Jets’ Gase will be back next season
Adam Gase is staying put as the New York Jets’ coach.
And not just this season. For next season too.
Team Chairman and Chief Executive Christopher Johnson announced Wednesday that Gase’s job is safe and he will remain the coach in 2020 despite the team’s 2-7 record. Johnson cited Gase’s positive work with quarterback Sam Darnold and collaborative efforts with general manager Joe Douglas to try to improve the struggling franchise.
“I want to assure you, there will be no changes in coaches,” Johnson said during a brief meeting with reporters during practice. “Adam has the trust of this team, he has the trust of Sam, he has Joe’s trust, he has my trust. He’s a good man, a good coach. I brought in Joe earlier this year — he hasn’t been here very long — to help build the team with Adam. There’s a lot of work to do. There’s a great deal of work to do. Everyone understands that. And we’re just getting started.
“But I feel really good about this team moving forward.”
Johnson told the entire team of his decision last Wednesday, and it was met with a positive response from players and coaches.
Now public, the news might further frustrate some fans who were already calling for Gase’s job despite him being only nine games into his tenure with the Jets.
Stafford might still be out of action
Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford seems to be a step closer to missing another start.
Stafford did not practice with teammates Wednesday, a few days after hip and back injuries stopped his streak of 139 consecutive starts counting the playoffs.
Stafford watched as quarterbacks Jeff Driskel and David Blough took snaps. Later in the day, Driskel said he was simply preparing to play as he does each week.
“I’d say the biggest difference for me is all you guys standing around my locker,” he said while surrounded by reporters.
Driskel played in place of Stafford in a 20-13 loss to Chicago, giving Detroit its fifth loss in six games. He was 27 for 46 for 269 yards — all career highs — with a touchdown and an interception in his sixth career start.
The Lions (3-5-1) host the Dallas Cowboys (5-4) on Sunday, when Driskel is expected to get another chance to start.
The Lions plan to attend quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s workout in Atlanta this weekend.
“As an organization, we always do our due diligence on players that are available,” Lions coach Matt Patricia said.
Broncos update
Brandon Allen has been Denver’s starting quarterback for one game but in some ways he’s already taken a back seat to Drew Lock.
The rookie was sharing first-team snaps with Allen at practice Wednesday even though Allen is preparing for his first career road start this weekend and coach Vic Fangio reiterated how rusty Lock was after being sidelined for three months by a sprained right thumb.
Allen didn’t see Lock’s return to action as added pressure as he prepares to start at Minnesota on Sunday. “There’s a plan for him and my focus is just sticking to the game plan and trying to get a win this week,” said Allen, a waiver wire pickup from the Rams who waited four years to make his first NFL start.
That chance finally came two weeks ago when Joe Flacco (neck) went on IR and Allen beat the Browns 24-19 in Denver in his debut.
Saints guard Peat has broken arm
New Orleans Saints starting left guard Andrus Peat has had surgery to repair a broken arm and is expected to be sidelined about six weeks.
The 2018 Pro Bowl selection was injured during Sunday’s 26-9 loss to Atlanta.
Peat, from Stanford, was New Orleans’ first-round draft choice in 2015 and has started 59 of the 64 career games he’s played.