third lowest point total of the season.

You could point to the offense for much of what was said, but the defense looked bad too. Any Packers ball carrier looked to be a level above whatever defender attempted to tackle them. Green Bay put Malik Willis in at quarterback and he almost led a scoring drive too. The Saints were a couple of poor Bo Nix throws away from losing by 30 points.

The Saints have been as bad as they’ve been all season when the lights are the brightest.

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