NFC South

Bryce Young apparently has a fan in Garrett Wilson.

The 2023 top overall pick had a resurgent 2024 campaign after being benched earlier in the season—and after a brutal rookie season—and Wilson seemed to appreciate that second act, offering succinct but effusive praise of the Carolina Panthers' quarterback on social media under a collection of his highlights:

He is

— Garrett Wilson (@GarrettWilson_V) January 7, 2025

Young, 23, appeared as though he may be headed for bust status after going 2-14 as the starter in 2023, throwing for 2,877 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while taking a whopping 62 sacks.

He did little to alleviate those fears in the first two games of the 2024 season, throwing for 145 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions, taking six sacks, in a pair of convincing losses. He was promptly benched for Andy Dalton, and it appeared as though the Panthers had made one of the worst trades in NFL history when they gave up a pair of first-round picks, a pair of second-round picks and wideout D.J. Moore for the top overall pick in 2023.

But after Dalton sprained his thumb in a car crash, Young regained his starting status in Week 8 and looked like a different player. In the final 10 games of the season he threw for 2,204 yards, 15 touchdowns and six interceptions, taking 23 sacks while rushing for five scores, and the Panthers went 4-6, which included a Week 18 upset of an Atlanta Falcons team that was trying to play its way into the playoffs.

Young threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for two more scores in the win, and Panthers' head coach Dave Canales was quick to throw his long-term support behind the young quarterback.

thát īš ÑħT¥ wrk @_bryce_young thátš.ßØØG1Ė.ápprøvēd‼️
-1ØVĖ🤟🏾 https://t.co/6Oz3lW8wyu

— Cam Newton (@CameronNewton) January 6, 2025

bryce young has played very positive football (outside of one game) since Week 9

often times excellent

but I'm glad this final performance will have even the stragglers buying in

he deserves it

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 5, 2025

Miles Sanders with the game-winner as Panthers grab a wild, 44-38 OT win to finish 5-12.
Bryce Young with a masterpiece to put an exclamation point on his comeback from a five-game benching. His team now.

— Joe Person (@josephperson) January 5, 2025

"Bryce is our quarterback," he told reporters. "I'm so proud of the way he just took the challenge and just grew every week."

Team owner David Tepper was also impressed.

"A real good win. I think we've got our QB here," he told NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe.

It would appear that Young's peers, including Wilson and C.J. Stroud—taken one pick after Young in the 2023 NFL draft—have taken notice as well.

"He's been balling, I'm so happy for him," Stroud told reporters regarding Young. "The guys around him are rallying around him, but he's leading them. Doing what he needs to do to make plays."

New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr said he "wouldn't take a pay cut" amid the team's dire cap space situation heading into next season.

"Yeah, I wouldn't do that," he said, per ESPN's Katherine Terrell. "Especially with what I put on tape. Would I restructure? Absolutely. I'll always help the team that way. But there's some things that you put out there that you earned. Even in some cases it could be even worse, but I felt confident when I signed it that this would give the team the best flexibility at the time."

The Saints have the worst cap-space situation in the league at minus-$78.5 million, nearly $55.1 million worse than the second-worst, the Cleveland Browns.

Despite this, 33-year-old believes he should receive added respect given his position as quarterback.

"There's always a kind of respect as a quarterback you're like, well still we're in that respectful lane," he said. "'We're good. Build the team.' But yeah, I wouldn't take anything less to do this. It's hard enough putting our bodies through it. And you're trying to get everything you can for your family for it."

The veteran quarterback is due $40 million next year, counting as $51.45 million against the salary cap in 2025 if his contract is not restructured, per Terrell. With Carr holding the largest salary-cap figure, the Saints will have to significantly restructure or release several contracts to become cap compliant heading into the offseason.

"That's the life of a quarterback," he said. "Whenever the season doesn't end the way (you wanted) that's the person people look at. 'Well what money can we free up to get this and do this' ... and I'm fully confident with what I put on tape. I'm not worried, if that's the case, and it had to change and all that kind of stuff. I'm super confident that whatever it is, I could get anywhere else to play. And so I'm not worried about that, but at the same time, I just want to win."

Carr was 5-5 as a starter with the Saints before suffering a concussion and a broken left hand during the team's Week 14 victory over the New York Giants.

With backup quarterbacks Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, New Orleans did not win a game, finishing the season 5-12.

The New Orleans Saints are casting a wide net for their head coaching search.

Matthew Paras of the Times-Picayune reported that the Saints have requested an interview with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore. Additionally, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported that the team also requested an interview with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

The Saints have requested an interview with Philadelphia Eagles OC Kellen Moore, a source confirms.

— Matthew Paras (@Matthew_Paras) January 6, 2025

The New Orleans Saints have put in a request to speak with Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, per source.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 6, 2025

The Saints went 5-12 in 2024 and missed the postseason for the fourth consecutive season. New Orleans fired former head coach Dennis Allen midseason.

Moore is in his first season as the Eagles offensive coordinator and has led the offense to the No. 8 ranking in total offense. Prior to his time with the Eagles, he spent 2023 as the offensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Chargers and 2019-22 in that position for the Dallas Cowboys. He has never held a head coaching position.

Weaver is in his first season as the Dolphins' defensive coordinator and previously was the defensive coordinator of the Houston Texans in 2020. He also served in a variety of roles for the Baltimore Ravens in 2022 and 2023.

The Saints have also been linked to current Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, former Stanford coach David Shaw, former Tennesee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn and Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy.

While many expect the Atlanta Falcons to part ways with veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins this offseason, one expert suggested that the team is willing to forge ahead with him on the roster rather than losing him for nothing.

NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reported on Monday: "From what I understand, the Falcons are not just going to release him. They will listen to teams in regards to trade offers, but they want to get something back from that deal, and they're willing to bring him back as a backup if it doesn't happen that way."

Falcons plan for Michael Penix Jr. to be their starting QB in 2025 & ideally for 10+ years. He’s showed plenty of poise & playmaking.

More from @nflnetwork on Penix and nuggets about what it means for Kirk Cousins in 2025: pic.twitter.com/C5RLK9fYSZ

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 6, 2025

Cousins was replaced by 2024 No. 8 pick Michael Penix Jr. as the Falcons' starting quarterback for the final three weeks of the season. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Dec. 21 that Atlanta is expected to release Cousins before his $10 million roster bonus for the 2026 season becomes due on March 17.

It was less than a year ago that the Falcons signed Cousins to a four-year, $180 million contract that included $100 million guaranteed. Unfortunately, the 2024 season played out in a way neither side had imagined, as Cousins threw for 3,508 yards, 18 touchdowns and a career-high 16 interceptions before being benched. Atlanta finished the year with an 8-9 record and fell short of the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

Releasing Cousins would keep the Falcons on the hook for his $27.5 million salary in 2025, so it's understandable that they don't want to give him up without receiving something in return. However, the 36-year-old has a no-trade clause in his contract that limits Atlanta's ability to find a landing spot for him.

Wolfe noted that the Falcons are committed to Penix as their starting quarterback going forward, and his three-touchdown performance in the regular-season finale against the Carolina Panthers gave them more confidence in his chances to be successful.

If Cousins refuses to waive his no-trade clause, it sounds like he could spend the 2025 season as a mentor to Penix as the Falcons try to return to playoff contention.

Bryce Young's development appears to be headed in the right direction following his second NFL season.

Mike Sando of The Athletic reported that Young's solid stretch to end the season had taken the "edge" off of him and that his decision-making has improved.

"(Young) looks more comfortable and is making better decisions, like the edge is off him," an NFL exec told Sando.

This was not a reality that looked likely earlier in the season. Young was benched after just two games in 2024 amid a tough start that saw him throw for just 245 passing yards with three interceptions in those games.

That, combined with a difficult rookie season for the 2023 No. 1 pick, had many doubting his future as the team's quarterback. However, he eventually returned to the lineup and finished the season throwing for 2,403 passing yards with 15 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 12 starts.

Carolina went 5-12, which was a three-win improvement from 2023, and Young ends the season on a strong note with the team's 44-38 overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Young threw for 251 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for two more scores in the win.

If he can carry over this momentum into the 2025 season then the Panthers will get exactly what they were hoping for when they selected him in 2023.

Mike Evans matching Jerry Rice's all-time record by completing his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard season on Sunday was meaningful, not just to his Tampa Bay Buccaneers teammates, but to general manager Jason Licht's family.

Licht told Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer that Evans has gotten close to his family during the receiver's 11 seasons in Tampa Bay.

"We talk about Mike at the dinner table," Licht told Breer. "All week long, even when we went out to dinner last night, it was like, Is Mike going to get his 1,000 yards? You have to make sure he gets his 1,000 yards.

"I could go on and on. We would do anything for Mike."

Licht then told Breer: "To my family, I don't think we can put him in a higher light."

Evans was the first player Licht drafted after he was hired as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager in 2014. He went on to record at least 1,000 yards in each of his first 10 NFL seasons.

The wideout headed into Sunday's Week 18 matchup with the New Orleans Saints just 85 yards shy of the quadruple-digit mark and Rice's all-time record.

According to Breer, Licht prepared for the win by having custom hats celebrating Evans' achievement made.

Evans was five yards short with two minutes on the clock when the Bucs reached the Saints' 11-yard line.

But the Bucs chose not to pass, handing the ball to Bucky Irving for a rushing touchdown instead. The score sealed Tampa Bay's win but appeared to put the record out of Evans' reach.

As Breer wrote:

With five minutes left, and Evans close, Licht went downstairs to watch the end of the game from the field—only to see Bucky Irving score with two minutes left, which got the Bucs closer to a win, but seemed to end the receiver's pursuit at 995. The equipment guys then took the hats to Licht's car, just as Licht retreated to the equipment room.

Once they got back, one of the guys told him the hats were gone, and said, "Congrats on winning the division anyway." Licht responded that it wasn't over yet. Then, a text came from former Bucs coach Bruce Arians. Tampa had the ball back.

Call a motherf---ing timeout!!

Head coach Todd Bowles called the timeout, and instead of kneeling had quarterback Baker Mayfield find Evans as time ran down on the final play of the game.

MIKE EVANS. 1,000 YARDS ONCE AGAIN. pic.twitter.com/V4S7S8APUX

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

Mayfield then attended his postgame press conference wearing the hat the Bucs staff had gotten to hand out after all.

Baker is wearing an 11 x 1K hat to honor Mike Evans. pic.twitter.com/2UGkHw9O8b

— David Schiele WTSP (@Deacon_Schiele) January 5, 2025

Evans later thanked his teammates for setting up the catch, which earned him a $3 million bonus even as the Bucs clinched a fourth straight NFC South title.

The Bucs will now look for Evans to continue his stellar season when Tampa Bay begins the postseason against the Washington Commanders in the Wild Card round.

The New Orleans Saints and Chicago Bears are taking a look at David Shaw for their head coaching vacancy.

Jane Slater of NFL Network reported that New Orleans will interview Shaw for the open position. Shaw's most notable role in the past was his 12-year tenure as Stanford's head coach.

Two sources informed tells me the #Saints are gonna interview David Shaw for their HC position. Shaw is currently a senior personnel executive for the Denver Broncos. Shaw was the HC at Stanford for 12 years and coached QBs like Andrew Luck and Davis Mills. He also has an…

— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) January 6, 2025

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network added the Chicago Bears are also interested in an interview:

The #Bears have requested to interview former #Stanford coach and currently #Broncos Senior Personnel Executive David Shaw for their vacant HC position, source said.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 7, 2025

Shaw is currently working as a senior personnel executive for the Denver Broncos. His other NFL experience includes working as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens and the then-Oakland Raiders.

Shaw was Stanford's coach from 2011-2022 and he compiled an overall record of 96-54. He was named the Pac-12 Coach of the Year four times and led the program to five bowl victories.

He began his position with the Broncos is June 2024 and the team went 10-7 and reached the postseason during his first season in the front office. This broke a playoff drought that dated back to the 2015 season.

The Saints went 5-12 in 2024 and have not qualified for the postseason since 2020. The team fired head coach Dennis Allen during the season and have been linked to candidates like Mike Vrabel, Aaron Glenn and Matt Nagy as well as current-Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy.

The Bears, meanwhile, are seeking a full-time replacement for Matt Eberflus, who was fired after a 4-8 start to the 2024 season. The team finished 5-12 and have cast a wide net looking for the next head coach.

Shaw would be a first-time NFL head coach but his extensive assistant coach experience and track record at Stanford as a head coach should make him an intriguing candidate for the Saints or Bears.

Tom Brady won over fans as he provided commentary on his former team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their 27-19 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday for Fox.

Brady joined Kevin Burkhardt at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa during the final game of the regular season, where the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South for the fourth consecutive year, securing a playoff berth.

"That throw by Baker Mayfield was ridiculous." 👏@TomBrady gives Baker praise after that incredible TD pass!! pic.twitter.com/JsJ5pI75SF

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 5, 2025

The seven-time Super Bowl champion drew significant attention while covering his former team and commended 29-year-old Baker Mayfield, who went 20-of-31 for 212 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

"He's looked so much like the same guy in terms of his physical ability and man that guy can rip the ball, every single throw on the field he can make," Brady said about Mayfield prior to the game. "What I love seeing him do though is just being patient in the pocket and let the game come to him."

Adding to the excitement of Week 18, wide receiver Mike Evans achieved his 11th consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season, tying Jerry Rice for the longest streak in NFL history. No one seemed more thrilled than Brady, who cheered on his former teammate as Evans reached the milestone.

GREATNESS pic.twitter.com/NGuhBG2KfF

— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) January 5, 2025

As the Buccaneers celebrated their division title and Evans' milestone, Brady's insightful commentary garnered praise from fans:

"Nice job of composure." 🙌@TomBrady breaks down the Bucs TD on their most recent drive. pic.twitter.com/qFhukwpCiP

— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 5, 2025

i am loving tom brady as a commentator https://t.co/gcE1AuMfr7

— j (@njhftdolans) January 5, 2025

Tom Brady has gotten a lot better? Or is he just way more comfortable calling Bucs games?

— Tyler Loechner (@LoechnerNFL) January 5, 2025

https://twitter.com/NoContextRFFS/status/1876015289713983747

Tom Brady is a good commentator.

— Jono Barnes (@JonoBarnes) January 5, 2025

Hey man for Tom Brady to be that hype for Mike Evans is fire AF!!!

— Jay (@SimStrength) January 5, 2025

Unpopular opinion - I LOVE Tom Brady called games

— ColoradoMick (@ColoradoBucFan) January 5, 2025

Fox has yet to announce the date of Tom Brady's next scheduled broadcast for the postseason.

For the seventh consecutive season, the Atlanta Falcons have missed the playoffs.

The Falcons had a chance to compete for a division title entering Sunday's action, but a 44-38 loss to the Carolina Panthers put an end to their postseason hopes.

Atlanta scored a game-tying touchdown with just under one minute left in the fourth quarter, although Carolina's offense marched down the field in overtime before Panthers running back Miles Sanders ended the contest with a one-yard score.

Panthers win in OT in Atlanta! #CARvsATL pic.twitter.com/s28n1XMq2o

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

A win by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the New Orleans Saints prevented the Falcons from being able to potentially clinch a playoff berth, but it was still a disappointing performance with their season on the line.

Michael Penix Jr. showed promise in his third career start, finishing 21-of-38 for 312 yards and two touchdowns to go along with an interception. He also added a third score on the ground.

PENIX TO LONDON TD ON 3RD AND 20.

📺: #CARvsATL on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/QcdD0RfsOC

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

Atlanta's defense looked sluggish throughout the contest, allowing Carolina to record its first 40-point game since Week 9 of the 2018 season. The Panthers' offense racked up 425 total yards on Sunday, averaging 6.5 yards per play.

Fans called out the Falcons for their poor performance with a chance to compete for a postseason spot.

me during a must-win falcons game: pic.twitter.com/fwTr53XbYy

— Brad Rowland (@BTRowland) January 5, 2025

On November 3, the Falcons were 6-3, 4-0 in the division.
All they needed was a 4-4 finish to make the playoffs.

— Mike Conti (@MikeConti929) January 5, 2025

It's hard to describe the Falcons defense performance as anything other than embarrassing

— SportsTalkATL.com (@SportsTalkATL) January 5, 2025

5 TDs for Bryce Young today.

Raheem Morris' defense has no chance today.

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 5, 2025

The Falcons lost EVERY must win game this season. They honestly don’t deserve to be nowhere near the playoffs and this is coming from a fan

— The Hood Therapist (@OhhMar24) January 5, 2025

Panthers had 4 wins this year.
Falcons were playing for the playoffs.
As 7 point favorites Falcons gave up 43 points.
Bryce Young has never ever had a game like this in the pros.

Out of the playoffs for 7th year straight.

This is not OK.

I

— steakshapiro (@steakshapiro) January 5, 2025

Falcons got a QB.. Love what I see out of him
BUT
they got a long way to go before they ever win a playoff game much less play in one.. Just frustrating to watch this team year after year.

— Rusty Mansell (@RustyMansell_) January 5, 2025

The Falcons gave Kirk Cousins $100 million guaranteed, watched him have his worst season as a starter, and then missed the playoffs in part because they didn't bench him quickly enough.

Penix looks quite promising but still, oof

— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) January 5, 2025

For the Panthers, Bryce Young ended his sophomore season on a high note. Young finished 25-of-34 for 251 yards, scoring five total touchdowns without committing a turnover. He also picked up 24 rush yards on five attempts.

BRYCE YOUNG 5TH TD OF THE DAY 🤯🔥

HE'S COOKING THE FALCONS DEFENSE.

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/FaEgNJNJVN

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 5, 2025

After the Falcons finished with identical 7-10 records from 2021-23, they'll end their 2024 campaign at 8-9.

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have clinched the NFC South for a fourth straight season.

The Bucs locked up a playoff spot on Sunday thanks to a 27-19 win over the New Orleans Saints.

BAKER DART TO JALEN MCMILLAN FOR THE LEAD 😱

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/4nZhupoX1p

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 5, 2025

Tampa Bay will finish the season with a 9-7 record that has the team set to enter the playoffs as either the No. 3 or No. 4 seed in the NFC.

The team's final seeding will depend on how the Los Angeles Rams fare on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks.

Here's a look at the current shape of the NFL playoff picture now that the Buccaneers have secured a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive campaign.

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AFC Playoff Standings

1. Kansas City Chiefs, 15-1 (clinched AFC West, No. 1 seed)

2. Buffalo Bills, 13-4 (clinched AFC East)

3. Baltimore Ravens, 12-5 (clinched AFC North)

4. Houston Texans, 10-7 (clinched AFC South)

5. Los Angeles Chargers, 10-6 (clinched Wild Card spot)

6. Pittsburgh Steelers, 10-7 (clinched Wild Card spot)

7. Denver Broncos, 9-7

8. Cincinnati Bengals, 9-8

9. Miami Dolphins, 8-8

10. Indianapolis Colts, 8-9 (eliminated)

11. New York Jets, 4-12 (eliminated)

12. Las Vegas Raiders, 4-12 (eliminated)

13. Jacksonville Jaguars, 4-13 (eliminated)

14. New England Patriots, 4-13 (eliminated)

15. Cleveland Browns, 3-14 (eliminated)

16. Tennessee Titans, 3-14 (eliminated)

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NFC Playoff Standings

1. Detroit Lions, 14-2 (clinched playoff berth)

2. Philadelphia Eagles, 14-3 (clinched NFC East)

3. Los Angeles Rams, 10-6 (clinched NFC West)

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 10-7 (clinched NFC South)

5. Minnesota Vikings, 14-2 (clinched playoff berth)

6. Washington Commanders, 12-5 (clinched Wild Card spot)

7. Green Bay Packers, 11-6 (clinched Wild Card spot)

8. Seattle Seahawks, 9-7 (eliminated)

9. Atlanta Falcons, 8-8

10. Arizona Cardinals, 7-9 (eliminated)

11. Dallas Cowboys, 7-10 (eliminated)

12. San Francisco 49ers, 6-10 (eliminated)

13. New Orleans Saints, 5-12 (eliminated)

14. Chicago Bears, 5-12 (eliminated)

15. Carolina Panthers, 4-12 (eliminated)

16. New York Giants, 3-14 (eliminated)

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For a second straight season, Baker Mayfield has led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the top of the NFC South.

The Bucs head into the playoffs one of just three teams to exceed both 4,000 passing yards and 2,000 rushing yards this season.

Mayfield has racked up 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns in 17 games to help the Buccaneers finish out the regular season as one of the most balanced offenses in the NFL.

Not only is that a career-high passing touchdown total for Mayfield, but it matches the number Tom Brady posted before leading the Buccaneers to the Super Bowl in 2020.

The Bucs are now hoping to go on a similar run behind a career-best season from Mayfield.

He is joined on offense by wideout Mike Evans, who tied Hall of Famer Jerry Rice's record by recording his 11th straight season with 1,000 receiving yards.

MIKE EVANS SECURES HIS 11TH STRAIGHT 1,000 YARD SEASON 👑

(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/ayrOQ5Wi3A

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 5, 2025

Evans' stellar campaign has helped the Bucs' passing game succeed despite losing Chris Godwin to a season-ending ankle injury in October. The Buccaneers are still hoping to get Cade Otton back on the field after the tight end missed three straight games with a knee injury.

Tampa Bay's run game has meanwhile been revitalized by rookie running back Bucky Irving, who is the first Bucs rookie to rush for 1,000 yards since Doug Martin in 2012.

The Bucs' defensive depth will be tested heading into playoffs amid injuries to Antoine Winfield Jr. and Jordan Whitehead.

On a positive note, Tampa Bay's defense has solved some problems that plagued the unit earlier this season, especially regarding limiting rushing attacks. The Bucs' defenders headed into Week 18 having held opponents to fewer than 100 rushing yards in seven straight contests.

Whitehead is on the NFI list after suffering injuries in a car accident, but Winfield and Otton rejoined practice ahead of Week 18. Getting them back in the mix could give the Bucs a boost on both sides of the ball heading into the postseason.