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  • Yes, Philly is most definitely a basketball city. Dating all the way back to 1898.

    Yes, Philly is most definitely a basketball city. Dating all the way back to 1898.

    On Dec. 1, 1898, about 1,000 people gathered at a court in Textile Hall — today’s Kensington neighborhood. They were there to watch the Philadelphia Hancock Athletic Association play the New Jersey Trenton Nationals in America’s first professional basketball game.

    According to an article in the following day’s Philadelphia Times, the game got a late start because referees were still ironing out the rules of the world’s newest professional sport.

    But once the game got underway, it was fast and furious.

    Hancock “started with a rush, scoring two field goals before the players had become warmed up to their work,” the story reads.

    “Throughout the entire first half, the home team had the better of the argument, taking advantage of every opportunity finishing the half in the lead by a score of 11 to [0].”

    In the end, Philadelphia lost by two points, a disappointment Philly sports fans know all too well, even in these modern times.

    The final score: 21 to 19.

    Daniel Lipschutz blended history into his love of the modern day sport for this sculpture.

    That first game of the National Basketball League will be feted this Saturday at a Firstival at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Firstivals are the Philadelphia Historic District’s weekly day parties celebrating events that happened in Philadelphia before anywhere else in America, and often the world. They are part of a yearlong celebration of America’s 250th birthday.

    James Naismith, a YMCA coach in Springfield, Mass., invented basketball in 1891 to keep kids active during winter months. The sport incorporated elements of rugby, lacrosse, and soccer. Instead of throwing balls into a bottomless net to score, players threw balls into peach baskets.

    (In other words, there was no such thing as a rebound.)

    James Naismith, inventor of basketball, with a ball and a basket.

    Basketball quickly became popular with college students and in 1898, Naismith was recruited to coach the University of Kansas basketball team.

    That same year, Horace Fogel, sports editor of the Philadelphia Public Ledger, organized the first professional basketball league with three teams from Philadelphia and three from South Jersey.

    A 12-foot chain-link cage separated players from the fans. Ropes replaced these iron cages in the 1920s.

    Fogel’s National Basketball League lasted just five years, folding in 1904 because of quick player turnover eating into profits. A second league was formed in 1937 and was sponsored by Goodyear. In 1946, the Basketball Association of America was established.

    And in 1949, the BAA and NBL merged to create today’s NBA.

    “This really goes to show that Philadelphia is a sports city,” said Shavonnia Corbin Johnson, vice president of civic affairs for the 76ers. “When people talk about Philadelphia sports rooted in history, tradition, and passion, it’s true, but now we know that America’s true love of sports can trace its roots right back here.”

    This week’s Firstival is Saturday, Jan. 24, 11 a.m. — 1 p.m., at Xfinity Mobile Arena, 3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. Premium Access Entrance on the Broad Street side, near Lot C. The Inquirer will highlight a “first” from Philadelphia Historic District’s 52 Weeks of Firsts program every week.

  • 🏀 Center of attention | Sports Daily Newsletter

    🏀 Center of attention | Sports Daily Newsletter

    While we all wait with bated breath to see who Jalen Hurts’ seventh offensive coordinator in seven years will be (technically, 11th if you count his college years), we’re going to switch gears and talk a little Sixers — specifically the timeshare that has transpired at the center position.

    Both Andre Drummond and Adem Bona have been key contributors at the position, both under the backdrop of Joel Embiid, who, despite a litany of injuries, has been the constant at the position for the latter part of a decade.

    So how do you compete with that? Well, according to both Drummond and Bona, you don’t; instead, you make the most of your minutes. Drummond, who has even been getting starting minutes recently, knows that “I probably won’t take my warmup pants off some games.”

    And while you’d think it would be a battle of the big men trying to occupy minutes on the court, Drummond and Bona have become friends, reveling in each other’s moments, however fleeting or prosperous, night after night.

    Inquirer writer Gina Mizell offers this rare look at selflessness on what’s shaping up to be a warmer day across the region, with highs expected to peak into the low 40s in many spots.

    — Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.

    If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here.

    ❓Thoughts on the Sixers so far this season? Email us back for a chance to be featured in the newsletter.

    Ranger will still do, too

    Ranger Suárez left the Phillies for a $130 million contract with the Red Sox.

    Former Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez took the podium in a Red Sox jersey for the first time Wednesday when he was officially introduced at Fenway Park.

    The 30-year-old Suárez, who signed with the Phillies as a 16-year-old from Venezuela and developed into an All-Star and key rotation piece, departed in free agency this winter. His five-year, $130 million contract with Boston became official Wednesday.

    When prompted by a reporter at his introductory news conference, Suárez clarified the traditional Spanish pronunciation of his first name.

    In a wide-ranging conversation on Phillies Extra, The Inquirer’s baseball show, Jesus Luzardo said he’s interested in discussing a contract extension with the Phillies and talked about his impressive first season with the team, J.T. Realmuto’s impact behind the plate, and more.

    What we’re …

    👏🏾 Applauding: The impact of the Sixers drum line corps, the Stixers, specifically off the court.

    ⛳ Sharing: There’s a new sheriff in town when it comes to the PGA Championship, headed to Aronimink Golf Club this spring.

    🏀 Wondering: Thoughts on Tyrese Maxey’s latest shoe from New Balance.

    🏈 Answering: Why were so many people from Indiana University of Pennsylvania so excited about Indiana’s national championship win, even though IUP has no ties to IU?

    📖 Reading: NFL quarterback Baker Mayfield’s thoughts on former head coach and St. Joseph’s Prep alum Kevin Stefanski.

    👀 Watching: Inquirer reporter Jonathan Tannenwald takes us through the sophistication that is the video assistant referee, more commonly known as VAR.

    Long wait for Lane

    Lane Pederson made his Flyers debut on Monday against the Vegas Golden Knights. It was his first NHL game since March 2023.

    Lane Pederson has ridden a lot of buses in the American Hockey League over the last few years in pursuit of his dream to one day play in the NHL again.

    On Monday, that persistence and those long, late-night slogs must have all felt worth it, as Pederson played in his first NHL game in almost three years when he suited up for the Flyers in Las Vegas. The 28-year-old, who signed with the Flyers this summer, hoped he’d get one more chance to prove he belongs at the top level, and he’s got it after Rodrigo Ābols suffered a long-term injury on Saturday.

    Can Pederson stick on the fourth line with a coach he knows well in Rick Tocchet? No offense to Allentown, but the centerman hopes he won’t be returning to Lehigh Valley any time soon.

    And on Wednesday night, the Flyers dropped an early 3-0 lead to fall in overtime to the Utah Mammoth.

    Cavan’s turn

    Cavan Sullivan is seen during a Union practice at Subaru Field in Chester. Tuesday, Jan 13, 2026.

    There’s no need to remind Cavan Sullivan about all of the expectations placed on his now 16-year-old shoulders. He’s got plenty of reminders. It’s why this season, Sullivan says he’s focusing on the game and less on the pomp that comes with it.

    The timing couldn’t be better as there’s a real chance he could see considerable minutes as an attacking midfield presence with the Union, a spot left vacant by his older brother Quinn, who suffered an ACL sprain last season.

    Ahead of the team’s two-week trip to Spain, Cavan sat down with Tannenwald to talk about what could shape up to be a transformative season for the Union’s youngest pro talent.

    On this date

    Jan. 21, 2006: In Kobe Bryant’s legendary 81-point performance, he led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 122-105 win against Toronto. Bryant still holds the mark for the second-highest point total in a game behind Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962.

    Standings, stats, and more

    Want the full breakdown from last night’s Flyers game against the Mammoth? Here’s a place to access your favorite Philadelphia teams’ statistics, schedules, and standings in real time.

    Marcus Hayes’ take …

    “[Howie] Roseman might be the best GM in the NFL over the last nine years, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to have the best roster in 2026. Any top OC candidate is looking at the Eagles job as a one-year stepping stone to the 2027 cycle of head-coaching vacancies. The 2026 Eagles are richly talented on paper, but they are saddled with far more questions than answers.” — The latest take from Hayes, who explores why the Eagles’ vacant offensive coordinator position doesn’t have a line around the block.

    What you’re saying about the Phillies

    We all know Bo Bichette isn’t headed to Philly. That seems to work out just fine for these Inquirer readers.

    We asked: What are your thoughts on the Phillies missing out on Bo Bichette?

    [I don’t care] about Bichette or anyone else while the flawed hero-culture core remains unchanged and unrepentant. Schwarber did a contract year showing, and we fell for it, as if his biggest night of last year didn’t follow that pathetic series shellacking by the Mets (who were not good). What’s more interesting is how much all the Philly teams have been whiffing on big new additions in recent years — most prominently right now, desirable OCs for the Eagles. The perpetual national media’s lambasting of our town and sports culture feels like it’s winning, and we’re at risk of becoming Pariahdelphia. — D.W. Stone

    I believe it’s a great move on the Phillies to force them to start the process to go young. The fact that they did not make the run in September is due to the superstars not performing well. It’s now time to watch the development of the minor league players and analyze their improvement. You are not going to out-pay the Dodgers or Mets. Have fun watching new talent instead of Dave D trying to outspend our competitors. That has been Dave’s history on all his prior teams. — Dick F.

    Losing Bichette is a Godsend. We win twice by not getting him. First, we can stop hearing about getting rid of Alec Bohm, whose performance is on par with Bichette, [and who] is young and still improving every year. And then they are able to pay and retain the best catcher in baseball, even though he is a ripe old 34 years old. This roster is much better overall. BTW, why has Bohm been on the trading block every single year? totally undeserved. — John W.

    We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Rob Tornoe, David Murphy, Jeff McLane, Jeff Neiburg, Olivia Reiner, Gina Mizell, Scott Lauber, Ariel Simpson, Gabriela Carroll, Jonathan Tannenwald, Katie Lewis, Brooke Ackerman, and Jackie Spiegel.

    By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirer’s Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10.

    That’s it for today. Enjoy your Thursday. Jim will be back tomorrow to get you set for the weekend ahead. — Kerith

  • The Flyers waste an early three-goal lead, fall in overtime to the Mammoth

    The Flyers waste an early three-goal lead, fall in overtime to the Mammoth

    SALT LAKE CITY ― The Flyers were in control until they weren’t.

    After ending a six-game losing streak on Monday, and snapping the Vegas Golden Knights’ seven-game winning streak in the process, they lost to the Utah Mammoth, 5-4, in overtime on Wednesday.

    The Flyers had a 3-0 lead early in the second and led by two going into the final frame. It was only the fourth time after leading after two periods that they did not come out victorious.

    Clayton Keller scored in overtime from the slot after he tied the game with 35 seconds left in regulation during a six-on-five situation.

    The Utah captain tied the game when he knocked a bouncing puck away from Travis Sanheim. Keller skated around the defenseman, cut across the crease, and backhanded one over Sam Ersson. On the game-winner, Travis Konecny lost the puck deep in the Utah zone to Dylan Guenther, who carried it up the ice and eventually fed Keller for the shot.

    Q&A: President Keith Jones on the Flyers’ timeline, playoff hopes, and Matvei Michkov’s development

    Philly had chances to extend its lead several times, with Owen Tippett ringing one off the post after a sick dangle with 5 minutes, 55 seconds left, and Garnet Hathaway with the puck on his stick and skating in alone toward an empty net with just under 1:30 to play. But Hathaway didn’t pull the trigger fast enough and had his pocket picked by Nick Schmaltz.

    It was a stinging loss as the Flyers led the game just 30 seconds in.

    Defenseman Cam York slammed home the rebound on a turnaround shot by Sanheim. The goal came off sustained pressure by the defensive pair with the line of Christian Dvorak, Konecny, and Trevor Zegras, with the latter two using the boards before Konecny fed Sanheim.

    The goal was York’s fourth of the season, tying his total from last year across 66 games.

    Just over four minutes later, the Flyers were up 2-0 for the first time since Jan. 4 against the Edmonton Oilers. The Flyers broke out of their own end with Noah Juulsen sending an outlet pass up in the air to Konecny at center ice.

    Konecny knocked the puck down and led Dvorak with the pass and he took off. The center skated between the defense, cut across the crease, and put the puck around the right pad of Karel Vejmelka.

    The Flyers took a 3-0 lead with a power-play goal 58 seconds into the second period. After a clean zone entry, the unit of Zegras, Konecny, Jamie Drysdale, and Bobby Brink got to work.

    Zegras and Drysdale played catch above the circles before Zegras put a shot on goal from inside the blue line. Brink had been in the bumper but then rotated into the left circle before dropping down and burying the rebound on Zegras’ shot.

    The goal was Brink’s 12th of the season, tying his career high set last season.

    Utah started to pick up its game after a hard and borderline high hit by Liam O’Brien on Tippett in the neutral zone. Initially, the referees called a major penalty, but after a video review, ruled that it did not warrant a penalty. Tippett left the game but returned to the bench later in the second period.

    The Mammoth then scored two quick goals 36 seconds apart, the first by JJ Peterka and the second by Lawson Crouse.

    On the goal by Peterka, there was a scramble at the side of the net, and he jammed in the loose puck. The Crouse goal came after Sean Durzi’s shot went off the stick of Brink, and Emil Andrae couldn’t handle the bobbling puck. Crouse knocked it away from the Flyers defenseman, and Schmaltz fed Crouse for the quick snapshot.

    Journeyman Lane Pederson signed in Philly seeking an NHL opportunity. Now he’s trying to make it count.

    Flyers coach Rick Tocchet called a timeout to settle down his club, and it worked.

    The Orange and Black had some chances, and then Dvorak added his second of the night with a power-play goal. He got the puck in the neutral zone, gained the zone, and fired a wrister from the right circle. Vejmelka couldn’t control the rebound, and Dvorak knocked the follow-up in.

    With his second multigoal game of the season, Dvorak now has 12 goals, tying his total last season with the Montreal Canadiens. His career high is 18 set in 2019-20.

    Utah cut it to a one-goal game with 7:13 left when Barrett Hayton deflected a Guenther shot from the left circle on a power play past Ersson. The Mammoth had the man advantage after Juulsen dropped the gloves with Jack McBain and got an extra two minutes for roughing. Juulsen went after McBain, who ran over Drysdale.

    Breakaways

    Making the start for the second straight game — the first time since Dec. 18-20 — Ersson stopped 22 of 27 shots. … Forward Carl Grundström was a healthy scratch for the first time since entering the lineup on Dec. 9. In that 21-game span, he had seven goals and nine points. … Defenseman Hunter McDonald and forward Nic Deslauriers were also healthy scratches. … The Flyers extended their point streak to two games.

    Up next

    The Flyers head to Denver to face the NHL’s best team, the Colorado Avalanche — who have only five losses in regulation on the season — on Friday (9 p.m., NBCSP).

  • Marshall scores 25 off the bench, La Salle takes down Dayton

    Marshall scores 25 off the bench, La Salle takes down Dayton

    Jaeden Marshall’s 25 points off of the bench led La Salle to a 67-64 victory over Dayton on Wednesday.

    Marshall shot 7 of 11 from the field, including 4-for-7 in three-pointers, and went 7-for-7 from the line for the Explorers (7-13, 3-4 Atlantic 10). Josiah Harris scored 10 points while shooting 4 of 7 from the field. Jerome Brewer Jr. had seven points, including two free throws with 21 seconds remaining.

    Keonte Jones led the Flyers (14-5, 5-1) in scoring, finishing with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals. Dayton also got 11 points and five assists from Javon Bennett. Bryce Heard also had 10 points. The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the Flyers.

    Marshall scored 12 points in the first half for La Salle, which led 40-29 at the break. Marshall led La Salle with 13 points in the second.

    Darris Nichols and his brother have one mission at La Salle: Make Explorers men’s hoops a winner
  • Red Sox introduce Ranger Suárez, who clarifies the pronunciation of his name

    Red Sox introduce Ranger Suárez, who clarifies the pronunciation of his name

    Former Phillies pitcher Ranger Suárez took the podium in a Red Sox jersey for the first time Wednesday when he was officially introduced at Fenway Park.

    The 30-year-old Suárez, who signed with the Phillies as a 16-year-old from Venezuela and developed into an All-Star and key rotation piece, departed in free agency this winter. His five-year, $130 million contract with the Red Sox became official Wednesday.

    When prompted by a reporter at his introductory news conference, Suárez clarified the traditional Spanish pronunciation of his first name.

    “My name is actually [Rahn-HER], but however you guys want to address me, [RAYN-jurr] is how most people do, so I’m comfortable with either,” he said through an interpreter.

    Throughout his tenure with the Phillies, Suárez was typically referred to with an Anglicized pronunciation of his first name. His walk-out song, “Mr. Rager” by Kid Cudi, was even a nod to it.

    The left-hander also expressed excitement about joining the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry. He said he rooted for Boston as a child in Venezuela.

    “Since I was a little kid, when we would watch baseball on TV, what would be on was Red Sox-Yankees,” Suárez said. “And everyone was going for the Yankees and I asked, ‘Why is no one going for Boston?’ And that’s where the interest started.”

  • Journeyman Lane Pederson signed in Philly seeking an NHL opportunity. Now he’s trying to make it count.

    Journeyman Lane Pederson signed in Philly seeking an NHL opportunity. Now he’s trying to make it count.

    SALT LAKE CITY ― Familiarity and opportunity.

    Those are two reasons that several free agents signed with the Flyers this season, as Christian Dvorak, Noah Juulsen, and Dan Vladař did. It’s why Lane Pederson did, too.

    After spending the last two seasons with the Edmonton Oilers organization, the centerman saw Philly as a place where he would have an opportunity to return to the NHL. And he had familiarity with Rick Tocchet and assistant coach Jay Varady. On July 1, he signed a one-year, two-way deal worth $775,000 in the NHL.

    On Wednesday, Pederson will skate in his second game for the Flyers against the Utah Mammoth (9 p.m., NBCSP). The 28-year-old will be the pivot on the fourth line, replacing Rodrigo Ābols, who went down with a long-term injury on Saturday.

    The reeling Flyers needed a spark Monday. Bobby Brink provided it in his first game back from a concussion.

    In the Flyers’ win against the Vegas Golden Knights on Monday, he played his first NHL game since March 30, 2023, with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Pederson skated a little under nine minutes in a game filled with special teams. It’s a departure from his deployment by John Snowden, the coach for Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League, where Pederson had 13 goals and 28 points in 37 games. With the Phantoms, he was centering the team’s top line — between Denver Barkey and Alex Bump.

    “Just a really great human being, down-to-earth, and made me feel welcome in Lehigh right away. So really appreciative of him, obviously,” Barkey said. “A special player, really reliable, 200-foot, but also really smart. He skates well, holds on to pucks, and kind of does it all. So it’s exciting to have him here.”

    Largely a career minor leaguer, Pederson entered the season with 71 NHL games across four teams: the Arizona Coyotes, San Jose Sharks, Vancouver Canucks, and Blue Jackets.

    His tenure in Arizona overlapped with those of Tocchet and Varady, with the former at the NHL level and training camps, and the latter in the AHL. He was also with Tocchet for a few days after the bench boss was hired by Vancouver before being claimed off waivers by Columbus.

    Lane Pederson spent time in the Arizona Coyotes organization where he worked with Flyers coach Rick Tocchet and assistant Jay Varady.

    “Jay was awesome for my development [during] my time in Tucson,” Pederson said. “It’s a familiar face and someone I can kind of lean on and go ask questions, and he’s helped me along the way. He’s open door and open book, so he’s been great.

    “We’ve kind of kept in touch throughout the years, text here and there, congratulate one another on milestones and stuff like that. So it’s awesome to be able to work with him and Tocc again.”

    Flyers takeaways from ‘a gutsy win’ against the Golden Knights

    According to Tocchet, Varady and Pederson spent time together going over video and on-ice reads since he joined the Flyers for the three-game road trip that ends Friday in Denver against the Colorado Avalanche. Consistency is something that Pederson has been chasing, but the bench boss likes what the Saskatchewan native can bring to the bottom of the lineup.

    “He’s got some speed up the middle, something that we want, we need, and I think that can help his wingers,” Tocchet said. “So if he can play [with] speed up [but] now the reads and sometimes he’s got to know puck decision stuff, that’s stuff he’s going to have to learn at this level to be consistent. But it’s tough to find those speed up the middle guys.”

    Breakaways

    Sam Ersson (7-8-4, .860 save percentage) will get the start for the Flyers. It will be the first time he starts back-to-back games since Dec. 18-20. Last season in Utah, the Swede had a masterful performance, with the Flyers ultimately losing in overtime despite Ersson stopping 39 of 42 shots. … It looks like Nikita Grebenkin will slot back in on the fourth line. Carl Grundström stayed out on the ice during the optional morning skate. …. Goalie Dan Vladař continues to work his way back and was on the ice for the optional skate at the Delta Center after not participating in the team’s practice on Tuesday. He did skate on his own on a different rink.

  • PGA Championship names new director months ahead of major golf event at Aronimink

    PGA Championship names new director months ahead of major golf event at Aronimink

    Jackie Endsley has been named director of the PGA Championship ahead of the tournament in May at Aronimink Golf Club, the PGA of America announced Wednesday.

    Endsley has worked for the PGA for nine years and served as the championship director for six major PGA championships, including the 2020 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, which also was at Aronimink.

    On Friday, Ryan Ogle announced on social media that he would step down as tournament director, a role he held for a year and a half.

    “We are especially excited for Jackie to lead our talented on-site team and continue the fantastic momentum surrounding the 2026 PGA Championship,” said David Charles, senior director of championships for the PGA of America.

    “This championship has received exceptional support from the club, as well as from local business and community leaders, putting our planning efforts in a great place for a successful week in May. Jackie’s extensive experience in leading major championships, along with her familiarity with Aronimink, strong organizational skills, and commitment to excellence, will be instrumental as we prepare to stage the 108th PGA Championship.”

    The PGA Championship will be held from May 14-17 at Aronimink in Newtown Square, and is the first major men’s PGA Championship in the area since the U.S. Open was at Merion Golf Club in 2013. The Philadelphia Cricket Club hosted the Truist Championship, a sold-out signature event, in May.

    “Returning to Aronimink and joining this outstanding team at such a pivotal moment is an incredible opportunity,” Endsley said. “The 2026 PGA Championship is poised to be truly special thanks to the dedication of our staff, the support of our partners, and the rich tradition of championship golf at this venue. As we ramp up preparations for championship week, our focus remains unchanged: delivering an unforgettable experience for players, spectators, and the entire community.”

  • Baker Mayfield rips coach Kevin Stefanski after the QB ‘got shipped off like a piece of garbage’ by Browns

    Baker Mayfield rips coach Kevin Stefanski after the QB ‘got shipped off like a piece of garbage’ by Browns

    While newly hired Atlanta Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski may have enjoyed portions of his tenure in Cleveland, especially when he was twice named the NFL’s coach of the year, that doesn’t mean everyone remembers his time so fondly.

    Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield fired shots at Stefanski on social media on Tuesday in response to a post that blamed the No. 1 pick in the 2018 NFL draft for being part of a “dumpster fire” — especially at quarterback — under Stefanski.

    “Failed is quite the reach, pal,” Mayfield wrote in response to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter’s post that said Mayfield and quarterback Deshaun Watson had “failed” in Cleveland. A community note was added to the post highlighting how Mayfield was one of the few successful Browns quarterbacks recently.

    “Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach,” the rest of Mayfield’s post read.

    Mayfield played under Stefanski during the 2020 and 2021 seasons, including a Browns playoff run in 2020, winning their wild-card game against Pittsburgh, 48-37, but falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, 22-17.

    However, the next season, Mayfield struggled with a shoulder injury and went 6-8 in The Games he started. In March 2022, Mayfield publicly requested a trade, saying that the relationship with the Browns was “too far gone to mend.”

    Mayfield was dealt to the Carolina Panthers for a fifth-round pick, before he requested his release and ended up with the Los Angeles Rams for a five-game stint in late 2022. Mayfield then was signed by the Buccaneers in 2023, where he has had newfound success, leading Tampa Bay to two NFC South titles. This year, the Buccaneers narrowly missed the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, finishing with an 8-9 record.

    But now, five seasons later, Stefanski and Mayfield will again find themselves on the same field, just different sidelines. Stefanski’s move to Atlanta also means a move to the NFC South, setting up the two to face off twice a year.

    As for Stefanski’s time with the Browns, the St. Joseph’s Prep graduate won NFL coach of the year honors in 2020 and 2023 after leading Cleveland to two playoff appearances, including its first playoff win in decades. However, his most recent two seasons brought disappointing results with an 8-26 overall record. The Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris after this season, opening a vacancy filled by Stefanski.

  • Reports: Top OC picks Mike McDaniel, Brian Daboll spurn Eagles. Are they ‘dumb,’ ‘stupid,’ or justified?

    Reports: Top OC picks Mike McDaniel, Brian Daboll spurn Eagles. Are they ‘dumb,’ ‘stupid,’ or justified?

    Jake Rosenberg is Howie Roseman‘s former salary cap wizard who left the Eagles two years ago for greener pastures. Rosenberg now is a consultant for college athletes and administrators, as well as a headhunter for doctors. Quite the CV.

    He’s also a hardy tweeter.

    On Tuesday night, after Brian Daboll interviewed with the Eagles for the vacant offensive coordinator position, Rosenberg quote-tweeted a report from The Athletic’s NFL reporter, Diana Russini, refuting her answer to a question posed during her appearance on 94-WIP’s afternoon show that painted the Eagles’ job as unattractive: “I think coordinators on this list are aware that navigating Philly is difficult.”

    Rosenberg, a fiery sort, called both the question and the answer “dumb,” as he issued what you would have to assume was a state-sanctioned response, with a list of nine reasons.

    Cleaned up from its Twitter-speak abbreviations, the post read thus:

    “Ask dumb questions get dumb answers. …

    “1. Talent at skills positions and quarterback. 2. Market. 3. Head coach with five straight playoff appearances and two Super Bowl appearances. 4. Two offensive coordinators who got head coaching jobs. 5. Best GM in league. 6. Max prime-time games. 7. Offensive line. 8. Draft resources. 9. (Generous) Ownership.

    “I’m sure an OC wouldn’t want this job. So stupid.”

    Marcus Hayes: Sean McDermott’s firing could make Eagles’ pursuit of Mike McDaniel, Brian Daboll for OC much harder

    Minutes before Rosenberg’s post, Russini, among others, reported that Mike McDaniel would take the Chargers’ OC job if he didn’t get one of the head-coaching jobs still in play.

    A league source said Wednesday that McDaniel made his decision after a lengthy virtual interview with the Eagles early this week.

    On Wednesday morning, Russini, among others, reported that Daboll would take the OC job in Tennessee if he wasn’t hired as Sean McDermott’s replacement as the Bills’ head coach. Whatever happened in Philly on Tuesday convinced Daboll by Wednesday that Nashville and Buffalo were better places for him.

    If the reports are correct, it’s a scathing indictment on what appears to be a prime NFL job. Until you look a little closer.

    Then you see the cracks in the Eagles’ foundation, and you realize:

    Maybe it’s not so prime.

    Counterpoints

    The QB

    The Eagles aren’t the only team with QB talent. Bills star Josh Allen and Chargers starter Justin Herbert are simply better than Jalen Hurts. Cam Ward, the No. 1 overall pick by the Titans in 2025, has a much higher ceiling than Hurts has ever displayed.

    Yes, Hurts is the reigning Super Bowl MVP, but he has arm strength that is no better than average. After five seasons as a starter he’s shown himself to be slow to process what defenses present him, and often he is blind to open receivers. After several injuries including a late-season concussion in 2024, he is ever more reluctant to run, which, in his first four seasons, was his superpower. Also, in an era of 6-foot-4 passers he’s just 6-foot-1. As we all know, every inch counts.

    The Philly experience

    Yes, Philadelphia is a big, vibrant market, but lately that passion has boiled over into abuse. The environment for any coordinator or head coach in Philadelphia is especially toxic. It takes a thick skin to survive a fan base that has treated the last two defensive coordinators and two of the last three offensive coordinators horribly. A few days after a Black Friday home loss, Eagles fans egged the house of former offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.

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    The toxicity is driven by two sports talk radio shows and endless podcasts and local TV shows, an ecosystem of which I am a part as a host on 94-WIP. It also is driven by a print and online press corps, also of which I am a part. Finally, it is driven by a hot-take national media industry, mainly podcasts and analyst gaggles, populated mostly by retired athletes and coaches who recklessly farm engagement.

    The combination creates a stressful situation that would affect any human being, as well as his family. None of that is going to change, but, given a choice, you can understand why some candidates would decline to engage with the unique Philadelphia experience.

    The GM

    Roseman might be the best GM in the NFL over the last nine years, but that doesn’t mean he’s going to have the best roster in 2026. Any top OC candidate is looking at the Eagles job as a one-year stepping stone to the 2027 cycle of head-coaching vacancies. The 2026 Eagles are richly talented on paper, but they are saddled with far more questions than answers.

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    Further, the Eagles could not land their top candidates when they hired both Nick Sirianni in 2021 and Doug Pederson in 2016. One big obstacle: Eagles head coaches have little say over roster construction, and Roseman can be difficult to work with.

    Why would this matter to an offensive coordinator hire? Because, if the offense shines in 2026 but the team does poorly, Sirianni could be fired. His OC would be considered for the vacancy — a vacancy made less attractive by Roseman’s imposing presence.

    Head coach

    While Sirianni has made the playoffs in each of his five seasons in Philly, he’s also suffered unceremonious defeats in three of those playoff trips. He also has displayed an inability to control his emotions, which causes distractions, whether it’s with his players, like A.J. Brown or Jalen Carter, or with fans, both home and away.

    And, while it might have been entertaining, pairing Sirianni with a combustible coach like Daboll would have been like smoking a cigarette in a gunpowder factory.

    Offensive line

    When healthy and rested, left tackle Jordan Mailata, left guard Landon Dickerson, center Cam Jurgens, and right tackle Lane Johnson are the best combination in the business. However, Dickerson, Jurgens, and Johnson have lingering, if not chronic, health concerns.

    The owner

    Jeffrey Lurie is generous and supportive, but he can be … a lot.

    Mostly through Roseman, Lurie monitors the day-to-day machinations of the team more closely than most owners, more often than not watching practice at Roseman’s hip. Also, after every game, Lurie talks with Sirianni and sometimes with other coaches, very extensively, usually before Sirianni addresses the press — a delay of an hour or more from the game’s end.

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    Other owners talk to their coaches, too, but not to this degree.

    Again, for better or worse, anyone who succeeds Sirianni as head coach will be subjected to these weekly postgame interrogations.

    Other issues

    Brown might be the best receiver in Eagles history, but he is, without question, the most distracting. His constant public complaining the past two years, especially on social media, prompted Lurie to publicly reprimand him during a practice in November.

    Also, Brown often did not complete routes and did not make catches he usually makes, particularly in the wild-card playoff loss to the visiting 49ers.

    When asked last week if he planned to trade Brown, Roseman did not say that he would not, despite the crippling salary-cap repercussions that would accompany any trade or cut.

    Regardless, the new OC will inherit the fallout of Brown’s seasons of discontent.

    Other issues include the drop-off in production from Saquon Barkley and the fact that the Birds have no frontline tight end under contract, but these are issues that will accompany most positions.

    The rest of the issues?

    They paint a much less appealing picture.

  • Jason Kelce says Broncos QB situation is different than ’17 Eagles; Greg Olsen praises Nick Sirianni on ‘New Heights’

    Jason Kelce says Broncos QB situation is different than ’17 Eagles; Greg Olsen praises Nick Sirianni on ‘New Heights’

    On Wednesday’s episode of New Heights, Jason and Travis Kelce offered their takes on the latest NFL news as the conference championships approach this Sunday.

    The brothers brought in Greg Olsen, who reflected on Monday’s College Football Playoff championship as a former University of Miami tight end before his NFL and broadcasting careers. Olsen also joined the conversation about open coaching positions.

    Olsen praises Sirianni

    Although the Eagles season is over, former center Jason Kelce still brought up the Birds in this week’s episode. Olsen had some words of admiration for coach Nick Sirriani.

    “I love Sirianni,” the Fox analyst said. “I actually texted him because I ran into his brother at the Miami game. I know he gets a lot of flack, and people want to come after him, but I love him, his energy, his edge, and I love the way he manages the game. I ended up fighting the entire universe on behalf of him a couple weeks ago. But that was a losing proposition.”

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    Olsen also emphasized the opportunity for the Eagles in hiring a new offensive coordinator.

    “If I’m an offensive play-caller, I’m doing everything in my power to get that job,” Olsen said. “I want to call offensive plays in Philadelphia because you can do whatever you want. That’s a great job.”

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    Foles in Twitter controversy

    On the topic of the AFC championship game, the brothers discussed the Denver Broncos’ chances against the New England Patriots. With starting quarterback Bo Nix out with an ankle injury, backup Jarrett Stidham is expected to battle against Patriots signal caller Drake Maye. Stidham has not thrown a pass all season.

    Travis Kelce joked about a viral tweet on Sunday from former Eagles backup Nick Foles, which received 17.4 million views. Foles referenced the 2018 Super Bowl, in which he led the Eagles to a 41-33 victory over New England as he subbed for injured starter Carson Wentz.

    However, Jason Kelce wasn’t convinced that the Broncos quarterback predicament is anything similar to what he went through with the Eagles in 2018.

    “I still remember when Wentz went down, and you could hear a pin drop in the locker room because we knew that his ACL was torn after the game,” Kelce said. “We were like, ‘We just lost our starting quarterback, how are we going to overcome this?’ It took a couple games. That’s the one thing that Stidham doesn’t have. We got the rest of the season and [Foles] warmed into that role. … It’ll be interesting to see what [Broncos coach] Sean Payton has [cooked up] this coming week against the Patriots.”