NFC North

The Detroit Lions' NFC Divisional Round home game against the Washington Commanders featured a special guest.

Former professional basketball player LiAngelo Ball—the brother of Chicago Bulls point guard Lonzo Ball and Charlotte Hornets standout LaMelo Ball—performed his viral smash hit "Tweaker" during Saturday night's game:

LiAngelo Ball swervin’ at Ford Field… pic.twitter.com/uniOT7FeMM

— Kimberley A. Martin (@ByKimberleyA) January 19, 2025

This comes after Ball was seen performing the song during a soundcheck hours before kickoff at Ford Field.

When you get to the stadium 5 hours before kickoff you get this: LiAngelo Ball rapping pic.twitter.com/JlhqpkeMmW

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 18, 2025

GG Washington you’re cooked pic.twitter.com/8kTdInfwfM

— KT (@kt083090) January 18, 2025

The Lions celebrated earning the NFC No. 1 seed by blasting "Tweaker" in their locker room, so it's no surprise Ball performed on Saturday. The song was officially released on Jan. 4 and debuted at No. 29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Before starting a burgeoning music career, Ball played in the NBA G-League and in Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Professional in Mexico. He was a member of the Detroit Pistons and Charlotte Hornets organizations during his time in the G-League.

Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Ball has signed a deal with Def Jam and Universal Music Group worth up to $13 million.

The Lions finished the 2024 season with a 15-2 record and a Week 18 victory over the then-14-2 Minnesota Vikings sealed the top seed and a bye into the Divisional Round.

It doesn't look like Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is going anywhere.

O'Connell has one year remaining on his contract and rumors of "tension" between him and Vikings ownership made the idea of a trade possible. However, Adam Schefter of ESPN said during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show that he doesn't see a trade happening and imagines the two sides will find a way to agree on an extension.

"I don't see Kevin O'Connell getting traded and I think the Vikings are gonna hold onto him..

I would imagine that they will figure out an extension" ~ @AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/FIYUA0J0rm

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) January 17, 2025

"I don't see him getting traded," Schefter said. "I think that the Wilf family is going to want to hold onto him. He's going to be entering the last year of his deal. I think team's that have coaches who they have identified as their future don't typically let guys go into the last year of their deal so I would imagine in some point in the coming days, weeks, whatever it may be, that the Wilf family and Kevin O'Connell sit down and figure out an extension."

Schefter noted that the two sides didn't come to an agreement last offseason and that O'Connell's stock rose as a result of Minnesota's strong reason. However, he believes that the Vikings value the culture O'Connell has built and believes the 39-year-old will be rewarded.

He just finished his third season as the Vikings head coach and has compiled a 34-17 overall record. The Vikings went 14-3 in 2024, becoming the first 14-win Wild Card team in league history. Minnesota's 0-2 record in the postseason under O'Connell, including a 27-9 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in 2024, puts some blemish on his resume but he still has built a promising base for the team.

He also helped revitalize quarterback Sam Darnold's career after the former No. 3 pick had a rough start to his NFL tenure. Darnold threw for 4,319 yards with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2024 in what was clearly his best season as a professional.

Whether it is Darnold or second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy under center in 2025, the Vikings will likely have O'Connell running the show from the sidelines.

The race for the Chicago Bears head coaching job is reportedly between two candidates.

On The Herd, Fox Sports' Jordan Schultz reported that Mike McCarthy and Ben Johnson are in a "two-horse race" to land the gig. Schultz also noted that Brian Flores could still be in the mix if he "wows" the Bears.

"For all intensive purposes, the Chicago job, it is a two-horse race between Mike McCarthy and Ben Johnson," Schultz said. "I think if Brian Flores goes in and wows them, then he is still in that mix. But right now, I think McCarthy and I think Ben Johnson are the two leading candidates for Chicago. "

.@Schultz_Report says the Chicago Bears head coaching search is a two-horse race between Mike McCarthy and Ben Johnson pic.twitter.com/Y4x0lx6iP8

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) January 16, 2025

McCarthy, who parted ways with the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week, completed an interview with Chicago on Wednesday. Johnson, the Detroit Lions offensive coordinator, interviewed with the Bears over the weekend.

Flores, the Minnesota Vikings' defensive coordinator, has not yet interviewed with Chicago but will do so on Saturday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.

According to Schultz, the Bears are seeking an offensive-minded head coach to cater to quarterback Caleb Williams, though the rookie will not have a say in who is named head coach.

Chicago would get an offensive-minded coach in both McCarthy and Johnson.

Aside from the 2024 season, McCarthy's Cowboys regularly finished near the top in points per game, including in 2021 when they led the NFL with 31.2 points per game. Of course, some of that success can be attributed star quarterback Dak Prescott, but the Bears are hoping Williams can pan out and thrive in an offense potentially led by McCarthy.

Schultz noted McCarthy's history of developing quarterbacks such as Prescott and Aaron Rodgers as a reason for Chicago's interest in him.

Johnson has helped lead a resurgence in Detroit, and the Lions' success over the past few years has been fueled by their offense. This season, Detroit had the second-most yards per game and led the league in points per game at 33.2.

J.J. McCarthy's rookie season didn't go the way he planned after the Minnesota Vikings quarterback suffered a knee injury in the preseason, but there were still plenty of positives.

Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah said McCarthy saw "exponential" growth in 2024 and the team is "really confident" in him.

"It's a redshirt year, but mentally, the process that they had, just in our exit meetings with him, just talking about how much he learned the year compared to other years in his football life, [it was] just exponential, which you would expect for a young player in this building," Adofo-Menssah told reporters. "So I think we're really confident in him, his work ethic, and his preparation."

When Minnesota drafted McCarthy 10th overall last spring, the plan was for him to compete with Sam Darnold for the starting job. That plan didn't come to fruition because of his injury, but he could get his chance to be the Vikings' QB1 next season.

Darnold is set to become a free agent, as is the other quarterback on their roster, Daniel Jones.

McCarthy taking over as Minnesota's starter is no guarantee as the Vikings could bring back one of Darnold or Jones, but Adofo-Mensah said if the team makes McCarthy QB1 "we'll go in there confidently."

The Green Bay Packers have made playoff appearances in five of the past six seasons, but general manager Brian Gutekunst is ready for the team to become a true Super Bowl contender.

"You always have some disappointments in the year," Gutekunst said on Thursday, via NFL.com's Eric Edholm. "I think, for me, the thing that's been on my mind as we've concluded this season is we need to continue to ramp up our sense of urgency. These opportunities don't come (very often). The life of a player in the National Football League is not very long. We've got a bunch of good guys in that locker room, got a bunch of talented guys in that locker room, and yeah, I think it's time that we start competing for championships, right?"

In the Packers' past three postseason runs, they haven't advanced beyond the divisional round. This included a 22-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round that put an end to their 2024 campaign.

Welcome to Quinyonamo Bay

📺: #GBvsPHI on FOX
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/OE1RLV1GTw

— NFL (@NFL) January 13, 2025

Green Bay has four total Super Bowl victories, but they haven't made it to the title game since they last hoisted a Lombardi Trophy during the 2010 season.

The Packers will have just over $38 million in effective cap space to make upgrades to their roster in free agency, via Over the Cap.

Green Bay has shown a willingness to make free-agent splashes in past years, signing running back Josh Jacobs to a four-year contract in March 2024. The move paid off, as Jacobs picked up 1,329 yards and 15 touchdowns on 301 carries in his first year with the team.

Josh Jacobs has SEVEN TDs in his last three games 💪#GBvsDET on Prime Video
Also streaming on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/IGcmBpphkF

— NFL (@NFL) December 6, 2024

Based on Gutekunst's latest comments, expect the Packers to continue exploring upgrades throughout the offseason as they look to establish themselves as a true Super Bowl threat.

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell confirmed Thursday rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy has resumed on-field training.

McCarthy missed the entire 2024 NFL season because of a torn right meniscus. O'Connell said his recovery is generally progressing as expected at this stage:

Kevin O’Connell said J.J. McCarthy has returned to on-field training, and is in position to “be right where we hoped he would be at this point.”

O’Connell: “I think he’s maximized what this year was for him. I think he’s got a level of comfort in our offensive system.”

— Ben Goessling (@BenGoessling) January 16, 2025

What the Vikings do at the quarterback position in 2025 has become a more intriguing question given how Sam Darnold finished out the year.

Minnesota had the chance to clinch the NFC North title and the No. 1 seed in the conference in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions. But the team suffered a 31-9 loss at the hands of the Detroit Lions, which Darnold finishing 18-of-41 for 166 yards.

Things didn't get much better in the playoffs. Darnold was sacked nine times to tie a postseason record, and he threw for 245 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 27-9 defeat to the Los Angeles Rams. It called to mind his infamous quote about "seeing ghosts" in a 2019 game with the New York Jets.

The @RamsNFL defense racked up NINE sacks to tie an #NFLPlayoffs record! 😤 pic.twitter.com/CADCneZ0Er

— NFL (@NFL) January 14, 2025

Heading into Week 18, you would've bet Darnold's return to Minneapolis was more likely than not. Applying the franchise tag, which is worth an estimated $41.3 million in his case, would've been a way to solidify the QB situation without jeopardizing any potential handover to McCarthy down the road.

Now, O'Connell and general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah might be wondering how much of Darnold's Pro Bowl season was reflective of his value moving forward. It wouldn't be a complete shock to see the Vikings move on entirely.

If that were to happen, then it would have major implications for McCarthy.

Even in the event Minnesota added a more experienced veteran to the quarterback room, many would view McCarthy as the starter-in-waiting regardless of whether he wins the job for Week 1 or not.

That's why it's imperative for his recovery to continue in the way it apparently has.

Kevin O'Connell once again asserted that he wants to remain with the Minnesota Vikings for the long term, telling reporters on Thursday that he's hoping to sign a contract extension with the team.

Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell on if he wants to sign a contract extension here: "I do." Said he's had great dialogue this week with ownership.

— Alec Lewis (@alec_lewis) January 16, 2025

Earlier in January, he also asserted that he wanted to remain in Minnesota amidst rumors that several teams would consider trading for him.

"I love this team," he told reporters at the time. "I love everything about this organization. This is where I want to be."

O'Connell, 39, is among the favorites to win the NFL's Coach of the Year award after leading Minnesota to a 14-3 record and a playoff berth while revitalizing the career of quarterback Sam Darnold, who threw for 4319 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions this season after disappointing tenures with the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers and a season serving as the backup for the San Francisco 49ers.

Darnold turned back into a pumpkin at the end of the season, struggling against both the Detroit Lions (18-of-41 for 166 yards and two sacks) in a loss that cost the Vikings the NFC North title and top overall seed in the NFC playoffs, and against the Los Angeles Rams (245 yards, one touchdown, one interception, nine sacks) in a loss that ended the team's season.

here's Kevin O'Connell - immediately after the game - when asked about Sam Darnold holding the ball too long pic.twitter.com/SUKalUpWmX

— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) January 14, 2025

O'Connell reiterates that J.J. McCarthy has returned to on-field training and is "right where we hoped he would be" to have an offseason that can help determine when he will be ready to start. Made no projections about 2025.

— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) January 16, 2025

"Did not end the way any of us envisioned," O'Connell told reporters Thursday. "In fact the finality of it all is probably the thing that stings the most. ... Nobody expected it to be over when it was."

That didn't undercut the coaching job O'Connell did this season, however, after the team went just 7-10 last season. In his three seasons at the helm, he's led the Vikings to a pair of playoff berths, winning 13 or more games twice.

So while there are big decisions to make in Minnesota—namely whether the team will re-sign Darnold or hand the reins over to 2024 first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, who missed the past season with a torn meniscus—there's little doubt that the Vikings have the right man installed as head coach.

The Detroit Lions are likely to be in the market for two new coordinators this offseason, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter reported Thursday on Get Up the Lions are "gonna lose both" offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who are "destined" to get hired as head coaches.

Albert Breer of The MMQB wrote earlier in the week that "it'd feel like an upset if Detroit kept either of its coordinators."

The Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore reported Wednesday that there's "a lot of momentum" building toward Johnson and the Las Vegas Raiders. Vic Tafur of The Athletic added that Johnson is "seriously considering" the franchise as he evaluates all of his options.

Glenn, meanwhile, could get poached by the New Orleans Saints or New York Jets, both of whom have emerged as strong suitors.

Losing Johnson and Glenn in the same offseason would be a major test for Lions head coach Dan Campbell.

Campbell hit a home run when he first hired Glenn in 2021 and then promoted Johnson in 2022. Glenn was an outside hire, having worked as the New Orleans Saints defensive backs coach from 2016-20. Johnson first arrived in Detroit as an offensive quality control coach in 2019 and was the tight ends coach when Campbell came aboard.

You have two different processes that led to the Lions getting their two coordinators. That will leave fans encouraged the team can replace Johnson and Glenn with candidates who, if not as good, can at least keep it on track to contend for titles.

Detroit figures to be an attractive landing spot for aspiring coaches, too, since it's clear you can be put in a position to thrive. Campbell has always been quick to praise his assistants, and the organization's collaborative culture is a major ingredient in its on-field success.

#Lions’ Dan Campbell says he savors every moment that he’s experiencing with his coordinators right now. “This is a special team and a special staff and it’s been that way since the beginning,” he said. Campbell called his coordinators “superstars.”

— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) November 15, 2024

It also helps that Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes have known well in advance that Johnson and Glenn are likely gone. They've probably pondered over how to go about filling those jobs and which coaches could be smart hires.

The buzz surrounding Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson as a head coaching candidate is growing louder ahead of the divisional round.

There is "a lot of momentum building" between Johnson and the Las Vegas Raiders' head coaching vacancy, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review Journal.

A lot of momentum building for Ben Johnson & @Raiders.

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) January 15, 2025

Bonsignore has previously described Johnson and former Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll as "favorites to land the job."

Johnson and the Lions are preparing to play the visiting Washington Commanders with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line Saturday.

Johnson's offense finished the 2024 season having averaged 409.5 total yards per game, good for second in the NFL. The unit also ranked second with 272.9 passing yards per game and sixth with 146.4 rushing yards per contest.

The Raiders offense found itself in the opposite position as neither Gardner Minshew II nor Aidan O'Connell panned out as a long-term option in 2024. Las Vegas finished the campaign ranked 27th in average total offensive yards per game and 32nd in average rushing yards.

Targeting a coordinator whose unit has ranked top-four in the NFL in total offense for three straight regular seasons makes sense as a replacement for former head coach Antonio Pierce.

Tom Brady could have an influence on which direction the Raiders ultimately take with the opening. The former quarterback is expected to "lead the charge" in the franchise's search for a new head coach, according to Bonsignore.

There is also the chance the Raiders could miss out on the coordinator who is reportedly in high demand this head coaching cycle. Johnson has also interviewed with the Chicago Bears and New England Patriots, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

NBC Sports' Mike Florio recently reported Johnson will only consider going somewhere he can be "on the same page with the front office."

The Raiders have not yet hired a general manager. The opportunity to have a say in who the franchise selects to replace Tom Telesco could be making the position in Las Vegas look more attractive to Johnson.

Carroll also seems interested in the position, given that he spent "most of Monday afternoon" interviewing for the job in Las Vegas, per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.

Colorado head coach Deion Sanders has indicated he is interested in the job opening, per Bonsignore, but the Raiders are not currently interested, per The Athletic's Vic Tafur and Tashan Reed.

David Montgomery is on pace to play on Saturday when the Detroit Lions take on the Washington Commanders in the NFC Divisional Round, returning from an MCL injury that cost him the final three games of the regular season.

The veteran running back managed to avoid surgery to repair the injury, though the alternative path was a physically taxing rehabilitation program that Montgomery described as "pretty strenuous," per ESPN's Eric Woodyard.

At the time of the injury, the expectation was that Montgomery would require surgery, but he received three different medical opinions before choosing rehab.

"I think the speculation that I was getting surgery or that was kind of the end-all, be-all. Nobody really ever knew," he added. "So when it got put out, I didn't know that I was getting surgery. So the media told me, so it was news to me, but I'm always pretty confident in who I am and how I prepare."

Two big injury updates for the #Lions during today’s (estimated) practice:
— RB David Montgomery (knee) was a full participant.
— CB Terrion Arnold (foot) was a full participant.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2025

His return is excellent news for the Lions. Montgomery has been the thunder to Jahmyr Gibbs' lighting in Detroit's backfield, rushing for 775 yards and 12 touchdowns this season. In two seasons with the team, he's rushed for 1,790 yards in 28 games and found the end zone 25 times.

While the Lions have dealt with a rash of injuries, especially on the defensive side of the ball, the team will have its most dangerous offensive playmakers available against Washington.

"It'll mean a lot," Campbell said of Montgomery's return. "[He's] a big part of us. He's a huge part of us, and to me, he's a bell cow. He's somebody that is a tone-setter. He's a catalyst, so there's a place for him. There's a place for him here, so there'll be a place for him in this game. So it's going to be good to get him back."

Good for Detroit, at least. Maybe not so much for the Commanders.