By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Fresh off a 5-11 campaign, John Elway is entering a pivotal offseason for his Denver Broncos.

First and foremost for the executive VP is the quarterback position, which desperately needs addressing. Denver owns the fifth pick in a draft touted as being rich at the position. He also could make another big splash via free agency or trade, pursuing, say, Kirk Cousins or Alex Smith.

“Any time you draft that high you have to make ’em count,” Elway said, via KUSA-TV. “We’ve got a lot of picks so we have the ammo also [to trade], so we’ve got to make sure we make them all count.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Carolina’s search for its next general manager is set to start this week.

The Panthers will begin interviews for the vacant permanent position, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday. The Panthers are interviewing Texans assistant general manager Jimmy Raye III on Thursday and Bills assistant college scouting director Lake Dawson on Friday, per Rapoport. Interim GM Marty Hurney will interview this week, as well.

Carolina also plans to interview Bills assistant director of college scouting Lake Dawson and is expected to reach out to Titans director of player personnel Ryan Cowden, who spent 16 years with the Panthers, Pelissero and Rapoport added. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Rob Gronkowski was back at Patriots practice on Saturday, six days after suffering a concussion in the AFC Championship Game.

The tight end took part in the portion of New England’s practice open to the media, NFL Network’s Omar Ruiz reported. Despite participating in at least some capacity, Gronkowski hasn’t officially cleared concussion protocol, Ruiz added. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Pat Shurmur opened his Giants career by backing Eli Manning, Giants franchise quarterback with two Super Bowl rings to show for his efforts.

Smart man.

Likely buoyed by the show of support, Manning expressed excitement to get to work with his new, offensive-minded head coach.

“(I’m) just excited to see how he calls games, how he looks at defenses, how he wants to pick them apart and just seeing his insight to that and learn from it,” Manning said, via the New York Daily News. “So we can see things the same way, have great communication and figure out how to score some points.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Pat Shurmur couldn’t even get through his expressions of gratitude before the lights went out on him.

Here’s to hoping that isn’t an omen for his career with the New York Giants.

“And we’re off, huh?” Shurmur joked as the lights came back on.

Shurmur was introduced as the Giants‘ new head coach on Friday by team co-owner John Mara. He made it clear rather quickly that he’s not here to push Eli Manning out the door. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Buffalo’s starting center is calling it a career.

Eric Wood, 31, is retiring from football because of a neck injury that was diagnosed during his end-of-season physical, the team announced Friday. Wood’s retirement news conference is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET Monday. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Pittsburgh’s drama-filled season ended earlier than most expected — so early that one Steeler considered skipping the Pro Bowl because he was still too upset about the loss.

“After the [Jacksonville] game, I didn’t know if I even wanted to come for a while,” Heyward said Thursday, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “But you have to make the most of a situation. It’s an awesome experience. Every player should get to experience this. Now I have to tell my guys to get back here, too. Hopefully, we’re busy [playing in a Super Bowl], but I want to see more defensive guys here.”

Heyward is one of eight Steelers at the Pro Bowl, but the lone Pittsburgh defender in Orlando. In a departure from the Steelers of last decade and the 1970s, Pittsburgh is an offense-first team and its postseason honors reflect that. Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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Though the winner of the game ultimately didn’t make it to Minneapolis, New Orleans Saints GM Mickey Loomis still feels as though his team left another trip to the Super Bowl on the field at U.S. Bank Stadium.

Loomis said as much while spending his week not at the Super Bowl, but the Senior Bowl, in Mobile, Alabama.

“Look, for the rest of my life, I’m going to feel like, ‘We were this close to being in three Super Bowls,'” Loomis said, via The Times-Picayune. “And hopefully it’s more than that.” Continue reading →

By Nick Shook
NFL.com
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New York officially has its new leader of Big Blue.

The Giants have hired Pat Shurmur as head coach, the team announced on Monday.

“We are pleased to welcome Pat to our organization and look forward to the leadership he will provide for our team,” team president John Mara and chairman Steve Tisch said in a release from the team. “He has an outstanding track record in developing young players, and it is clear his players respond to his guidance and direction. We interviewed six talented and qualified candidates, and we feel like Pat, with his vision and experience, is the right person to lead our team.” Continue reading →