The biggest name is already off the NFL trade market, with the 49ers landing running back Christian McCaffrey last week. And the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs each made splashes this week, with Philadelphia adding Bears pass-rusher Robert Quinn to an already impressive defense, and the Chiefs acquiring the electric Kadarius Toney from the Giants.
But plenty of intrigue remains as Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline draws near.
A number of anticipated contenders have faltered during the initial stretch of the season. These teams might look to the trade market to help themselves get back on track.
So, as we wait to see how things unfold, we’re kicking around ideas on deals that may or may not happen — but, in our opinion, should.
The Athletic’s Jeff Howe and Mike Jones came up three proposals apiece. One writer details why each deal makes sense, and the other explains why it might not.
Mike Jones’ three trade proposals
Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks to Packers for fifth-round pick
Jones’ why: Aaron Rodgers and the Packers desperately miss Davante Adams, and there’s no one on the trade market who can fully fill those shoes. But right now, Rodgers badly needs a veteran wide receiver who understands the concepts of the offense and where he is expected to be at all times. Cooks — stranded in Houston, where the Texans will likely vie for the top pick of the draft — can help. He played in the same offense for Packers coach Matt LaFleur’s good buddy Sean McVay while a member of the Rams in 2018 and 2019 (LaFleur served as the Rams’ offensive coordinator in 2017). At 29, Cooks still has plenty left in the tank while coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons. In all, Cooks has topped the 1,000-yard mark in six of the last seven seasons during stops in New Orleans, New England, L.A. and Houston. While some wide receivers struggle to find comfort with a new team midseason, Cooks would have a good chance of making a near-instant impact.
Howe’s why not: The last time the Packers traded for a wide receiver, it involved Rodgers’ friend Randall Cobb. Part of the Packers’ offensive problems this season has been Rodgers’ lack of trust with the young receivers. So the question is whether Rodgers and Cooks can create enough immediate chemistry to make a tangible difference, with the Packers essentially in win-now mode for the final 10 games. That doesn’t mean Green Bay should wave the white flag and ignore all potential receiver acquisitions, but there should be some level of skepticism involved.
GO DEEPER
Vic’s Picks, Week 8: Aaron Rodgers has a point about the Packers
Patriots offensive tackle Isaiah Wynn to Rams for middle-round pick
Jones’ why: The defending Super Bowl champion Rams have struggled a good deal this season, and a lot of that has to do with injuries along their offensive line. Through six games, Matthew Stafford has been sacked 22 times (third-highest total in the league), and the Rams average just 70.5 rushing yards per game (31st in the NFL). After losing left tackle Joe Noteboom to a torn Achilles tendon last week, the Rams’ sense of urgency to fortify the line ratcheted up that much more. Wynn, the 23rd pick of the 2018 draft, spent the last three seasons at left tackle for New England but fell out of favor with the coaching staff. A trade to the Rams could benefit all parties involved.
Howe’s why not: Wynn is having his worst season in New England, although it’s fair to wonder how much the move to right tackle has thrown him off. But even with that in mind, the Patriots would have to be comfortable with Marcus Cannon and Yodny Cajuste at right tackle for the final 10 games. They also have to operate under the likelihood left tackle Trent Brown will miss time, as he hasn’t made it through a full season since 2018 (one of just two times in his eight-year career that’s happened). With the Patriots’ QB situation off the rails at the moment, a move that depletes the offensive line — regardless of how Patriots fans feel about Wynn — may not be in their best interest.
Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy to Ravens for two middle-round picks
Jones’ why: There’s no way the Ravens will keep pace with the Chiefs and the Bills if they don’t get Lamar Jackson some more consistent and impactful weapons. Jeudy, who has averaged 17 yards or better per catch in two of his three NFL seasons, definitely helps fill this need. Jeudy has been mentioned as a potential target for Green Bay, but the Packers brass and Rodgers may prefer a veteran. The Giants and Rams also have been mentioned as potential destinations for Jeudy, but Baltimore and Jackson need someone like him in the worst way.
GO DEEPER
NFL trade deadline picks for all 32 teams: Jerry Jeudy, Cam Akers and more
Howe’s why not: I’m all in on this one. I can’t even give a “why not.” The Ravens’ offense has a heavy emphasis on game-breaking plays, either with Jackson or the athletic skill players, and Jeudy would add to that. It could also be a nice negotiating tactic for general manager Eric DeCosta to show Jackson they’ll make moves to improve the offensive talent around him. Jeudy hasn’t taken off in Denver, but who really has since he got there in 2020? He has made a handful of plays that validated the talent the football world saw from him at Alabama, and he’d have a terrific chance to resurrect that potential in Baltimore.
The Lions seem unlikely to trade tight end T.J. Hockenson. But would a first-round pick get a deal done? (Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA Today)
Jeff Howe’s three trade proposals
Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson to Bucs for 2023 first-round pick, 2024 fourth-round pick
Howe’s why: OK, so there’s no reason to believe Hockenson is on the trade block, but this would be a tough offer for the Lions to ignore. They already have the inside track on a top-five pick with their own draft selection, which should be used on a quarterback, and another first-rounder from the Rams. Throw in a third opening-round pick, and the Lions would control the draft board. Maybe they’d even get lucky enough to get a quarterback and — possibly through another trade — Alabama pass rusher Will Anderson to pair up with Aidan Hutchinson. For the Bucs, their offensive issues can’t be traced to a singular spot, but the lack of a star-caliber tight end certainly hasn’t helped. Hockenson is under contract through his fifth-year option in 2023, so that’s important, too. Aside from getting their offense going as soon as possible, the Bucs also have to be thinking about Tom Brady’s future. Brady, an impending free agent who can’t be tagged, could simply choose to retire, or maybe he’ll be concerned that the offense can’t be fixed in its current state and look to play elsewhere. It’s conceivable the addition of Hockenson could play a part in swaying that decision.
Jones’ why not: That’s a steep price, and considering that they may have to use a first-rounder on a quarterback next season, I don’t see the Bucs forking over that much. Yes, a tight end of Hockenson’s caliber would help. But not at that price.
Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb to Cowboys for 2023 and 2024 third-round pick
Howe’s why: The Cowboys boast the league’s most tenacious defense, and Chubb might be the most dangerous defender on the trade block. Dallas will remain as dangerous as Micah Parsons allows them to be, but the addition of Chubb would create yet another headache for opposing offenses. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn could build the pass rush around DeMarcus Lawrence, Dorance Armstrong and Chubb, then give Parsons even more freedom to move around. As for the Broncos, Chubb is still worth building around, but their defense will remain solid regardless and they need to recoup draft assets after the Russell Wilson trade. If they don’t believe Chubb will sign an extension after the season — or if they believe he’ll exceed their budget — it makes sense to move him now.
GO DEEPER
Broncos players on Bradley Chubb trade talk: ‘Hope he’s with us for a long time’
Jones’ why not: Man, an already beastly Cowboys defense gets even more dangerous, huh? I like it, but there could be even more desperate teams in pursuit of Chubb. One? The Rams, who still badly miss Von Miller and would like to add a pass-rusher at the deadline. They don’t have a first-round pick to dangle, but they do have a second- and a third-rounder in 2023.
Falcons center Matt Hennessy, Ravens guard Ben Cleveland, Bengals guard Jackson Carman, Patriots right tackle Isaiah Wynn, Eagles left tackle Andre Dillard to Rams
Falcons receive: 2023 sixth-round pick
Ravens receive: 2023 sixth-round pick
Bengals receive: 2023 seventh-round pick
Patriots receive: 2024 fourth-round pick
Eagles receive: 2024 third-round pick
Howe’s why: We had to search through some old storage closets to find some of the Rams’ spare draft picks, and they do have additional late-round assets due to prior trades. Granted, they might never draft again, but Southern California is a beautiful place to explore in late April anyway. Back on track, no, it’s not realistic to believe the Rams will overhaul their entire offensive line in the middle of the season, but this option exists if they’re willing to go the extremely unconventional route. Their line has let them down during their 3-3 start, and it’s an area that hasn’t gotten enough attention in recent drafts, so they can borrow from future drafts to get themselves heading in a better direction. The Athletic’s beat reporters stockpiled a list of trade candidates last week, and they coincidentally included two tackles, two guards and a center. It all fell into place.
Jones’ why not: Hold up! You just pooh-poohed my Wynn to the Rams idea, so I’m saying absolutely not. Your deal doesn’t work! Haha, in all seriousness, I like the aggressive mindset in completely overhauling the entire offensive line, but I don’t see this happening. I think the Rams would like to address both sides of the ball, and they have only a limited number of draft picks to acquire talent. So, one offensive lineman, yes. And then a pass-rusher, which may require multiple picks to secure.
(Top photo of Brandin Cooks: Cooper Neill / Getty Images)
Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald both announced Tuesday night that they are leaving Donda Sports, the agency founded by the artist formerly known as Kanye West, due to antisemitic comments he recently made.
The announcements came hours after Adidas terminated its relationship with the rapper, who now is known as Ye.
Brown’s decision came one day after he told The Boston Globe he would remain with Donda Sports despite the fact he didn’t condone Ye’s remarks.
“In the past 24 hours, I’ve been able to reflect and better understand how my previous statements lack clarity in expressing my stance against recent insensitive public remarks and actions,” Brown said Tuesday in a statement he released via Twitter. “For that, I apologize. And in this, I seek to be as clear as possible. I have always, and will always, continue to stand strongly against any antisemitism, hate speech, misrepresentation, and oppressive rhetoric of any kind.
“In light of that, after sharing in conversations, I now recognize that there are times when my voice and my position can’t coexist in spaces that don’t correspond with my stance or my values. And, for that reason, I am terminating my association with Donda Sports.”
Donald announced around the same time that his family would leave Donda Sports, saying that Ye’s remarks “are the exact opposite of how we choose to live our lives and raise our children.”
“As parents and members of society, we felt a responsibility to send a clear message that hateful words and actions have consequences and that we must do better as human beings,” Donald wrote in his statement via Twitter. “We do not feel our beliefs, voices and actions belong anywhere near a space that misrepresents and oppresses people of any background, ethnicity or race. We’ve had the pleasure of working with many incredible people along the way and hope to continue to use our platform to uplift and support other families, children and communities through positive outreach.”
Brown and Donald signed with Donda Sports in May.
Earlier Tuesday, Adidas announced it would be formally cutting ties with Ye, who had developed a hugely lucrative clothing and apparel partnership with the company.
“Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech,” the company said in a statement Tuesday. “Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”
As part of its statement, Adidas said it would lose roughly $250 million this year in net income as a result of breaking away from its partnership with Ye, but that doing so was necessary in the wake of antisemitic comments he has made in recent weeks.
Ye has made controversial remarks in the past on a variety of issues, including slavery and COVID-19 vaccines. Earlier this month, Ye posted on Twitter that he would soon go “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE,” an apparent reference to the U.S. defense readiness condition scale known as DEFCON. He was suspended from both Twitter and Instagram.
His recent string of antisemitic comments has caused several companies to break ties with the rapper or his various business lines. Creative Artists Agency, Balenciaga, Gap and Foot Locker are among others that have ended their partnerships with him.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers will not play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers after missing practice the past two days for what was listed as personal reasons, coach Sean McVay said Friday.
McVay declined to go into details about why Akers would not play, saying the Rams are “working through some different things with Cam.” Asked whether he expects Akers to be a part of the team going forward, McVay reiterated, “We’re working through some different things right now.”
After the Rams’ season-opening loss to the Buffalo Bills, McVay told reporters that he had a conversation with Akers about needing to play with more urgency, noting the reason the pair had that discussion is “a result of my confidence in him and the expectations we have and what we need him to be, which isn’t anything more than what he’s capable of.” Akers later said that conversation occurred during training camp.
Akers has 151 rushing yards and a touchdown on 51 carries this season. After he scored a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3 — his first since the 2020 season — he said he was motivated because “everybody else felt like I lost a step or whatever, but I didn’t.”
McVay said Friday that Akers is physically OK. He reiterated that the Rams are “dealing with things internally.”
“[This is] kind of uncharted territory, and I think the biggest thing is, out of respect for the situation, want to keep it internal,” McVay said.
In Akers’ absence, McVay said the Rams plan to lean on running backs Darrell Henderson Jr., Malcolm Brown and Ronnie Rivers, who is on the practice squad. Asked whether he expects the Rams to add a running back, McVay said, “I don’t know. I wouldn’t say no, ever.”
“We’ll always explore options if we feel like there’s chances to upgrade,” McVay added. “That’s probably not something that’s at the forefront.”
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. — After wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. tweeted Wednesday that the contract offer the Los Angeles Rams made to him wasn’t reflective of his worth, coach Sean McVay indicated he didn’t think that would be the team’s final offer.
“LA knows where I wanted to be,” Beckham tweeted. “… but they didn’t offer me…. ANYthing! So idk what people want me to do, I def kno my worth and what the offer was isn’t reflective of that. So it’s tough to say that I can come on back even tho I thought I finally found that home !”
Beckham signed with the Rams in November after he was released by the Cleveland Browns. During the postseason, Beckham had 21 catches for 288 yards and two touchdowns before tearing his left ACL during Super Bowl LVI.
“I love Odell,” McVay said. “We have constant dialogue. He also knows that certainly I don’t think that’s the last [offer] that would come from us. I’m not familiar with what it is. He knows how we feel about him. We’ve got a little bit of time.
“But [I] love Odell. Nothing but good things coming from me.”
The Rams still have a nameplate in the locker room of their practice facility for Beckham. The Rams have not been quiet about their desire for Beckham’s return. In September, during a news conference, cornerback Jalen Ramsey brought up the receiver in one of his answers and then paused to say, “Odell, come back.”
Week 4 of the NFL season is here, and teams continue to assess injuries to their players ahead of game time.
The San Francisco 49ers have suffered another blow to their offense, as star left tackle Trent Williams is expected to be out four to six weeks with an ankle injury. Linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair will miss time after he sprained an MCL against the Denver Broncos. The New York Giants also lost a key offensive player after wide receiver Sterling Shepard tore an ACL against the Dallas Cowboys on Monday, ending his season.
The New England Patriots will be without quarterback Mac Jones, who suffered a high ankle sprain last week against the Baltimore Ravens. Veteran Brian Hoyer will start Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. He has lost 11 consecutive starts.
In more positive news, New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson is expected to make his 2022 debut against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Wilson has been out since the first game of the preseason because of a torn meniscus and a bone bruise in his right knee.
Our NFL Nation reporters have more updates on key players entering the weekend:
Quick links: Schedule | Depth charts | PickCenter
Injury: Knee
Patterson is officially listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, but he told ESPN on Friday that he plans on playing against the Cleveland Browns.
“I feel like I’m going to play every Sunday, no matter what the situation is,” Patterson said. “I plan on playing Sunday and we all know that’s the plan.”
Patterson, the NFL’s third-leading rusher, did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and was listed as a “resting player/knee.” He returned to practice Friday, did work on a limited basis and then was listed as questionable with a knee injury.
Coach Arthur Smith said Friday that Patterson “looked good,” but that he would assess Patterson’s status Saturday.
— Michael Rothstein
Injury: Ankle
Stanley, who is officially listed as questionable, said he’s “really close” to returning after missing 31 of the past 32 games. He was given a rest day Friday after fully practicing the previous two days. The Ravens could use the 2019 All-Pro left tackle to protect Lamar Jackson’s blind side. If Stanley can’t play, Baltimore would turn to rookie fourth-round pick Daniel Faalele to block Von Miller.
— Jamison Hensley
Injury: Quad
Barring a setback, McCaffrey should be able to go on Sunday after missing Wednesday and Thursday’s practices. McCaffrey returned to practice Friday in a limited role, and coach Matt Rhule said he was “hopeful” his star would be ready. McCaffrey gave no indication he wouldn’t be ready. “I feel great,” he said.
— David Newton
Injury: Knee
Let’s call this take two. It seemed like Gallup would make his debut last Monday against the New York Giants but he wanted some more time to feel right before coming back. He has had another week of full practices, although the Cowboys were not in pads at all this week. Gallup said he needed to clear a mental hurdle in coming back from the surgery. It appears he is trending toward playing vs. Washington, but he will work his way into the lineup on a snap count. They will not give him the full assortment of plays right away, so Noah Brown will continue as the No. 2 receiver with Gallup seeing something of a situational role. Tight end Dalton Schultz is also trending in the right direction of playing after missing the Giants game with a knee sprain. He has worn a brace in practice, and like Gallup, he might be limited in the number of snaps he plays until he is all the way back.
— Todd Archer
Injury: Groin
Patriots backup quarterback Brian Hoyer might have it a little easier if the Packers’ best coverage defensive back doesn’t play. Alexander dropped out of last week’s game at Tampa Bay, did not appear to do much in practice all week and is questionable for Sunday. Rasul Douglas moved from the slot to the outside after Alexander’s injury, and Keisean Nixon filled in in the slot.
— Rob Demovsky
Injury: Back
Leonard is listed as questionable for the first time this season after being ruled out in the previous three games. The recovery from Leonard’s offseason back surgery has lingered, but the tide turned this week.
“He’s had three pretty good days, continued to make progress,” coach Frank Reich said. “So, let’s see how he responds.”
If Leonard plays, the Colts might consider limiting his snaps. “The original thought was he would probably start out on a pitch count, but you don’t want to limit yourself. You just take it day by day and case by case and you kind of adapt as you go,” Reich said.
Injury: Elbow
Buckner is considered questionable and has been severely limited this week. But his history of playing while injured suggests that he’ll find a way to show up on Sunday. Buckner has missed just one game due to injury in his seven seasons.
Injury: Ankle
The Colts’ starting free safety will miss Sunday’s game with an ankle sprain, a development that will likely press seventh-round pick Rodney Thomas II into action. Thomas played well in last week’s game after Blackmon left the contest and impressed coaches.
— Stephen Holder
Injury: Hamstring
Allen suffered a hamstring injury in Week 1, was inactive in Week 2 and 3 and will remain on the sideline Sunday when the Chargers play the Texans. Earlier in the week, coach Brandon Staley expressed growing confidence that Allen would return in Week 4, but said Friday that the veteran receiver “felt something” during individual workouts, so he has been ruled out.
IRVINE, Calif. — Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said quarterback Matthew Stafford’s right elbow pain is “a little bit abnormal for a quarterback,” comparing it instead to what pitchers deal with.
Stafford, who dealt with an elbow injury last season, received an injection in his right elbow during the offseason. He did not throw during the Rams’ spring workouts, saying he and the team were trying to be smart with his throwing arm.
Stafford threw during individual and 7-on-7 drills on Thursday but did not take part in the team reps. McVay said earlier in the week that he doesn’t expect Stafford to do so before the Rams leave Irvine on Aug. 10.
McVay said the Rams’ training staff and Stafford “tried some things in the offseason” with the goal of alleviating some of the pain he was feeling in his elbow. McVay said going into camp the Rams knew they wanted to have a “modified approach and a progressive build.”
“Could he do it? Yes,” McVay said. “Is that the best thing? We didn’t think so. And I think I’ve got a responsibility to try to make decisions that are in the best alignment using medical experts and talking with Matthew. And so all of those things combined led to where we’re at right now. And it is an ever-evolving process, but we are really taking over these next couple weeks, seeing how they go.”
McVay said Wednesday that Stafford’s pain isn’t a setback but is “consistent with what’s been going on.”
“[You] want to try to have him operate in as little pain as possible,” McVay said. “I think anytime that you’ve played as long and are as tough as he is, I don’t know if you’re ever truly pain-free, but the goal would be for Sept. 8 and really looking towards 17 games then hopefully some games after that if we earn that opportunity.
“That’s kind of the perspective and the big-picture approach that we want to be able to take. I don’t know that I would feel as comfortable taking that approach if it wasn’t for the experience that he’s accumulated and knowing how intentional he is about staying up to speed with his mental and his physical work that he can do in the absence of some of the stuff in the team settings.”
McVay said he thought Stafford “looked really good” during practice on Thursday.
“Even in routes on air, in the types of throws where you’re really seeing all parts of the field being activated, that’s a really good thing,” McVay said. “And so I’ve definitely seen improvement. He was making those types of throws before, but being able to just do it in a smart fashion is kind of what we’re really hunting out.”
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night unveiled their Super Bowl LVI rings featuring what the team said is the most carat weight in the history of a sports championship ring.
The rings were unveiled in a private ceremony the night before the Rams’ coaching staff is scheduled to report to training camp in Irvine, California.
The top of the ring features the Rams’ logo made up of blue and yellow sapphires, the Lombardi trophy and two palm trees. Under the removable top of the ring there is a view of SoFi Stadium, surrounded by a piece of a Super Bowl LVI game ball. The field underneath the roof is made up of remnants of the SoFi Stadium turf from the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
Each ring has approximately 20 carats of white diamonds set on white and yellow gold, to represent the official opening of SoFi Stadium in 2020.
💎 Most carat weight in history of a sports championship ring.
The Super Bowl LVI ring in all it’s glory.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 22, 2022
The Rams also chose to represent Jan. 12, honoring three dates in franchise history, with 1.12 carats of diamonds, On Jan. 12, 2016, the Rams were approved to move back to Los Angeles; on Jan. 12, 2017, the Rams hired Sean McVay as coach; and on Jan. 12, 2019, the Rams beat the Dallas Cowboys for their first playoff victory after returning to L.A.
The final scores of each playoff game from the 2021 season are on the underside of the ring. The two stones on each side of the ring represent the four teams the Rams beat in the playoffs to win Super Bowl LVI: the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals.
The ring design was a collaborative effort between Rams players, team leadership and Los Angeles-based jewelry house Jason of Beverly Hills.
“To be able to not only win the Super Bowl, but also to do it in the house Mr. Kroenke built, is really a dream come true,” Rams VP of football and business affairs Tony Pastoors said in a statement. “We are grateful to Jason and his team for their creativity and passion to deliver a championship ring that reflects our team and their historic season, the one-of-a-kind stadium where it happened, and the city that inspired all of it.”
All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald is returning to the Los Angeles Rams with a big raise that will make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL.
The Rams reworked Donald’s deal to give him a $40 million raise over the last three years of his existing contract, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, making him the first non-quarterback to eclipse $30 million per season. The reworked deal brings the total value of Donald’s contract to $95 million over three years.
The deal, which was negotiated by agent Todd France, includes $65 million guaranteed in the first two years of the contract and is structured in such a way that Donald can either retire or return for the 2024 season for an additional $30 million guaranteed, sources told Schefter.
The reworked contract includes a no-trade clause, a source told ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler.
Donald, 31, was taking his physical and is expected to sign the contract later Monday, sources told Schefter. The Rams begin their mandatory minicamp Tuesday.
Donald had indicated on the “I Am Athlete” podcast last week that his return for the 2022 season was contingent on getting a new deal and that he would be “at peace” with his career if an agreement couldn’t be reached.
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year sealed the Rams’ victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI when he pressured quarterback Joe Burrow into an errant throw on fourth down late in the fourth quarter.
Donald had 12.5 sacks in the regular season and then followed that up with 3.5 more in the playoffs during the Rams’ run to the Super Bowl championship.
In eight seasons, Donald has 98 sacks. He has six seasons with at least 10 sacks — the second most by a primary interior lineman since sacks became official in 1982, trailing only John Randle, who had nine such seasons.
He has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his NFL seasons and has been a first-time All-Pro selection seven times. He is one of three defensive players since the 1970 merger to earn a Pro Bowl selection in each of their first eight NFL seasons, alongside Hall of Famers Lawrence Taylor (10) and Derrick Thomas (9).
ESPN Stats & Information contributed to this report.
The reigning Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams will host the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day, the NFL announced Tuesday.
The Week 16 game will air on CBS and Nickelodeon at 4:30 p.m. ET. It will be the second game of a Christmas tripleheader that was announced by the NFL last month.
The game will pit Los Angeles against longtime rival Russell Wilson, who played 20 games against the Rams as the quarterback for the Seattle Seahawks. Wilson was traded to Denver in a blockbuster deal in March.
It will be the third straight year the NFL has played on Christmas.
Last year, the Packers’ Christmas Day victory over the Browns averaged 28.6 million viewers on Fox, making it the third-most-watched game of the 2021 regular season. The Colts’ win over the Cardinals averaged 12.6 million on NFL Network, the second-highest-viewed game in network history.
For Week 16 of this upcoming season, the league will have its regular Thursday night game on Dec. 22. Eleven games will be on Saturday, Dec. 24, including a night game on NFL Network. After the Christmas tripleheader, the week will close with a Monday night contest on Dec. 26.
There have been 24 NFL games played on Christmas Day, including two postseason contests in 1971. The most famous Dec. 25 game remains Miami’s 27-24 victory over Kansas City in double overtime in the AFC divisional round that year.
The complete regular-season schedule will be released Thursday, but the NFL already has announced several matchups, including a Week 2 Monday Night Football doubleheader and the league’s 2022 international series games.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
