Frustrated New England Patriots fans can no longer hope for owner Robert Kraft to move with Tennessee and replace head coach Bill Belichick with his former player Mike Vrabel.
It doesn’t happen.
Angry Tennessee Titans fans can no longer hope for owner Amy Adams to fire Strunk Vrabel.
It doesn’t happen.
Based on multiple conversations with senior Titans officials, the franchise believes it has the right coach for long-term success.
Is the Titans leadership overjoyed to lose right now? No. Who is? However, they are fully aware that the foundation and identity of this team reflects their head coach. He does it his way and makes his players believe that this is the right way.
Recently, the 2021 AP Coach of the Year answered questions from local reporters about his job status, emphasizing that he’s more concerned with making his team play better. “I try not to worry about it,” he said. “I’m really focused on these players. They hurt me. I played for 14 years, won some games, won some championships. I’m frustrated for these players.”
While the Titans are still trying to figure out if rookie quarterback Will Levis is their quarterback of the future, this team’s clearest vision is who will be their leader in the years to come. Ready, Vrabel.
If you were born in 1941, you are 82 years old. If you are reading this, God bless you. If you’re not 82, you might be dining with some people in that age group this holiday season. (My grandmothers are 94 and 90 and still drive! Better than my husband too.)
Whatever the case, 1941 was also the last time the Steelers made a midseason coaching change before firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada this week. For weeks, Steelers players have been voicing their frustration behind the scenes and in front of network television cameras. The organization remained stable and united throughout September and October to keep the coordinator in office. Canada was popular in the build-up, but the offensive results were not.
Head coach Mike Tomlin had several conversations with the staff, including his boss, Steelers owner Art Rooney, before telling Canada he was out after three seasons of calling plays. Team sources told me that the decision was really Tomlin’s. Although the owners listened and supported the head coach, he was never instructed or pressured to make a change. (My colleague Mike DeFabo did a great job creating a timeline showing how we got to this point.)
The game day assignment goes to quarterbacks coach Mike Sullivan, who was the offensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2012 to 2013 and the New York Giants from 2016 to 2017. Then there’s running backs coach Eddie Faulkner, and I’m told there’s real excitement within the Steelers to give him a chance to lead and coordinate the offense all week.
Change is sometimes good. Look at the bills. Look at the Raiders. The most significant change for the Steelers, however, may be the play of quarterback Kenny Pickett.
Shaq Leonard’s next stop
The former Colts linebacker cleared waivers on Wednesday and is now a free agent. He has options, according to multiple league sources. Leonard spent the last few seasons in Indy after signing a five-year, $98.25 million contract extension in 2021, but then injuries held him back. Now, struggling teams like the Eagles, Cowboys, Vikings and others are still “collecting information” on him. A league source said Leonard may take his time making a decision.
Justin Jefferson is not expected to play in Week 12 on Monday Night Football against the Bears due to his hamstring injury, according to a team source. The Vikings won’t pressure their best player to get back on the field despite being in the playoffs. This all makes sense as it gives the receiver two more weeks away from action since the Vikings have their bye in Week 13.
If Jefferson were not present on Monday, he would return on December 10 against Las Vegas. Remember, he did not sign a contract extension this offseason and both sides hope that will happen after this season.
No Swift problems
Penalties, drops and turnovers have held the Kansas City Chiefs back. Not Taylor Swift. There was a storm of concerned fans over Travis Kelce’s fumble in the red zone on Monday night against the Eagles. That’s fine, but it has nothing to do with his mega star girlfriend. This is not source information, this is just common sense.
In fact, I reported to the Chiefs after Kelce’s farewell week trip to Argentina. He flew several hours round trip to see her performance in person. When the team was back in the building that Monday, Kelce was there too. He was neither late nor distracted. He was actually hours early. Let’s put the “he’s too in love to be good at football” theory to rest.
The reality is that the superstar tight end hasn’t played his best football in recent weeks. Neither did the team. So what do the Chiefs do? You can’t find an AJ Brown-type player on the street or convince Megatron to come out of retirement. Head coach Andy Reid admitted the team needs to push forward in the second half, and behind the scenes the Chiefs are doing some introspection, a team source said. The coaching staff figures out how to put the best players in the best situations. They’re looking at coverage adjustments with younger wideouts so they can play fast and not have to think.
Rather than blaming the roster or the lack of talent at some positions, the building looks to situations like the first two drives of the second half against the Dolphins and Eagles, which were marred by holding penalties. The Chiefs are focused on eliminating self-inflicted wounds that would deprive the reigning Super Bowl champions of a chance to actually defend their championship in Las Vegas.
The Ravens aren’t just relying on Isaiah to make up for the loss of Mark Andrews. (Jessica Rapfogel/USA Today)
No Mark Andrews, no problem… this year
So that we understand each other. There is no replacement for Mark Andrews, the Baltimore Ravens tight end is most likely out this year with a serious ankle injury. He is undergoing surgery and, according to the Ravens, there is an “outside chance” he could return for the playoffs. His fellow tight end Isaiah Likely steps in and fits in perfectly in Todd Monken’s offense.
Now, are you going to see the same off-script plays from Mahomes to Kelce? Probably not. That’s a high bar, but Likely has shown he can get open and be a reliable pass catcher. While Ravens players have made it very clear how devastated they are over the loss of their top offensive target in Andrews, Baltimore is benefiting from its offseason investment at the wide receiver position. The Ravens have four first-round picks in the receiving corps who once helped relieve pressure on Andrews and now become valuable primary weapons.
While I was looking for the Andrews news about the state of the team, the unnamed Ravens source told me that we should pay attention to defensive end Justin Madubuike. He leads the team with 9.5 sacks with six games remaining. Since Terrell Suggs broke the 10-sack mark in 2017, the Ravens have not had a player reach double-digit sacks. He finished the game with 11.
The 26-year-old, currently making just $2.7 million in Baltimore, is having a breakout season and will hit the open market this coming offseason. In other words, Madubuike is about to get a big payday. Baltimore also wants to try to keep him.
Thank you very much!
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you, the reader. I appreciate you taking the time to read my new column during this football season. It was the most fulfilling and enjoyable three months of my NFL reporting career. You probably don’t know much about the reporters you read or the people who tirelessly edit our work at The Athletic, but I’ve found that the best part of this job is the teamwork that ensures the best sports coverage is easy to find, easy to read and memorable. Enjoy our time together as many of us report on the best sport in the world. A quick thank you also goes to my own family for their unconditional love and patience. – Dianna
(Top photo: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
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