With the season starting to wind down, the news is swirling within all organizations. For some, it focuses on the postseason while others are focusing on whether their coaches or general managers will be retained. With so much news swirling, let’s take a look at some of the biggest stories this week.
Drew Brees Could Be Back Soon
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Drew Brees is recovering well from his fractured ribs and could be back as soon as this weekend against the Eagles.
There is some belief, especially with the struggling Eagles on the schedule, it might be the following week against the Chiefs that Brees returns. Regardless, it is nice to see that he is recovering and should be back sooner than later.
On the season, Brees has thrown for 2,196 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just 3 interceptions. While he may not be the elite quarterback he once was, he still led the Saints to a 7-2 record in the first 9 games.
The benefit that head coach Sean Payton has is that backup, Taysum Hill has been phenomenal in his place. In their victory over the Falcons Sunday, Hill threw for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns. He also rushed 14 times for 89 yards.
Wentz Out, Hurts In
In all fairness, it has been brutal for most all NFC East teams, but it has been especially brutal for the Philadelphia Eagles. After a 30-16 loss to the Green Bay Packers this weekend, they have now fallen to 3rd in the division as they are 3-8-1.
After struggling as of late, head coach Doug Pederson finally made a switch against the Packers and inserted Jalen Hurts into the quarterback position. It has been a long fall from grace for Carson Wentz, who went from franchise quarterback to a salary headache that can’t get it done under center.
On the season, Wentz has thrown for 2,620 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. After starting the game 6 for 15 for 79 yards, Pederson made the switch.
After coming into the game, Jalen Hurts went 5 for 12 for 109 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He also rushed 5 times for 29 yards. While nothing is definitive, it will be interesting to see what Hurts can do if he gets a full week with the first-team offense and gets the chance to start.
Jets Fire Defensive Coordinator
It may be only a matter of time before the entire coaching staff, including head coach Adam Gase, are fired, but for now, the Jets have decided to let their defensive coordinator go. Gregg Williams was fired on Monday as the weekend saw the Jets move to 0-12 on the season.
The Jets actually had a chance at winning this weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders. In fact, they were up as the game was winding down, but the Raiders were able to win on a last-ditch effort with a near 50-yard touchdown pass. When most would have been playing a prevent defense, Williams decided to go on an all-out blitz. The rest is history.
While no one would admit this, it may have been a blessing in disguise for the Jets. With no chance at the postseason, they are in a race for the first overall pick, a pick likely to be used on Clemson’s quarterback, Trevor Lawrence. With the Jets currently in the lead for his services, wins could actually be detrimental.
Still, no player or fan wants to hear that the team wants to lose, and Williams was the first of many firings to likely come out of the Jets’ organization in the near future.
