Football

Despite having only played three full games, Brock Purdy is skyrocketing up the betting odds for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

DraftKings has the San Francisco 49ers quarterback with +1200 odds (bet $100 to win $1200) to win the award after Thursday's 21-13 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

The only players with better odds than Purdy are wide receivers Garrett Wilson of the New York Jets (+175), Christian Watson of the Green Bay Packers (+300) and Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints (+400) and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (+500).

Purdy was thrust into the starting lineup when Jimmy Garoppolo broke a bone in his foot during the 49ers' first offensive possession in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins.

The final pick in the 2022 NFL draft, Purdy had only taken 18 garbage-time snaps in three games up to that point. He proceeded to throw for 210 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-17 win over the Dolphins.

In his first two starts, Purdy has completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 402 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. The 49ers clinched the NFC West with their victory over the Seahawks.

It seems unlikely that Purdy would be able to win the award due to a smaller sample size. He will start a maximum of five games in the regular season, though head coach Kyle Shanahan could potentially rest him in Week 18 if their playoff seed is locked up.

The fewest games played by any player to win Offensive Rookie of the Year since 2000 was Odell Beckham Jr. (12).

Olave leads all rookies in receiving yards (887), with Wilson a close second (868). Watson has been a scoring machine with eight total touchdowns in the past four games. Walker leads the Seahawks with nine total touchdowns, despite missing two games due to an injury.

Purdy's case will be helped by virtue of being a quarterback. There were concerns in the wake of Garoppolo's injury that the 49ers were no longer a viable threat to reach the Super Bowl in the NFC.

If the early returns for Purdy are any indication, San Francisco can still compete with anyone in the NFC.

Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.

Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Hurts rewarded his offensive linemen with Louis Vuitton travel bags for the holidays:

Louis Vuitton boxes greeted #Eagles’ o-linemen at their locker stalls today.

QB Jalen Hurts gifted his blockers travel bags for the holidays.

A.J. Brown noticed and jokingly (maybe) wondered what WRs were getting.

“I know how expensive those bags are because I have like 3.”

— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) December 16, 2022

Hurts has been an MVP candidate this season, leading the squad to a 12-1 record while totaling 22 passing touchdowns, 10 rushing touchdowns and just three interceptions. The offensive line has also been a key part of the success, clearing paths for the No. 2 rushing attack in the NFL.

Pro Football Focus ranks the Eagles as the No. 1 offensive line in football heading into Week 15.

The holiday gifts are a nice sign of appreciation from the quarterback, although it's not as though Hurts has that much excess money. The 2020 second-round pick is still on his rookie contract and ranks just 61st among NFL quarterbacks in total cash earned this season, per Spotrac.

Hurts' $1.64 million cap hit ranks 28th on the Eagles, behind each of the five starting offensive linemen Lane Johnson, Jason Kelce, Jordan Mailata, Isaac Seumalo and Landon Dickerson.

The breakout season likely means Hurts will get a contract extension before too long, but in the meantime, maybe his teammates should be buying him gifts.

Former Arizona Cardinals offensive line coach Sean Kugler has filed a request for arbitration after being fired in November.

Kugler was fired during the team's trip to Mexico City for the Week 11 game against the San Francisco 49ers. According to Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, he allegedly groped a woman on the Sunday night before the Monday Night Football game and was immediately sent home before the game.

At the time, head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he was "really limited" in what he could discuss until the legal process played out.

In Friday's press release from law firm Shields Petitti, Kugler called the "mysterious allegations" a result of "miscommunication or mistaken identity."

"The allegations against Coach Kugler are simply untrue and have caused Sean, his wife and family enormous personal and professional damage," attorney Michael Petitti said. "Coach and his family have been desperate to understand from the Cardinals' front office and others what rationale or evidence was used to terminate him for cause."

The Cardinals responded Friday:

https://twitter.com/RapSheet/status/1603808978756157443

Kugler had been with the Cardinals since 2019, holding the role of run game coordinator this season.

The veteran coach also had NFL stints with the Detroit Lions (2001-05), Buffalo Bills (2007-09), Pittsburgh Steelers (2010-12) and Denver Broncos (2018) and spent five seasons as head coach at UTEP (2013-17).

Arizona has fallen to 4-9 after three straight losses and just lost starting quarterback Kyler Murray for the rest of the season with a torn ACL.

Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has reportedly incurred a sizable fine for his actions during Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Friday that Jeudy has been fined $23,030 for making contact with an official:

League source: NFL fined Broncos’ WR Jerry Jeudy $23,030 for making contact with an official during Sunday’s game vs. the Chiefs. pic.twitter.com/8sKZO28nb0

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2022

Although he wasn't penalized or ejected, Jeudy broke the rules on multiple fronts by removing his helmet on the field of play and bumping into an official while shouting at him.

He enjoyed his best game of the season with 73 yards and three touchdowns on eight receptions, but the Broncos' comeback attempt fell short as they lost 34-28 to the Chiefs.

It has been a frustrating season for the Broncos, who are 3-10 and out of the playoff race despite being viewed as postseason contenders entering the 2022 campaign.

Denver acquired likely future Hall of Fame quarterback Russell Wilson in a blockbuster trade with the Seattle Seahawks, but the deal has backfired, as Wilson has struggled with 2,805 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions in 12 games.

The Broncos are also last in the NFL in scoring at 14.9 points per game, which few would have predicted.

Wilson's arrival was supposed to help take Jeudy to the next level, but even with last week's effort, he has just 42 catches for 587 yards and six touchdowns in 11 games.

Jeudy was the No. 15 overall pick in the 2020 NFL draft out of Alabama. While the expectation was that he would establish himself as a No. 1 wideout and Pro Bowler, that hasn't happened.

His rookie season of 52 receptions for 856 yards and three touchdowns remains his best overall production.

To make matters worse for Jeudy and the Broncos, the Seahawks own their first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, so losing has been of no benefit to them.

Denver will attempt to build some positive vibes ahead of the 2023 season when it hosts the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.

Despite speculation that Tom Brady could return for a 24th year in 2023, there's a growing belief from NFL insiders he will walk away at the end of this season.

Per The Athletic's Mike Jones, a majority of insiders "believe" Brady will likely retire when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' season wraps up.

Prior to the Bucs' game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported Brady "feels good enough to keep playing" and is keeping all of his options on the table.

Brady flirted with retirement at the end of last season. The seven-time Super Bowl champion announced on Feb. 1 he was walking away from the sport, but he changed his mind on March 13.

This season has been a challenge for Brady and the Bucs. The 15-time Pro Bowler is still playing well with 3,585 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. He leads the league in completions (381) and attempts (579).

Injuries and poor performances at other positions have caused all sorts of problems for the offense. They have the fifth-worst scoring offense in the NFL with 17.2 points per game entering Week 15.

Tampa Bay has scored fewer than 20 points in each of its last three games. It only did that five times in the previous two seasons combined.

Given the state of the Buccaneers' roster and already being $40 million over the 2023 salary cap, it would seem unlikely that Brady returns to the team next season if he does continue playing.

There are several teams that could potentially be looking for a new quarterback during the offseason. Jones listed the 49ers, New York Jets, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Tennessee Titans as potential landing spots for Brady.

While there will be a lot of focus on what Brady does after the season, the Bucs are still in the running for a playoff spot. They lead the NFC South by one game, despite having a 6-7 record.

Many of the nation's elite high school football players in the Class of 2023 are already committed to a college football program. However, there are many who have yet to make an official decision.

The three-day college football early-signing period is slated to begin Wednesday, Dec. 21 and will run through Friday, Dec. 23. This gives the nation's top recruits the chance to commit to a program before the traditional signing day in February.

Of course, for many recruits, this is their chance to sign their national letters of intent to schools they've already chosen. However, some players could flip their commitments, and it will be exciting to see where undecided players land.

With that said, here's a look at predictions for some of the nation's top recruits entering the early-signing period.

---

5-Star EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei Will Commit to Ohio State

EDGE Matayo Uiagalelei, the brother of former 5-star quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, listed Ohio State, USC and Oregon as his top three schools earlier this month.

At one point, it appeared USC had the edge on Ohio State and Oregon, but Chad Simmons of On3.com reported Dec. 15 that Uiagalelei's visit with Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day went well and that he believes they are in a prime position to land him.

If Ohio State lands a commitment from Uiagalelei, he will be the second 5-star recruit to commit to the Buckeyes 2023 class, joining wide receiver Brandon Inniss. The Buckeyes also have more than a dozen commitments from 4-star recruits.

Uiagalelei is 6'5", 265 pounds and is a native of Bellflower, California. He played his high school football at St. John Bosco and is the fifth-best EDGE in the nation, per 247Sports composite rankings.

Additionally, 247Sports has Uiagalelei as the fourth-best prospect out of California and the 31st-ranked recruit in the nation.

247Sports national recruiting analyst Chris Singletary wrote of Uiagalelei:

"This top-notch edge has unique athleticism for someone his size. Possessing excellent agility, change of direction, bend and power makes him one of the best players in the country. He is light on his feet and plays with very good power and technique on the edge and in the run game, with room to continue to develop and improve. As a pass-rusher, he does a good job using speed to power as well as having a good dip-and-rip move and always using active hands to prevent lineman from latching on to him."

Landing a commitment from Uiagalelei would be huge for Day and his staff.

---

Georgia Bolsters Defense with Commitment from 4-Star DL Jordan Hall

Defensive lineman Jordan Hall set his commitment date for Dec. 22 at 2:30 p.m. ET, and the 4-star recruit listed LSU, Alabama, Georgia and Florida as his top-four schools.

However, Hall is expected to land with the Georgia Bulldogs, according to expert predictions from 247Sports. If he commits to Georgia, he would join 4-star defensive tackle Jamaal Jarrett as the team's only defensive-line commitments in the 2023 class.

Hall is 6'4", 300 pounds and is a native of Jacksonville, Florida. He played his high school football at Westside and is the ninth-best defensive lineman in the nation, per 247Sports composite rankings.

Additionally, Hall is the 16th-best prospect out of Florida and the 73rd-ranked recruit nationally.

247Sports Southeast recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins said of Hall:

"By far one of the most promising prospects to ever come out of Jacksonville Westside. Looks like a man amongst boys next to his teammates when down in a three or four-point stance. Shoots his way into the backfield with a quick first step. Does a nice job of shifting his weight as he works east-west and has shown that he can squeeze his way through gaps to make a stop. Wins more times than not on Friday nights by simply overwhelming opposing blockers with his sheer mass and power. However, has also shown that he can get after the quarterback by untitling a well-timed spin move. Can displace obstacles with a stiff long arm, as well."

If Georgia can land a commitment from Hall, the defensive line will be in good hands for years to come.

---

5-Star CB Desmond Ricks Commits to LSU

Cornerback Desmond Ricks listed Alabama, Florida and LSU in his top three in early November, and the 5-star CB has set Dec. 22 as his commitment date.

While Alabama and Florida have heavily recruited Ricks, the LSU Tigers are favored to land him, according to expert predictions from 247Sports. If he commits to LSU, he would join Zalance Heard as the second 5-star recruit in the program's 2023 class.

LSU has developed some top-notch cornerbacks over the years—Morris Claiborne, Tyrann Mathieu, Derek Stingley Jr. and Patrick Peterson, to name a few—so it wouldn't be surprising to see Ricks commit to the Tigers.

Ricks is 6'1", 170 pounds and is a native of Bradenton, Florida. He played his high school football at IMG Academy and is the No. 2 ranked cornerback in the nation, per 247Sports composite rankings.

Additionally, Ricks is the No. 6 recruit out of Florida and the No. 23-ranked prospect in the country.

247Sports Southeast recruiting analyst Andrew Ivins said of Ricks:

"What everyone seems to be looking for these days in an outside cornerback prospect. Tall, fast, explosive and physical. Put together a standout youth football career up in Virginia before moving down to Florida and transferring into the national powerhouse that is IMG Academy for his final two years of high school. Was initially a member of the 2024 recruiting cycle, but reclassified to the class of 2023 in October of 2022 shortly after he turned 18 years old. Can run–and more importantly–find the football, which is an important skill to have in an era where most offensive coordinators want to stretch the field."

Even if LSU doesn't land Ricks, the program has already received commitments from 4-star cornerbacks Javien Toviano and Daylen Austin, so the Tigers will be in good hands regardless.

After being elevated to the No. 2 quarterback spot earlier this week, Zach Wilson will start for the New York Jets on Sunday.

Head coach Robert Saleh announced on Friday that Mike White won't be available against the Detroit Lions. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Jets doctors won't clear White to play following the rib injury he suffered in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills.

White later told reporters he was diagnosed with a fractured rib.

Saleh announced on Wednesday that Wilson was being moved up the depth chart. He was inactive for the previous three games, with Joe Flacco serving as White's backup during that stretch.

Wilson was benched following a disastrous Week 11 outing against the New England Patriots. The 23-year-old went 9-of-22 for 77 yards in a 10-3 loss.

SNY.tv's Connor Hughes reported after the Patriots game that Wilson's demeanor rubbed some of his teammates the wrong way because he was walking around the locker room "like he isn't the problem."

.@Connor_J_Hughes: "Do you feel like you let the defense down at all?"

Zach Wilson: "No." pic.twitter.com/tiJiTSrFPE

— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 20, 2022

Saleh expressed confidence in Wilson's ability to figure things out after naming him the starter for Sunday's game.

"He's the same quarterback that once went 18 for 18 in a bowl game," the Jets coach said.

White threw for 952 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions in the past three games as the starting quarterback.

The Jets succeeded with Wilson as their starter this season, despite his struggles. They are 5-2 in seven games with him under center. He is only completing 55.6 percent of his attempts with four touchdowns and five interceptions.

Wilson moves back into the starting role as the Jets are fighting for a playoff spot. They are tied in the standings with the Patriots and Los Angeles Chargers at 7-6, but both teams are ahead of them based on tiebreakers.

New York is hosting a Lions team that has won five of their last six games.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan offered high praise for quarterback Brock Purdy.

Speaking to reporters after Thursday's 21-13 win over the Seattle Seahawks, which saw the 49ers become the first team this season to clinch a division title, Shanahan called Purdy "the most poised rookie I've ever had."

Purdy was thrust into a starting role after Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a broken bone in his foot on the 49ers' first offensive possession in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins. The 22-year-old threw 210 yards and two touchdowns in a 33-17 win.

In his first two starts, Purdy has completed 70.2 percent of his attempts for 402 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He went 9-of-9 in the first quarter against the Seahawks, becoming the first 49ers quarterback to do that or better since 2001.

Brock Purdy went 9-9 for 73 yards and a touchdown in the 1st quarter.

He's the first 49ers QB to go 9-9 or better in a 1st quarter since Jeff Garcia in 2001 against the Bills. pic.twitter.com/vkT8GcEzzM

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 16, 2022

Those numbers would be good for any rookie, but it's especially impressive for Purdy because he was the final pick of the 2022 NFL draft. He arrived at training camp in a battle with Nate Sudfeld just to make the roster.

The 49ers announced on Aug. 30 that Purdy made the 53-man roster. The Iowa State alum had a solid preseason with 346 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception in three games.

San Francisco came into this season expecting Trey Lance, the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft, to be the starter, but he suffered a fractured fibula and ligament disruption in a Week 2 win against the Seahawks.

Garoppolo may be able to return for the postseason, but Purdy's performance over the past three games at least suggests the 49ers are still a Super Bowl contender if he will be leading them the rest of the way.

The Dallas Cowboys' decision to sign T.Y. Hilton apparently wasn't an indication they were pivoting from Odell Beckham Jr.

Speaking to USA Today's Jarrett Bell, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said there is a "good chance" they will sign Beckham,

"Odell's going to join us," Jones said. "There's a good chance he will, with the complete goal of getting ready for a playoff game or two, and then I'll look to the future. But most of it being about now."

There has been so much speculation about Beckham in recent weeks that it's hard to know what him signing with a team would even mean for this season.

It looked like Beckham was on the verge of signing with Dallas after visiting the team last week, but he wound up leaving Texas without a deal.

Per NFL Network's Jane Slater, the Cowboys had concerns about Beckham's potential availability because they "can't see him run routes" and "can't see him cutting" because he didn't go through a workout.

Slater noted it "would be a push" to have Beckham available even if the Cowboys advanced to the Super Bowl.

Something appears to have changed with Beckham's status, or Jones has just decided he would rather take the risk of bringing him with the hope he can play in the postseason.

Bell noted that Jones maintained Beckham's deal with the Cowboys could become official after Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this week that "several NFL teams believe" Beckham was leaning toward sitting out this season and would wait to sign when free agency begins in March.

"Beckham isn't expected to be ready to play football until the playoffs, and joining a new team and offense for a playoff run comes with injury risk," Fowler wrote. "Leaguewide attrition at the position could change the outlook and prompt a team to sign Beckham to a strong offer this year."

The contract terms will also be interesting if a deal does happen. Jones didn't provide financial details to Bell, but he said he expects the deal will be for the rest of this season.

Beckham previously indicated he wanted to sign a multiyear contract that would cover the rest of his prime years.

A three-time Pro Bowler, Beckham has been a free agent since March. He suffered a torn ACL while playing for the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl LVI.

If the Cowboys only sign Beckham for the rest of this season, there's very little downside for them. They have the third-highest scoring offense in the NFL this season without him.

If Beckham is able to play in the postseason, he can be a difference-maker for a team that already looks good enough to be the NFC representative in the Super Bowl.