Video: Tom Brady Warns Jalen Hurts to Not Let Eagles' Super Bowl Jersey Get Stolen
Feb 10, 2025
TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 16: Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jalen Hurts #1 of the Philadelphia Eagles talk after the NFC Wild Card playoff game at Raymond James Stadium on January 16, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images)
Tom Brady offered Super Bowl LIX MVP Jalen Hurts some helpful advice immediately after the Philadelphia Eagles' 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night.
Brady told Hurts to keep close tabs on his game jersey, saying that "I had a few of those stolen over the years."
The locker room of the winning team is a frenzied place at the Super Bowl. Players and coaches are celebrating the triumph. Some are getting pulled aside for interviews and media hits. Nobody is focused too much on their lockers.
As Brady can attest, that opens the door wide open for something bad to happen.
In one famous example, the FBI led an investigation in 2017 that pointed to an international media member taking two of Brady's jerseys and a helmet potentially belonging former Denver Broncos star Von Miller while covering the Super Bowl.
Of course, entering and exiting the Eagles locker room means going through "Big" Dom DiSandro, the team's chief security officer. Good luck trying to sneak one of Hurts' jerseys past him.
NFL Agent 'Bets' Aaron Rodgers Retires: 'He Won't Want the Teams That Will Want Him'
Feb 10, 2025
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 22: Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets reacts during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at MetLife Stadium on December 22, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
One NFL agent believes Aaron Rodgers' departure from the New York Jets will be a prelude to his exit from the league entirely.
"I bet he doesn't (play again)," the agent said to The Athletic's Mike Sando. "He won't want the teams that will want him."
Sando cited a different executive who said Rodgers would "definitely" be an upgrade for some teams, but The Athletic insider wrote, "smart team builders will struggle with adding everything else that comes along with Rodgers."
Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported Sunday that Rodgers met with Jets officials last week and was told the team is moving on. As a result, the four-time MVP will be hitting the open market.
The early backpage: BYEAHUASCA
Jets tell Aaron Rodgers they’re moving on from QB in face-to-face meeting
What kind of market Rodgers will have is anybody's guess.
His career résumé speaks for itself. The 41-year-old is one of the greatest QBs of his generation and a shoo-in to be voted into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot. But past achievements will only go so far.
Rodgers is coming off one of his worst seasons as a starting quarterback and isn't getting any younger. He threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and his 48.0 QBR ranked 25th in the league, per ESPN.com.
Then there's the general circus that surrounded Rodgers and the Jets over the last two seasons. Not all of the problems belong at his doorstep, but he was a contributing factor.
If you're a team with serious Super Bowl aspirations, then it's fair to wonder whether Rodgers is worth signing at this point. From the player's perspective, meanwhile, the idea of joining a franchise that might be middling at best probably isn't too enticing.
Some legendary quarterbacks get to leave on top. John Elway and Peyton Manning both retired on the heels of winning a Super Bowl. They're often the exceptions, though.
In the case of Rodgers, he'd be far from the first to have such a disappointing conclusion to an impressive career.
CJGJ Reposts 2023 Prediction Eagles DL Would 'SMASH' Chiefs in Super Bowl on Grass
Feb 10, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII just two years ago in a game that generated headlines for the playing surface.
Eagles defensive back C.J. Gardner-Johnson took to social media in the months after that loss and suggested Philadelphia's defensive line would have dominated the game with a better playing surface.
Well, Gardner-Johnson kept the receipts and brought them out after helping lead the Eagles to the Super Bowl LIX title over the Chiefs on Sunday:
His prediction about the defensive line proved prescient, as the NFC representative generated a 38.1 percent pressure rate without blitzing during Sunday's win, per Next Gen Stats. Patrick Mahomes was sacked six times and consistently chased out of the pocket, which made life particularly difficult on the Kansas City offense as it fell behind 40-6 before garbage-time scores made the final score 40-22.
Gardner-Johnson finished with three tackles, and fellow defensive back Cooper DeJean had a pick-six in the second quarter that largely started Philadelphia's onslaught.
It was much different than the matchup two years ago when the Chiefs won 38-35 as players from both teams struggled with their footing and slipped. Longtime groundskeeper George Toma criticized the way the field was prepared, and it became a talking point long after the game.
Fortunately for the Eagles, there were no excuses this time around.
They dominated from the start and left no doubt who the better team was all while preventing the Chiefs from making history as the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls.
NFL Exec Defends Aaron Rodgers: Mentally, and Arm-Talent-Wise, He Was Still High-End
Feb 10, 2025
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - JANUARY 5: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #8 of the New York Jets calls a play in the game between the Miami Dolphins against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on January 5, 2025 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images)
Aaron Rodgers still has at least one believer in the NFL.
"I thought mentally, and arm-talent-wise, he was still high-end," an executive told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated on Sunday. "The two tackles weren't very good, so any time he had to move in the pocket, he struggled. Not sure if that gets better in Year 2 after the injury or worse with age. [But] the Jacksonville game in particular he made some impressive decisions and throws."
The update comes after Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reported Sunday the New York Jets informed the veteran quarterback they do not plan on bringing him back in 2025.
That isn't particularly surprising, as the 41-year-old was just 31st in the league in QBR during the 2024 campaign, per Pro Football Reference, while going 5-12 as a starter. Despite the comments from the executive, he was nowhere near as effective as he was during his peak on the Green Bay Packers.
Yet it was also the first year back from an Achilles injury that cost him all but his first few snaps during the 2023 campaign.
Rodgers was surely adjusting to his return to the field, and some of his best games came later in the campaign. He threw for four touchdowns in the final regular-season game against the Miami Dolphins after he threw for 289 yards and three scores in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The executive specifically highlighted the Jaguars games with the comments.
Aaron Rodgers picks up the first down with his legs!
Other teams will have to decide whether they expect Rodgers to get better as he is further removed from the Achilles injury or worse as he gets older.
Breer guessed the Jets will ultimately release him and give him "the freedom to choose his destination" since other teams may not want to assume the $37.5 million he is owed in 2025 ($2.5 million in base salary and $35 million option bonus).
And that will set the stage for New York to reset the franchise with a new quarterback, head coach and general manager for the 2025 campaign.
Abdul Carter Campaigns to Be No. 1 Pick in 2025 NFL Draft After Eagles Win Super Bowl
Feb 10, 2025
After watching the Philadelphia Eagles defense dominate the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, Penn State star Abdul Carter lobbied to be the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
"DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS!!!" Carter posted on X while making it clear where he believes he stands in this year's class:
The Nittany Lions edge-rusher has a case to at least be considered the best player overall. He sits second on Bleacher Report's 2025 big board behind Colorado cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter and boasts a 9.1 overall grade.
B/R NFL scout Matt Holder compared Carter to Von Miller, an eight-time Pro Bowler and two-time Super Bowl champion.
"Initially, Carter will have to win with athleticism by making linemen miss or on run stunts to be an effective run defender," Holder wrote. "That could push him into a pass-rush specialist role to begin his career, but he could become a complete player by his second year in the league.
"Schematically, he'd be a good fit as a standup outside linebacker in odd fronts. He also can be used to drop in coverage occasionally given his athleticism and background as an off-ball linebacker."
Mahomes already has three Super Bowl rings and is almost a cheat code in terms of helping the Kansas City Chiefs contend for championships. But Sunday night was the second time the team watched its title hopes undone in the face of a dominant pass rush.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers smothered Mahomes en route to a comfortable 31-9 victory in Super Bowl LV, while the Eagles' constant pressure caused problems for the two-time All-Pro on the biggest stage once again.
For as important as the quarterback position is in the NFL, a great defense can still overwhelm a great signal-caller.
Of course, it's worth noting that Eagles star Jalen Hurts was named the Super Bowl LIX MVP after going 17-of-22 for 221 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. As good as Philly is defensively, the team also boasts a franchise quarterback on a $255 million contract.
But if the Tennessee Titans aren't sold on either Miami's Cam Ward or Colorado's Shedeur Sanders, widely considered the two best QBs in then 2025 draft, then going with Carter and making him the cornerstone of the defense could be the smarter play.
Eagles DT Rips 'B.S.' Chiefs 3-Peat Copyright Pursuit: 'Throw That S--t in the Trash'
Feb 10, 2025
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: Milton Williams #93 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after recovering a fumble in the fourth quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs during Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Milton Williams reveled in denying the Kansas City Chiefs their place in NFL history.
Williams said he was "definitely" motivated by the general conversations around the Chiefs' three-peat bid.
"They were talking about getting the copyright and all that B.S." he said, per ESPN's Tim McManus. "Throw that s--t in the trash."
Defensive end Brandon Graham conveyed a similar sentiment.
"That was motivation because it was kind of a slap to us," he said. "It was like, they ain't seen us yet. So, we heard that all week. And when the game came, execution was on point and together."
Thanks to some incredibly savvy thinking by NBA coaching legend Pat Riley decades ago, any team's pursuit of three straight championships inevitably hits on the fact that the phrase "Three-Peat" and "3-Peat" officially trademarked. Their usage for commercial purposes requires Riley's approval.
Securing the necessary agreements needs to be done in advance in order to have championship apparel and memorabilia available as soon as a game is over. That meant the NFL prepared for the Chiefs' three-peat well before Super Bowl LIX.
It's no different than how the league produces hats and T-shirts for both teams competing in the Super Bowl, with half of that inventory never seeing the light of day in the United States.
But athletes and coaches never turn down a possible source of inspiration ahead of a big game. For the Eagles, hearing about the Chiefs' quest to become the first team to win three straight Super Bowls weighed squarely on their minds.
MMQB: 'Sense Is' Pro-Russell Wilson Narratives Won't Be 'Well Received' by Steelers
Feb 10, 2025
ORLANDO, FL - JANUARY 30: Pittsburg Steelers Russell Wilson warms up before the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on Thursday, January 30, 2025 at UCF in Orlando, FL. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Russell Wilson signed a one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, and it seems like his time with the AFC North team may be limited to just that one year.
Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote about the situation Monday and said he feels "Wilson is going elsewhere" this offseason.
"This week some pro-Wilson narratives surfaced, and my sense is that probably wouldn't be very well received by the Steelers as they mull their future at the position," he wrote while also noting the team is interested in bringing Justin Fields back but not as the surefire starter and instead someone who would once again have to compete for playing time.
Fields started the 2024 campaign under center because of Wilson's calf injury, and the former Chicago Bears signal-caller went 4-2 as a starter with 10 total touchdowns to one interception.
However, head coach Mike Tomlin made the switch to Wilson when the veteran was healthy, and it seemed to be the right call when Pittsburgh went 6-1 in the next seven games. Yet the team then dropped the final four regular-season games before losing to the rival Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Wild Card Round.
The Steelers didn't reach the 20-point mark in any of those final five contests and now have a decision to make at the most important position.
"Wilson wasn't an innocent bystander in all of that. His limitations in the dropback game, and throwing the ball over the middle of the field, could only be worked around for so long," Breer wrote. "And so some friction surfaced as the season circled the drain, and the collapse showed that, while the Steelers are consistently in the running, they aren't all that close to the elite."
Fields is just 25 years old, while Wilson is 36. If both have limitations, it makes more sense to bring back the younger one who at least brings his elite running ability to the table, which can add another element to the offense.
There was a time when Wilson was one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL during his peak on the Seattle Seahawks, but he was just 26th in the league in QBR during the 2024 season, per Pro Football Reference.
Signs are indicating the Steelers will move on this offseason, which means he will likely need to find another team looking for a veteran option who could either start or be a bridge quarterback until someone younger is ready to take over.
Report: Myles Garrett Made Browns Trade Request 'Weeks' Before Public Statement
Feb 10, 2025
CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 20: Myles Garrett #95 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Huntington Bank Field on October 20, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)
Cleveland Browns star Myles Garrett communicated a trade request to the team "weeks" before he went public with the demand.
Garrett announced Feb. 3 in a statement he wants out, citing his desire to win a Super Bowl title.
Breaking: Reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year and #Browns star Myles Garrett has requested a trade.
According to The MMQB's Albert Breer, however, "his request had been in for a couple of weeks."
"My sense would be that the request becoming public came as a result of some level of frustration from the former Defensive Player of the Year," Breer said. "The Browns told him they wouldn't deal him. They've messaged that to other teams. And Cleveland planting its feet in the ground on that would motivate Garrett to go public."
At least one NFL personnel evaluator has serious doubts the Browns actually trade Garrett.
"There is no way they are going to trade that guy," the anonymous exec said to The Athletic's Mike Sando. "They would be crazy to. I think they are just going to sit on it and simmer it down. That said, when (offensive guard Joel) Bitonio came out and said he had doubts as well, it affirmed for me that this is all about Deshaun Watson. I think they want him out of the building and they want a clear path to no more drama."
An immediate reaction from many was that the six-time Pro Bowler's days in Cleveland are numbered.
Thanks in part to the Deshaun Watson trade being such a spectacular failure, whatever title window the Browns once had seems to have closed. Beyond the extent to which Garrett's trade request will linger around the organization, dealing him might be the most straightforward way for the front office to accelerate a rebuild.
Maybe the anonymous executive's read on the situation will instead prove to be correct.
Soon, free agency and the NFL draft will give fans something else to talk about, thus taking the focus away from Garrett and his future in Cleveland. General manager Andrew Berry might in turn feel a little less pressure to act.
Still, it's tough to see what the front office can do to address Garrett's concerns when the Browns are projected to be more than $30.1 million over the salary cap. Cutting ties with Watson is out of the question, too, thanks to the financial consequences.
Cleveland is going to have a new starting quarterback for 2025; that much is clear. The team may struggle to identify one who's enough of an upgrade to lift the team into contention.
NFL Exec: Joe Burrow 'Putting the Hammer on' Bengals with Chase, Higgins Contracts
Feb 10, 2025
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - OCTOBER 13: Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates a touchdown with Ja'Marr Chase #1 and Tee Higgins #5 during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on October 13, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow doesn't want to lose his top two targets to free agency, and he is reportedly doing what he can to convince the team to keep both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.
"He is putting the hammer on them," an NFL executive said in a Monday story by Mike Sando of The Athletic.
Higgins is scheduled for free agency this offseason after playing the 2024 campaign on the franchise tag, while Chase has one year remaining on his deal. While Burrow signed a five-year, $275 million contract extension in 2023, he has publicly said he is willing to restructure his deal to help keep the wide receivers in Cincinnati.
"I'm of the thought that when he decided not to make an Eli Manning situation with Cincinnati in the draft, that he had talks beforehand about how they were going to proceed with player acquisition," another executive said, per Sando. "And now it is to the point where they have to hold up their end of the bargain."
Former Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer famously demanded a trade from Cincinnati during his career, but one executive said the situation is different with Burrow.
"Carson got hurt in a playoff game, but Joe got them to the Super Bowl," the exec said. "That carries a lot of weight going forward. The issue is going to be, will they spend money elsewhere, at a level necessary to keep guys? I think that this time they might. I'm not saying they will have a wholesale change in their philosophy. Joe has the leverage to have them do something that they might not have wanted to do."
Committing to Burrow in 2023 the way the Bengals did and then not spending to keep his top two receivers would undercut the team-building process for a franchise looking to take the next step as a contender.
Will Ja'Marr Chase take home OPOY this year? 🐅 @Surface
Cincinnati made the Super Bowl during the 2021 campaign and reached the AFC Championship Game the following year with the star quarterback leading the way. Even its down seasons in 2023 and 2024 saw it finish with a winning record of 9-8 in large part because of the brilliance of Burrow, Chase and the passing game.
Chase in particular was unstoppable this past season and led the NFL in catches (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdown catches (17). Higgins had back-to-back seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards in 2021 and 2022 and set a career-high with touchdown catches (10) in 2024.
Both receivers and Burrow are in their 20s, so it is not difficult to envision the trio leading the Bengals for years to come.
But first the front office has to commit to paying the necessary contracts to keep the pass-catchers in town.
Xavier Worthy Sets NFL Super Bowl Rookie Record in Chiefs' Loss to Eagles
Feb 10, 2025
It is likely of little solace following a 40-22 loss in Sunday's Super Bowl LIX, but Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy at least put his name in the records book.
Worthy tallied eight catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, which Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports noted was a rookie record for receiving yards on the sport's biggest stage.
He surpassed the 109 receiving yards that Chris Matthews finished with for the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XLIX and Torry Holt finished with for the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV.
This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.
