New England Patriots
It has been a week for football coaches, and we’ll start with the New England Patriots. After 24 seasons, Bill Belichick, aka the GOAT, is out in Foxborough. It was a mutual decision and time for a change, but seeing Belichick coach another team will be weird.
That being said, the show must go on, and it will go on with Jerod Mayo. Mayo, who was a linebacker on the Patriots from 2008-2015 and the Patriots’ LB coach since 2019, becomes New England’s 15th head coach in franchise history. The 37 year-old Mayo will be the NFL’s youngest coach and will be formally introduced next week.
It’s a new era in New England.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Speaking of new eras, Alabama is turning over a new leaf as well, after legendary coach Nick Saban announced his retirement from coaching earlier this week. Saban was with the Crimson Tide for 17 seasons, winning nine SEC titles and six National Championships. His most recent loss was in the Rose Bowl to Jim Harbaugh and the National Champion Michigan Wolverines (I had to, obvi).
Saban is not easy to replace, but Washington’s Kalen DeBoer is the man who is going to try. DeBoer spent the last two season as the head coach of the Washington Huskies, going 25-3 and appearing in Monday night’s National Championship. The Huskies lost to the aforementioned Jim Harbaugh and the Michigan Wolverines. The symmetry.
Per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, DeBoer told the Huskies on Friday that he was leaving for Tuscaloosa. It’s been a rough week in the Pacific Northwest, as Pete Carroll is out as the Seahawks coach.
DeBoer is an excellent coach succeeding a legend at a school with a rabid fanbase that’s used to success. Best of luck.
Washington Commanders
Per Adam Schefter, the Washington Commanders are hiring 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters as their new general manager. Peters has been with the San Francisco 49ers since 2017.
Peters goes to an organization with new ownership and that is looking for a new coach, a hire that the new GM will play an integral part in. Peters has been 49ers general manager John Lynch’s right hand and was perceived to be next in line for the job. It’s a big loss for San Francisco and a huge gain for Washington.
NFL Wild Card Injury Updates
- Detroit Lions TE Sam LaPorta (knee) is questionable for Sunday’s play match-up against the Rams.
- Eagles WR A.J. Brown (knee) did not practice on Friday, while QB Jalen Hurts, CB Darius Slay, WR DeVonta Smith and RB D’Andre Swift were full participants.
- Bills WR Gabe Davis (knee) and S Taylor Rapp (calf) are both out for Sunday’s game against the Steelers.
NFL Super Wild Card Weekend Schedule
Saturday
Cleveland Browns (11-6) at Houston Texans (10-7) – 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT on NBC
Miami Dolphins (11-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (11-6) – 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on Peacock
Sunday
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7) at Buffalo Bills (11-6) – 1 pm ET/10 am PT on CBS
Green Bay Packers (9-8) at Dallas Cowboys (12-5) – 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT on FOX
Los Angeles Rams (10-7) at Detroit Lions (12-5) – 8 pm ET/5 pm PT on NBC
Monday
Philadelphia Eagles (11-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-8) – 8:15 pm ET/5:15 pm PT on ABC/ESPN/ESPN+
