Jan 14, 2018; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur against the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium. Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Pat Shurmur is expected to have a second interview with the New York Giants for their head coaching vacancy, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported Sunday.
Shurmur is currently the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive coordinator.
Also, Jack Del Rio is a top candidate to be the Giants’ defensive coordinator.
Shurmur is presumed to be the next Giants coach, according to the report. If the Vikings lose the NFC title game to the Philadelphia Eagles, he can negotiate or sign a contract right away.
It is believed that Shurmur lists Del Rio as a favorite to be his defensive coordinator, and Del Rio is reportedly interested in the job. Del Rio was fired as coach of the Oakland Raiders after finishing 6-10.
Giants new general manager Dave Gettleman wants Eli Manning to remain as the team’s quarterback but plans to evaluate quarterbacks available in the 2018 NFL draft, ESPN reported, citing sources.
–Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen (back) and safety Andrew Sendejo (concussion) were active for the NFC championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Neither player was on the inactive list prior to the game after both were previously listed as questionable on the Vikings’ injury report.
The Vikings inactives were defensive end Tashawn Bower, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, running back Mack Brown, center Cornelius Edison, offensive guard Danny Isidora, quarterback Kyle Sloter and defensive tackle Shamar Stephen.
The Eagles inactives were offensive tackle Will Beatty, linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, wide receiver Marcus Johnson, cornerback Sidney Jones, defensive end Steven Means, defensive tackle Elijah Qualls and running back Wendell Smallwood.
–Former Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley has been in talks with the Cleveland Browns to be their new offensive coordinator, ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reported, citing league sources.
Last week, Haley was let go after six years as the Steelers offensive coordinator. During that span, the Steelers ranked third in the NFL in yards per play. In the past four seasons, they only trailed the New England Patriots in points scored.
The Browns went 0-16 this season. Head coach Hue Jackson, who has also run the offense for the past two seasons, is reportedly considering adding an offensive coordinator.
–New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski suffered a head injury in the first half of the AFC championship against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Gronkowski did not return after he was hit in the head by Jacksonville’s Barry Church late in the first half. A 15-yard penalty on the hit helped the Patriots to a touchdown. Gronkowski was unsteady as he walked off the field and to the locker room.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft told the NFL Network before the game that quarterback Tom Brady and coach Bill Belichick are part of the team’s plans for the foreseeable future, despite reports of a feud.
Brady, who deeply cut the thumb of his throwing hand during practice last week, led the Patriots to a 24-20 win over the Jaguars.
—The NFL’s conference championship games were available to United States military overseas, despite the federal government shutdown.
The American Forces Network was originally not available because of the shutdown at midnight ET on Friday. The network broadcasts radio and television programs to locations outside of the United States.
Through its Twitter page, the American Forces Network wrote: “It gives me great pleasure to announce that we’ve been given limited services and have brought back two channels — AFN News and AFN Sports. I thank you for your patience. — Col Dave Honchul, Director, AFN.”
—Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen, Baltimore Ravens tight end Benjamin Watson and Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt were selected as the three finalists for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award.
The winner will be revealed on Feb. 3 at NFL Honors, the night before Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis.
The winner will have $500,000 donated in his name, $250,000 donated to the winner’s charity of choice and $250,000 donated in his name to expand Character Playbook across the country.
