NFL
Where do things stand in Steelers’ general manager search?
With NFL free agency right around the corner and the 2022 NFL Combine not too far away, here are the latest news and rumors around the league from PFN National NFL Insider Aaron Wilson. Make sure to continue to check back here as we update you with the most recent NFL news and rumors on February 27, 2022.
NFL News and Rumors: Steelers’ general manager search includes three more candidates
No one could accuse the Pittsburgh Steelers of not being thorough and diligent in their search for a new general manager to replace retiring GM Kevin Colbert.
While many league sources believe that Steelers pro personnel coordinator Brandon Hunt or Steelers vice president of football operations and business administration Omar Khan will ultimately land the job, the Steelers are running a wide-open process.
Several strong candidates already interviewed
That includes the team announcing this weekend that they have completed interviews with Baltimore Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz, San Francisco 49ers director of player personnel Ran Carthon, and Philadelphia Eagles vice president of player personnel Andy Weidl. All are highly regarded.
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The Steelers have also interviewed Green Bay Packers co-director of player personnel John Wojciechowski, Indianapolis Colts director of college scouting Morocco Brown, Carolina Panthers assistant general manager Dan Morgan, Tampa Bay Buccaneers vice president of player personnel John Spytek, Tennessee Titans vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden, Colts assistant general manager Ed Dodds, Los Angeles Chargers director of player personnel JoJo Wooden, and ESPN analyst Louis Riddick in addition to Hunt and Khan.
The list of interviews will likely grow
Hortiz also interviewed for the New York Giants GM position that went to Joe Schoen. He has worked for the Ravens for 19 years and was promoted to director of college scouting in 2009 and named director of player personnel in 2015.
Carthon was named to his current job in 2017. Meanwhile, Weidl is a former Ravens scout who has been moving up the scouting ranks with the Eagles.
NFL News and Rumors: Texans DT Roy Lopez eager to build on rookie season
Emerging as a rookie starter for the Texans, Roy Lopez adapted to every blocking scheme, challenge, and obstacle during his rookie season. Now, Lopez is hoping to build on a successful first NFL season by preparing this offseason to maintain his status and continue to grow as a starting defensive tackle.
The recent major changes surrounding the Texans — both the familiar element of Lovie Smith being promoted to head coach and maintaining his defensive play-calling duties, and the unfamiliar, hiring a new defensive line coach in Jacques Cesaire to replace Bobby King — are being embraced by the former sixth-round draft pick from Arizona.
Strong bond with Lovie Smith
“When I got the news of coach’s hiring, I was very excited,” Lopez said. “It’s nice to be able to come back and play for a defensive coordinator who is the same guy every day and that’s to be the best Lovie Smith there is.
“It’s something I grew up on: to be the best Roy Lopez I can be every day. The way you represent yourself is the mark you leave on people. We can play for Lovie. We all are looking forward to continuing growing. Last year was a stepping stone, and we can keep growing. We know exactly what he wants.
“To be able to grow under Lovie would be a great success. He’ll sit down and talk to you. He will critique you. But at the same time, he will show you love and make you understand what he is saying. If you ever want to talk football, you can go up to his office or call him at any time of the day. That’s the biggest thing: to have a coach you can rely upon.”
Productive player
As a rookie, Lopez established himself as a gritty, reliable force in the interior defensive line. He recorded 31 tackles, 5 for losses, 2 quarterback hits, and 1 sack in 16 games for a 4-13 squad.
Hiring Cesaire as the replacement for King, the new inside linebackers coach for the rival Titans, is another development Lopez is enthused about. Lopez recently met with Cesaire, 41, along with defensive end Jonathan Greenard and defensive tackle Ross Blacklock.
Cesaire is a former starting defensive lineman for the Chargers. He was part of the Buffalo Bills’ top-ranked NFL defense last season as their assistant defensive line coach.
“It was good because being able to bring in his mind and we were all in the same room. Me, Ross, and J.G. with him and he just, at first we learned about each other and where we’re from,” Lopez said.
“But once football got into the picture, it was a different story. He stands up and you can tell he just loves football. He lives it. Being able to play for someone like that is who you want to play with.
“It’s the same thing with Lovie. You can feel when someone loves football and lives football. So, you can tell he just wants the best out of us. He wants to make us the best player we can possibly be. So, we’re looking forward to playing for him and looking forward to being able to grow every day.”
Known for toughness
After starting 15 games last season, Lopez has made an impression. And his reputation for toughness and strength precedes him.
“Absolutely, very stout at the point of attack. Great quick first step, very strong, powerful hands. Strong, powerful player,” Cesaire said. “And he’s young, too, so he’s almost going to be like an empty canvas that I can just mold him however I want right now. So, I’m excited to work with Roy as well.”
As the league transitions into free agency, there will be plenty of news and rumors from around the NFL in regard to your favorite team. That includes chatter about players who will be on the move (or not) in free agency. Stay updated and keep track of Pro Football Network’s Top 50 Free Agent Rankings to better understand the free-agent market.
NFL
Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58
Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.
Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl
Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.
Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.
Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.
In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.
Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024
There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.
On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.
“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.
“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.
“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.
At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.
They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.
Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.
Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.
MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play
Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast
Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.
NFL
What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?
The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.
CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?
The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.
And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.
#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024
Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.
CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.
Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.
#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024
Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat
Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.
He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.
He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024
One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.
MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart
Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast
Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.
NFL
NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS
Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.
CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?
Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World
The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.
“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)
And now, the end is near.
And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024
Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.
The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.
The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.
Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.
The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.
As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!
Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast
Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast! Click the embedded player below to listen, or you can find the PFN Fantasy Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Be sure to subscribe and leave us a five-star review! Rather watch instead? Check out the PFN Fantasy Podcast on our Fantasy YouTube channel.
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