No other NFL quarterback has accomplished more than Tom Brady, and that debate isn't even close as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' signal-caller prepares for his 10th Super Bowl.But Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians believes that if someone could match Brady's accolades, it's his opponent in Super Bowl LV."What Tom has done is historic, but if there's another player who could do it, it's (Kansas City Chiefs quarterback) Patrick Mahomes," Arians said Thursday, according to Grace Remington of CBS Tampa.Mahomes took the league by storm after being selected by the Chiefs in the first round in 2017. He backed up Alex Smith as a rookie before posting an MVP campaign in 2018 by throwing for over 5,000 yards and 50 touchdowns. He then led Kansas City to its first title in five decades the following season.Brady, a three-time regular-season MVP, has thrown for 79,204 yards and 581 touchdowns during the regular season since entering the NFL in 2000. The 14-time Pro Bowler also owns every notable quarterback playoff record, including the most Super Bowl wins with six.The Buccaneers signed Brady as a free agent in the last offseason. Tampa Bay was one of the most active teams during free agency, and Arians believes that mentality was necessary for a club aiming to return to its best days."You can't hit a home run unless you swing for one," Arians said, per Greg Auman of The Athletic. "You can't do anything special in life sitting on a fence."Prior to the 2020 campaign, the Buccaneers' last playoff win was in 2002, the season they won their first Super Bowl title.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ahead of his 10th Super Bowl, Tom Brady paid homage to the team he made his first nine big-game appearances with."I had an incredible 20 years (with the New England Patriots) and I wouldn't change anything," said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback on Thursday, according to Ben Volin of the Boston Globe."My kids were born in Boston," he added. "I have great affection for the city, everything that Boston has meant to me and my family. All of New England, not just Boston."Brady said his first season with the Bucs has been "magical" after shocking the football world by leaving New England in free agency to sign a two-year deal with the NFC South club, according to Karen Guregian of the Boston Herald.The 43-year-old was coming off one of his worst campaigns in 2019 but defied expectations to lead Tampa Bay back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 18 years. Brady did so while throwing the second-most touchdowns of his career with 40, trailing only his then-NFL record 50 scores in 2007.If Brady's to build upon his record six Super Bowl titles, he'll have to outduel arguably the new face of the NFL in Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.Though Mahomes already owns a Super Bowl ring and an MVP award, he's still at the end of just his third season as a starter.Meanwhile, Brady is the most experienced postseason player in NFL history. His 33 playoff wins are more than double that of second-placed Joe Montana (16), and his 80 touchdown passes are 35 more than the nearest other quarterbacks' (Montana and Aaron Rodgers each have 45)But Brady knows all of that won't matter come Feb. 7 in Tampa Bay if he can't keep pace with the high-flying Chiefs."Experience doesn't matter. Playing the best matters," said Brady.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

No other team in the NFL was as active as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last offseason, and their investments paid off. The Bucs not only managed to land Tom Brady in free agency, but they also surrounded the legendary quarterback with a roster filled with talent on both sides of the ball.How do the 2020 Buccaneers measure up to Brady's other nine Super Bowl teams? Let's examine:10. 2018 PatriotsDefeated Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl LIIIRegular-season record: 11-5

Although the Rams reportedly landed their new starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford wasn't the only signal-caller Los Angeles pursued.The Rams considered "making a hard run" at Green Bay Packers passer Aaron Rodgers, according to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times. However, the Packers were adamant they weren't trading their star.Rodgers voiced his frustration after Green Bay's NFC championship loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, saying he'd "have to take some time away."The MVP candidate later dismissed speculation about wanting to leave the team on "The Pat McAfee Show.""I don't feel like I've said anything that I haven't said before," Rodgers said. "It was just more of a realization, I think, (that) ultimately my future is not necessarily in my control."Rodgers remains under contract with the Packers through 2023, with a potential out following the 2021 campaign.A California native, Rodgers recorded 4,299 yards, 48 touchdowns, and a 70.7% completion percentage this past season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jared Goff is eager for a fresh start after the Los Angeles Rams reportedly dealt him to the Detroit Lions."I'm just excited to be somewhere that I know wants me and appreciates me," Goff told NFL Network's Michael Silver.Goff was an instrumental piece in the Rams' blockbuster deal to acquire Matthew Stafford. The young signal-caller was sent to the Lions along with two first-round picks and a third round-pick.Detroit will now pair the 26-year-old quarterback with new head coach Dan Campbell after Goff's tenure soured in Los Angeles.Just two seasons after being part of the Rams' squad that competed in Super Bowl LIII, Goff fell out of favor with the Los Angeles brass. Goff's inconsistent play coupled with his large $134-million contract made the quarterback's future uncertain heading into the upcoming offseason.Both L.A. head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead declined to commit to him earlier this offseason. Goff also reportedly had a strained relationship with McVay.Goff was supplanted by undrafted quarterback John Wolford toward the end of the 2020 season due to a thumb injury. Wolford started the regular-season finale in place of the injured passer and started in the wild-card game despite Goff being active.The Lions will be on the hook for Goff's $27-million cap hit in 2021, per Spotrac, but his contract increases in flexibility in the future. His dead cap hit decreases to $15.5 million next year and a potential out for no charge appears in 2023.The former No. 1 pick of the 2016 NFL Draft, Goff has posted a 42-27 record over his career. He's struggled to replicate his earlier success in recent seasons, throwing 42 touchdowns against 29 interceptions over his last 31 regular-season starts.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matthew Stafford told the Detroit Lions he would accept a trade anywhere except the New England Patriots, a source told NBC Sports' Tom Curran.The Patriots were reportedly one of the many clubs interested in securing Stafford's services, but the Los Angeles Rams closed a deal for the passer Saturday, sending two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and Jared Goff.Stafford has some familiarity with the New England organization. The Patriots brought back Matt Patricia - Stafford's former coach in Detroit - to assist the coaching staff.New England is coming off a disappointing 2020 campaign, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008 after losing Tom Brady in free agency.The Patriots also struggled mightily on offense, finishing 27th in points scored. Cam Newton struggled to regain his prior form and is not expected to return to the team next season. The former MVP passer was signed to a one-year contract last offseason but threw more interceptions (10) than touchdowns (8).Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Matthew Stafford reportedly on his way to the Los Angeles Rams and Jared Goff heading to the Detroit Lions, the NFL's offseason drama is in full swing before Super Bowl LV even kicks off.Below, we take a look at the winners and losers from Saturday night's blockbuster deal that will reportedly see Stafford traded for Goff, two future first-round picks, and a 2021 third-round selection.Winner: Matthew StaffordAfter years of propping up subpar supporting casts and playing under coaching staffs that did little to offset those talent disadvantages, Stafford is getting a well-deserved fresh start. The entire process was quick, painless, and really couldn't have worked out much better for the star quarterback.With Stafford and the Lions having mutually decided it was time to move on, there's no bad blood here, which is likely an important factor for a player who was the face of this franchise for a decade. In landing with the Rams, he now finds himself in a situation unlike any he's experienced thus far.Gone are the days of cycling through systems only to end up back at the same tried-and-true formula of putting the offense, and the entire team, squarely on his shoulders. Sean McVay's offense will be a breath of fresh air for Stafford, finally providing him with the foundation of a strong running game and putting him at the helm of a quarterback-friendly system that thrives on explosive plays off play-action.The Rams are going to score, and they're going to score a lot. With the NFL's No. 1 defense complementing those efforts on the other side of the ball, it's tough not to get excited about the team's possibilities in the years ahead. After weathering the dysfunction in Detroit for so long, Stafford will be energized to finally have a legitimate chance at winning a ring.Loser: Jared Goff Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyThe debate over Goff's future was seemingly put to bed when the Rams gave him his big-money payday in the weeks leading up to the 2019 season. Regardless of what you thought of the former No. 1 pick and L.A.'s decision to pay him, he and McVay were to be tied at the hip for the foreseeable future. But things change quickly in the NFL, and this particular case was turned upside down faster than anyone could have reasonably expected.The Rams didn't exactly hide the fact that they weren't pleased with what they were getting from Goff after two underwhelming seasons. It made sense that they'd be interested in an upgrade, at least theoretically, but the still-new contract figured to be prohibitive. Rather than accepting quarterback purgatory, the Rams got creative.While nobody involved will ever say for certain, it's fair to assume the market price for Stafford wasn't anywhere near what it appears to have been on the surface (two first-round picks, a mid-round selection, and a young starter to step in as his replacement). More likely, the second first-rounder in this deal was added as a sweetener so that the Lions would agree to take Goff's contract and its $43 million in guarantees.Being sent packing by the team that drafted you No. 1 has to be tough under any circumstances. Add in the reality that the Rams were desperate to move on before Goff's four-year extension even kicked in next season, and it becomes an even more disappointing turn of events. And that's before considering that all of a sudden he finds himself leaving a perennial contender to join a Lions organization that hasn't won a playoff game since the 1991 campaign.In fairness to Goff, he's certainly not a lost cause. He's shown flashes of high-level quarterback play to this point, and he's still only 26 years old. His best years may well be yet to come. But the Rams bending over backward to get rid of him less than two years after seemingly locking him in as their franchise signal-caller isn't exactly the greatest endorsement of his trajectory.Winner: LionsHow's this for a first impression of your new general manager? Two weeks after taking the Lions' job, Brad Holmes has already executed a home run trade that could be a major first step in the rebuilding process.Shopping a veteran quarterback after the team and player agree it's time to part ways is no easy task. Leverage is already nonexistent because negotiating partners know you don't have the option of simply standing pat, and the longer it drags out, the more uncomfortable it gets.So the Lions getting this thing done before the Super Bowl and bringing back such a significant return can be chalked up as a monumental win. Understanding that turning things around will be a process, taking on Goff's contract as a means of maximizing the draft capital coming back was a shrewd move in utilizing some of Detroit's financial flexibility.The Lions don't need to treat the Goff acquisition like a total salary dump (a la Brock Osweiler), either. As a team now in search of a new franchise quarterback, there are worse gambles to take than what essentially amounts to a two-year, $43-million contract on a 26-year-old former No. 1 pick who's been to a Super Bowl. If he works out, great. If he doesn't, they now have a whole lot more draft capital with which they can keep taking swings, and perhaps Goff can be flipped for additional assets down the road.Loser: Deshaun Watson Carmen Mandato / Getty Images Sport / GettyAs mentioned above, this deal was probably far more complex than Stafford landing the Lions a bunch of picks and a new quarterback. At least one of those picks was likely a throw-in for the Lions to take Goff's contract.Think of it this way:

The Denver Broncos were engaged in trade talks for Matthew Stafford before the Detroit Lions shipped the quarterback to the Los Angeles Rams, sources told Mike Klis of 9News.Denver submitted multiple offers for the veteran, and the Lions were interested in receiving Drew Lock in return, Klis adds. Broncos general manager George Paton was reportedly hesitant to part with his young core, and the club's offers paled in comparison to the Rams' proposal.L.A. and Detroit reportedly struck a deal for Stafford on Saturday night, as the Rams parted with quarterback Jared Goff, two future first-round picks, and a third-rounder.The Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, and San Francisco 49ers were also interested in Stafford, according to NBC Sports' Peter King.Paton, during his introductory press conference earlier in January, left open the possibility of replacing Lock, stating the franchise was in search of a franchise quarterback.Lock's uneven performances this season have led to questions surrounding his future with the team. After winning four of his five starts as a rookie in 2019, the 24-year-old went 4-9 in 2020. He also tossed a league-leading 15 interceptions while completing just 57.3% of his passes in his second year.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions are trading star quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams for signal-caller Jared Goff, two future first-round picks, and a third-round selection, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.L.A. will send its 2022 and 2023 first-round selection as well as its third-round pick from the 2021 draft.The trade cannot become official until the start of the league year on March 17.Stafford, 32, requested a trade from the Lions following the 2020 season. Meanwhile, Los Angeles is parting with 2016 first overall pick Goff after not committing to him following the team's divisional-round exit.The Lions and Stafford go their separate ways after 12 years. He leaves as the franchise's all-time leader in virtually every passing statistic: yards (45,109), touchdowns (282), (6,224) attempts, and (3,898) completions. Detroit selected the Georgia product first overall in 2009.Goff, 26, reunites with former Rams executive and Detroit's new general manager, Brad Holmes. The former Cal passer will also work under first-year head coach Dan Campbell next season.Los Angeles will inherit the two years and $43 million remaining on Stafford's contract, while the Lions will carry a $17.8-million dead cap hit in 2021, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.Detroit will also take on Goff's $106.6-million contract after he signed an extension in 2019.Multiple teams reportedly offered first-round picks in the upcoming draft for Stafford, but the quarterback swap, along with pick compensation, provided both teams with the trade package they desired.The Lions will visit the Rams during the 2021 regular season, according to ESPN's Field Yates.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NFL's much-anticipated game of quarterback musical chairs began late Saturday night, with the Detroit Lions reportedly agreeing to send Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, a third-rounder in 2021, and Jared Goff. Some quick thoughts ...1. Stafford gets a chance to revive his career. He's always been a solid quarterback, but he's also been stuck with the Lions. He turns 33 on Feb. 7, and he'll get a chance to play for a Rams team with a win-now roster and a terrific head coach and play-caller in Sean McVay. Stafford also has a home in Newport Beach, California, where the weather tends to be a bit nicer than it is in Detroit.2. The Lions have hit the reset button, and they had to. They've got a new head coach in Dan Campbell, a new general manager in Brad Holmes - who, incidentally, joined Detroit from the Rams - and they have to restock a roster that Matt Patricia and Bob Quinn packed with expensive ex-New England Patriots players over the past three years. This deal gives Detroit the draft capital to build a foundation. The hard part, as always, will be using those assets to select good players.3. The Rams did the best they could to escape the bad contract they gave Goff in September 2019. Why? Because he hasn't been all that great the last two seasons, tossing 29 interceptions in 31 games with an expected points added per play that ranks 24th in the league during that span. Goff has guarantees totaling $43 million coming his way over the next two years, according to Over the Cap. None of those guarantees offset, reports NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, so the Rams wouldn't have received a cap credit if they'd cut Goff and he signed elsewhere. All of that now lands on the Lions' books.And guess what? Stafford is also under contract for a total of $43 million over the next two years ($20 million in 2021, $23 million in 2022), though none of that is guaranteed.4. Detroit will take on $17.8 million in dead money for trading Stafford, according to Pelissero. But it doesn't matter because they're rebuilding, and Goff is essentially their bridge QB for the next two years. Unless, as Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio suggested, Detroit did this just to swallow the cap hit in exchange for draft resources, much like the Cleveland Browns did when they traded for Brock Osweiler in 2017. The difference: The Browns cut Osweiler before he played a down for them and ate $16 million on him. The Lions are now on the hook to pay Goff a heck of a lot more across the next two years.5. The Rams have a rather complete roster and an opportunity to compete for a Super Bowl right away. This deal gives them an upgrade at quarterback and a chance to get out after this year if Stafford isn't a fit. Moving on from Goff before 2023 would have been prohibitively expensive.6. The Rams basically have two years to win a title. This is why:

Note: Article was published prior to the reported trade sending Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams.Super Bowl LV is still eight days away, but forget all that: The bye-week news cycle was stuffed with stories about quarterbacks who won't play in next weekend's big game. The dominant theme of the offseason will be the game of quarterback musical chairs that's about to begin. What to expect? Glad you asked.How many QBs are we talking about here?Put it this way: There's been smoke surrounding Deshaun Watson, Matt Stafford, Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger, Tua Tagovailoa, Sam Darnold, Dak Prescott, Carson Wentz, Drew Brees, Teddy Bridgewater, Alex Smith, Mitch Trubisky, Jimmy Garoppolo, Derek Carr, Jared Goff, Jameis Winston, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. There could be others, too.Not all of that smoke indicates a fire; a good number of these QBs could stay put, and a lot of possible movement is conditional on other factors. But the league has a quarterback surplus, and the music's about to start. After it stops, the landscape of the league could look considerably different.What do you mean by other factors?Retirements, trades, free agency, the draft. Trades can happen at any time, but they won't become official until March 17, which is also the first day of free agency. And the draft isn't until April 29.Are the Texans really going to trade Deshaun Watson?They don't want to trade him, and it would be an outright crime if they did, but Watson might be able to force their hand. He wants out, and he has a no-trade clause that allows him to effectively dictate where he might get shipped. A lot depends on how far he wants to take this. Carmen Mandato / Getty ImagesHow so?Mike Sando of The Athletic talked to some league people who told him that the best way for Watson to create leverage is to simply refuse to play. He'd have to be willing to skip mandatory stuff like training camp, which would involve fines for each day he's absent, and he'd even miss game checks once the season starts. But that's obviously months away.The other big factor is the offers that Houston receives, because there is no doubt teams will be calling. The Jets, for example, have a total of four first-round picks in the next two drafts. If - and this is strictly for the sake of discussion - New York was to somehow offer those four first-rounders, would that be enough for the Texans to bite?Houston just went 4-12 with Watson. Is he really that -Don't go there. Just don't. Of course he's that good. Watson has the fifth-best expected points added per play since he entered the league in 2017. He also had the sixth-best EPA/play in 2020 despite playing on a lousy team. The Texans have let him down. They basically spent two years without a general manager while making one ruinous transaction after another. And Cal McNair, their failson owner, seems strangely captivated by a shady "character coach" named Jack Easterby, who has been their executive vice president of football operations for about a year.McNair also promised to seek Watson's input on the team's next head coach and GM, and then didn't. I recommend reading the two stories that Jenny Vrentas and Greg Bishop wrote about all this for Sports Illustrated. I also suggest you listen to JJ Watt:

The Carolina Panthers are involved in trade talks for Matthew Stafford, a source told Joe Person of The Athletic.The Detroit Lions have been fielding offers for the former Pro Bowl quarterback, and head coach Dan Campbell indicated Saturday a deal could come to fruition soon."It's pretty hot and heavy right now," Campbell told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "We've got quite a few offers and so it looks like we've got some trade partners, we're just trying to work out the best scenario and see what's best for us, ultimately."The Panthers went into the offseason examining their quarterback options after souring on Teddy Bridgewater late in the year. Carolina is also rumored to be an under-the-radar contender for Houston Texans star Deshaun Watson.The Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, and Washington Football Team are among the other clubs linked to Stafford since he requested a trade from the Lions.Stafford, who will turn 33 on Super Bowl Sunday, threw for 4,084 yards with 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 2020.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Trade talks involving Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford are intensifying, head coach Dan Campbell indicated Saturday."It's pretty hot and heavy right now," Campbell told Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. "We've got quite a few offers and so it looks like we've got some trade partners, we're just trying to work out the best scenario and see what's best for us, ultimately."The Lions and Stafford agreed to part ways after 12 years. Several quarterback-hungry teams have been linked to Stafford in recent days, including the Indianapolis Colts and San Francisco 49ers.Elsewhere, the Los Angeles Rams have reportedly emerged as one of Stafford's suitors. The veteran is hoping to land with a contender after making the playoffs just three times over his career in Detroit."I mean, we're mindful of trying to give him what he wants as well, but he also knows that, listen, we're going to find the best value for the Detroit Lions and what's best for us," Campbell said. "That's kind of what we're doing."Stafford will turn 33 on Super Bowl Sunday. He threw for 4,084 yards with 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this past season, eclipsing the 4,000-yard mark for the eighth time in his career.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

J.J. Watt might be on his way out of Houston.Some Texans players and coaches believe the star pass-rusher has played his last game for the AFC South club, according to James Palmer of NFL Network.Houston knows Watt deserves clarity on his future with the team, sources told Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.The Texans have insisted both Watt and quarterback Deshaun Watson - who has reportedly requested a trade amid issues with ownership - remain in the team's plans."In regards to 4 and 99, they're valued members on our team," owner Cal McNair said on Jan. 8. "They're important to the team and the city, they're passionate, and they want to win. And those are all totally in alignment with where we're going and what we've done here in bringing Nick aboard, so it's perfect, we're totally aligned."The three-time Defensive Player of the Year reportedly confronted former head coach and general manager Bill O'Brien early in the campaign before the Texans fired O'Brien.Watt also apologized to Watson for wasting one of the quarterback's prime seasons while walking off the field after Week 17, and questioned some of his teammates' work ethic earlier in the year.The 31-year-old has one year left on his contract. Trading or cutting Watt would save the Texans the entirety of his $17.5-million cap hit.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams are talking to multiple teams about a potential trade involving quarterback Jared Goff, a source told The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue.L.A. is reportedly considering acquiring Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, which would require moving Goff and his four-year, $134-million contract. Stafford formally requested a trade from Detroit after 12 seasons, and he's expected to have many suitors.Trading Goff would lead to $22.2 million in dead money, but it would also save the Rams $12.4 million of the passer's $34.6-million cap hit next season, according to Spotrac.However, the Rams could find it difficult to win the Stafford sweepstakes because they don't own a first-round pick in 2021.Goff, the No. 1 pick in 2016, has struggled over the last two seasons after helping Los Angeles to the Super Bowl in 2018.The 26-year-old has thrown for 8,590 yards and 42 touchdowns against 29 interceptions (plus 17 fumbles) over the last two campaigns after back-to-back Pro Bowl years earned him his mammoth extension.Head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead both didn't commit to Goff moving forward after the conclusion of the 2020 season, which ended with the Rams losing to the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round.It was previously reported the NFC West team was considering making Goff compete for the starting job with John Wolford.Wolford started Week 17 and the wild-card round after Goff underwent thumb surgery, though the latter was forced back into the contest against the Seattle Seahawks after his backup was hurt early in the game.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams are looking into acquiring quarterback Matthew Stafford from the Detroit Lions, sources told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.Stafford, who reportedly requested a trade at the end of the 2020 season, apparently considers the Rams a viable contender in his market. Jared Goff is signed for four more seasons, with $27.5 million guaranteed to him in 2021, but Los Angeles is reportedly engaged with multiple teams about the possibility of trading him.The Rams have refused to commit to Goff since the end of his turnover-filled 2020 campaign. Head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead both said Goff is a Ram "right now" after Los Angeles was knocked out of the playoffs. McVay and Goff reportedly ended the season with a strained relationship.Stafford is coming off his 12th season with the Lions, who drafted him first overall in 2009. The 32-year-old threw for 4,084 yards with 26 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season, registering a passer rating of 96.3.New Lions general manager Brad Holmes was hired from the Rams, where he'd worked as the director of college scouting since 2013.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Pettine's time with the Green Bay Packers is coming to an end.The Packers won't renew the defensive coordinator's expiring contract in the offseason, the team announced Friday."We want to thank Mike for his commitment to the Packers for the last three seasons," head coach Matt LaFleur said in a statement. "He was an important part of our success. As a first-time head coach, he was also an invaluable resource for us during our time together."Pettine spent the last three seasons on the Packers' sideline.Though the 54-year-old improved Green Bay's scoring defense since joining the team, his unit has been heavily criticized for its performances in the playoffs.The Packers, who've been eliminated in the NFC title game in each of the last two seasons, allowed 285 rushing yards in a loss to the San Francisco 49ers two years ago and suffered 31 points to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season.Green Bay ranked ninth in total defense (334 yards per game) and 13th in scoring (23.1 points per contest) this campaign.The club also dismissed special teams coordinator Shawn Mennenga earlier this week, promoting assistant Maurice Drayton to the vacant role.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Lovie Smith is back in the NFL.The former pro and college head coach has agreed to terms with the Houston Texans to become the team's new defensive coordinator, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports.Smith was the Chicago Bears' head coach from 2004 to 2012 and led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014 to 2015 before coaching at Illinois from 2016 to 2018. He also held the defensive coordinator position with the then-St. Louis Rams from 2001 to 2003.The Texans' coaching staff is taking shape with the move. David Culley was introduced as the team's new head coach Friday, and Tim Kelly is expected to be retained as the offensive coordinator.Houston is also reportedly targeting veteran quarterback Josh McCown for Culley's staff.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio said Friday the team doesn't intend to trade Deshaun Watson despite the star quarterback's reported formal request to leave."I just want to reiterate our commitment to Deshaun Watson," Caserio said after introducing new head coach David Culley, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport."We have zero interest in trading the player," he added. "We have a great plan and vision for him. We look forward to spending more time with him."Culley echoed Caserio's message that Houston is moving forward under the assumption Watson will be the team's quarterback."He is a Houston Texan. I want him to be a Houston Texan," said Culley, according to ESPN's Field Yates. "The reason I'm in this position today is because I know he's going to be a Houston Texan."Watson requested an exit after his relationship with the team ownership deteriorated amid the process that led to Caserio's hiring.The 25-year-old reportedly hasn't spoken to Caserio or executive Jack Easterby since the general manager was hired."The best way you handle relationships is to communicate and be honest and forthright," Caserio said when asked how they can salvage the pairing with Watson, according to The Houston Chronicle's Aaron Wilson.The hiring of Culley reportedly won't change Watson's desire to leave Houston.The Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are believed to be the front-runners to sign the Texans' signal-caller, though he's expected to have interest from the majority of the league.Watson, who signed a four-year, $156-million extension in September, set career highs with 4,823 passing yards and 33 touchdowns this season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nick Sirianni declined to name a starting quarterback while being introduced as the Philadelphia Eagles' new head coach Friday."Naming a starter, that hasn't even crossed my mind," he told reporters, according to The MMQB's Albert Breer.The Eagles are coming off a tumultuous 4-11-1 season, during which rookie Jalen Hurts eventually claimed Carson Wentz's starting job. Hurts played well down the stretch, while Wentz reportedly began preparing to seek a trade in the event Doug Pederson returned as head coach."We have two quarterbacks in Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts that are top-notch," Sirianni said, per ESPN's Field Yates. "A lot of teams don't have any. I'm excited to work with both of them."Sirianni spent the last three seasons as offensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts. He said he's spoken to Wentz and classified their conversations as positive but couldn't say whether the 28-year-old will be back in Philadelphia next season."I can't answer that," he said, according to Breer.After throwing only seven interceptions in each of the previous three seasons, Wentz tossed 15 in 12 outings this year. He signed a four-year, $128-million extension in June 2019.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tennessee Titans promoted tight ends coach Todd Downing to offensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen to defensive coordinator, the team announced Friday.Downing will replace former coordinator Arthur Smith, while Bowen handled defensive play-calling duties for the Titans last campaign.Head coach Mike Vrabel interviewed a few external candidates for each job but was impressed by his internal staff. The Titans reportedly also considered former Los Angeles Chargers quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton and Pittsburgh Steelers secondary coach Terryl Austin."I spent the last two weeks evaluating our current staff and talking with others outside our organization. I am excited for all of these guys taking the next step with us," Vrabel said.Downing has been with the Titans since 2019 and has experience as an offensive coordinator, previously serving in that role with the then-Oakland Raiders in 2017."Todd did a great job with the tight ends over the last two years and had an important role in the game-planning process each week. I was impressed with the details of his teaching and the production from his group and the offense in general," Vrabel added.Bowen was the team's outside linebackers coach for the last three seasons and will now handle full-time coordinator duties.The Titans' defense finished 28th in yardage last season but recorded 23 takeaways, seventh-most in the NFL.Tennessee finished 11-5 last year and has made the postseason in each of the last two campaigns.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans hired David Culley as their next head coach, the team announced Friday.The two sides agreed to a five-year contract, sources told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Culley was the assistant head coach, passing game coordinator, and wide receivers coach for the Baltimore Ravens over the past two seasons. He's staying in Houston overnight for additional meetings with the Texans, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle.Houston was also reportedly considering Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier for the job, but Culley reportedly emerged as a serious candidate in recent days despite never serving as an NFL head coach or offensive coordinator.Culley has logged 27 years of NFL experience, including working with Andy Reid as the receivers coach for the Philadelphia Eagles (1999-2012) and the Kansas City Chiefs (2013-16).The 65-year-old, who wasn't seen as a front-runner early in the process, has received praise for his leadership and the way he connects with players, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.He is the second person of color and first Black head coach hired during the 2021 cycle.The Texans will also retain offensive coordinator Tim Kelly to maintain continuity for the club's offense, according to Rapoport.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans are expected to hire former Los Angeles Chargers quarterbacks coach Pep Hamilton in the same capacity, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.Hamilton joined the Chargers ahead of the 2020 season and oversaw Justin Herbert's development as a rookie. The 46-year-old had a brief stint as a head coach in the XFL last year and has worked for multiple NFL teams, including the Indianapolis Colts, for whom he was the offensive coordinator from 2013-15.Hamilton is set to join David Culley's new coaching staff after the Texans reportedly hired Culley as their new head coach Wednesday.The Texans are also reportedly targeting veteran quarterback Josh McCown and former NFL and college head coach Lovie Smith for their sideline.Houston's new coaching staff doesn't yet know who will be playing quarterback for the team in 2021, as star signal-caller Deshaun Watson has reportedly requested a trade.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock acknowledged Wednesday that first-round picks Henry Ruggs and Damon Arnette failed to meet expectations in Year 1."I was disappointed in the productivity of our rookies, I'll be the first person to admit that," Mayock told team reporter Levi Edwards.The Raiders selected Ruggs 12th overall, making him the first wide receiver to come off the board in a loaded class of wideouts. He finished ninth in receiving among rookies, posting just 452 yards and two touchdowns over 13 games.Arnette was a surprising choice at No. 19. Billed as a raw talent with athletic promise, he allowed a 129.2 passer rating when targeted, according to PFF, and failed to snatch an interception in nine appearances."Henry Ruggs, I think is who he is, I'm not disappointed in Henry; I think Henry has to get better," Mayock said. "We knew how fast he is, but he has to get stronger, and he has to get in and out of his breaks better. You got to feel him coming out his breaks more for him to get to the next level, and I think he will, but we have a long-term view on Henry Ruggs."Arnette was the other first-rounder. In training camp prior to injury, he was playing really well. We were really excited about Damon Arnette. He's instinctive, tough, and fast, but concussions, a broken hand, COVID - he's got to take care of business in the offseason. Nutrition, strength coach, consistency of a day-to-day program."The Raiders have picked five players in the first round since Mayock - a former NFL Network draft analyst - joined the front office to aid head coach Jon Gruden with personnel. Clelin Ferrell, Johnathan Abram, Ruggs, and Arnette have had their share of struggles, while running back Josh Jacobs averaged a modest 3.9 yards per carry as a sophomore after a more prosperous rookie year.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Art Rooney II confirmed Ben Roethlisberger wants to continue playing next season, but the club won't retain the quarterback unless his contract is renegotiated."We've left that door open. We've been up front with Ben in letting him know that we couldn't have him back under the current contract," Rooney said Thursday, according to Joe Rutter of Trib Live.Roethlisberger carries a league-leading $41.2-million cap hit for 2021, per Spotrac. The Steelers would incur a $22-million dead cap hit if the signal-caller is cut, but a departure would save them $19 million."I think we'd like to see Ben back for another year if that can work, but as we've said, there's a lot of work to be done to see if that can happen," Rooney said, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN.He added, "I don't want to go too far down that road because we have a lot of discussions internally and with Ben. (The) salary cap and Ben's contract is a big factor in where we go. That's as much as I can say."The veteran's deal is one of many obstacles that the Steelers will face in the coming months as they try to navigate through a salary-cap crunch. Pittsburgh is projected to be $28.5 million over the cap and also face the prospect of multiple free-agent departures such as Bud Dupree and JuJu Smith-Schuster.Roethlisberger, 38, has spent his entire 17-year career with the Steelers. He threw 33 touchdowns to 10 interceptions this season while guiding Pittsburgh to a playoff appearance.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Star quarterback Deshaun Watson officially requested a trade from the Houston Texans, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Watson made the request "weeks ago" and hasn't spoken to new Texans general manager Nick Caserio or executive Jack Easterby, added Schefter.The news comes a day after the Texans reportedly decided on David Culley as their new head coach. The former Ravens assistant's hiring won't change Watson's stance, as previously reported.The 25-year-old's contract contains a no-trade clause, so he has the power to reject potential destinations. Houston signed Watson through the 2025 season after inking a four-year, $156-million extension in September.The Texans have received calls about Watson for a few weeks but are telling teams they have no intention of bowing to his demand, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

Deshaun Watson could be on his way out of Houston after reportedly putting in a formal trade request, and almost every team in the NFL ought to at least call the Texans about acquiring the disgruntled star.Already established as a top-five signal-caller at only 25 years old, Watson is one of the most valuable trade chips in the league. Here's what every club should be prepared to offer, and how feasible a deal is:Note: Potential offers only listed for teams with a reasonable chance of acquiring Watson.49ers Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / GettyPlausibility of trade: 7/10Possible offer: DE Nick Bosa, QB Jimmy Garoppolo, 2021 1st- (No. 12 overall), 2022 1st-round pickIf Kyle Shanahan is growing tired of Garoppolo, as many have ascertained, the 49ers should be all-in on getting this deal done. San Francisco's championship window is open, but windows close quickly in the NFL. The Texans would surely love to add a marquee pass-rusher like Bosa - especially with J.J. Watt potentially on his way out - and restock its bare cupboard of draft picks.BearsPlausibility of trade: 4/10After trading two third-round selections and a fourth-rounder to move up one spot in the 2017 draft for Mitchell Trubisky, it would be humiliating for Ryan Pace to ship out another trove of picks for the man he could have had all along. That doesn't mean Pace won't do it, but Bears fans shouldn't hold their breath.BengalsPlausibility of trade: 2/10Cincinnati could potentially swing a deal that involves Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins, and draft selections, though the reigning first overall pick's knee injury adds perplexity to an already unlikely scenario.BillsPlausibility of trade: 1/10Brandon Beane certainly won't entertain moving Josh Allen after his breakout campaign. Watson may be more consistent than Allen, but we don't see Buffalo parting with draft capital for just a slight (if at all) upgrade at quarterback.BroncosPlausibility of trade: 5/10Possible offer: LB Bradley Chubb, 2021 1st- (No. 9 overall), 2021 3rd-, 2022 1st-round pickWatson would immediately stop what's been a revolving door at quarterback for the Broncos in recent years, but Denver would struggle to present the best offer. Unless they're willing to include Chubb in a pick-filled package, the Broncos might as well look elsewhere or resign themselves to another year of Drew Lock.BrownsPlausibility of trade: 2/10There's no way the Browns veer from the Baker Mayfield plan right after he led them to their first playoff appearance since 2002 and their first playoff win since 1994. In saying that, Watson would be a significant upgrade.BuccaneersPlausibility of trade: 1/10Tom Brady is guaranteed $25 million in 2021 and has a no-trade clause in his contract, which makes the Bucs' chances of acquiring Watson closer to none.Cardinals Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPlausibility of trade: 5/10Possible offer: QB Kyler Murray, 2021 2nd-round pickMurray hasn't established himself as an unmovable chip for the Cardinals just yet, and he still has enough upside and contractual affordability to entice the Texans. Murray, the No. 1 overall pick in 2019, possesses more potential than most of the passers Houston would target.ChargersPlausibility of trade: 1/10Following his record-breaking rookie campaign, Justin Herbert is unlikely to be swapped for Watson, even with the franchise entering a new era under Brandon Staley.ChiefsPlausibility of trade: 0/10Kansas City is likely the only team where a deal would result in a clear downgrade at quarterback over the next five years.ColtsPlausibility of trade: 1/10The Texans aren't going to deal Watson to an AFC South rival, especially one that appears to be a top-tier quarterback away from making a Super Bowl run.CowboysPlausibility of trade: 2/10Nobody loves making headlines more than Jerry Jones, but even he would be hard-pressed to justify giving away the requisite picks when he could just re-sign Dak Prescott.Dolphins Norm Hall / Getty Images Sport / GettyPlausibility of trade: 10/10Possible offer: QB Tua Tagovailoa, 2021 1st- (No. 3 overall from Texans), 2021 1st- (No. 18), 2022 2nd-round pickDepending on how the Texans feel about Tagovailoa, the Dolphins could be the most sensible suitor. Tagovailoa didn't shine as a rookie, but he was billed as a generational prospect a year ago. Houston could land a quarterback of the future and get back the pick it traded for Laremy Tunsil, while Miami would net the proven quarterback it needs to contend for a championship.EaglesPlausibility of trade: 2/10This scenario may only work if Carson Wentz asks for a trade, though the Eagles' roster may already feature his replacement with Jalen Hurts. Howie Roseman is among the league's boldest GMs, but the Eagles simply can't afford Watson given their cap situation.FalconsPlausibility of trade: 6/10Possible offer: 2021 1st- (No. 4 overall from Texans), 2022 1st-, 2023 1st-round pickAtlanta is an interesting team in the Watson sweepstakes. A trade featuring multiple high picks could be swung, while Matt Ryan could be moved at a later date since the Falcons can save money via post-June 1 transaction.GiantsPlausibility of trade: 2/10The Giants have assets - including Daniel Jones and the 11th overall selection this year - to make a deal happen. However, Dave Gettleman is likely too conservative to pull one off, and other clubs should be able to put better offers forward.JaguarsPlausibility of trade: 2/10Inter-division trades, especially for a franchise quarterback, are extremely unlikely, though Jacksonville stands a slightly better chance than the Colts or Titans. The Jags could offer Houston the most appealing package possible if they're willing to give up this year's first overall pick, but we don't see it happening.Jets Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport / GettyPlausibility of trade: 10/10Possible offer: QB Sam Darnold, 2021 1st- (No. 2 overall), 2021 1st- (No. 23 from Seahawks), 2022 1st-round pickThanks to the Jamal Adams trade last summer, the Jets have four first-round picks over the next two drafts. They could easily part with a few of them, and might as well throw in Darnold, who the Texans could evaluate for a year before deciding on how to proceed in 2022.LionsPlausibility of trade: 5/10Possible offer: QB Matthew Stafford, 2021 1st- (No. 7 overall), 2022 1st-, 2021 3rd-round pickStafford - who is also reportedly seeking a trade after mutually deciding to part ways with the Lions - is still an above-average passer, and the Texans could always flip him later if they enter a full rebuild. However, Detroit's roster contains too many holes for the front office to sell the farm right now, so the Lions are likely better off targeting a quarterback early in the draft.PackersPlausibility of trade: 1/10The Packers aren't ruthless enough to offer Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love, even though it would extend their championship window by a decade or so.PanthersPlausibility of trade: 8/10Possible offer: WR D.J. Moore, QB Teddy Bridgewater, S Jeremy Chinn, 2021 1st- (No. 8 overall), 2021 2nd-round pickThe Panthers have been mentioned as a team to watch, but they would have to include players to compensate for a lack of draft ammunition. Moore and Chinn are young building blocks, and Carolina shouldn't bother picking up the phone unless it's willing to include both in a deal.Patriots Maddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyPlausibility of trade: 6/10Possible offer: 2021 1st- (No. 15 overall), 2021 2nd-, 2021 3rd-, 2022 1st-, 2022 2nd-round pickIt would be very anti-Bill Belichick to trade his top three picks this year and top two choices next year for one player, but he's never needed a quarterback as desperately as he does right now. With his former personnel man Nick Caserio now the GM in Houston, perhaps Belichick can use the familiarity to broker a deal, the likes of which would put New England back on the Super Bowl map.RaidersPlausibility of trade: 5/10Possible offer: QB Derek Carr, 2021 1st- (No. 17 overall), 2021 2nd-, 2022 1st-round pickAnother Carr in Houston adds a unique quirk here, but this type of deal has Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock written all over it. Vegas would need plenty of ammunition to outbid other suitors, but adding a franchise passer to a division that features Mahomes and Herbert may be too good of an opportunity to pass up.RamsPlausibility of trade: 1/10Nobody adores blockbuster trades more than Les Snead, but without a first-round pick or a way to escape Jared Goff's contract, there's just no way for the GM to get this done.RavensPlausibility of trade: 1/10Lamar Jackson for Deshaun Watson, who says no? The Texans say no, which is why this won't happen.SaintsPlausibility of trade: 1/10Watson would be a logical replacement for Drew Brees if the latter retires, except the Saints are already nearly $100 million over the salary cap for 2021. Mickey Loomis and Co. have payroll problems to figure out before they can start discussing Watson and his $170-million contract.SeahawksPlausibility of trade: 3/10Without first-round picks in 2021 or 2022, the Seahawks don't appear to have the firepower to work out a trade with Houston. We aren't sold that Pete Carroll would swap Wilson for Watson, either.Steelers Joe Sargent / Getty Images Sport / GettyPlausibility of trade: 5/10Possible offer: DL Stephon Tuitt, 2021 1st- (No. 24 overall), 2021 2nd-, 2022 1st-, 2023 1st-round pickA star quarterback away from being a perennial Super Bowl contender, Pittsburgh could throw everything at Houston. Since their picks are near the end of each round, they'll need to include more of them. If the Steelers want to get crazy, they can look to expand the deal and bring J.J. Watt to the Steel City, where brothers T.J. and Derek reside. Any Watson deal will take a lot of work, though, as the Steelers face cap issues entering the new league year.TitansPlausibility of trade: 1/10Similar to the Colts and Jaguars, we simply don't foresee a franchise quarterback being moved to another AFC South squad. It is fun to picture Watson and Derrick Henry in the same backfield, though.VikingsPlausibility of trade: 2/10The Vikings seem content with Kirk Cousins and focused on adding to the infrastructure around him. If they change their mind, they'll need to be prepared to part with Justin Jefferson and a massive collection of picks, which would leave them cap-strapped with an aging core.Washington Football TeamPlausibility of trade: 6/10Possible offer: 2021 1st- (No. 19 overall), 2021 2nd-, 2022 1st-, 2023 1st-round pickWashington may be a quarterback away from championship contention, and owner Dan Snyder has never shied away from major moves, but the Football Team lacks assets. Much like the Broncos, Washington would have to offer a boatload of draft capital just to keep the Texans from hanging up the phone.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Houston Texans have planned to hire first-time head coach David Culley and are looking to surround him with experienced voices.The Texans are targeting veteran quarterback Josh McCown and former NFL and college head coach Lovie Smith for Culley's coaching staff, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo.Smith is in Houston to meet with the team, Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle reports.Culley has 27 years of coaching experience in the NFL as an assistant head coach, wide receivers coach, and passing game coordinator, but he's never held the top job.McCown had a prior meeting with the Texans about the head coaching vacancy. The 41-year-old was an NFL quarterback from 2002 to 2019.Smith was the Chicago Bears' head coach from 2004 to 2012 and led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2014 to 2015 before coaching at Illinois from 2016 to 2018.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, theScore's betting writers Alex Moretto, C Jackson Cowart, and Alex Kolodziej join Boone to preview Super Bowl LV between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

For the first time in almost a decade, this year's Super Bowl features two teams that faced each other in the regular season. If past rematches are any indication, bettors can expect a different result this time around.When the Chiefs (-3.5) face the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV - two months after Kansas City's 27-24 win in Week 12 - it'll mark the 14th time in NFL history that the title game is a rematch of a regular-season contest. The regular-season loser has won seven of those 13 games with a 6-6-1 record against the spread, but a deeper dive into those numbers reveals a much stronger showing from teams in a revenge spot.Here's a list of the previous 13 teams that fell to an opponent in the regular season before facing them again in the Super Bowl:SUPER BOWL (YEAR)MATCHUPRESULTSUATSXLVII (2012)Patriots (-2.5) vs. Giants17-21LLXLII (2008)Giants (+12) vs. Patriots17-14WWXXXVI (2002)Patriots (+14) vs. Rams20-17WWXXXIV (2000)Rams (-7) vs. Titans23-16WPXXIX (1995)Chargers (+18.5) vs. 49ers26-49LLXXVIII (1994)Cowboys (-10.5) vs. Bills30-13WWXXV (1991)Giants (+7) vs. Bills20-19WWXXI (1987)Broncos (+9.5) vs. Giants20-39LLXX (1986)Patriots (+10) vs. Bears10-46LLXVIII (1984)Raiders (+3) vs. Redskins38-9WWXVI (1982)Bengals (+1) vs. 49ers21-26LLXV (1981)Raiders (+3) vs. Eagles27-10WWXII (1978)Broncos (+6) vs. Cowboys10-27LLBest served coldA quick glance at the chart reveals just how well teams have done in recent years avenging a regular-season defeat. Clubs in that spot are 5-2 straight up in the Super Bowl with a 4-2-1 ATS record since 1991.Also, consider that just three of those 13 teams seeking revenge were favored in the Super Bowl. Underdogs have gone 5-5 SU despite catching 8.4 points per game in those 10 contests, and the two 3-point underdogs in that span won by a combined 46 points.The first meeting's result clearly doesn't dictate how the rematch will go - but the margin does. Four of those regular-season games were decided by eight or more points and the losers in those meetings subsequently went 0-4 SU/ATS in the Super Bowl, losing by a combined 81 points.Conversely, teams that fell by a touchdown or less in the regular season - as the Bucs did this year - were 6-2-1 ATS with seven outright victories in the Super Bowl. When that regular-season margin is three points or less? The losing clubs went 5-1 SU/4-1-1 ATS in the revenge spot, outscoring their opponents by nine points per game.Beware Brady's revengeThe last three rematches in the title game all involved Tom Brady - as every Super Bowl trend seems to do. The 43-year-old helped the Patriots avenge their loss to the Rams in 2002 before he fell in the second meeting against the Giants in 2008 and got swept by New York in 2012.Brady stands at 13-7 ATS in his career when playing a team that beat him earlier in the year, but he's just 4-6 ATS in the playoffs. He lost five straight in that spot before beating the Saints in the divisional round, avenging both of his regular-season losses to New Orleans.Still, Brady has dominated teams the second time around in recent years. Since the 2016 season, he's a perfect 5-0 ATS versus a team he faced in the regular season, winning by an average of 11.6 points. That record includes three straight wins as an underdog in that spot - one against the Chiefs in 2019 and this year's wins over the Saints and Packers.Brady will have his hands full this time against Kansas City, which is 3-0 ATS in playoff rematches since that 2019 loss. Can the Chiefs keep Brady at bay this time around, or is revenge once again on the menu in a Super Bowl encore?C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains graphic contentSeattle Seahawks offensive tackle Chad Wheeler was released from jail Tuesday on a $400,000 bail bond after he was arrested Saturday morning on suspicion of felony domestic violence, according to online court records obtained by Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.Wheeler's girlfriend said he assaulted her at a residence Friday night in the Seattle suburb of Kent, according to a police report obtained by Condotta.The report states the incident began after Wheeler told his girlfriend to bow to him. When she did not, Wheeler threw the woman on a bed and strangled her before she lost consciousness.Wheeler expressed surprise that the woman was still alive after she regained consciousness, according to the report. She then locked herself in the bathroom and contacted the police, saying she was being "killed."Wheeler forced his way into the bathroom by picking the lock and was standing beside the woman when police arrived, the report said, and the victim was taken to Valley Medical Center with arm pain.According to the report, Wheeler had not been taking his medication for bipolar disorder. He's due in King County District Court again Wednesday for a probable-cause hearing.Seattle condemned Wheeler's actions in a statement Tuesday and said the backup offensive lineman, who is a restricted free agent, is "no longer with the team." He was waived on Wednesday.

Jason Witten is retiring from the NFL and intends to sign a one-day contract with the Dallas Cowboys to depart as a member of the organization, the longtime tight end told ESPN's Todd Archer.Witten first retired in April 2018 and spent the year on ESPN's "Monday Night Football" broadcast. The 38-year-old returned to the Cowboys in 2019 and inked a one-year contract to play his 17th and final season with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2020."A coach once told me, 'The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example,'" Witten said. "As I hang it up, I walk away knowing that for 17 seasons I gave it my absolute all. I am proud of my accomplishments as a football player on the field and the example I tried to set off of it."Football is a great game that has taught me many valuable lessons, and I look forward to passing on that knowledge to the next generation."Witten retires as the league's all-time leader in games played at tight end with 271. He also ranks second at the position with 1,228 career receptions and 13,046 receiving yards.The future Hall-of-Famer enjoyed a remarkable career in Dallas, including earning 11 Pro Bowls, two All-Pro selections, and being named the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year in 2012.Witten caught 13 passes and scored two touchdowns for the Raiders in his final campaign.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Of all of the things Tom Brady has done in his illustrious career, he had never played on a wild-card team before this season. Now, he's helped carry one to the Super Bowl, and recent history is on his side against the Chiefs (-3.5).Since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970, 10 wild-card teams had advanced to the Super Bowl prior to the fifth-seeded Buccaneers' run this season. Despite being favored in just three of those games, the clubs went 6-4 straight up with a stellar 7-2-1 record against the spread.Here's the full list of squads to reach the Super Bowl as a wild-card team:Super Bowl (Year)MatchupResultSUATSXLV (2011)Packers (-3) vs. Steelers31-25WWXLII (2008)Giants (+12) vs. Patriots17-14WWXL (2006)Steelers (-4) vs. Seahawks21-10WWXXXV (2001)Ravens (-3) vs. Giants34-7WWXXXIV (2000)Titans (+7) vs. Rams16-23LPXXXII (1998)Broncos (+11) vs. Packers31-24WWXXVII (1993)Bills (+6.5) vs. Cowboys17-52LLXX (1986)Patriots (+10) vs. Bears10-46LLXV (1981)Raiders (+3) vs. Eagles27-10WWX (1976)Cowboys (+7) vs. Steelers17-21LWA wild-card team hasn't gone to the Super Bowl since 2011, when Aaron Rodgers led the Packers on a storybook run for his lone championship. That win extended an excellent streak for wild-card teams, which have gone 5-0-1 ATS in the Super Bowl since 1998 while winning four straight by a combined 47 points.Oddsmakers' confidence in Tampa Bay bodes well for the Bucs in this one. Among the 10 wild-card teams to reach the Super Bowl, the six clubs catching at least 6.5 points went 2-4 SU and 3-2-1 ATS. The other four - all priced between +3 to -4 - went 4-0 SU/ATS, winning by an average of 15.3 points per game.Those 2010-11 Packers were one of just five teams - including this year's Buccaneers - to win three road playoff games en route to a Super Bowl berth. The previous four went 3-1 SU/ATS, with only the 1985-86 Patriots falling short against the juggernaut Bears (-10).The irony, of course, is that Tampa Bay is rewarded for its road success with a home game in the Super Bowl, which has never happened before. It could be the bump the Buccaneers need to keep an impressive wild-card streak alive.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's not going to be easy finding value in the MVP market come Super Bowl LV.In a quarterback-driven league, two of the best square off when Tom Brady's Buccaneers meet Patrick Mahomes' Chiefs. The pair of signal-callers unsurprisingly headline the odds to win Most Valuable Player.Is there anyone else worth taking a flier on? Let's dive into the prices, trends, and who offers the best value.Odds to win MVPPlayerOddsPatrick Mahomes (KC)-105Tom Brady (TB)+220Tyreek Hill (KC)+1400Travis Kelce (KC)+1500Leonard Fournette (TB)+2600Chris Godwin (TB)+3400Mike Evans (TB)+3400Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC)+3700Shaquil Barrett (TB)+5000Tyrann Mathieu (KC)+5000Antonio Brown (TB)+5500Ronald Jones (TB)+5500Darrel Williams (KC)+6500Rob Gronkowski (TB)+8500Antoine Winfield Jr. (TB)+10000Devin White (TB)+10000Jason Pierre-Paul (TB)+10000Jordan Whitehead (TB)+10000Lavonte David (TB)+10000Mecole Hardman (KC)+10000Ndamukong Suh (TB)+10000Sammy Watkins (KC)+10000Willie Gay (KC)+10000Only displaying those with odds of 100-1 or shorterNotes

Jared Goff isn't guaranteed to open the 2021 season as the Los Angeles Rams' starting quarterback.The Rams are expected to hold an open competition between Goff - assuming he remains on the roster - and John Wolford for the starting job, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.Both head coach Sean McVay and general manager Les Snead have failed in recent weeks to assure Goff's role moving forward. Snead only went so far as to say Goff is the team's quarterback "right now." The relationship between the signal-caller and his coach is also reportedly strained.The top selection in the NFL draft just five years ago, Goff opened this past season as the team's starter but his production slipped down the stretch. A thumb injury led to Wolford starting near the end of the campaign.Wolford started the regular-season finale and remained the top choice for the wild-card game against the Seattle Seahawks despite Goff being active. He was later removed from that contest due to injury, leading to Goff taking over.The Rams were reportedly impressed by Wolford's performance throughout the season, Rapoport added. The 25-year-old threw for 260 yards and added another 58 yards with his legs over two starts.Goff tossed 20 touchdowns to 13 interceptions for the season and finished with a passer rating under 90 in four of his last seven games.Goff inked a four-year, $134-million contract in September 2019 and carries a $34-million cap hit this year, according to Spotrac. The Rams would sustain a $65.5-million dead cap hit if he's dealt or cut.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints are staring at an offseason in which multiple players could leave, but general manager Mickey Loomis believes his team will remain a championship-caliber squad.Despite the salary-cap challenges ahead, Loomis said there are no plans to start from scratch if veteran quarterback Drew Brees retires. He said the team has a great roster, and Loomis can't "foresee a circumstance" in which the Saints don't try to remain competitive."(We're going to) do everything we can to win - win now and compete for a championship," he said, according to ESPN's Mike Triplett.The Saints are projected to be $105 million over the salary cap, according to Spotrac, and they're not certain about Brees' future. The 42-year-old is taking time to think before making a decision about retirement. Loomis said the club will wait for Brees before forming a plan at the position, according to NFL Network's Andrew Siciliano.After struggling to push the ball downfield and dealing with various injuries in 2020, Brees plays a significant part in New Orleans' salary-cap puzzle this offseason. The signal-caller would account for a $36.1-million cap hit if he returns.Loomis continued, saying the club is entering a difficult offseason that could feature many changes."Look, for sure it’s gonna be challenging. And yet I don’t want to speculate as to how challenging it’s gonna be until we have a better understanding of what’s gonna be available - not just for this year, but even for the year after," the general manager noted."I would say it does feel (like) more (turnover) than usual," Loomis added, according to Fox 44 News' Brooke Kirchhofer." ... I think when we count the numbers it’s not too unusual but it does feel like that, I agree."The Saints are coming off their fourth straight playoff appearance, but their many key impending free agents include Trey Hendrickson, Jared Cook, and Jameis Winston.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The betting market is expecting roughly seven touchdowns to be scored in Super Bowl LV between the Chiefs and Buccaneers. The first one is arguably the most important.Betting on the first touchdown scorer has become more commonplace for prime-time games, but it's a staple for the Super Bowl.Here, we'll go over who you should buy or sell come the big game.Odds to score 1st TD in Super Bowl LVPlayer OddsTravis Kelce (KC)+600Tyreek Hill (KC)+600Leonard Fournette (TB)+1000Mike Evans (TB)+1200Chris Godwin (TB)+1300Darrel Williams (KC)+1600Mecole Hardman (KC)+1700Clyde Edwards-Helaire (KC)+1700Ronald Jones (TB)+1800Antonio Brown (TB)+1800Field (all others not listed)+1800Sammy Watkins (KC)+2000Patrick Mahomes (KC)+2200Demarcus Robinson (KC)+2200Rob Gronkowski (TB)+2200Cameron Brate (TB)+2200Byron Pringle (KC)+3000Le'Veon Bell (KC)+3300Tom Brady (TB)+3500Scotty Miller (KC)+3500LeSean McCoy (TB)+6500Tyler Johnson (TB)+7000Darwin Thompson (KC)+7500Tanner Hudson (KC)+7500Justin Watson (TB)+7500Marcus Kemp (KC)+8000Nick Keizer (KC)+8000Blaine Gabbert (TB)+8500Antoine Winfield Jr. (TB)+10000Antonio Hamilton (KC)+10000Chad Henne (KC)+10000Chris Jones (KC)+10000Daniel Sorensen (KC)+10000Devin White (TB)+10000Ndamukong Suh (TB)+10000Ricky Seals-Jones (KC)+10000Sean Murphy-Bunting (TB)+10000Tyrann Mathieu (KC)+10000Jason Pierre-Paul (TB)+25000No TD+50000Buy: Mike Evans (+1200)The name of the game is scoring touchdowns, and Evans has a bunch this season - 13, in fact. He opened the year with at least one in each of his first five contests and is back on the wagon, hauling in TDs in back-to-back postseason games.Evans is a huge target at 6-foot-5, and quarterback Tom Brady's thrown the second-most touchdowns inside the 10-yard line this season. Kansas City's defense is by far the worst red-zone unit in football, allowing opponents to score TDs on 74.07% of their trips inside the 20.The duo hooked up for two receiving touchdowns in the last meeting between the teams and could be poised for more - potentially right out of the gate.Fade: Darwin Thompson (+7500)You couldn't offer me a blank check to bet on Thompson to score first.The second-year tailback only has two career touchdowns - one last season, and another this year in Week 17. Thompson's only seen more than 15 snaps in a game once, which makes this an easy fade.Play: Tyreek Hill (+600)Hill owned the Buccaneers' defense in Week 12, catching a dozen passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns. Both he and fellow pass-catcher Travis Kelce share the top spot in the odds at 6-1, but I favor Hill here.Not only has he proved to be a matchup nightmare for this secondary, Hill leads the team in red-zone targets (23) and catches (16).So much for just a deep threat.Fade: Tom Brady (+3500)The Buccaneers have multiple freaks at wide receiver, two huge tight ends, and a couple bulldozers in the backfield. Would Tampa Bay really risk a sneak so early in the game?Brady has four touchdowns on the year, but they were all gimmes. Given how horrendous Kansas City's been in the red zone, the Buccaneers don't need to keep the ball in TB12's hands.Fade the GOAT.(Odds source: theScore Bet)Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Eli Manning is the only quarterback to take down Tom Brady twice in the Super Bowl, upsetting the undefeated New England Patriots during the 2007 season and beating them again four years later.While Manning doesn't like to brag about the New York Giants' Super Bowl wins, the subject comes up when he's around Brady."It's one of those things, it's not something I ever say or ever think a lot about," Manning told Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. "I've been around Tom numerous times, and I've never brought up a Super Bowl or our games versus them. He actually brings it up. It still bothers him a little bit, especially the '07 one when they had the chance to go down as the greatest team of all time."But I don't have any bragging rights with Tom. This is his 10th Super Bowl, and I'm so impressed with his whole career."Brady owns a 6-3 record in the big game, with his only other loss coming against Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LII. He and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter Super Bowl LV as the underdog against the Kansas City Chiefs."It's really impressive what Tom's been able to do," Manning said. "Just the fact, changing teams after 20 years, with one team where you’ve had so much success and going to a new team, new city, new state during a pandemic, where you have a shortened off-season and different rules and kind of get the same results. Getting back to a Super Bowl, at age 43, yeah, it's so impressive. It was hard to think that was going to be possible. He's obviously got a special demeanor and a special ability to get guys to rally around him."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians doesn't intend to ride off into the sunset if his team is victorious over the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV on Feb. 7."Hell no. I'm going for two," said Arians on Tuesday, per Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times. "If the Glazers will have me back."Arians previously retired twice - once briefly in 2012 after the Pittsburgh Steelers opted not to renew his contract as offensive coordinator, and again at the end of the 2017 campaign after five seasons as the Arizona Cardinals' head coach.After a year out, he decided to resume his career in Tampa Bay, signing a four-year deal.The 68-year-old had two health scares with the Cardinals and revealed he always fell ill when seasons ended.Arians appears rejuvenated with the Tom Brady-led Bucs ahead of his first Super Bowl appearance as a head coach. He won Super Bowls XL and XLIII as an assistant with the Steelers.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Jack Browne outline a three-step offseason plan for every team that missed the playoffs this season to help get them back to the dance in 2021.Arizona Cardinals

The Seattle Seahawks are looking to a division rival to update their offense.The Seahawks are planning to make Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator Shane Waldron their new offensive coordinator, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.Seattle fired longtime offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer after losing to the Rams in the playoffs, citing "philosophical differences."The Seahawks' offense stagnated over the second half of the season, which culminated with a 30-20 wild-card loss to L.A.Waldron has spent the past four seasons with the Rams and the last three in charge of the team's passing game. L.A. ranked 15th in passing in 2020 and fifth in both 2019 and 2018.The Rams' coaching and front-office staffs have been raided during this hiring cycle. Former defensive coordinator Brandon Staley was hired as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and took assistant head coach Joe Barry with him as his new defensive coordinator. The Rams' ex-director of college scouting, Brad Holmes, is the Detroit Lions' new general manager, while former L.A. director of player personnel Ray Agnew joined him as his assistant.Last season, the Rams lost quarterbacks coach Zac Taylor, who was named the Cincinnati Bengals' head coach.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Alabama Crimson Tide teammates DeVonta Smith and Tua Tagovailoa have talked about reuniting in the NFL.Tagovailoa was taken in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins and Smith could follow suit this April.

The Super Bowl? More like the Prop Bowl, with a football game sprinkled in.The Super Bowl has long been the holy grail of prop bets - standard markets, exotics, you name it. There's a laundry list available to bet, but here, we're glossing over the five you should jump on when the Chiefs take on the Buccaneers in two weeks.Don't waste time getting these in.Travis Kelce oversDon't expect the numbers on Kelce's props to be there long - his totals should fly.The NFL's runner-up in receiving yards has put on a clinic no matter how the offense has fared on a weekly basis. Kelce's recorded at least 100 receiving yards in five of the last eight games, seeing double-digit targets in every contest over that span.Tyreek Hill was the MVP against the Buccaneers in the regular-season meeting, catching 13 passes for 226 yards and three scores. However, Kelce still finished with a solid day, hauling in eight receptions for 82 yards.If the public gets cute and fades Hill, Kelce's stock is rising.Passing yards overPatrick Mahomes effortlessly lit up the Buccaneers for 462 yards and three touchdowns in Week 12. Meanwhile, Tom Brady has averaged a gaudy 390.3 passing yards in his last four Super Bowl appearances.With the market expecting roughly seven touchdowns and 56 total points, expect the public to flock toward the overs for both signal-callers.Gatorade color - orangeThe color of the Gatorade dumped on the winning team's coach is arguably the best prop on the board every year. You can make a case for just about any color, but there's one that gets love on an annual basis: orange.It's been the most-used Gatorade since Super Bowl XL, with clear coming in second.Color% of winsOrange33.3%Clear20%None13.33%Yellow13.33%Blue13.33%Purple6.67%Total combined sacks under This is a standard game prop I can get on board with.Sure, Mahomes has been hampered by a toe injury, and Brady's a ripe 43, but these two won't be sitting ducks. Kansas City and Tampa Bay have been elite at protecting the quarterback, tying for third in the league in sacks allowed per game (1.4).Brady's only been sacked multiple times twice in the last 10 games, while Mahomes has been dropped just once over his last three overall.Sean Murphy-Bunting over tacklesMurphy-Bunting's been the hot commodity in the Bucs' secondary, picking off passes in all three postseason games. The second-year cornerback's tackle total is only five, which seems generous on the surface - he's logged at least that many in five of the last seven.Considering how much the Tampa Bay secondary will have to do down the field against the potent Kansas City passing attack, Murphy-Bunting should have a rather busy night.(Odds source: theScore Bet)Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Betting on the Super Bowl can be overwhelming. After all, there are hundreds of available options, crossing over multiple markets.Here are some dos and don'ts to prepare you for when the Chiefs and Buccaneers meet in less than two weeks.Do: Play to your strengthsThere isn't an exact science to betting the Super Bowl. Your best option is to play to your strengths, given the wide range of markets.If you feel comfortable studying tendencies, film, and game script, play the side or total. If you're a fantasy junkie or run player projections, hit the prop market.Hell, you don't even have to be a football fan to bet the biggest game of the year. Only on Super Bowl Sunday can you wager whether Tom Brady will have more interceptions than the Waste Management will have hole-in-ones.There's something for everyone.Don't: Rack up a bunch of juiceOne tip for those diving into props: Beware of racking up the juice.Is there anything more fun than watching Travis Kelce catch eight passes for 74 yards in the first half when you bet over on both? No, there is not. However, bettors often have to pay a little more vig in the prop market. And some prices can get out of hand.Bettors playing -110 on every bet only have to win 52.4% of the time to break even. If, say, you're betting props at an average cost of -160, you now have to cash at a rate north of 60%.Loading up on pricey props can burn you in the long run.Do: Pay attentionTodd Gurley literally told the entire Twitterverse two years ago that the Rams' preferred Gatorade flavor was Ice Punch. L.A. didn't win the Super Bowl, but could you imagine watching head coach Sean McVay celebrate under a waterfall of sugary, clear goodness as you simultaneously net a +200 winner? How sweet that would have been.Who knows; perhaps you have knowledge of Pepsi airing its commercial before Coke or someone will tip you off on the national anthem time.Sometimes it pays to be a fly on the wall.Don't: Chase lossesSpeaking of the national anthem, there's a decent chance you start off the Super Bowl with a loss.Although it's the last game of the year, it's not wise to chase losses. Sure, the coin toss is an opportunity to make your money back, as is the result of the first play, and so forth, but nobody wants to be out of funds by the second quarter.Play the long game, have fun, and wager responsibly. Unless, of course, you get word that both teams are using the same Gatorade color - then it's probably smart to up the ante.(Odds source: theScore Bet)Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Rams remain vague in their level of commitment to starting quarterback Jared Goff.Rams general manager Les Snead only went so far on Tuesday as to say that Goff is a "Ram right now," according to Lindsey Thiry of ESPN.Head coach Sean McVay gave a similar response following the team's playoff exit."I'm not ready to make any sort of statements with regards to any starting position or not. We're going to have a level of competition in anything that we do," McVay said.Rather than provide a more concrete response on Goff's future, Snead opted to instead reference Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers' quote about the future being a "beautiful mystery," Thiry adds.The general manager added that he wants the team to be better on offense next season.Goff completed 67% of his passes during the regular season, racking up 3,953 passing yards to go with 20 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The 2016 first overall pick struggled down the final stretch of the campaign.He suffered a thumb injury in the team's Week 16 game but returned in the wild-card matchup against the Seattle Seahawks when backup John Wolford exited the contest with an injury of his own. Goff led the Rams past their NFC West rivals but came up short in the divisional round against the Packers, finishing the contest with 174 passing yards and a touchdown.The Rams signed Goff to a $134-million contract in 2019. They will incur a $65.5-million dead cap hit if they cut Goff this offseason, with that figure dropping to $30.9 million the following year, according to Spotrac.Snead said Goff's salary could be a roadblock for any transaction down the line, but he added that "anything can be done," according to Thiry.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been parroted to the point of becoming a cliche in football circles, and you're sure to hear it plenty over the next two weeks: The hardest thing to do in the NFL is repeat.Sure, there's some merit to that sentiment generally, but what about teams that have already survived the gauntlet to return to the Super Bowl? Of the previous 54 Super Bowl winners, just over a quarter of those squads reached the grand stage the following year. Should bettors be concerned about a letdown from those teams?Perhaps they should. In 12 days when the Chiefs (-3.5) take on the Buccaneers in Super Bowl LV, they'll be just the 14th club to play in the Super Bowl a year after winning it all. The previous 13 teams went 6-7 against the spread and have won just eight straight up, despite being heavy favorites in most of those games.Here's the full list of teams to reach the Super Bowl a season after winning a championship:Super Bowl (Year)MatchupResultSUATSLII (2018)Patriots (-4.5) vs. Eagles33-41LLXLIX (2015)Seahawks (-1) vs. Patriots24-28LLXXIX (2005)Patriots (-7) vs. Eagles24-21WLXXXIII (1999)Broncos (-7.5) vs. Falcons34-19WWXXXII (1998)Packers (-11) vs. Broncos24-31LLXXVIII (1994)Cowboys (-10.5) vs. Bills30-13WWXXIV (1990)49ers (-12) vs. Broncos55-10WWXVIII (1984)Washington (-3) vs. Raiders9-38LLXIV (1980)Steelers (-10.5) vs. Rams31-19WWXIII (1979)Cowboys (+3.5) vs. Steelers31-35LLX (1976)Steelers (-7) vs. Cowboys21-17WLVIII (1974)Dolphins (-6.5) vs. Vikings24-7WWII (1968)Packers (-13.5) vs. Raiders33-14WWFittingly, each of the previous three examples involved Tom Brady, the last quarterback to lead his team to back-to-back titles. Since guiding his Patriots to consecutive Super Bowl wins in 2004-05, Brady spoiled the Seahawks' return trip in 2015 before falling short of his own repeat bid in 2018 against the Eagles.He'll try to foil the Chiefs' run at two straight rings this year, and if Brady is successful, that would fit the recent trend. Early Super Bowl champions experienced success during a second go-around, winning six of eight with a 5-3 ATS record. Since then, teams in that spot have gone 1-4 ATS with just two outright wins, both coming as big favorites.In fact, that's been the story throughout the Super Bowl era. Either a team is a clear favorite to win its second title, or its repeat bid is doomed to fail.That may seem simple, but it really has been that clear-cut over the last five decades. Of those 13 squads, the nine favored by at least 6.5 points went 8-1 SU and 6-3 ATS, outscoring their opponents by an average of 13.9 points. The other four teams - all giving 4.5 points or less - have gone 0-4 SU/ATS, losing by a combined 45 points.Of course, the Chiefs could still buck those trends as short favorites. Still, as the old adage goes, they'll be trying to pull off the hardest feat in football in a way no team has done before.C Jackson Cowart is a betting writer for theScore. He's an award-winning journalist with stops at The Charlotte Observer, The San Diego Union-Tribune, The Times Herald-Record, and BetChicago. He's also a proud graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill, and his love of sweet tea is rivaled only by that of a juicy prop bet. Find him on Twitter @CJacksonCowart.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Aaron Rodgers' future with the Green Bay Packers suddenly became a mystery after losing to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC title game.Following the playoff defeat, the star quarterback said the future of several Packers players - including his own - is uncertain. It was then reported days later that Rodgers wants a new contract from Green Bay.But Rodgers downplayed most of the speculation regarding his outlook on Tuesday."Obviously after the season that I had, potentially winning the MVP and we made another good run, I don't think there's any reason why I wouldn't be back, but there's not many absolutes in this business," Rodgers said on "The Pat McAfee Show.""I don't feel like I've said anything that I haven't said before," Rodgers said of his postgame comments. "It was just more of a realization, I think. Ultimately, my future is not necessarily in my control."He added: "I couldn't care any less about speculation off of that (regarding my future in the NFL). I don't think people are used to hearing the truth from athletes."Playing with the Packers for his entire career was something Rodgers dreamed about, but Green Bay's decision to select quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of last year's draft gave the veteran signal-caller a reality check."I think naturally there are times you let your mind go to, 'I'm going to be a Packer for life.' ... When they drafted Jordan, that was just the reality kicking in, 'Hey, that's never the case.'"Rodgers, 37, is the favorite to be named regular-season MVP after leading the NFL in completion percentage (70.7%) and passing touchdowns (48).Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks had two different seasons in 2020.After topping 30 points in all but one of their first eight games, the Seahawks scored 30-plus just once during the campaign's second half. The setback hurt Seattle in the playoffs, as the team scored only 20 points during their wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams.Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf - who made his first career Pro Bowl this season and earned a second-team All-Pro nod - recently explained why he thinks Seattle couldn't avoid its offensive struggles."Teams just started to figure us out," Metcalf said on Brandon Marshall's "I am Athlete" podcast. "We've been running deep the past - ever since (head coach) Pete (Carroll) got there. It's play-action, run the ball, run the ball, run the ball, go deep. Teams just said we're not gonna let you go deep."The Seahawks ranked third in the league with 481 rushing attempts in 2019 but finished 18th in the category in 2020, leading quarterback Russell Wilson to throw a career-high 558 pass attempts in the regular season.However, Wilson averaged 37.1 pass attempts through the first eight games, but that number dropped to fewer than 32 in the slate's second half, including the playoffs.Metcalf's comments add pressure to the Seahawks' search for a new offensive coordinator. Seattle dismissed Brian Schottenheimer after three seasons with the team just days following the loss to the Rams, citing "philosophical differences."Former New York Jets head coach Adam Gase and Kansas City Chiefs quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Mike Kafka are reportedly candidates for Seattle's vacant offensive coordinator position.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Le'Veon Bell and wide receiver Sammy Watkins are expected to be active for Super Bowl LV, sources told ESPN's Dianna Russini.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, meanwhile, are expected to see the return of wide receiver Antonio Brown and safety Antoine Winfield Jr., adds Russini.All four players missed their team's conference-championship victory this past Sunday.Watkins hasn't played since Week 16 after suffering an ankle injury. Injuries have plagued the 27-year-old throughout the campaign, including a sore hamstring and a calf issue. The veteran played in 10 games, hauling in 37 receptions for 421 yards and two touchdowns.Bell, who's dealing with a knee injury, has been relatively quiet since his arrival in Kansas City after the New York Jets released him. The former All-Pro tailback hasn't been given a significant increase in usage with the Chiefs. In nine games with the AFC Champions, Bell has logged 254 rushing yards and two touchdowns.For the Bucs, Winfield suffered a late-week ankle injury in practice ahead of Tampa Bay's NFC title game against the Green Bay Packers. He was ruled out for the contest after going through warmups.Brown left the Buccaneers' divisional-round matchup against the New Orleans Saints due to a knee injury. The versatile wideout didn't practice prior to this past Sunday's tilt. In eight regular-season games with Tampa Bay, Brown has tallied 45 receptions for 483 yards and four touchdowns.Tampa Bay's other safety Jordan Whitehead recorded two forced fumbles before leaving Sunday's game with a shoulder injury. The 23-year-old had an MRI on Monday, but it's too early to tell whether he'll be available for the Super Bowl, according to ESPN's Jenna Laine.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers CEO Mark Murphy brushed off speculation Monday night that Aaron Rodgers could play elsewhere in 2021, saying the quarterback will return next season."We're not idiots. Aaron Rodgers will be back, he's our leader," Murphy said, according to WNFL's Mark Daniels.Rodgers hinted at an unsettled future in Green Bay after the Packers fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC Championship Game. He shared the same sentiment days before the contest, calling his future a "beautiful mystery."The veteran is reportedly expected to seek a new contract over the offseason, though the Packers will likely be keen on restructuring his deal anyway so they can lower the passer's $37-million cap hit for 2021.Green Bay cast doubt over Rodgers' long-term security with the team when the front office traded up in the first round last spring to select another quarterback, Jordan Love. Rodgers responded with one of his best seasons, and he's the top candidate for the MVP Award.The 37-year-old is signed through the 2023 season, but there's no guaranteed money left on his deal. He's spent his entire career in Green Bay, winning his only Super Bowl at the end of the 2010 campaign.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.