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The Denver Broncos dealt with the unthinkable when starting quarterback Bo Nix broke his ankle in an AFC Divisional Round overtime win over the Buffalo Bills.Now, they’re going to ask backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham to do the unthinkable — lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl despite not throwing a pass in an actual game for over 2 years.An even crazier twist? Stidham will face the team that drafted him, the New England Patriots, in the AFC Championship Game. It’s also the team that tried to get him to come back and be the backup for NFL MVP candidate Drake Maye this season.Instead, Stidham signed a 2-year, $12 million contract extension with the Broncos.“Before the Broncos re-signed Jarrett Stidham this past offseason to back up Bo Nix, he had interest and an offer on the table from another team: The New England Patriots,” The Athletic’s Diana Russini wrote on X on Monday. “Sunday, he faces the team that drafted him in the AFC title game, the biggest start of his career … Stidham has acquitted himself well in four career starts, averaging over 250 yards per game and throwing six TDs. But in 7 seasons, he hasn’t had much opportunity. Those starts have come after Derek Carr and Russell Wilson were benched for the final weeks of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.”Noise on Stidham vs. Pats Will Get LouderExpect the storylines about Stidham facing his old team to get more pronounced as kickoff approaches.The Patriots ultimately ended up with Joshua Dobbs and Tommy DeVito as their backups to Maye.“The Patriots ‘did a lot of work’ on potentially signing Jarrett Stidham this past offseason, per Mike Vrabel,” DNVR’s Zac Stevens wrote on X. “The Broncos re-signed Stidham a day before free agency opened. Now Stidham will go against his former team with a chance to get to the Super Bowl this week.”Pats Selected Stidham in Fourth Round in 2019Stidham hasn’t played in a regular season game since he started the final 2 games of the 2023 regular season for the Broncos after Payton benched Russell Wilson.In 7 NFL seasons with the Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders and Broncos, Stidham is 1-3 in 4 starts. The Patriots selected Stidham in the fourth round (No. 133 overall) of the 2019 NFL draft out of Auburn.Stidham’s last extended action was in the Broncos‘ 30-9 preseason opener win over the San Francisco 49ers on August 9 — 14-of-15 passing for 136 yards, 2 touchdowns and no interceptions to go with 3 carries for 36 yards in just 2 quarters.Stidham’s ability to scramble and run the ball had fans and media buzzing almost as much or more than his brilliant performance throwing the ball, and he walked away with a 144.0 passer rating.“It’s good for us to just get out there and play together and put up some points,” Stidham told 9 News Denver. “(When I’m running) it’s more like just trying get down and not make a mistake.”“I’ll be telling my kids about the Jarrett Stidham legacy 2nd quarter,” NFL reporter Bryce DeGroat wrote on his official X account. “Unreal.” Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post QB Jarrett Stidham Chose Broncos Over Patriots in Free Agency appeared first on Heavy Sports.

Former Chicago White Sox knuckleballer Wilbur Wood, who played from 1961-78, passed away Saturday at the age of 84, the White Sox announced.Wood embodied the definition of durability throughout his career. While it was a different game for pitchers, he became one of the most consistent pitchers of the early 1970s with Chicago.The left-hander started his career with the Boston Red Sox at the age of 19. In 1964, he was purchased by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but was used sparingly as a reliever until he was traded to Chicago in 1966.Wood’s Chicago White Sox CareerIn 1967, Wood made his White Sox debut. From 1967-70, he pitched in 292 games, including an astounding 88 in 1968. This was just the start of what would be an elite stretch with the White Sox.In 1971, Wood became a full-time starter and made his mark in the league. That year, he started 42 games, pitching to a 1.91 ERA. Even more unbelievable than his ERA that year was his 11.7 bWAR and 334 innings pitched.Wood finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting that year and ninth in MVP voting, and was selected to his first All-Star Game.The following year, he would start a whopping 49 games, pitching to a 2.51 ERA in 376.2 innings, the most innings thrown by a pitcher in the Live Ball Era (since 1920). He would be the runner-up in Cy Young voting that year to Gaylord Perry, and would get his second All-Star appearance.Then, in 1973, Wood had a 3.46 ERA in 359.1 innings, finishing fifth in Cy Young voting. In 1974, he had a 3.60 ERA in 320.1 innings. He would earn his third, and final, All-Star appearance. Since 1920, Wood is one of 10 pitchers who have thrown 300 innings in four seasons or more, per MLB Network.He would finish his White Sox career with 51.7 bWAR in 578 games (286 starts), with a 3.18 ERA. While putting up those legendary stats, his durability was not to be understated. At his peak from 1971-75 with Chicago, Wood threw 1,681.2 innings.That number was nearly 100 more than the next closest pitcher at that time, averaging 336.2 per season.Wood’s LegacyBeyond his elite play during his peak, Wood accomplished feats that will never be touched again.Roy Halladay, in 2003, pitched 266 innings. That number is the most by a pitcher since 2000, and still 70 less than what Wood averaged during his peak.In 2025, Logan Webb pitched 207 innings, the most in the majors, and a far cry from what pitchers used to do. While it is a different game today, Wood’s unbelievable run is not to be overlooked.We will never see another pitcher have more than 40 starts in a season, more than 300 innings, all while maintaining an elite level of play.There are several factors to consider. Pitchers throw much harder than they did in Wood’s day, and the knuckleball is all but extinct. Because of this, the incidence of arm injuries and injuries as a whole is much higher than it was in Wood’s day.Because of this, Wood’s innings record, as well as his overall durability, will never be seen again in baseball. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post White Sox Legendary Workhorse Passes Away at 84 appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The Atlanta Falcons, despite a change at head coach, are retaining former New York Jets defensive coordinator and interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich as their defensive coordinator. We have retained Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinatorhttps://t.co/fTV4eOUuOM pic.twitter.com/uUJ9gpkjdG — Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 19, 2026 Raheem Morris was let go after two underwhelming seasons on the job in Atlanta, and two-time Coach of the Year winner Kevin Stefanski has been hired to replace him.Stefanski is keeping Ulbrich on to coordinate his defense, which was one of the better units in the NFL this past season.The Falcons set a franchise record in quarterback sacks this past season, recording 57, led by first-round picks James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker.Falcons Keeping Defensive ContinuityWhen Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank addressed the media after firing Morris, he said he would not mandate the next head coach to keep Ulbrich as defensive coordinator, but recommended it.“Jeff Ulbrich, in my view, he did a really fine job for us this year. Certainly look at the record of sacks. And just the overall performance of defense was definitely better than it’s been in the past,” Blank said, via the team website.Stefanski is clearly taking his new owner’s advice, and Ulbrich will coordinate the defense in 2026.The Falcons’ defense was one of the worst in the league in 2024, the first year of Morris’ tenure. They ranked 28th in Sumer Sports’ EPA/play and were 31st in sacks with just 31 as a team.After bringing Ulbrich into the fold and mortgaging their 2026 draft capital on two first-round edge rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft, Atlanta improved to 15th in defensive EPA/play and second in the league in total sacks behind only the Denver Broncos.It’s no wonder that Blank wanted to keep Ulbrich around. The work he’s done with the defense is incredible, and if Stefanski can get the offense functioning properly, the Falcons can be a real threat in the NFC for 2026.Jeff Ulbrich’s Unfortunate Jets TenureWhen the New York Jets hired Robert Saleh to be their head coach in early 2021, one of the first hires he made was Ulbrich as his defensive coordinator.After a lackluster first year, the Jets’ defense transformed into one of the best units in the league, ranking in the top-10 for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.Heading into a do-or-die 2024 season, Ulbrich was thrust into the interim head coach role after Saleh was fired for a slow start.“I feel that we had to go in a different direction and that’s why I did that today. The change that we made today, that I made, I believe will bring new energy and positivity that will lead to more wins starting now,” owner Woody Johnson said in a statement after firing Saleh.“I just felt that the best way to go forward with a new direction and taking Jeff Ulbrich and making him the interim head coach, I thought that would get the most out of this team and give us the best chance to do what we all want to, which is going to the playoffs.”The Jets would not make the playoffs under the guidance of Ulbrich and would finish 3-9 down the stretch of the season.Ulbrich later admitted regret in retaining defensive play-calling duties, wishing he hadn’t divided his attention in his first chance as a head coach.“There is an element of a failure for myself in that way because I didn’t delegate,” Ulbrich told reporters at his Atlanta Falcons introductory press conference.“I didn’t. I just took it all on myself. In my mind’s eye, I was trying to create continuity and I didn’t want a fractious staff.”If Ulbrich can put together another season of elite defense, he may get another shot at being a head coach.After all, he received head coaching interview requests for helping turn the Jets’ defense around. Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Kevin Stefanski Retains Former Jets Coach as Falcons DC appeared first on Heavy Sports.

The New York Yankees are standing firm on what they are willing to offer to keep Cody Bellinger in the Bronx. Nonetheless, the idea of pivoting to other options to replace the free agent hitter comes with a warning from MLB Network’s Harold Reynolds. Per StatMuse, Bellinger had a .272 batting average with 160 hits, 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 89 runs scored in 152 games last season. As a result, Reynolds is concerned about how New York can replace this production for a player who fits well playing in Yankee Stadium. On Jan. 19, Reynolds expressed concern that New York could move on from Bellinger, as the two sides don’t seem willing to budge on their respective positions. “I don’t like to tell people how to spend their money, but I think he’s worth the money,” Reynolds said on MLB Network. “For that club and all the things that he does and he brings, I know you don’t get in a bidding war and get stupid with money, but I wouldn’t shut it down… I don’t know what to look at or what to take. But I am telling you right now, the Yankees will not be the same team without this guy. “He couldn’t have had it go any better with Bregman going to Chicago and the doors that opened up a little bit with Bichette signing as well. So now he’s got the Yankees, the Mets, the Blue Jays all knocking on his door. I may be leaving out one other team, but those three teams right there all could use him because he could impact that club.”Yankees Could Be Ready to Move on From Cody BellingerReynolds’ concern over the Yankees’ potential decision regarding Bellinger probably stems from a report by The Athletic’s Brendan Kuty, who covers the Yankees and provided new information on the free-agent outfielder. “As the Yankees wait for Bellinger, they have turned their attention to the trade market, so they’re ready to move on from him if they find a deal to their liking, or are prepared to pivot should he sign elsewhere,” Kuty wrote in his article that was published on Jan. 18.It will be interesting to see if another team, like the New York Mets or Toronto Blue Jays, swoops in and lands the player, and how the Yankees could replace the player should this happen.Yankees’ Contract Stance With Cody BellingerMoreover, Kuty also revealed the latest on the contract, what the Yankees are willing to offer Bellinger, as both sides play hardball.“The Athletic has since learned, via a league source who has been briefed on the ongoing talks, that the Yankees would be willing to include opt-outs after Year 2 and Year 3 of the five-year deal,” Kuty wrote.“That’s in addition to a signing bonus, which the New York Post’s Jon Heyman first reported. At the time of the Yankees’ latest offer, Bellinger’s camp had been pushing for a deal with seven years and a higher average annual value (than $31 million to $32 million), and it appears they haven’t moved off the request.” Like Heavy Sports's content? Be sure to follow us. This article was originally published on Heavy SportsThe post Yankees Get Major Cody Bellinger Warning Amid Latest News appeared first on Heavy Sports.