Rodgers, Chargers, Maher, Bucs, Browns, Bears

Aaron Rodgers open to a trade? + a big name free agent target for the Bears  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ Jan 18, 2023 [Sign up]( [Legit Football]( Together With: Stathead [Stathead](  Rodgers [Aaron Rodgers] Aaron Rodgers hints that he’s open to playing “somewhere else” Details: Aaron Rodgers [told]( Pat McAfee, “I think I can win MVP again in the right situation... is that Green Bay or somewhere else, I'm not sure and there's more conversations to be had.” Power Play? Rodgers then implied that his return to the Packers is tied to the team keeping “glue guys” like Randall Cobb, Marcedes Lewis, and David Bakhtiari. Contract: Rodgers is under contract with the Packers through 2026 — but he can retire and or request a trade at any time. Love Factor: There’s speculation that the Packers would prefer to trade Rodgers and move forward with 2020 first-rounder Jordan Love. Trade Complications: Rodgers has a $31.6 million cap hit in 2023, which will be a non-starter for many teams. Trade compensation for a 39-year-old quarterback on a massive contract could also prove to be a negotiation snag. Image: Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire Chargers [Justin Herbert] Chargers fire OC Joe Lombardi, could target Frank Reich Details: The Chargers [fired]( Lombardi and QBs coach/passing game coordinator Shane Day on Tuesday. Rationale: Lombardi — who was the Saints QBs coach from 2016 to 2020 — often called short passing plays as if his quarterback was Drew Brees and not the golden-armed Justin Herbert. - Herbert ranked 26th in yards per attempt (6.8) in 2022 — which placed him behind lesser talents like Andy Dalton, Marcus Mariota, and Jacoby Brissett. - The Chargers ranked 17th in red zone efficiency, 23rd in goal-to-goal situations, and 30th in rushing yards. Reich: Chris Mortensen called Frank Reich an “[obvious candidate](” for the vacancy — if he doesn't land a head coach job. - Reich has been linked to the Chargers within league circles for the past month or so. More Candidates: According to Daniel Popper (The Athletic), other [candidates]( may include former Jets OC Mike LaFleur, former Broncos HC Nathaniel Hackett, Rams TEs coach Thomas Brown, Bengals QBs coach Dan Pitcher, and Rams QBs coach Zac Robinson. Safe: It appears as though Brandon Staley will stay on as head coach. Image: Dustin Bradford/Icon Sportswire Maher [Brett Maher] Cowboys back kicker Brett Maher after historic meltdown Background: Maher became the first kicker in NFL history to miss four extra points in a single game on Monday night. - He eventually made an extra point in the fourth quarter. Surprising: Maher’s struggles were surprising, as he was one of the NFL’s best kickers in the regular season, hitting on 29-of-32 field goals and 50-of-53 extra points. Support: Mike McCarthy stood by Maher after the game and said that the Cowboys will [not]( be making a change at the position. - Dak Prescott also expressed support, telling reporters on Tuesday, "I'm Money Maher's biggest fan. I talked to him individually after the game, just told him, 'Hey let that go, we're going to need it' I just played like s--- a week ago, so that happens. So I mean that happens. Knowing what that guy's done, with the resiliency he's shown throughout his career. Personally, no doubt that he'll comeback and be perfect and help us win." Impact: The Cowboys take on the 49ers this Sunday, in a game that could very well come down to an extra point or field goal. Image: Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire Buccaneers [Byron Leftwich] Bucs expected to fire OC Byron Leftwich Details: According to Scott Reynolds (Pewter Report), the [firing]( of Leftwich is imminent. - Publicly the team is saying that a decision has not been made yet. Bad: Tampa’s offense ranked 15th in yards and 25th in points under Leftwich in 2022. The unit was particularly pathetic in Monday night’s loss to the Cowboys. Interesting: According to Reynolds, Todd Bowles came close to firing Leftwich in-season, as he was frustrated with the team’s league-worst rushing output. Brady: The decision to fire Leftwich is not part of an attempt to retain Tom Brady — who appears unlikely to return to the team next season. Image: Roy K. Miller/Icon Sportswire Browns [Jim Schwartz] Browns hire Jim Schwartz as new DC Details: Schwartz [replaces]( Joe Woods, who was fired last week after the Browns ranked 14th in yards allowed and 20th in points allowed. Experience: Schwartz went 29-51 as the head coach of the Lions from 2009 to 2013. He’s also served as the defensive coordinator of the Titans (2001-08), Bills (2014), and Eagles (2016-2020). - Schwartz spent the last two years of his career as a defensive assistant with the Titans. Impressive: Schwartz’s defenses in Philadelphia often finished among the top 10 in third-down success rate, red-zone success rate, and sacks. He coordinated the Eagles’ Super Bowl-winning defense in 2018. Building Blocks: Schwartz will inherit a defense in Cleveland with some high-level talent — DE Myles Garrett, CB Denzel Ward, CB Greg Newsome II, and LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Image: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire Bears [Michael Thomas] Brad Spielberger thinks the Bears should sign Michael Thomas Details: Spielberger (PFF) thinks the Bears should use their league-leading $107 million in projected 2023 cap space to [sign]( Thomas, who is expected to be released by the Saints in the offseason. Rationale: Spielberger thinks surrounding Just Fields with talented pass catchers is the best way to progress his development as a passer. - Fields averaged just 149.5 passing yards per game in 2022 — and only completed 60.4% of his passes. Still Good: Before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 3, Thomas ranked 12th among receivers in PFF receiving grade (77.4), first in contested catches (8), and was tied for second in touchdown receptions (2). WR Depth: The only receivers under contract with the Bears next season are Darnell Mooney (40-493-2), Chase Claypool (14-140-1), and Velus Jones Jr. (7-50-1). Image: Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire More News - [Lions]( OC Ben Johnson informs interested teams that he is staying in Detroit - [Titans]( hire 49ers director of pro personnel Ran Carthon as new GM - [49ers]( to get third-round compensatory picks in 2023 and 2024 under minority-hire policy - [Colts]( requested an interview with Cowboys DC Dan Quinn - [Cardinals]( completed an interview with Frank Riech - [Steelers]( have not made a decision on OC Matt Canada - [Chiefs]( WR Mecole Hardman (pelvis) not on track for Divisional Round - [Chiefs]( RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) likely to return for Divsional Round - [Commanders]( to interview Pat Shurmur for OC Together with Stathead Question of the Day Who led the NFL in tackles during the regular season? - Zaire Franklin (Colts) - Roquan Smith (Ravens) - Foyesade Oluokun (Jaguars) - Nick Bolton (Chiefs) Sign up for a monthly subscription and get your first month free, or use “[LEGIT20](” to save $20 off one year of Stathead Football. 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