Video: Eagles' A.J. Brown Reads 'Inner Excellence' on Bench After Super Bowl TD
Feb 9, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles' wide receiver #11 A.J. Brown catches the ball during Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, February 9, 2025. (Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown is continuing his sideline reading in the Super Bowl.
Brown was again seen reading Jim Murphy's "Inner Excellence" after catching a touchdown pass from Jalen Hurts in the second quarter of Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Murphy's book became a bestseller after Brown went viral for reading the self-improvement book on the sideline of the Eagles' Wild Card win over the Green Bay Packers.
This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.
Video: Eagles' Cooper DeJean Becomes 1st NFL Player with Super Bowl TD on Birthday
Feb 9, 2025
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: Cooper DeJean #33 of the Philadelphia Eagles jogs across the field before Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Cooper DeJean is having a good birthday so far.
The Philadelphia Eagles rookie cornerback made history against the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl on Sunday, intercepting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and taking it to the house to become the first player in NFL history to record a touchdown on their birthday.
DeJean, who turned 22 on Sunday, helped the Eagles pile onto their lead with the touchdown as it made it a 17-0 game late in the second quarter. It was the first interception and touchdown of DeJean's NFL career.
DeJean, a second-round pick out of Iowa, had an outstanding rookie year, recording 51 tackles, six passes defended and a forced fumble in the regular season. Coming into Sunday's game, he had recorded 15 tackles and three passes defended in the postseason.
While DeJean became the first player to record a birthday touchdown, his teammate is looking to accomplish the feat as well. Saquon Barkley, who has had a career year thus far, is celebrating his 28th birthday on Sunday. He can add to the outstanding season with a touchdown in the Super Bowl.
Barkley had a year to remember in his first season with Philadelphia. The former New York Giant finished the regular season with 2,005 rushing yards—just 100 away from matching the single-season rushing record—and 13 touchdowns. He can add to the tremendous season with a birthday touchdown in the Super Bowl.
Touchdown or not, it will be a birthday to remember for DeJean and Barkley if they can win their first Super Bowl.
Tee Higgins Addresses Bengals Contract Talks Before FA: 'Not in My Hands Right Now'
Feb 9, 2025
CINCINNATI, OHIO - DECEMBER 28: Tee Higgins #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals reacts after a 30-24 overtime victory against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Tee Higgins, wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals, is uncertain about his future with the team as he approaches free agency next month.
"Obviously, we want to build something here in Cincy, but it's not in my hands right now," Higgins told reporters. "I've got to do what I've got to do and if that's go to another team, you know, that's what happens."
"Obviously, we want to build something here in Cincy, but it's not in my hands right now. I've got to do what I've got to do and if that's go to another team, you know, that's what happens."
After finishing season with 911 yards, 10 touchdowns (a career high) and 73 receptions, Higgins and the Bengals have yet to reach an agreement on a contract renewal, something they were not able to finalize last season.
Unable to strike a longer-term deal, Higgins signed a one-year, $21.8 million contract with the Bengals. The team finished the season 9-8 and missed the postseason.
With that in mind, Higgins is now considering his future beyond Cincinnati, the only team he's played for over the past five years.
"I'm just trying to stay away from it right now," Higgins added. "Clear my head, get away from the game, especially after tonight, clear my head. Get away from the game for a few weeks. And then, obviously, in March that's when things start ramping up for me, with free agency coming up, and I would love to be here in Cincinnati. I love it here. I love the city. I love the fans. I love coaching staff—everything that we're building. But it's out of my control."
TEE HIGGINS' THIRD TOUCHDOWN OF THE GAME TO BEAT DENVER IN OT 🔥
In addition to focusing on his own future, Higgins would like to see the majority of the Bengals' core stay intact heading into next season. That certainly includes tight end Mike Gesicki, who will become an unrestricted free agent and finished the season with 665 yards and two touchdowns.
"Yeah, of course, we all want to keep the core pieces what it is (right now) even with Mike Gesicki," Higgins said to Danneman. "That's a core piece as well. So obviously, we want to build something here in Cincy. But you know, it's not in my hands right now. So I got to do what I need to do and if that's go to another team. That's what happens."
With many moving pieces expected for Cincinnati in the offseason, the 26-year-old wide receiver, Higgins, would undoubtedly attract a lot of interest if the Bengals were to move on from him.
Super Bowl National Anthem 2025: Twitter Reacts to Jon Batiste's Performance
Feb 9, 2025
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: Jon Batiste performs the National Anthem onstage prior to Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
Prior to the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles taking the field for the championship game, musician and Louisiana native Jon Batiste sang the national anthem to kick off the event.
Fans took to social media to celebrate Batiste's rendition of the anthem.
Batiste is a seven-time Grammy Award winner and has received 22 total nominations. He was the most nominated artist at the 64th annual Grammys in 2022.
He is a native of Metairie, Louisiana, and attended high school at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans. He has previously sang the national anthem at the 2017 NBA All-Star game and at opening night for the 2017 U.S. Open.
The Chiefs are aiming to become the first team in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls. A win would also move the team to second all-time among franchise for Super Bowl titles with five.
The Eagles are aiming for their second championship in franchise history. The two teams met in Super Bowl LII in 2022, with Kansas City winning 38-35.
Cowboys' CeeDee Lamb Reacts to Micah Parsons Trade Rumors: Let's Just Win Ball Games
Feb 9, 2025
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - OCTOBER 29: CeeDee Lamb #88 and Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys celebrate after the win over the Los Angeles Rams at AT&T Stadium on October 29, 2023 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
CeeDee Lamb isn't concerned about recent trade rumors surrounding star edge Micah Parsons.
On Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys wide receiver replied to a post about Parsons potentially being traded this offseason.
"Y'all aren't tired of this? Every offseason, top of the charts... Let's just win ball games and that's with 11! SMH," Lamb wrote in the post.
Y'all aren’t tired of this? Every offseason, top of the charts... Let’s just win ball games and that’s with 11! SMH https://t.co/JwZtRGMEsE
The post from Lamb comes after a report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport regarding Dallas' "internal discussions" about either trading or paying Parsons this offseason.
"While there have been no trade talks, sources say there have at least been some internal discussions about whether to pay Parsons or trade him for a king's ransom," Pelissero and Rapoport wrote on Sunday.
Despite the Cowboys' struggles in 2024, Parsons had another outstanding year, racking up 43 tackles, 12 sacks and 12 tackles for loss while playing just 13 games. Parsons is under contract for one more season and will receive $24 million guaranteed on a fifth-year option, but he's set to hit free agency after the 2025 season.
Parsons, who has been one of the best pass rushers in the league since he was drafted in 2021, will undoubtedly get a massive contract either from the Cowboys or another team. Spotrac projects Parsons to earn $30 million per year, though it wouldn't be surprising to see him pass Nick Bosa, who earns $34 million a year, to become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL.
If the Cowboys let Parsons get another productive year under his belt before paying him, his price will only go up.
Trading Parsons rather than extending him this offseason would likely be the cheaper option and could net a hefty haul, but the Cowboys' defense would take a significant hit without the four-time Pro Bowler no matter who they get in return for him.
Dallas parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy after a 7-10 finish this season. The Cowboys will enter a new era with Brian Schottenheimer leading the way, and Lamb is ready to "just win ball games" with Parsons still on the team.
Tom Brady: Nobody 'Would Be Happier Than Me' If Patrick Mahomes Wins 4th Super Bowl
Feb 9, 2025
TAMPA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs shakes hands with Tom Brady #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after defeating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-31 at Raymond James Stadium on October 02, 2022 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Patrick Mahomes seems to get closer to rivaling Tom Brady's GOAT status every season, but the legendary former quarterback isn't worried about Mahomes adding another championship to his resume on Sunday.
"People say all the time 'Well, what if Patrick wins his fourth?' and I'm like, 'There's nobody that would be happier than me' because I appreciate how hard it is to do and to win four times before the age of 30," Brady said on Fox Sports' Super Bowl pregame show.
Should Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs take down the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl on Sunday, it would give Mahomes his fourth championship and make him and the Chiefs the first team ever to three-peat in the Super Bowl.
Some NFL legends would root against those nearing their level of greatness, but Brady seems to be happy to see Mahomes' continued success.
Even if Mahomes wins another, he'll still have a ways to go to match Brady's rings. Brady, who retired after the 2022 season, won seven Super Bowls and five Super Bowl MVPs.
Brady also holds the record for the most playoff wins at 35, whereas Mahomes, who is second on the list, has 17 with a chance to make it 18 on Sunday.
As great as Mahomes has been in his eight NFL seasons, he'll need a few more years of sustained success to take Brady's title as the GOAT.
Video: Taylor Swift Arrives to Kelce, Chiefs' Super Bowl 59 vs. Eagles with Ice Spice
Feb 9, 2025
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 26: Taylor Swift celebrates with Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs after defeating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Taylor Swift arrived at Caesars Superdome on Sunday ahead of the matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl 59.
Swift was spotted with rapper Ice Spice, who she previously attended Super Bowl 58 with.
Swift has been a consistent presence at Chiefs games since the start of the 2023 season due to her ongoing relationship with 10-time Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce.
Kelce will be attempting to secure his fourth Super Bowl championship as well as his third consecutive title.
Swift's journey to the Super Bowl appeared to be much smoother compared to 2024, as she performed a concert in Tokyo the night before Super Bowl 58 and took a private jet back to the United States. She arrived just in time to see the Chiefs take down the San Francisco 49ers by the final score of 25-22 in overtime.
The 14-time Grammy Award-winner was seen dining with her mom as well as Kylie Kelce, the wife of Travis' brother Jason Kelce, on Saturday night in New Orleans (via Bridget Reilly of the New York Post).
Swift has been present at both of Kansas City's playoff wins during its current postseason run, attending the Chiefs' 23-14 victory over the Houston Texans in the divisional round as well as their 32-29 triumph over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship Game.
Caitlin Clark and Taylor Swift are in the house for the Divisional Round in Kansas City 🤩
Travis made his presence felt in the last Super Bowl that Swift was at, catching nine of 10 targets for 93 yards against San Francisco.
He'll look to make a similar impact once the Chiefs and Eagles begin their battle for a Lombardi Trophy at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Video: Lionel Messi, Adam Sandler, More Attend Super Bowl 59 Between Chiefs, Eagles
Feb 9, 2025
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 09: Kansas City Chiefs fans walk to the stadium prior to Super Bowl LIX between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles at Caesars Superdome on February 09, 2025 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Marianna Massey/Getty Images)
The stars will be on full display for Super Bowl LIX.
Several notable public figures, including Inter Miami star Lionel Messi, actors Paul Rudd, Pete Davidson and Adam Sandler and singer-songwriter Taylor Swift are in attendance for Sunday's game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
Some attendees, like Rudd and Swift, have been consistent presences at Chiefs games. Others, like Sandler, chose to represent their favorite teams that aren't in action on Sunday.
Super Bowl LIX is taking place at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans and it is the first Super Bowl in the city since 2013. The Chiefs are hoping to become the first team to win three consecutive Super Bowls and will hope to move into a tie for the second-most Super Bowl victories among NFL franchises.
The Eagles will be in their fifth Super Bowl and will hope to win the second title in franchise history. Kansas City and Philadelphia met in Super Bowl LVII, with the Chiefs winning 38-35.
Super Bowl LIX is set to begin at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Anthony Richardson's Status as Colts QB1 Eyed by NFL Fans After Daniel Jones Contract
Julia Stumbaugh
Feb 9, 2025
The Indianapolis Colts may have made a major statement Tuesday regarding their feelings on quarterback Anthony Richardson.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Colts agreed to a one-year, $14 million contract with quarterback Daniel Jones in free agency. Pelissero reported the Colts are "preparing for an open quarterback competition" between Richardson and Jones.
The open competition combined with Richardson's struggles thus far during his young NFL career led many on social media to speculate on Richardson's status going forward:
I’d be personally offended if I were Anthony Richardson. Daniel Jones who got cut by a 3 win team for being so bad thinks he’s gonna beat me in a QB competition?
After the Colts made Richardson the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft despite limited production collegiately at Florida, he started 15 games over his first two NFL seasons, going 8-7.
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An injury cut Richardson's rookie season short after four games, but he went on to start 11 games last season.
The results were far from ideal, as Richardson completed only 47.7 percent of his passes for 1,814 yards, eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also rushed for 499 yards and six scores.
Jones was released by the New York Giants midway through his sixth season with the team in 2024. He finished out the 2024 season in Minnesota after joining the Vikings' practice squad on a one-year, $375,000 deal, then hit free agency in March.
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Jones' split from New York followed his demotion to QB3 after leading the Giants to a 2-8 start to the 2024 campaign.
Since agreeing to a four-year, $160 million deal with the Giants ahead of the 2023 season, Jones led his team to three wins in 16 games while throwing 13 total interceptions to 10 total touchdowns.
When the Giants decided to turn to Tommy DeVito under center instead, Jones requested his release.
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Despite a 14-3 regular-season record, the Vikings didn't record a playoff win this winter, as the Los Angeles Rams ousted them from the NFC Wild Card Round.
With J.J. McCarthy looking to get his first start after missing his rookie season with a knee injury, the Vikings apparently decided they had enough quarterback depth to move on from Jones.
Jones, who was selected by the Giants with the No. 6 pick of the 2019 NFL draft, led the Giants to a winning season and a playoff victory in 2022.
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Although he has been unable to reach that level of success since, the Colts will hope he can help provide competition in a quarterback room currently staffed by Richardson.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard previously said he wanted to add "real competition" with Richardson for the QB1 spot.
"I think that's good for the team, and I think it's good for Anthony," Ballard said in February about quarterback competition, per NFL.com's Eric Edholm.
The Colts initially intended for veteran quarterback Joe Flacco to provide that competition last season, but Flacco's struggles after Richardson's midseason benching contributed to the team's decision to finish out the season behind Richardson.
Indianapolis will now hope Jones will serve as a bigger threat for the starting job as they look for Richardson to take a significant step forward in his third NFL season.
Chiefs' Travis Kelce Picks Patrick Mahomes Over Tom Brady as NFL's GOAT
Feb 9, 2025
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - JANUARY 26: (L-R) Travis Kelce #87 of the Kansas City Chiefs raises the Lamar Hunt Trophy as he celebrates with Patrick Mahomes #15 after defeating the Buffalo Bills 32-29 in the AFC Championship Game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on January 26, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
While the NFL world debates the true G.O.A.T. between Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady, Mahomes' go-to tight end, Travis Kelce, had a predictable bias in his answer.
"I'm gonna say he is, but I'm biased toward what I see in the building," Kelce told Rob Gronkowski on NFL on Fox's pregame show. "I'm gonna say he's the greatest ever, but I know there's a pretty valid argument somewhere else."
Kelce and Mahomes have been teammates on the Kansas City Chiefs since Mahomes' rookie season in 2017. Over eight seasons together, they've won three Super Bowl titles, with the potential for a historic three-peat this year. As the Chiefs push for another championship, the debate over Mahomes vs. Brady as the greatest of all time is at an all-time high.
Brady, who spent 23 seasons in the NFL, appeared in a record 10 Super Bowls and won seven—six with the New England Patriots and one with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The fact that there is a top 10 ranking of just Tom Brady Super Bowls speaks volumes 🐐 pic.twitter.com/WqS1sjRnBW
Mahomes, in his seventh season as a starter, has already secured three championships. A fourth Super Bowl victory would place him among elite company, joining Brady, Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as the only quarterbacks with four rings. Notably, Mahomes would be the first to achieve this feat before turning 30.
In their head-to-head matchups, Brady remains one of only two quarterbacks to defeat Mahomes in the postseason—and the only one to do so in a Super Bowl, with Tampa Bay's 31-9 rout of Kansas City in Super Bowl LV.
3 Super Bowl victories, 3 Super Bowl comebacks led by Patrick Mahomes ⭐
Despite Brady's past success against Mahomes in head-to-head matchups, Kelce isn't alone in backing his quarterback in the G.O.A.T. conversation. Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner also believes the 29-year-old will eventually surpass Brady as the greatest of all time.
"I'm gonna say yes to this question," Warner said Sunday on NFL Network. "The reason I'm gonna say yes is because of the nature of how our game has changed. The way people watch our game is different. What I mean by that is that, right now, at the quarterback position, it's so much about the wow factor, the physical ability, and what this guy can do from a physical standpoint that nobody else can. We've seen Patrick Mahomes do so many things that make us look and say, maybe he's the most physically gifted quarterback our game has ever seen. And I believe that is what will ultimately put him over the top."
Mahomes has already earned one NFL MVP, six Pro Bowl selections and three Super Bowl MVPs. With a win over the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX, it would be difficult to dispute his case against Brady's legacy.
