Getty Images Kliff Kingsbury will reportedly have full control of the Washington Commanders offense entering the 2024 NFL season. Asked Thursday to describe his ideal quarterback for the job, Kingsbury went an unconventional route with his response. “Uh, the Chiefs quarterback,” he joked to reporters, alluding to three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes. “No, um, I do think the game — …

Report: Bengals expected to franchise tag star WR Tee Higgins originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston The group of veteran wide receivers who could hit NFL free agency next month is pretty strong, even though the top player on many rankings might not get to the open market. Cincinnati Bengals wideout Tee Higgins is able to become an unrestricted free agent, …

Victoria Matiash, Fantasy HockeyFeb 15, 2024, 03:00 PM ET CloseESPN.com Fantasy Contributor since 2010Part-time anchor at NEWSTALK1010 A third of the way through the season, the fantasy hockey finish-line is beginning to appear, however faintly, on the horizon. We’re well past the point of waiting for players to “warm up” or hit their “true potential” at this stage. Perhaps aside …

ESPN’s Bill Connelly has released his initial, pre-spring SP+ analytics rankings. Connelly’s rankings don’t take human opinion into account like a typical poll. Rather, SP+ takes three primary factors — returning production, recent recruiting and recent history — into account to rank college football teams. For the uninitiated, SP+ is meant to be predictive rather than rank teams’ resumes. While …

Eric Williams NFC West Writer San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch will take a few days to recover from the pain of losing yet another Super Bowl. Soon after, both will get down to the tough task of once again putting together a roster capable of getting back to the big game. Lynch said …

Dolphins defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver held his first press conference since landing the job on Thursday and he shared one detail of his plans for the unit next season. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey rarely moved from the right side of the field while playing for former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in 2023. Weaver called Ramsey the “”ultimate chess piece” on Thursday …

Florida football offensive line coach Rob Stapleton is leaving for an assistant offensive line coaching position with the Washington Commanders. The Commanders confirmed Stapleton’s hire on their team website on Thursday. Stapleton was the Florida Gators offensive line coach for two seasons under head coach Billy Napier. He also worked under Napier for a season at Louisiana. With UF co-offensive …

Emily Kaplan, ESPNFeb 15, 2024, 03:10 PM ET CloseEmily Kaplan is ESPN’s national NHL reporter. Connor Bedard is returning to the Blackhawks lineup on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Penguins, sources told ESPN. The return is earlier than expected for Bedard, who fractured his jaw six weeks ago. The Blackhawks had initially penciled in next week for a return. Thursday’s …

Welcome to the Thursday edition of the Pick Six newsletter.  The Chiefs were supposed to be celebrating their Super Bowl win on Wednesday, but instead, tragedy struck after gunfire rained down near the conclusion of the parade. We’ll be covering the latest details on the incident today, plus some other NFL news.  Here’s your daily reminder to tell all your …

A familiar face appears to be on his way back to Ann Arbor. Michigan football former linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary is returning to take over his former position, as well as coordinate the run defense, according to 247 Sports’ Sam Webb. Jean-Mary, 48, coached the unit under former coach Jim Harbaugh in 2020 — Sherrone Moore was in his final …

Getty Images Jason Kelce keeps refusing to confirm his rumored retirement following the 2023 NFL season, but at least one of his Philadelphia Eagles teammates is convinced the longtime center is done for good. “There’s no shot,” left tackle Jordan Mailata recently told NBC Sports Philadelphia of a potential Kelce return. “You’re telling me he’s going shirts off in the …

The contract that quarterback Geno Smith signed with the Seahawks last year included a clause calling for his $12.7 million base salary for the 2024 season to become fully guaranteed if he’s on the roster through Friday, so the team had a decision to make about his future this week. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that they’ve informed Smith of …

Video Details The San Francisco 49ers are parting ways with their defensive coordinator Steve Wilks after losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in overtime for the 58th Super Bowl. Craig Carton is joined by Plaxico Burress and Willie Colon to react to the responses from Kyle Shanahan and Nick Bosa, and decide whether Wilks truly isn’t a good fit, or …

Since losing to Michigan in the Rose Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal, the Alabama football program has gone through a lot. Nick Saban has retired, there were some key departures via the transfer portal, and a few 2024 commits decided to sign elsewhere. Because of all that and more, ESPN has become weary of the Crimson Tide. Though there have …

USATSI The Seattle Seahawks informed quarterback Geno Smith on Thursday they will retain him through this week, according to ESPN, effectively guaranteeing the $12.7 million salary he’s owed in 2024. Smith’s deal would’ve automatically triggered a full guarantee of the salary on Friday, whereas Seattle could have released him to save close to $14M, per Over the Cap. On the …