What I’m hearing on Joe Burrow’s future and the NFL’s coaching interest in Marcus Freeman

I think I miss the old Kansas City airport.

If you’ve never been, it was about the size of a CVS. Hungry? Good luck. The vending machine took only cash, and it chewed up more dollars than it ever gave back. After covering countless Kansas City Chiefs regular-season and playoff games, I’d sit squished next to strangers, listening to people take turns grabbing a beer at the one tiny bar, thinking the same thing every time: This place does not match an NFL franchise that is winning multiple Super Bowls.

The new airport? Gorgeous. You could probably land a jet in the food court. The Chiefs even won a Super Bowl the year after it opened in 2023. And suddenly, the airport matched the team: Reporters were fed, fans were drunk, everything felt right.

Except now, somehow, it’s the football team that’s in need of a remodel.

With the Chiefs at 6-7 and Patrick Mahomes facing a postseason on the couch for the first time, the AFC is wide open. And I don’t mean “anything can happen” wide open — I mean wide open.

It looks like it won’t be Joe Burrow’s Cincinnati Bengals representing the AFC in Santa Clara. Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens are outside the current playoff picture, too. For the first time in what feels like forever, mid-December showed up without its usual AFC heavyweight quarterbacks.

Instead, the path is suddenly clear for anyone.

Josh Allen is heating up once again, and this is the 2024 MVP version, too. Bo Nix, Drake Maye, C.J. Stroud — all young quarterbacks who are fearless and capable of stunning any veteran defense. Who will step up? The AFC has a line forming at the gate.

December actually feels like landing at the old Kansas City airport, cramped … and a little weird. Only this time, it’s not about hoping someone watches your luggage while you fight for the one outlet to charge your phone before takeoff.

This time, a lot more is on the line.

This is what I’m hearing on:

The college coach catching eyes
Burrow’s state of mind
Rivers runs through it
These Seahawks’ Starbucks start
The 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk
Referees under the microscope
Sean McVay’s latest evolution

Marcus Freeman’s future

The New York Giants have a list of candidates for their head-coaching vacancy. I’m told the names on it include Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak … and Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman.

I also expect Freeman to garner interest from other NFL organizations. The 39-year-old has spent the past four years leading Notre Dame, taking the Irish to the national championship game last season. Last December, he agreed to a lucrative contract extension through 2030. And though he has never coached in the NFL, his leadership, people skills and ability to thrive in one of the most high-profile jobs in the country are what’s drawing the interest of general managers and owners.

Cast away

Joe Burrow wasn’t about to spend most of this season stuck in a cast. After turf toe surgery in September, the plan was to leave it and have the doctors remove the cast. Instead? He cut it off himself and got to work rehabbing. The target was to play Thanksgiving night.

Doctors estimated a four-month recovery. Burrow did it in two.

Still wondering whether he loves football?

If you read Burrow’s recent comments, delivered on his 29th birthday, and thought maybe he was about to pull an Andrew Luck … think again. A person close to him laughed when I suggested he sounded down in the dumps. “He’s a serial killer,” that person said. “Nothing matters to him but playing this game and winning a Super Bowl.”

So why did Burrow sound the alarms this week, with comments that made him seem frustrated, even depressed? Did you see his fourth-quarter interceptions as the Bengals lost a lead — and any realistic playoff hopes — against the Buffalo Bills?

Joe Burrow today on his new mindset following the third serious injury of his career. Prioritizing having fun, despite the challenges of 2025.

“If I want to keep doing this, I have to have fun doing this. I have been through a lot. If it’s not fun, then what am I doing it for?… pic.twitter.com/nc5mTxno7K

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) December 10, 2025

“When was the last time Joe made two mistakes to lose a game for any team he’s been on?” this person said. “He knows he has to be perfect for this team to win, and he wasn’t perfect.”

Someone else close to Burrow said: “Everyone is being a little dramatic. This isn’t mental health, this isn’t depression, this is I want to win.”

Teammates, coaches and people close to Burrow all say he just wants to play football, talk football and win football games. He’s the same guy who won’t even let his parents stay at his house during the season because he wants zero distractions (they don’t mind).

Naturally, when executives and coaches around the league heard about a frustrated-sounding Burrow, the same question floated around: “Does he want out of Cincinnati?”

The answer is no. Burrow, I’m told, hasn’t asked for a trade or even hinted at stepping away. Of course, he would be a dream come true for any coach trying to win. He’s the quarterback who makes people in buildings whisper, “If I had Joe Burrow …” or “Imagine life with Joe Burrow … .” So if you hear noise about him wanting out of Cincinnati, remember: Everyone wants a Joe Burrow. The chatter about him leaving is mostly fueled by those dreaming of a blockbuster trade.

Does that mean he’s thrilled with everything inside the Bengals’ building? No. People close to him have made it clear that certain parts of the Bengals’ operation, with the smallest coaching and scouting staffs in the league, have previously frustrated him.

Though some might wonder whether those past issues were on Burrow’s mind during his Wednesday news conference, rest assured: That’s not what it was. It wasn’t about his protection, either; the Bengals’ offensive line has been an issue before, but it hasn’t been a concern lately, only surrendering one sack in each of his two games since returning.

He’s just tired of losing.

Old Man Rivers

Since I spent my last column taking a shot at my own father and heard from him plenty, I’ll skip any grandpa jokes when talking about the return of 44-year-old Philip Rivers (a grandfather himself) to Indianapolis. The Seahawks spent all week preparing for the future Hall of Famer to start in the NFL for the first time in five years.

So what can we expect? A Colts team source told me Rivers can still sling the ball, but he’s not very mobile. Expect a lot of sacks — especially against a Seahawks defense that ranks fourth in that category. And while Rivers tries to thread the needle, don’t be surprised if this offense leans heavily on Jonathan Taylor to keep the chains moving.

The Colts are throwing a Hail Mary to salvage their season … and, I’m sure, trying to find ways to fit a cold tub for Uncle Phil on the plane for their flight home from Seattle.

A text. A coffee. A hug

Two years ago, Seahawks general manager John Schneider walked into a Baltimore Starbucks around 8:40 a.m., expecting a quiet moment with his coffee before a big interview with a head-coaching candidate.

Then his phone buzzed.

It was Mike Macdonald, the 35-year-old Ravens defensive coordinator, texting to say he was ready whenever Schneider was — 20 minutes early.

Schneider texted back that he was grabbing coffee and asked whether Macdonald wanted one. He waited for the order, then felt someone standing close behind him … and turned to find Macdonald. No handshake. No dap.

They hugged.

Two hours into the interview back at the hotel, Schneider had to be the one to call a timeout and suggest a bathroom break. It felt like the best first date ever. They both knew it.

Less than 12 hours later, they were on flights to Seattle to spend more time together, this time with their wives.

The job was offered. Macdonald said yes, despite an aggressive push from the Commanders. And before he even officially settled in, they were already building a staff. At one point early in the process, Macdonald paused mid-conversation and asked, “Do I have to sign a contract or something?”

He did, for six years.

Now, after winning 10 games in each of his first two seasons, it’s becoming clearer by the week: Hiring Macdonald might go down as one of the best decisions the Seahawks have made.

Seattle, led by Sam Darnold, is tied with the Los Angeles Rams atop the NFC and is preparing for Rivers, a player Macdonald once game-planned against as a Ravens linebackers coach in 2020. Baltimore held Rivers to 10 points that day.

Several NFL executives and coaches I spoke with have said Schneider should be the lead candidate for NFL Executive of the Year. The moves speak for themselves: drafting Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2023, moving on from DK Metcalf and Geno Smith, landing Darnold after carefully mapping an offseason wish list with Macdonald and the staff. And none of the offensive surge would be possible without offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. Credit Schneider and Macdonald for making the hard call to move on from Ryan Grubb after just one year. As one AFC executive put it, “Think about how hard it is to tell an owner, ‘We picked the wrong guy, but we have the right one now.’”

The defense? Still stingy. And better. Adding veteran DeMarcus Lawrence has only strengthened an already ferocious front.

And here’s the thing: Every single one of those moves traces back to a Starbucks hug in Baltimore that set the tone for trust, vision and a willingness to make bold calls.

The latest on Brandon Aiyuk

Players and coaches in the San Francisco 49ers’ building continue to face questions about wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who has not played this season after being placed on the physically unable to perform list in July. The team voided the guaranteed money in Aiyuk’s contract for 2026, and even players have said they doubt he’ll return this season.

“At this point, it doesn’t seem like he’s coming back,” tight end George Kittle said this week.

The 49ers have been holding out hope that Aiyuk would show up, ready to practice. However, their optimism seems to have run out. I expect a resolution sooner rather than later.

John Harbaugh calls out NFL as league examines officiating

Ravens coach John Harbaugh did something rare this week when he told reporters the NFL acknowledged officials made a mistake in Baltimore’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The error? An unnecessary roughness penalty on defensive tackle Travis Jones during a first-half field goal attempt.

Coaches almost never go public with league-acknowledged mistakes, but Harbaugh said he had permission.

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh has words for a line judge during a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. (Peter Casey / Imagn Images)

Plenty of coaches quietly sided with Harbaugh.

All coaches want is consistency. Not just from on-field officiating crews, but also in the replay standard that’s supposed to correct any mistakes. The league has been pushing for faster “expedited” reviews to speed up games, but as one head coach told me, “It’s too quick — that’s why we’re seeing mistakes.”

And while Harbaugh was venting in Baltimore, the league office in New York was paying close attention. Commissioner Roger Goodell and EVP of football operations Troy Vincent have been discussing the growing officiating issues with senior referee officials.

All of this is unfolding while the NFL negotiates a new labor deal with the NFL Referees Association. The league wants a performance-based collective bargaining agreement and a developmental “farm system” to deepen the officiating bench. The next bargaining session is later this month, and the NFL is pushing for expanded training and year-round access to officials.

Stay tuned.

And they say people can’t change

For years, teams preparing to face the Rams knew what they were getting from their bright head coach’s offense: 11 personnel, three-wide looks, tempo and spacing.

That was the Sean McVay brand.

Not anymore.

Remember, he got this job at 30. He turns 40 next month. And as coaches around the league scout Los Angeles, the same comment keeps coming up: “He’s changed. This is not the old McVay offense.”

McVay has flipped his own identity this season, and it starts with 13 personnel — one running back and three tight ends. He has his team using such sets more than anyone in football. In fact, the Rams’ 170 plays run out of that grouping are more than McVay’s offenses have used in all his previous seasons combined (130), according to TruMedia.

And it’s working. They’re smashing people in the run game out of these heavy looks. But the real curveball? The pass game looks the same. One rookie has basically unlocked McVay’s entire menu from a bigger body group.

“They have rookie Terrance Ferguson, and he isn’t playing like a tight end, he’s running routes like a wide receiver,” one league source says.

With four legitimate tight ends, McVay can stay big, stay physical and still get to the same concepts defenses have been preparing for since he landed in Los Angeles. And in the process, it’s protecting receiver Puka Nacua, who has always been unafraid to throw his body around to make a play.

“He’s the best blocking receiver in the game,” one AFC exec said. “But now he can worry more about dominating teams with his hands and less with his shoulder pads in the run game.”

L.A.’s latest wrinkle is messing with matchups every week, which is exactly why the new-look Rams remain as potent as ever, fighting for the NFC’s No. 1 seed.

And finally …

It’s the holiday season, which means you are busy juggling parties, family gatherings and maybe those adorable but chaotic kids’ concerts. I genuinely love seeing all the beautiful holiday photo cards roll in, and they get prime real estate on my kitchen wall.

Meanwhile, there’s still a better chance the Tennessee Titans make the Super Bowl than a Russini holiday card arrives on schedule. We’re working the margins over here. If one lands in your mailbox before the new year, please don’t question it; just enjoy the miracle.

Off to Paramus Park Mall for photos with Santa. Pray for us.