Chiefs News 1/28: Finalists to design new Chiefs stadium named

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Chiefs announce 2 finalists to design new $3 billion stadium in Wyandotte County | KSHB

“We’re thrilled to take this next step in our new stadium journey and announce the two finalists in our search for

lead designer,” Chiefs President Mark Donovan said in a news release Tuesday.

Manica got its start when David Manica left Kansas City-based HOK Sport (now named Populous) to open his own firm in 2007. The firm has since grown to design Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, the new Nissan Stadium in Nashville and Chase Center in San Francisco, among other designs globally.

Kansas City-based Populous has been a global leader in sports facility design for decades. Its most recent projects include the new Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and Kai Tak Sports Park in Hong Kong.

“The Kansas City region is the central hub of global sports and entertainment venue architecture and design, so we didn’t need to go far to identify the top options to explore final concepts for the future home of Chiefs Kingdom,” Donovan said.

Will Eric Bieniemy call plays for the Kansas City Chiefs? Not so fast | Kansas City Star

On Monday afternoon, Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid met with reporters to discuss the rehiring of Eric Bieniemy as offensive coordinator.

During the 20-minute Zoom session, Reid sounded enthusiastic to have Bieniemy back in the fold while also praising Matt Nagy, who the team officially said goodbye to last week.

Reid has long preferred spearheading the offense, which is why the club and Nagy agreed to part ways. If Nagy doesn’t land a head-coaching opportunity, the message has been that he would like to find a play-calling role elsewhere.

That means that even with Bieniemy returning, nothing is expected to change from a play-calling standpoint.

Patrick Mahomes’ Historic Off-Field Decision to Create New Opportunities for Athletes | Althon Sports

While rehabbing, Mahomes made history by becoming the first non-golf Adidas athlete to launch his own golf line. The move comes as part of a contract extension with Adidas, the brand he has been aligned with since turning pro in 2017. Instead of a simple endorsement, this is a true brand collaboration.

The plan is to start small, with limited product releases designed to test demand and grow naturally. Mahomes is not just lending his name. He is helping shape the direction. For Adidas, he represents proof that athletes do not have to stay locked inside one lane. For Mahomes, it is a chance to turn a genuine passion into something bigger.

Early 2026 breakout candidates for every NFL team | PFF

Kansas City Chiefs: CB Nohl Williams

Jaylen Watson and Joshua Williams are both set to be free agents this offseason, which could open the door for some cornerback competition in Kansas City. Of course, the Chiefs seem to have found another productive defensive back in 2025 third-round pick Nohl Williams. The rookie out of California earned a solid 75.6 PFF coverage grade this season while breaking up four passes. He should have every opportunity to earn a starting role in 2026.

Around the NFL

Bills promote OC Joe Brady to be next head coach | NFL.com

After searching far and wide for their next coach, the Buffalo Bills are promoting from within.

Buffalo on Tuesday promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady as the club’s next head coach, the team announced.

Brady’s ascension to the top role in Western New York was first reported by NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport, Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero.

The 36-year-old Brady received a five-year contract in taking his new position, per the team.

Garafolo reports that Brady will continue to call offensive plays, which maintains continuity and familiarity between the Bills’ most important asset in quarterback Josh Allen and his top-ranking coach.

Brady has served as OC in Buffalo over the last two and a half seasons, rising to the job after Ken Dorsey was fired during the 2023 season. Brady’s impact was almost instantly visible: He finally committed to running the ball in a more traditional style, balancing Buffalo’s offense, opening the door for James Cook to break out for three-straight 1,000-yard rushing seasons and also — perhaps crucially — taking some of the responsibility off Allen’s shoulders.

Titans hire former Giants HC Brian Daboll as offensive coordinator | NFL.com

Daboll might not have been made for the big chair, but he can coach an offense. In his final two years in Buffalo, the Bills boasted a top-five offense. He’s also schemed the run game well, which should help Ward. In 12 seasons as an NFL OC or head coach, the offenses he was part of finished in the top 10 in rushing yards seven times.

Getting an experienced play-caller was essential for the Titans, particularly after the Brian Callahan debacle. Ward showed flashes of a budding star, but inconsistencies led to a rocky first campaign with Callahan, prior to the coach’s firing. Daboll is now tasked with smoothing out the terrain and taking Ward to the next level.

Sources: Bill Belichick will not be a first-ballot Hall of Famer | ESPN

Bill Belichick, the eight-time Super Bowl-winning coach, is not a first-ballot Hall of Famer.

In voting earlier this month, Belichick fell short of the 40 out of 50 votes needed for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his first year of eligibility, four sources with firsthand knowledge of the outcome told ESPN. Belichick received a call from a Hall representative last Friday afternoon with the news that he won’t be inducted into the Hall in Canton, Ohio, this summer.

Several sources who spoke with the coach over the weekend described Belichick as “puzzled” and “disappointed” by his inability to secure support from at least 80% of Hall committee members.

“Six Super Bowls isn’t enough?” Belichick asked an associate, referring to the championships he won as head coach of the New England Patriots. He won two more as defensive coordinator of the New York Giants. To another associate, he said, “What does a guy have to do?”

In case you missed it on Arrowhead Pride

3 Lessons from Conference Championship Weekend to remember

2. Size at the boundary cornerback is important

The Seattle Seahawks’ passing offense was in rhythm all game against the Los Angeles Rams. A lot of the success came from picking on the Rams’ weak outside cornerbacks. The undersized group traditionally plays zone coverage to try to limit explosives.

However, because their cornerbacks are small, big wide receivers can succeed by playing physical and getting the Rams cornerbacks out of position. The Rams will cede space underneath, so if a receiver can use his physicality for a legal shove to create separation, it makes a completion much more likely because the defender won’t be able to stay with the receiver and contest the ball.

On Sunday, the Seahawks didn’t have the best time in the secondary, largely because they faced wide receivers Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. In all their other games, Seattle’s big cornerbacks – Tariq Woolen, Devon Witherspoon, and Josh Jobe – physically dominate opponents. Denver has Patrick Surtain II. The Patriots’ defense is built on man coverage with big cornerbacks such as Carlton Davis and Christian Gonzalez.

It’s hard to get stops in the playoffs if you have no counter to big receivers, and the Rams — who were an elite team capable of winning the Super Bowl — are feeling that now.