NFL 2024/2025 Season

The NFL 2023/2024 season is over. Many firings, hirings, etc took place before the SB ended the season, but now we're going to see a lot of activity as teams get ready for 2024/2025.

The big news right now is the 49ers fired DC Steve Wilks. I suppose one could make the argument that allowing a late drive to tie in regulation, then a TD drive to win in OT means Wilks didn't do his job very well. The much stronger argument is Wilks did a fantastic job in SF, & this' a ridiculous knee jerk reaction. Maybe Wilks will end up with another NFC West team .



Are there any NFL actions or rumors you want to discuss?


Edit: How many times do I have to pluralize hirings before it will take?

 

Justin Fields traded by the Bears to the Steelers for a 6th, which could become a 4th, round pick. I have no real interest in the Bears, but this strikes me as a seriously stupid trade by the Bears.

The Steelers also have Russel Wilson on a super bargain one year deal, thanks to the Broncos.

I can see why the Steelers see this as a win-win. If Wilson wins the starting job, Fields has time to learn & adjust. If Fields is the starter, having an experienced vet such as Wilson (elite? still? formerly?) is a great position to be in.

My big question is what happens if they end up with vocally disgruntled backup QB? I don't think Wilson wants to waste a year as a backup, esp at age 35 (36 in Nov).

Fields, OTOH, might welcome the chance to step back...for a little while.

 

The Texans traded for wide receiver Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills.

I'm reading many comments calling this smart move by the Texans, & I agree. Diggs' resume is amazing.

What I don't see is much metion of his age, 30. How many times have we seen a really good player on the edge of an inevitable decline accelerate that decline by switching teams? Hopefully Diggs has something in the tank, & will be in good company here, & won't carry the full workload of a number one receiver.

 

This might be more of a legal question than a NFL one, but it does involve a very high profile NFL player.

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Disclaimer: I am in no no way trying suggest whether or not the allegations are legitimate, whether or not Prescott is guilty or innocent, etc. If you're familiar with my posting history you know I don't support "stars" or anyone getting away with sexual assault, and I despise all things dallas cowboys.
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Dak Prescott's decision to sue for extortion might have opened door for sexual assault claim

This sounds like some seriously bad legal advice, or a seriously stupid decision made regardless of legal advice.

IMO the best legal advice was/would've been: "Ignore this, the statue of limitations has run out. Countersuing to defend yourself and expose her sounds good, but re-opening the window for the original allegations is too high of a price to pay. Let it die."

 

I'm not sure what happened here, but I think a really good guess is Elliot found out the market for RBs over the age of 30 is very limited. Which wasn't helped by his unimpressive 2023 season with the Patriots.

Cowboys free agent: Ezekiel Elliott contract details revealed

Note to RBs considering which college to attend: Choose a program that will use you as a receiving back on a regular basis. If you're a pure runner only, plan on a short NFL career...if you get there.

 

The Texans are really hitting the wall heading into the playoffs.
QB development seems to have arrested at mid-season and now regressing.
Not unusual in the second year.

 

The Texans got derailed by injuries, & have now lost their confidence. I know the Ravens are a great team, but two measly points scored by the defense is beyond disappointing.

The Texans will lose their Wild Card game, regardless of opponent, & it being a home game. The only thing that might, maybe, possibly help boost their slim chance of winning their WCG is something Ryan isn't going to do, & the league probably wouldn't like: Rest as many starters as possible in the nearly meaningless game against the Titans.

The Texans need to be really busy during the upcoming off-season. It's time for Caserio to live up to his reputation.

There are so many really good teams going into the POs I have no idea who might win the SB. I think the Chiefs threepeat isn't going to happen...although I'd love to see them accomplish something Belichick, Brady, & the Patriots never did.

The Chiefs, Bills, & some other teams, could conceivably rest their starters in week 18, and then have the bye week as well.


Maybe a sleeper team with a meh record with great momentum (please, not Mayfield). Most likely a really good team that's mostly healthy.


I feel for Detroit; the Lions in the SB would be great.

I really like Lamar Jackson.

I've been a shadow Eagles fan for years.

 

Jackson and Allen are having spectacular seasons.
If the Bills win this weekend they're locked in to the #2 seed. I don't want to see Josh Allen on the field during week 18 if that happens.

 

Nice job, Eagles. Thank you for stomping the girls...with your third string QB .

Unless something has changed since I last checked the Texans will host the Steelers. That might be a winnable game for the Texans, but the defense would need to be flawless.


Congrats to the Bills! It could be their time, but there are a lot of really good teams capable of winning it all.

 

The road to the Super Bowl is going to likely require beating the Ravens and the Chiefs.
It isn't going to be easy.
And the NFC has a few great matchups coming too.

 

We'll see if Ryans has managed to put together an offense that compensates for having a weak line, & a defense that can slow down the Chargers. I would've felt better if the Texans had drawn the Steelers.

@fflowley
I think the Broncos have the potential to upset the Bills. I don't care for Sean Payton on a personal level, but it would be a mistake to think he couldn't possibly have the Broncos ready for a serious PO run.

Having said that, the top teams in the POs look extremely strong. I'm a big fan of momentum over a great record, but more than a few of the top teams have both.

Let the games begin!


I almost forgot:
Win, Buckeyes, win!

 

Underestimating the Broncos would be a major mistake. I feel like McDermott and the Bills have suffered enough heartbreak in the playoffs that they will not make that mistake against any opponent.
Everyone wishes they drew the Steelers!
I don't see any chance they take out the Ravens. I don't think they could beat any team in the playoffs right now.

 

The Texans might end up wishing they had drawn the Steelers. I haven't seen enough Chargers games to get a feel for whether or not their ready for the POs. Unfortunately a win over the Texans might not say much .

My two spoiler teams are the Broncos and the Bucs (and I still don't like Mayfield...like that matters ).

 

The Chargers are good, certainly, but not great.
What's going in their favor, and against the Steelers and Texans, is the way their seasons trended.
The Chargers got stronger, and the Steelers and Texans are slumping as we go into the playoffs.

 

As a Texans fan, I don't feel sorry for Chargers fans. As an old Oilers fan, I do.

I'm barely cautiously optimistic.
If the Texans can keep up
this level of defense
(some help from the offense would help),
the POs might be interesting.

 

Congrats to the Texans.
If you told me 5 minutes before halftime they were going to win that game I would have laughed.

 

Nobody expected the Steelers to win, even if they put up a good fight.

A few weeks ago I read an on-line article where the writer said the Steelers should lock Russell Wilson into long term contract, for near elite money, before he becomes a free agent. After the way the Steelers ended the season & the POs (0-4 & 0-1 I think), what happens with Wilson?

Has Mike Tomlin hit his ceiling with the Steelers? I think he's a very good coach...who needs a new environment.

I'm looking forward to the Broncos v Bills.


My tablet keypad is getting worn out.

 

EDIT: I really should pay attention to what quarter the game is in .

 

This, to me, is crazy.
Wilson is a good quarterback but it's really clear he is not Allen/Jackson/Mahomes level. Frankly not even close.
I'd be developing Fields if I were the Steelers.
Wilson is nice to have when you aren't paying him. No way would I bust out a big long term contract for him..

Bills-Ravens is going to be one hell of a game. The Ravens really put it to us early in the season. I like what Romo just said: Both teams are better now than when they played earlier this year.

 

I can see the Ravens v Bills boiling down to which QB does the best job of running to extend plays.