April 2016 - Football Wiretap

Rival: Chip Can Create 'Freddy Krueger' Offense With Kaepernick
Rival defensive coaches believe Chip Kelly can once again make Colin Kaepernick one of the NFL's most dangerous quarterbacks.

Chris Wesseling/NFL.com

49ers Offer Offensive Coordinator Job To Curtis Modkins
Chip Kelly typically has a hands-on approach to running his offense.

Jeremy Bergman/NFL.com

Eric Mangini Fired By 49ers As Defensive Coordinator
Eric Mangini had been with the 49ers organization for three seasons.

Jeremy Bergman/NFL.com

Jared Allen Upset About Panthers' Decision To Sit Him Against Arizona
Jared Allen has been ruled out of the NFC Championship Game with a fractured foot.

David Newton/ESPN

Marshawn Lynch Leaning Towards Retiring
Marshawn Lynch would owe the Seahawks $5 million in bonus money if he decided to retire, which makes it in his financial interest to force the team to cut him.

710 ESPN

Jets Hope To Soon Reach Deal With Ryan Fitzpatrick
Ryan Fitzpatrick helped the Jets to a 10-6 record, setting the franchise record with 31 touchdown passes.

Rich Cimini/ESPN

Pats Considered Trying To Lure Jim Harbaugh Out Of Retirement In 2001
"I don't think we're talking about John Elway here," said Bill Belichick before Tom Brady's first start.

Kent Babb/Washington Post

Mike Vrabel Turns Down Defensive Coordinator Offer From 49ers
Bill O'Brien and Rick Smith worked hard behind the scenes to keep Mike Vrabel and will give him a new contract.

ESPN

Joe Flacco Willing To Restrucutre Contract With Ravens
Joe Flacco's cap number jumps to $28.55 million this season, which ranks third in the NFL.

Jamison Hensley/ESPN

Browns Won't Rush Decision On Johnny Manziel
Sashi Brown said the Browns still does not know where Johnny Manziel was the final weekend of the regular season.

Pat McManamon/ESPN

Bills Hire Kathryn Smith, NFL's First Full-Time Female Coach
Kathryn Smith served as an administrative assistant under Ryan this past season.

Dan Hanzus/NFL.com

Chip Kelly Noncommittal On Kaepernick, Gabbert
Chip Kelly disputed reports that he was interested in trading a year ago for Kaepernick with the Eagles.

Cam Inman/San Jose Mercury News

Frank Reich Hired By Eagles As Offensive Coordinator
Frank Reich spent the 2014 and 2015 seasons serving as offensive coordinator of the Chargers.

RealGM Staff Report

NFL Tried To Influence Brain Study
Three of the NFL's top health and safety officers confronted the National Institutes of Health last June after the NIH selected a Boston University researcher to lead a major study on football and br

Steve Fainaru, Mark Fainaru-Wada/ESPN

2015 Championship Game Matchups (DVOA Infographics)
The Panthers, Cardinals and Patriots are much more well-rounded teams than the Broncos, who rely heavily on their defense.

RealGM Staff Report

Trent Baalke: 49ers' Hire Of Chip Kelly Was 'Fairly Easy Decision'
Chip Kelly is the third coach of the 49ers in the past three seasons.

Dan Hanzus/NFL.com

LeSean McCoy To 49ers: Buy In With Chip, No Matter How Crazy It Sounds
LeSean McCoy played for Chip Kelly for two seasons with the Eagles before he was traded to the Bills.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

Bills Unsure Of Percy Harvin's Plans
Cutting Percy Harvin would cost the Bills $1 million in dead money both in 2016 and 2017.

Marc Sessler/NFL.com

Josh Gordon Applies For Reinstatement To NFL
Josh Gordon was suspended on Feb. 3, 2015 for violating the league's policy on substances of abuse.

Kevin Patra/NFL.com

All Seven Head Coaching Hires Specialize On Offense
All seven head coaches are offensive-minded and only Mike Mularkey won't call plays for their team.

Albert Breer/NFL.com

49ers Haven't Fired Eric Mangini But Expected To Interview Mike Vrabel
The 49ers fired 10 assistants on Tuesday, including offensive coordinator Geep Chryst.

Mike Florio/Pro Football Talk

Panthers, Cardinals Were Two Of Five Teams In Top-10 Off., Def. DVOA
The Panthers and Cardinals were top-10 teams in the regular season on both sides of the ball, while the Patriots were in the top-10 only on offense and the Broncos were in the top-10 only on defense.

RealGM Staff Report

Eagles Hire Jim Schwartz As Defensive Coordinator
Jim Schwartz spent the 2015 season as an officiating consultant with the NFL but was Buffalo's defensive coordinator in 2014 under Doug Marrone.

ESPN

Bruce Irvin Willing To Accept Less Money To Stay With Seahawks
Bruce Irvin is a fourth-year linebacker out of West Virginia and recently turned 28.

NFL.com

Tony Romo Believes He Has At Least Four Seasons Left
Tony Romo believes he has at least four seasons left in the NFL despite the fact he'll turn 36 in April.

RealGM Staff Report

McCarthy: Eddie Lacy Can't Play Next Season At His 2015 Weight
Mike McCarthy was clear that Eddie Lacy needs to return next season in better shape.

Jason Wilde/ESPN

NFL Final Four Matchups Since 2005 (Infographic)
The Patriots are in the AFC Championship Game for the fifth straight season and for the 10th time during the Bill Belichick-Tom Brady era.

RealGM Staff Report

Rams-Chargers Hold First Meeting To Discuss Sharing L.A. Stadium
The Chargers have a one-year option to reach a lease agreement and become a tenant of the stadium whose construction is being headed by Rams owner Stan Kroenke.

AP

Cardinals-Packers Has Highest Ever Saturday Night Divisional Rating
The 33.7 million viewers were up 9 percent from last year's Panthers-Seahawks matchup.

AP

Jared Allen Doubtful For NFC Championship With Broken Foot
Jared Allen played the final two series against Seattle with his injury.

David Newton/ESPN