Latest news with #JarrettBell
Daily Mail
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
NFL urged to troll Donald Trump by doubling down on controversial policy
The NFL has been urged to send a message to Donald Trump by doubling down on DEI efforts amid the president's opposition to the initiatives. Trump did not waste any time in trying to restrict DEI after returning to the White House back in January, issuing a series of executive orders to eliminate it during his first week in office after branding it a form of 'discrimination.' NFL officials have been committed to enforcing DEI initiatives over the years, having introduced the controversial Rooney Rule - which requires teams to interview minority candidates for their top openings - back in 2003 albeit to an underwhelming effect, with a number of teams accused of holding sham interviews simply to tick a box. In recent years the league has held a coaching accelerator program - allowing minority coaching talent to spend time with team owners in more relaxed settings ahead of potential future openings - in conjunction with its spring meetings as a possible improvement on the Rooney Rule. However, as Trump continues to wage his war on DEI, the NFL has opted to pause its accelerator program until May 2026 while making a number of changes to it. USA Today's Jarrett Bell has been left furious by that decision, calling on commissioner Roger Goodell and team owners to push back at the president and double down on DEI efforts rather than shelve them for the next year. 'President Donald Trump's administration has waged an all-out war on DEI. More than 30 states have passed or introduced legislation that eliminates or restricts DEI initiatives,' Bell wrote in his latest column for the publication. 'So many companies in corporate America have buckled and rolled back DEI commitments. Now is the perfect time for the socially-conscious NFL to keep its accelerator program front and center (even with tweaks) as a clear statement that doubles down on its DEI pledge. 'Instead, it seems like the USA's most dominant sports league is backpedaling.' Bell went on to add: 'In this political climate, it's hardly a stretch to think that the NFL, which typically strategizes and messages in textbook fashion, isn't putting up its guard to lessen the risk that it could become a huge target for Trump's anti-DEI message. 'Isn't some of that a factor in the NFL's decision to pause its accelerator program?' The latest event in the coaching accelerator program, which began in 2022, was scheduled to have coaching candidates of diverse backgrounds meet with team owners at league meetings next week in Minnesota. Yet NFL chief administrative officer Dasha Smith revealed this week that the program will return in 2026 in order to make it more successful. 'This will allow us to reimagine the program, reflecting on the feedback and engaging with stakeholders so we can ensure a successful program in the future,' she said in a statement Tuesday. 'We're steadfast in our commitment to strengthen our talent pipeline and create an environment that reflects the diversity of our fan base. The NFL strives to be a unifying force, and we are confident the next evolution of our efforts will take us one step closer to that goal.' DEI laws and measures had been under attack for years by Republicans who believe they threaten merit-based hiring, promotion and educational opportunities of white people, specifically white men. Some Asian Americans also argue DEI unfairly limits opportunities for students and workers, while certain members of the black community claim it undermines years of progress. Supporters of the programs, meanwhile, are adamant that they are necessary to ensure institutions meet the needs of increasingly diverse populations. In the wake of the decision to pause the accelerator program, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones admitted recent Supreme Court rulings on DEI and Trump's opposition to it played a factor. 'The emphasis the president puts on it just makes us all aware and thinking about it,' Jones said, via CBS. For the first time in four years, the NFL controversially removed its long-running 'end racism' message from end zones at last season's Super Bowl, instead opting for 'Choose Love' and 'It Takes All of Us' to be shown at Caesars Superdome. Despite axing that message from football's end-of-season showpiece, league commissioner Roger Goodell insisted they were by no means backtracking from DEI initiatives. 'We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League, and we're going to continue those efforts because we're not only convinced ourselves, I think we've proven ourselves that it does make the NFL better,' Goodell said. 'We're not in this because it's a trend to get into or a trend to get out of it,' he continued. 'Our efforts are fundamental in trying to attract the best possible talent into the National Football League both on and off the field, as I've said previously.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Philadelphia Eagles schedule: Games, dates, TV channels, predictions for 2025
Philadelphia Eagles schedule: Games, dates, TV channels, predictions for 2025 Show Caption Hide Caption Eagles blow out Chiefs to win franchise's second Super Bowl USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell and Lorenzo Reyes break down the Eagles Super Bowl 59 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Sports Seriously The Philadelphia Eagles ended the Kansas City Chiefs' bid to become the first-ever team to win three consecutive Super Bowls. Now, the Eagles will look to join the exclusive group of NFL teams to win back-to-back Super Bowls. Philadelphia is navigating a lot of defensive turnover. Key players like C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Darius Slay, Josh Sweat and Milton Williams will all be playing for new teams in 2025. As such, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio will be tasked with coaching up younger players as they move into more prominent roles in the Eagles' defense. Offensively, things will remain closer to status quo for the Eagles. The only starter the team is set to replace is right guard Mekhi Becton, and Philadelphia has the depth needed to replace the big-bodied blocker. The lone significant concern with the Eagles' offense is whether their famed "Tush Push" play will be outlawed by the NFL. If so, Philadelphia will need to figure out a different way to execute at a high level in short-yardage situations. But even if that play is banned, the Eagles will still be tough to beat consistently given their strong roster. Here's a look at who Philadelphia is set to play in 2025 as their focus begins to shift to defending their Super Bowl title. Buy Eagles tickets for the 2025 season Philadelphia Eagles schedule 2025 This section will be updated when the NFL schedule is released on Wednesday, May 14. Week 1 : : Week 2 : : Week 3 : : Week 4 : : Week 5 : : Week 6 : : Week 7 : : Week 8 : : Week 9 : : Week 10 : : Week 11 : : Week 12 : : Week 13 : : Week 14 : : Week 15 : : Week 16 : : Week 17 : : Week 18: Eagles record prediction 2025 Record prediction: 11-6 The Eagles should once again be among the NFC's best teams in 2025, but they will face a tougher path to contention. Philadelphia is set to have the fourth-hardest schedule in the NFL for the 2025 season, per Sharp Football Analysis. Comparatively, they had the fourth-easiest schedule in the league last season en route to a 14-3 record. The Eagles have some daunting road games on their ledger. They have to play the Bills, Chiefs and Packers in hostile environments, highlighting the difficulties that will involve them facing every AFC West and NFC North teams as part of the NFL's yearly rotating schedule. Their own division could also be difficult, especially if the Commanders take a significant step forward in Jayden Daniels' second season. Philadelphia still has the talent needed to be one of the best teams in the NFC. That said, given the Eagles' difficult schedule, the defensive changes they have made this offseason and the fact they are coming off a Super Bowl win, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Eagles get off to a slower start and win fewer games than they did last regular season as a result. Eagles opponents 2025 Below is a full list of Philadelphia's opponents for the upcoming season. Home Chicago Bears Dallas Cowboys Denver Broncos Detroit Lions Las Vegas Raiders Los Angeles Rams New York Giants Washington Commanders Road
USA Today
27-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL will use technology first down measurement system for 2025, going away from chain gang
NFL will use technology first down measurement system for 2025, going away from chain gang Show Caption Hide Caption Niners John Lynch provides update on negotiations with quarterback Brock Purdy 49ers general manager John Lynch reveals at NFL Combine that the team is in negotiations with Purdy's folks to secure him as their quarterback for the future. Goodbye, chain gang. Hello, technology. The NFL will make a 21st century approach to its first down measurement system for the 2025 season, getting rid of the chain gang and instead going with a technology tracking system. The news was confirmed by USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell. Starting in the upcoming season, the NFL will use Hawk-Eye virtual measurement to determine the line to gain and it will be the primary method for measurements. The chain gang, which has been used for practically the entire lifetime of football, will still be on the sidelines, but will be used as a secondary method to determine the distance. Now, instead of bringing out the chains, the league will go with a "virtual measurement." The system works with cameras inside the stadium that track players, officials and the ball. After the ball is spotted, the system notifies officials if a first down was achieved. The Hawk-Eye system received "extensive testing" in 2024, according to Kimberly Fields, NFL SVP of Operations. The Associated Press reported in July it would be tested during the 2024 preseason. If there are issues with the system, the league could get rid of it, but for now, the league feels comfortable using it moving forward. "If it's not improving the game, making it more efficient, we're not going to do it. We will do nothing that hurts the integrity of the game," said Fields. The move has been widely desired by NFL fans, who have mostly felt the chain gang was an outdated system that couldn't give the most accurate measurements for down distance or determining whether a team picked up a first down or not. Without the technology, there have been some controversial calls. A prime example happened in the 2024 playoffs. In the AFC championship, the Buffalo Bills were leading the Kansas City Chiefs 22-21 in the fourth quarter when it decided to go for it on fourth down in the opponent's territory. Quarterback Josh Allen attempted a sneak, and even though some camera angles indicated he may have cross the first down marker, it wasn't definitive and officials ruled he didn't reach the line to gain. Kansas City would get the ball and score a touchdown and end up winning the game. Contributing: Jarrett Bell
USA Today
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Eagles Super Bowl parade live updates: Latest on Philadelphia's title celebration
Eagles Super Bowl parade live updates: Latest on Philadelphia's title celebration Show Caption Hide Caption Eagles blow out Chiefs to win franchise's second Super Bowl USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell and Lorenzo Reyes break down the Eagles Super Bowl 59 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Sports Seriously The Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl 59 with plenty of flair. Now, they'll celebrate their victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in style as well. The Eagles' Super Bowl parade is set for Friday, with the City of Brotherly Love sure to show plenty of affection for the newly crowned title-winners on Valentine's Day. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, running back Saquon Barkley and coach Nick Sirianni are among the figures who are sure to command the spotlight during the celebration. And the gathering could be something of a last hurrah for some, as offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will return to join the team before heading back to his new post as the New Orleans Saints' head coach. USA TODAY Sports will have live updates on the parade festivities, so check back often throughout the day for all the latest. The parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 14, with a formal program set to take place in front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art at 1 p.m. ET. USA TODAY will have a live stream of all the parade festivities. According to the Eagles, via the team's website: "The Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl Parade will step off from Broad Street and Pattison Avenue at 11 AM. on Friday, February 14, traveling northbound on Broad Street to S. Penn Square, westbound on S. Penn Square to 15th Street, northbound on 15th Street to John F. Kennedy Blvd., westbound on John F. Kennedy Blvd. to 16th Street, northbound on 16th Street to the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, westbound on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to Eakins Oval, ending at Philadelphia Museum of Art apron."
USA Today
12-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 NFL power rankings after Super Bowl: Where do all 32 teams stand heading to offseason?
2025 NFL power rankings after Super Bowl: Where do all 32 teams stand heading to offseason? Show Caption Hide Caption Eagles blow out Chiefs to win franchise's second Super Bowl USA TODAY Sports' Jarrett Bell and Lorenzo Reyes break down the Eagles Super Bowl 59 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Sports Seriously NEW ORLEANS – 'You cannot be great without the greatness of others.' It's a theme Eagles coach Nick Sirianni harped on constantly in the lead-up to Philadelphia's dominant victory over the Chiefs in Super Bowl 59 – and what greatness these new champions have in spades. A stifling defense. A multi-faceted steamroller of an offense. Superstars, role players and rookies who played like veterans. And Sirianni and his staff were phenomenal. These Eagles decisively separated themselves from the field in 2024 to land squarely atop the final power rankings of the season. But let's go ahead and slot the other 31 clubs in what's something of a postmortem, yet also a quasi-preview for the 2025 campaign (previous rank, before Week 18, in parentheses): 1. Philadelphia Eagles (5): Not only are they newly crowned champions, they ascended to the throne by throttling an organization that seemed on the cusp of becoming elite among other NFL dynasties. Instead, these Eagles have emerged as arguably one of the best single-season teams of the 21st century in light of their spectacular playoff run, which included an aggregate score of 95-45 in the NFC championship game and Super Bowl. Sirianni and QB Jalen Hurts, whose relationship was scrutinized before the season while both dealt with questions individually regarding their performances, are now certified champions who should move forward in tandem with much less noise on the periphery. Sure, Philly could lose key pieces in the offseason – OLB Josh Sweat, LB Zack Baun, DT Milton Williams and G Mekhi Becton all have expiring contracts – but no one's done a better job of drafting and reloading in recent years than EVP/GM Howie Roseman, who should have enough cap flexibility to keep at least one of his pending free agents. 2. Kansas City Chiefs (2): Should they be derided as the least impressive 15-win team of all time? Or applauded for constantly landing in the win column despite their issues while becoming the first club to reach a Super Bowl after winning the two previous ones? We're thinking more the latter despite their spectacular Super Sunday swan dive, the worst performance ever by a ruling dynasty. Moving forward? They still have Patrick Mahomes, which should be sufficient to win the AFC West in 2025. Beyond that, let's see what HC Andy Reid and GM Brett Veach have up their sleeves given the apparent issues and limited cap flexibility they're facing. 3. Buffalo Bills (1): QB Josh Allen got his MVP award, but the franchise couldn't quite get over the Arrowhead hump as it continues to pursue its first Lombardi Trophy. The question now is whether the perennial AFC East champs can have a more productive offseason than last year's, though the cap suggests that could again be a challenge. 4. Baltimore Ravens (6): If any team could have truly given the Eagles a run for their money on Super Sunday, it might have been this one. But QB Lamar Jackson was robbed of his third MVP award after his team self-destructed in the divisional round at Buffalo. If the Ravens ever stop beating themselves, it's going to be awfully tough for anyone else to do it. 5. Washington Commanders (10): Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels guided them to their best season in more than three decades … and all signs indicate this team should only get better moving forward. 6. Detroit Lions (3): Their depleted defense combined with Daniels proved a disastrous playoff formula for a team that once seemed like it was finally poised to break its Super Bowl hex. Since the NFC's No. 1 playoff seed went down, Detroit has lost both of its coordinators to HC jobs and will have to endure, at minimum, something of an internal reset in 2025. 7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9): For those keeping track, that's four division titles over the past four seasons. For those keeping track, 2025 will bring the Bucs' fourth offensive coordinator in a four-season span. 8. Green Bay Packers (7): Felt like a young, talented team plateaued a bit. This year's version was better than last year's in the regular season – particularly on the defensive side – but went one and done in the playoffs after nearly reaching the NFC title game last year. Offseason setbacks in Detroit and Minnesota should help, but it feels like the Pack is one major move – obtaining a topflight receiver maybe? – from threatening the Eagles, who beat them twice this season. 9. Houston Texans (16): Essentially the anti-Packers, the postseason Texans far more impressive than a largely uninspired regular-season version that sleepwalked back to the AFC South crown. Still, a fair amount of work to do here, especially in the trenches and schematically from an offensive perspective. 10. Los Angeles Rams (8): No team posed a bigger challenge to the Eagles this postseason – and in decidedly non-California conditions. But, since then, the Rams have signaled their intention to move on from WR Cooper Kupp while, in the meantime, QB Matthew Stafford's future is also in some question. A year after losing DL Aaron Donald, could be another seismic offseason for a team that has otherwise beautifully stockpiled young talent. 11. Los Angeles Chargers (11): Put simply, a brutally disappointing playoff loss in Houston. Put simply, few thought first-year HC Jim Harbaugh would even have the Bolts in the postseason this quickly. 12. Cincinnati Bengals (13): Shame they allowed their latest series of early season lapses prevent what could have been a legitimate Super Bowl run had they qualified for the postseason. And while they need to figure out how to win next September, Cincinnati first has a lot to sort out financially with WRs Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins and DE Trey Hendrickson. 13. Denver Broncos (15): The AFC's final wild-card entry was surprisingly competitive in the regular season and unsurprisingly non-competitive in the playoffs. Regardless, quite a leap for a team that was essentially in salary cap jail after releasing QB Russell Wilson a year ago but won't be in 2025. 14. Minnesota Vikings (4): They shockingly won 14 games with QB Sam Darnold, the most ever by a wild-card team. But significant uncertainty moving forward with Darnold, CB Byron Murphy Jr., RB Aaron Jones and S Camryn Bynum among the Vikes' free agents, and unproven QB J.J. McCarthy, last year's first-round pick, recovering from his knee injury in the bullpen. 15. Seattle Seahawks (14): Weird that a team that allegedly wants to run the ball and control the clock had to fire an offensive coordinator who likes to spread things out. Little doubt that the Seahawks overachieved in 2024, so let's see how they do in 2025 if they're more philosophically aligned with HC Mike Macdonald. 16. Arizona Cardinals (18): Sleep on them at your peril. They quietly made incremental gains on both sides of the ball while doubling their win total from four in 2023 to eight in 2024. Playoff dark horses in 2025? 17. San Francisco 49ers (20): They have a history of quick rebounds following disappointing seasons under HC Kyle Shanahan. Having a healthy Christian McCaffrey in 2025 would solve a lot, but the Niners may be forced to shed more than WR Deebo Samuel in order to accommodate QB Brock Purdy's long-awaited contract extension. 18. New England Patriots (25): They signed a premium head coach by bringing Mike Vrabel back to the family. With the most cap space in the league – nearly $120 million, per Over The Cap – they'll have the ability to sign premium free agents. With the fourth pick of the draft, they can target a premium player without having to fret about the quarterback position. Plenty to suggest this team gets right at last for the first time post-Brady. 19. Miami Dolphins (19): Apparently they'll run it back with HC Mike McDaniel, QB Tua Tagovailoa, apologetic WR Tyreek Hill, et al. What's that saying about the definition of insanity? 20. Dallas Cowboys (21): Will rookie HC Brian Schottenheimer balance this offense? Can he overcome his family's legacy of postseason infamy? Who's left to spend on assuming LB Micah Parsons finally lands his extension? QB Dak Prescott said this week, "It's our turn." But to do what? 21. Chicago Bears (23): They've got the hotshot quarterback and have now signed the hotshot coach with the exotic offensive playbook that was clearly missing here last season. Might be a bit much to expect an immediate turnaround as QB Caleb Williams and HC Ben Johnson get acquainted – especially as Johnson learns all the other aspects of his new job and in the league's toughest division – but it seems like basically all the key components are in place. 22. Jacksonville Jaguars (28): Significant addition by signing HC Liam Coen, who just schemed Bucs QB Baker Mayfield to his best NFL season. Addition by distraction after belatedly divorcing problematic GM Trent Baalke. Team legend Tony Boselli is a wild card as the club's new EVP of football operations, but it would seem matters can only improve here. 23. Atlanta Falcons (17): A team that fell apart in the second half of 2024 moves into 2025 effectively starting a rookie quarterback while its salary cap is crushed by the backup. Suboptimal. 24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12): A team that currently doesn't have a quarterback would love to navigate Atlanta's problem. 25. Carolina Panthers (24): Things are looking up after QB Bryce Young took a major step forward in the second half of his sophomore NFL season. 26. Indianapolis Colts (22): Are things looking up after QB Anthony Richardson took a major step back in the second half of his sophomore NFL season? 27. New York Jets (27): Hello, Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey. Goodbye, Aaron Rodgers and (almost certainly) Davante Adams. Next? How does the new regime's greenprint for success dovetail with the copious talent already in house … though it doesn't include, once again, an obvious answer behind center. 28. Las Vegas Raiders (26): They've got a new (read: old) head coach in Pete Carroll, 73, yet no guarantee that they won't lose the annual game of quarterback musical chairs once again … and at a time when there's a huge gulf between the Silver and Black and the rest of the AFC West. 29. Tennessee Titans (32): They've got the first pick in the draft, but do they take the best ("generational?") player or best quarterback? 30. Cleveland Browns (31): They've got the second pick in the draft, but do they take a replacement for QB Deshaun Watson or for DE Myles Garrett? 31. New York Giants (29): They've got the third pick in a draft that has two notable quarterback prospects … meaning the Giants either won't get one or will because one of the teams ahead of them passed on Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders despite needing a young passer, too. 32. New Orleans Saints (30): They have the worst cap situation in the league. Again. With the ninth pick of the draft, they're in something of a no man's land. And as the last organization to hire its head coach (Kellen Moore) for 2025, they're already behind the offseason power curve. At least the Superdome played host to the Lombardi ... briefly. All NFL news on and off the field. Sign up for USA TODAY's 4th and Monday newsletter.
