Teams competing in the Champions League and Europa League will be permitted to make a fourth substitution during extra time next season, UEFA announced Thursday.
The additional substitute is among a number of rule amendments that will take effect immediately. The changes also apply to other competitions, such as the 2020 European Championship.
A similar rule was approved earlier this year by FIFA and has been implemented at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Former Real Madrid forward Alvaro Morata became the sport’s first player to be used as a fourth substitute when he replaced Cristiano Ronaldo during extra time of the 2016 Club World Cup.
Competing teams will be allowed to list 12 possible substitutes to select from in the finals of both the Champions League and Europa League, in order to give coaches more flexibility.
The squads for all other games will remain at 18 players, while an additional five players will be available for selection during the final of each respective competition.
In another rule change, coaching staffs are now permitted to use handheld electronic devices – such as phones, tablets, and laptops – in the technical area.
The difference between winning and losing your league often comes down to a single decision on draft day. It could be taking a player whose production explodes, turning him into one of the elite players in the game. It could be selecting a player whom others slept on during the draft but far exceeded his preseason value. It could also be a player whom you intended to rely on but then flopped miserably.
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To assist you in securing the best impact players and draft values — while avoiding players who will wreck your roster — the ESPN Fantasy Football staff offers its top sleepers, busts and breakouts as defined here:
Sleeper: a player who will far surpass his average draft position (ADP) in standard ESPN leagues for the 2018 season. Bust: a player who is expected to be a solid starter in standard ESPN leagues but will fail to live up to those expectations this season. Breakout: a player who will leap into or close to the upper echelon of players at his position for the first time because of a dramatic increase in production compared with his previous seasons (or a rookie who will burst onto the scene).
Our panel is composed of the following ESPN Fantasy writers and editors: Stephania Bell, Matthew Berry, Matt Bowen, Tom Carpenter, Mike Clay, Tristan H. Cockcroft, KC Joyner, Eric Karabell, Keith Lipscomb, Jim McCormick, Andre Snellings and Field Yates.
Each analyst named a sleeper and a bust for each of the major offensive positions, as well as one breakout candidate. You can find their picks in the charts below, and then analysis and insight on a selection of players they felt most passionate about in each category.
QB sleepers and busts for 2018
Sleepers
These are the players our panel believes will exceed their 2018 average draft position and provide value for those who take a chance on them.
Seattle was one of the best rushing teams in the league during the first half of the decade, with Marshawn Lynch as a perennial threat for at least 1,500 total yards and double-digit touchdowns. The Seahawks have struggled on the ground during the past three seasons, but Penny is their most talented running back since Lynch. A first-round pick with both strength and burst, Penny averaged 7.8 yards per carry in college last year. The Seahawks have spoken of using Penny as an every-down back in a heavy-rushing offensive system that lacks playmakers, which gives him big upside. — Andre Snellings
Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
Last season was a disaster for Mariota from a statistical perspective; 23rd in fantasy points per game among quarterbacks, and he had more turnovers than passing touchdowns. Where does the optimism come from? Time traveling to a modern NFL offense surely helps — especially with an offensive coordinator from the Rams — as does the fact that he averaged the 15th-most fantasy points at the position in his first two seasons. There is not just a great deal of untapped potential with Mariota’s passing production. This gifted collegiate scrambler ranks 19th among QBs in rushing attempts per game since 2015, a rate that could surely rise in a more progressive scheme. — Jim McCormick
Kalen Ballage, RB, Miami Dolphins
He’s a 6-foot-2, 230-pound bruiser who ran a 4.46 40 at the combine and has flashed pass-catching ability (44 receptions in 2016). Already turning heads at training camp — just google his name — I wrote about Ballage after interviewing him. And while I think Kenyan Drake is a good football player, I am not convinced the Dolphins see him as a bell-cow running back. Who knows how much Frank Gore has left in the tank, and given Ballage’s size, it’s very easy to see him starting off as a short-yardage/goal-line back and expanding his role even further as the season goes on. — Matthew Berry
Alex Smith, QB, Washington Redskins
It wasn’t a fluke that Smith finished fourth in quarterback points last season, as he finished tied for fourth in YPA (7.9), first in stretch vertical YPA (21.9 on passes thrown 20 or more yards downfield), sixth in quarterback rushing yards (355) and tied for second in my bad decision rate (BDR) metric that measures how often a passer makes a mental error that leads to a turnover opportunity for the opposing team (0.2 percent). Washington ranks tied for second in vertical touchdown passes during the past two seasons (29 scoring throws traveling 11 or more yards downfield), so they didn’t bring Smith in to run a dink-and-dunk aerial attack. Add it up and Smith has good odds of being a QB1 again this season.
Jerick McKinnon, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Sometimes all a player needs is a change of scenery to realize his potential, and that is precisely what McKinnon is getting. In his move from Minnesota to San Francisco, he will be putting all of his athletic skills to use, not just to run but also to catch. In fact, coach Kyle Shanahan has already said McKinnon will line up as a wideout at times. Speed and explosiveness combined with the opportunity to snag passes is the stuff of PPR dreams. McKinnon will likely be undervalued in this season’s drafts based on his recent stats as a Viking, but the numbers he posts with the 49ers should showcase his first-round worth. — Stephania Bell
O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
While Cameron Brate put up the greater fantasy point total last season, Howard’s role seemed to expand as the year progressed. One could point to Ryan Fitzpatrick’s brief time filling in during Jameis Winston’s injuries (three games and portions of two others) for an explanation, but even after Winston’s return in Week 13, the pendulum appeared to have shifted in Howard’s direction. During the season’s second half, Howard played more snaps than Brate (264-259) and had more PPR fantasy points (48.5-45.7), despite playing two fewer games. I think it was a clear sign that Howard’s future as the team’s primary pass-catcher is close, and he’s got enough skill to be a top-10 tight end if those trends continue. — Tristan H. Cockcroft
Rex Burkhead, RB, New England Patriots
Due to injuries and a busy depth chart, Burkhead didn’t play more than 10 offensive plays in a game for New England until Week 7 last season. From Week 7 on, however, Burkhead averaged 14.1 fantasy points (PPR) on 21.3 snaps per game. There are valuable unclaimed touches in New England; the Patriots are tied atop the league (Saints) with 75 carries within 5 yards of the goal line by their running backs during the past three seasons. If Burkhead, who proved dangerous in the red zone last season, can claim a healthy share of goal-to-go work, I think there is real profit potential. — Jim McCormick
Mitchell Trubisky, QB, Chicago Bears
The hopeful parallel for Trubisky is Jared Goff, who pivoted his career after a forgettable rookie season to throw 28 touchdowns in Year 2 under the guidance of Sean McVay as his head coach. Trubisky, who managed just seven touchdowns last season in 12 games, now follows the lead of coach Matt Nagy, an exceptionally well-regarded offensive mind. Moreover, the talent level was boosted significantly this offseason with the additions of — among others — Allen Robinson, Trey Burton and Taylor Gabriel. — Field Yates
Trey Burton, TE, Chicago Bears
The former Eagle who tossed a touchdown pass in the Super Bowl should be one of the top targets for second-year quarterback Trubisky, who should emerge now that he has better weapons and coaching. Burton steps into a wonderful situation with new coach Nagy, who came from the Chiefs and made tight end Travis Kelce a focal point of the offense. The athletic Burton should easily top 100 targets and find his way into the end zone at least six or seven times during his first season. — Eric Karabell
Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
In 2016, Ryan completed 373 passes for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns in his second year under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan. In 2017, Ryan’s numbers were down across the board, even though his passing attempts were roughly similar. There were growing pains with a new OC, the Falcons led the NFL with 30 drops, and they had a bit of a Super Bowl hangover. However, Ryan’s career numbers suggest that he’s due for a bounce back, and with first-round wide receiver Calvin Ridley added to the mix, Ryan should be able to play himself back into being a weekly fantasy starter. — Andre Snellings
Will Fuller V, WR, Houston Texans
You’d be hard-pressed to find a statistical suggestion that Fuller is primed to soar this year, as his productive games last season had outlying traits (seven touchdowns on 13 total catches in a four-game stretch), and he posted an average of 24 yards in his other six games. A peaks-and-valleys player in 2017, Fuller should evolve into a steadier component of an offense that will be led by the wizardry of Deshaun Watson. This is a bet on the talent of Fuller, the blazing-fast 2016 first-round pick. — Field Yates
Michael Crabtree, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Last season was lost to injury, but Crabtree’s draft stock — he is going 32nd on average among receivers — bakes in injury risk without much appreciation for his actual production pattern. From 2015 to 2016, Crabtree ranked 16th in fantasy points per game at the position. The opportunity for elite usage in Baltimore is obvious; players who accounted for 59 percent of the team’s target share are no longer on the roster, the highest vacated rate in the league. The Ravens also have 71.3 percent of their air yards from last season vacated, per AirYards.com. — Jim McCormick
Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders
Considering Cooper is currently going as WR22 and I believe he’s got top-10 potential, yeah, he qualifies as a sleeper. To succeed in the NFL, you need talent and opportunity. No one questions Cooper’s talent. His concentration sometimes, sure, but not his talent. Still just 24, Cooper has more than 2,900 yards and 18 touchdowns and has averaged 14.3 yards per catch in three NFL seasons. Now, with Crabtree and others moving along, there are more than 160 targets available. I’m not a Jordy Nelson believer, so yeah, expect this offense to revolve around Cooper, who has averaged 18 fantasy points per game when he has had eight or more targets. I’m all-in on a big bounce-back season from Amari Cooper. — Matthew Berry
Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers
In 2016, Graham averaged a career-best 14.2 yards per reception with only six touchdowns. Then he reversed the trends with a career-low 9.1 yards per reception but 10 touchdowns in 2017. Many believe Graham lost a step and became a possession receiver, but Graham never had the chemistry with Russell Wilson that he displayed with Drew Brees. This season, Graham joins Aaron Rodgers in a pass-friendly system, full of motivation to perform with a non-guaranteed contract. Graham has played at least 15 games in eight of his past nine seasons, giving him both a high floor and a high ceiling. — Andre Snellings
Brandin Cooks, WR, Los Angeles Rams
What does Cooks have to do to get more respect in the fantasy football community? He placed 15th in wide receiver fantasy points last season (221.2) and was only six points away from being in the top 10 in that category. Cooks is now on an offense piloted by Jared Goff, who ranked third in YPA last season (8.0), sixth in stretch vertical YPA (15.2) and 12th in stretch vertical pass percentage (12.7 percent of his aerials traveled 20 or more yards downfield). The downfield receiving role in the Rams offense could move Cooks back to low-tier WR1 status and yet he’s still seen as a WR3 in most draft rooms.
Drew Brees has been a shoo-in fantasy superstar forever, but should you think twice about drafting him in 2018? Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images
Busts
Which players are destined to fall short of their draft-day expectations? Our panel suggests you stay away from these players, who are sure to disappoint.
It’s hard to pick a bust at quarterback. There are so many similar options that the only real mistake you can make is reaching at the position. That said, Brees is going a pinch earlier than where I have him ranked. Brees finished ninth at the position in fantasy points last season, managing only four top-10 fantasy weeks (18 quarterbacks had more). He ranked ninth or lower in dropbacks, attempts and touchdowns and adds little with his legs. The Saints’ defense is even better in 2018, which figures to mean even less on the 39-year-old’s shoulders late in games. — Mike Clay
Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers
While there is little doubt that Graham should fit better within the Packers’ offense than that of the Seahawks, it is unclear just how many targets will come his way. The last two Green Bay tight ends (Jared Cook and Martellus Bennett) didn’t exactly light the fantasy world on fire. Granted, Graham has proved himself to be a superior pass-catcher, but can he truly still get separation? (Wide receiver Jordy Nelson couldn’t, and he was sent to the West Coast.) Can he get up in the air and beat out those around him to catch a classic Rodgers Hail Mary? While his recovery from a ruptured patellar tendon (2015) has been impressive, it’s still fair to think this version of Jimmy Graham will not be Saints 2.0. — Stephania Bell
Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Currently going ninth among quarterbacks, Ben is my QB14, so not a huge drop, but given how deep QB is, it’s hard to pick a true QB bust. But it’s worth noting that he’s played all 16 games just three times in a 14-year career, and here’s his finish in total fantasy points the past six seasons: 2017: QB10; 2016: QB 18; 2015: QB20; 2014: QB5; 2013: QB12; 2012: QB19. He’s been a top-10 QB just twice in the past six years and has beaten his current ADP of QB9 just once (2014). Whether it’s a mental thing, a weird coincidence or a game plan to be more conservative on the road, the fact is that Ben is averaging fewer than 14 points per road game the past four seasons. No Todd Haley this year makes me a bit nervous as well. — Matthew Berry
Saquon Barkley, RB, NY Giants
Let’s start by making it clear that this isn’t to suggest that Barkley will have a terrible rookie campaign. The issue here is that Barkley’s sub-par breakaway numbers seem to be glossed over by the fantasy football community. Last season, Barkley ranked 36th among Power 5 running backs with 100 or more carries against Power 5 opponents in percentage of rushes that gained 10 or more yards (12.4 percent). For those thinking this might be a fluke number, consider that Barkley also placed 54th in percentage of rushes of five or more yards in 2016 (35.3 percent). He is likely to get a strong workload, but if the breakaway carry rate doesn’t improve, the Giants may decide to split the workload more than anticipated and thus drive Barkley closer to the border of RB1 and RB2 in fantasy.
Marshawn Lynch, RB, Oakland Raiders
He’s now 32 years old with more than 2,350 career carries on his legs and is coming off what was a disappointing return from retirement in 2017 (relative to what he cost in fantasy drafts at the time). The Raiders planned accordingly, bringing in Doug Martin for depth while retaining both DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard, each of whom tallied at least 56 carries for a team that played a significant portion of its offensive snaps from behind. Lynch should still contribute to fantasy teams, thanks in large part to his likelihood of goal-line carries, but a timeshare is a possibility, and his statistical ceiling is probably the lowest it has been at any point in his career. I can’t make the case that he belongs in the sixth round, preferring to take a chance on a higher-upside running back that early. — Tristan H. Cockcroft
Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
The longstanding fantasy admonition against overvaluing the previous season’s outlier performances immediately comes to mind when I see that Hill is on the borderline of WR1/WR2 value. Last season, he racked up six receptions that gained 50 or more yards. Only five other players have done that during the past ten seasons, and only one of those players repeated the feat in consecutive seasons (DeSean Jackson in 2009 and 2010). Hill also benefited from defensive errors, as he scored 24.5 fantasy points on coverage mistakes that occurred on throws 30 or more yards downfield, a total that was the third highest in that category. Combine these with Hill having the fifth toughest matchup points total among wide receivers and adjusting to a first-time full-time starting quarterback in Patrick Mahomes, and Hill should be considered more of a WR2/WR3 prospect in 2018.
Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns
A great point was raised at the ESPN Fantasy Football Summit. As a group, we’ve ranked a pair of Browns wide receivers (Josh Gordon being the other) generously, yet when we look at the team as a whole, there’s not enough offensive strength for both players to earn a season-ending fantasy point total that’ll back it up. On raw talent, both Landry and Gordon warrant those valuations, but Landry’s move to Cleveland worries me most because of the extreme volume fueling his fantasy numbers during his days in Miami. He’s not a big red zone threat, struggling to fill the touchdown column, and Tyrod Taylor is really no better a quarterback for Landry’s skill set than any he worked with in Miami. There’s a downside here, and I fear it could be perhaps a drop-off of 25 catches (or more). — Tristan H. Cockcroft
Jay Ajayi, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
The former Dolphins star averaged 5.8 yards per rush for the Eagles after his midseason acquisition, but the Super Bowl champs boast depth at this position and will not be afraid to use it. Ajayi broke out in 2016 with more than 1,200 rushing yards, but half of them came in three explosive games. The rest of the time, fantasy managers were frustrated. With chronic knee problems and constant backfield competition, Ajayi will struggle to hold RB2 status all season. — Eric Karabell
Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots
You can read Tristan H. Cockcroft’s take on why Brady is overrated in fantasy this season right here.
Carlos Hyde, RB, Cleveland Browns
Hyde is one of my favorite players in the league to watch, but he simply should not be coming off the board in the single-digit rounds of fantasy drafts. Hyde was well-positioned for high-end fantasy production as the leadman in Shanahan’s offense last season, but he’s in a much worse situation in Cleveland. Even if Hyde holds off second-round rookie Nick Chubb for early-down/goal-line duties (not a given), he will defer change-of-pace touches and certainly most passing-down work to Duke Johnson Jr. Hyde is coming off his least efficient pro season and is looking at no more than committee duties in 2018. — Mike Clay
Drafting Saquon Barkley early in your fantasy drafts could pay off in a big way all season long. Danielle Parhizkaran/Northjersey.com via USA TODAY NETWORK
Breakouts
Who will join the ranks of the elite and help you win your league this season? Here are our expert picks for 2018’s breakout stars.
Many scouts felt he was the best running back after Saquon Barkley. Guice’s rushing rates during his final two collegiate seasons (6.3 yards per carry with 41.9 percent of his carries gaining at least 5 yards) were very much in the Barkley range (5.7 yards per carry with 37 percent of his carries gaining at least 5 yards). Now he lands in Washington, where, despite an injured offensive line last year and a struggling running game, Jay Gruden’s Redskins ran the ball 54.7 percent of the time in goal-to-go situations, 10th most in the NFL. In fact, if you combined Rob Kelley’s and Samaje Perine’s goal-to-go carries from last season, that “player” would rank tied for third in goal-to-go carries with 21. While Chris Thompson will handle a lot of third downs, they want to limit his touches, so expect Guice to be more involved in passing work than you think. — Matthew Berry
Royce Freeman, RB, Denver Broncos
The third-round pick from Oregon might not be the pass-catcher incumbent starter Devontae Booker has been, but then again, we have seen Booker’s act, and it is not special. Freeman is big and fast and should push Booker aside for the early-downs and goal-line work, with the potential for at least 1,000 rushing yards. The offense finally has a decent quarterback, so do not judge it off last season. There are myriad rookie running backs to consider, and Freeman has a good shot to emerge right away. — Eric Karabell
Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers
While Jamaal Williams will probably begin the season as the Packers’ starter, thanks in large part to his serviceable job in the role in 2017, Jones was the most dynamic talent of the team’s three starters last season when given the chance. In his four starts, he averaged more than 11 carries a game, 6.4 yards per carry and 2.75 yards after contact per rush. Assuming he can stay healthy, he should overtake Williams fairly quickly, and given that chance, he could be a top-15 performer at the position. — Tristan H. Cockcroft
Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
It’s simple: If Barkley does all the things the Giants believe he can do, he will be the breakout player in 2018. Rookies universally find the going a little bit tougher initially, struggling to adapt their skill set to the NFL … with the occasional exception of one position: running back. As opposed to rookie wide receivers, who have to improve route running, or rookie quarterbacks, who need to learn to read defenses, rookie running backs are more dependent on a match between their style and that of their new offense, along with opportunities to touch the ball. If you can run, catch and pass-protect, the opportunities go up. Barkley has all of this working in his favor. — Stephania Bell
Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
Mixon had a disappointing rookie season but still led all Bengals backs in rushing yards and tied for the lead in touchdowns. This season, the Bengals have Mixon as their feature every-down back. Cincinnati had one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL last season but has upgraded the unit this offseason. The scheme is more wide open this season behind new offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, so Mixon should have better scoring opportunities. Now established and ready to display the electric running ability he showed in college, Mixon has a good chance to break out this year. — Andre Snellings
Jerick McKinnon, RB, San Francisco 49ers
There are a few ways to examine the excitement surrounding McKinnon, but let’s start with his ability: He possesses uncommon athletic skills with terrific speed and nifty open-field work. He’s got the soft hands to handle a massive passing game load and will spring chunk plays with regularity. Now let’s get to the offensive fit, as he takes over a presumptive starting role in a Kyle Shanahan offense that is primed to involve the back as a pass-catcher. In 2017, Carlos Hyde accumulated 59 catches; he had never had a season with more than 33 targets prior to Shanahan’s arrival, suggesting to me that 70-catch upside is on the radar for McKinnon. By the way, sometimes following the money can tell you something you need to know, and the 49ers made McKinnon one of the richest backs in football on an $8 million per-season contract. He’ll be busy in the Bay Area. — Field Yates
My zeal for Davis is in part tied to my appreciation for Mariota’s potential as a passer, while also recognizing the increased utility and upside Davis can offer in new coordinator Matt LaFleur’s offense. Davis, like his quarterback, is a former elite prospect felled so far by a blend of injuries and a role in an archaic offense. He can be found just after Crabtree in drafts, and pairing the two as a blend of high-floor and high-ceiling investments is a fun idea for managers to consider. — Jim McCormick
Terrell Owens announced on his Twitter account Tuesday that he will make his Pro Football Hall of Fame induction speech at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, on Aug. 4.
The former wide receiver had previously announced that he would not attend the Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony in Canton, Ohio, scheduled for the same date.
“After giving it much thought, I have realized just how much I want to celebrate what will inevitably be the best weekend of my life at a place that means so much to me,” he said in his statement.
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— Terrell Owens (@terrellowens) July 3, 2018
He will give his speech on campus at McKenzie Arena, scheduled to begin at 3:17 p.m. ET. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton begins at 7 p.m.
“I’m proud to be a Moc, and I’m honored to be able to share this experience with my family, friends, teammates and fans at the place that provided me an opportunity beyond high school and where I truly began to find myself as an athlete. Thank you to everyone who has supported my celebration decision. I look forward to seeing you all in Chattanooga,” he said in the statement, ending with his catchphrase, “Getcha popcorn ready!”
Hall of Fame selection Terrell Owens, who had been critical of the board of selectors in the past, will not attend the induction ceremony in Canton.
1 Related
Owens was selected for enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018 along with Ray Lewis, Randy Moss, Brian Urlacher and Brian Dawkins. They will be joined by Bobby Beathard (contributor) and seniors committee nominees Jerry Kramer and Robert Brazile.
A finalist for the past three years, Owens had been a hot-button candidate after offering public criticism of the board of selectors when he was not chosen for the Hall in 2016 or 2017.
A third-round draft selection of the San Francisco 49ers in 1996, Owens ranks eighth all time in receptions (1,078), second in receiving yards (15,934) and third in receiving touchdowns (153). He played for the 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals during a career that spanned 15 years.
Owens played for the Mocs from 1992 to ’95 and had 133 catches for 2,320 yards and 19 touchdowns. He ranks second in career receiving yards and third in touchdown receptions at the school.
After a crushing playoff loss in January 2005, then-New York Jets coach Herm Edwards decided to change offensive coordinators. He fired Paul Hackett after four seasons and hired Mike Heimerdinger and did it so quickly that Hackett and Heimerdinger actually crossed paths that day in the team facility. As Hackett went in to clean out his office, Heimerdinger arrived to start his new job.
That snapshot pretty much sums up the history of the Jets’ offensive-coordinator job, which should be sponsored by a famous burger chain: In-N-Out.
The Jets will go into the 2018 season with their sixth offensive coordinator in the past eight years, making it one of the least secure jobs in the NFL. There are B-list actors with more security than Jets offensive coordinators, who usually need career rehab after a one-and-done in New York. The last person to go directly from Jets OC to an NFL head-coaching job was Joe Walton in 1983 — an in-house promotion after Walt Michaels was fired.
Coordinator
Years
Top ranking (Pts)
Outcome
Mike Heimerdinger
2005
29th
Fired
Brian Schottenheimer
2006-11
9th
Fired
Tony Sparano
2012
28th
Fired
Marty Mornhinweg
2013-14
28th
Fired
Chan Gailey
2015-16
11th
Retired
John Morton
2017
24th
Fired
ESPN
The new man in the revolving door is Jeremy Bates, who landed his first job as a quarterbacks coach under — wait for it — Heimerdinger in 2005. No team does strange symmetry quite like the Jets. It was a one-year gig, of course, as the entire coaching staff got cleaned out after a disastrous 2005 season. Bates returned last season as the quarterbacks coach, then got bumped up when John Morton was fired in January after one year.
“It’s exciting,” Bates said of his new job as the offensive boss. “It’s a fun responsibility.”
If Bates can mold Darnold into a franchise quarterback, the OC Curse will be history — fittingly, via a player from OC (Orange County, California). It will be a fascinating dynamic because, once upon a time, Bates was a Darnold in the coaching profession: young, talented and so full of potential. He had a chance to be Sean McVay before anybody knew about McVay.
Bates was a coordinator by age 34, but he was fired after only one year (2010) with the Seattle Seahawks. He did one season as the Chicago Bears’ quarterbacks coach (2012), then took a four-year break from the NFL. At the time, he was regarded by those in the industry as a smart coach who needed to improve his people skills. He spent part of his hiatus in the mountains, hiking the Rockies while seeking clarity in his life. By all accounts, he gained maturity and perspective during his time away.
“There are a lot of things I’ve learned,” Bates said. “I did take a little sabbatical. Anytime you get fired, you can look at it one or two ways: You can either not think about it and try to become a better person and a better coach, or you can just move on. I obviously took a lot of time by myself and thought about some things, and I look forward to seeing how they turn out.”
There’s an air of mystery surrounding Bates because he hasn’t called plays in eight years, and a lot has changed in the NFL in that span. He also hasn’t developed a young quarterback since 2006, when he was Jay Cutler’s position coach with the Denver Broncos. So, no, Bates isn’t walking into this job with the “hot assistant” label. Still, there are reasons to believe he can succeed:
• He has a prized pupil. Darnold, drafted third overall, is the Jets’ best quarterback prospect since Mark Sanchez in 2009. You can’t mold a hunk of clay into something special unless … well, you have actual clay.
• He and Darnold are an ideal match. Their personalities are different — Bates is fire, Darnold ice — but their approach to the game is similar. They’re blue-collar grinders.
Schematically, Darnold should be a perfect fit in Bates’ offense, the Mike Shanahan version of the West Coast system. It’s a quick-rhythm passing attack that also allows the quarterback to throw on the move, one of Darnold’s strengths. His 79.4 accuracy percentage last season on quick concepts (three-step drops) ranked No. 1 in the country, according to Pro Football Focus.
Bates sees the game through the eyes of the quarterback because he played the position in college.
“It’s awesome that he’s able to sit with us, and that he’s had experience with quarterbacks,” Darnold said. “We’re able to go through the playbook, and he understands what we’re thinking. He’s able to understand when I’m looking at the defense. Even just on tape, if he sees my helmet looking one way or the other, he understands what I’m thinking, just because he’s coached quarterbacks for so long and because he was one. It all goes hand in hand.”
• There’s a single vision on offense. That wasn’t the case last season, as the offense was an amalgam of different philosophies. Morton “wasn’t the right fit for the team,” said coach Todd Bowles, who wanted a better “mesh” between the passing game (Morton’s specialty) and the running game.
The Jets shouldn’t have those issues this season. Bates is reunited with new offensive line coach Rick Dennison, who holds the title of run-game coordinator. Dennison also is a Shanahan disciple. In fact, he and Bates were members of Shanahan’s Denver staff from 2006-08. Back then, Bates and Dennison collaborated on the weekly game plans, with Bates calling a majority of the plays.
“Rick Dennison is a huge bright spot, in my eyes, for the New York Jets,” Bates said. “I was with him for three years in Denver, so we have a close relationship. He is an unbelievable coach.”
• Bates is versatile. He made his bones as a quarterbacks coach, but that doesn’t mean he’ll be pass-happy. He has been involved with some successful rushing attacks — the ’08 Broncos ranked No. 2 — and the word from the Jets players is that he emphasized the ground game during offseason practices.
What team officials like most about Bates is that he’s a teacher, which they believe will help player development. His No. 1 pupil is Darnold. If he can teach Darnold how to be a winning quarterback, Bates probably will get a chance to outlast his predecessors.
