The Brian Flores-led discrimination lawsuit against the NFL can proceed to open court and avoid the league’s arbitration process, a federal judge ruled Friday.
Flores, who is joined in the lawsuit by Steve Wilks and Ray Horton, sued the league and three teams in February 2022 after he was fired the previous month by the Miami Dolphins. Now the Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, Flores alleged in his original suit that the league was “rife with racism” regarding its hiring practices when it comes to Black coaches.
The NFL argued Flores should go through the league’s arbitration process rather than the legal system, but Judge Valerie Caproni of the Southern District of New York sided with the plaintiffs.
“The court’s decision recognizes that an arbitration forum in which the defendant’s own chief executive gets to decide the case would strip employees of their rights under the law,” Flores’ attorneys Douglas H. Wigdor and David E. Gottlieb said in a statement. “It is long overdue for the NFL to recognize this and finally provide a fair, neutral and transparent forum for these issues to be addressed.”
The NFL did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
A pretrial hearing has been set for April 3.
Flores was fired after going 24-25 record over three years without a playoff appearances. The Dolphins did have back-to-back winning seasons before Flores was dismissed.
He sued the NFL as well as the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and Houston Texans. Flores interviewed with the Broncos in 2019 and the Giants and Texans in 2022.
Wilks, who was fired in December as the New York Jets defensive coordinator, joined the lawsuit by claiming the Arizona Cardinals in 2018 hired him as a “bridge coach” and didn’t provide him with a realistic chance to succeed.
Horton, who last coached in the NFL in 2019, alleged the Tennessee Titans didn’t offer him a genuine interview for the head coaching position in 2016.
Washington — President Trump pardoned five former professional football players Thursday – one posthumously – for various crimes ranging from perjury to drug trafficking.
The pardons were announced by White House pardon czar Alice Marie Johnson. Ex-NFL players Joe Klecko, Nate Newton, Jamal Lewis, Travis Henry and the late Billy Cannon were granted the clemency.
“As football reminds us, excellence is built on grit, grace, and the courage to rise again. So is our nation,” Johnson wrote on the social media site X, as she thanked Mr. Trump for his “continued commitment to second chances.”
“Mercy changes lives,” she added.
Johnson said Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones “personally” shared the news with Newton, who won three Super Bowls with the team.
The White House didn’t return a request for comment Thursday night on why Mr. Trump, an avid sports fan, pardoned the players.
Klecko, a former star for the New York Jets, pleaded guilty to perjury after lying to a federal grand jury that was investigating insurance fraud. A defensive lineman, Klecko was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. He was a two-time Associated Press All-Pro player and a four-time Pro Bowler.
Joe Klecko addresses the crowd during the 2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony on August 5, 2023, at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Frank Jansky / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Newton, an offensive lineman, pleaded guilty to a federal drug trafficking charge after authorities discovered $10,000 in his pickup truck as well as 175 pounds of marijuana in an accompanying car driven by another man. Newton was a two-time All-Pro player and six-time Pro Bowler.
Lewis, formerly of the Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns, pleaded guilty in a drug case in which he used a cellphone to try to set up a drug deal not long after he was a top pick in the 2000 NFL draft. Lewis, a running back, was named an All-Pro once and was a one-time Pro Bowler. He was named the 2003 AP Offensive Player of the Year.
Henry, who played for the Denver Broncos, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to traffic cocaine for financing a drug ring that moved the drug between Colorado and Montana. He was a running back for three teams and a one-time Pro Bowler.
And Cannon – who played with the Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs – admitted to counterfeiting in the mid-1980s after a series of bad investments and debts left him broke.
Cannon was a two-time All-Pro player and a two-time Pro Bowler. Cannon also won the 1959 Heisman Trophy while starring for Louisiana State University, where he had one of the most memorable plays in college football history: an 89-yard punt return for a touchdown against Ole Miss. He died in 2018.
The cheapest seat to this Sunday’s Super Bowl matchup between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks will cost you roughly four times what the typical U.S. worker earns in a week.
In recent years, lower-priced tickets to the big game have averaged between $4,000 and $6,000, according to Ticketmaster, the official ticketing partner of the NFL. Add the cost of flights and lodging and the price tag to attend the Super Bowl in person can balloon into the five digits.
Lower-priced face value tickets exist, but they are exceedingly hard to come by. That’s because that tranche of tickets, starting at $950, is reserved for the National Football League, which distributes the tickets to all 32 teams, according to CBS Sports. Those tickets then go to players, team front-office officials and, on occasion, season-ticket holders. The Seahawks and Patriots will each get 12,450 tickets.
To get a ticket, most fans will have to turn to secondary ticket marketplaces like Ticketmaster, Stubhub and SeatGeek. Just be sure that the site you’re purchasing from is legitimate, as fraudsters often pose as authentic ticket sellers.
How much do the cheapest Super Bowl tickets cost for 2026?
As of Feb. 5, the lowest price for a single seat was $4,447 on StubHub, $4,840 on Ticketmaster, $4,757 on SeatGeek and $4,288 on TickPick. The cheapest ticket was $4,169 on Vivid Seats.
TickPick, an online platform where fans can buy and sell tickets, said prices tend to fall as game day approaches, but warned that’s not a guarantee, as some buyers will wait until the last minute to snatch a seat.
How much are the most expensive Super Bowl tickets for 2026?
As of Wednesday, the most expensive seat for the SuperBowl was $30,751 per ticket on StubHub, according to CBS Sports. Those seats were behind Seattle’s bench in prime viewing territory. (CBS Sports’ John Breech recently made his way to Levi’s Stadium to give fans a sense of the view from the seats with the luxury price tag.)
Prices for prime seats on StubHub were even higher on Thursday, with the top ticket — also behind the Seahawks bench — selling for $40,530.
How does the cost of a 2026 Super Bowl ticket compare to previous years?
Ground-level seats were also the most in demand in last year’s matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs. Seats near the Chiefs’ bench hit as high as $22,663 on StubHub last year. The cheapest seats cost about $3,000.
As Super Bowl LX between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots approaches, multiple road closures are in place near Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara and for game-related events in San Francisco and San Jose.
In San Francisco
Closures are in effect near Moscone Center, where the Super Bowl experience is taking place. Howard Street between 3rd and 4th streets is closed 24 hours. Meanwhile Mission Street between 3rd and 5th streets and 4th Street between Market and Folsom streets are closed daily from 7 a.m. through 11 p.m.
The closures around Moscone Center are in effect through Tuesday.
Other closures in San Francisco include 19th Street between 3rd and Tennessee Streets in the city’s Dogpatch neighborhood for the NFL Culture Club at the Pearl through Saturday. Meanwhile, closures and detours are in place near the Palace of Fine Arts for the NFL Honors on Thursday night and the Studio 60 concerts on Friday and Saturday nights.
Near City Hall, Grove Street in front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium is closed through Monday due to a series of concerts at the venue. Additional closures on Grove next to City Hall, along with Polk Street between McAllister and Hayes streets are in place on Saturday due to a private event.
Other street closures are planned near Grace Cathedral for an event on Friday and the Taste of the NFL at The Hibernia at Jones and McAllister streets on Saturday.
In San Jose
San Carlos Street between Almaden Boulevard and Market Street in downtown will be closed in both directions through Monday. Lane closures between San Carlos and San Salvador streets are also in place. Officials said access to the Hilton Hotel and the San Jose McEnery Convention Center will be maintained.
Outside of downtown, Humboldt Street will be closed between South 7th and South 10th street for 2-4 hours through Saturday, as the Seahawks conduct practice at San Jose State University’s fields.
In Santa Clara / Levi’s Stadium
Tasman Drive between Calle Del Sol and Great America Parkway has been closed since Jan. 28. The road, which passes in front of the stadium, will be closed through Friday, Feb. 13.
Officials have announced multiple detours around the closure. For local traffic, drivers and cyclists can bypass the closure by using Great America Way, Great America Parkway, Lafayette Street, Calle De Luna and Calle Del Sol.
A regional detour is also in place, using Highways 101, 237, Montague Expressway, Lawrence Expressway and North 1st Street.
For pedestrians, sidewalk access on Tasman Drive will also be closed around the stadium. Officials suggested taking VTA Light Rail between the Great America and Lick Mill stations to get around the closure, as other pedestrian detours are significantly longer.
The San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail in front of the stadium is also closed to pedestrians and cyclists, which remains in effect through Tuesday.
On Sunday, Great America Parkway between Patrick Henry Drive and Bunker Hill Lane will also be closed.
Meanwhile, the closure on Tasman Drive on game day will be expanded to Old Ironsides Drive and Lick Mill Boulevard. Ahead of the game, pedestrian access on Tasman between Convention Center and Calle Del Sol will be limited to credentialed staff and Super Bowl ticketholders.
Additional information about the closures can be found on the Bay Area Host Committee website.
The Wolfe Club of Newburyport’s fourth annual Wolfe Club Ball is Saturday from 7 to 10:30 p.m. at Steeple Hall above Mission Oak (26 Green St.), transforming the historic venue into a Mardi Gras–meets–the ‘80s masquerade experience. For tickets and more information, visit www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-fourth-annual-wolfe-club-ball.
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“To be honest, I don’t know how I’m feeling. There’s a lot. I’m still in the middle of my tour. I was just at the Grammys last week. All of that,” he said in English on Thursday at a press event hosted by Apple Music. He walked out to his 2017 single “Chambea.”
“I’m excited, but at the same time, I feel more excited about the people than even me — my family, my friends, the people who have always believed in me,” he said. “This moment, the culture — that’s what makes these shows special.”
Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is one of the most-streamed artists on the planet. He will take the Super Bowl stage just one week after he won album of the year at the 2026 Grammys for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” It’s the first time an all Spanish-language album has taken home the top prize.
During the conference, Bad Bunny joked that fans didn’t need to learn Spanish to enjoy his set — but they should be prepared to dance, a reference to his “Saturday Night Live” monologue from last October.
Apple Music’s Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden hosted the conversation with Bad Bunny. Thursday’s event began with conversations with pregame performers at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
This year, a long line formed well before the doors opened, with credentialed media — including a noticeable presence of Spanish-language and Latin American outlets — packing the conference room nearly an hour before the news conference began.
It marked a stark contrast to Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 news conference, when the room didn’t fill up until roughly 15 minutes before the event.
Despite the heightened interest, Bad Bunny offered few specifics about what viewers will see Sunday.
Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show performer Bad Bunny smiles during a news conference, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026, in San Francisco ahead of the NFL Super Bowl 60 football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots.
Godofredo A. Vásquez / AP
“It’s going to be a huge party,” he said. “What people can expect from me … I want to bring to the stage, of course, a lot of my culture. But I really don’t, I don’t want to give any spoilers. It’s going to be fun.”
For the artist, the journey to the Super Bowl was never driven by recognition or awards. He said “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” became his most meaningful project because it was rooted in reconnecting with his identity, history and culture but not chasing milestones.
“I wasn’t looking for album of the year. I wasn’t looking to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show,” he said. “I was just trying to connect with my roots, connect with my people, connect with myself.”
That mindset, he said, ultimately opened the door to something larger: bringing a deeply personal expression of culture to one of the world’s biggest stages.
“You always have to be proud of who you are and where you’re from,” he said. “But don’t let that limit where you can go.”
Bad Bunny is no stranger to the Super Bowl stage. He previously appeared during the halftime show at Super Bowl LIV in 2020 alongside Jennifer Lopez and Shakira. But he said his focus has remained unchanged.
“My biggest pleasure is just to create, have fun doing it and connect with the people,” he said. “That’s what I’m always looking for every time I’m in the studio.”
When asked if he will have surprise guests, he said “That’s something I’m not going to tell you.”
Then he said he will actually have a lot of guests watching — his friends, family, “the Latino community,” and people around the world who love his music.
At the end of the interview, Bad Bunny took questions from a few student journalists, including one who asked him to name an early supporter. “My mom,” the singer replied.
“Before everything, she believed in me as a person, as a human. She believed in me, in my decisions, in my opinions,” he continued. “I think that’s what got me here, you know? Not because she believed that I was a great artist but that she believed that I am a great person.”
The Super Bowl will be held Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, with the Seattle Seahawks facing off against the New England Patriots.
The Super Bowl pregame show will open with several standout performers in Northern California: Charlie Puth will hit the stage to sing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile will take on “America the Beautiful” and Coco Jones will sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
“I want them to feel inspired. I want everybody to know that music is such an amazing thing,” Puth said of his performance.
“This is pretty much the top of the top,” added Jones. “This is the bee’s knees. … It’s hard to compete. Maybe my wedding will be up there.”
The national anthem and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” will be performed by deaf performing artist Fred Beam in American Sign Language. Julian Ortiz will sign “America the Beautiful.”
Before the game, Green Day will play a set to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Super Bowl. The band, which has its roots in the Bay Area, plans to “Get loud!” according to lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong.
In a historic first, the halftime show will include a multilingual signing program featuring Puerto Rican Sign Language, led by interpreter Celimar Rivera Cosme. She was also the interpreter for Bad Bunny’s landmark residency in Puerto Rico last year that drew more than half a million fans.
All signed performances for the pregame and halftime shows will be presented in collaboration with Alexis Kashar of LOVE SIGN and Howard Rosenblum of Deaf Equality.
Super Bowl week is underway as thousands of journalists, analysts and fans went to the San Jose convention center Monday to ask players and coaches about Super Bowl LX. Kris Van Cleave reports.
This has always felt like a free season. At some point, the shoe would probably drop, the kid quarterback would eventually fall on his face, midnight would strike, and New Englanders could get on with their lives.
He was one of several known candidates the Giants interviewed, a list that included former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski, former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, and Mike McCarthy, who previously led the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl title and the Dallas Cowboys to a playoff berth.
Giants welcome Harbaugh as head coach
“We are proud to name John Harbaugh as the next head coach of the New York Giants,” team president John Mara said in a statement. “Joe Schoen presented us an outstanding group of candidates, which allowed us to be deliberate and confident in this decision. Through numerous conversations, John consistently stood out for his conviction and vision for leading a winning organization, and we welcome him and his family to the Giants.”
“John is a proven winner whose teams are disciplined, resilient, and prepared,” Giants chairman Steve Tisch said in a statement. “His passion for the game, his ability to connect with players, and his experience leading at the highest level made him an outstanding fit for us, and we’re excited to move forward together.”
“Throughout our conversations, John stood out for his clarity, competitiveness and approach for building a sustainable winning program. He has a strong track record of developing players, building cohesive staffs, and setting a clear standard of accountability,” general manager Joe Schoen said in a statement. “We are excited to work with John in moving this team in the right direction.”
“I want to thank John Mara, Steve Tisch, Chris Mara, and Joe Schoen for the opportunity to lead the New York Giants,” Harbaugh said in a statement, in part. “To serve as this franchise’s head coach is a tremendous honor. I come from a football family, and I have deep respect for the history and tradition of this organization.”
He continued, “I’m excited to begin assembling our staff and getting to work building our team. I would like to sincerely thank Steve Bisciotti and the Baltimore Ravens organization for 18 remarkable years, including the opportunity to become a head coach in the National Football League. My family and I are grateful for the welcome we’ve already felt, and we look forward to becoming part of the Giants family.”
What to know about John Harbaugh
During his 18-year run with Baltimore, Harbaugh won 180 regular-season games, 13 playoff games and the Super Bowl XLVII championship.
He was fired earlier this month after the Ravens finished 8-9 and missed the postseason, a fate secured by a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the final game of the season.
Under Harbaugh, the Ravens made the playoffs 12 times and were known for toughness, professionalism and accountability, traits the Giants hope to develop after going 4-13 in 2025 and missing the playoffs for the third consecutive season.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) is greeted by head coach John Harbaugh after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025, in Baltimore.
Terrance Williams / AP
Prior to taking over as head coach in Baltimore, Harbaugh served as the special teams coach for the Philadelphia Eagles for nine seasons before taking over as defensive backs coach in 2007.
When Harbaugh was hired by the Ravens, he had no head coaching experience at any level, including college. He served as an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh, Morehead State, Cincinnati and Indiana, from 1987-97.
John Harbaugh is the older brother of current Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
What Harbaugh is inheriting with the Giants
Despite their struggles over the last nine seasons, a period that included just one playoff appearance, the Giants remain a very attractive destination because they are one of the NFL’s legacy franchises, due in large part to their three Super Bowl titles and a history that dates to 1925.
The Giants also have some talent at key positions, most notably quarterback. Rookie Jaxson Dart took over as the starter in Week 4 and quickly showed off his dual-threat skills. The 25th overall pick in the draft finished with 2,272 passing yards, with 15 touchdowns and just five interceptions. He also ran for 487 yards and nine scores.
New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) reacts after an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, in East Rutherford, N.J.
Adam Hunger / AP
New York navigated most of its lost season without two key starters on offense. Receiver Malik Nabers, who had 109 receptions, 1,204 yards and seven TDs as a rookie in 2024, suffered a knee injury in Week 4 and was lost for the season.
Bruising running back Cam Skattebo, who was selected in the fourth round of the 2025 draft, had 617 all-purpose yards and seven touchdowns before he went down with a season-ending ankle injury in Week 6.
Defensively, linebacker Brian Burns, who signed a five-year, $141 million contract as a free agent in 2024, was a standout this season, finishing with 16.5 sacks.
Those bright spots aside, the Giants overall were a middling team on offense, averaging 22.4 points, and among the worst in the league on defense, allowing 25.8 per game.
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin has informed the team that he is stepping down from his position.
Steelers president Art Rooney II released a statement on Tuesday afternoon, thanking Tomlin for his contributions to the team.
“During our meeting today, Coach Tomlin informed me that he has decided to step down as our Head Coach,” Rooney said.
“Obviously, I am extremely grateful to Mike for all the hard work, dedication and success we have shared over the last 19 years. It is hard for me to put into words the level of respect and appreciation I have for Coach Tomlin. He guided the franchise to our sixth Super Bowl championship and made the playoffs 13 times during his tenure, including winning the AFC North eight times in his career.”
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 12: Head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on during the fourth quarter of the AFC Wild Card playoff game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium on January 12, 2026 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Lauren Leigh Bacho / Getty Images
Tomlin also issued his own statement, thanking the organization, players, and fans for their support during his tenure.
“This organization has been a huge part of my life for many years, and it has been an absolute honor to lead this team. I am deeply grateful to Art Rooney II and the late Ambassador Rooney for their trust and support.
“While this chapter comes to a close, my respect and love for the Pittsburgh Steelers will never change. I am excited for what the future holds for this organization, and I will forever be grateful for my time coaching in Pittsburgh.”
Since Tomlin stepped down while under contract, the team will retain his coaching rights.
Tomlin resigns after wild-card round defeat
Tomlin’s resignation comes less than 24 hours after the Steelers lost 30-6 to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card round.
Pittsburgh’s last playoff win came against the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2016 playoffs. Since then, Pittsburgh has lost its last seven postseason games. Tomlin’s seven-game postseason losing streak ties former Bengals coach Marvin Lewis for the longest playoff losing streak by an NFL coach.
Steelers coaching search
Including Tomlin, the Steelers have only employed three head coaches since the 1969 season. Chuck Noll served as head coach from 1969 through the 1991 season, giving way to Crafton, Pennsylvania, native Bill Cowher, who helmed the position from 1992 through the 2006 season. Both Noll and Cowher have since been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
During Tomlin’s 19 seasons as head coach, he famously never finished with a losing record, with his teams finishing at a .500 record or better during his entire tenure.
Tomlin became the youngest head coach in NFL history to win a Super Bowl at 36 years old, leading the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII against the Arizona Cardinals, a record later surpassed by Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay after McVay won Super Bowl LVI in 2021.
Tomlin’s Super Bowl victory in his second season as head coach made him the fastest Steelers coach to win a championship.
AFC North coaching turnover
Within the span of nine days, three of the four teams in the AFC North have made head coach changes.
Kevin Stefanski was fired by the Cleveland Browns on Jan. 5 after going 46-58 during six seasons as the team’s head coach. One day later, the Baltimore Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons. His final game was a 26-24 loss to the Steelers in Week 18.
Now, after Tomlin announced he is stepping down, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor is the only returning coach in the division.
Overall, nine NFL teams have head coaching openings.
The Minnesota Vikings lost their bet this season that they could develop J.J. McCarthy and still win at the same time, with a roster strong enough to withstand the typical inconsistencies of a young quarterback in his debut.
The worst part of their failed gamble for 2025 was that it left plenty more mystery for 2026. The Vikings have begun a new year with yet another quarterback quandary, a familiar scenario for this star-crossed franchise.
Asked after the final game on Sunday if he would be comfortable entering next season with McCarthy as the starter, coach Kevin O’Connell sidestepped the question.
“I can’t wait to work with him in the offseason and absolutely look forward to the continued development and improvement,” O’Connell said, “and I’m excited where he’s ending the season and know there’s some things we can really dive into as a group.”
The Vikings made sure not to miss out on the record quarterback rush at the top of the 2024 draft, confidently selecting McCarthy with the 10th pick as the promising prospect for their reputable system they could mold into a long-term fixture at this vital and vexing position.
But his injuries have put them behind on the evaluation. The fact that he has only started 10 games and finished eight over his first two years is the most concerning of any metric. Even when he was healthy, the struggles with accuracy were pronounced enough to make them consider alternatives despite the significant upside on display.
After winging it with Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer as the backups, at the very least the Vikings realize they need better depth if they’re going to run McCarthy back next season. McCarthy, for his part, sounded aware that his hold on the starting job is tenuous, too.
“There’s nothing promised. That’s something I take very seriously. It’s not something you buy and you get for the rest of your life. You rent it and you lease it every single day, and I’m just trying to make daily deposits and make sure I’m in this house for a long time.”
So close, in the end
Finishing with a five-game winning streak put the Vikings (9-8) a half-game behind Green Bay for the last spot even though they were eliminated before taking the field in Week 14.
Consider this: If the Vikings just had better coverage on their kickoff after McCarthy’s go-ahead touchdown pass in the final minute in Week 11, when Devin Duvernay’s 56-yard return set Chicago up for the walk-off field goal, they would’ve won that game — and the NFC North title.
“It’s going to sting not being in the tournament for not only our team and the work that they’ve put in, but our fan base and our ownership,” O’Connell said.
By the numbers
The Vikings still took third in the division on a tiebreaker over Detroit, meaning a road game next season against San Francisco (12-5) instead of Arizona (3-14) from the NFC West and home games against Indianapolis (8-9) instead of Tennessee (3-14) from the AFC South and Washington (5-12) instead of New York (4-13) from the NFC East.
The Vikings were last in the NFL in turnovers, interceptions and third down conversions and second-to-last in sack percentage.
Bringing the band back?
The Vikings had another stellar performance under the direction of defensive coordinator Brian Flores, finishing second in red zone touchdown rate and sack percentage and third in the league in yards allowed. They were seventh in points against, one of only two teams in the top 13 in the NFL to miss the playoffs, along with Kansas City.
Flores will again be a candidate for head coach vacancies around the league, and his contract is expiring, too, raising the question about whether he will return. The scene at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday felt like a farewell to 14-year veteran safety Harrison Smith, too. Salary cap management will likely force the Vikings to move from one or both of the veteran defensive linemen they signed this season, Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.
What’s next?
The quarterback search will be complicated by an unfavorable salary cap situation, with the Vikings carrying the second-highest projected overage in the league into the offseason and thus needing to shed multiple important players before they can add new ones. More depth is needed on the offensive line, too, with the future of center Ryan Kelly in doubt after multiple concussions.
In the draft, they have the 18th pick in the first round and still possess their original second and third-round selections. They currently own five third-day picks and are in line to be awarded mid-round compensatory selections for the departure of free agent quarterbacks Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones last year.
Justin Jefferson finally passed the 1,000-yard mark in the last game of the season for the Minnesota Vikings.
With his fifth catch on Sunday against the rival Green Bay Packers, a simple hitch route he turned into a 17-yard gain, the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver hit the four-digit mark for the sixth consecutive year. Jefferson immediately received a loud ovation from the U.S. Bank Stadium crowd.
“He should never play a season for the Minnesota Vikings and not get to those numbers,” said coach Kevin O’Connell, who routinely praised Jefferson’s attitude and leadership throughout the season despite career lows in every significant category for the two-time All-Pro.
Jefferson was again roundly cheered in the third quarter when he passed the 100-yard mark for the first time in 12 games. He finished Minnesota’s 16-3 victory over the Packers with eight receptions for 101 yards on 11 targets.
The only other receivers in NFL history to start their careers with six straight 1,000-yard seasons were Randy Moss (1998-2003) and Mike Evans (2014-19).
Jefferson has the most receiving yardage (8,480) all time over a player’s first six years in the league. This was by far his most difficult season, with the Vikings’ offense frequently struggling throughout the developmental process for quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who missed seven games due to injuries.
“Definitely relieved, just off of a difficult year, emotionally and physically, to come out with the attitude of trying to finish the game and trying to leave a mark and show the world that I’m still the best receiver in the league,” Jefferson said. “It definitely felt great just to get that accolade and to really go into the offseason with a good taste in my mouth, but it’s definitely on to more work, on to getting my young ‘un right, making sure that we don’t have the same outcome this season.”
J.J. McCarthy had a productive first half before he was injured again, fullback C.J. Ham rushed for a short touchdown, and the Minnesota Vikings finished a frustrating season by beating the resting Green Bay Packers 16-3 on Sunday.
Green Bay (9-7-1) was locked into the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs and had nothing to play for.
McCarthy, who went 14 for 23 for 182 yards passing, pulled himself out after his first throw of the third quarter so the athletic training staff could examine his right hand and did not return. Backup Max Brosmer took it from there, helping Justin Jefferson reach the 100-yard mark for the first time in 12 games as the Vikings (9-8) coasted to their fifth consecutive victory.
Jefferson had already secured his sixth straight 1,000-yard season, only the third receiver in NFL history to accomplish that feat.
With Jordan Love safely watching on the sideline and Malik Willis recovering from injuries, the Packers gave Clayton Tune his second career start at quarterback and netted minus-7 passing yards. Dallas Turner had two of Minnesota’s four sacks that racked up 41 lost yards for Green Bay.
Tune went 6 for 11 for 34 yards with Packers coach Matt LaFleur holding out almost every available starter and sending Daniel Whelan out to punt on Green Gay’s first eight possessions, excluding a kneel-down to end the first half. LaFleur called timeout with 1 second left from the 5-yard line so Brandon McManus could spoil the shutout with a short field goal.
Farewell moment?
Ham, the two-time Pro Bowl pick who has played all 10 seasons in the NFL for his home-state team, received several ovations from the crowd with the possibility this was his final game. Another potential farewell was for 14th-year safety Harrison Smith, who was feted multiple times throughout the afternoon.
Injury report
Packers: WR Bo Melton (knee) limped off after covering a punt in the second quarter, forcing Jayden Reed into some action in three-receiver sets with Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) inactive and Savion Williams (foot) on injured reserve. The Packers otherwise preferred to keep their three starting WRs — Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and Reed — on the sideline with every other key player. … One of the few starters who saw on action on defense, nickel back Javon Bullard, limped off in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.
Vikings: TE Josh Oliver hurt his ankle in the second quarter after moving the chains with a 7-yard reception and did not return. … RB Aaron Jones (hip) and TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) were inactive, among five starters missing from the original lineup at the beginning of the season.
Up next
The Packers play in the wild-card round next weekend at the No. 2 seed, either Chicago or Philadelphia.
The Vikings will have a busy offseason, needing to clear plenty of space under the salary cap and improve their depth at quarterback, on the offensive line and at cornerback. They’ll pick in the first round somewhere between 16th and 18th.
Justin Jefferson has hardly been admired more by the Minnesota Vikings than during this season of frustration for their once-potent offense, despite production by the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver that has lagged well behind his remarkable standard.
Helping him hit the 1,000-yard mark — against the rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday — would be at least be a nice parting gift.
“I want to leave this year off with a good note,” said Jefferson, who has the most yards receiving in NFL history over a player’s first six seasons.
The Vikings were eliminated from contention for the playoffs before they took the field in Week 15, their earliest exit from the race since 2014, with a predictably rocky debut for quarterback J.J. McCarthy the primary reason. Backups Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer have also taken their turns struggling to keep afloat the down-field passing attack that has revolved around Jefferson since coach Kevin O’Connell’s arrival in 2022.
Jefferson’s averages of 12.5 yards per reception and 59.2 yards per game are by far career lows, even though he has run his routes as well as ever and stayed healthy all season. But he has lived up to his role as a captain by never complaining, doing his best to encourage the developing McCarthy despite one of his prime years being squandered.
“It means a lot just to go out there and continue to compete, continue to give it my all and just show the effort,” said Jefferson, who needs 53 yards against the Packers to become the third receiver in league history to log 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons after Randy Moss and Mike Evans.
“It starts with that offseason work and building that connection and eliminating those habits that he had that we felt hindered him throughout the season,” Jefferson said this week, publicly expressing his desire to have McCarthy as the starter again in 2026. “He still has learning to do and growing to do, so that’s all part of the game, but it’s up to me to require more of him and to work with him more.”
Packers name Tune as starting quarterback
With Jordan Love playing it safe on the sideline after a concussion two weeks ago and backup Malik Willis dealing with injuries, Clayton Tune will start at quarterback for Green Bay.
His only other NFL start came as a rookie in 2023 with Arizona, when he was sacked seven times and threw two interceptions in a 27-0 loss to Cleveland.
“Obviously in practice you try to prepare for the game as much as you can, but once you’re in it for real, that’s when you get the full sense of it,” said Tune, who was a fifth-round draft pick out of Houston. “I’m excited to be in there and trust the training I’ve put in.”
Balancing rest with rust
The Packers, who are locked into the last wild-card spot for the NFC playoffs for the third straight time, had a remote chance of bettering the No. 7 seed entering the regular-season finale last year when they lost to Chicago and lost wide receiver Christian Watson to a torn ACL.
With the injuries to vital players taking their toll this season, the Packers can’t afford to lose another one and will likely hold more healthy starters out beyond Love. But they would also prefer not to take a fourth straight loss into the playoffs.
According to Sportradar, only three teams in NFL history – the Jets (1986), the Lions (1999) and the Steelers (2024) — have entered the postseason with a four-game losing streak or longer. Only the Jets won their first playoff game from that group.
“That’s what practice is all there for, and I think we’ve done a great job of amping it up this week,” Love said. “Guys have been flying around at practice. We’ve been doing a great job.”
Green Bay’s cornerback concerns
Not only will McCarthy and the Vikings’ offense not have to face star pass rusher Micah Parsons, who tore his ACL last month, but the Packers are hurting at cornerback, too.
Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine haven’t played particularly well during this late-season slump, and backups Kamal Hadden and Nate Hobbs went on injured reserve this week.
The Packers claimed Trevon Diggs off waivers from Dallas this week, with the possibility the two-time Pro Bowl pick will play Sunday after just a few days of orientation.
“The same coverages are same coverages,” said Diggs, who led the NFL with 11 interceptions in an All-Pro season in 2021. “It’s just different languages and different terminology. I feel like that’s just going to be the tough part.”
Melton’s two-way moment?
Another option at cornerback for Green Bay could be wide receiver Bo Melton, who has worked on defense in practice this season though all of his game action has been on offense and special teams.
“I’m not going to take any opportunity and make it bigger than what it is — even though it could be, could not be,” Melton said. “At the end of the day, I’m going to go out there and be me.”
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will return from injury for the team’s season finale against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell said Friday McCarthy will start the final game.
McCarthy missed the Vikings’ Christmas Day win over the Detroit Lions with a fracture in his hand. The 22-year-old quarterback will end his sophomore season having missed 24 of 34 possible games. He sat out his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus, and missed time earlier this year because of an ankle injury and a concussion.
The former 10th overall pick has completed 57.3% of his passes for 1,450 yards, 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in nine games this year. He has a 5-4 record as a starter. After struggling for much of the year, McCarthy had strung together a couple of quality performances before hurting his hand.
The 8-8 Vikings will seek to end a disappointing season with a winning record when they take on the Packers. With Green Bay locked into the NFC’s seventh and final playoff seed, the team is expected to rest most of its starters.
Who was three-time Super Bowl champion Ted Johnson’s favorite Patriots head coach – Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll or Bill Belichick?
When it comes to the three Super Bowl teams he was part of, which one does Johnson believes deserves a bigger piece of the credit pie – Belichick or Tom Brady?
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Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson, No. 52, shown here in his final season in 2004, will be coming to The Eagle-Tribune on Tues., Jan. 6 to do an Q&A with executive sports editor Bill Burt. All subscribers to North of Boston Media Group newspapers are eligible to attend with one guest.
CHARLIE RIEDEL
Who was three-time Super Bowl champion Ted Johnson’s favorite Patriots head coach – Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll or Bill Belichick?
When it comes to the three Super Bowl teams he was part of, which one does Johnson believes deserves a bigger piece of the credit pie – Belichick or Tom Brady?
Former Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson, No. 52, shown here in his final season in 2004, will be coming to The Eagle-Tribune on Tues., Jan. 6 to do an Q&A with executive sports editor Bill Burt. All subscribers to North of Boston Media Group newspapers are eligible to attend with one guest.
CHARLIE RIEDEL
Who was three-time Super Bowl champion Ted Johnson’s favorite Patriots head coach – Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll or Bill Belichick?
When it comes to the three Super Bowl teams he was part of, which one does Johnson believes deserves a bigger piece of the credit pie – Belichick or Tom Brady?
Who was three-time Super Bowl champion Ted Johnson’s favorite Patriots head coach – Bill Parcells, Pete Carroll or Bill Belichick?
When it comes to the three Super Bowl teams he was part of, which one does Johnson believes deserves a bigger piece of the credit pie – Belichick or Tom Brady?
This page requires Javascript.
Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.
