Before they hired Ron Rivera as their new head coach this past week, the Washington Redskins came close to hiring former Houston Texans general manager Rick Smith as their president to run the team, league sources told ESPN.
Smith and Redskins owner Daniel Snyder had multiple meetings in the Bahamas, formulating a vision for the struggling franchise, according to sources.
Sources familiar with the situation expected a deal to get done and Smith to be in charge of the Redskins.
LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Bears general manager Ryan Pace said Tuesday that he’s committed to using the next few months to make hard decisions and take an honest look at Chicago’s roster.
The Bears need a serious dose of honesty after they failed to reach the playoffs for the eighth time in nine seasons, but will it happen? The same day, Pace expressed confidence in former high draft picks, including quarterback Mitchell Trubisky, linebacker Leonard Floyd and tight end Adam Shaheen, all three of whom have failed to live up to expectations.
Any honest evaluation of the Bears’ roster would reveal that. There is no question that the Bears were one of the NFL’s biggest disappointments in 2019. Fresh off a 12-4 record and division championship the previous season under first-time head coach Matt Nagy, the Bears were legitimate Super Bowl contenders. But Chicago’s entire operation underwhelmed, especially on offense, where Nagy — the playcaller — and Trubisky floundered.
What’s next? Here are the four most pressing issues facing the Bears as their offseason begins:
Offensive identity: Nagy’s 2020 starts now. He has to figure out what scheme is compatible with Trubisky, who rarely plays well against good defenses. That’s no way to win a championship. Nagy has incredibly high standards at quarterback after coaching Alex Smith and Patrick Mahomes (for one year) in Kansas City. Trubisky is not Smith, who often ran Andy Reid’s system to perfection, or Mahomes, the reigning MVP, but he is a former No. 2 overall pick. When is he going to start playing like one? For that to happen, Nagy needs to lower those standards and accept Trubisky for what he is: a great athlete but a below-average pocket passer with so-so accuracy. The organization is stuck because of Pace’s loyalty to Trubisky. Either it’s going to work with Trubisky and the Bears get back on track, or everyone’s job is in jeopardy after the 2020 season.
Quarterback room: Trubisky remains the starting quarterback. Fine, but he needs competition.
Monday through Friday, host Mina Kimes brings you an inside look at the most interesting stories at ESPN, as told by the top reporters and insiders on the planet. Listen Run, run, run: The Bears have to establish an identity on the ground. Offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich and offensive line coach Harry Hiestand — both heavily involved in designing run plays — were dismissed. That’s the unfortunate reality in the NFL. When a team underachieves, coaches are fired. However, to exclusively blame Helfrich or Hiestand for Chicago’s repeated failure to run the ball would be foolish. That was a collective failure. Nagy has to be better. The offensive line has to block better. The running backs need to play better. The good news is that the Bears have talent in the backfield with David Montgomery and Tarik Cohen. The Bears have to open up space for Cohen in the middle of the field. Trubisky is an excellent runner, and despite the risk of injury, Nagy has to play to Trubisky’s strengths. It isn’t ideal, but that’s a risk the Bears might have to take. There’s just too much evidence that Trubisky will never be a great pocket passer. He needs the pocket to be moved, he needs the gimmicks like the hurry-up, and he needs to run.
Free-agent running back Mark Walton is facing a second accusation of domestic violence, with the woman’s attorney saying police have yet to interview her regarding the alleged March attack.
In March, Walton allegedly punched the woman multiple times while they were driving through Miami Gardens, and he allegedly dragged her by the foot and hit her multiple more times after she had gotten out of the car. She suffered a swollen and bleeding lip.
The woman’s attorney told the Miami Herald that Miami Gardens police didn’t seek an interview until November, when Walton was arrested in Davie, Florida, after he allegedly pushed the woman, who was pregnant, into a wall and punched her several times in the face and head.
Walton has denied the November allegations and is awaiting trial in that case. His defense attorney, Michael Gottlieb, declined to comment on the March allegations.
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Patriots cornerback Jason McCourty has been slowed by a nagging groin injury, and he is one of seven players who has been limited in practice. If he is cleared, he could prove to be an ideal option against some of the Titans’ multiple-tight-end options.
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Otherwise, the Patriots seem to be in relatively good shape on the injury front, which was a point Bill Belichick echoed earlier in the week. Slot corner Jonathan Jones (groin) played last week and appeared to come out of the game OK. — Mike Reiss
Adoree’ Jackson (foot) was a full participant in back-to-back practices to start the week. On Wednesday, Mike Vrabel said the team will continue to evaluate Jackson, but the coach seemed optimistic about Jackson’s status. Jackson’s return would give the Titans’ secondary a huge boost. Unfortunately for the Titans, wideout Adam Humphries (ankle) missed yet another practice and is likely to be ruled out on Saturday. — Turron Davenport
Will Texans wide receiver Will Fuller V play against the Bills? Head coach Bill O’Brien said it’s too early in the week to tell, but the receiver is making progress toward being on the field against Buffalo. Defensive end J.J. Watt expects to return from a torn pectoral muscle on Saturday but said he isn’t sure how much he will play after missing eight games. — Sarah Barshop
To celebrate 100 years of pro football, Peyton Manning travels the country to see the people and places that made the NFL the NFL.
Watch on ESPN+ » More »Will Levi Wallace play? The Bills’ starting cornerback opposite Tre’Davious White was carted into the locker room last week after injuring his ankle in the first quarter. Although he missed practice Tuesday, he returned to the field Wednesday — a positive sign for his availability Saturday. Kevin Johnson can competently fill in if need be, but Fuller or no Fuller, Buffalo will need all hands on deck against the Texans’ group of receivers. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
The Saints are getting healthier at the right time. Last week, they got their full offensive line back. And now their secondary is healing. Safeties Vonn Bell (knee) and Marcus Williams (groin) practiced on a limited basis last week, though cornerback Eli Apple (ankle) remained sidelined. — Mike Triplett
Tight end Zach Ertz (ribs) hasn’t been cleared for contact. Although he was able to participate in a light practice to start the week, he needs the medical green light before suiting up against the Seahawks, which puts his availability for Sunday in question. Running back Miles Sanders is day-to-day with an ankle injury. The key will be getting the inflammation down. There’s optimism that he’ll play, so long as he continues to show progress in the coming days. — Tim McManus
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All week, Pete Carroll has sounded confident but not quite certain about free safety Quandre Diggs’ returning for the Seahawks’ game at Philadelphia. He missed the past two games with a high-ankle sprain and returned to practice Wednesday as a limited participant. Diggs said earlier in the day that he’s “feeling good,” but he gave a “we’ll see” about playing Sunday, noting that he has to avoid setbacks in practice this week. Diggs’ return would be significant. He was a difference-maker once he entered the starting lineup, allowing Seattle to play more Cover 3 with Diggs as the lone deep safety. He had a hand in four takeaways in his five starts. The Seahawks haven’t gotten anything close to that out of his replacement, Lano Hill. — Brady Henderson