Chris Mortensen, the award-winning journalist who covered the NFL for close to four decades, including 32 as a senior analyst at ESPN, died Sunday morning. He was 72. ESPN confirmed Mortensen’s death on Sunday. There was no immediate word on the cause or place of death. “Mort was widely respected as an industry pioneer and … Read more
Monday was the first day NFL teams could conduct in-person interviews with head coaching candidates who are employed by teams whose season has ended. That means the Atlanta Falcons’ coaching search could end any day now. But it probably won’t. Atlanta fans need to prepare themselves to end this week without a head coach and … Read more
By Josh Kendall, Jeff Howe and Dianna Russini Bill Belichick and Falcons owner Arthur Blank had dinner Thursday, a team source said, as Atlanta and the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach continue their conversations about the team’s head coach position. Belichick flew into Atlanta on one of Blank’s private jets, according to a team source. … Read more
With seven of the 32 NFL head-coaching jobs opening per year on average, candidates for these coveted positions usually cannot be choosy. They take the jobs they can get, and live with the imperfections. The eight current openings will appeal for different reasons to different candidates. I’ve ranked these vacancies below using three basic criteria: … Read more
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — When Calais Campbell explained in the spring why he signed with the Atlanta Falcons, he said general manager Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith “made me a believer.” “You need to believe in the people making decisions, and they have a win-now mentality,” Campbell said on April 3. “They definitely … Read more
The Atlanta Falcons organization has terminated head coach Arthur Smith. “The Falcons have announced the firing of HC Arthur Smith. GM Terry Fontenot remains and, according to the team, will provide input into the coaching search,” according to NFL Network’s Steve Wyche. Arthur Smith, Falcons Head Coach Arthur Smith, Falcons Head Coach Upset With Dennis … Read more
Three … two … one … happy 2024 NFL playoffs! If your New Year’s resolutions include watching more football, you’re both a distinguished goal-setter and in luck. The NFL playoffs begin Jan. 13, with the wild-card round stretching until Jan. 15. That gives you about a week to get acquainted and initiated into the league … Read more
The Baltimore Ravens scored their most impressive victory of the season Monday night, defeating the San Francisco 49ers 33-19. Along with making them look like worthy Super Bowl contenders, the victory puts them in a fantastic position in the AFC. At 12-3, they’re a game ahead of Miami and have a chance to clinch the … Read more
The Detroit Lions won a division championship Sunday for the first time since 1993. Dan Campbell’s team claimed the NFC North title in dramatic fashion, hanging on to beat the Minnesota Vikings 30-24. Winning the division ensures the Lions will play at least one postseason game at Ford Field, and it remains possible for Detroit … Read more
The San Francisco 49ers are the hottest team in the NFL and look unstoppable. Their latest conquest was a 45-29 shellacking of the Arizona Cardinals to notch their sixth straight victory. The 49ers also became the first division champion of the year, securing their second straight NFC West crown. They moved one victory ahead of … Read more