The Super Bowl LIX matchup is set: the Philadelphia Eagles will take on the Kansas City Chiefs in New Orleans on Sunday, Feb 9. The Eagles dispatched the Washington Commanders easily in a 55-23 win in the NFC championship game, while the Chiefs and Buffalo Bills went down to the wire in a thrilling AFC championship game that Kansas City won 32-29.
The Eagles and Chiefs both arrived in New Orleans on Sunday evening, prepared for what will be a busy week ahead of next Sunday's championship.
Meanwhile, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell will hold his state of the league address Monday afternoon, where he's expected to answer questions on hot-button topics like officiating which has dominated the discourse around the Chiefs.
As for Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, they are aiming to make history in New Orleans as they go for their third straight Super Bowl win, something that's never been done before. The last team to win back-to-back Super Bowls was the 2003 and 2004 New England Patriots.
Mahomes will have a chance to join exclusive company and earn his fourth ring, drawing comparisons to Tom Brady and his Patriots dynasty in the process. Brady went to 10 Super Bowls as a player, but this time he'll be in the booth, broadcasting his first Super Bowl for Fox in his new role.
Elsewhere in the NFL, teams have been busy filling their head-coaching vacancies, with Ben Johnson (Bears), Aaron Glenn (Jets), Liam Coen (Jaguars), Brian Schottenheimer (Cowboys) and Pete Caroll (Raiders) locking down jobs. The Saints have the last open job, and they've interviewed a variety of candidates.
Follow along with all the news and updates ahead of Super Bowl LIX below:
Live46 updates
Roger Goodell addresses ref controversy in state of league address
The second question NFL commissioner Roger Goodell fielded Monday in his state of the league address was about officiating, and a belief that the Kansas City Chiefs are benefitting from calls.
"This sort of reminds me of the script" Goodell joked.
In seriousness Goodell called some of the conspiracy theories rampant on social media "ridiculous" and defended his league's officials, calling them "outstanding."
Goodell says any theory of the Chiefs benefiting from preferential calls from officials is “ridiculous” and the league officiating is “outstanding.” pic.twitter.com/y5jVXQsKHu
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) February 3, 2025
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell shoots down idea that officials are favoring Chiefs unfairly. Reminds him of idea NFL is scripted.
"It’s a ridiculous theory, for anyone who might take it seriously. But at the end of the day, it's something we might have to continue to work on." pic.twitter.com/MKVw9UA9nm
— Jori Epstein (@JoriEpstein) February 3, 2025
Later in the conference, Goodell said he didn't view flopping as a major issue, but didn't rule out the league's competition committee from reviewing potential changes.
Washington Commanders name to remain, says team owner
Washington team owner Josh Harris told reporters Monday that the team name "Commanders" will remain.
Dear Washington football fans,
The Commanders team name is here to stay.
Source: team owner Josh Harris
P.S. - please no more questions about this, it's not changing. pic.twitter.com/8zjfK3aPgx
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) February 3, 2025
Myles Garrett requests trade from Browns, says he wants to win Super Bowl
Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett has requested a trade, according to multiple media reports. In a statement shared by NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and others, Garrett said his desire to win a Super Bowl was driving his decision to leave.
"As a kid dreaming of the NFL, all I focused on was the ultimate goal of winning a Super Bowl — and that goal fuels me today more than ever. My love for the community of Northeast Ohio and the incredible fanbase of the Cleveland Browns has made this one of the toughest decisions of my life. These past eight years have shaped me into the man that I am today," Garrett wrote.
Garrett added that he cared more about winning a championship than about becoming a Hall of Famer.
Read the full story here.
Chip Kelly reportedly leaving Ohio State for Raiders' OC job
According to ESPN, Chip Kelly is leaving the Buckeyes after one season to become the offensive coordinator for Pete Carroll with the Las Vegas Raiders. Kelly’s departure comes not long after defensive coordinator Jim Knowles left to take the same position at Penn State.
Kelly came to Ohio State after the 2023 season as Ryan Day gave up play-calling duties. Kelly left his job as UCLA’s head coach to run Ohio State’s offense as the Buckeyes bounced back from two regular-season losses to win the first 12-team College Football Playoff.
The former Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers head coach has never been an offensive coordinator in the NFL. He joined the Eagles before the 2013 season after he spent four seasons as Oregon’s head coach and coached the 49ers for one season in 2016 after he was fired by the Eagles.
Read more here.
Jets name Chris Banjo as new special teams coach
The New York Jets are continuing to fill out Aaron Glenn's staff. The team announced Friday that Chris Banjo will join the staff as special teams coordinator.
Banjo joins the Jets after two years with the Denver Broncos as assistant special teams coach.
IT'S OFFICIAL! We've named Chris Banjo our new Special Teams Coordinator.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) January 31, 2025
Saints plan to meet with Kellen Moore again after Super Bowl 59
While searching for a new head coach, the New Orleans Saints have seemingly narrowed their focus. The team plans to meet with Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator Kellen Moore after the Super Bowl, and has informed other candidates that they plan to keep speaking with Moore, per multiple reports.
Moore reportedly have a strong in-person interview on Monday night, and has emerged as the top candidate for the job. But NFL rules keep the Saints from officially hiring the 36-year-old coordinator until after the Super Bowl, despite New Orleans' clear interest.
