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The NFL is implementing a significant change in 2024 that will reward teams for successful coach’s challenges.
NFL owners approved a change to the coach’s challenge rules that was proposed by the Detroit Lions. Previously, teams were awarded a third challenge only if they were successful with both of the two challenges they had when a game started. With the new rule, coaches will only have to win one of their first two challenges to be awarded a third.
The NFL has approved a change to its challenge rules. A team now gets a third challenge if just one of their earlier two challenges was successful. Lions proposed the rule.
Previously you only got a third if both of your challengers were successful. There is no fourth challenge
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) March 25, 2024
There have been countless examples of how a successful coach’s challenge can change the outcome of a game, so it is not a surprise that the rule was approved. Now, coaches should be less fearful of wasting a challenge on a play that is close but could have a major impact.
Team owners also approved a much more controversial rule change on Monday.
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Chicago Bears' Caleb Williams dealt concerning message from ex-GM
When it comes to 2025 breakout candidates, Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams is atop many lists. However, not everyone is convinced Williams will be a bonafide stud during his sophomore campaign. The expectations on Williams’ shoulders have reach stratospheric levels. The Bears spent all offseason building their roster around him. The quarterback no longer has any excuses if he continues to struggle. Mike Tannenbaum is a bit weary that Williams will be up for the challenge. Especially with Ben Johnson taking over as head coach, Tannenbaum is concerned about the quarterback’s discipline levels. “I am not (convinced about Williams in Chicago),” Tannenbaum said on "Get Up." “I worked with Ben Johnson in Miami, the new head coach of the Bears. He is going to be a rule-based, disciplined play-caller and coach. When you have 68 sacks? Look, the Bears were not great in coaching, not great in personnel last year, but you have to bear some of that responsibility. "No team has done more for their quarterback in this offseason than the Bears. We’ll see if he’ll get better, but I am concerned by his lack of his discipline in his fundamentals, that’s not going to allow him to maximize his potential.” Chicago Bears counting on Caleb Williams The hiring of an offensive-minded head coach in Johnson was the first step in elevating Williams’ game. But through free agency and the draft, the Bears further proved that they believe they found their quarterback of the future. Chicago traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson before signing center Drew Dalman. After allowing a league-high 68 sacks in 2024, the franchise wanted to protect Williams better. When he looks downfield to pass, the quarterback will have a number of strong options to turn to. Tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III joined a core that already included DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet. Overall, the Bears have done everything in their power to put Williams in a place to succeed. But if the quarterback doesn’t adapt to the changes, the additions will become moot. The Bears have gotten more hype than perhaps any other team in the league. How Williams responds to the challenge in front of him will determine if that hype turns into legit success. Ben Johnson expectations Rome was not built in a day, and neither will be the Bears. However, the arrival of Johnson is expected to bring massive changes to the organization. His debut as an NFL head coach will come with plenty of challenges. But if the Bears offense looks anything like how the Detroit Lions did under Johnson, Chicago will be looking much different in 2025 for all the right seasons. In 2024, the Lions ranked second in total offense, averaging 409.5 yards per game. Detroit was second in passing (263.2) and sixth in rushing (146.4). Meanwhile, the Bears ranked dead last in total offense, averaging 284.6 YPG. They ranked 31st in passing (181.5) and 25th in rushing (102). But with Johnson now in the fray, Chicago is expecting a resurgence in 2025.
One of these five teams will win the 2025-26 CFP National Championship
The 2025 college football season is getting closer. Fall camps will start before we know it, and soon enough, the offseason debate will end. The defending national champions, along with seven of the top 10 preseason favorites, according to FanDuel, will have new starting quarterbacks. That could lead to a lot of unpredictability. Still, it's not that hard to predict the national title contenders for college football this season, and one of these five teams will wind up hoisting the trophy in 2025-26. (Odds are according to FanDuel) Texas (+600) The odds might be a little higher for the Texas Longhorns than in the four-team playoff era, because road games against Ohio State and Georgia make an undefeated season unlikely. However, 10 wins will get Texas into the College Football Playoff for the third straight season. Arch Manning will also take over, and if he were the quarterback last season, we might be talking about Texas as the defending national champs. Ohio State (+600) The Buckeyes lost over a dozen players to the National Football League, including their top two running backs and their starting quarterback. However, Julian Sayin was maybe the most underrated transfer portal addition of the 2024 class. He sat for a season and should be ready. It's risky starting a redshirt freshman quarterback. Yet, having someone like Jeremiah Smith should make the transition easier. Carnell Tate, too. Caleb Downs is also probably the best defender in college football. The schedule isn't easy, but Texas and Penn State come to Columbus. Michigan looms, however, a playoff berth should be wrapped up by then anyway. Georgia (+650) If Carson Beck didn't get hurt last season, the College Football Playoff could have had another ending. Gunner Stockton completed 70.9 percent of his passes last season to go along with one touchdown and one interception. He had 234 yards and a touchdown pass against Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl loss. Stockton will need to be better this season, and he should be with more seasoning. Kirby Smart should have an elite defense once again, bolstered by some shrewd transfer portal additions. The schedule sets up well for another SEC championship. Alabama and Texas have to come to Athens, and nobody should be surprised if the Bulldogs are hoisting the trophy when it's all said and done. Penn State (+800) The Nittany Lions might offer the best value among the betting favorites. They have the same head coach, the same quarterback, and also a fancy new defensive coordinator (Jim Knowles) they stole away from Ohio State who is supposed to help them get over the hump. Quarterback Drew Allar's return for his senior season was one of the most significant offseason moves in college football. Yet, running backs Nicholas Singleton and Kayton Allen are future NFL players, too, along with DE Dani Dennis-Sutton. Penn State needed an impact wideout, so James Franklin added Trebor Pena, an All-ACC pass-catcher from Syracuse. The problem is beating elite teams. Penn State made the semifinals last season but didn't beat a team like Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, or Michigan. Time to figure that out. Oregon (+850) Former five-star quarterback Dante Moore's development in his first season as a starter will be critical. But if the Ducks can get him to produce, they have enough talent and a schedule that's favorable enough to go undefeated. There is a road trip to Penn State, but not much else. Dan Lanning has to prove he can win the "big one," but there's no doubt that the Ducks have the talent to win the College Football Playoff.
Four under-the-radar players who could be moved at MLB trade deadline
The addition of the wild card has transformed MLB’s trade deadline. The expanded playoff field has created a surplus of buyers and a shortage of sellers. High-profile players such as Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara, Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta, Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins, St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado and Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr. are expected to dominate the headlines in the rumor mill. However, several under-the-radar options could dramatically move the needle for the league’s top contenders. Here are four of them who could be available at the July 31 trade deadline: Ryan Weathers, SP, Miami Marlins Best destination: Chicago Cubs Weathers is the rare bright spot on Miami's staff. Former Cy Young winner Alcantara has struggled mightily in his first season back from the injured list. Cal Quantrill, the team’s marquee offseason acquisition, has a 6.09 ERA. Max Meyer has also battled inconsistency. In many ways, Weathers has emerged as Miami’s de facto ace. His improved fastball velocity has allowed the former top prospect to break out in a major way. The Marlins could retain the 25-year-old as a foundational piece of their rebuild, but president of baseball operations Peter Bendix has a track record of flipping established talent for prospect capital. Most contending clubs require rotation help, but few viable starters appear to be available. This is a prime opportunity for Bendix to sell high, potentially sending Weathers to the Cubs, Red Sox, Mets, or Orioles. Pete Fairbanks, RP, Tampa Bay Rays Best destination: Philadelphia Phillies The Phillies boast one of the most complete rosters in baseball. Their starting rotation is deep and talented. Their lineup is full of veteran heavyweights. And their recent postseason pedigree speaks for itself. However, the bullpen is a major area of concern. The club lacked a clear closer entering the season. Since then, Jordan Romano has flashed dominance but has also performed poorly enough to be on the verge of a minor league demotion. To make matters worse, high-leverage reliever Jose Alvarado is serving an 80-game suspension because of a performance-enhancing substance violation. If the Phillies are serious about winning their first World Series since 2008, the bullpen must be addressed. Enter Fairbanks. The longtime Rays reliever has a career 3.17 ERA and 73 saves over seven seasons. If Romano finds his form, Fairbanks could be an elite setup option. If not, he’s more than capable of taking over the closer role and providing the depth and insurance the Phillies desperately need. Anthony Bender, RP, Miami Marlins Best destination: Texas Rangers The Rangers have had a strange start to the 2025 season. Their once-elite offense ranks among the league’s bottom three. While the starting rotation has overperformed expectations, the bullpen —anchored by Robert Garcia, Luke Jackson and Shawn Armstrong — is a rollercoaster of inconsistency. For Texas to rebound from its sluggish start, it must win more close games. Bender’s career ERA is 3.11 and he has a stellar 1.59 mark this season. He would immediately become the most reliable option in the Rangers’ high-leverage situations. Reid Detmers, SP, Los Angeles Angels Best destination: New York Mets Detmers’ career arc has been anything but linear. The 10th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft flashed early brilliance, becoming the youngest pitcher (22) to record a no-hitter in Angels history. But the left-hander's career ERA is 5.01. The New York Mets have quietly built one of MLB’s best pitching development systems. No organization is better equipped to help Detmers tap back into his potential. They’ve already helped rejuvenate the careers of right-hander Luis Severino, left-hander Sean Manaea, right-hander Griffin Canning and right-hander Clay Holmes.
49ers' Kyle Shanahan sends message to Brock Purdy after contract extension
As had been expected, the San Francisco 49ers made a significant financial commitment to quarterback Brock Purdy when they signed him to a five-year, $265M contract extension that included $181M in guaranteed money and a no-trade clause earlier this month. While speaking with reporters on Thursday, head coach Kyle Shanahan explained what he expects from Purdy now that the 25-year-old is being paid like a top-tier signal-caller. "I want him to be the leader he's always been," Shanahan said about Purdy, as shared by Kevin Patra of the NFL's website. "There's no worse thing to do than ask people to do something extra just because of their contract. That's when you start making stuff up. Brock's earned his contract, and he's going to earn what he gets going forward." The final pick of the 2022 NFL Draft, Purdy has been the undisputed leader of San Francisco's offense since he recovered from the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow that he suffered in January 2023 in time to start the regular-season opener in September of that year. He later became a Most Valuable Player Award finalist for that campaign, and he then took the 49ers to within a play of winning Super Bowl LVIII. During a recent chat with Jennifer Lee Chan of NBC Sports Bay Area, Purdy insisted that he is "going to continue to have the same mindset of getting ready and putting [his] team in the best position to win games and executing" now that he knows, for sure, he'll be San Francisco's starter beyond the upcoming season. Shanahan sounds confident Purdy will continue to be all the 49ers need him to be both behind the scenes and on gamedays. "He's been the same since day one and I think that's, you like to say that about a lot of people and we're never lying up here or anything, but Brock is as much like that as not just any football player I've met, but any person I've met," Shanahan added about his QB1. Debates about whether or not the 49ers overpaid Purdy will inevitably continue through the summer months as he and others in the locker room reflect on all that went wrong for what became a 6-11 team last season. If Purdy reclaims his form from two campaigns ago, he'll be a bargain for the 49ers for years to come.
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