EAGLES’ STEICHEN COLTS’ TOP PICK
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen is the leading candidate to be the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, a person familiar with the team’s decision told The Associated Press.
The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity Sunday because Steichen was coaching the Eagles in the Super Bowl against the Chiefs and a deal hasn’t been completed.
Steichen, who was one of three finalists for AP Assistant Coach of the Year, would become the second Eagles offensive coordinator hired by the Colts as their head coach. Frank Reich, who was fired by the Colts earlier this season, was Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator before becoming Indianapolis’ head coach in 2018.
The Colts have been impressed by Steichen’s ability to help develop Jalen Hurts, who was a finalist for the AP NFL MVP and AP Offensive Player of the Year awards.
The Colts fired Reich in early November after a third straight loss and replaced him with Jeff Saturday on an interim basis. After winning his first game, Saturday and the Colts lost their last seven to finish 4-12-1.
Saturday, a former twotime All-Pro center who snapped the ball to Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning for 12 seasons with the Colts, had been working as an ESPN analyst when the Colts brought him in to replace Reich.
Saturday was a candidate for Indianapolis’ permanent position.
He was among those who got a second interview. Reich was hired last month as head coach of the Carolina Panthers.
Reich’s offensive coordinator in Indy from 2018-2020 was Nick Sirianni, who led the Eagles to the Super Bowl in just his second season as a head coach.
Carr: Release me
Derek Carr informed the Raiders he will not accept a trade to any team, including the Saints, the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
As a result, the Raiders are expected to release Carr ahead of Wednesday’s deadline, at which a $40.5 million roster bonus becomes guaranteed.
The Saints were the only team to express interest in a trade for Carr, but they wanted him to renegotiate his contract to a lower number, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.
Upon being released, Carr will become a free agent able to negotiate a new deal with the team of his choosing.
The Raiders signed Carr to a three-year contract extension last offseason, but it was essentially a one-year evaluation deal.
Hamlin makes appearance
Damar Hamlin made it to the Super Bowl.
The Buffalo Bills safety made his third appearance in Phoenix during Super Bowl week, this time on the field at State Farm Stadium prior to Sunday’s game.
It’s another milestone in Hamlin’s recovery. It’s been a little more than a month since Hamlin went into cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated on the field in Cincinnati.
He also appeared on stage at “NFL Honors” on Thursday night after the Bills and Bengals training and medical staffs, along with the staff at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, were recognized.
Notable
Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell says he’s returning for a 16th NFL season. The 36-year-old Campbell confirmed those intentions on NFL Network. Campbell played the past three seasons for the Ravens, and he signed a two-year deal with them before last season.