Within the aftermath of his heated alternate with native radio hosts, Dallas Cowboys proprietor Jerry Jones has succeeded in a single factor: deflection.
Regardless of the group’s blowout loss on his 82nd birthday, Jones has utterly taken the warmth off his gamers and training employees throughout their bye week. It’s been all about Jerry’s outburst — little or no concerning the Cowboys’ underachieving offense or their struggling protection.
EXCLUSIVE: Jerry Jones made waves on the radio Tuesday.
Final night time in Atlanta, he instructed @DMRussini why he pushed again on hosts questioning his lack of offseason strikes.
Pay attention: pic.twitter.com/F1E0QRKklf
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) October 16, 2024
Jones instructed me on the homeowners’ conferences in Atlanta that he has no plans to fireside head coach Mike McCarthy or any coordinators. He additionally added that Dallas gained’t be making roster strikes earlier than the NFL commerce deadline in November. He could also be an irritated proprietor in the mean time, however he nonetheless believes in what “Jerry the GM” has constructed.
The Cowboys are off this weekend, however we’ve tons of motion, beginning early on Sunday in London. That is what I’m listening to from across the league:
• Tomlin’s QB alternative leads to heads being scratched throughout the league
• Miami Dolphins followers rejoice: Tua has a return date
• Ten names to look at (and one you’ll be able to most likely overlook) because the commerce deadline nears
• Saquon Barkley says it’s simply one other sport, however is it?
• Kickers have develop into too good, and the NFL might need a plan to cease them
Tomlin’s daring transfer
What the hell is Mike Tomlin doing? That’s the query being requested across the league, together with within the Steelers’ personal constructing (and even within the constructing of the New York Jets, Pittsburgh’s Week 7 opponent), as Tomlin is ready to make a curious quarterback change on Sunday night time.
Tomlin has earned the advantage of the doubt. He’s among the finest coaches within the NFL, and he has tons of credibility in league circles and in locker rooms in Pittsburgh and past. It’s arduous to query him, however this one is a puzzler.
The Steelers are sitting at 4-2 with Justin Fields because the starter, and now Fields is being benched for Russell Wilson, deemed wholesome after a coaching camp calf harm. Over the past six weeks, Fields has been enjoying with confidence and has the assist of his teammates. Tomlin famous that Fields’ potential along with his legs helps this offense get out of hassle time and time once more, which is why the Steelers could have a bundle for Fields — I count on to see him sooner or later on Sunday.
The most important fear about Fields when he arrived in Pittsburgh through commerce final March — shortly after the group signed Wilson — was his psychological state. He’d been via a tough breakup in Chicago, with the Bears giving up on the previous first-round choose and beginning over with No. 1 choose Caleb Williams. Many head coaches and normal managers fearful that Fields had misplaced his mojo. Give credit score to Tomlin and GM Omar Khan, although. They took an opportunity in buying and selling for him, and the Steelers constructed Fields again up.
Some across the league posed this query: If you’ll change to the QB who hasn’t taken one stay regular-season snap, why do it towards a fierce Jets protection? Pittsburgh has the New York Giants subsequent week — wouldn’t that make extra sense for Wilson’s debut? Perhaps it’s that if Fields had a fantastic sport towards the Jets, the door can be utterly shut on Wilson.
What made this final week weird is that it appeared like each present and former Steeler was raving about Fields (Terry Bradshaw and Ben Roethlisberger mentioned publicly the group ought to persist with him). But, Tomlin went the opposite means. He’s in cost, however on this one, he could also be on an island.
Many within the Jets’ constructing are questioning what’s happening too — however make no mistake, they’re joyful concerning the information. They know Wilson will likely be knocking off rust and will even be coping with some nerves. He’s getting his first begin as a Steeler in prime time, at residence, with former President Trump in attendance. It’s a big gamble. Wilson, a former Tremendous Bowl winner and nine-time Professional Bowl choice, has been a unique participant since being traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Denver Broncos in 2022. His swag is at an all-time low.
How might he have moxie after what he has gone via? For the previous two years, Wilson has been absorbing low cost photographs from TV commentators, former head coaches and trolls on social media. For a man who was as soon as on high of the soccer world, speaking about profitable MVPs and ending his profession with a number of Tremendous Bowls, it’s been a tough and humbling fall. Deep inside, even he has to marvel if he can ever once more resemble the participant he as soon as was.
GO DEEPER
Regardless of who begins, this may not be the final we hear from Justin Fields
One different factor to think about which will or is probably not impacting this choice: If Fields performs 51 p.c of Pittsburgh’s snaps this season, the commerce compensation to the Bears adjustments from a sixth-round choose to a fourth-rounder. I don’t really consider Tomlin is factoring that into his considering, however some individuals I’ve talked to across the league have speculated.
Greater than something, league-wide, many are questioning why Tomlin would make a transfer like this when issues are going effectively. We’ll discover out Sunday night time if Tomlin is smarter than everybody — or if this choice blows up, as some worry it’d.
If all goes as deliberate, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel will likely be calling performs for Tua Tagovailoa subsequent weekend. (Stacy Revere/Getty Photographs)
Tua has a return date
Many consider he shouldn’t play soccer once more, however Tua Tagovailoa has determined, conclusively, to proceed his enjoying profession. And the Miami Dolphins are down with their quarterback’s program.
The NFL mentioned final week it might defer to unbiased and group docs and wouldn’t step in to stop Tagovailoa from enjoying. Head coach Mike McDaniel, who has a detailed relationship along with his quarterback, shared along with his group that Tua’s apply window opens up Wednesday, and the quarterback is anticipated to apply. So long as there are not any setbacks, the hope is for Tagovailoa to play within the Week 8 sport towards the Arizona Cardinals.
It’s simple to see why McDaniel and GM Chris Grier need him again. Miami’s offense has been a catastrophe in 2024, averaging a league-worst 12.0 factors per sport after ending second within the NFL final season (29.2). Miami put Tagovailoa on injured reserve instantly after the Week 2 loss to the Buffalo Payments, throughout which the quarterback was recognized with a concussion for the third time in two years. The IR designation required him to overlook no less than 4 video games.
This time additionally allowed the Dolphins and Tagovailoa to step away and focus on subsequent steps whereas he was seeing a number of specialists and present process checks. I’m instructed he has not had any lingering points from the concussion and would play proper now if he might, although the required day without work was useful for the group and participant. They have been capable of keep away from fluid timelines and erase any extra stress on Tagovailoa to return.
GO DEEPER
Jets, Bengals or Dolphins? Choosing one sub-.500 group to make the playoffs in AFC
Commerce deadline names to look at
The commerce deadline is 17 days away, and plenty of across the league are keeping track of these names:
• Panthers QB Bryce Younger and WRs Diontae Johnson, Jonathan Mingo and Adam Thielen
• 49ers WR Deebo Samuel
• Bears RB Khalil Herbert and DE Dom Robinson
• Titans WRs Treylon Burks and DeAndre Hopkins
• Browns DE Za’Darius Smith
GO DEEPER
In-season WR trades often flop. This is why Davante Adams, Amari Cooper may very well be completely different
Maxx Crosby’s identify has come up over the previous couple of weeks, particularly final week within the wake of Aidan Hutchinson’s harm. The truth is that each group would need a participant like Crosby on their protection, and proprietor Mark Davis is aware of that. Davis has been emphatic that they don’t seem to be buying and selling their captain, and regardless of Crosby sounding like a participant who has heard the chatter, he says he stays targeted on profitable as a Raider and staying in Las Vegas.
The Jets fell to the Payments in Jeff Ulbrich’s head-coaching debut. (Elsa / Getty Photographs)
The interim coach conundrum
Robert Saleh has paparazzi following him round grocery shops in New Jersey, however it’s interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich who’s main the Jets.
The group will give Ulbrich each probability to win the full-time job — and gained’t be making any extra teaching adjustments earlier than the tip of the season. (And no, there isn’t any world wherein Invoice Belichick winds up the “HC of the NYJ” for a second time; he’s made it fairly clear how he feels concerning the group and proprietor Woody Johnson.)
GO DEEPER
Woody Johnson noticed an opportunity to salvage the Jets’ season, and took it: ‘Considering is overrated’
Even when the Jets consider Ulbrich is appropriate to take over completely by the tip of the 12 months, they’ll nonetheless should undergo the NFL’s hiring course of, which requires groups to interview candidates from minority teams, a part of the Rooney Rule.
Raiders proprietor Mark Davis is aware of somewhat one thing concerning the dilemma Johnson might face if Ulbrich impresses sufficient to earn the full-time job. Davis, with a push from his star gamers — now-Jets huge receiver Davante Adams amongst them — gave interim coach Antonio Pierce the full-time job after final season.
“You must admit you made a mistake; that’s not all the time simple, and for me, I haven’t gotten it proper but,” Davis mentioned. “So, hopefully, it’s proper with Antonio Pierce. It’s been 13 years since my father handed away, and we haven’t gained.”
Pierce was the second interim coach the Raiders have had in recent times. Following Jon Gruden’s 2021 resignation after it was revealed he used racist, homophobic and misogynistic language in emails, particular groups coach Wealthy Bisaccia was elevated to interim head coach. He didn’t get the full-time job regardless of main the Raiders to the playoffs (which Pierce didn’t). The Raiders then employed former Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels — who was fired after Week 8 final season and changed by Pierce, the linebackers coach on the time.
“With Antonio Pierce, I noticed the speedy tradition change; he returned to believing what it means to be a Raider,” Davis mentioned. “There are 32 groups — and none just like the Raiders. He introduced that perspective. I do know the place that got here from. He noticed the Raiders as a child rising up, and he is aware of what that appears like.”
GO DEEPER
Why Davante Adams’ breakup with Raiders felt inevitable as soon as Derek Carr was launched
We’ll see if Davis thinks Pierce continues to be proper for the job after this season. As for the Jets, they haven’t gotten it proper in 13 years both, with no playoff appearances for the reason that 2010 season, the longest drought within the 4 main skilled sports activities leagues, tied with the Buffalo Sabres of the NHL.
Saquon makes a Big return
The story of Saquon Barkley leaving New York for the rival Philadelphia Eagles has been one of many main storylines of the 2024 season. Many of the sizzle stems from “Arduous Knocks,” which adopted the Giants entrance workplace through the offseason. The present captured proprietor John Mara telling GM Joe Schoen: “I’ll have a troublesome time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia, I’ll let you know that.”
Effectively, Barkley went to Philly, and now the previous Giants captain returns to face the group that allow him stroll. Barkley got here on our “Scoop Metropolis” podcast through the summer season to present his facet of what occurred, what Schoen instructed him and how coping with offended followers affected his psychological state. You may watch the interview right here:
No participant has been extra important to the success of the Eagles this season than Barkley, and whereas he’ll say he doesn’t care about dealing with his former group, the remainder of the Eagles do. As Jalen Hurts and new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore tried to develop the passing sport with A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith lacking time, Barkley has been a constant presence for this offense. Now that the Eagles have all their playmakers within the lineup, search for Barkley to have some favorable appears to run towards.
Whereas Barkley might say that is simply one other sport, in spite of everything we noticed and heard, it appears it will likely be something however.
And the kicker: penalized for an excessive amount of success?
Kickers within the NFL are good. Perhaps too good. Might we see some rule adjustments due to it?
Kickers made 77 kicks of fifty or extra yards via six weeks, which is 14 greater than we’ve seen via the primary six weeks of any season in NFL historical past. These lengthy kicks accounted for 20 p.c of the 339 subject targets made via Week 6, that are the second-most complete subject targets at this level within the season in NFL historical past (behind final 12 months’s 342).
GO DEEPER
When will we see a 70-yard subject purpose? NFL kickers have gotten so good, it might be this 12 months
These are (theoretically) the 32 finest kickers on the earth, and this season it’s been like these prime years of Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, just for specialists. However whereas the NFL tweaked the rule e-book to encourage extra nice passing offenses over time, it has contemplating making life more durable for the kickers.
The NFL historically makes use of historic information to attempt to preserve the sport constant from season to season. Now, chatter is choosing up that the league might contemplate narrowing the purpose posts in an effort to deliver these kicking numbers nearer to what we’ve seen previously. Whereas I don’t count on any adjustments this season (and even subsequent), it may very well be delivered to the desk if these kicking numbers proceed to pattern up.
One present head coach strongly opposes narrowing the purpose posts.
“It doesn’t make sense to penalize the improved accuracy of those kickers,” he mentioned. “This jogs my memory of the U.S. Open once they deliver the fairways in to make them more durable to hit; they need to make this the toughest match of the 12 months. For the golfers, they will modify their tools. The kickers? Effectively, they only have a foot. We have to embrace the excellent performances, not penalize them for his or her enhancements.”
We’ll see if this subject continues to achieve momentum; information signifies kickers will likely be much less correct in colder climate as we head into November and December. Then, we’ll see the place the discussions land this offseason.
(Prime photograph: Barry Reeger / Imagn Photographs)
