Football - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Super Bowl field a meticulous project more than a year in the making

Nick Pappas began preparing the playing surface for Super Bowl LX long before the two teams that will face off in started getting ready for the 2025 season.

By JOSH DUBOW / The Associated Press January 28, 2026

AP photo by Jeff Chiu / Nick Pappas, the NFL's field director, is interviewed Tuesday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., which will host Super LX on Feb. 8.

Browns hire former Ravens OC Todd Monken as next head coach

The Cleveland Browns have hired one of their former coordinators to be the team's head coach, though not the one some people expected.

By JOE REEDY / The Associated Press January 28, 2026

AP file photo by Terrance Williams / Todd Monken, a veteran NFL assistant who spent the past three seasons as offensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, was hired Wednesday as the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns.

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Mocs continue to replenish football ranks in recruiting with 21 portal additions

A season ago, no Football Championship Subdivision team in the country lost as much talent without a coaching change as the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program.

By Gene Henley January 27, 2026

Staff File Photo by Matt Hamilton/ UTC head coach Rusty Wright and his staff have added 19 players from the football transfer portal so far this offseason, a year after massive defections send the program into a rebuild.

Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski praises Penix, says he has ‘ton of respect’ for new rival Mayfield

Kevin Stefanski praised his new quarterback and fended off an old one during his introductory news conference as the Atlanta Falcons' coach on Tuesday.

By MAURA CAREY / AP Sports Writer January 27, 2026

Atlanta Falcons' President of Football Matt Ryan, head coach Kevin Stefanski, owner Arthur Blank, from left, pose for a photo during a NFL Atlanta Falcons news conference, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

‘It just seemed like it was meant to be.’ Mike McCarthy comes home to coach the Pittsburgh Steelers

The tears started early for Mike McCarthy. Really early.

By WILL GRAVES / AP Sports Writer January 27, 2026

Mike McCarthy meets with reporters after being introduced as the new head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Bills promote offensive coordinator Joe Brady to take over as head coach

The Buffalo Bills stayed in-house by promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady as their new head coach on Tuesday, in a move that provides continuity to a Josh Allen-led perennial winner that has accomplished everything short of reaching a Super Bowl.

By JOHN WAWROW / AP Sports Writer January 27, 2026

FILE - Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins, Nov. 9, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Doug Murray, File)

Former Giants coach Brian Daboll agrees to become Titans offensive coordinator

Former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll is an offensive coordinator again as part of new Tennessee Titans coach Robert Saleh's staff.

By The Associated Press January 27, 2026

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll, left, confers with general manager Joe Schoen before an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Sam Darnold is one win away from a Super Bowl victory that’s eluded fellow QBs in the 2018 draft

Sam Darnold will be starting in the Super Bowl before Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen and the rest of the NFL’s Class of 2018 quarterbacks.

By ROB MAADDI / AP Pro Football Writer January 26, 2026

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, celebrates next to Michael Strahan, left, after a win over the Los Angeles Rams in the NFC Championship NFL football game Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Super Bowl LX pits Patriots vs. Seahawks in rematch from 11 years ago

The 60th edition of the Super Bowl will pair the same franchises that met 11 years ago and produced one of the more dramatic finishes in the history of the NFL's big game.

By ROB MAADDI / The Associated Press January 25, 2026

Seahawks beat Rams to win QB duel in NFC championship game

Sam Darnold is in his eighth NFL season and with his fifth team.

By ANDREW DESTIN / The Associated Press January 25, 2026

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