Sports
NFL QB stock report, Week 9: Why the Aaron Rodgers-Jets experiment has failed
As the New York Jets fell to 2-6, it’s looking more and more like the Aaron Rodgers experiment is never going to meet expectations.
Perhaps the expectations were never realistic.
Rodgers is coming off a torn Achilles, and he’s also dealt with knee, ankle and hamstring injuries this season. As such, he’s on pace for one of the worst seasons of his career, and he might lose double-digit starts for the first time since 2008 when he took over for Brett Favre.
So, has it been due to bad injury luck, skill deterioration, organizational issues or a little bit of everything?
“(Rodgers is) trying to play as if he’s 10 years younger, and he’s not close to the same player,” a defensive coach, granted anonymity so he could speak freely, told The Athletic. “He can still throw it in a clean pocket with the best of the best, (but his) mobility is not the same. He’s jumpy and has missed some throws I’ve never seen him miss.”
A couple of coaches who have studied Rodgers said his footwork has been out of whack, and he’s made some mistakes that would have been out of character from his time with the Green Bay Packers, notably much of his performance in London against the Minnesota Vikings and that late first-half interception against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
“He needs the run game, play action, screen game more than ever, but that’s not what he wants,” the coach added. “He wants to play the way he’s most comfortable. And he doesn’t have the offensive line or skill group to play that way. Getting (Davante Adams) will help. There’s always a chance he gets hot. I’ll never underestimate his ability as long as he’s still playing. He’s always turned it on when people have doubted him the most.”
Rodgers had a solid statistical showing Sunday in the loss to the Patriots, but he’s now carved them up twice. In two games against them, Rodgers has completed 69.8 percent of his passes for 514 yards (257 per game), four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 115.4 passer rating. In all other games, he’s completing 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,382 yards (230.3 per game), eight touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 76.4 rating.
“Rodgers’ skill erosion is real,” an executive said. “Not being able to extend plays with his feet puts a lot of pressure on the offensive line to be firm up the middle and the playmakers to get open quicker. I won’t be surprised if you see more of the screen game being put into their offense. They really need to ride Breece Hall more as a runner and pass catcher out of the backfield.”
The rush gets HOME on 3rd down 😤
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/2RvF7RzR7g
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 27, 2024
The Jets had visions of Super Bowls when they acquired Rodgers in 2023, but their playoff drought is likely about to hit a 14th consecutive season. Rodgers, who turns 41 in December, is running short on time to change the narrative of his Jets tenure.
“Rodgers has been so good for so long that it’s almost like people believed he was immune from the effects of tearing his Achilles at 40 years old,” another executive said. “That’s a difficult injury for a young player. To be 40 and play at that (expected) level, that’s really hard, and they can’t protect him.
“At his age, Aaron is coming off a career-ending injury in most sports. To not have the footwork, quickness and mobility, that’s fine. We should expect that. But for some reason, the expectation is he should be looking like the MVP from 2021. That’s not living in reality. He’s probably doing better than most 40-year-olds with that injury. It’s almost unfair to him to ask him to be the driver of that team in those circumstances. But there’s a double-edged sword that maybe he doesn’t realize he’s not the same Aaron he was in 2021.”
Mahomes still ‘elite’
Patrick Mahomes is on pace for the worst statistical season of his career, but there’s not nearly as much concern about the three-time champ.
“Mahomes is playing at an elite level,” a defensive coach said. “(He’s) doing what it takes week in and week out, has complete command of the situations. His footwork in the pocket is as good as I’ve seen. (He’s still) growing every week as a player. Best competitor in the game.
“He just wills his team to winning.”
GO DEEPER
How Chiefs newcomer DeAndre Hopkins helped Travis Kelce have his best game of the season
The struggles are more about the situation around Mahomes. They’ve had numerous issues at both tackle spots. Wideouts Rashee Rice and Hollywood Brown and running back Isiah Pacheco have been out with significant injuries. Tight end Travis Kelce has dropped off quickly, although he finally caught fire Sunday against the Raiders.
“The Pacheco injury is the biggest factor that not many people talk about,” an executive said. “They obviously miss the play, but also the physicality and spark he brings the offense. Kelce is getting older. It’s noticeable on tape that he’s losing some (yards after the catch).”
Yet, the Chiefs are the NFL’s lone unbeaten team. Credit their defense, for sure, but Mahomes has made a host of clutch plays in the fourth quarter to seal some close victories.
WE’RE NOT WORTHY. pic.twitter.com/8dYWhc0ybA
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) October 27, 2024
“Mahomes’ issue right now is injuries at receiver,” another executive said. “(DeAndre) Hopkins isn’t a stretch-the-field player anymore. It’s more of an issue of protection and issues with balance, which puts a lot of pressure on the QB. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with Mahomes. He’s managing a little bit of a s— show in terms of a personnel standpoint, their depth, changing out guys, offensive linemen, injuries.”
The Chiefs acquired Hopkins last week and Pacheco is expected to return at some point this season, so help is on the way. All the while, Mahomes is trying to figure out what works with the rest of his supporting cast, not unlike last season before he turned it on in the playoffs.
If their opponents can’t take down Mahomes when it’s looking like this, they might be in real trouble if the Chiefs figure it out down the stretch. And it’s a good bet that happens because they almost always do.
Biggest movers
There’s been a lot of stability in the top five of late, but Jared Goff, Jordan Love and Brock Purdy have been knocking on the door. Goff is the latest to climb to No. 6, and a two-spot jump in the top 10 is a significant rise. Goff is squarely involved in the MVP race.
Jayden Daniels made his top-10 debut with a two-spot jump of his own. He’s been electric this season and just had a signature moment with the Hail Mary to shock Caleb Williams and the Bears. Daniels, who has spent four consecutive weeks in the top 13, and Lamar Jackson are the only two QBs who have been in the rankings every week but never fallen back.
A;FK;JD;KJF;LAKEJFLKJVAL;KEJL;JF;EFJ;LFAKJ
JAYDEN DANIELS HAIL MARY! @COMMANDERS WIN! pic.twitter.com/BsQ0Z84Rko
— NFL (@NFL) October 27, 2024
On the flip side, Dak Prescott’s six-spot fall occurred after the Cowboys’ latest flat performance on national television. Prescott has thrown two interceptions in three consecutive games, including back-to-back losses to the Lions and 49ers, as the Cowboys have fallen to the 13th seed in the NFC and two games out of the playoff picture.
GO DEEPER
Week 8 NFL roundtable: Cowboys-49ers, NFC North prowess, Bucs injuries and Browns’ woes
Injury notes
Derek Carr returned to the rankings because Saints coach Dennis Allen said Monday he’s “optimistic” Carr would play this week. Carr slid in the rankings, reaching No. 13 in Week 3 but falling to No. 21 in Weeks 5-6 before the oblique injury. He is a decisive upgrade over Spencer Rattler, who debuted at No. 28 before tumbling last week to No. 32.
Bryce Young also returned to the rankings while Andy Dalton missed Sunday’s game with a thumb injury. Coach Dave Canales hasn’t announced who will start this week. Young debuted at No. 25 but dropped to No. 30 before he was benched.
Jordan Love (groin) and Drake Maye (concussion) remained in the rankings because they have not been declared out this week. Will Levis (shoulder) remained in the rankings, as he could return to the starting lineup this week.
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(Photo: Adam Glanzman / Getty Images)
Sports
Police report details Zachariah Branch’s arrest days before NFL Draft over sidewalk incident
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New details have emerged surrounding the arrest of former Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch, who is facing two misdemeanor charges following a run-in with law enforcement just days ahead of the NFL Draft.
Branch, who is a projected second-round pick, was arrested early Sunday morning in Athens, Georgia, and charged with two counts of obstructing public sidewalks/streets – prowling and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Nov. 28, 2025. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
He was released after more than two hours in jail after posting $39 in bonds.
The NFL Network obtained the police report from Branch’s arrest, which described an encounter over an alleged sidewalk incident with law enforcement, in which police alleged that the former Bulldogs star failed “to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands.”
“A male, later identified as Zacharia Branch, continued to stand on the sidewalk without making an attempt to move. I continued to give Zacharia Branch verbal commands to move from blocking the sidewalk and advised that if he did not, he would receive a citation for blocking the sidewalk,” the excerpt from the report read.
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch runs during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., on Feb. 28, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)
TOP NFL DRAFT PICK ZACHARIAH BRANCH ARRESTED IN GEORGIA ON TWO MISDEMEANOR CHARGES
“Zacharia Branch smirked, then stepped backwards and to the right, then remained standing upon the public sidewalk, so as to obstruct, hinder, and impede free passage upon the sidewalk as well as impede free ingress/egress to or from the adjacent places of business,” the report continued.
“Due to those actions and Zacharia Branch’s failure to comply with multiple verbal lawful commands, he was placed under arrest for misdemeanor Obstruction of LEO and received a citation for Obstructing Public Sidewalks.”
Georgia wide receiver Zachariah Branch celebrates with wide receiver Colbie Young after scoring a touchdown against Ole Miss during the Sugar Bowl at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, La., on Jan. 1, 2026. (IMAGN)
Branch transferred after two seasons at Southern California and immediately became quarterback Gunner Stockton’s favorite target. He finished the season with a team-high 811 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns.
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His status as a projected second-round pick was bolstered after an impressive showing at the combine, where he clocked a 4.35-second 40-yard dash.
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Sports
Quick final pit stop helps Alex Palou win Long Beach Grand Prix
For two-thirds of Sunday’s Long Beach Grand Prix, Alex Palou bided his time … waiting for the one break he needed.
It came in the form of a caution on the 58th lap, allowing him to overtake front-runner Felix Rosenqvist exiting pit lane and hold the lead the rest of the way, taking the checkered flag by 3.96 seconds for his third triumph in five IndyCar Series races this season and his first at Long Beach.
Right after being showered with applause and confetti at victory lane, the 29-year-old Spaniard thanked his crew, whose quick work on the last pit stop proved to be the difference.
“Everyone was coming in on that yellow and they did an incredible job,” he said. “We were either going to win it or not win right there.”
Rosenqvist settled for second and Scott Dixon, Palou’s Chip Ganassi Racing teammate, was third.
It was the 11th win over the last 22 races dating to 2024 for the Barcelona native and the 22nd win of his career, tying Tony Bettenhausen and Emerson Fittipaldi. It also vaulted Palou to the top of the series standings as he chases his fourth series championship in a row and fifth overall. Palou won the opener March 1 in St. Petersburg (also a street course) and the fourth race March 29 in Alabama.
Palou led for only 32 of the 90 laps Sunday and acknowledged it would have been difficult to catch Rosenqvist if not for the stoppage.
“I wasn’t giving up but it would’ve been tough to get him today,” Palou acknowledged. “He was already three seconds ahead. I was happy with my car but I was struggling more on the soft tires than the hards so I’d say my chances were low. The feeling was great seeing all the open space coming out of pit lane because when you spend 60 laps behind a car it disturbs you. I tried to match him on soft tires but it wasn’t working.”
Alex Palou speeds through a curve of the track.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
In six starts at Long Beach, Palou never has finished lower than fifth.
There is little room to maneuver on the 1.968-mile course with 11 tight turns, but after starting in the third position next to defending champion Kyle Kirkwood, Palou managed to sneak past Pato O’Ward into second place heading into the first turn on Lap 2.
“Making that move on the straightaway was big because I knew it was one of our only chances to get a pass on Pato,” Palou said. “I got that good run on that last corner and he didn’t expect it.”
This year marked the 51st edition of the longest-running major street race in North America, which started in 1975 as part of the Formula 5000 Series, switched to the CART/Champ Car World Series in 1984 and joined the IndyCar Series in 2009.
The top four qualifiers started on softer, high-grip “alternate” tires to establish position while the rest of the grid started on harder, more durable “primaries” to manage degradation on the 110-degree track surface. Of the 25 starters, 24 completed the 177.12 miles.
“We were going to make the two-stop strategy work but didn’t know if it would be doable or not,” Palou added. “As soon as I saw I couldn’t get Felix it was all about patience, fuel and waiting for the right time. I owe this win to my team. Without that pit stop I probably wouldn’t be sitting here now. It only takes one mistake to go from second to seventh, but they’re great under pressure.”
Cars make their way down a straightaway during Long Beach Grand Prix.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Past winners Will Power and Josef Newgarden moved into the top two positions after Rosenqvist pitted, but the Swede regained the lead when Newgarden pitted for the first time on Lap 37 and dropped back to 14th.
The first 45 laps were caution-free as Rosenqvist, Palou, Kirkwood, David Malukas and O’Ward held the top five spots. Newgarden’s chances declined upon discovering a flat spot on his left front tire, and he dropped back to 14th.
Rosenqvist’s three-second lead was erased when debris on the track exiting the Aquarium Fountain drew the only yellow flag all afternoon and narrowed the gap. Capitalizing on favorable pit position, Palou emerged from the lane just ahead of Rosenqvist.
Rosenqvist. who won the pole position with a lap time of 1 minute 7.4625 seconds in qualifying, had mixed emotions as the runner-up after leading for 51 laps with no win to show for it.
“You want to win when you have an opportunity, but I’m proud of today,” Rosenqvist said.
“We weren’t as good as Alex on the blacks … the last pit cycle was the defining moment. We had to come around 14, he had more of an opening, and his crew nailed it. That happens.”
Kirkwood, who was vying for his third win in four years, finished right where he started in fourth.
“I had a good cushion and figured even with a bad stop I’d probably stay ahead but I knew there’d probably be a yellow at some point and there it came,” Rosenqvist lamented. “Considering Alex had primary [tires], also I think we would’ve been able to hold him off. It’s definitely disappointing when you can’t wrap it up.”
Dixon, who started in the sixth position, was third and earned his first podium this season and the 136th of his career.
Fans watch with two laps left in the race.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
“The race itself was a bit blah — I sat in the same position for most of it,” Dixon said. “Luckily for us we had it easy out of that last stop.”
Al Unser Jr. holds the record for most wins at Long Beach, chalking up six in eight years, including an unmatched four in a row from 1988 to 1991.
Tom Sargent is becoming a fan of street circuits after two wins this weekend. Driving the Porsche 911 Cup for GMG Racing in the Mobil Pro Class, the 22-year-old Australian led from start to finish in Race 1 of the Carrera Cup North America on Saturday. In Race 2 on Sunday morning, he again started from the pole and claimed a 0.965-second victory over Aaron Jeansonne to complete the double.
In his last bid at Long Beach three years ago, he hit the wall on Lap 2 but still finished second.
“Momentum in sports is critical and the past few weeks have been really cool for me,” Sargent said. “I didn’t do any street circuit racing before I came to the States. Maybe it fits my driving style.”
Sports
‘Demon’ Finn Balor settles score with Dominik Mysterio at WrestleMania 42
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LAS VEGAS – Finn Balor and Dominik Mysterio were once brothers in arms in the Judgment Day. The two helped the faction run “Monday Night Raw” for several years.
As championships and opportunities came and went, the rift between Balor and Mysterio grew. It came to a head when Balor caused Mysterio to lose the Intercontinental Championship to Penta. Balor leaving the Judgment Day left Mysterio and Liv Morgan as the leaders with JD McDonagh, Raquel Rodriguez and Roxanne Perez sticking around.
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
The latter four chose to ride with Mysterio and attacked Balor on one episode of Raw.
The bitter war led to a match Sunday night at WrestleMania 42. To make matters more interesting, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce made the match a street fight hours before the show was set to begin.
Balor had vowed to bring the “Demon” out and he certainly did.
JACOB FATU PUTS DREW MCINTYRE IN THE ‘REAR VIEW’ IN UNSANCTIONED MATCH AT WRESTLEMANIA 42
Finn Balor is introduced before his match against Dominik Mysterio during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Balor made his way to the ring in his “Demon” gear, dripping with red and black paint. Mysterio was in a mask with other Mysterio supporters.
The two then proceeded to beat the crud out of each other.
Mysterio wrapped Balor’s head in between a chair and hit a 619 on him. He tried to pin Balor, but to no avail. At another point, Mysterio tossed Balor through a table set up in the corner.
As many have learned, it’s hard to keep your demons down. Mysterio learned the hard way.
Balor would not give up. Balor clotheslined Mysterio, hit him with a chair multiple times before wrapping his head in between the chair and drop-kicking him into the corner. Balor put Mysterio onto a table and hit the Coup de Grâce for the win.
Dominik Mysterio is introduced before his match against Finn Balor during WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nev., on April 19, 2026. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
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Balor excised his own demons, while Mysterio is still haunted.
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