NFL Player News

Harris was solid as a rookie starter last season but Manning is considered to have better range.

Ben Johnson gets another one. This is the third Bears hire of the day and the second former Lion. Former Lions WR coach Antwaan Randle El was hired as the Bears’ assistant head coach and wide receivers coach earlier today, shortly after former Cowboys assistant head coach and defensive backs coach Al Harris was brought on board as the Bears’ new pass game coordinator. The 30-year-old Barrett joined the NFL’s coaching ranks as a Lions offensive assistant just three years ago before being promoted to the assistant QB coach position one year later. He evidently made a good impression on Johnson. The two will now develop Caleb Williams together in Chicago.

Mitchell practiced in full on Thursday and Friday, indicating the shoulder injury he suffered last week is at least manageable for the breakout rookie cornerback. Mitchell and Terry McLaurin have faced each other twice this season, with Mitchell allowing zero receptions in Week 11 and McLaurin handily besting him in Week 16. This is a matchup to watch closely on Sunday.

The Bears are moving swiftly. Schefter breaks the Randle El news, roughly 30 minutes after reportedly hiring former Cowboys assistant head coach and defensive backs coach Al Harris as pass game coordinator. New Bears head coach Ben Johnson is smartly putting up-and-coming coaches in leadership positions, making good on his promise to revamp the Bears’ system.

New Bears head coach Ben Johnson brings in an established and well-respected leader. A 14-year veteran as a player and a 12-year veteran as a coach, Harris can help Johnson adapt in his first-team head coaching gig while meaningfully mentoring the Bears’ young, talented core. Harris was reportedly instrumental in developing Cowboys cornerbacks Trevon Diggs, DaRon Bland and Jourdan Lewis.

Prince held the same role with the Cowboys over the last three seasons but evidently sought warmer waters with Mike McCarthy no longer at the helm. Prince’s coaching career includes 13 teams over 35 years at both the college and pro level.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Fraley will add run game coordinator to his current title. Fraley interviewed twice for the Seahawks’ offensive coordinator vacancy and some wondered if Fraley would follow new Bears head coach Ben Johnson to Chicago but in the end, Dan Campbell keeps his trusty blocking coach. If the Lions hold serve in 2025 after losing Ben Johnson, Fraley will undoubtedly receive more attention as a potential offensive coordinator next offseason. The move also means Detroit’s offensive coordinator role remains vacant.

Williams enters the fourth, and final, year of his rookie contract this offseason, making him eligible for an extension, if the Rams are willing to negotiate one. Team reporter Stu Jackson notes that the Rams have not extended a running back contract since doing so with Todd Gurley in 2018. Gurley remained a Ram through 2019 but was ultimately released, having been plagued by worsening knee issues. Williams remained healthy through the 2024 season but dealt with foot and ankle issues in 2022-2023. Sean McVay adds that Williams has “probably played more than any running back over the last two years, so that’s something to think about.” Snead and McVay’s comments can potentially be read as public negotiation tactics. An extension seems likely.

Linebacker Bobby Wagner was removed from the report and will play. Payne did not practice at all this week, putting him on the wrong side of questionable heading into the weekend. However, with a Super Bowl berth on the line, he will be doing everything in his power to get on the field. Payne has four sacks and five TFLs this year.

Zaccheaus went down with the groin issue last week. He left in the first half of the Commanders’ win over the Lions but returned for some snaps in the second half. Washington limited his reps on Wednesday and Thursday before upgrading him to a full session on Friday. With Dyami Brown emerging as the team’s apparent No. 2 receiver, Zaccheaus is only a dart-throw play for Sunday’s slate of games.

Ertz was given Wednesday’s practice off but returned for a full session on Thursday. He is good to go as the Commanders look to pull off the upset against Philly. Ertz is heavily involved in the Commanders’ passing attack and will need to step up in the short and intermediate areas of the field this week. He is a solid DFS option for the final main slate of the year.