Panthers take Ejiro Evero off the market, hire him as their new defensive coordinator
The Panthers announced Sunday they have hired Ejiro Evero, the former Denver Broncos defensive coordinator, to run their defense. Evero had gotten interest as a coordinator and as a head coach after an impressive 2022 running the Broncos defense. Evero, who is 42 years old, got his first shot to be an NFL defensive coordinator last season and made a name for himself. Before joining the Broncos, Evero was part of the Los Angeles Rams' Super Bowl championship team as the defensive passing game coordinator and secondary coach. Evero met with new Broncos coach Sean Payton but Evero was let out of his contract to pursue other jobs.
wftv.comAFC & NFC Championship preview + Panthers hire Frank Reich & Jets hire Nathaniel Hackett
The Panthers announced the hiring of former Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich. The Jets hired former Denver Broncos head coach and Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett as their new OC. This is huge news for the Cowboys, who manage to hang onto Quinn through yet another head coach hiring cycle. Charles McDonald believes Hurts may be able to throw it deep against San Francisco – the cornerbacks may be their one weakness. 00:25 - The Panthers hire Frank Reich to be their next head coach13:55 - The Jets hire Nathaniel Hackett to be their next offensive coordinator.
wftv.comConference Championship Preview: Burrow flying under the radar & Purdy's biggest test yet
Subscribe to the Yahoo Fantasy Football ForecastApple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google PodcastsMatt Harmon is joined by his Fantasy Football Live co-hosts Andy Behrens and Tank Williams to preview both the AFC and NFC Championship games this weekend. They talk about the Carolina Panthers hiring Frank Reich to be their head coach and whether or not it will pull Matt back into being a Panthers fan. This is the biggest test of rookie QB Brock Purdy, on the road against a great defense in the playoffs, and they’re all eager to see how he does. The guys finish off the episode by talking about Bengals at Chiefs, a surprisingly even matchup that centers around the health of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes. Don’t count out the defending AFC Champion Bengals, though, and star QB Joe Burrow.
wftv.comPanthers hire Frank Reich over Steve Wilks as head coach
The Panthers announced Thursday they've agreed to terms with Reich to become the sixth head coach in franchise history. Reich was chosen among nine candidates who interviewed for the job, including former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton and this season's interim head coach, Steve Wilks. Reich becomes the first Panthers head coach to come from an offensive background. Reich follows Dom Capers, George Seifert, John Fox, Ron Rivera and Matt Rhule as the franchise's sixth full-time head coach. Among the candidates the Panthers already have interviewed for that position is Vic Fangio, the former head coach of the Denver Broncos.
wftv.comCarolina Panthers hire Frank Reich as new head coach
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — (AP) — The Carolina Panthers agreed to terms with Frank Reich to become their new head coach on Thursday. Reich becomes the first Panthers head coach to come from an offensive background. Reich becomes the sixth full-time head coach of the Panthers, following Dom Capers, George Seifert, John Fox, Ron Rivera and Matt Rhule. Among the others who interviewed included former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton, former Detroit Lions and Colts head coach Jim Caldwell, Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and four NFL offensive coordinators — Kellen Moore (Cowboys), Shane Steichen (Eagles), Mike Kafka (Giants) and Ken Dorsey (Bills). Among the candidates the Panthers have already interviewed for that position is Vic Fangio, the former head coach of the Denver Broncos.
wftv.comPanthers hire Frank Reich as next head coach
After being fired mid-season by the Indianapolis Colts, Reich was announced Thursday as the next head coach of the Carolina Panthers. Reich, 61, played quarterback for the Panthers back in 1995 as part of his 14-year playing career. From there, he spent part of five seasons as the Colts’ head coach, amassing a 40-33 overall record with two postseason appearances. The Panthers have had five consecutive seasons with a losing record and haven’t played in the postseason since 2017. The Panthers hope Reich is the coach to take it back to the top of the NFC South, the division they have not won since 2015.
wftv.comJeff Saturday officially interviews with Colts for head coaching job after 1-7 interim stint
Jim Irsay and the Indianapolis Colts are officially considering removing Jeff Saturday’s interim tag. The Colts owner announced on Thursday afternoon that they had completed an interview to hire Saturday as their full-time head coach next season. Saturday's hiring shocked plenty in the NFL world, especially considering that he had no coaching experience whatsoever. Saturday did win his first game with the team, but he ended up going 1-7 with the Colts. After his struggles, many assumed Irsay would go in a very different direction when hiring his next head coach.
wftv.comColts players, assistants reportedly learned of Jeff Saturday's hiring over Twitter
The hiring of Jeff Saturday in Indianapolis earlier this season came as a surprise to just about everyone in the NFL world. As it turns out, that includes Colts players and assistant coaches. Instead, Colts owner Jim Irsay opted to hire the ESPN analyst as his interim coach instead — something that Colts players and assistants learned from Twitter and other alerts on their phones. But Saturday, who played for the Colts for 13 seasons, never took him up on it. Who knows what direction Irsay will take after the Colts wrap up their season on Sunday afternoon.
wftv.comEagles hire former Colts OC Marcus Brady as special consultant
The Philadelphia Eagles hired former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Marcus Brady as a special consultant, according to ESPN's Stephen Holder and Tim McManus . Brady is now reportedly working with the Eagles defense and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon, per the report, with the goal of providing an offensive perspective to their defensive schemes. Brady was in his second season with the Colts this year, though he was fired two weeks before Colts coach Frank Reich was let go. Brady also spent three seasons as the team’s quarterbacks coach from 2018-20 — when current Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni was the Colts offensive coordinator — and worked for nearly a decade as an assistant in the CFL. Brady, 43, now joins the Eagles one week after their 17-16 win over the Colts.
wftv.comEagles coach Nick Sirianni wanted revenge on Colts for Frank Reich firing, and got it
Nick Sirianni was Frank Reich's offensive coordinator with the Indianapolis Colts for three seasons, and that was a springboard to him getting the Philadelphia Eagles' head-coaching job. Sirianni was fired up to beat the Colts, and not just to push his Eagles to 9-1 this season. Reich was fired two weeks ago by the Colts, and after the Eagles had a dramatic comeback win over Indianapolis, Sirianni let it be known that he wanted to make the Colts pay for firing his mentor. "I'm emotional because I love Frank Reich," Nick Sirianni said. Nick Sirianni very emotional after the winShouts out Frank Reich.
wftv.comMatt Ryan, interim coach Saturday rally Colts past Raiders
Jeff Saturday joked that the Indianapolis Colts will start calling zone-read plays for 37-year-old quarterback Matt Ryan. Ryan has never been known for his swift feet, but his career-best, 39-yard scramble to convert a third-and-3 in the fourth quarter led to his winning touchdown pass two plays later. It capped an unusual week when the Colts fired coach Frank Reich and replaced him with Saturday, whose only prior coaching experience was at a Georgia high school.
news.yahoo.comMatt Ryan returns, and Jeff Saturday's Colts look competent in win over Raiders
After a week filled with pontification, the Indianapolis Colts took the field for the first time on Sunday under new head coach Jeff Saturday. Saturday's first order of business on his first gameday was to reinstate Matt Ryan, who'd been benched by ousted coach Frank Reich in favor of Sam Ehlinger. The Colts got on the board first on Sunday when Ryan capped a 70-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown sneak. This 39-yard run by Matt Ryan is the longest run in his 15-year NFL career👏Before today, the most rushing yards Ryan had in a game was 37. (2017 vs Patriots)🎥@NFLpic.twitter.com/23Z1SJmhSG — The Athletic (@TheAthletic) November 14, 2022The run set up a 35-yard touchdown pass to Parris Campbell, and the Colts took the lead for good.
wftv.comReport: Colts top execs tried (and failed) to talk Jim Irsay out of hiring Jeff Saturday as head coach
The Indianapolis Colts hiring former player and ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday to replace Frank Reich as head coach was pretty shocking, and it sounds like not everyone inside the building was in favor of the move. Irsay was described as "hellbent" on hiring Saturday, but he may have done so without considering the ramifications — not just among players, but the coaching staff as well. The Colts eventually settled on 30-year-old pass game specialist/assistant quarterbacks coach Parks Frazier as their play caller, even though he has never called plays in the NFL. The true reason is known only to Irsay, but Saturday's "leadership" qualities were apparently a big factor. Saturday will make his NFL coaching debut (and Frazier will make his play-calling debut) against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday at 4:05pm ET.
wftv.comSaturday answers Irsay's call, goes back to work with Colts
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — When Colts owner Jim Irsay first contacted Jeff Saturday, he wanted answers about Indy's struggling offensive line. Since then, Ehlinger has seen his offensive coordinator fired, his head coach fired, a friend traded and his assistant position coach, Parks Frazier, promoted to play-caller. “I didn’t know who was going to be the head coach. “Love him as a coach and person and appreciate everything he’s done for the Colts and my success. Pro Bowl defensive tackle DeForest Buckner said he likes what Saturday brings, acknowledging the Colts needed a jolt of energy.
wftv.comColts owner Jim Irsay called Jeff Saturday before he fired Frank Reich
The timeline of how Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay hired Jeff Saturday is murky. In his first solo news conference since being named interim head coach, Saturday admitted that Irsay called the former Colts center and ESPN analyst twice on Sunday. They will do an exhaustive search and pick whoever their best candidate is to be the head coach of the Colts. Lost to the fanfare is the reality that Saturday and the Colts have had only one walkthrough practice since he became head coach. And they also have a game this week against the Las Vegas Raiders and, ironically, the coach Irsay originally tried to hire before Reich — Josh McDaniels.
wftv.comEkeler's Edge: Chargers/Falcons recap, top RBs in fantasy & rushing QBs
Subscribe to the Yahoo Fantasy Football ForecastApple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google PodcastsMatt Harmon and Los Angeles Chargers RB Austin Ekeler are back for another episode of Ekeler's Edge, and this one goes all over the place. The guys start the podcast by talking about the Chargers’ win over the Atlanta Falcons, which was very nearly a loss after a late fumble by Ekeler, and how impressed Austin was by Falcons RB Cordarrelle Patterson. Austin and Matt then go through the list of the top 12 running backs in fantasy football this year, and discuss the wave of young RBs that seem poised to take over the league, before opening up the Ask Austin mailbag and talking about the home crowds at Chargers games, the challenge of defending a rushing QB and much more. 02:55 Chargers 20, Falcons 1707:30 Disconnect between fantasy production and play on the field10:25 Cordarrelle Patterson15:40 Quick MNF Recap15:55 Colts fire head coach Frank Reich / hire Jeff Saturday24:50 Top Fantasy RBs34:35 Ask Austin mailbag35:00 Dealing with transplants in the home crowd40:00 Rushing QBs44:40 Be the best version of yourself49:10 Can Austin get to the Carolina Panthers? Check out all the episodes of the Yahoo Fantasy Football Forecast and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts
wftv.comColts assistant Parks Frazier will call plays for the first time under Jeff Saturday
It appears that the Indianapolis Colts will not have experience on their side this Sunday against the Raiders. Assistant quarterbacks coach Parks Frazier is expected to serve as the offensive play-caller starting Sunday against the Raiders, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Another surprise in Indianapolis: #Colts interim coach Jeff Saturday is expected to have 30-year-old pass game specialist/assistant quarterbacks coach Parks Frazier serve as the offensive play-caller starting Sunday against the #Raiders, sources tell me and @RapSheet. “I’m glad he doesn’t have NFL experience. Now that Frazier has also secured a new title without experience, the Colts’ coaching developments continue to be unconventional and potentially lasting decisions that could have some implications across the league.
wftv.com2 coaches fired, several others remain on hot seat
The NFL had a record-tying 10 coaching changes last offseason and three-quarters of the teams have changed head coaches at least once in the past five years. Here's a look at some coaches who figure to be on the hot seat if things don't turn around in the second half of the season and some assistants who could be in line for head coaching jobs. With Hackett's offense struggling with new high-priced quarterback Russell Wilson and new ownership in town, Hackett could one and done in his first head coaching job unless things change. After a failed stint as head coach in Tampa Bay more than a decade ago, Morris could be in line to get another chance. He has spent years as an assistant, working on offense, defense and as an interim head coach in Atlanta in 2020.
wftv.com2 coaches fired, several others remain on hot seat
There has already been two coaching changes halfway through the NFL season with Indianapolis firing Frank Reich this week four weeks after Carolina did the same to Matt Rhule. The NFL had a record-tying 10 coaching changes last offseason and three-quarters of the teams have changed head coaches at least once in the past five years. Here's a look at some coaches who figure to be on the hot seat if things don't turn around in the second half of the season and some assistants who could be in line for head coaching jobs.
news.yahoo.comWeek 10 Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups: Frank Reich fired, Mahomes' MVP case & when to stash Watson & Beckham
Subscribe to the Yahoo Fantasy Football ForecastApple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google PodcastsMatt Harmon and Andy Behrens start the show with the news of the Indianapolis Colts firing head coach Frank Reich and replacing him with ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday, which is one of the weirder stories from the NFL season. After getting through that and the rest of the news, the guys recap a brilliant performance by Patrick Mahomes to squeak out an overtime win over the Tennessee Titans (who offer no fantasy value beyond Derrick Henry). Andy offers his picks for the best waiver wire adds this week before both guys weigh in on drops and discuss if it’s time to add Deshaun Watson and Odell Beckham Jr. to your fantasy football roster. Finally, we get a wild update from the Treviso Babes league and a report from Lesli on why she dropped DK Metcalf. Walker & activate QB Sam Darnold27:10 Chiefs 20, Titans 17 (OT)36:25 Waiver Wire Pickups - Running Backs40:55 Waiver Wire Pickups - Wide Receivers45:15 Waiver Wire Pickups - Quarterbacks49:20 Waiver Wire Pickups - Tight Ends52:15 Drops56:45 Hold On Loosely59:30 Getting In Early63:50 Treviso BabesCheck out all the episodes of the Yahoo Fantasy Football Forecast and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts
wftv.comEmergency podcast: Indianapolis Colts fire Frank Reich, hire Jeff Saturday as interim head coach
Subscribe to You Pod to Win the GameApple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | Google PodcastsGood rule of thumb: Don't make any predictions if Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay is involved. In actuality, the opposite happened: the Colts fired Reich early on Monday and in an even more surprising move, hired former Colts center Jeff Saturday as their interim head coach. All profits directly fund the Terez A. Paylor scholarship at Howard University. Under "Tribute," please note that your gift is made in memory of Terez A. Paylor. Under "Designation," click on "Other" and write in "Terez A. Paylor Scholarship."
wftv.comWith Frank Reich now gone, Colts' post-Andrew Luck identity crisis spirals unabated
The Indianapolis Colts have looked directionless ever since Andrew Luck’s sudden retirement right before the 2019 season. After Rivers retired in 2020, Ballard tried to recapture the glory of the previous season by reuniting Reich with Carson Wentz. Ballard spent a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 first for the former Eagles quarterback, and that move failed spectacularly. In all, no team has spent more in salary cap dollars on quarterbacks since 2019 than the Colts' $133 million, per OverTheCap.com. The Colts’ past two draft classes have not impressed, save for 2021 first-round pass rusher Kwity Paye and 2022 second-round wideout Alec Pierce.
wftv.comReich out, Saturday in as Colts try to fix stagnant offense
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — Frank Reich's attempt to fix the Indianapolis Colts' sputtering offense failed so now team owner Jim Irsay is turning to another trusted name — former All-Pro center Jeff Saturday. Last Tuesday, Reich fired offensive coordinator Marcus Brady even though Reich was calling the plays. Now Reich is out in the first midseason coaching change Irsay has made since taking over as owner 25 years ago. Reich took the Colts to the playoffs in two of his first four seasons and had them on the cusp of making it last season. Reich is the second coach to be fired this season, joining Matt Rhule of Carolina.
wftv.comColts fire Reich as stagnant offense continues to sputter
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts have fired coach Frank Reich after another lackluster offensive performance in the team's third consecutive loss. Indy (3-5-1) has the league's lowest scoring offense. Reich was hired in 2018 after serving as offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl-winning Philadelphia Eagles. Two weeks ago, Reich announced the benching of longtime NFL veteran Matt Ryan, the league's 2016 MVP. Last week, he fired offensive coordinator Marcus Brady even though Reich was the one calling plays.
wftv.comColts reportedly fire head coach Frank Reich after 3-5-1 start
The Indianapolis Colts have fired head coach Frank Reich, according to multiple sources. Source: Frank Reich is fired. — Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 7, 2022Frank Reich is out as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, sources tell ESPN. pic.twitter.com/8Rat1EvNBk — Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 7, 2022Reich, who was hired in Feb. 2018, led the team to a 3-5-1 record through nine weeks. His last game was a 26-3 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday.
wftv.comNow that Marcus Brady is gone, little stands between Frank Reich and culpability for Colts' struggles
It's not an apples to apples situation, but it was one of the first things that came to mind on hearing Tuesday's news that Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich fired offensive coordinator Marcus Brady, with the Colts 3-4-1 in a weak AFC South. But a couple of years later, with his own job on the line, Reich fired Brady to try to take the attention away from his own shortcomings. Pretty much everyone, including Colts fans, sees that firing Brady was a nakedly self-serving move by Reich. Funny enough, Brady isn't the first Colts' OC to be so transparently scapegoated. Of course Reich wasn't going to fire himself, but letting Brady take the fall in this particular situation stinks.
wftv.comColts fire offensive coordinator Marcus Brady, who does not call the plays
Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Marcus Brady was fired Tuesday morning following the team's Week 8 loss to the Washington Commanders, the team announced. "I appreciate Marcus's commitment to the organization, and he made a significant contribution to our offensive success over the last five seasons. For one, Reich is actually the team's offensive play-caller – not Brady – which follows a familiar trend this season. Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett is also his team's offensive play-caller and the Broncos average slightly fewer points than the Colts. Brady, 43, was promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021 after three seasons as the team's quarterbacks coach.
wftv.comWhat to expect from Sam Ehlinger, the Colts' all-of-a-sudden QB1
The Indianapolis Colts quarterback scrambled left to escape a collapsing pocket, keeping the ball tight and his eyes downfield. This week, as the Colts host the Washington Commanders, Ehlinger has a chance in his first NFL start to prove it. Even head coach Frank Reich seemed jarred when he told Ryan: "We did not hold up to our end of the bargain." “It would be fair to frame it that nobody would bet against Sam the competitor and the person making it,” one NFL talent evaluator who scouted Ehlinger told Yahoo Sports. “I just naturally had to step up and be a leader in my house,” Ehlinger said.
wftv.comRyan surprised, hopeful after getting benched by Colts
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — Indianapolis Colts quarterback Matt Ryan stood at his locker Wednesday, the disappointment etched all over his face. Players and coaches spoke effusively about Ryan's ability to command a room and the huddle while team owner Jim Irsay told reporters he thought Ryan could stick around three or four more years. “It's a tough situation, tough for everybody,” said Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly, who will be snapping to his ninth starting quarterback in seven seasons. It sucks, man.”At age 37 and with one year left on his contract, Ryan also understands he may never play again. Ryan has completed 5,445 of 8,300 passes for 61,473 yards, 376 touchdown passes and led 45 fourth-quarter comebacks.
wftv.comColts bench injured QB Matt Ryan in favor of Sam Ehlinger
INDIANAPOLIS — (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts are benching starting quarterback Matt Ryan in favor of second-year quarterback Sam Ehlinger for Sunday's game against the Washington Commanders. Coach Frank Reich made the announcement Monday after Ryan threw two more interceptions in Sunday's 19-10 loss at Tennessee. Reich said Ryan suffered a separated throwing shoulder in the game, but that the decision to make a change was not injury related. Ryan leads the NFL with nine interceptions and has fumbled 11 times this season. Ehlinger will be the seventh different starting quarterback Reich has used in his five-year tenure with the Colts.
wftv.comAP source: Eagles send Carson Wentz to Colts for draft picks
FILE - Philadelphia Eagles' Carson Wentz (11) passes during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Philadelphia, in this Monday, Nov. 30, 2020, file photo. The Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to trade Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, according to a person familiar with the deal. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz, File)PHILADELPHIA – Carson Wentz helped steer the Philadelphia Eagles to the franchise’s only Super Bowl title and later received the richest contract in team history. The Eagles agreed to trade Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts, according to a person familiar with the deal. AdThe deal reunites Wentz with Colts coach Frank Reich, who served as Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator his first two seasons in the league.
Eagles hire Colts OC Nick Sirianni as head coach
FILE- In this Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, file photo, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's facility in Indianapolis. The Philadelphia Eagles are nearing a deal to hire Nick Sirianni to be their head coach, according to two people familiar with the decision. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)PHILADELPHIA – Three days after choosing Nick Sirianni to be their new coach, the Philadelphia Eagles made it official. He worked under coach Frank Reich, who was offensive coordinator in Philadelphia when the Eagles won the Super Bowl three years ago. The Colts finished in the top 10 in points and yards in two of Sirianni’s three seasons as offensive coordinator.
AP sources: Eagles plan to hire Colts OC Nick Sirianni
FILE- In this Wednesday, Jan. 2, 2019, file photo, Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni speaks during a news conference at the NFL football team's facility in Indianapolis. The Philadelphia Eagles are nearing a deal to hire Nick Sirianni to be their head coach, according to two people familiar with the decision. The Philadelphia Eagles are nearing a deal to hire Sirianni to be their head coach, according to two people familiar with the decision. Sirianni was the offensive coordinator for the Indianapolis Colts the past three seasons. The Colts finished top 10 in points and yards in two of Sirianni's three seasons as offensive coordinator.
Colts QB Rivers, 39, retires from NFL after 17 seasons
“Every year, Jan. 20 is a special and emotional day,” Rivers said in a statement posted on the team’s website. “It is St. Sebastian’s Feast day, the day I played in the AFC championship without an ACL, and now the day that after 17 seasons, I’m announcing my retirement from the National Football League. I am grateful to the Chargers for 16 seasons, and the Colts for the 17th season.”Rivers was one of a kind. In the 2006 season opener, Rivers made his starting debut — and then the next 251 in a row including the playoffs. “My son never did throw a big ball like I did at that age and he throws it the exact same way,” Rivers said.
Chiefs' Chad Henne goes from backup QB to playoff stage
(AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)Chad Henne came off the bench cold in the heat of a tense playoff game and delivered the game-sealing plays for Kansas City in his most consequential performance in a win since 2013. He got the nod again the following week in a playoff game against Green Bay with a limited number of plays on a wrist band. JEFF HOSTETLER: Hostetler had started just two games in almost seven full seasons for the Giants when Simms injured his foot in Week 14. FRANK REICH: Two years after losing to Hostetler, the Bills relied on a backup to make it to their third consecutive Super Bowl. He threw for 725 yards and six touchdowns in wins over Minnesota in the NFC title game and New England in the Super Bowl.