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USA Today
a day ago
- Business
- USA Today
Outgoing Packers president Mark Murphy regrets winning only one Super Bowl during tenure
Outgoing Packers president Mark Murphy regrets winning only one Super Bowl during tenure Outgoing Green Bay Packers president and CEO Mark Murphy said he feels "regret" for winning only one Super Bowl during his tenure, which began in early 2008 and ends in July, but he's "confident" the franchise will soon win another one with general manager Brian Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur leading the way. "While we enjoyed consistent success on the field during my tenure, I regret that we only made one Super Bowl appearance," Murphy wrote in his monthly Q&A post at "I would have loved to win a Super Bowl with Brian Gutekunst and Matt LaFleur. We were close many times, and I am confident that they will break through and win a Super Bowl in the not-too-distant future." Between 2008 and 2024, the Packers won 185 total games in the regular season and playoffs, trailing only the New England Patriots (195) and Kansas City Chiefs (186). However, both the Patriots and Chiefs made five Super Bowls and won three during the same time span while the Packers won their only appearance in 2010. The Packers won the NFC North eight times and made the postseason 13 times in Murphy's 17 seasons, but the franchise has lost four consecutive NFC Championship Games since Super Bowl XLV, including heartbreaking losses in 2014 and 2020. LaFleur and Gutekunst are currently 0-2 in title games. Despite having future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers under center for most of his tenure, Murphy's Packers failed in too many big playoff moments and never got back to the Super Bowl -- highlighting how difficult the challenge is every year to climb the NFL's summit. Murphy will retire from his position at the mandatory retirement age of 70 this summer. His successor is Ed Policy, who will assume the role at the annual shareholder's meeting in July. Policy, a lifelong executive in pro football, has big shoes to fill. Murphy oversaw successful transitions from Brett Favre to Aaron Rodgers and Rodgers to Jordan Love, and while Murphy might regret only winning one Super Bowl, even one title is a remarkable accomplishment worth celebrating over the course of a president's tenure. Can LaFleur and Gutekunst finally get over the hump in 2025, Policy's first season on the job? The Packers have been to the postseason in five of LaFleur's six seasons as coach, and Gutekunst has built a strong, sturdy roster. In 2023, the Packers came up just short of making the NFC title game. Last year, the Packers flamed out late, losing three straight games, including a playoff loss in Philadelphia.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Key dates to know for the Detroit Lions on the 2025-26 NFL calendar
Key dates to know for the Detroit Lions on the 2025-26 NFL calendar The NFL has released the official league calendar of key dates for the coming season. There are quite a few that are pertinent for the Detroit Lions as the team heads into its late-spring hiatus. July 15: Franchise tag deadline The Lions didn't use the franchise or transition tags on any free agents in 2025, so this doesn't really apply to Detroit. Late July: Training camp dates Teams are allowed to begin training camp 47 days prior to the date of their first regular-season game. The Lions get an exemption for this because they are playing in the Hall of Fame Game. The Lions will release the exact training camp dates to the public soon. July 31: Hall of Fame Game: Lions vs. Chargers in Canton, OH Detroit opens the preseason with an extra exhibition game, which is why the Lions' training camp report date is earlier than for all other teams besides the Chargers. More: Detroit Lions preseason schedule for 2025: Dates, times and opponents now set August 21-23: The final game of the preseason for all teams Detroit hosts the Houston Texans on August 23rd at 1 p.m. Aug 26: Roster cutdown deadline Rosters must be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. August 27: Practice squad starts Waiver claims from the prior day's cuts are processed, and teams can form a 16-player practice squad (17 if a qualifying international player) once the waiver claims are completed. Aug 31: Final day of preseason training camp for all clubs The league officially shifts into regular-season mode on September 1st. September 23: Waiver claim changes The NFL waiver claim order changes from the final 2024 standings to the current NFL records, following the completion of Week 3 games. The current order is the same as the 2025 NFL Draft order (without trades), so Detroit is 28th. Post-Week 4: Injured players can return Players who began the season on the I.R. list or the NFI/PIP lists are eligible to be activated. November 4: NFL Trade Deadline The Lions were active at the 2024 deadline, acquiring Za'Darius Smith from the Browns. November 5th: Veteran waiver changes Following the trade deadline, all veterans with at least four accrued NFL seasons are subject to waiver claims if their team releases them. Before this time, those players are free to sign anywhere without restriction. January 5: Fifth-year option period begins For the Lions, this pertains to RB Jahmyr Gibbs and LB Jack Campbell. Note that the Lions can sign either player to an extension without exercising the fifth-year option. January 5th is also the deadline for underclassmen to declare their entrance into the 2026 NFL Draft class. Jan 10-12: Wild Card Weekend Jan 17-18: Divisional Playoffs Jan 25: AFC and NFC Championship Games February 8: Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California) Here's hoping the Lions earn their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. February 17: Franchise tag period begins Business moves forward to the offseason, and teams become eligible to place the franchise tag on pending free agents. For Detroit, that (currently) includes players like Aidan Hutchinson, Jameson Williams and Amik Robertson. February 23-March 2: NFL Scouting Combine The annual scouting extravaganza in Indianapolis is also typically the first chance to meet with GM Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell following the end of the Lions season. March 11: Free agency begins The legal tampering period begins on March 9th, with teams eligible to sign free agents beginning at 4 p.m. ET on the 11th. March 29-April 1: NFL league meeting This is the meeting where rule changes are voted upon, among other functions of the annual meeting in Phoenix. April 20: Offseason programs begin for teams with returning head coaches Barring something completely unforeseen on the coaching front, the Lions and Dan Campbell are permitted to begin the 2026 offseason program on April 20th. April 23-25: The 2026 NFL Draft Next year's draft is in Pittsburgh.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former Eagles teammates share laughs as Chris Long pranks Lane Johnson with fake schedule
There's nothing like being in love with the reigning and defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles. It's one of those feelings that will spoil someone, especially if they're old enough to remember some gut-wrenching losses. Seeing Andy Reid's Birds lose three straight NFC Championship Games was tough. It was even tougher to watch them qualify for Super Bowl 39 and lose to the New England Patriots. That made it easy to question if the Birds would ever reach the mountaintop. Advertisement Seeing Philly win Super Bowl 57 will remain one of the happiest nights of our lives, but check them out now. The Eagles are two-time World Champions! And, thank goodness! Can you imagine where we'd be had they lost this past February? Everything may have flipped. We'd own two losses to Reid and his Kansas City Chiefs during a three-year span. Fortunately, that isn't the case. Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, and Nick Sirianni have led this organization to three Super Bowls and two Vince Lombardi Trophies in eight years. Everyone is smiling, including current and former Eagles. Two laughed while catching up during the NFL's schedule release. Lane Johnson is the victim of the prank of the century on Green Light with Chris Long. Times have changed. The only thing necessary to share media savvy is a YouTube account and, maybe, one of those ring lights people keep buying. Podcasts pop up constantly. There are nine million of them, and 90% are unwatchable and need a reboot. Advertisement Thank Heaven for Green Light with Chris Long. It's a must-watch and a production of Yote House Media. It's also named after its namesake. Chris Long is forever an Eagle, and he helped Philly win their first Super Bowl in February of 2018. During one of his most recent broadcasts, he welcomed a fellow legend, two-time champ Lane Johnson. They shared a few laughs and the prank of the century. Chris hilariously duped Lane with a fake schedule ahead of the NFL's official release. Watch the full episode below. Yep! Life is certainly more enjoyable when trips to the Super Bowl and WIN. Philly has all the tools to reach football's biggest game and win it all again. The 2025-26 Eagles schedule contains tough stretches. Don't worry. The real 17-game schedule has been released to avoid any confusion. No one has to worry about being punked again. Everything begins with the NFL's opening-night affair on Thursday, September 4th. Advertisement Wouldn't you know it? The Dallas Cowboys are the first opponent. CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons have already added gasoline to the fire surrounding this ever-continuing feud. This rivalry didn't need any more animosity, but that's okay. Dallas will walk into a buzzsaw come Week 1 of the regular season. This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Chris Long pulls off schedule prank on former teammate Lane Johnson
USA Today
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Former Eagles teammates share laughs as Chris Long pranks Lane Johnson with fake schedule
Former Eagles teammates share laughs as Chris Long pranks Lane Johnson with fake schedule Chris Long and Lane Johnson reconnected recently and shared a laugh. There's nothing like being in love with the reigning and defending Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles. It's one of those feelings that will spoil someone, especially if they're old enough to remember some gut-wrenching losses. Seeing Andy Reid's Birds lose three straight NFC Championship Games was tough. It was even tougher to watch them qualify for Super Bowl 39 and lose to the New England Patriots. That made it easy to question if the Birds would ever reach the mountaintop. Seeing Philly win Super Bowl 57 will remain one of the happiest nights of our lives, but check them out now. The Eagles are two-time World Champions! And, thank goodness! Can you imagine where we'd be had they lost this past February? Everything may have flipped. We'd own two losses to Reid and his Kansas City Chiefs during a three-year span. Fortunately, that isn't the case. Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman, and Nick Sirianni have led this organization to three Super Bowls and two Vince Lombardi Trophies in eight years. Everyone is smiling, including current and former Eagles. Two laughed while catching up during the NFL's schedule release. Lane Johnson is the victim of the prank of the century on Green Light with Chris Long. Times have changed. The only thing necessary to share media savvy is a YouTube account and, maybe, one of those ring lights people keep buying. Podcasts pop up constantly. There are nine million of them, and 90% are unwatchable and need a reboot. Thank Heaven for Green Light with Chris Long. It's a must-watch and a production of Yote House Media. It's also named after its namesake. Chris Long is forever an Eagle, and he helped Philly win their first Super Bowl in February of 2018. During one of his most recent broadcasts, he welcomed a fellow legend, two-time champ Lane Johnson. They shared a few laughs and the prank of the century. Chris hilariously duped Lane with a fake schedule ahead of the NFL's official release. Watch the full episode below. Yep! Life is certainly more enjoyable when trips to the Super Bowl and WIN. Philly has all the tools to reach football's biggest game and win it all again. The 2025-26 Eagles schedule contains tough stretches. Don't worry. The real 17-game schedule has been released to avoid any confusion. No one has to worry about being punked again. Everything begins with the NFL's opening-night affair on Thursday, September 4th. Wouldn't you know it? The Dallas Cowboys are the first opponent. CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons have already added gasoline to the fire surrounding this ever-continuing feud. This rivalry didn't need any more animosity, but that's okay. Dallas will walk into a buzzsaw come Week 1 of the regular season.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hufanga shares heartfelt goodbye to 49ers organization, fans
Hufanga shares heartfelt goodbye to 49ers organization, fans originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area Now that Talanoa Hufanga's time with the 49ers officially is over, the safety is saying goodbye. Hufanga signed a three-year contract with the Denver Broncos in NFL free agency earlier this month, ending his tenure in the Bay after four seasons. A first-team All-Pro selection in 2022, Hufanga found plenty of success with the 49ers after they selected him No. 180 overall in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Advertisement 'Change is exciting, but this is a season of my life I will always cherish and reminisce as one of the best times of my life,' Hufanga said Saturday on Instagram of his years in the Bay. 'Thank you to all the teammates and coaches that not only helped me grow as a football player, but as a man of God. You all have become family to me and I'll never forget the relationships I have been fortunate enough to make. 'To [the] Faithful, thank you all so much for your endless support and encouragement these past four years. I loved seeing you all on Sundays but my favorite was when I was able to meet some of you in everyday life. Our interactions never ceased to put a smile on my face and I feel so grateful to have encountered such great people. 'Red and gold will always have a special place in my heart. Stay faithful.' Hufanga experienced plenty of highs and lows during his 49ers career, from his playoff touchdown on a blocked punt against the Green Bay Packers his rookie year to ACL and wrist injuries that impacted his third and fourth seasons in the league. Advertisement It's safe to say Hufanga, whom the Faithful knew as 'Huf,' made an impact for both the organization and fans alike, appearing in five postseason contests — two NFC Championship Games — with the 49ers. And now, as Hufanga joins former 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw for a new adventure in Denver, the place where he made his mark in the NFL always will be in his heart. Download and follow the 49ers Talk Podcast
