NFL Award Predictions: Will Matthew Stafford Or Patrick Mahomes Win MVP?

Matthew Stafford had his best year as a pro last season, posting video-game numbers as he nearly led the Los Angeles Rams to a second Super Bowl appearance in his five seasons with the team. Even more impressive, Stafford did it with a balky back at 37 that forced him to miss a large portion of training camp. Now, even with the Rams as heavy Super Bowl favorites, it's fair to wonder if Stafford can put together a repeat MVP performance in his 18th season. The Rams have already hedged against that happening by selecting their quarterback of the future, Ty Simpson, in the first round of April's draft. And by trading for Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie, along with the return of All-Pro Aaron Donald from a two-year retirement, Los Angeles is a lot stronger on defense than it was a year ago. "I can’t sit here and think about trying to do exactly what we did last year and do it again from a personal standpoint," Stafford told reporters in training camp. "I’m just trying to play good football and be the best quarterback for this team I can be. If I do that, I think we’ll be where we want to be." Vegas oddsmakers must have been listening to Stafford during training camp. At 14-1 odds, Stafford has the ninth-best odds to win the award for a second year in a row. MVP Watch predicted the last two winners of the MVP Award in Stafford and Josh Allen, and both went down to the wire. This year, we’ve expanded the column to include a weekly look at the top players vying for MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year and Rookies of the Year. So, in the first edition of Awards Ballot, let's predict the top five finishers for each award. Offensive Player Of The Year After forcing his way out of Philadelphia to reunite with his former head coach Mike Vrabel, there are no more excuses for Brown. He has one of the best young quarterbacks in the game throwing him the football in Drake Maye, and he should be by far the most targeted player in New England’s offense. A big year statistically should be expected from the talented, big-bodied receiver. But a question remains whether the Patriots have improved up front enough on the offensive line to protect Maye so he can get the ball downfield to Brown. It’s concerning that the 49ers are already limiting McCaffrey’s practice time due to "tightness", and the season hasn’t even started. That speaks to the Stanford product’s lengthy injury history and how important he is for head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. However, if McCaffrey can stay out of the training room, he’s one of the most versatile playmakers in the league. Add in playmakers like Brock Purdy, George Kittle and Mike Evans, and it's hard for defenses to consistently contain McCaffrey. Last year’s Offensive Player of the Year had a season to remember in 2025, posting career numbers in leading a Seattle offense directed by departed offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who pushed all the right buttons for the Seahawks to win the Super Bowl. However, Kubiak’s in Las Vegas and Seattle has a new offensive coordinator in Brian Fleury, so we don’t know how the offense will look this year. Having Sam Darnold back provides some continuity, and Rashid Shaheed and Cooper Kupp offer other pass-catching options to help take some of the attention away from the Ohio State product. Nacua has attempted to eliminate the off-the-field distractions and heighten his focus on the field. It’s still yet to be determined if the league will levy any discipline for Nacua’s off-the-field transgressions. But Nacua should be properly motivated to put up numbers, with the Rams choosing to wait to open their wallet and give him a new contract that rivals the over $40 million annually received by Smith-Njigba. If Nacua can replicate what he did on the field last season, he'll almost certainly get such a deal. He put up jaw-dropping statistics across the board, finishing second in receiving yards (1,715) and tied for sixth in receiving touchdowns (10) last season. If he stays healthy, Nacua should put up similar numbers this season. One of the most complete backs in the league, the speedy Gibbs should benefit from the diverse running game scheme new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing brings with him from Arizona. Gibbs finished with 1,223 rushing yards last season, but could push for 2,000 yards in Petzing’s scheme. Since being selected No. 12 in the 2023 draft, Gibbs is third in the NFL in scrimmage yards at 5,029. On an offense filled with dynamic playmakers led by an elite distributor of the football in Jared Goff, Gibbs is the most important chess piece. Defensive Player Of The Year The Ravens grabbed Hendrickson in free agency after rescinding the trade for Maxx Crosby. And new head coach Jesse Minter knows how to get the most out of talented edge rushers like Hendrickson from his time with the Chargers, where Khalil Mack and Tuli Tuipulotu thrived. Baltimore should be ahead in a lot of games as well, providing Hendrickson with a bounty of pass-rush opportunities. The Illinois product recently signed a new deal, making him the highest-paid defensive back in the league. Witherspoon could have been the MVP of the Super Bowl with his performance in that big game and will use that as a springboard into the regular season in a rematch with the Patriots. There’s an argument to be made that Leonard Williams is Seattle’s most impactful player defensively, but Witherspoon can make splash plays all over the field. The Texans made Anderson the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league this offseason, paying him $50 million annually. Selected third overall by Houston in the 2023 draft. Anderson won the Rookie Defensive Player of the Year that season and is one of the leaders on one of the most talented defensive groups in the NFL. A Defensive Player of the Year finalist last season, Anderson has 30 career sacks in three seasons and finished second in the league in pressures last year (87). It might be time for Anderson to finally win his first Defensive Player of the Year. The top cover corner in the league, Surtain took home Defensive Player of the Year honors two years ago and is the best defensive player returning for one of the top defenses in the league. Surtain does a great job of taking away half the field. Surtain held quarterbacks to a 15.8% completion percentage on downfield throws last season, which was the lowest mark of any defender in the league, per Next Gen Stats. Surtain gave up just three receptions for 53 yards in those situations, with six pass breakups. The Rams have had Garrett in bubble wrap heading into the team’s season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, as he has barely practiced during training camp due to knee swelling. But make no mistake, when Garrett takes the field as the reigning Defensive Player of the Year and leader of a defense that includes the return of game wrecker Aaron Donald, expect his presence to be felt. That means there's a good chance Garrett could repeat as defensive MVP. Coach Of The Year O’Connell’s QB whisperer vibes took a big hit with first-round selection J.J. McCarthy last year and falling down the depth chart. But after Sam Darnold excelled and moved on to win a Super Bowl in Seattle, O’Connell can redeem himself with Kyler Murray. And with an aggressive defense led by Brian Flores, Murray should have his best defensive group helping him on the other side of the football since he’s been in the pros. So, the ingredients are in place for O'Connell to be a strong Coach of the Year candidate. NFL observers are expecting a quick turnaround in the Big Apple, but things could take longer than expected as Harbaugh begins to mold the roster into his tough, hard-nosed image. But the most important thing is the Giants appear to have got the quarterback right in Jaxson Dart. He'll need playmaking receiver Malik Nabers to stay healthy. If Nabers remains healthy, Harbaugh could easily find himself in Coach of the Year contention. With Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, the Cowboys should have no problems scoring points on offense. But the hope for Schottenheimer is that the addition of new defensive coordinator Christian Parker will help jump-start the worst defense in the league last year. Watching the Cowboys at training camp, Parker added a much-needed new energy to the defensive side of the football, and that should translate to more wins for a Dallas squad that was more competitive than expected under Schottenheimer in his first season as a head coach last season. Caleb Williams and Johnson are expected to take another step in development in their second year together. Johnson expects Williams to improve his accuracy as a passer, and we’ll see if Rome Odunze can develop into a No. 1 receiver. But how well things go for the Bears will depend on how much of an improvement the defense makes under defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. If that goes to plan, then Johnson should be a Coach of the Year candidate again. Ryan’s won double-digit games and made the playoffs in all three years as head coach of the Texans, yet Ryans’ name doesn’t regularly come up in these Coach of the Year conversations. He’s developed one of the most ferocious defenses in the league, and if quarterback C.J. Stroud can keep from throwing the ball to the other team, the Texans have a chance to make some noise in the playoffs if they get there again. Offensive Rookie of the Year I believe Mendoza will play sooner rather than later with Kirk Cousins getting the starting nod to begin the season. It will be hard to keep Mendoza on the sidelines when the Raiders predictably struggle. And if given a chance to play on a regular basis, Mendoza might struggle early, but like Tyler Shough last season for the Saints, his talent will ultimately shine through. The Texas A&M product is a big play waiting to happen and should get more opportunities to produce on special teams. Concepcion is special with the ball in his hands, with his ability to make something happen after the catch and as a runner. It doesn’t matter if it’s Deshaun Watson or Shedeur Sanders running the offense for Cleveland; look for Concepcion to lead all rookies in explosive plays. With Ricky Pearsall out for the season, Stribling gets an opportunity to seize a role as a significant contributor in Shanahan’s offense. I had a chance to watch Stribling up close during a joint practice with the Los Angeles Chargers, and his movement skills, sticky hands and running ability after the catch were impressive. He should quickly develop a good rapport with Purdy, turning into another reliable receiver for the 49ers. There’s certainly a case to be made for Love being the choice as the top offensive rookie this season. He looked elusive in the only preseason action we saw of him. But that’s also my reason for concern, as Love suffered a high ankle sprain that hasn’t allowed him to practice since. Love’s availability is in question heading into the season opener against the Bolts. Along with that, Love is part of a crowded running back room that includes veterans Tyler Allgeir and James Conner, which could limit his opportunities. Price is on the other end of the spectrum from Love, his former teammate at Notre Dame. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker signed with the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency and Zach Charbonnet is still working his way back from season-ending knee surgery. So, Price will start the season as the workhorse back. And with new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury coming from San Diego, where they leaned heavily on Christian McCaffrey, expect Price to get a heavy, consistent workload as long as he stays healthy, with George Holani and Emanuel Wilson serving as change-of-pace backs. The scenario sets up nicely for Price to win this award. Defensive Rookie Of The Year The Canadian-born pass rusher has flashed speed off the edge and shown a consistent ability to get after the quarterback. While his reps may be limited with Mack and Tuipulotu as the starters, Mesidor should still get enough pass rush snaps to make an impact. I watched Downs at training camp practice and a joint practice with the Rams, and he’s an easy mover who appears to have quickly picked up new defensive coordinator Christian Parker’s Vic Fangio-based scheme. Versatility is Downs’ calling card, with an ability to play sticky coverage, tackle in space and serve as an effective blitzer. That means the expectation is the Ohio State product will fill up the stat sheet on game day. Reviews have been mixed for Styles on how he has performed during training camp and in preseason games. Still, he’s got the physical tools, smarts and family lineage to grow into a productive, every-down linebacker for the Commanders. Specifically, with his explosive athleticism, head coach Dan Quinn expects Styles to develop into an effective pass rusher as his game evolves. One of the most polished pass rushers in this year’s draft, the expectation is that Bailey will immediately produce for a much-maligned New York defense that finished No. 31 in the league with 26 sacks and without an interception last season. Just like Bailey, the expectation is for Bain to impact Tampa Bay's defense early because he's a polished pass rusher. I believe Bain has a chance to reach double-digit sacks playing for a team that should compete for an NFC South title with Baker Mayfield leading them. Ten or more sacks would cement Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. Most Valuable Player With a new head coach in Jesse Minter and a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle, Jackson is out to prove that he’s fully healthy and last year was an aberration. But can Jackson, who turns 30 in January, return to the dynamic, dangerous runner of his younger years? And if he can’t consistently put the fear in defenses with his legs, can Jackson be efficient and create enough explosive plays from the pocket to consistently move the chains? Along with Jackson, the Ravens need running back Derrick Henry to return to the fountain of youth. Offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and Herbert are still in the honeymoon stage of their new relationship, heaping praise on each other as they build a new, dynamic offense under the watchful eyes of head coach Jim Harbaugh. And Harbaugh has been championing the big brains of both, saying the two are the smartest men he’s ever been around in football. While we like the bromance at The Bolt, at some point during the season, when the Chargers inevitably face another rash of injuries along the offensive line, McDaniel knows things will get hard. And unlike previous seasons, the Chargers appear to have an adept offensive mind in place to deal with those tough times, still putting Herbert in a place to succeed that keeps him upright. Herbert could be in line to have his best season as a pro. I expect Stafford to have a good year, with his playmakers returning from last season. But I think it will be hard to replicate the production he had last year, particularly with one of the tougher schedules in the NFL that includes starting the season in Australia against the 49ers. Specifically, the Rams had good injury health with the offensive line last year, and it will be interesting to see if that continues this season. Allen missed a prime opportunity to win a Super Bowl last season, with Joe Burrow, Patrick Mahomes and Jackson all out of the playoffs. His four-interception performance in a road loss to the Denver Broncos will go down as one of his more disappointing playoff performances of his NFL career. But with offensive coordinator Joe Brady taking over as Buffalo’s head coach, Allen has a chance to redeem himself. The problem? Burrow, Mahomes and Jackson are all healthy. While he’s targeted a Week 1 return the entire time, it’s still astonishing that Mahomes appears to be moving well only nine months after suffering a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee that required surgery. However, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid still must rely on top free-agent addition Kenneth Walker III and the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to create enough balance on offense to protect Mahomes in his return to play. Along with that, Mahomes needs Kansas City’s defense to get back to being an elite group. It will be interesting to see defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo find replacements in the secondary for departed, top-tier defensive backs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. And does aging defensive tackle Chris Jones still have something left in the tank? Still considered by most NFL observers as the best player in the league, Mahomes has not won the MVP Award since 2022 and is two behind Aaron Rodgers (four). I like him (and the Chiefs) to rebound from a poor performance last season to win his third MVP award.

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LSU Leaves Dae’Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris Off Roster Ahead Of Clemson Game

The biggest story of the college football offseason has reached a temporary conclusion as the season’s first full Saturday approaches. Former NFL players Dae’Quan Wright and Zxavian Harris were left off LSU's official roster ahead of Saturday's season opener against Clemson, according to multiple reports. The move appears to avoid an immediate confrontation with the SEC, which passed a rule barring former professional players from rosters before a Louisiana court put it on hold. The duo was granted a preliminary injunction Thursday night in Baton Rouge, allowing them to pursue a fifth year of eligibility against the NCAA and SEC. After the ruling, Wright told reporters he planned to be ready to play against Clemson and said he had practiced with LSU for the past two days. LSU, in its own statement Friday, said it was reviewing the court's order and would "continue to work constructively with the SEC and NCAA as this matter moves forward." The College Football Playoff also came out in support of the rules barring former professional players from the college game. The LSU decision came just hours after Clemson general counsel Chip Hood sent a letter to his LSU counterpart suggesting the eligibility issue could conflict with the contract between the two schools to play Saturday's game. Clemson still plans to show up. Its coach, Dabo Swinney, however, made his feelings clear earlier in the week. "I would just say it’s kind of embarrassing," Swinney said. "I mean, honestly, it’s just embarrassing that that’s where we are. I don’t blame the kids and people trying to take advantage of the system. I just think it’s embarrassing where we are with college football." Both Wright and Harris played for new LSU head coach Lane Kiffin during his time at Ole Miss. Wright had 39 catches for 635 yards as a tight end for the Rebels last season before spending time with the Cleveland Browns organization during NFL training camp this summer. Harris, a 6-foot-8, 330-pound defensive tackle, recorded 58 tackles and three sacks last season under Kiffin. He signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent before being waived last month. Both players could still be added to the roster later this season, as both remain enrolled at LSU. The Tigers currently have 103 players on their submitted roster, leaving two spots open. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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NFL Super Bowl Futures Report: Bettors Not Sold On Seahawks, Patriots

As the NFL season arrives, the Rams are atop Super Bowl futures odds. In fact, Los Angeles is not only the favorite, but the second choice Bills’ odds are twice that of the Rams. That’ll happen when an already strong team adds sack-master Myles Garrett in the offseason, then welcomes back the recently un-retired Aaron Donald. "It’s warranted, if you look at the talent of this team up and down the roster," Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said. Feazel provides his insights on Super Bowl 61 odds and action, ahead of Wednesday’s kickoff between the defending champion Seahawks and runner-up Patriots. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Money From The Masses Last season, the Rams fell just short of a Super Bowl appearance, losing to the Seahawks 31-27 in the NFC Championship Game. As the 2026-27 season opens, multiple sportsbooks are reporting strong L.A. action, with Caesars among them. "We opened at +900 and have cut those odds almost in half to +500. And the action is coming in, no matter what the price is," Feazel said of steady Rams betting. "The Rams are No. 1 in ticket count, and they’re No. 1 by a healthy margin in money." Indeed, 18% of all Super Bowl futures money at Caesars is on the Rams. That’s 2.5 times more cash than the 49ers, who are second in money at 7%, as the +1800 co-eighth choice. Super Bowl Hangover? Interestingly, the Super Bowl champion Seahawks — the +1100 third choice in odds to win the Super Bowl — aren’t getting nearly the attention of their NFC West rivals. "I don’t think bettors are sold on the Seahawks," Feazel said. "From February to now, they’ve lost a lot of key pieces. There’s been a little fallout on expectations, based on the pieces they did and didn’t keep." Among those departing: Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the Chiefs in the offseason. Further, fellow running back Zach Charbonnet will miss Seattle’s first four games — and possibly more — while continuing to recover from a torn ACL suffered in last season’s playoffs. The Seahawks beat the Patriots 29-13 in Super Bowl 60. New England also isn’t among the more popular bets in Super Bowl futures odds, while sitting at +2000. "They’re not really betting the Patriots much at all. That’s actually one of our better positions," Feazel said. Liability Leaders As is often the case in Super Bowl futures, it’s a long shot creating the biggest concern at Caesars. Heavy regional bias in Caesars’ Las Vegas market is helping to heighten that concern. "Our biggest liability and the best result for customers is the Raiders," Feazel said of the +12500 long shots (125/1). "Bringing in [new coach] Klint Kubiak and rookie QB Fernando Mendoza is leading to a lot of money." Mendoza led Indiana to a 16-0 season and the national championship last season. But he’s not yet the starter and might not be for a while, with offseason acquisition Kirk Cousins the Raiders’ QB1 at the moment. Feazel also noted a couple legitimate liabilities in Super Bowl 61 odds. "Obviously, the Rams are not our greatest position. Then the Broncos and the 49ers," Feazel said of two teams at +1800. "The Broncos are getting a lot of love. Bettors are still interested in Denver, and the same with the 49ers. "And there’s a whole lot of love around Kyler Murray and the Vikings." Indeed, Minnesota opened as a +8000 long shot and has nearly cut that price in half to +4500. After seven seasons with the Cardinals, Murray signed with the Vikes in the offseason and beat out J.J. McCarthy for the starting job. Sportsbook Needs On the flip side, Caesars Sports has a quartet of legit teams that it’s rooting for in Super Bowl futures. All four are certainly playoff contenders. "The Jaguars are a great position for us, and the Lions are great for us, which is not normally the case," Feazel said. "Also, the Ravens and Texans. A lot of people are sleeping on how good that Texans defense is." Jacksonville went a stout 13-4 last season before losing to the Bills in the wild-card round. Houston went 12-5 in the regular season, then routed the Steelers in the wild card before bowing out at New England. The Jags are +2800 at Caesars, while the Texans are part of a +1800 logjam with the Broncos, 49ers and Chargers. Detroit went a combined 29-9 in 2023-24/2024-25, including playoff games, but stumbled to 9-8 last year and missed the postseason. Similarly, Baltimore went a disappointing 8-9 last year, largely due to QB Lamar Jackson (knee/back) missing four games. Caesars expects both teams to bounce back, with the Ravens the +1300 fourth choice in Super Bowl 61 odds, followed by the Lions at +1600. I Like Big Bets and I Cannot Lie As the season commences, there are a plethora of bets on Super Bowl futures odds. Among the more notable plays at Caesars is a $27,000 wager on Seahawks +1100. If Sam Darnold & Co. pull off a repeat title, then that bettor cashes in for $297,000 profit, for a total payout of $324,000. Other noteworthy wagers at Caesars: Then there’s this Super Bowl exacta at DraftKings Sportsbook: In easier-to-digest terms, the odds are 500/1. If somehow it’s Bengals vs. Cowboys on Feb. 14 at SoFi Stadium, and Cincinnati wins its first-ever Super Bowl, then that customer profits $1.25 million.

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LSU Fans Concerned Over Kiffin And LSU's Decision To Recruit Former NFL Players

The showdown between No. 11 LSU and Clemson was always going to be a showcase Week 1 game given Lane Kiffin's debut in the bayou. But few could have imagined the discussion surrounding the game would be anything like this. The heated on-field rivalry between two national powerhouses that share a stadium nickname (Death Valley) and mascot (Tigers) has been largely overshadowed by court cases involving NFL players returning to college football to use their final year of eligibility. Matt Moscona, a sports radio talk show host with 104.5 ESPN in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, said the issue has dominated the airwaves this week. He estimates that 10 of the 12 segments on his three-hour talk show on Thursday were devoted to the topic, while only one was about the actual game. He said LSU fans are genuinely worried. Not about Clemson, but about the long-term impact that Kiffin's desire to recruit and play former NFL players in defiance of SEC rules will have on the football program. "The phrase everyone here is using is, ‘Is the juice worth the squeeze?,’" Moscona said. "Why go through this big public ordeal to add a couple of backup players? Which is what we're talking about, quite honestly. The overriding sentiment is people are fearful of the punishments." He said that fear includes speculation that Kiffin might be suspended for ignoring SEC's stance, or even the Tigers being kicked out of the conference altogether after being a founding member in the early 1930s. "People here are wondering if we are really thinking about the long-term ramifications of playing a few backups," Moscona said. Kiffin recruited two of his former players at Ole Miss — defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and tight end Dae’Quan Wright — after both spent time with NFL clubs this offseason. That stirred up a hornets' nest, with the Southeastern Conference suing LSU in federal court this week and potentially tainting a partnership dating to the Depression. Several coaches have been outspoken against NFL players returning to college, including Clemson's Dabo Swinney who called the notion of ex-NFL players suiting up on Saturdays "embarrassing" for the sport. All four Power Four conferences last week reiterated their rules against pro players and some outlined stiff penalties including fines and suspensions. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey testified that "the line between professional sports and college sports needs to be maintained," even in an era where top college players command million-dollar compensation packages through revenue sharing and NIL deals. Kiffin, one of the most outspoken and polarizing figures in college football long before his recruitment of NFL players, sees things a little differently than most in college football. He said he talked with LSU team leaders and all backed the idea of bringing in players who can help the Tigers — whether they tried out for NFL teams or not. He shrugged off the idea that it would wreck any final notion that college is meant for amateur athletes. "This is how it works at the next level," Kiffin said this week. "This is how the real world works." Moscona noted that other teams have landed former NFL players including South Carolina, which recently signed kicker Ethan Sanchez after he attended camp with the San Francisco 49ers. He blames for the NCAA for not granting a blanket waiver to allow athletes from the 2022 high school class to return for a fifth year after changing its eligibility model in June. "The problem here is those players would have never left had they known they would have had another year of eligibility," Moscona said. "... The NCAA did not heed advice that lawsuits would follow. And, the lawsuits have followed. And now it's awful." Regardless of what happens, this is clearly not your average high-profile college season opener. LSU has a received a record number of requests — more than 900, according to the school — from media and VIPs. "I think that speaks volumes of the eyeballs on us and people wanting to be around the program and watch the program," Kiffin said. "All that is important nowadays. No. 1 is winning but after that you have a very marketable program." Reporting by The Associated Press.

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Pro Football Hall Of Fame Makes Major Changes In Voting Process After Bill Belichick Snub

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced major changes to its selection process seven months after the controversial snub of Bill Belichick created a public uproar. The changes will begin with the voting cycle for the 2027 class. The most significant change is that the group of selectors will be cut from 50 to 25 on the selection committee, with three alternates that will rotate on a yearly basis for a total of 28. The Hall is still in the process of determining and notifying which selectors will stay or move on. Along with that, the seniors category for players has been eliminated, meaning players will no longer graduate to that group after 20 years in the modern-era pool. Instead, all players will be lumped into one player pool. The Hall said it eliminated the seniors category to avoid unintended bias in the voting process. The Hall stated the changes were made to improve the voting process, part of a comprehensive review that began 2.5 years ago. "The Hall continually reviews its bylaws to ensure the selection process reflects the highest standards of integrity and the magnitude of election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame," President & CEO Jim Porter said in a press release. "There is no more important task at the Hall of Fame than the election of each new class." The process that selectors will use to vote candidates into the Hall has also been changed. The Hall of Fame vote will return to an in-person meeting, which will be held in the first week of February to determine the candidates selected for induction. The in-person meeting had been on a six-year hiatus that began during the COVID pandemic. During the annual selection meeting, candidate presentations will be handled by one individual designated by the Hall to avoid an unintended bias toward a candidate because of a presenter with more persuasive oratory skills. The Hall also eliminated the finalist designation, along with the practice of carrying over candidates who made the final seven from the previous voting cycle being automatically placed as a finalist for the next voting cycle. Marshal Yanda and Terrell Suggs have been grandfathered in this voting cycle because they made the final seven before the rule change. However, Willie Anderson will not be an automatic finalist this year because he has already benefited from that rule in a previous voting cycle. The Hall has just two terms now: nominee and candidate, once an individual makes the cut for the annual meeting. The contributor category has been expanded to include the entire body of work of a player, front-office person, coach, or an individual who has made significant contributions to the game. So, three categories will be considered — player, coach and contributor. The coach and contributor subcommittees will have 14 individuals on each committee, which will come from the pool of the 28 selectors. The subcommittees will be responsible for bringing forward one candidate each from the coach and contributor categories to bring forward for consideration at the in-person meeting. Before these changes, the Hall of Fame selection committee consisted of 50 selectors, which included representatives for each of the 32 teams and 18 at-large selectors. The 32 team representatives have been removed to avoid unintended bias, according to the Hall. Stricter rules were created by the Hall in 2024 to ensure exclusivity of membership to the Hall of Fame, allowing at least four, but no more than eight, people to be inducted from the 20 finalists selected. The Hall also reduced the waiting period for coaches to become eligible from five years to one. That created the opportunity for Belichick to become eligible in the last voting cycle. Eligibility for the Hall of Fame remains the same. Players must be retired for at least five years, while the wait for coaches is one. The reduction will go from 50 to 25. But instead of 15 modern-day finalists, the players' nominee pool will be reduced to 13 nominees, one coach and one contributor for selectors to consider at the in-person meeting. The 15 will be cut from 10 to seven. Voters will then be asked to vote for six of those candidates, with 80% (20 of 25 votes) the standard needed to be enshrined. At least three inductees, but no more than seven, will be enshrined from the 15 candidates voted on for the in-person meeting in February. That process will likely create a five- or six-person class. With the new changes, the Hall has the right to reveal the number of votes a candidate received but not reveal how selectors voted. However, selectors can still publicly reveal how they voted if they choose. "The Hall of Fame’s selection process has always been guided by integrity, thoughtful deliberation and a commitment to honoring those most deserving of football’s highest individual honor," Porter said. "We believe these changes both augment what has worked well while addressing opportunities to further strengthen a tradition that means so much to the game and everyone who loves it."

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LSU, Lane Kiffin Cleared To Add Former NFL Players After Louisiana Court Ruling

LSU coach Lane Kiffin’s chances of fielding former NFL players improved Thursday night when a Louisiana judge issued a preliminary injunction against the NCAA in a high-profile eligibility case. East Baton Rouge Parish Judge William Jorden issued his ruling the night before LSU was due to submit its 105-man roster to the Southeastern Conference, which last week announced heavy potential punishment for football and basketball teams that bring in ex-pros. The ruling clears the way for LSU to list some former NFL players on its roster. How many games they might be eligible to play remains to be seen as the matter continues working its way through the courts. Jorden said he considered sanctions against the SEC and the NCAA but ruled he was not ready to issue any at this time. Jorden’s decision followed a nearly nine-hour hearing in a courtroom near the LSU campus in which athlete after athlete took the stand to explain why they should be allowed to return to play college sports after turning pro. The commissioner of the powerful SEC argued against them, and the league doubled down by filing a lawsuit against the school in federal court. That lawsuit could now become the SEC’s best chance at preventing former pros from playing this season. The courtroom confrontation came just two days before 11th-ranked LSU opens the season at home against Clemson. Jorden scheduled the hearing over his temporary injunction preventing the NCAA from barring former pros or fifth-year college athletes, a stance reiterated by the SEC and other Power Four conferences in potential punishments adopted last week. Former New Orleans Saints defensive lineman Zxavian Harris and former Cleveland Browns tight end Dae’Quan Wright, two players who hope to suit up for LSU, sat next to each other in the gallery as the hearing began and both took the stand to say they would have not tried to turn pro had they known they might get another year in college. Harris and Wright said they each earned about $1 million in college. Harris said he was paid just $190 in travel expenses by the Saints and spent all of his time with the club rehabbing a foot injury. Wright said he was paid a $25,000 signing bonus by Philadelphia before his brief time with the Browns and would gladly pay that back for the chance to play for LSU. Two LSU soccer players, Jazmin Ferguson and Jocelyn Ollivierre, won earlier court orders and have already played this season. Ferguson testified that she was paid $4,500 by a USL team, but ended her contract and paid the money back in hopes of clearing the way to play for the Tigers again. Two LSU softball players also testified. The athletes testified after SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey was on the stand for more than two hours, defending the league’s authority to enforce its week-old rules barring former pros from returning to play at its 16 member schools. He said school presidents and chancellors felt that they needed to establish a line between professional and college sports and that there needed to be ways to hold schools accountable. "The line between professional sports and college sports needs to be maintained," Sankey testified, adding that the league was concerned about incoming athletes being displaced from limited roster spots. As he spoke, the SEC filed the federal lawsuit in Alabama against LSU and its leadership, alleging the school had "waged a deliberate and coordinated campaign to recruit professional athletes" in defiance of league rules. The court filing against one of the league’s founding members in 1933 seeks an injunction barring LSU from violating the SEC’s First Amendment rights by forcing it to "associate with conduct that is contrary to the conference’s purpose and mission." Legal experts said the filing was a backup in case the SEC lost in state court. Outside the courthouse in Baton Rouge, plaintiffs’ attorney Tony Clayton said: "I got a problem with that. I mean, you go around, you can file this suit in any state. You’re suing LSU. Sue them in Louisiana. You go to our nemesis: Alabama. Really? So, so that lets you know what the commissioner is all about." In questioning Sankey, attorneys for the athletes cited numerous examples of when SEC eligibility rules align with NCAA rules, suggesting the potential of collusion. They questioned why league members met last week to adopt stiff penalties for the very actions addressed in the Louisiana state court’s temporary injunction against the NCAA. The attorneys also asked why the SEC singled out players who signed contracts with specific U.S.-based leagues — the NFL, NBA and WNBA — but not overseas pro leagues or women’s pro soccer leagues. When Sankey tried to qualify an answer about whether the SEC had previously punished a school for adding a player with previous pro experience, Clayton said, "I didn’t ask how to build a clock. I’m just asking what time it is." Sankey acknowledged that there had previously been no such punishment, but that it had been considered against Alabama last basketball season when the Crimson Tide briefly added a former G League player. The players in question also include former Denver Broncos defensive back Blake Cotton, who like Harris and Wright is hoping to join LSU and Kiffin. Wright, who played for Kiffin last season at Mississippi, started practicing at LSU this week, too late to be eligible for Saturday’s home opener against Clemson under the NCAA’s required seven days of practice. Harris, who also played at Ole Miss last season, has committed to LSU, while Cotton, who played at Utah last fall, has been recruited by Kiffin. All three are among a host of athletes who’ve argued in lawsuits around the country that they are unfairly being denied an opportunity to spend a fifth year in college under newly adopted NCAA rules allowing for five full years of competition. In all, the NCAA says there are approximately 450 athlete plaintiffs seeking additional eligibility through litigation, with some 300 of them winning the ability to play at least for now. The athletes in the case who signed pro contracts have argued they did so only because current rules that would have allowed them another college season weren’t adopted until after their decisions to leave for the chance to make an NFL roster. The SEC contends the question before the judge should be a narrow one regarding whether the conference "can enforce and require its member institutions to comply with SEC rules." The SEC’s proposed punishments include significant fines, up to half-season suspensions for coaches and member universities’ loss of voting privileges on league business matters. Sankey provided an affidavit stating that SEC university presidents had voted 15-0 in favor of the new rules, with LSU’s Wade Rousse abstaining. The fight over eligibility between schools and their own conferences and the NCAA has simmered for months and spilled into politics. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill chatted with plaintiffs’ attorneys before the hearing and filed a brief on their behalf. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry posted on X to attorneys general in Georgia and South Carolina that "calling them ‘NFL players’ is at best disingenuous, and at worst intentionally deceptive ... They are not professional football players circling back after years in the NFL. They are college players who were told, by the NCAA, that they were done. So they took the only door that was open — only to watch the NCAA change the lock behind them." Reported by the Associated Press.

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NFL All-22 Roster: Building A Dream Team For 2026

In the star-studded NFL, which players will shine the brightest this season? With All-22 coaches’ tape and a stat sheet serving as my primary evaluation tools, here is my preseason All-Pro team based on track record and projections for the 2026 campaign. The reigning MVP could write a storybook ending to a Hall of Fame career by guiding a super team to another title in its home stadium. Although Stafford already accomplished this feat when the Rams won Super Bowl LVI, the future gold jacket recipient has a chance to run the table through the regular season and playoffs with a squad that is loaded with All-Pro playmakers around him. With Sean McVay carefully scripting "winners" that should produce easy scores for the veteran, Stafford could top off an unbeaten season with a collection of individual honors that reflect his work as a pinpoint passer and scoring machine. The playmaking dynamo is nearly impossible to defend out of the backfield. Robinson’s hybrid RB1/WR2 skill set will enable new coach Kevin Stefanski to get him 120-plus yards a game in multiple ways. Coming off a campaign in which he led the league with 2,298 scrimmage yards, the 5-foot-11, 215-pounder should cement his spot as the NFL’s undisputed RB1 with a spectacular season that could result in a 1,000 rushing and receiving yards apiece. As a former receiving triple crown winner, Chase is a problem for opponents who are unable to deal with his physicality, toughness and big-play potential as a "catch-and-run" specialist. The 6-foot, 205-pounder is a quasi-running back on the perimeter, breaking tackles in the open field after snagging passes on in-breaking routes. The veteran is just as dangerous downfield, wrestling "50-50 balls" away from defenders down the boundary. With Joe Burrow operating with a "Super Bowl or bust" mentality, the feisty pass-catcher should bounce back as an All-Pro in 2026. Despite a dip in production due to shoddy quarterback play, the seventh-year pro notched his sixth-straight 1,000-yard season and continued to remind defensive backs that he is nearly impossible to defend when he is on the same page as his QB1. With Kyler Murray now on board and with the arm talent to force opponents to defend the entire field, the perennial All-Pro wideout should reclaim his spot on the list of the league’s A-plus playmakers. The numbers do not lie when it comes to sheer dominance on the perimeter. Nacua has been an unstoppable force as the No. 1 option in the Rams’ passing game, showing strong hands and superb ball skills while consistently coming down with contested grabs. As Matthew Stafford’s go-to guy, the All-Pro is likely to post the third 100-catch season of his career before breaking the bank as the premier wide receiver on the open market. After watching Klint Kubiak transform Jaxon Smith-Njigba into a playmaking machine as the feature pass-catcher in his scheme, Bowers could revolutionize the tight end position with a creative play designer building an offensive plan around his mercurial talents. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound target terrorized opponents as an unstoppable force on the perimeter during his record-breaking rookie season, showing a skill set that makes him tough for safeties and linebackers to cover in space. Given Kubiak’s experience and success showcasing No. 1 options, Bowers could resume his assault on the NFL record book as the Raiders’ leading pass-catcher in an offense built to elevate playmakers. The versatile frontline blocker has earned All-Pro honors at right tackle and left tackle by unmercifully pummeling defenders into the ground with his heavy hands and violent punches. The 6-foot-5, 320-pounder is a rare find as an athletic edge blocker with an alpha dog personality that allows him to dominate using finesse or force at the point of attack. The three-time All-Pro has regained his status as a five-star player after a couple of subpar seasons by his lofty standards. Nelson is back to mashing defenders onto the turf with his nasty disposition, setting the tone for the rest of the line. With the Colts’ running game popping behind No. 56’s efforts, the veteran guard should re-emerge as a first-team All-Pro member this season. The talented technician makes life easy for Patrick Mahomes by getting the frontline into the proper checks and adjustments against challenging looks. Humphrey’s outstanding football IQ and superb communication skills, combined with flawless footwork and fundamentals, enable him to stymie explosive defenders at the line. Given the importance of keeping the Chiefs’ QB1 upright in the pocket, Humphrey’s impressive work as a "traffic cop" makes him an easy choice on this All-22 team. The small school standout has developed into one of the best in the business as a mauler at the point of attack. Meinerz bullies defenders with his strength and power, but has also developed into a high-level technician who can shadowbox with agile defenders. The combination of physical dominance and technical savvy has helped him stand out as one of the elite blockers in the game. After watching the third-year pro put on a clinic against a collection of elite defenders on both edges, the football world should prepare to see a new name atop this season’s list of star offensive linemen. Alt plays with textbook technique and an All-Pro’s temperament, controlling defenders at the point of attack on perimeter runs and drop-back passes. The 6-foot-8, 322-pounder masterfully utilizes his length. The single-season sack record holder is the centerpiece of a superteam in Los Angeles that could put the league in a choke hold in 2026. Garrett’s destructive potential as a freakishly athletic pass-rusher will make it hard for opponents to send extra blockers toward Aaron Donald to keep the three-time Defensive Player of the Year from taking over games fresh out of retirement. With Garrett seemingly on a mission to shatter the NFL’s career sack record while winning an elusive Super Bowl ring, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year could add even more hardware to the trophy case by season’s end. The fourth-year pro has quickly joined the conversation as arguably the best defensive tackle in football after dismantling interior blockers with his violent hands and superhero strength. Carter’s disruptive presence sets the table for the rest of the defense, while creating countless headaches for offensive coordinators trying to come up with plans to limit his impact at the point of attack. The twitchy defensive tackle overwhelms opponents with his quickness and explosion at the line. Murphy’s activity and aggression force interior defenders to pay close attention to his whereabouts, particularly on pivotal downs where the Seahawks are known to crank up the pressure. As an emerging standout coming off a season with seven sacks and 13 quarterback hits, the 6-foot-0, 306-pounder is ready to take his game up a notch as an All-Pro-caliber defender at the line. The relentless edge rusher is a one-man wrecking crew with a diverse collection of maneuvers that keeps offensive tackles guessing for four quarters. Anderson’s speed, quickness and burst, combined with his physicality and violence, overwhelm blockers left in isolation without a running back to help in protection. With the Texans’ defense expected to extend its dominance into 2026, the All-Pro pass-rusher should add more accolades to his résumé by season's end. After missing most of the 2025 campaign with an injury, the ninth-year pro is ready to attack the league with a vengeance as a sideline-to-sideline playmaker again. Warner’s instincts and ball skills have generated eye-popping turnover production (10 interceptions, 17 forced fumbles and seven fumble recoveries) as the featured playmaker in the Niners' scheme. Although new defensive coordinator Raheem Morris will put his own spin on the system that has helped Warner play at a gold jacket level, the four-time All-Pro’s knack for producing big plays will keep him in the conversation as the top linebacker in the game. As one of three players with at least two sacks, two interceptions and 10 tackles for loss last season, the 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year is a disruptive force who specializes in producing splash plays all over the field. Schwesinger’s impeccable instincts, awareness and anticipation, combined with his violent approach, could make him the new gold standard at the position by the end of 2026. The 2024 Defensive Player of the Year should bounce back from an injury-plagued season to reclaim his spot as the NFL’s CB1. Surtain’s airtight coverage and flawless technique make him a coach’s dream, and the top choice to man the island as the league’s premier cover corner. The sticky-fingered ball magnet has terrorized quarterbacks on the perimeter with 15 interceptions and 51 passes defensed over 54 career games. Stingley’s turnover obsession and takeaway prowess force opponents to think twice before targeting receivers in his area. Playing behind a ferocious front that regularly causes errant throws, the All-Pro corner has emerged as the Texans’ designated playmaker in their "see ball, get ball" scheme. The NFL’s highest-paid corner is worth every penny of his new four-year, $132 million contract as a dynamic defender with Swiss Army knife versatility on the perimeter. Witherspoon’s ability to blitz, run and cover from out wide or in the slot makes life miserable for quarterbacks and offensive playcallers. With the 6-foot-0, 185-pound DB capable of making plays in the backfield off corner blitzes and slot pressures just as well as he shuts down WR1s, Witherspoon is the ultimate weapon for Mike Macdonald to deploy from the second level. Offensive coordinators are facing sleepless nights with Jesse Minter poised to unleash the three-time All-Pro as a multidimensional playmaker near the box. Hamilton is perfectly suited for the role: a safety with linebacker size, speed and diagnostic skills, plus cornerback-like playmaking ability between the hashes. Inserting the ultra-versatile DB into a scheme that showcases his talents as a "hit, run, and cover" specialist near the line of scrimmage should help the Ravens’ defense get back to its dominating ways. The former first-team All-Pro selection is the new prototype at the position: a super-sized defender who can play anywhere within the defensive triangle (strong safety, free safety, and nickel defender) based on matchups. James’ versatility and playmaking potential flourished under former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, but the big plays should continue with the Chargers under new DC Chris O'Leary.

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