Football

If Sean Payton returns to coaching next season, the Los Angeles Chargers or Los Angeles Rams could be his preferred landing spot, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network:

"He is a TV analyst living in Los Angeles and based on his conversations I've had, if he had his druthers, that is where he would remain in the city of Los Angeles," Rapoport said of Payton. "Potentially if somehow, some way the Rams job or the Chargers job came open, that is certainly be something Sean Payton would take a look at."

In addition to the Los Angeles teams, there is also a chance Payton could return to the New Orleans Saints after stepping away from the team last season, according to Jeff Duncan of NOLA.com.

"One person close to Payton and familiar with his thinking believes a return to the Saints is possible 'if things go sideways' in New Orleans," Duncan reported.

The Saints have struggled to a 4-9 record this year in the first season under Dennis Allen, clinching the team's first losing record since 2016. Duncan clarified that the organization does not want to move on from Allen, with general manager Mickey Loomis and owner Gayle Benson considered "loyal supporters."

There could still be a push to bring back Payton, who had a 152-89 record across 15 years with New Orleans, winning a Super Bowl after the 2009 season.

Payton's familiarity with the Saints, along with the fact they already control his rights, could make this a quality landing spot for the 58-year-old.

It's unknown if there will be an opening in Los Angeles, although there have been rumors of Rams coach Sean McVay retiring throughout the past year. With the team struggling to a 4-9 record this year, he could decide to step away from the team.

The Chargers are currently 6-6, but they have had higher expectations the past two years under Brandon Staley. If the team misses the playoffs again, Staley could be on the hot seat.

Payton will likely be in high demand throughout the offseason, especially after saying that he plans to return to the sidelines this week on Tom Brady's Let's Go! podcast.

"I think sooner than later," Payton told Brady (h/t Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk). "I really enjoy the current job I have. ...But I think relative to coaching, though, I know that I want to coach again and it's not really been a secret. But I wanna find the right spot."

The Indianapolis Colts and Carolina Panthers already have openings after firing coaches during the season.

New York Jets receiver Garrett Wilson said his past criticism of the team's offense prior to the quarterback switch from Zach Wilson to Mike White was just business.

"Zach knows it wasn't personal. We love Zach," Garrett Wilson said. "A QB change is just what it is—a QB change. But as an offense, we were playing bad and we had to solve a lot more things than that."

The rookie was one of the more outspoken players after the team's 10-3 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 11.

"This s--t is sorry," Wilson told reporters. "We're out here looking sorry."

The Jets benched Wilson after that game, with White replacing him as the starting quarterback. The team is 1-1 since, although the offense has looked better with 53 points scored in the two games combined.

White has thrown for over 300 yards in each of his starts, something Wilson did only once in his seven appearances. Garrett Wilson has also thrived after the quarterback change with 13 catches for 257 yards and two touchdowns in the last two games.

Other players also showed their support for White with shirts before the Week 13 game against the Minnesota Vikings:

It could be seen as a slight against Zach Wilson, who was considered the team's quarterback of the future after being drafted No. 2 overall in 2021.

As Garrett Wilson noted, however, it's simply about winning. Right now, White gives the squad a better chance to compete.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is reportedly facing a three-month recovery period from his foot injury.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Garoppolo will have to stay off the foot for at least six weeks.

"That would mean Garoppolo would be fully cleared with no restrictions just prior to the start of free agency. Unlike this past offseason, when shoulder rehab affected his free-agent choices, there would be no issues this time," Rapoport added.

49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said on Dec. 9 that Garoppolo would not need surgery after suffering a broken left foot in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins. Shanahan acknowledged that the 31-year-old faced a lengthy recovery, but he said there was "a way outside chance" that he could return at some point in the postseason.

Prior to his injury, Garoppolo helped propel San Francisco to first place in the NFC West. He started the year as the backup to second-year quarterback Trey Lance before the 22-year-old suffered a broken ankle in Week 2 against the Seattle Seahawks. Garoppolo came off the bench and led the 49ers to a 27-7 victory. Overall, San Francisco went 7-3 with Garopplo as the starter.

In his 11 appearances during the regular season, Garoppolo threw for 2,437 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions while completing 67.2 percent of his passes. He was a steady presence on a San Francisco team that boasts one of the best defenses in the league as well as a strong rushing attack.

In Garoppolo's absence, rookie Brock Purdy stepped in and threw for 210 yards, two touchdowns and an interception when he replaced Garoppolo in Week 13 against Miami. Purdy will make his first NFL start Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Detroit Lions don't consider Jared Goff to be a bridge quarterback, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

"As sources have explained, Goff is believed to be their starting QB. Period. Not just until someone else comes along," Rapoport reported.

Goff has impressed in his second season with the Lions after a trade from the Los Angeles Rams. The 28-year-old has 3,022 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 12 games this year, ranking sixth in the NFL with a 60.5 Total QBR.

After a slow start, the Lions have won four of their last five games with Goff throwing seven touchdown passes and only one interception in this stretch.

Goff's contract becomes more manageable after this season if the Lions wanted to move on from the quarterback. He's owed $52.3 million over the next two years, with just $10 million left in dead cap if he was released in the offseason, per Spotrac.

The Lions would've been left with $41.15 million in dead cap if Goff was released last offseason.

There could also be options to replace Goff in the draft, with the Lions currently holding the No. 4 overall pick from the Rams. They also enter Sunday with the projected No. 15 pick, per Tankathon.

Quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud are both considered top 10 prospects in the 2023 class, per Bleacher Report's Scouting Department, while Anthony Richardson and Will Levis are high-upside options that could be available.

The Lions still seem content to stick with Goff as long as he remains productive.

At 5-7, Detroit has already matched its highest win total in the last four years. The team also has the No. 6 scoring offense in the NFL, with Goff clearly a major part of the success.

It could be enough for the 2016 No. 1 overall draft pick to keep his job heading into 2023 and beyond.

San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans is reportedly expected to be among the top candidates for head-coaching vacancies this offseason.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported there's a belief within the 49ers that Ryan is "in line" to become a head coach after spending the last two seasons leading the San Francisco defense.

The Minnesota Vikings and Las Vegas Raiders interviewed Ryans for their head-coaching vacancies last offseason. Ryans declined a second interview with the Vikings in favor of spending a second season as a defensive coordinator.

A two-time Pro Bowler over the course of his 10-year NFL career, Ryans joined the 49ers in 2017 upon his retirement. He's quickly moved up the coaching ranks, going from a quality control assistant to defensive coordinator in the span of four years.

Unsurprisingly, Ryans has developed a player-first reputation and coaches with the same type of infectious positivity he exhibited during his playing career.

"The game of football is fun. I want guys having fun out there, flying around and most importantly, our guys have to be confident," Ryans told reporters last month. "And you're confident when the energy is high. Everybody's smiling, everybody's having fun. If we're making plays right, that enthusiasm is going to be high, the energy is going to be high and that's when turnovers happen. That's when big hits happen, that's when big plays start to happen when everybody is just bought in and playing for each other."

The Carolina Panthers and Indianapolis Colts already fired their head coaches and will be looking for a new full-time coach this offseason. The Arizona Cardinals and Denver Broncos also appear to be good bets to make coaching changes.

That said, the coaching market will likely be quieter this offseason than in recent years. Twenty teams have made coaching changes since the end of the 2019 season, and there were 10 vacancies last offseason. Denver's Nathaniel Hackett is the only coach hired last offseason in serious jeopardy of losing his job. Houston's Lovie Smith may also have a warm seat, but it's unlikely the Texans will want two one-and-done coaches in a row.

Odell Beckham Jr.'s whirlwind free agency tour may be ending with a whimper.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported no deal is imminent for Beckham after he visited the New York Giants, Buffalo Bills and Dallas Cowboys. The visits did not include any contracts being offered to the three-time Pro Bowler, nor does it appear any team went into great detail on what an offer could look like.

Beckham did not work out for teams, leaving them to trust the healing process of his torn ACL suffered 10 months ago in Super Bowl LVI. During an appearance on Thursday for TNF in the Shop, Beckham admitted he has no plans on playing during the 2022 regular season.

"I haven't made a decision, and for me, I would like to be in a stable environment, get up at 6 a.m., leave at 6 p.m. for four weeks, and then let's talk about it," Beckham said. "I've played football for a long time. I'm not saying that I couldn't step in and play regular season, but I don't see the point. I really don't. I would rather play when the pressure is on."

It's possible Beckham chooses to sit out the entire season and re-explore his options in March. Teams would be far more comfortable with his recovery process—and thus more likely to offer him a noteworthy contract—once he's a full year removed from the ACL tear. If Beckham signs with a team and struggles, the offers could dry up in March.

Keep in mind that we are not talking about 2016 Beckham. This is a player six years removed from his last Pro Bowl selection coming off two catastrophic injuries to the same knee in as many years. Beckham's generating headlines more for his name value than his on-field production at this point in his career.

Tom Brady began his 23rd NFL season with plans on retiring at the end of the year—for real this time.

That may no longer be the case.

Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported "all options are on the table" for Brady at the end of the 2022 season. The future Hall of Famer will be an unrestricted free agent in March and could consider leaving the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the right situation.

The Miami Dolphins were stripped of their 2023 first-round pick this offseason for tampering with Brady and former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton. It's unlikely Miami pursues Brady this offseason amid Tua Tagovailoa's breakout.

That said, there will no shortage of potential suitors this spring. The New York Jets and Giants are both playoff teams and are arguably a quarterback away from being legitimate contenders. The Indianapolis Colts could make Brady an offer to be the latest in their revolving door of veterans at the position.

While it's unlikely, the New England Patriots could decide Mac Jones isn't their quarterback of the future and decide to pursue Brady for a short-term reunion.

The Bucs will also certainly do everything in their power to re-sign Brady, but the seams are starting to show with their veteran core. Tampa heads into Week 14 at 6-6, with the once high-powered offense taking a massive step back in 2022.

Brady is on pace for just 23 touchdown passes this season after throwing for 83 over his first two years with the Bucs. He's spent much of the year failing to connect on deep passes and instead settling for checkdowns. Chris Godwin is averaging less than 10 yards per reception, while Mike Evans' 13.8 yards per catch is a joint career low.

At this point, the writing seems to be on the wall for Brady's time in Tampa. The offensive weapons are only going to be a year older and more expensive heading into 2023. Brady explored the possibility of moving on via retirement and to another team last offseason after an explosive regular-season performance.

With the Bucs clearly looking like a middle-of-the-pack team, retirement and leaving via free agency should be considered the favorites for Brady's plans come March.

The NFL fined Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott and quarterback Dak Prescott $13,261 apiece for unsportsmanlike conduct after their "Zeke in the Box" touchdown celebration in the Salvation Army kettle during Dallas' 54-17 win over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

Elliott galloped into the end zone on a four-yard touchdown run to give the Cowboys a 46-17 fourth-quarter lead. He then motioned for Prescott to meet him at the Salvation Army kettle beyond the end zone.

Officials didn't throw a flag on the pair as Prescott wound up an imaginary crank before Elliott popped up and did his "feed me" gesture.

On Thanksgiving Day, the Cowboys' four active tight ends did their own Salvation Army kettle celebration after Peyton Hendershot's two-yard run. Hendershot proceeded to play Whac-A-Mole with Jake Ferguson, Dalton Schultz and Sean McKeon. The Cowboys weren't flagged but received a total of $27,094 in fines.

Elliott notably began the Salvation Army kettle celebration trend in 2017 after jumping into it and slowly rising up after a touchdown run vs. the Detroit Lions.

The Salvation Army told TMZ that "the number of donors to the Salvation Army that day doubled compared with the game last year" after Elliott's celebration.

"We love it when players jump in the giant red kettle after scoring a touchdown because it does have an impact," said the Salvation Army, per TMZ.

Elliott's contributions to the Salvation Army go far beyond celebrations, however, as noted by the Cowboys, as well as Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News.

He's also encouraging $21 Salvation Army donations.

Elliott and the 9-3 Cowboys will return home to host the Houston Texans on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET.

No one can accuse USC quarterback Caleb Williams of lacking self-confidence.

The 2022 Heisman finalist believes his skill set compares favorably to Kansas City Chiefs superstar Patrick Mahomes.

"I always said even in high school that I don't think there's anything—obviously, he's special, but I don't think there's anything that I can't do that he's doing out there," Williams told Zach Gelb of CBS Sports.

The comparisons between Williams and Mahomes have been ongoing throughout the 2022 season.

It's arguably an unfair comparison to make for Williams. Mahomes, now in his fifth season as a starting quarterback in the NFL, has completely warped what fans and analysts believe is possible at the position.

Throws like this are completely absurd, yet we just assume it's natural because Mahomes does something similar every single week.

Williams' raw ability might suggest he can make some plays that Mahomes does, but no one can predict it to happen before he proves it in the NFL.

Remember when draft analysts were comparing Zach Wilson's skill set to Aaron Rodgers?

For his part at least, Williams seems unfazed by the chatter.

None of the comparisons matter right now anyway because Williams isn't draft-eligible until 2024. He had a phenomenal sophomore season, throwing 4,075 yards and 37 touchdowns for the Trojans.

Williams will likely be rewarded with the Heisman Trophy for his efforts in 2022. He will almost certainly be the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2024 NFL draft when next season begins.

The NFL fined Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III $50,000 on Saturday for allegedly faking an injury during last week's win over the Kansas City Chiefs, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

During the second quarter with Cincinnati leading 14-3 and the Chiefs with a 1st-and-goal from the Bengals' 1-yard line, Bates fell to the ground, seemingly in order to avoid a penalty for 12 men on the field:

Video showed Bates falling down with no one around him as he watched two Bengals defensive players run on the field from the sidelines.

No flag was thrown, and the Chiefs scored regardless as running back Jerick McKinnon hauled in a two-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Patrick Mahomes on third down.

Bates quickly returned to the game and played 96 percent of the defensive snaps.

Cincinnati beat Kansas City by the same score, 27-24, that it beat the Chiefs in last season's AFC Championship Game. The Bengals have defeated Kansas City three times in the past two seasons.

Bates was not the only player to receive a fine for allegedly faking an injury this week. New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan was fined $50,000 for a similar situation against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night.

Per ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio, the league also fined Saints head coach Dennis Allen $100,000, defensive line coach Ryan Nielsen $50,000 and the Saints organization $350,000 for a total of $550,000 in fines.

The fines came after the NFL sent a memo to teams on Dec. 2 warning that there would be significant punishment for faking injuries, per Florio.

It has not been announced if anyone in the Bengals organization was fined other than Bates.

The 25-year-old Bates is one of the Bengals' top defensive players. He has registered 54 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defended for 8-4 Cincinnati.

Pelissero noted that Bates will appeal the $50,000 fine.