Top News:
Brad Biggs / Chicago Tribune:
Buzz around the NFL is Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace will stay — possibly with a promotion — while coach Matt Nagy will be fired — It would appear at this point the great Chicago Bears collaboration has its limits. — The Bears pinned their faith in the power structure at Halas Hall …
Discussion:
Bears Wire, Bleacher Nation and Boston Herald
RELATED:
Chicago Tribune:
Major changes seem imminent at Halas Hall. But what exactly will the Chicago Bears do with Matt Nagy, Ryan Pace, Ted Phillips and others? — The Chicago Bears have one final game Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium that will close the book on another disappointing season.
Discussion:
Bears Wire and Bleacher Nation
Chicago Tribune:
Justin Fields is slated to start for the first time in 3 weeks as he returns from an ankle injury. Here's what else we heard from the Chicago Bears as they prepare for their season finale. — Chicago Bears coach Matt Nagy, quarterback Justin Fields and other players spoke …
Discussion:
Twin Cities and Windy City Gridiron
Deesha Thosar / New York Daily News:
Mets close to offering Joey Cora third base coach job — While most of the league is quiet in MLB lockout mode, the Mets have started the new year actively engaged in interviews. — Joey Cora, the older brother of Red Sox manager Alex Cora, is close to being named the Mets third base coach under …
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Rum Bunter, Call to the Pen, Amazin' Avenue and Sports Illustrated
RELATED:
Ken Rosenthal / The Athletic:
Angels unable to finalize coaching staff as lockout blocks potential hiring of Adam Eaton — The Angels have yet to finalize their coaching staff, in part because one of their candidates is a member of the players' union who currently is locked out by the league.
Discussion:
MLB Trade Rumors, Amazin' Avenue, Halos Heaven, Lookout Landing, MLB Baseball News … and Cup of Coffee
Hub Arkush / Shaw Media Local:
An open apology for my Aaron Rodgers comments — So in case you haven't heard, I've spent the better part of the last 24 hours making a pretty nasty mess. — Actually, and much to my surprise, that may be the understatement of the year. There is absolutely nothing clever or remotely entertaining about it.
Discussion:
Bleacher Nation, ProFootballTalk, Chicago Tribune and NESN.com
RELATED:
Michael David Smith / ProFootballTalk:
One MVP voter says he won't vote for Aaron Rodgers, calling him “the biggest jerk in the league”
Discussion:
New York Post, Insider, The Ringer, Chicago Sun-Times, Deadline, NESN.com, Packers Wire, CBS Boston and Sports Illustrated
Jeff Passan / ESPN:
Why MLB's labor negotiations have gone nowhere — and baseball's path back — MORE THAN A month into Major League Baseball's lockout, well aware that the league and players haven't had a single substantive negotiating session since the work stoppage began and that spring training …
Discussion:
Jeff Wilson's Texas …, Bleacher Nation, Into The Fountains, BoSox Injection, Bleed Cubbie Blue, White Cleat Beat, Bluebird Banter, Athletics Nation, Talking Chop, Beyond the Box Score, MLB Trade Rumors, New York Post, Kansas City Star, Sports Illustrated, Cubs Insider and MLB Baseball News …
David Furones / Sun-Sentinel:
Tua Tagovailoa not worried about Dolphins' offseason trade possibilities, looks to rebound in finale — MIAMI GARDENS — When the Nov. 2 trade deadline came and went, it assured Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa that the team was his for the final two months of the NFL season.
Discussion:
Denver Post, Daily Herald and Sports Illustrated
RELATED:
David Furones / Sun-Sentinel:
Dolphins' Jaylen Waddle on verge of rookie record; Malcolm Brown's season over on IR
Discussion:
Mercury News
USA Today:
Wizards announcer apologizes to Kevin Porter Jr. for mistaken allusion to player's dead father — A Washington Wizards announcer apologized for a questionable reference to Kevin Porter Jr.'s dead father, who was killed in a shooting, after the Houston Rockets guard hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer Wednesday against Washington.
Andrew Marchand / New York Post:
Michael Kay will team up with Alex Rodriguez for ESPN ‘Manningcast’ — MORE FROM: — Kay-Rod! — The complete shake-up of “Sunday Night Baseball” will end with the TV voice of the Yankees, Michael Kay, being a part of the Alex Rodriguez “Manningcast” on ESPN, according to sources.
Mary Kay Cabot / Plain Dealer:
Browns QB Baker Mayfield must resolve differences with Kevin Stefanski to co-exist next season — CLEVELAND, Ohio — Baker Mayfield must resolve his differences with Kevin Stefanski in case they need to co-exist next season.Even if Mayfield does mend the fences, he might not be back if the Browns decide …
Jonas Shaffer / Baltimore Sun:
With Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ruled out, Tyler Huntley will start regular-season finale vs. Steelers — With Pro Bowl quarterback Lamar Jackson again sidelined, backup Tyler Huntley will start the Ravens' must-win regular-season finale Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach John Harbaugh announced Friday.
Discussion:
Denver Post, Boston Herald, Baltimore Beatdown, The Athletic, Twin Cities and Greensburg Tribune-Review
Albert Breer / Sports Illustrated:
GamePlan: Previewing the 2022 Coach Hiring Cycle — Who's safe, which jobs will open and where might some teams look for candidates. Plus, previewing Week 18's biggest games and story lines, and Antonio's Brown's future. — Last year, it was like there was a scoreboard validating each assistant coach's candidacy.
Discussion:
Patriots Wire, NESN.com, Bears Wire, Bear Goggles On and 98.5 The Sports Hub
