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  • ‘Teddy Bridgewater bill’ moves step closer to law after passage by Florida Senate

    ‘Teddy Bridgewater bill’ moves step closer to law after passage by Florida Senate

    Following an incident that led NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to be suspended from his high school coaching duties, the Florida Senate passed a bill that would make his infraction legal. According to Local 10 News, The “Teddy Bridgewater bill” allows high school head coaches to use personal funds to provide financial assistance to their players, so long as they report what they spend.

    The Florida High School Athletic Association suspended Bridgewater in September for the rest of the 2025-26 school year for providing impermissible benefits to athletes. Bridgewater coached Miami Northwestern High School football in 2024 and was set to lead the team in 2025 before he left the school to sign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

    Northwestern suspended Bridgewater in July after he revealed in a social media post that he spent $700 a week on Uber rides for his players during the 2024 season. He also acknowledged covering transportation, team-branded clothing, meals and recovery-related expenses at combined costs of about $27,000. Bridgewater in that post asked for donations to the Northwestern football program.

    If Senate Bill 178 becomes law, coaches in Florida would be permitted to make such personal expenditures. A similar bill is also currently moving through the Florida House.

    “I’m protective, and I’m a father first before anything,” Bridgewater said last season upon signing with the Buccaneers. “And when I decided to coach, those players became my sons. And I wanted to make sure that I just protected them in the best way that I can. I think that’s what came about.

    “Miami Northwestern’s in a tough neighborhood and sometimes things can happen when the kids are walking home and things like that. So I was just trying to protect them and give them…

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  • Draft prospects who could blow up at the NFL Combine

    Draft prospects who could blow up at the NFL Combine

    The NFL Combine is less than a week away. With the NFL world descending on Lucas Oil Stadium for the annual meat market, who are the prospects that could make a big impression in the biggest job interview of their lives? And could any be on the radar of the Jacksonville Jaguars? Let’s take a look:

    With the combine focusing on raw measurables, Jonah Coleman has every opportunity to push himself into the same tier as Jeremiyah Love next week. Coleman isn’t expected to be the quickest running back in the room; he’s a short, dense ‘bowling ball’ style back whose physical style of running has made him a consistent contributor for the Huskies over three seasons. What Coleman needs to show is that he’s fast enough, and a 4.5 second forty time at his size and play strength will certainly turn heads.

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    With Travis Etienne’s future in Jacksonville still unsure, running back may be a target position for the Jaguars in the draft. Coleman’s 4.29 yards after contact average (in the 97th percentile at his position) will appeal to James Gladstone, whose selection of Bhayshul Tuten last year shows his penchant for pinball wizards in the backfield.

    Life in Starkville has been tough the past few seasons. But wide receiver Brenen Thompson made a wise decision leaving Oklahoma for Mississippi State last year, enjoying a breakout campaign that saw him break 1,000 yards receiving. Key to that production was his unparalleled speed, with many expecting him to challenge Matthew Golden’s 4.29 second forty from last season. Thompson’s average depth of target (aDOT) last season was an outrageous 18.4 yards – for context, the NFL average is around 11.0.

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    At 5’9” and 170lbs, there’ll be concerns about Thompson’s longevity in the NFL. But athleticism grabs the headlines at the combine. I’m not sure if it’s a profile the Jaguars front office will be interested in, but with rumors persisting about Brian Thomas being traded, adding to the…

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  • Could Bears leave Chicago? Indiana passes bill to lure team across state lines

    Could Bears leave Chicago? Indiana passes bill to lure team across state lines

    The Chicago Bears have played at Soldier Field for over 50 years, but have been looking for a location to build a new domed stadium and a site in Indiana is becoming a real possibility. The Indiana House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee passed a crucial bill Thursday in an effort to move forward in getting the stadium built. 

    The bill is for establishing a Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority to finance, construct and lease a stadium and was passed with a 24-0 vote.

    “The passage of [the bill] would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” the Bears said in a statement, via the Associated Press. “We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana.”

    The Illinois House Revenue and Finance Committee was set to hold a hearing Thursday for a bill allowing the Bears to negotiate long-term property tax rates with local governing bodies, but it was canceled. 

    “Illinois was ready to move this bill forward. After a productive three-hour meeting yesterday, the Bears leaders requested the [Illinois General Assembly] pause the hearing to make further tweaks to the bill,” Matt Hill, a spokesperson for Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said. “This morning, we were surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois.”

    The Chicago Bears playing in Indiana? Team says it’s expanding search for new stadium site beyond Illinois

    Shakiel Mahjouri

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  • Andover’s Ilsley commits to play FBS football at Army, study at legendary West Point

    Andover’s Ilsley commits to play FBS football at Army, study at legendary West Point

    From the moment Nick Ilsley stepped onto the iconic West Point campus, he knew.

    The Andover High star saw the chance to not just fulfill his lifelong dream — to play bigtime college football — but also embark on a journey greater than himself, of selfless sacrifice, to defend his country with honor, as a member of the United State Army.

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    “I’m sacrificing many things to better my future and make a name for myself and to serve my country,” said Ilsley. “I knew West Point was the place for me the moment I stepped on campus. I love everything it has to offer, from a top tier football program and brand new facilities, to prestigious historical landmarks on campus.”

    Ilsley has committed to play football for Division 1 FBS Army West Point, before embarking on a career as an officer in the US Army.

    “I’m extremely excited about choosing West Point,” he said. “Army is known as a tough, hard-nosed football team, which if you asked my Andover teammates they would tell you it’s a perfect match for my playing style. West Point is known as a Leadership institution, and I’d like to consider myself a leader not only on the football field but in the community.

    “Then I will graduate from West Point as a second Lieutenant where I will serve my country as an officer in the United States Military. I’m a proud American and have always been patriotic. I’m looking forward to where this route takes me in life.”

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    Ilsley delivered a breakout senior season for Andover this past fall. After moving from cornerback to safety, Ilsley grabbed a team-best four interceptions, knocked down five passes and made 39 tackles. As a receiver he caught 20 passes for a team-high 360 yards and five touchdowns. That all while leading the Golden Warriors to a 7-4 record and earning All-MVC honors.

    “This is a…

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  • Seahawks promote Justin Outten to offensive run game coordinator

    Seahawks promote Justin Outten to offensive run game coordinator

    The Seahawks’ continued reshaping of their offensive coaching staff includes a promotion for a returning member of the group.

    Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the Seahawks are promoting Justin Outten to run game coordinator. Outten was an assistant offensive line coach and run game specialist during their run to the Super Bowl LX title.

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    The Raiders wanted to speak to Outten about the same job on Klint Kubiak’s staff recently, but the Seahawks blocked the overture from their former offensive coordinator.

    Outten spent two seasons with the Titans and a year as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator before joining Mike Macdonald’s staff in Seattle last year. He has also coached for the Packers and Falcons.

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  • 2026 NFL mock draft: Fornelli projects first round, surprise WR leads class

    2026 NFL mock draft: Fornelli projects first round, surprise WR leads class

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  • Mike Wagner, a key part of Pittsburgh’s famed ‘Steel Curtain’ defense, dies at 76

    Mike Wagner, a key part of Pittsburgh’s famed ‘Steel Curtain’ defense, dies at 76

    Mike Wagner, a former Pro Bowl defensive back and a key member of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ famed “Steel Curtain” defense, has died at the age of 76. 

    Wagner spent his entire 10-year career with the Steelers. Over that span, he was named to two Pro Bowls and helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls over a six-year span. He was inducted into the Steelers Hall of Honor in 2020. 

    “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Mike Wagner, a tremendous player and an integral part of some of the most successful teams in Pittsburgh Steelers history,” team president Art Rooney II said in a statement. “As a member of four Super Bowl-winning teams, his toughness and consistency were paramount to our secondary. His contributions on the field were significant, but it was also his steady presence and team-first mentality that truly defined him.” 

    An 11th round pick in the 1971 NFL Draft, Wagner was part of a notable Pittsburgh draft class that also included future Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Ham and fellow future starters in defensive linemen Ernie Holmes and Dwight White, offensive lineman Gerry Mullins, tight end/offensive lineman Larry Brown and receiver Frank Lewis. 

    Despite his low draft stock, Wagner cracked the Steelers’ lineup as a rookie and a year later finished second on the team with six interceptions. A year later, he led the entire NFL with eight interceptions. 

    In 1974, Wagner helped the Steelers win the franchise’s first Super Bowl, recording one of Pittsburgh’s three interceptions during Pittsburgh’s 16-6 win over the Minnesota Vikings. A year later, he was named to his first of two consecutive Pro Bowls while helping Pittsburgh repeat as champions. His fourth quarter interception of Roger Staubach in Super Bowl X set up a field goal and helped the Steelers record a 21-17 win over the Cowboys. 

    In 1976, Wagner was one of a staggering eight Steelers defenders who were selected to the Pro Bowl. That season,…

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  • Survey: How many teams should be in the College Football Playoff?

    Survey: How many teams should be in the College Football Playoff?

    Welcome to SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NCAA. Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Michigan fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

    Last season, the College Football Playoff expanded from four to 12 teams, but what will the field expand to in the future?

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    The field will be 12 for the 2026 season, but expansion is inevitable in 2027 and beyond.

    The SEC favors a 16-team format with 11 at-large teams and five conference champions.

    ESPN’s Heather Dinich says there is overwhelming support for a 16-team playoff, but the Big Ten will only agree to that if the field expands to 24 three years later.

    In this edition of SB Nation Reacts, we want to know how many teams you feel should be in the College Football Playoff.

    A four-team CFP isn’t coming back, a 12 team CFP doesn’t seem like it’s going to last, thus 16 or 24 are the most likely number of teams in the near future. It can be argued that 12 is even too many, especially with lackluster performances from James Madison and Tulane, and even Alabama and Oregon got embarassed (by Indiana). A 24 team field seems like an absurd cash grab that will result in far too many blowouts and also hurt other bowl games even more than they already are. The SEC and Big Ten to seem at a standstill about expanding the playoffs to 16 or 24 teams — but which conference will ultimately get their way?

    How did you vote this week? Let us know in the comments and come back on Friday when we reveal the results.

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