By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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What was expected to be a routine coaching hire has produced a juicy subplot.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Monday on NFL Total Access that Chip Kelly is a candidate to watch for offensive coordinator in Atlanta. That vacancy, of course, was just created by the departure of Kyle Shanahan for the head coaching job in San Francisco, which was vacated by the firing of Kelly after one season. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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It’s been one of the worst-kept secrets in the coaching news cycle of the offseason, but thanks to Atlanta’s appearance in Super Bowl LI, it had to officially remain in a state of limbo.

Now the wait is finally over.

Kyle Shanahan has been named the head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, the team announced. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Tom Brady and his Patriots teammates completed the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history on Sunday night, but his clothing didn’t see the same fate — yet.

While Brady celebrated with teammates and eventually headed for the exit like the rest of them, his jersey didn’t make it out with the rest of his gear. It apparently was stolen in the aftermath of the thrilling finish to Super Bowl LI, and Texas state officials are concerned about its whereabouts.

Take Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick:

“In Texas we place a very high value on hospitality and football,” Patrick said in a statement released Monday. “Tom Brady‘s jersey has great historical value and is already being called ‘the most valuable NFL collectable ever.’ It will likely go into the Hall of Fame one day. It is important that history does not record that it was stolen in Texas. I’ve called Colonel Steve McCraw to ask that the Texas Rangers work with the Houston Police Department on this case.

“I’m a Texans and Cowboys fan first, but the unquestionable success of the Super Bowl in Houston last night was a big win for our entire state and I don’t want anything to mar that victory. Whoever took this jersey should turn it in. The Texas Rangers are on the trail.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Super Bowl week in the year’s host city — for this iteration, Houston — is annually a hive of activity, excitement and seemingly unending media attention.

Look around and you’ll likely see at least a few current NFL players taking in the sights, sounds and festivities among football royalty and almost anyone who’s anyone. At least one player is already tired of it.

“I’m unfortunately used to it,” Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson told the Jaguars‘ official website Friday afternoon. “I’d much rather be playing than going through the media row aspects of it, but it is what it is.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Tyrod Taylor‘s unceremonious finish to the 2016 season was the bow on top of what became a peculiar campaign for the Buffalo Bills.

But even as potential free agency looms, the former darling quarterback in western New York says he isn’t dwelling on it.

“My focus is not on the contract situation or what’s gonna happen. It’s more just being healthy,” Taylor said Friday on WGR 550-AM. “The thing that keeps my mind off of it is rehabbing [from January groin surgery]. If I didn’t have to rehab, I’d probably be thinking about [the contract situation] all the time.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Colts have welcomed a new general manager to the organization in the last week with the addition of Chris Ballard.

Now they’re in the market for a punter.

Pat McAfee is retiring from the National Football League, the punter announced on Comedy Central’s Barstool Rundown on Wednesday night. Selected in the seventh round out of West Viginia in the 2009 NFL Draft, the outspoken and often comical special teamer spent eight seasons with the Indianapolis Colts. McAfee, who had a flair for making punting more than just a thankless contribution to the game, finishes with a career net average of 40.1 yards and a career long of 74 yards, which he achieved in 2016. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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It wasn’t too long ago that Bob McNair was fending off reporters critical of quarterback Brock Osweiler.

Based on the tone of the Houston Texans owner on Wednesday, it looks like the lion is no longer standing in front of his expensive cub.

“We need much better performance out of that position,” McNair told reporters Wednesday of the Texans‘ quarterback situation. “Not much available out there.”

McNair isn’t wrong about either point. Houston was a team with the best defense in the league in yards allowed per game (301.3, and that was without superstar defensive end J.J. Watt), but was hampered offensively by the quarterback position and the repeated struggles of Osweiler. The lanky, slow-footed quarterback was errant and often appeared uncomfortable in the pocket, causing frequent frustration among those watching Houston trudge its way to low-scoring wins. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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The Jimmy Garoppolo-to-Cleveland rumors aren’t going away any time soon.

Just months after completing an in-season deal for linebacker Jamie Collins, the Browns remain linked to the Patriots in trade talks for the backup quarterback. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that “the interest in Garoppolo is real,” but there are some uncertainties.

“We do not know whether or not they will strike a deal for that, how willing the Patriots would be to actually part with someone who would be their backup next year and their big-time insurance policy in case Tom Brady ever gets injured,” Rapoport reported. Continue reading →