Chargers begin Jim Harbaugh era, welcome Raiders to L.A.

Last season was good enough the Raiders asked Antonio Pierce to stay after the Los Angeles Chargers went to surprising means to secure Jim Harbaugh as their new head coach.

Pierce, the interim for the final two months last season, faces Harbaugh and the Chargers in the regular-season opener Sunday in a game each team hopes to use as a statement.

Pierce put his staff on the “Beat L.A.” assignment more than two weeks ago due to the unique situation of facing a team for the first time with a coach imported from the college ranks and myriad changes to the existing schemes.

“Just to keep pounding away on film and go back as far as we can. And you don’t want to chase ghosts, right? You don’t go back and look at the 2011 season with Harbaugh, but maybe you do,” Pierce said. “And those two gentlemen have been around each other, him and (offensive coordinator) Greg Roman. So, with any little tidbits we can do, we have a pretty good staff upstairs that does a great job of breaking down film. And then, listen, at the day, you have to make the adjustments, and the players have to be able to adapt to it.”

The Chargers enter the Harbaugh coaching era with franchise quarterback Justin Herbert returning as the centerpiece of the offense, after he recovered from recent plantar fasciitis issues. The cast of characters around him? There are changes everywhere.

Gone are offensive veterans like wide receivers Keenan Allen and Mike Williams and running back Austin Ekeler. Wide receiver Joshua Palmer is Herbert’s go-to guy now, while 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston and rookie Ladd McConkey look to make their mark. J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards take over at running back.

Wide receiver DJ Chark Jr. (hip), was the only Chargers player missing from practice Wednesday, while cornerback Tarheeb Still (hip) was limited.

Known for his quirks — already using birth, airplane takeoff and first-day-of school metaphors — Harbaugh simply wants the Chargers to focus on the basics.

“Just want to keep building,” Harbaugh said. “Just the idea of seeing if we can be better today than we were yesterday, better tomorrow than we were today. Just that so-simple-it-might-just-work approach. Keeping guys healthy, continuing to get bigger and stronger.”

Never one to show his hand — or his depth chart — Harbaugh gave away very little in the preseason. Fresh off a national championship at Michigan, he returns to the NFL after he guided the San Francisco 49ers to a 44-19-1 record and one Super Bowl berth from 2011-14. He accepted the offer, reportedly $16 million per year on a five-year deal valued at $80 million.

The Chargers will put pressure on opposing quarterbacks with a pair of elite edge rushers in Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack. Bosa has struggled with injuries and broke his left hand just a month ago but is set to play Sunday. Mack enters off a 17-sack season, fourth best in the league.

“If anything, it was time off the body, less stress on my legs and let some things heal up,” Bosa said about missing nearly four weeks of practice time. “Now I’m feeling ready to go.”

The Raiders head into the opener with no playoff victories since playing in the Super Bowl following the 2002 season.

Pierce took over as head coach on an interim basis last season and guided the Raiders to a 5-4 finish. Pierce officially was anointed the position in the offseason and has named Gardner Minshew II as quarterback for the opener over Aidan O’Connell.

“Gardner gives us the best opportunity to get off to a fast start,” Pierce said.

Pierce said this game isn’t about him getting the job in Las Vegas or returning home to his Los Angeles roots this week.

“We’re trying to get our first divisional win against a really good opponent, who’s going to be motivated, well coached, physical, tough. I mean, we got to bring our hard hats,” he said.

The Raiders were one of seven teams in 2023 that averaged less than 300 yards per game at 289.5 and were 23rd with 19.5 points per game. On defense, a talented front four is led by defensive end Maxx Crosby (14.5 sacks in 2023).

Crosby is the player that Herbert is thinking about most when he breaks the huddle.

“We know how talented he is, we know how talented that team is. That defense really flies around, makes a lot of plays,” Herbert said of Crosby.

Under new offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, the Raiders will look to improve on an average of 90.7 rushing yards per game that was 30th in the NFL last season. With Josh Jacobs now with the Green Bay Packers, Zamir White takes over as the lead back (451 yards, one TD in 2023).

“I always say, Week 1, the opening week of the playoffs and the Super Bowl, those are different speeds of football and that shows up with the younger guys,” said Pierce. “Hopefully, we have prepped them in the way we prepare and practice.”

The Raiders were fully represented at Wednesday’s practice with tight end Brock Bowers (foot), linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (knee) and cornerback Decamerion Richardson (hamstring) all limited.

–Field Level Media

Carrying high expectations, Bears clash with Titans to open season

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Lofty expectations greet the Chicago Bears and quarterback Caleb Williams, who was drafted out of Southern California with the No. 1 overall pick in April.

Chicago also brought in a stable of offensive talent to support Williams, who doesn’t seem to be phased by the bright lights of the Windy City ahead of the Bears’ season opener against the Tennessee Titans on Sunday afternoon.

“When feet touch the grass,” Williams said, “it’ll be business as usual.”

Chicago went 7-10 last season with dual-threat signal-caller Justin Fields taking most of the snaps under center in what proved to be his final season with the Bears.

Already armed with wideout DJ Moore, the Bears traded for veteran Keenan Allen and selected wide receiver Rome Odunze out of Washington with the ninth overall pick in April’s draft. Chicago signed running back D’Andre Swift to flank Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson in the backfield.

Williams understands that he will be called upon to get the ball downfield by either new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron or the Soldier Field faithful.

“The wins are the most important thing,” Williams said. “As long as we get that win at the end of the day, 100 yards (or) 400 (passing), it’s all the same.”

Tennessee also made accommodations for a young passer. The Titans added 1,000-yard receiver Calvin Ridley, outbidding the New England Patriots and Jacksonville Jaguars for the free agent, and 1,000-yard rusher Tony Pollard, putting them alongside second-year quarterback Will Levis.

Levis went 3-6 as a starter in 2023, when Tennessee finished 6-11.

Pollard takes over for former franchise linchpin Derrick Henry, who is now with the Baltimore Ravens after rushing for 9,502 yards and 90 touchdowns in eight seasons with the Titans. Although Henry is no longer in the picture, Levis welcomes the chance to lead a team bristling with hope.

“Pressure is a privilege,” Levis said. “It means there’s a lot of eyes on you, a lot of people counting on you to succeed. Pressure is cool. I welcome it with open arms.”

Titans first-year coach Brian Callahan can attest, as he meets a somewhat familiar foe.

Callahan is a native of Champaign, Ill., and he grew up a Bears fan.

“That’s the teams that I watched, were Chicago sports teams,” Callahan said. “I was a Bears, Blackhawks and Bulls fan, as probably a lot of people were in the 90s. … Cool moment to be able to go open up my head-coaching career in Chicago.”

Tennessee, which employed a run-heavy offense with Henry, is trying to be more balanced with Levis and Co. Callahan, who helped develop quarterback Joe Burrow as the Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator from 2019-23, is hoping that Levis and the Titans’ offense can jell quickly.

Chicago has the same vision for Williams, and it showed little reluctance when it came to putting its faith in the rookie. Sunday presents the 22-year-old with his first chance to deliver.

“The expectation is what it always is: winning,” Allen said. “No matter who the quarterback is, you want to win. I wouldn’t rather be with another guy right now than Caleb. … He’s gotten better ever since we started. The confidence is through the roof.”

Allen was limited in practice on Wednesday because of a heel injury. Bears defensive end Montez Sweat (toe) was also limited.

A hip injury held safety Jamal Adams out of the Titans’ practice on Wednesday, while wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (knee) and linebacker Otis Reese (concussion) were limited.

–Kevin Druley, Field Level Media

Matthew Stafford, new-look Rams return to Lions’ den in prime-time opener

The Lions knocked the Los Angeles Rams out of the playoffs last season. The Rams will return to Detroit for the Sunday night opener eager to start another Super Bowl mission.

It could be viewed as a payback game for some of the Rams, but quarterback Matthew Stafford downplayed the revenge factor against his former team.

“To me, it’s the start of something brand new, something totally different,” Stafford said. “I’m excited to start this season off. It is, no doubt, a big challenge to go play their team in that environment. It’ll be a test for us and something to look forward to.”

Stafford has a dynamic duo at wide receiver in Puka Nacau and Cooper Kupp. Kyren Williams emerged as the lead back last season and he’ll have a quality backup in former University of Michigan workhorse Blake Corum, who was drafted in the third round.

The Rams’ defense has a big hole to fill. Perennial All-Pro lineman Aaron Donald retired after the 24-23 loss to the Lions in January.

“You’re not ever replacing an Aaron Donald and that’s not what we’re asking of our guys,” Rams coach Sean McVay said. “We were so fortunate and blessed to have such a special player in Aaron Donald. What I thought was cool was he set a great example for guys who saw him play.”

Despite Donald’s absence, Lions coach Dan Campbell believes the Rams present an even bigger challenge than last season.

“This to me is a better team than what we faced last year, just looking at their personnel coming in,” Campbell said. “I feel like this is a better offensive line, I feel like this is a better D-line. I understand they lost Donald, but what I think they gain is youth and collectively, that front is – I’ve said it before, they’re young, they’re hungry, they’re high motor. They’re going to push us.”

Detroit returns most of the same offensive starters from last season with one notable loss. Offensive lineman Jonah Jackson signed with the Rams as a free agent.

The Lions rely on the 1-2 punch of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in the running game, though Gibbs missed a good chunk of training camp with a hamstring injury. He said there is no injury concern and plans to play in the opener.

Jared Goff has an elite No. 1 receiver in All-Pro selection Amon Ra St. Brown with second-year tight end Sam LaPorta helping drive the passing attack. Third-year receiver Jameson Williams is expected to have a breakout season after scoring two touchdowns in the NFC Championship game against San Francisco.

Detroit made numerous changes on the defensive line and secondary to upgrade a defense that allowed the sixth-most passing yards (247.4 per game) in the NFL last season.

Cornerbacks Carlton Davis, acquired in a trade with Tampa Bay, and first-round draft pick Terrion Arnold will get tested in a big way in their debut with the Lions.

“I know Stafford’s got a lot of trust in both of those guys (Nacua and Kupp),” Campbell said. “I thought Puka had a hell of a game last year against us (nine receptions, 181 yards, TD). He really, he made plays all over the field. So, it’ll be a challenge, but I know this, our guys are looking forward to this. They really are. I know Arnold’s excited, first one. He’s ready to go. He does not lack confidence.”

–Field Level Media

Prized QBs fight in Florida as Jaguars visit Dolphins

Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Dolphins counterpart Tua Tagovailoa bring extra moxie to the field Sunday afternoon when Jacksonville and Miami collide in their season opener in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Lawrence and Tagovailoa landed the largest deals in franchise history for their respective teams this summer. Lawrence signed a five-year, $275 million extension and Tagovailoa landed a four-year contract worth $212.4 million.

The Jaguars gave Lawrence some new weapons to work with this past offseason, scooping up Gabe Davis in free agency before selecting wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. with the 23rd overall pick in April’s draft to make up for the loss of Calvin Ridley. He signed with the Titans in free agency.

Davis and Thomas will be flanking Christian Kirk, who had 1,108 yards and eight touchdowns on 84 receptions — all career highs — in 2022 before a core muscle injury limited him to 12 games last season. Kirk finished with 57 catches for 787 yards and three scores.

Being aware of Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey is near the top of Lawrence’s checklist this week. Ramsey did not practice with a hamstring injury on Wednesday.

“You give him a lot of respect for what he’s done in his career,” Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson said. “Just got to know where he’s going to be, and understand that and give him his respect.”

The Dolphins won’t get to feature new No. 3 receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who is out for the first four games, but Miami’s speedy tandem of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will once again be at Tagovailoa’s service.

Hill led the NFL with 1,799 receiving yards in 2023. He also hauled in 13 TDs, tying the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Mike Evans for the league lead. Waddle caught 72 passes for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.

With so much offensive talent on both sidelines, Lawrence is aware that Sunday’s game could turn into a shootout, but he also still believes in the Jacksonville defense.

“I got a lot of faith in our defense,” Lawrence said. “There are times where we’re gonna have to pick up the load and carry the defense a little bit, and vice versa. They’re gonna have to, some games, carry us when we’re not getting anything going.”

Ryan Nielsen is heading into his first season as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator after landing the job in January. He held that same title with the Atlanta Falcons last season and was co-defensive coordinator with the New Orleans Saints in 2022.

Pederson realizes that Nielsen will be up against some stiff competition in Week 1.

“They’re on you fast,” Pederson said of the Dolphins. “When you put the film on, these guys are on you and they’re by you. And I think Tua does a great job of anticipating where the windows are.”

Tagovailoa isn’t putting too much stock into Nielsen’s game plan and has instead been focusing on who he will be face-to-face with on the field.

“For me, I study their players that they have,” Tagovailoa said. “Although not the same scheme, just who’s good at covering, who’s someone that we think, ‘OK, maybe we have a little more leverage with this guy in coverage.’ That’s how I sort of base it off of. …

“Then you go back to New Orleans when (Nielsen) was the DC, to the Falcons.”

Miami’s defensive unit could be missing linebacker Jaelan Phillips (Achilles) and Ramsey (hamstring).

Safety Jordan Poyer (thumb), linebacker Quinton Bell (thumb) and center Aaron Brewer (hand) were among six players who were limited in practice with injury designations for the Dolphins.

Safety Daniel Thomas was the only player to appear on the Jaguars’ injury report. He was a limited participant during Wednesday’s practice due to an Achilles issue.

–Field Level Media

Patriots begin life without Bill Belichick vs. optimistic Bengals

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have great expectations and a high level of uncertainty while the New England Patriots are set to enter the unknown of a new era when the teams open the 2024 season on Sunday afternoon.

In his first action since a season-ending wrist injury last November and subsequent surgery, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow played the first series of the preseason but didn’t take the field for the remainder of the exhibition schedule.

Burrow completed 5 of 7 passes for 51 yards, including a 10-yard score to Tee Higgins in a 17-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Aug. 10. He then got his work in through a pair of joint practices with the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts. And now Burrow, who bounced back from ACL and MCL tears in his rookie season (2020), believes he’s ready to go for Week 1.

“I feel like I’m healthy. I feel like I’m physically strong and I’ll be able to go out and do what I need to do,” Burrow said. “Whenever you have those kinds of injuries, it’s a process throughout the season, just like with the knee. You’re going to have some days where you feel good and some days where you don’t, and you’re going to get better throughout the season.”

Burrow getting back to form would bode well for Cincinnati’s Super Bowl chances, which could also hinge on star receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who has been dealing with an ongoing contract dispute.

Chase came back to practice on Wednesday and was limited. His return could signal a willingness to play in Sunday’s season opener, depending on his readiness after not participating at all in training camp and the preseason.

“He’s going to go out and play really well, I know that,” Burrow said of Chase. “We’ll see for Sunday. I don’t have any expectations right now what that’s going to look like. I know if he’s out there what type of player he’s going to be.”

Chase’s hold-in has centered around the demand for a contract extension similar to that of former LSU teammate and Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson, who received a four-year, $140 million extension with $110 million guaranteed on June 3.

The Patriots are entering a new era, and for the first time since 1999, Bill Belichick will not be on the sideline coaching the team. After winning six Super Bowls and reaching three others, the Patriots are rebuilding with new head coach Jerod Mayo, a longtime player and assistant coach for New England.

Coming off a 4-13 season, the Patriots chose quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick in this year’s draft. He played for a good chunk of the preseason, but it will be veteran signal-caller Jacoby Brissett getting the start against the Bengals.

The key for New England under Mayo will be winning in the trenches.

“I think we have to go out there and really be able to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. I think we need to play well on special teams as well, but it’s about the line of scrimmage,” Mayo said. “It’s about controlling the line of scrimmage and controlling the game. …

“(The Bengals) have a high-powered team. They have a high-powered offense, and I think the defense is aggressive because they know they have a high-powered offense.”

Guard Sidy Sow missed the Patriots’ practice on Wednesday because of an ankle injury. Defensive back Jonathan Jones (hamstring) and linebacker Joshua Uche (foot) were among those limited.

–Mike Petraglia, Field Level Media

New-look Commanders could pose challenge to Buccaneers

Quarterback Jayden Daniels will make his professional debut on Sunday afternoon when the visiting Washington Commanders face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the season opener for both teams.

Daniels, the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, beat out veteran Marcus Mariota to land the starting job.

“We knew we would get here, but we were just excited to see how we would,” Washington coach Dan Quinn said of the rapid development he saw from Daniels. “So, seeing him hit all the spots, this is a rare competitor, and those are the things that I knew about him.”

While the Commanders didn’t show off Daniels all that much this preseason, Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles has a general idea of what the Buccaneers will be dealing with on Sunday.

“He can beat you with his legs or his arm,” Bowles said of Daniels. “He was taken that high for a reason.”

Daniels is aware that there will be challenges in his debut, and he knows that he will have to adjust on the fly.

“It’s not gonna be a finished product Week 1, but just try to get better and go out there and go through some growing pains,” Daniels said. “You’re a rookie. You’re not gonna have everything perfect.”

Quinn is also a newcomer, taking over at the helm after serving as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator from 2021-23. He will be trying to help Washington get back on track after the Commanders went just 4-13 last season.

It’s been a different story for Tampa Bay, which has won three straight NFC South titles.

Last season’s success was fueled by former No. 1 overall pick Baker Mayfield, who completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 4,044 yards and 28 touchdowns — all career bests.

There have been some changes for the Buccaneers, though, as Liam Coen took over as offensive coordinator for Dave Canales, who is now the coach of the Carolina Panthers. Tampa Bay also has a new center in rookie Graham Barton, a first-round draft pick out of Duke.

Barton has been taking the time to scout the Commanders’ defensive line as he prepares for his NFL debut.

“A lot of respect for what I’ve seen so far of them on tape,” Barton said. “It’s going to present a unique challenge for us, but I think we’re ready.”

The Buccaneers’ offense does still feature star wideout Mike Evans, who was tied with the Miami Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill for the most touchdown receptions (13) in the league last season. Evans had 79 catches for 1,255 yards.

Even with Mayfield and Evans leading the way, putting up points against Washington could be tough due to Quinn’s defensive background. The Commanders also got some reinforcements this offseason, bringing in linebacker Frankie Luvu and safety Jeremy Chinn.

“They’ve got some talented players up there,” Bowles said. “I’ll probably be saying this every week. We don’t play any scrubs anymore. … It’s going to be a tough challenge. We know they’re a tough bunch.”

Defensive lineman Logan Hall (foot) and kicker Chase McLaughlin (abdomen/illness) did not practice for Tampa Bay on Wednesday.

Offensive tackle Trent Scott (knee) was one of four Commanders who were limited during Wednesday’s practice.

–Field Level Media

Texans open season, division title defense at Colts

Week 1 of the NFL season is always a big deal.

From the view of second-year Indianapolis Colts coach Shane Steichen, it’s a bigger deal when you open with a division rival.

That’s what Indianapolis does Sunday as it welcomes the defending AFC South champion Houston Texans.

“You want to win division games, you want to win a division championship. It starts in the division and you got to win at home right off the bat,” he said. “So it’ll be an extra challenge. It’s a good football team we’re playing, but I know our guys are going to be geared up and ready to roll on Sunday.”

If that’s the case, the Colts will reverse a decade-long trend. They are 0-9-1 in their last 10 season openers, which includes a 20-20 tie two years ago in Houston and a loss to start 2020 in Jacksonville, which went on to drop the next 15 games.

Last year’s season opener saw Indianapolis fall 31-21 to Jacksonville in 2023 first-round draft pick Anthony Richardson’s NFL debut. The quarterback played just three more games before a season-ending shoulder injury thrust Gardner Minshew into the job.

With Minshew now starting in Las Vegas, the Colts tossed the keys back to Richardson. The game plan is to use former NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor and Richardson to pound away at defenses, then let Richardson take shots downfield off play-action.

“As he showed with the limited amount of snaps that he’s had, he’s shown that he could be a dynamic playmaker and running the ball,” said Houston coach DeMeco Ryans. “Also throwing the football.”

Despite Richardson’s absence over the last 13 games, Indianapolis still pieced together a top-10 scoring offense, averaging 23.3 points per game. But its defense finished 28th at 24.4 ppg, helping to keep the Colts out of the postseason.

That unit will get an immediate test in Week 1.

Houston loaded up for a championship run behind second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud. He led the Texans to a surprise division title last year, showing not only talent but poise belying his youth.

Now Stroud has more veteran weapons around him. Houston added wide receiver Stefon Diggs and a workhorse running back in Joe Mixon who can also catch the ball. The Texans aim to do with Stroud what the Buffalo Bills have done with quarterback Josh Allen — build the talent base around him and force their way to the front of the queue in the AFC.

Diggs is looking forward to a fresh start with Houston after his time ran out with the Bills. Diggs’ production fell off sharply in the final two-thirds of 2023, even though he finished with 107 catches, and he freely admits that he was in the “worst mental space” since he jumped into the NFL.

“If I’m not in a good space, obviously that’s not the best for me,” he said. “That’s when things had to start shaking out.”

The Colts own a 32-11-1 lead in the all-time series, but the Texans have won the last two matchups at Lucas Oil Stadium, including a 23-19 verdict in January that clinched a playoff berth.

–Field Level Media