🏆 Conference Championship Round News Plus Coaching Carousel Notes From Thursday

Plus - Deebo Samuel Logs Limited Practice On Thursday  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ 01/26/24 ​[Unsubscribe |]( [Read Online]() | [Join]( | [GO PRO](=)​ Howdy {NAME}[,](=)​ Here. We. Go. It's the biggest weekend of Football for the entire season on the way and we can't wait. Our Cecil Lammey has the News and Notes. Let's Go. J Inside This Issue [] - [LAC: Jim Harbaugh to be next head coach](#article-1) - [KC: Isiah Pacheco sits out of practice again on Thursday](#article-2) - [SF: Deebo Samuel takes part in limited session on Thursday](#article-3) - [CHI: Chicago hires Shane Waldron](#article-4) - [CAR: Carolina finalizing deal with Dave Canales](#article-5) - [CHI: D'Onta Foreman may not return](#article-6) - [ARI: James Conner reached milestone](#article-7) - [CHI: Chicago eyeing Eric Washington for DC](#article-8) - [ATL: Bill Belichick not the favorite for ATL?](#article-9) - [CLE: Cleveland requests Kellen Moore interview](#article-10) - [JAX: Jacksonville open to Calvin Ridley return](#article-11) - [LAC: Brandon Brown meets with LA Chargers again](#article-12) - [TEN: Tennessee requests Dennard Wilson interview](#article-13) - [PHI: Kellen Moore talking OC vacancy with Philadelphia](#article-14) [] 1. LAC: Jim Harbaugh to be next head coach [Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter]( Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is being hired by the Los Angeles Chargers as their new head coach, according to sources. Our view: This is an excellent hire for the Chargers. Harbaugh won a National Championship with Michigan, and now he's coming back to the NFL to take over a team that already has a superstar quarterback in place. It will be fun to see how Harbaugh can mold Herbert and the Chargers into potential Super Bowl contenders. [Back to Top](#top) [] 2. KC: Isiah Pacheco sits out of practice again on Thursday [Source: ArrowheadPride.com - Pete Sweeney]( Kansas City Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco (ankle, toe) is expected to participate in the team's walk-through but will not practice for a second straight day on Thursday, Jan. 25. Our view: Pacheco is getting extra rest as the team prepares for a huge game against the Ravens on Sunday. Even though he's banged up (as per usual), we can't imagine Pacheco missing this contest since they're one game away from the Super Bowl...again. [Back to Top](#top) [] 3. SF: Deebo Samuel takes part in limited session on Thursday [Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco]() San Francisco 49ers WR Deebo Samuel (shoulder) will practice in a limited fashion on Thursday, Jan. 25. Our view: Samuel is a true game-time decision for the NFC Championship Game against the Lions on Sunday. If he's out there, Samuel is clearly not going to be 100 percent healthy. He might be okay to produce, he might just be a decoy, but the 49ers must prepare to be without him on Sunday. [Back to Top](#top) [] 4. CHI: Chicago hires Shane Waldron [Source: ChicagoBears.com]( The Chicago Bears hired former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron as their new offensive coordinator on Tuesday, Jan. 23. Our view: Waldron did great work with the Rams from 2017-2020. He then spent three seasons with the Seahawks and helped get the best out of QB Geno Smith over the last two years. Waldron has worked under Sean McVay and Pete Carroll, two of the best to learn from. He'll be tasked with running a Bears' offense that could either feature QB Justin Fields or QB Caleb Williams (USC)...or both. The Bears may be building something that can last, and we're here for it. [Back to Top](#top) [] 5. CAR: Carolina finalizing deal with Dave Canales [Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport](=) Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales is finalizing a deal to become the head coach of the Carolina Panthers, according to sources Thursday, Jan. 25. Our view: Canales did a great job running the Buccaneers' offense in 2023. He helped QB Baker Mayfield look really good as the team's starter, and Mayfield posted career-best numbers in passing yards (4,044), completion percentage (64.3), and passing touchdowns (28). Now, he'll be the man in charge of getting the most out of 2023 no1 overall pick QB Bryce Young. As a rookie, Young really struggled and barely flashed the potential he showed in college at Alabama. We'll see if Canales can get the potential young star on the right track. [Back to Top](#top) [] 6. CHI: D'Onta Foreman may not return [Source: BearsWire - Brendan Sugrue](=) Chicago Bears impending free-agent RB D'Onta Foreman appears unlikely to re-sign with the Bears this offseason, in the opinion of BearsWire's Brendan Sugrue. Our view: We'll see what happens with Foreman, but the Bears have a running backs room that is jam-packed with talent. We're looking forward to seeing more from Roschon Johnson, and Khalil Herbert has one year left on his deal with a 2024 cap hit just over $1 million. [Back to Top](#top) [] 7. ARI: James Conner reached milestone [Source: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss](=) Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner topped 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career in 2023, and he ranked fourth in the NFL with 80.0 rushing yards per game. Our view: Conner was close to that mark back in 2018 (973) but it's been some time. In addition to a career-high in rushing yards, Conner also posted a career-best 5.0 yards per carry. With one year left on his deal, Conner has a 2024 cap hit of $8.4 million with $3 million remaining in dead money. [Back to Top](#top) [] 8. CHI: Chicago eyeing Eric Washington for DC [Source: CBSSports.com - Jonathan Jones](=) Buffalo Bills assistant head coach and defensive line coach Eric Washington was requested to interview for the Chicago Bears defensive coordinator vacancy Thursday, Jan. 25. Our view: Washington has previously worked with the Bears (2008-2010), and he's got a sterling reputation. Everywhere he goes, Washington is known for developing young talent and helping to assemble talent on some of the best defenses in the league. The Bears are revamping their staff, and Washington would be a great hire. [Back to Top](#top) 🏆 2024 NFL Conference Championship Preview Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey preview the 2024 NFL Conference Championship matchups between the Ravens vs Chiefs and the 49ers vs Lions. Can Lamar Jackson get to the Super Bowl? Do the Lions continue their cinderella run? ​ [[youtube]​]()[[podcast]​]()[[spotify]​](=) ​ [] 9. ATL: Bill Belichick not the favorite for ATL? [Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter]() Former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick isn't the favorite for the Atlanta Falcons head coaching job, according to ESPN insider Adam Schefter. There's a real chance Belichick won't take a job this offseason. Our view: Things change quickly around here. It wasn't that long ago that Belichick to Atlanta was going to be the plan. He had a couple of meetings with the Falcons, then they started interviewing everybody else. Belichick could sit out a year and wait for a different opportunity. [Back to Top](#top) [] 10. CLE: Cleveland requests Kellen Moore interview [Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero]() Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore was requested to interview for the Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator vacancy Thursday, Jan. 25. Our view: Moore was supposed to be a head coach by now, but things fell off in Dallas and he wasn't as successful as he could have been with the Chargers. Now, we'll see if Moore can find a job with the Eagles or the Browns. Anyone taking over the Browns' offense will get the task of getting QB Deshaun Watson back up to the levels we remember him from his days in Houston. [Back to Top](#top) [] 11. JAX: Jacksonville open to Calvin Ridley return [Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Josh Alper]() Impending free-agent WR Calvin Ridley 'did some awfully good things' in his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but general manager Trent Baalke stopped short of guaranteeing Ridley would remain with the team in 2024 - although Baalke suggested the team will 'work toward' it - on Thursday, Jan. 25.'When you bring in somebody in that hasn't been a part of football for over a year and a half, you (need to) knock the rust off. He did that and, at times, he showed who he was and what he used to and what he can be. The sky's the limit. He's only going to get better because of the way he works. When you love something as much as he loves football, you can't help but get better. We would love to have Calvin back. We are going to work toward that. What that means is, I don't know right now,' Baalke said. Our view: Ridley could command a price tag the Jaguars are not comfortable with. It was a good connection, albeit inconsistent, in Jacksonville between Ridley and QB Trevor Lawrence. [Back to Top](#top) [] 12. LAC: Brandon Brown meets with LA Chargers again [Source: ProFootballTalk.com - Josh Alper]( New York Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown interviewed for a second time with the Los Angeles Chargers regarding their general manager vacancy on Wednesday, Jan. 24. Our view: Now that the Chargers have their head coach in Jim Harbaugh, they need to find their new general manager. Before the Giants, Brown worked his way up the ranks with the Eagles and the Colts. [Back to Top](#top) [] 13. TEN: Tennessee requests Dennard Wilson interview [Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler](=) Baltimore Ravens defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson was requested to interview for the Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator vacancy Thursday, Jan. 25. Our view: Wilson has previous experience with the Rams, Jets, and Eagles in addition to his quality work with the Ravens. Baltimore is on track to win the Super Bowl, and their staff will be plucked when their season is done. Let's see if they can get past Kansas City in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday. [Back to Top](#top) [] 14. PHI: Kellen Moore talking OC vacancy with Philadelphia [Source: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler]() Former Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Kellen Moore is interviewing for the same post with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday, Jan. 25. Our view: Moore once seemed on the fast track to be a head coach. Things stalled for him in Dallas, and he didn't get as much success with Chargers' QB Justin Herbert as everyone expected. Now, he may go back to the NFC East to take over an Eagles offense that is not as powerful as it once was. [Back to Top](#top) That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being part of the Footballguys Family. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update. Peace, J [avatar] Joe Bryant Guide ​ ​ [[twitter]​]([[facebook]​](=)[[discord]​]([[youtube]​]([[instagram]​]( = Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey Was this email forwarded to you? [Sign Up here](​ ​[Advertise with us](and get your brand in front of 600,000+ football fans [GO PRO](=) [PODCASTS]() [COMMUNITY]( [SHOP]( [CONTACT US]( You’re subscribed as [{EMAIL}](=) . [Unsubscribe here]( Copyright @ 2023 Sportsguys, LLC. 118 N Peters Road, Suite 208. Knoxville, TN 37922 ​[Opt-out of preference based advertising](=)​ ​