With regards to beginning quarterback readability, Packers head coach Matt LaFleur and Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin are masters of the nice American sports activities pastime: YWTKAINTY — You Need To Know And I’m Not Telling You. (OK, that’s not an actual pastime.)
Each are exemplary coaches, each are aggressive and each love the pettiness of retaining their starters a secret.
Everybody on the lively roster practising besides Jordan Morgan. Tucker Kraft is in a crimson non-contact jersey for his shoulder.
Right here’s Jordan Love: pic.twitter.com/np6wesNDBZ
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 25, 2024
Earlier than we delve into the most recent updates on particular gamers and groups, let’s deal with a sizzling matter buzzing across the league: The notion that the highest of this yr’s draft class, No. 1 choose Caleb Williams and No. 2 choose Jayden Daniels, are mirroring final yr’s high two.
The various trusted decision-makers I spoke with from across the league made it clear: There are nearly no similarities between this yr’s high two and final yr’s, Bryce Younger and C.J. Stroud.
To grasp why, let’s begin in Washington. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and his Commanders employees have put collectively an offense that matches all of Daniels’ strengths. They’re giving him performs he’s snug working, lots of which we noticed him run at LSU. That sounds easy, proper? Give your quarterback performs he’s assured executing. But, that doesn’t at all times occur when groups are bringing alongside a rookie quarterback.
Kingsbury can be doing a few of what he did when he and Kyler Murray have been each of their first yr with the Arizona Cardinals in 2019; you may see related ideas. We’ve got seen Daniels happening the ball and never huddling — that is finished in hopes of shrinking the protection’s playbook, in addition to permitting Kingsbury an opportunity to get the rookie into the absolute best play (Kingsbury can talk by way of headset till there are 15 seconds left on the play clock).
I requested an offensive coach with the Commanders what they see from Daniels in relation to recreation preparations. The reply was much like what I used to be advised concerning the QB through the draft course of: his spectacular potential to course of data. It’s been described as “exceptional” and an enormous motive he shined within the Commanders’ “Monday Night time Soccer” win in Cincinnati.
That brings us to Caleb Williams, who can be distinctive at processing data. He has but to take off in a Bears offense that could be a official NFL system. Williams is being requested to play with construction and many persistence, one thing he isn’t used to doing. His potential to throw whereas on the transfer — particularly off-script playmaking — is his superpower and what made him a star at USC. Now he’s being sped up by defenses and getting little assist from mediocre offensive line play.
All of that is compounded. The Bears began the season doing extra dropback and studying defenses, then final week in opposition to the Colts it was extra run recreation and deeper play-action off of that. I’d anticipate Chicago to proceed to attempt to lean on the run recreation in order that play-action opens up, then go fast recreation and get Williams on the transfer.
So sure, Daniels is enjoying higher proper now and Washington helps help that, however we will’t have short-term pondering with Williams and the Bears. They only want some extra time to determine it out as Williams works towards mastering a real NFL offense.
In brief: Caleb Williams just isn’t Bryce Younger. That’s what I’m listening to.
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That is what else I’m listening to this week:
• Jordan Love? Malik Willis? Each?
• Justin Herbert tries to do it once more
• What’s actually happening with Travis Kelce
• The distinction for Josh Allen and Buffalo’s offense since final November
• Will the Jets should relent on Haason Reddick’s commerce demand?
• What no Maxx Crosby would imply for the Raiders — and the Browns
• The 49ers’ different downside
Love and Herbert lead the QB query marks
Right here we go once more. Beginning quarterbacks Jordan Love of the Packers and Justin Herbert of the Chargers are preventing accidents and hoping to get again on the sphere on Sunday. Let’s begin with the Packers.
Malik Willis has been excellent the final two weeks, main the Packers to 2 wins whereas Love continued to relaxation and rehab his knee. I’ve been advised the identical factor for weeks: Love is progressing sooner than anticipated. The objective was at all times to get him again for this divisional recreation in opposition to the (undefeated) Vikings, however ideally, the probably situation could be Week 5 in opposition to the Rams.
If he performs on Sunday, Love received’t be one hundred pc, however regulate LaFleur presumably utilizing Willis in a package deal to maintain the Vikings on their toes — even when Willis doesn’t begin, he might get on the sphere. The Vikings are getting ready to see each Love and Willis on Sunday (suppose 2019 Titans, with Ryan Tannehill and Marcus Mariota).
My co-host on the “Scoop Metropolis” podcast, longtime NFL QB Chase Daniel, is firmly in opposition to the Packers pushing Like to play on this recreation, particularly in opposition to an aggressive Brian Flores protection. “You need to know the worst-case state of affairs for the Packers? Love will get destroyed within the pocket and reaggravates the knee. Play this good for the long run and play the new hand. Malik Willis can win this recreation for you.”
Justin Herbert desires to assist the Chargers get their first house win in opposition to the Chiefs for the reason that 2013 regular-season finale when the San Diego Chargers beat a Chiefs workforce led by none aside from Chase Daniel! (Kansas Metropolis already was locked into its playoff seed getting into that recreation and sat beginning QB Alex Smith.)
Herbert is coping with a excessive ankle sprain, and whereas he aggravated it final week in Pittsburgh, the quarterback claims he feels fairly good. He began final week regardless of getting virtually no follow time and nonetheless had 125 passing yards and a landing earlier than he was pressured from the sport. If Herbert can’t go, Taylor Heinicke, who’s along with his seventh NFL workforce, is anticipated to get the beginning.
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What’s behind Kelce’s gradual begin
He isn’t harm, drained, or out of practice. A Chiefs supply assured me over textual content: “It’s such an extended season, he can be there when it issues most. He began the identical approach final season.”
In case you are questioning what kind of coaching camp Kelce had, he didn’t miss a single Chiefs exercise this summer time, necessary or voluntary. The world’s most well-known tight finish is in every single place, and that’s true even in the event you exclude the obsessive consideration surrounding appearances along with his famous person girlfriend. Commercials, a brand new appearing gig in a horror TV sequence, a well-liked podcast, social media — in every single place we flip, there he’s.
Some say there’s nothing improper with a bit aspect hustle, others query his dedication to soccer. It doesn’t matter what folks on the surface suppose, it issues what the Chiefs and Kelce consider. Earlier than signing the contract that made him the highest-paid tight finish in soccer final spring, Kelce advised Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach: He thinks he has no less than two extra good years left.
Opponents are properly conscious of the menace he nonetheless presents and are deploying a few of their finest defensive backs to neutralize him, as we’ve seen with Baltimore’s Kyle Hamilton and Atlanta’s Justin Simmons. The Chiefs additionally produce other choices rising, most notably Rashee Rice. I heard about Rice’s distinctive coaching camp all summer time, and we’re all seeing it play out on recreation days. Patrick Mahomes has choices, and Kelce will not be the most effective one … for now.
“When Mahomes goes off script, you may assure he’ll be discovering Kelce when it turns into yard ball,” a defensive coordinator scheduled to face Kansas Metropolis later this season shared with me. “His new weapons are nonetheless untapped, nonetheless a bit unknown, however make no mistake: Kelce is within the dialogue on each state of affairs. He’ll come to life when gamers/coaches suppose he’s slowing down.”
Mahomes’ favourite weapon will not be his go-to man in the meanwhile, however Kelce’s gradual begin a yr in the past didn’t spoil the Chiefs’ quest for a repeat. And if final yr is any indication, there’s a great likelihood opponents will finally be asking themselves the identical query they’ve requested seemingly each postseason: “How is Travis Kelce at all times open?”
GO DEEPER
No, the Chiefs do not have a Travis Kelce downside
Josh Allen’s new strategy in Buffalo
It’s solely three video games, and the Payments know you don’t win Tremendous Bowls in September. An ideal head coach as soon as advised me, “Success is sort of a martini, it relaxes you, and that’s when you may get into bother.”
There are not any martinis to be discovered in relation to the Payments. Nor are there any brand-name receivers. It’s Josh Allen and firm.
Buffalo loves what they’re seeing from their quarterback. He’s enjoying effectively, making good selections and caring for the ball. Allen has successfully used all of Buffalo’s ability gamers and the proof was on show a couple of days in the past in opposition to the Jaguars when 10 Payments had a reception.
The Payments are 10-2 since offensive coordinator Joe Brady took over play-calling duties final season. And the passing recreation just isn’t the one facet of the offense that’s working; Buffalo can be working the ball extra — in truth, they’ve run it greater than anybody else in soccer since Week 11 of final season (34.6 instances per recreation).
A defensive coach getting ready to face the Payments offered this angle on Allen: “He’s doing extra on the line of scrimmage, breaking the huddle sooner, seeing the sport higher and getting out and in. Dealing with the protections. Aaron Rodgers and Patrick Mahomes are most likely the one different two quarterbacks doing that.”
Allen has extra management and energy. Because the Ravens put together to face the highest-scoring offense within the league on Sunday night time, I’m advised their focus can be on takeaways in addition to manufacturing on first down, with the objective of making long-yardage conditions, which the Payments have largely averted by way of the primary three weeks. If the Payments win in Baltimore, anticipate to listen to lots extra “M-V-P” chants when the workforce will get again to Orchard Park — and anticipate to listen to Joe Brady’s identify in anticipation of the upcoming teaching cycle. (In the meantime, it was only some weeks in the past we requested Josh Allen on the “Scoop Metropolis” podcast how he feels about being known as overrated. Want I by no means introduced it up!)
The place does the Haason Reddick holdout go from right here?
The tally of how a lot cash Haason Reddick has misplaced throughout his holdout from the Jets retains rising. Wish to hear one thing spooky? It is going to attain $10 million by Halloween.
There’s nonetheless no decision in sight as each side proceed to speak. On Tuesday, quarterback Aaron Rodgers joked on “The Pat McAfee Present” that the lacking edge rusher would possibly’ve fired his agent, Tory Dandy. That didn’t truly occur; Dandy continues to be speaking with the Jets on behalf of his shopper.
The 2 sides have been in a stalemate for months, with Reddick satisfied the Jets had promised to subject him a brand new contract upon his arrival. The Jets, particularly GM Joe Douglas, countered {that a} new supply on a long-term extension wasn’t provided as a result of the workforce was advised Reddick would play beneath his present contract, and that they’d revisit a brand new deal later. Reddick was traded to the Jets from the Eagles after GM Howie Roseman — a longtime pal and mentor to Douglas — was unwilling to pay the defensive finish the cash he was searching for, believed to be within the $25 million per yr vary.
Reddick reported for his introductory information convention however opted to skip spring practices, OTAs and all of coaching camp, and even requested a commerce in August. He’s since skipped the primary three weeks and there’s no indication he’ll report anytime quickly. The Jets acknowledged beforehand that they don’t have any intention of buying and selling him.
Whereas the workforce doesn’t need to give in, different GMs across the league consider the Jets want to start out making calls. The NFL commerce deadline is Nov. 5 (they pushed it again this yr due to the 17-game season). I don’t sense panic internally in New York, particularly contemplating the play of 2023 first-rounder Will McDonald has been higher than anticipated (5 sacks). As for Reddick, except he will get a brand new deal, I don’t anticipate him to point out up anytime quickly. At this level, it may be extra shocking if he ever performs a single snap for the Jets.
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What no Maxx would imply for the Browns
It seems to be just like the Cleveland Browns offense is getting some aid: Las Vegas Raiders star cross rusher Maxx Crosby is uncertain for Sunday — it will be the primary recreation he’s missed for the reason that Raiders drafted him in 2019. Crosby, a workforce captain, just lately stated he would play at 50 p.c well being however has to make a long-term determination as he offers with a severe excessive ankle sprain.
Perhaps that is the sport we see the Cleveland Browns run the ball extra effectively? Earlier than the Giants’ misplaced to Dallas on Thursday, New York dominated Deshaun Watson and the Browns. The Giants’ protection was truly getting ready for a extra run-heavy offense in Cleveland contemplating Watson hasn’t been stellar this season, particularly anticipating a heavy workload for D’Onta Foreman, who simply two years in the past averaged a career-best 4.5 yards per carry with the Panthers. As an alternative, the Browns barely ran it in opposition to the Giants. Perhaps that ought to be the plan this week.
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The 49ers’ different downside
Sluggish begins are nothing new for Kyle Shanahan’s group — the 49ers acquired off to a 3-4 begin two seasons in the past and a 2-4 the yr earlier than that, and performed within the NFC title recreation each years. Opponents are noticing one thing a bit completely different about this yr’s 49ers, although, and it doesn’t have something to do with the Brandon Aiyuk and Trent Williams holdouts, or the Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel accidents.
As a Rams coach advised me after L.A. got here again and stole a recreation from the 49ers at SoFi Stadium on Sunday: This isn’t Brock Purdy’s fault. San Francisco’s protection just isn’t the identical.
Whereas the main target was on the offense’s holdouts and accidents this summer time, the 49ers have been quietly breaking in one other new defensive coordinator, Nick Sorensen, promoted after the workforce parted methods with Steve Wilks after one season. At the very least up to now, getting off the sphere has been a difficulty. By three weeks, San Francisco has the third-worst third-down protection in soccer, permitting a 52.9 p.c conversion price. Over Kyle Shanahan’s first seven seasons, that protection allowed opponents to transform 39 p.c of their third downs. It doesn’t make it any simpler that defensive sort out Javon Hargrave is out for the season.
(Prime photograph: Justin Casterline / Getty Pictures)