Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka named Jameis Winston the starting quarterback over Russell Wilson.
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is on a historic pace, leading the NFL in multiple rushing and scrimmage categories.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett is on track to join a list of Hall of Famers with 14 or more sacks in five seasons.

The Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) are two games behind the 8-2 Denver Broncos entering Week 11. Sunday’s contest in Denver isn’t a must-win for Kansas City. But if the Chiefs want to win their 10th straight AFC West title, it’s a game they really need to win.

“They’re (Broncos) first in the division, and they have a couple games on us. It’s huge for the division, and that’s always our first goal is win the division,” Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes told reporters this week. “I think you understand that this game is important. That’s the biggest thing, it’s a divisional game and they’re always important, but with them (Broncos) having the lead and us needing to go out there and win to have a chance to win the division, I think guys understand that.”

In the NFC West, the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams battle for first place in the division. Rams QB Matthew Stafford leads the NFL with 25 touchdown passes and WR Davante Adams tops the league with nine touchdown catches. Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba leads the NFL with 1,041 receiving yards.

Sunday night features a heavyweight matchup between the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles. The Lions and Eagles are the only two NFC teams with at least 40 regular-season wins over the past four seasons.

Heading into Week 11, USA TODAY Sports examines news, notes and some of this week’s latest rumors:

Is Russell Wilson’s time as a starting QB over?

Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka announced Jameis Winston as the team’s starting quarterback this week as Jaxson Dart is in the leagues’ concussion protocol. Winston gets the nod over Russell Wilson, who began the season as the Giants’ starter.

Kafka’s decision to start Winston ahead of Wilson is another sign that Wilson’s days as QB1 could to be over.

Wilson went 0-3 as the Giants starter this year. His 58% completion percentage, 138.5 passing yards per game and 77.4 passer rating this year are all career-lows.

Marvin Harrison Jr. out this week as Cardinals enter tough stretch

The Cardinals (3-6) have lost six of their last seven games and are entering a four-game stretch where they host the San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars, have a road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and return home versus the Los Angeles Rams.

Harrison shouldn’t be out for long, but one has to wonder if Arizona’s season has dried up in the desert. The Cardinals haven’t finished a season above .500 since 2021, which is also the last time they earned a playoff berth.

There’s also the looming question about Kyler Murray’s future with the franchise. The current Cardinals regime inherited Murray, so they aren’t necessarily tied to the QB. But Murray’s contract will complicate matters for Arizona. Murray is owed $36.8 million fully guaranteed in 2026, per Over The Cap. He’ll also earn $19.5 million in guaranteed money in 2027.

Myles Garrett on pace to join exclusive list of Hall of Famers

Garrett’s been one of the lone bright spots in Cleveland this season. His 11 sacks are tied for the NFL lead. If Garrett registers 14 sacks this season, he’ll become just the fourth player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, to produce at least 14 sacks in five career seasons, per NFL Research.

He’ll join Hall of Famers Reggie White, Kevin Greene and Bruce Smith.

Don’t expect Asante Samuel Jr. to stay on Steelers’ practice squad long

Samuel was one of USA TODAY Sports’ top free agents over the offseason. He underwent a spinal fusion procedure ahead of the season and has since been fully cleared.

Don’t expect Samuel to be on the Steelers’ practice squad for long.

The cornerback spent the first four seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Chargers. He started in 47 career games, but a shoulder injury limited him to only four games last year.

Samuel should soon find his way on the field. The 26-year-old cornerback has the versatility to play on the outside or in the slot. He has good instincts and ball skills. He’s allowed a 59% completion percentage in his career. However, he struggled to tackle during his four seasons in Los Angeles.

Steelers veteran cornerback Darius Slay is currently in concussion protocol.

Does Jonathan Taylor deserve more MVP consideration?

Taylor leads the NFL in rushing yards (1,139), rushing touchdowns (15) yards from scrimmage (1,399) and scrimmage touchdowns (17) entering Week 11. He’s on pace to become the third player in NFL history with at least 2,000 scrimmage yards and 20 scrimmage touchdowns in multiple career seasons, joining Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk and Priest Holmes, per NFL Research.

Taylor is coming off his fifth three-touchdown game of the season. A running back hasn’t won league MVP since Adrian Peterson in 2012.

Bucky Irving returns to Bucs practice

Irving returned to practice this week on a limited basis. The Bucs running back hasn’t played since Sept. 28 due to foot and shoulder injuries.

“It’s good to have him back out there,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said this week.

The Bucs have two difficult road tests against the Buffalo Bills in Week 11 and Los Angeles Rams in Week 12. While Irving’s timetable to return is unclear, Bucs fans (and fantasy owners) can’t wait to see the Oregon product return to the field.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

They’re losing their minds in East Lansing about Michigan, which tracks just about how you’d think.

It’s not Michigan or the NCAA or former coach Mel Tucker — it’s on their very own university. 

First, the particulars: the NCAA on Wednesday placed Michigan State on probation for jaywalking, nearly three months to the day after allowing Michigan to get away with stone, cold murder. 

The Spartans were forced to vacate 14 wins from 2022-24, while the Wolverines were allowed to keep their national title. A blatant protection of the blue blood university, and an obvious takedown of little brother.

But understand this: if Michigan State truly wanted to fight for the vacated wins or the elimination of other recruiting sanctions, it would’ve come out swinging and the NCAA would’ve backed down.

Instead, it allowed those brilliant enforcement tacticians at the NCAA run roughshod for roughly $11,000 in illegal benefits. 

It is here where we reintroduce Tucker, the fired and publicly disgraced $95 million mistake whose staff committed the violations that led to the NCAA sheriff bowing up on Sparty.

This seems like a good time to remind everyone that Tucker is suing Michigan State — not once, but twice — for tens of millions of dollars.

Also seems appropriate to explain that Tucker threatened in April to sue the school if it didn’t pay for his legal defense in a lawsuit brought against him by Brenda Tracy, a prominent advocate for abuse survivors.

It was Tracy whose sexual harassment complaint against Tucker led to Michigan State firing Tucker, which led to Tucker’s first lawsuit against Michigan State for running an “improper, biased and sham investigation” designed to fire him after Tracy’s accusations — which he denies. 

There, got all that?

This has nothing to do with Michigan, everyone. It has everything to do with Michigan State doing everything in its power to make Tucker look worse than he already does in an effort to avoid paying more than it should in either of two lawsuits. Or anything at all. 

If you don’t think Michigan State invited the NCAA fox into the henhouse on purpose, with the sole intent of making Tucker look as bad as he possibly could down the road in potential litigation (or in mediation to settle out of court), you’re the same person who thinks Jim Harbaugh knew nothing about Conner Stations’ advanced scouting scheme. 

If you don’t think Michigan State was wildly ticked off in April when Tucker demanded the university pay for his legal defense for an alleged problem of his own making, and wanted to take it out on him by proxy with the NCAA, you’re the same person who thinks everybody steals signals and the NCAA had it in for Michigan. 

This is where we are after three Michigan State staffers under Tucker offered $10,764 in impermissible benefits — prior to the advent of NIL in college sports — to six prospects and their families so they could make unofficial visits. The NCAA also declared that Tucker ran his NFL style program “without sufficient oversight and engagement by the head coach.”

I’m going to say this one more time: there’s no chance in hell Harbaugh — a meticulous megalomaniac of a head coach — didn’t know about Stalions and his scheme. Do you really think Harbaugh would allow some flunky on his sideline, screaming at his coordinators to change play calls after he identifies signals, and not know every single thing about it?

So yeah, they’re grinding their gears in East Lansing. They can’t even cheat as well as Michigan. 

Or more to the point: they can’t get the same breaks Michigan gets when it cheats. Of course, Michigan will point to its $30 million fine by the NCAA, compared to Michigan State’s $30,000 fine. 

But that ridiculous Michigan fine by the NCAA was in exchange for not vacating wins. You know, the penalty the governing body typically uses for infraction cases where players are ineligible — or when schools gain an competitive advantage by cheating.

Or exactly what it did to Michigan State for jaywalking.

The worst part of this mess, of the NCAA putting itself in an awkward enforcement position at the behest of Michigan State officials trying to throw more dirt at Tucker, is one of the 14 games vacated by the Spartans was the 31-7 victory over Central Michigan in the 2023 season opener. 

The same Central Michigan that the NCAA placed on probation two weeks ago for allowing Stalions on their sideline during the season opener. The NCAA found that former Chippewas quarterbacks coach Jake Kostner gave Stalions school clothing and a sideline pass “to avoid detection.”

Stone, cold murder ― and caught red-handed. The NCAA was so mad at Michigan, it made Michigan State vacate wins.

Which tracks just about how you’d think.  

Matt Hayes is the senior national college football writer for USA TODAY Sports Network. Follow him on X at @MattHayesCFB.

What Betty Shiffrin thought of her granddaughter’s triumph at the Sochi Games will forever be a mystery, though, one of so many memories stolen because of Alzheimer’s.

“It’s bittersweet,” Shiffrin told USA TODAY Sports. “As much as that was one of her last memories made … I don’t know what she knew and I don’t know how proud she was, and I wish … I don’t know.

“I guess it’s this wonderful thing to think she got to see it,” Shiffrin said. “And then it’s also the sadness of wishing I knew more and understood more and could have somehow carried her burden.”

She might not have been able to do that for her grandmother. But she can for other families. In honor of her grandmother, Shiffrin is partnering with Lilly USA to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s and Kisunla, a treatment for people in the early stages of the disease.

Nearly 7 million Americans have Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive brain disorder that affects memory, cognitive ability and language skills. Betty Shiffrin had Alzheimer’s for several years before she died in October 2014, eight months after Sochi. She was 86.

Shiffrin isn’t sure exactly when Betty Shiffrin began showing signs of Alzheimer’s, nor was she certain as a young teenager what was causing the changes in her grandmother. But she knew her grandmother’s personality, all the things that made her grandmother her grandmother, were disappearing.

“I was basically losing access to somebody who had been so instrumental in my family,” Shiffrin said.

Grandmother laid groundwork for Shiffrin’s skiing career

Betty Shiffrin and her husband loved to ski, and they had a place in Vermont where they’d take their kids skiing. Jeff Shiffrin passed that passion along to his children, Mikaela and her older brother, Taylor.

“I don’t think it’s possible that I didn’t become a ski racer (with) the way that my grandma saw the sport and had such a passion for skiing,” said Shiffrin, who is the all-time leader in World Cup victories and can add to her total with Saturday’s slalom race in Levi, Finland.

“She was very much the mindset of, ‘You don’t stop skiing because you get old. You get old because you stop skiing.’ That’s a T-shirt that somebody in my family had.”

Shiffrin’s father was a doctor, so he knew exactly what was happening to his mother. And what was in store for the entire family as her decline progressed.

Alzheimer’s is believed to be caused by a buildup of amyloid plaques, which cause brain cells to die. The disease often presents initially as forgetfulness but, as it progresses, can cause the loss of both short- and long-term memory. People with Alzheimer’s can lose the ability to perform routine tasks, recognize loved ones or speak, and the disease can also cause mood swings, depression and personality changes.

An incurable disease, Alzheimer’s leaves a lasting toll

There is no cure for Alzheimer’s. The cost of care can be exhaustive, both emotionally and financially.

“My dad being a doctor had access to this wealth of knowledge. But, at the end of the day, there was also a feeling like maybe out of his control and the sadness, the frustration that came along with that and just how Alzheimer’s does deeply impact the families,” Shiffrin said.

“My dad and my aunt were getting the brunt of those challenging conversations with somebody you love, to explain to them why this has to be the way it is, and she wasn’t understanding it,” Shiffrin said. “And as time went on, you could see that cognitive decline. So it was challenging to see that personally.”

Making it even more gut-wrenching is, until the last few years, there was very little that could be done for people with Alzheimer’s. Almost 20 years passed without new treatments being approved.

Kisunla, Lilly’s drug, slows the progression of Alzheimer’s by attacking amyloid plaques and removing them from the brain. While it’s not a cure and it does not reverse memory loss, Lilly said the infusion reduced the rate of decline by up to 35% during trials.

“The most important thing is that families do understand that there are treatment options,” Shiffrin said. “People really need to discuss with their doctors and see if that’s a proper option for them.

“Hopefully spreading the word on that is going to, ideally, help a lot of families be able to enjoy a little bit more time with their loved ones.”

Families like her own.

Every week for the duration of the 2025 NFL regular season, USA TODAY Sports will provide timely updates to the league’s ever-evolving playoff picture − typically starting after Sunday afternoon’s late games and then moving forward for the remainder of the week (through Monday’s and Thursday’s games or Saturday’s, if applicable. And, when the holidays roll around, we’ll be watching then, too.)

What just happened? What does it mean? What are the pertinent factors (and, perhaps, tiebreakers) prominently in play as each conference’s seven-team bracket begins to crystallize? All will be explained and analyzed up to the point when the postseason field is finalized on Sunday, Jan. 4.

Here’s where things stand with Week 11 of the 2025 season underway:

AFC playoff picture

1. New England Patriots (9-2), AFC East leaders: The first team in the league to reach nine wins, they’re in prime position to win the division for the first time since Tom Brady led them to first place in 2019 and maybe their first No. 1 playoff seed since 2017. Thursday night’s defeat of the Jets moved the Pats past the idle Colts, but New England will need help to hang on to it into Week 12. Remaining schedule: at Bengals, vs. Giants, BYE, vs. Bills, at Ravens, at Jets, vs. Dolphins

2. Indianapolis Colts (8-2), AFC South leaders: The schedule’s been soft, but you can’t control whom you play − though the second-half lineup seems much less forgiving. A last-second Week 2 defeat of the Broncos gives the Colts the tiebreaker for second place at this point in time. Remaining schedule: BYE, at Chiefs, vs. Texans, at Jaguars, at Seahawks, vs. 49ers, vs. Jaguars, at Texans

3. Denver Broncos (8-2), AFC West leaders: They’re also winning a lot of ugly games − as they did last week against Las Vegas. But wins are wins − and if the Broncos get one in Sunday’s AFC West showdown with Kansas City, they’ll overtake the Pats for the conference’s top spot by virtue of a better record in AFC games. Remaining schedule: vs. Chiefs, BYE, at Commanders, at Raiders, vs. Packers, vs. Jaguars, at Chiefs, vs. Chargers

4. Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4), AFC North leaders: Don’t look now, fellas, but you’re only one game up on Baltimore for the division lead. Remaining schedule: vs. Bengals, at Bears, vs. Bills, at Ravens, vs. Dolphins, at Lions, at Browns, vs. Ravens

5. Los Angeles Chargers (7-3), wild card No. 1: Spirited defensive play has provided fresh evidence that maybe they can overcome their litany of offensive injuries. Remaining schedule: at Jaguars, BYE, vs. Raiders, vs. Eagles, at Chiefs, at Cowboys, vs. Texans, at Broncos

6. Buffalo Bills (6-3), wild card No. 2: They’re starting to lose sight of the Patriots atop the AFC East after a pathetic performance at Miami in Week 10 − and the Bills have a much tougher schedule to finish out. Remaining schedule: vs. Buccaneers, at Texans, at Steelers, vs. Bengals, at Patriots, at Browns, vs. Eagles, vs. Jets

7. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4), wild card No. 3: Tough loss at Houston on Sunday. But their Week 5 defeat of the Chiefs, who are also 5-4, could eventually loom large for both teams. Remaining schedule: vs. Chargers, at Cardinals, at Titans, vs. Colts, vs. Jets, at Broncos, vs. Colts, at Titans

NFC playoff picture

1. Philadelphia Eagles (7-2), NFC East leaders: Something catastrophic (not uncommon in Philly) would have to occur for the defending champs not to be the first back-to-back winners of this division since they last did it … 21 years ago. A superior record (6-1) in NFC games allowed the Eagles to move ahead of the Seahawks and atop the conference following Monday night’s escape at Lambeau Field. Big game Sunday night against Detroit. Remaining schedule: vs. Lions, at Cowboys, vs. Bears, at Chargers, vs. Raiders, at Commanders, at Bills, vs. Commanders

2. Seattle Seahawks (7-2), NFC West leaders: Winners of four in a row, they currently have a better record in NFC West games than the Rams, who are also 7-2. But those clubs will meet in L.A. in Week 11. Remaining schedule: at Rams, at Titans, vs. Vikings, at Falcons, vs. Colts, vs. Rams, at Panthers, at 49ers

3. Detroit Lions (6-3), NFC North leaders: The offense responded Sunday as Dan Campbell assumed the offensive play-calling. Green Bay’s loss Monday night moved Detroit atop the division. Remaining schedule: at Eagles, vs. Giants, vs. Packers, vs. Cowboys, at Rams, vs. Steelers, at Vikings, at Bears

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-3), NFC South leaders: You can afford to drop two of three − and maybe four of five − if you’re in a division the Bucs have ruled since 2021. Remaining schedule: at Bills, at Rams, vs. Cardinals, vs. Saints, vs. Falcons, at Panthers, at Dolphins, vs. Panthers

5. Los Angeles Rams (7-2), wild card No. 1: Winners of four straight, all in dominant fashion, they have a strong case as the league’s best team at the moment. Yet a Week 3 loss at Lincoln Financial Field could come back to haunt them when the NFC playoff field is seeded. Remaining schedule: vs. Seahawks, vs. Buccaneers, at Panthers, at Cardinals, vs. Lions, at Seahawks, at Falcons, vs. Cardinals

6. Chicago Bears (6-3), wild card No. 2: They’ve won six of seven since an 0-2 start but have struggled to beat seemingly weaker teams − as happened Sunday against the Giants. Big test Sunday in the Twin Cities. Remaining schedule: at Vikings, vs. Steelers, at Eagles, at Packers, vs. Browns, vs. Packers, at 49ers, vs. Lions

7. Green Bay Packers (5-3-1), wild card No. 3: Costly loss to Philly, which dropped the Pack out of the NFC North lead and nearly out of the projected playoff field altogether. They head to Week 11 just percentage points ahead of the 49ers (6-4). Remaining schedule: at Giants, vs. Vikings, at Lions, vs. Bears, at Broncos, at Bears, vs. Ravens, at Vikings

Ohtani won his fourth Most Valuable Player award Nov. 13 when balloting from the Baseball Writers’ Assn. was announced. It is his second National League honor with the Los Angeles Dodgers after winning a pair of American League MVPs down the freeway with the Angels – the first player to win multiple MVPs in both leagues

Ohtani’s fourth MVP broke a tie with 10 players who were three-time MVPs, and moved him behind only Bonds, whose seven NL MVPs are most in Major League Baseball history.

Meanwhile, Aaron Judge powered his way into the Gang of Three.

Judge won his third American League MVP, prevailing in a tight battle over record-setting Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh.. Judge hit 53 home runs and won his first career batting title, leading the majors with a .331 mark. Raleigh hit 60 home runs, a record for both a catcher and switch-hitter, and drove in 125.

The voting reflected their unique greatness: Judge earned 17 first-place votes to Raleigh’s 13. And Raleigh had 17 second-place votes – to Judge’s 13.

NL MVP Shohei Ohtani stats

Batting

.282 average, .392 OBP, .622 slugging, 1.014 OPS
55 home runs, 102 RBIs, 20 stolen bases

Pitching

2.87 ERA in 47 innings (14 starts)
62 strikeouts, 11.87 K/9

Ohtani’s MVP seasons are wildly distinct, appropriate given his vast skill set. In 2024, he won his first NL MVP with an unprecedented 54-homer, 59-stolen base campaign. A year later, he ran less – but made a triumphant return to the pitching mound.

Indeed, he stole “just” 20 bases yet boosted his career high in homers to 55 and, after the Dodgers slow-played his pitching rehab, ramped up from opener to multi-inning guy to, by season’s end, a full-fledged starter who was crucial to the Dodgers’ postseason hopes on both sides of the ball.

In a sense, this MVP campaign was a hybrid of Ohtani’s first two MVP seasons in 2021 and 2023– when he hit 46 and 44 home runs and pitched 130 ⅓ and 132 innings with ERAs of 2.33 and 3.14, respectively. But the latter season ended early on the pitching side, as Ohtani needed another elbow reconstruction surgery after the year, preceding his signing with the Dodgers.

This time around, he pitched less but belted more home runs, the Ohtani formula ever-shifting. 

AL MVP Aaron Judge stats

.331 average (AL batting champion), .457 OBP, .688 slugging, 1.145 OPS
53 home runs, 114 RBIs

Judge’s greatness was historic in so many ways. Not only was he the tallest player – at 6 feet, 7 inches – to win a batting title, he also led the major leagues in all three slash lines, with a .331 average, .457 on-base percentage and .688 slugging percentage; his 1.144 OPS was far ahead of No. 2 Ohtani’s 1.014.

This century, only Barry Bonds (2002) and Miguel Cabrera (2013) can claim they led the major leagues in batting, on-base and slugging percentage in a single season. And only Barry Bonds and Albert Pujols have managed both a batting title and home run crown.

Simply, Judge’s greatness reached another, more diverse level this season, cementing himself not just as a slugger but one of the greatest all-around hitters of all time.

“I don’t ever want to become desensitized by the consistency and the enormity of his accomplishments,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said in a statement released after Judge’s victory was announced. “It’s becoming increasingly difficult for me to use words to capture how good he is. He’s just playing at a higher level, and has been for quite some time.”

2025 AL MVP voting results

14 points for first-place vote, nine for second, eight for third on down to one for 10th.

Aaron Judge, Yankees – 355 (17 of 30 first-place votes)
Cal Raleigh, Mariners – 335 (13 first-place votes)
Jose Ramirez, Guardians – 224
Bobby Witt Jr., Royals – 215
Tarik Skubal, Tigers – 139
Julio Rodriguez, Mariners – 136
George Springer, Blue Jays – 125
Garrett Crochet, Red Sox – 74
Junior Caminero, Rays – 37
Jeremy Peña, Astros – 32
Byron Buxton, Twins – 30
Nick Kurtz, Athletics – 29
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays – 14
Cody Bellinger, Yankees – 7
Maikel Garcia, Royals – 7

Also receiving votes: Bo Bichette, Riley Greene, Aroldis Chapman, Yandy Diaz, Jacob Wilson

2025 NL MVP voting results

14 points for first place, nine for second, eight for third on down to one for 10th.

Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers – 420 (30 of 30 first-place votes)
Kyle Schwarber, Phillies – 260
Juan Soto, Mets – 231
Geraldo Perdomo, Diamondbacks – 196
Trea Turner, Phillies – 102
Paul Skenes, Pirates – 83
Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks – 83
Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres – 78
Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs – 63
Francisco Lindor, Mets – 61
Pete Alonso, Mets – 48
Christian Yelich, Brewers – 34
Freddie Freeman, Dodgers – 29
Brice Turang, Brewers – 23
Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies – 16

Also receiving votes: Michael Busch, Manny Machado, Matt Olson, Nico Hoerner, Seiya Suzuki, Will Smith, Ketel Marte, Elly De La Cruz

MLB MVP winners by year

2024: Aaron Judge (Yankees) and Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers)
2023: Shohei Ohtani (Angels) and Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves)
2022: Aaron Judge (Yankees) and Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals)
2021: Shohei Ohtani (Angels) and Bryce Harper (Phillies)
2020: Jose Abreu (White Sox) and Freddie Freeman (Braves)
2019: Mike Trout (Angels) and Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)
2018: Mookie Betts (Red Sox) and Christian Yelich (Brewers)
2017: Jose Altuve (Astros) and Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins)
2016: Mike Trout (Angels) and Kris Bryant (Cubs)
2015: Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays) and Bryce Harper (Nationals)

MVP finalists 2025

American League

Aaron Judge, Yankees
Cal Raleigh, Mariners
Jose Ramirez, Guardians

National League

Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
Juan Soto, Mets

Shohei Ohtani contract

Shohei Ohtani signed a 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers prior to the 2024 season. The largest contract in the history of North American pro sports when he signed in, the deal defers $680 million of the package to payments that start in 2034.

Klay Thompson didn’t like the way former NBA players Patrick Beverley and Jason Williams spoke about his girlfriend, rapper and music star Megan Thee Stallion on a recent podcast, and the Dallas Mavericks veteran showed up in the comments section to let them know about it.

Thompson was the subject of a clip from the latest episode of ‘Hoopin’ N Hollerin” in which Beverley and Williams, among others, discussed Thompson’s shooting struggles this season with the Mavericks. The team recently moved the 35-year-old to the bench.

Williams, who played 12 seasons in the NBA mainly with the Sacramento Kings, Memphis Grizzlies and Miami Heat, then used a vulgar word (describing the female anatomy) while referencing Thompson’s relationship with Megan Thee Stallion and wondered aloud if it could be contributing to Thompson’s struggles this season.

‘Referring to my GF as a (expletive) is so disgusting and disturbing. Especially from someone who played in the NBA,’ Thompson wrote in a comment about the reel. ‘How would yall feel if I referred to your wives in such a way? @patbev21 Do better fellas. Very disappointing.’

Thompson and Megan Thee Stallion went public with their relationship last July after growing speculation that they were dating.

Thompson is currently averaging a career-low 8.5 points per game on 32% shooting, including 28.9% from 3-point range. He’s in his second year with the Mavericks after signing a 3-year, $50 million contract to leave the Golden State Warriors for Dallas before the 2024-25 NBA season.

Fourteen men have been charged for their roles in a multi-million-dollar illegal sports betting ring operated by a member and associates of organized crime, law enforcement authorities in New Jersey announced on Thursday, Nov. 13.

Joseph “Little Joe” Perna, a member of the Lucchese crime family, and his sons, stepson and nephews, among others, have been charged with racketeering, conspiracy, gambling offenses and money laundering.

According to authorities, the 55-year-old Perna oversaw a nationwide network of bookmakers that transferred approximately $2 million in suspected gambling transactions between 2022 and 2024.

Among those involved in the enterprise were college athletes, who allegedly helped operate the sportsbooks.

Former Rutgers wrestlers Michael Cetta and Nicholas Raimo were among those charged. The 23-year-old Cetta, who earned at-large selection to the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships, wrapped up his career earlier this year. The 25-year-old Raimo, who began his career at Arizona State, last competed for the school in 2023. Both have been charged with racketeering, conspiracy, promoting gambling by bookmaking, possession of gambling records and money laundering.

An NCAA spokesperson told ESPN that it is aware of the charges and is looking into the case.

“We may all think that the portrayal of organized crime we remember from movies and television shows and books no longer exists, but we are announcing charges today that allege it still does,” said New Jersey attorney general Matthew J. Platkin said in a statement. “Despite the proliferation of legal betting of all kinds, gambling remains a mainstay of members and associates of organized crime. The locations and methods may have evolved, but illegal gambling – in this case, sports betting – remains a problem, and we will charge those who seek to profit from it.”

The New England Patriots extended their NFL-best winning streak to eight games with a 27-14 win over the New York Jets on ‘Thursday Night Football.’

The Patriots used the formula that has often worked for them throughout the 2025 NFL season to beat the Jets. Their defense put together a strong effort, limiting Justin Fields and Co. to two touchdown drives, while Drake Maye’s efficiency through the air allowed the Patriots offense to outgain the Jets 336-245 during the game.

It wasn’t just Maye (25 of 34 passing, 281 yards and one touchdown) who played well for the Patriots. Running back TreVeyon Henderson also put together a productive game. The second-round rookie handled a career-high 24 touches and scored all three of the Patriots’ touchdowns, two on the ground and one through the air.

Henderson wasn’t particularly efficient between the tackles. He averaged just 3.3 yards per carry and didn’t log a carry longer than 9 yards. However, Henderson showed good power in the red zone, pushing the pile to score his first touchdown of the day, and held up well in the passing game, catching all five of his targets for 31 yards and a score.

The Patriots (9-2) now stand alone atop the AFC standings, having briefly broken the three-way tie they were in with the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts entering Week 11. That stands as a testament to the quick turnaround Mike Vrabel has led within the organization after several years of mediocrity under Bill Belichick and Jerod Mayo.

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the ‘Thursday Night Football’ tilt between the Jets and Patriots in Foxborough. All times are Eastern.

Patriots vs. Jets TNF takeaways

Drake Maye’s accuracy, efficiency and pressure avoidance make the Patriots’ offense hard to stop. The Jets did a solid job coming up with some stops against New England. Still, they could only hold the Patriots down so often. Maye was able to feather excellent touch passes to Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins and Hunter Henry over the middle of the field frequently while also continuing to show off his elite deep accuracy. As long as he can avoid turnovers and continue to navigate the pocket and thrive against pressure, New England will remain one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses.
TreVeyon Henderson is capable of handling a full workload. Henderson has played a lion’s share of the Patriots’ snaps at running back in Rhamondre Stevenson’s absence. Against the Jets, Henderson handled a career-high 24 touches, turned them into 93 yards and scored three touchdowns.  While his game-breaking speed wasn’t on display as often against the Jets, he showed solid power throughout the night. He has all the tools needed to be a workhorse for the Patriots – as needed.
Justin Fields remains a top-tier scrambler. Fields didn’t have a lot of success as a passer against the Patriots. He logged just 116 yards through the air. On the ground, Fields was far more impactful. The Jets’ first touchdown drive was created by his ability to find success on the read option, while his willingness to scramble kept several drives alive throughout the evening. If the Jets continue to start Fields, they will need to draw up more designed runs for him. They are where he is at his best.
Jets WR gambles could pay off. New York acquired two receivers ahead of the 2025 NFL trade deadline: John Metchie III from the Eagles and Adonai Mitchell from the Colts. Both flashed during Thursday’s game. Metchie was the more productive of the two, logging three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown. Meanwhile, Mitchell had just one catch for 10 yards, but he showed excellent separation skills and should only get better as he gets acclimated to his new team. Both should see plenty of action with Garrett Wilson sidelined, and each could prove to be an important piece for the team next season.

Drake Maye stats vs. Jets

25-of-34 (73.5% completion rate)
281 passing yards
1 passing touchdown
0 interceptions
107.6 passer rating
4 rushing attempts
2 rushing yards
0 rushing touchdowns

TreVeyon Henderson stats vs. Jets

19 rushing attempts
62 rushing yards
2 rushing touchdowns
5 receptions
31 receiving yards
1 receiving touchdown

Stefon Diggs stats vs. Jets

9 receptions
105 receiving yards
0 receiving touchdowns

Justin Fields stats vs. Patriots

15-of-26 (57.6% completion rate)
116 passing yards
1 passing touchdown
0 interceptions
81.6 passer rating
11 rushing attempts
67 rushing yards
0 rushing touchdowns

Drake Maye NFL MVP odds

Odds from BetMGM on Thursday night after Patriots win over Jets:

Matthew Stafford (+250)
Drake Maye (+260)
Patrick Mahomes (+500)
Jponathan Taylor (+550)
Josh Allen (+800)
Sam Darnold (+1000)
Jalen Hurts (+2000)

Patriots vs. Jets final score: Patriots 27, Jets 14

TreVeyon Henderson gets first down, setting Patriots up to bleed clock

Henderson handled three carries and turned them into 12 yards. That was enough to run out the clock on the Jets and finish off a 27-14 win for New England.

Jeremy Ruckert drops fourth-down pass as two-minute warning arrives

Justin Fields moved the Jets down the field after the Patriots’ field goal, but a sack set up a fourth down in the red-zone. Fields hit Ruckert beyond the sticks, but the tight end couldn’t hold onto the ball.

The Patriots will get the ball back after the turnover on downs. There’s 1:57 left in regulation, but the Jets have all three of their timeouts remaining. As such, the game isn’t over… yet.

Patriots vs. Jets score: Andy Borregales makes chip-shot 26-yarder to extend Patriots lead

The Patriots weren’t able to get a first down or into the end zone after Michael Clemons knocked down a third-down pass Drake Maye appeared to be aiming at Hunter Henry in the corner of the end zone.

Borregales was called on to attempt a field goal and he made it. The Patriots now lead 27-14 with 6:36 left in regulation.

Patriots 27, Jets 14

Justin Fields can’t handle low snap, fumbles and Patriots recover

On the first play of their drive, Jets center Josh Myers sent a low snap back to Fields. The veteran quarterback couldn’t handle it, and the ball bounced forward. The Patriots jumped on it, setting up a red-zone drive for the AFC East leaders.

Brandon Stephens punches deep shot out of Mack Hollins’ hands, forcing Patriots punt

It momentarily looked like Maye had hit Hollins for a massive, downfield gain on a third-and-15. Stephens managed to catch up to the veteran receiver and punched the ball out of his hands from over his shoulder just after Hollins tried to bring in the pass.

That brought Bryce Baringer in to punt. The Jets will get the ball back at their own 15-yard line, trailing by 10 with 7:43 left in the game.

Jets stall out after Patriots field goal, forced to punt

Justin Fields did a nice job weaving past two defenders for a 2-yard gain to get a first down at the start of the Jets’ drive. The team only moved backward after that, and a third-and-long incompletion forced the Jets to punt.

Austin McNamara’s punt skittered through the end-zone for a touchdown, so the Patriots will get the ball back at their own 20-yard line, leading 24-14 with 9:08 left in regulation.

Patriots vs. Jets score: Andy Borregales makes 44-yard field goal to give Patriots 10-point lead

Borregales missed a 45-yard field goal earlier in the night. His attempt from 44 yards was true, giving the Patriots a 24-14 lead with 12:06 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Jets were able to force the Patriots to attempt a field goal after sacking Drake Maye for the first time. That put New England into a third-and-long where Maye checked the ball down to TreVeyon Henderson.

Patriots 24, Jets 14

Patriots leading Jets 21-14 entering fourth quarter

The Patriots have outgained the Jets 297-187 through three quarters, but New York has managed to stay in the game with a couple of Justin Fields-led touchdown drives. The Jets haven’t produced much offensively outside of those drives, but they are within an arm’s length of New England entering the final 15 minutes.

Drake Maye has enjoyed a quality game for the Patriots, completing 22 of 27 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown. He has connected well with Stefon Diggs (seven catches, 70 yards) and Mack Hollins (four catches, 64 yards) but running back TreVeyon Henderson has all three of the team’s touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving).

The Patriots have the ball at the Jets’ 41-yard line and are facing a third-and-5 to open the fourth quarter. They will look to keep their drive going and get into scoring range in the hopes of building upon their one-possession lead.

Who is John Metchie III?

Metchie, who just caught the Jets’ first passing touchdown of the day, is a fourth-year receiver who was a second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He missed his rookie season while battling leukemia.

Metchie played the 2023 and 2024 seasons for the Texans before being traded to the Eagles ahead of the 2025 campaign. He was then dealt to the Jets ahead of the NFL trade deadline as part of the package for the Eagles to acquire defensive back Michael Carter II.

Metchie entered Thursday’s game having recorded 45 catches for 433 yards and a touchdown across 37 career games.

Patriots vs. Jets score: Justin Fields finds wide-open John Metchie for TD

The Jets were able to answer the Patriots’ most recent scoring drive with one of their own. Fields led New York on a nine-play, 65-yard drive that culminated in him finding Metchie wide open on a third-and-6 after safety Craig Woodson fell on the play.

Nick Folk made the extra point following the 22-yard touchdown and the Jets are down 21-14 with 3:10 left in the third quarter.

Patriots 21, Jets 14

Patriots vs. Jets score: TreVeyon Henderson logs third TD on 6-yard pass from Drake Maye

Henderson recorded his first multi-TD game in Week 10 against the Buccaneers. He has now one-upped his career-best effort, catching his third score of Thursday’s game on a 6-yard strike from Maye.

Andy Borregales makes the extra point and the Patriots have extended their lead to 21-7 midway through the third quarter.

Patriots 21, Jets 7

When was Justin Fields drafted?

Fields was a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears selected him 11th overall, making him the fourth quarterback selected behind No. 1 overall pick Trevor Lawrence, No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson and No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance.

Jets punt after penalties derail drive

The Jets started the second half strong, gaining some yards with Breece Hall and Justin Fields on the ground. However, Fields was whistled for intentional grounding following a first-down audible, putting the Jets behind the chains and eventually forcing a fourth-and-28 after a Joe Tippman personal foul penalty.

Austin McNamara’s punt traveled just 33 yards, giving the Patriots the ball back at their own 31-yard line.

Stefon Diggs can’t haul in third-down pass from Drake Maye, Patriots punt

The Patriots have gone three-and-out to start the second half. Maye attempted three passes, but just one was completed, as Diggs managed to briefly catch a third-down pass over the middle of the field before the ground jarred it loose.

Bryce Baringer hit a 50-yard punt that Isaiah Williams returned 19 yards to the Jets’ 32-yard line. New York will get a chance to tie the game, trailing 14-7.

Justin Fields stats at halftime

Fields got off to a strong start, leading the Jets on a touchdown drive during their first possession of the game. However, New York failed to log a first down after their first drive and Fields finished the half completing 4 of 7 passes for 23 yards. His five scrambles for 28 yards and a touchdown all came on the first drive.

Drake Maye stats at halftime

Maye has been efficient against the Jets. He completed his first 11 passes and finished the half having completed 14 of 16 throws for 140 yards. He has a 103.1 passer rating and has also added five rushing yards on two carries.

Andy Borregales misses 45-yard field goal, giving Patriots 14-7 halftime lead

The Patriots weren’t able to capitalize on the Jets’ penalty, as Drake Maye hit Stefon Diggs coming over the middle of the field to put the team in field goal range. However, Borregales’ kick sailed wide right, allowing the Jets to stay within one possession at halftime.

New England has outgained New York 184-93 thus far and will get the ball to start the second half. TreVeyon Henderson has both of the Patriots’ touchdowns, while Justin Fields punched in the Jets’ lone score with his legs.

Brandon Stephens illegal contact penalty wipes out third-down Quincy Williams sack

The Jets appeared to have stopped the Patriots after Williams sacked Drake Maye on a third-and-6. However, Stephens was whistled for illegal contact against Mack Hollins, which kept the Patriots offense on the field with 27 seconds remaining in the first half.

Justin Fields and Adonai Mitchell can’t connect on third down, forcing another punt

Mitchell dropped his last third-down opportunity. This time, Fields couldn’t get the ball to the wide-open receiver, throwing it behind him and forcing the Texans product to make a tough adjustment to try to catch the ball. He couldn’t quite make the play, and the Jets punted again.

Austin McNamara’s punt was fair caught at New England’s 41-yard line. The Patriots will have 1:48 to score before halftime.

Drake Maye throws first incompletion, forcing first Patriots punt

Maye completed his first 11 passes during Thursday’s game. He finally threw an incompletion after he failed to connect on a downfield shot to Stefon Diggs – who appeared to get banged-up during the play – on third-and-9.

Bryce Baringer’s punt traveled 56 yards to the Jets’ 14-yard line. Isaiah Williams returned it 17 yards, but that was nullified by a holding penalty against New York.

Justin Fields and Co. will start their next drive on their own 7-yard line with 3:19 remaining in a fast-moving first half.

Jets go three-and-out after Justin Fields, Adonai Mitchell fail to connect on third down

Mitchell ran a great route against Christian Gonzalez on a third-and-4, beating the star cornerback deep and gaining a step on him. Fields’ throw to Mitchell was a solid one but the second-year wide-out wasn’t able to reel it in despite it hitting his hands.

Austin McNamara was called upon to punt again. He launched a 41-yarder to the New England 15-yard line, where it was fair caught by Marcus Jones.

Who are Drake Maye’s brothers?

Maye has three brothers: Beau, Cole and Luke Maye. Basketball fans may recognize Luke’s name, as he was a four-year player at UNC and averaged 9.9 points and 6.7 rebounds per game over 141 career games with the school.

Patriots vs. Jets score: TreVeyon Henderson scores second 7-yard TD run of first half

Henderson capped off the Patriots’ first drive with a 7-yard touchdown. He did the same thing on the team’s second drive, giving fans a sense of deja vu after he followed a big block from a pulling Mike Onwenu to get in for the score.

Andy Borregales made the extra point again, and the Patriots have their first lead of the day at 14-7.

Patriots 14, Jets 7

Jets go three-and-out on second drive

New York’s second drive wasn’t nearly as successful as its first. Justin Fields misfired on a second-and-9 to put the Jets behind the sticks. He managed to hit Mason Taylor for a 6-yard pass on third down, but that wasn’t enough to pick up the first time.

Austin McNamara came on to punt and uncorked a 45-yarder that was fair caught by Marcus Jones. The Patriots will begin their second drive from their own 17-yard line.

TreVeyon Henderson’s 40 time

Henderson ran the 40-yard dash in 4.43 seconds at the 2025 NFL Combine. That was tied for the seventh-fastest time among running backs to perform in the drill.

Patriots vs. Jets score: TreVeyon Henderson powers in 7-yard TD to answer Jets

The Jets opened the game with a 14-play TD drive. The Patriots followed it up with a 13-play TD drive that saw Henderson make a nice cut to avoid contact in the backfield before bulling his way into the end-zone with the help of his offensive linemen.

Andy Borregales’ extra point is good, and the Patriots and Jets are tied 7-all with 14:17 left in the second quarter.

Patriots 7, Jets 7

Jets lead Patriots 7-0 after fast-moving first quarter

Both the Jets and the Patriots moved the ball well on their opening drives. The Jets had a methodical, 14-play touchdown drive to open the game, while New England is facing a third-and-1 in the red zone on an 11-play drive.

Justin Fields is off to a good start on the ground, logging 28 yards and a touchdown on five carries. He threw only twice but completed both passes for 16 yards.

Meanwhile, Drake Maye has started the game, completing all five of his passes for 23 yards while adding four yards on a scramble. TreVeyon Henderson continues to look good as New England’s backfield leader, racking up 17 yards on four carries to supplement Maye’s production.

Patriots convert fourth-and-2 to keep drive alive

The Patriots were at the edge of field goal range when facing a fourth-and-2 on their opening drive. Mike Vrabel opted to go for it, and Drake Maye found an open Pop Douglas beyond the line to move the sticks.

Jarvis Brownlee Jr. whistled for personal foul for throwing Stefon Diggs to the ground

Brownlee managed to stop Stefon Diggs short of the line to gain on a second-and-10 catch, but the cornerback proceeded to pull back the veteran receiver and throw him to the ground following the whistle.

Brownlee was flagged for unnecessary roughness, giving the Patriots an extra 15 yards following the play.

Jets taking run-heavy approach on offense to open game

The Jets ran the ball 11 times on the opening drive and attempted just three passes. It appeared that Aaron Glenn and Tanner Engstrand were trying to get Justin Fields comfortable and in rhythm by letting him use his legs. 

Fields ended up logging five carries for 28 yards and a touchdown on the opening drive of the game. The Patriots have allowed just 79.2 rushing yards per game this season – the fewest in the NFL – but New York racked up 56 on its opening drive.

Patriots vs. Jets score: Justin Fields takes read option for TD to open scoring

The New York Jets took the ball first on ‘Thursday Night Football’ and marched it down the field with ease. The Jets ran a 14-play, 72-yard drive that culminated with a 5-yard Justin Fields touchdown run on a read option.

Nick Folk makes the extra point, and the Jets have a 7-0 lead with 6:56 left in the first quarter.

Jets 7, Patriots 0

Who is the New York Jets starting quarterback?

Justin Fields is set to start at quarterback for the New York Jets. Fields has been the team’s starter throughout his first season in New York, leading the team to a 2-7 record in his first nine games.

Fields has completed 63.5% of his passes for 1,143 yards, six touchdowns and one interception this season while adding 316 yards and three scores on the ground. However, Fields is averaging just 97.3 passing yards per game over his last four starts and grades 26th out of 37 qualified quarterbacks for the 2025 NFL season, per Pro Football Focus.

Where do the New England Patriots play?

The Patriots play at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts. The stadium is located about 40-45 minutes south of Boston and is also home to the New England Revolution of the MLS.

When was Drake Maye drafted?

Drake Maye was selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He was the third quarterback taken behind Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears) and Jayden Daniels (Washington Commanders).

What time is the Patriots vs. Jets game tonight?

Start time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Patriots and Jets are set to kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday night. The Jets travel to Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts for the matchup.

What TV channel is the Patriots vs. Jets game on tonight?

TV channel (national): N/A
TV channel (New York market): Fox 5
TV channel (Boston market): ABC 7

The Patriots vs. Jets matchup will not air on TV, as it will be streamed on Amazon Prime Video. Viewers in the New York market can watch via Fox, while those in the Boston TV market can catch it on ABC 7.

Watch ‘Thursday Night Football’ with a Prime Video subscription

Patriots vs. Jets live stream

Stream:Amazon Prime Video | Fubo (local market)

Amazon Prime Video will air the Jets-Patriots ‘Thursday Night Football’ matchup. Those in local TV markets can use Fubo to watch the matchup.

Patriots vs. Jets prediction

Drake Maye is entering the MVP discussion with his 19-touchdown, five-touchdown season, eschewing any calls of a ‘sophomore slump.’ The Jets are coming off a pair of wins vs. scuffling teams, but their incremental improvements on defense, special teams and coaching have been apparent all season. Offensively, the Jets are still a wreck, and the injury to Garrett Wilson again limits the offense to just a single playmaker, running back Breece Hall. The Patriots and Mike Vrabel will take the win as they make an easy night of their division rival.

Prediction: Patriots 24, Jets 10

Patriots vs. Jets live betting odds, moneyline, O/U

Jets inactives vs. Patriots

Patriots inactives vs. Jets

New England Patriots uniforms today

The Patriots are debuting their ‘Nor’easter’ uniform on ‘Thursday Night Football’ against the Jets. They are another example of Nike’s ‘Rivalries’ uniforms for the NFL.

Patriots 2025 schedule

Jets 2025 schedule

Is Garrett Wilson playing tonight vs. Patriots?

The Jets ruled Wilson out on Nov. 12 for their Week 11 game against the Patriots on ‘Thursday Night Football.’ The following day, they placed him on IR, meaning he will miss at least four games because of his knee injury.

Is Rhamondre Stevenson playing tonight vs. Jets?

The veteran running back will not play on ‘Thursday Night Football’ against the Jets. The Patriots have not provided a concrete timetable for Stevenson’s return, though he was ruled out for the Patriots’ Week 11 game against the Jets because of a toe injury. It will mark the third consecutive game the 27-year-old running back has missed because of the ailment.

Patriots vs. Jets injury report

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AFC East standings

New England Patriots (8-2)
Buffalo Bills (6-3)
Miami Dolphins (3-7)
New York Jets (2-7)

AFC playoff picture entering Week 11

No. 1 seed: Indianapolis Colts (8-2, AFC South leader)
No. 2 seed: Denver Broncos (8-2, AFC West leader)
No. 3 seed: New England Patriots (8-2, AFC East leader)
No. 4 seed: Pittsburgh Steelers (5-4, AFC North leader)
No. 5 seed: Los Angeles Chargers (7-3, second in AFC West)
No. 6 seed: Buffalo Bills (6-3, second in AFC East)
No. 7 seed: Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4, second in AFC South)

In the hunt: Kansas City Chiefs (5-4), Houston Texans (4-5), Baltimore Ravens (4-5)

AFC No. 1 seed odds

New England Patriots (+210)
Indianapolis Colts (+220)
Buffalo Bills (+500)
Denver Broncos (+500)
Kansas City Chiefs (+850)

Sauce Gardner trade details

Colts receive:

CB Sauce Gardner

Jets receive:

WR Adonai Mitchell
Two first-round picks

The Colts sent Mitchell and two first-round picks to the Jets in exchange for Gardner. Presumably, the picks will be Indianapolis’ 2026 and 2027 first-rounders, though that has not yet been confirmed.

Colorado athletic director Rick George is stepping down next year to take on a new advisory role at the university.
George’s tenure will be largely defined by his hiring of football coach Deion Sanders to revive the program.
In his new position, George will focus on revenue-generating initiatives for the athletic department.

Colorado athletic director Rick George said on the day that he announced the hiring of Deion Sanders that Sanders would be the last football coach he hired for the Buffaloes.

George, 65, had already hired two football coaches that didn’t work out before Sanders. Now George is stepping down as athletic director next year to take a new position at the university as emeritus athletic director and special adviser to the university chancellor.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to serve as athletic director for the University of Colorado for the last 13 years, but after considerable thought and discussions with my family dating back to last spring, I have decided it is time for new leadership to guide the department,” George said in a statement Thursday Nov. 13.

The announcement said he was stepping down as athletic director at the end of the current academic year, which runs through June 2026.

Rick George’s tenure defined by Deion Sanders hiring

His tenure in charge of Colorado athletics still will be defined by his hiring of Sanders, who revived a football program that had hit rock-bottom under George’s watch. But Sanders’ team since has struggled after going 9-4 last season. The Buffs are 3-7 this year in Sanders’ third season in Boulder.

George introduced Sanders as the school’s new head coach on Dec. 4, 2022, installing him to resuscitate a football program that went 1-11 in 2022. George previously hired Mel Tucker, who left after one football season in 2019 to become coach at Michigan State. To replace Tucker, George hired Karl Dorrell, who went 8-15 in three seasons before his firing in 2022.

On the day Sanders was introduced as Colorado’s next head coach, George was asked if he was confident he wouldn’t need to hire another coach in another few years, in case Sanders left or didn’t pan out.

“I won’t be here that long from the standpoint of I’m going to be here as long as Coach Prime is here,” George said that day. “He’s got a five-year deal, and so I’ll be here that long at least, Beyond that, I’m not gonna hire another coach, and I don’t think we’ll have to.”

He said in a statement Thursday he made this announcement now to give the university time to find his successor. He also mentioned Sanders, who had developed a special rapport with George.

“I also wanted to time my announcement so that I could support Coach Prime and our football team this season, which I’m looking forward to continuing in my new role,” the statement said.

Rick George to help with ‘vital’ revenue-generation

George was hired at Colorado in 2013, taking over for previous athletic director Mike Bohn. His current contract extension was approved just days after Sanders’ electric debut as Colorado’s head coach in September 2023 and set to expire in June 2027 at a starting annual pay rate of $1.1 million.

This move ends his tenure as athletic director one year earlier than his contract term, but it includes a provision that he can transition to another position before then upon mutual agreement with the university.

One of his biggest accomplishments was spearheading the building of the UCHealth Champions Center, a showcase facility for Colorado athletics. The university described it as the product of “the most successful fundraising campaign in department history,” which generated $100 million for the project.

In 2023, he helped make the decision to rejoin the Big 12 Conference amid uncertainty about the future of the Pac-12, which Colorado had joined in 2011. The Colorado football team finished with a 27-76 record in 12 seasons in the Pac-12 but started its return to the Big 12 with a first-place tie to finish the regular season in 2024.

Financial issues still pressured Colorado athletics, as they do for many universities in the new era of college sports. George’s department has had to rely on significant university support in recent years to help fund it. In September, the university said it was “TBD,” or to be determined, when asked how it would pay for rising expenses during the current fiscal year, including the new five-year contract the school gave Sanders in March worth more than $10 million annually.

The news release of George’s change in positions said he will “continue to assist CU athletics in his new role, participating in revenue-generating initiatives for the department during a time when revenue generation is vital for success.”

Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com