NFL Week 11 newest buzz, questions, information and fantasy ideas

Week 11 of the 2025 NFL season is right here, and insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been making calls to sources across the league for the most recent information and buzz on key conditions.

This week, they requested round in regards to the Giants’ massive teaching change. New York fired Brian Daboll on Monday after a 2-8 begin. What’s subsequent for the Giants, Daboll and GM Joe Schoen?

Jeremy and Dan additionally checked in on Kyler Murray’s future and what would possibly occur with the Cardinals’ quarterback scenario within the offseason. And at last, they shared what they’ve heard on Tremendous Bowl contenders that could be flawed and which names might headline the 2026 free agent class. It is all right here, as our nationwide reporters reply massive questions and empty their notebooks heading into Week 11.

Bounce to:
Giants’ teaching change
Cardinals’ QB scenario
Contenders vs. pretenders
Intriguing 2026 free brokers

What are you listening to across the league on the Giants’ determination to fireplace Brian Daboll, and what comes subsequent?

Graziano: There have been simply too many negatives piling up round Daboll. He is 11-33 for the reason that begin of the 2023 season after successful Coach of the Yr and making the playoffs in 2022, his debut season. He has had sideline blowups. He acquired himself and the group fined for his habits round a Jaxson Dart concussion analysis a few weeks in the past. Dart acquired damage Sunday. They’ve misplaced 4 video games this season wherein they’d leads of 10 factors or extra … you get the thought.

We might level to accidents, because the Giants have had greater than their share of prime gamers go down this season. However one of many head coach’s jobs is to be a problem-solver, and Daboll wasn’t fixing sufficient issues. I believe what’s attention-grabbing right here is that the group determined to maintain GM Joe Schoen and in addition mentioned in its announcement that Schoen would lead the seek for the subsequent coach. It appears clear that Giants possession believes this can be a gifted group constructed the fitting approach — it simply must be coached higher. We’ll see whether or not that is true, however it’s undoubtedly an eyebrow-raiser that Daboll is gone and Schoen would possibly get to remain.

Fowler: Yeah, firing Daboll whereas preserving Schoen was a light shock amongst individuals I spoke to across the league, given the ghastly three-year clip you talked about. Daboll’s ouster is simple to elucidate, from unhealthy clock administration to the futility of pairing a lame-duck coach with a rookie quarterback (see: Titans, Tennessee). And interim coach Mike Kafka, who’s well-regarded across the league, will try to earn the job going ahead. However those self same individuals talked about above wonder if the route of the teaching search might have an effect on Schoen’s future one way or the other. Hiring a brand new coach with an embattled common supervisor can go one among two methods:

Schoen in all probability falls extra in keeping with Poles than Baalke, but when the Giants’ desired teaching candidate insists on his personal man, it’ll take a look at the franchise’s mettle.

Graziano: That is properly mentioned, and people are excellent latest examples of the other ways this might go. However this shall be an interesting job, primarily based on conversations I’ve had just lately. Dart seems to be like the true deal at QB. Extensive receiver Malik Nabers and working again Cam Skattebo shall be again subsequent season. They’ve a official left deal with in Andrew Thomas and a gifted line of defense anchored by Brian Burns and excellent rookie Abdul Carter.

Kafka would be the sixth head coach (counting interims) that the Giants have had within the 9 years since they moved on from Tom Coughlin, so it is incumbent upon possession to get this proper and restore some stability. However there must be no scarcity of candidates.

Fowler: The job wants stout management within the worst approach. Schoen has performed a task in a few of these roster highlights you talked about above. And possession has let so many individuals go over the previous decade that it in all probability could not abdomen another (the buyout cash on the Giants’ books is unbelievable). That is why the Giants ought to discover all choices for the top coach, in search of one of the best match above the shiniest new toy. The coordinator pool is weaker than it has been, which I consider might carry collegiate candidates or retread NFL head coaches extra into play.

Get out your crystal ball: Will Kyler Murray stick in Arizona, and if not, the place will he be taking part in in 2026?

Fowler: I am leaning towards Murray not sticking in Arizona in 2026. Murray has spent seven seasons underneath heart, and Arizona has one successful season and nil playoff wins to indicate for it. It feels prefer it’s time. It is arduous to examine any state of affairs wherein the Cardinals wish to assure $19.5 million of 2027 wage for Murray, which might be the case if they do not commerce or launch him by the fifth day of the upcoming league yr. Shifting any of his almost $37 million in 2026 ensures can be a problem however not unimaginable if he has a market.

It is clear to everybody watching the Cardinals over the previous month that the offense is working extra easily with Jacoby Brissett on the helm. Murray’s 44.3 QBR ranks twenty sixth within the NFL, however he’s an immense expertise who might use a change. A number of groups will doubtless have quarterback openings, together with the Jets and Browns. Does one notably make sense for him, Dan?

Graziano: I might add Miami to that checklist if it will get to the top of the season and does not really feel satisfied Tua Tagovailoa is its long-term quarterback, which is definitely attainable. I assume we might throw Carolina in for related causes if Bryce Younger does not flip issues round. Most individuals I speak to in regards to the Murray scenario doubt that the Cardinals will be capable to commerce that contract, which suggests he’d doubtless be launched earlier than that 2027 cash triggers subsequent March.

In the event you’re a group with a necessity at QB and do not have the draft capital to have the ability to draft a prime man in 2026 (or when you’re, say, the Jets, and have three first-round picks within the 2027 draft and would possibly choose the QBs in that class), then perhaps it is value taking a shot at salvaging Murray. Drawback is, that sounds loads like what the Jets tried to do that season with Justin Fields.

Fowler: Coaches love reclamation initiatives, and I believe Murray will be salvaged. A number of former first-round picks have had success after leaving the groups that drafted them: Daniel Jones (Colts), Sam Darnold (Vikings/Seahawks), Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) and even Mac Jones (49ers) to a lesser extent. Murray is deeper into his profession than these gamers had been, however many league evaluators nonetheless thought of him among the many prime 12-14 quarterbacks getting into this season. What occurred this season will not change that outlook too a lot.

The NFL is ravenous for succesful quarterback play, so he ought to discover a dwelling someplace. The Rams can be an attention-grabbing possibility. With Matthew Stafford turning 38 in February, Murray might study Sean McVay’s system and get an opportunity to doubtlessly begin down the highway.

Graziano: That is one other good one. We clearly do not know what’s going to occur with Stafford after this season, however there was sufficient uncertainty round his scenario final spring that we’ve got license to take a position on it. The Rams have two first-round picks in subsequent yr’s draft, so they could have the means to maneuver round and land a prime rookie quarterback. However not everybody’s going to have the ability to try this, and groups shall be in search of upside performs within the commerce and free agent markets.

There’s loads nonetheless to type out on this Murray scenario, together with whether or not the Cardinals give him one other shot this season as soon as he is wholesome. Opinions on Murray as a attainable resolution for 2026 and past might change primarily based on the best way the ultimate weeks of this season play out.

Which contender is getting probably the most pretender buzz across the league?

Graziano: The Steelers are the one AFC North group with a successful file, but everybody appears satisfied the Ravens will run away with the division. Baltimore has recovered from a tough begin and has each head-to-head matchups with the Steelers but to return. Cincinnati continues to be kicking round regardless of two straight brutal losses and will get quarterback Joe Burrow again in a few weeks.

The Steelers have gotten a few reward wins from groups just like the Jets, Patriots and Colts, however they’ve misplaced three of their previous 4 and appeared completely overmatched Sunday night time in opposition to the Chargers. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers performed fairly poorly in that recreation, although he had up till that time been capable of masks his age-related limitations with a bunch of fast passes and fast selections. Coach Mike Tomlin and OC Arthur Smith are getting what they will out of a Rodgers-led offense that is heavy on tight ends and working backs, however there seems to be a ceiling on what the offense will be, and the protection has been a serious disappointment.

Everyone knows Tomlin has by no means had a dropping season, and I do not really feel snug predicting that streak will finish. However the Steelers appear like the weakest of the present first-place groups, and so they have sub-.500 challengers of their division who know they will beat them.

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Stephen A. is ‘disgusted’ with the Pittsburgh Steelers

Stephen A. Smith vents in regards to the Steelers’ offense after their Week 10 loss to the Chargers.

Fowler: The Steelers are hoping Rodgers’ play Sunday in Los Angeles was an aberration. They have been happy together with his play main as much as that recreation, however that is the primary week wherein he appeared skittish within the pocket. They could not pull off a transfer for a large receiver on the deadline, and it is apparent they want a further piece for when defenses load up in opposition to the tight-end-heavy units.

The Payments even have considerations, the primary ones being whether or not they have sufficient skill-position expertise to adequately assist quarterback Josh Allen and whether or not the protection can change into a playoff-caliber unit. There have been a number of weeks wherein the protection hasn’t matched Sean McDermott’s customary. I went into final week considering Buffalo would take management of the AFC East, however New England has a 1½-game lead over the Payments and received their first head-to-head assembly. The Patriots play the Jets, Bengals and Giants — who’ve a mixed 7-21 file — over the subsequent three weeks. New England is poised to create extra separation.

Graziano: Within the NFC, the Bears are 6-3 and tied with the Lions atop the NFC North, however a whole lot of the oldsters I talked to suppose they’ve a suspect protection and have benefited from some miracle comebacks that are not more likely to hold occurring. And the Jaguars began scorching however cooled off to 5-4. They at the moment occupy an AFC playoff spot, however many across the league suppose they may ultimately be overtaken by the Chiefs or Texans.

Fowler: I used to be in Denver on Thursday night time, and it is honest to say that Broncos gamers are involved in regards to the offense. A number of offensive gamers acknowledged that the group is taking part in with hearth if it does not enhance. Denver is aware of quarterback Bo Nix is best than how he performed Thursday night time, as Las Vegas had a great, defensive-linemen-heavy recreation plan on a brief week that thwarted the Broncos’ assault. The Broncos missed receiver Marvin Mims Jr. a couple of would suppose. He is the simple yards man when the offense struggles.

Nix nonetheless has a number of issues going for him: He has a knack for transferring the ball downfield, even when it isn’t fairly, and he is clutch within the fourth quarter. However latest struggles from Nix and the passing recreation counsel the Broncos could possibly be destined for an early playoff exit regardless of their defensive dominance if the offense does not enhance.

Who’s probably the most attention-grabbing looming 2026 free agent, and the place might he land?

Fowler: Cowboys extensive receiver George Pickens. The expertise is off the charts. Pickens is on tempo for 1,400-plus yards and 10 receiving touchdowns in his first season in Dallas, offering the right complement to CeeDee Lamb. Most individuals I speak to across the league count on he’ll do very properly. Dallas has the choice of utilizing a franchise tag that may value round $29 million.

Graziano: I consider there is a robust chance that the Cowboys franchise Pickens, assuming they continue to be as proud of him by the top of the season as they have been thus far. That is why it is robust to reply a query like this at this level of the season: Lots of the prime potential free brokers by no means hit the market due to extensions or franchise tags. Daniel Jones can be an attention-grabbing reply right here, besides I believe the Colts will prolong him if he retains taking part in properly. If he does not, then, properly … he would not be as attention-grabbing a free agent.

How about Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd? He spent the early a part of this season making large splash performs for a takeaway-happy Jacksonville protection. He is a 2022 first-round decide who did not have his fifth-year possibility picked up, and whereas he has had a powerful season, he is taking part in for a entrance workplace and a training employees that did not draft him. Lloyd is a man I might think about making it to the market and doing fairly properly.

Fowler: Good name, Dan. The off-ball linebacker market can fluctuate relying on draft depth on the place. Lloyd figures to be one of many profitable earners, together with Inexperienced Bay’s Quay Walker and some others.

Jaelan Phillips’ free company has my consideration. He was knocking on the door of turning into a top-10 rusher within the NFL earlier than accidents hit. However now he is rounding into type and appears rejuvenated by the commerce that despatched him to Philadelphia, recording six tackles (one for loss), two quarterback hits and a fumble restoration Monday night time in Inexperienced Bay. If Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio may also help maximize Phillips, an enormous payday could be ready, both in Philadelphia or elsewhere. This places the Eagles in place to earn a powerful compensatory decide for Phillips if he leaves.

Graziano: I will point out Ravens heart Tyler Linderbaum. One other 2022 first-round decide, he did not have his fifth-year possibility picked up, however it wasn’t as a result of the Ravens don’t desire him round long run. The difficulty is that each one offensive linemen are valued alike within the fifth-year possibility formulation, so the Ravens would have needed to pay Linderbaum offensive deal with cash in the event that they picked up the choice, and facilities do not make as a lot as tackles do.

Baltimore has had discussions with Linderbaum a couple of long-term contract, and it is attainable they may attain an settlement and hold him off the market. Keep in mind, everybody thought Ravens left deal with Ronnie Stanley was going to be a free agent final March and Baltimore signed him to an extension the day earlier than free company began. Linderbaum is a difficult case, although, due to how facilities are compensated. He is a essential a part of their offense, however would they make him the league’s highest-paid heart? At the moment, that title belongs to Kansas Metropolis’s Creed Humphrey at $18 million per yr.