2021 NFL season explained

Year:	2021
Nflchampion:	Los Angeles Rams
Afcchampion:	Cincinnati Bengals
Nfcchampion:	Los Angeles Rams
Regular Season:	–
Playoffs Start:	January 15, 2022
Sb Name:	LVI
Sb Date:	February 13, 2022
Sb Site:	SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, California
Pb Date:	February 6, 2022
Pb Site:	Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada

The 2021 NFL season was the 102nd season of the National Football League (NFL). The season was the first to feature a 17-game regular season schedule as the league expanded the season from 16 games.^[1] The regular season started on September 9, 2021, with defending Super Bowl LV champion Tampa Bay defeating Dallas in the NFL Kickoff Game. The regular season ended on January 9, 2022. The playoffs started on January 15 and concluded with Super Bowl LVI, the league's championship game, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, on February 13, with the Los Angeles Rams defeating Cincinnati.

Player movement

The 2021 NFL league year and trading period began on March 17. On March 15, teams were allowed to exercise options for 2021 on players with option clauses in their contracts, submit qualifying offers to their pending restricted free agents, and submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2020 contracts and fewer than three accrued seasons of free agent credit. Teams were required to be under the salary cap using the "top 51" definition (in which the 51 highest paid-players on the team's payroll must have a combined salary cap). On March 17, clubs were allowed to contact and begin contract negotiations with players whose contracts had expired and thus became unrestricted free agents.

Free agency

Free agency began on March 17. Notable players to change teams included:

• Quarterbacks Andy Dalton (Dallas to Chicago), Ryan Fitzpatrick (Miami to Washington), and Mitchell Trubisky (Chicago to Buffalo)
• Running backs Matt Breida (Miami to Buffalo), Tevin Coleman (San Francisco to New York Jets), James Conner (Pittsburgh to Arizona), Kenyan Drake (Arizona to Las Vegas), Wayne Gallman (New York Giants to San Francisco), Mark Ingram II (Baltimore to Houston), Phillip Lindsay (Denver to Houston), and Damien Williams (Kansas City to Chicago)
• Wide receivers Nelson Agholor (Las Vegas to New England), John Brown (Buffalo to Las Vegas), Corey Davis (Tennessee to New York Jets), Will Fuller (Houston to Miami), A. J. Green (Cincinnati to Arizona), Kenny Golladay (Detroit to New York Giants), Marvin Jones (Detroit to Jacksonville), Cordarrelle Patterson (Chicago to Atlanta), Curtis Samuel (Carolina to Washington), Emmanuel Sanders (New Orleans to Buffalo), and Sammy Watkins (Kansas City to Baltimore)
• Tight ends Jared Cook (New Orleans to Los Angeles Chargers), Hunter Henry (Los Angeles Chargers to New England), Kyle Rudolph (Minnesota to New York Giants), and Jonnu Smith (Tennessee to New England)
• Offensive linemen Pat Elflein (New York Jets to Carolina), Matt Feiler (Pittsburgh to Los Angeles Chargers), Eric Fisher (Kansas City to Indianapolis), Ted Karras (Miami to New England), Corey Linsley (Green Bay to Los Angeles Chargers), Alex Mack (Atlanta to San Francisco), Riley Reiff (Minnesota to Cincinnati), Joe Thuney (New England to Kansas City), Trai Turner (Los Angeles Chargers to Pittsburgh), Alejandro Villanueva (Pittsburgh to Baltimore), and Kevin Zeitler (New York Giants to Baltimore)
• Defensive linemen Jadeveon Clowney (Tennessee to Cleveland), Maliek Collins (Las Vegas to Houston), Trey Hendrickson (New Orleans to Cincinnati), Justin Houston (Indianapolis to Baltimore), Melvin Ingram (Los Angeles Chargers to Pittsburgh), Malik Jackson (Philadelphia to Cleveland), Carl Lawson (Cincinnati to New York Jets), Yannick Ngakoue (Baltimore to Las Vegas), Aldon Smith (Dallas to Seattle), Solomon Thomas (San Francisco to Las Vegas), Dalvin Tomlinson (New York Giants to Minnesota), Carlos Watkins (Houston to Dallas), and J. J. Watt (Houston to Arizona)
• Linebackers Jeremiah Attaochu (Denver to Chicago), Bud Dupree (Pittsburgh to Tennessee), Samson Ebukam (Los Angeles Rams to San Francisco), Kamu Grugier-Hill (Miami to Houston), Matthew Judon (Baltimore to New England), Christian Kirksey (Green Bay to Houston), Keanu Neal (Atlanta to Dallas), Kyle Van Noy (Miami to New England), Denzel Perryman (Los Angeles Chargers to Carolina), Haason Reddick (Arizona to Carolina) and Nick Vigil (Los Angeles Chargers to Minnesota)
• Defensive backs Chidobe Awuzie (Dallas to Cincinnati), A. J. Bouye (Denver to Carolina), Justin Coleman (Detroit to Miami), Ronald Darby (Washington to Denver), Kyle Fuller (Chicago to Denver), Shaquill Griffin (Seattle to Jacksonville), Troy Hill (Los Angeles Rams to Cleveland), Mike Hilton (Pittsburgh to Cincinnati), Malik Hooker (Indianapolis to Dallas), Adoree Jackson (Tennessee to New York Giants), William Jackson III (Cincinnati to Washington), Janoris Jenkins (New Orleans to Tennessee), Rayshawn Jenkins (Los Angeles Chargers to Jacksonville), John Johnson (Los Angeles Rams to Cleveland), Lamarcus Joyner (Las Vegas to New York Jets), Damontae Kazee (Atlanta to Dallas), Desmond King (Tennessee to Houston), Jalen Mills (Philadelphia to New England), and Patrick Peterson (Arizona to Minnesota)
• Kicker Matt Prater (Detroit to Arizona)
• Punters Matt Haack (Miami to Buffalo) and Cameron Johnston (Philadelphia to Houston)

Trades

The following notable trades were made during the 2021 league year:

• March 17: Detroit traded QB Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for QB Jared Goff, a 2021 third-round selection (No. 101), a 2022 first-round selection, and a 2023 first-round selection.^[2]
• March 17: Philadelphia traded QB Carson Wentz to Indianapolis in exchange for a 2021 third-round selection and a conditional 2022 second-round selection.^[3]
• March 17: Las Vegas traded C Rodney Hudson and 2021 seventh-round selection to Arizona in exchange for a 2021 third-round selection.^[4]
• March 17: New England traded OT Marcus Cannon and 2021 fifth- and sixth-round selections to Houston in exchange for 2021 fourth- and sixth-round selections.^[5]
• March 17: Houston traded LB Benardrick McKinney and a 2021 seventh-round selection to Miami in exchange for DE Shaq Lawson and a 2021 sixth-round selection.^[6]
• March 17: Las Vegas traded OT Trent Brown and a 2021 fifth-round selection to New England in exchange for a 2021 seventh-round selection.^[7]
• April 5: The New York Jets traded QB Sam Darnold to Carolina in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round selection and 2022 second- and fourth-round selections.^[8]
• April 23: Baltimore traded OT Orlando Brown Jr., a 2021 second-round selection, and a 2022 sixth-round selection to Kansas City for 2021 first, third, and fourth-round selections and a 2022 fifth-round selection.^[9]
• April 28: Carolina traded QB Teddy Bridgewater to Denver in exchange for a 2021 sixth-round selection.^[10]
• May 18: Philadelphia traded CB Jameson Houston and a 2023 sixth-round selection to Jacksonville in exchange for CB Josiah Scott.^[11]
• June 6: Atlanta traded WR Julio Jones and a 2023 sixth-round selection to Tennessee in exchange for a 2022 second-round selection and a 2023 fourth-round selection.^[12]
• July 28: Houston traded WR Randall Cobb to Green Bay in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round selection.^[13]
• August 12: Jacksonville traded LB Joe Schobert to Pittsburgh in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round selection.^[14]
• August 17: Green Bay traded CB Josh Jackson to the New York Giants in exchange for CB Isaac Yiadom.^[15]
• August 30: Cincinnati traded C Billy Price to the New York Giants in exchange for DT B. J. Hill.^[16]
• August 31: Baltimore traded G Ben Bredeson and a 2022 fifth-round selection to the New York Giants in exchange for a 2022 fourth-round selection and a 2023 seventh-round selection.^[17]
• August 31: The New York Jets traded TE Chris Herndon and a 2022 sixth-round selection to Minnesota in exchange for a 2022 fourth-round selection.^[18]
• September 8: Houston traded CB Bradley Roby to New Orleans in exchange for a 2022 third-round selection and a conditional 2023 sixth-round selection.^[19]
• September 27: Jacksonville traded CB C. J. Henderson and a 2022 fifth-round selection to Carolina in exchange for TE Dan Arnold and a 2022 third-round selection.^[20]
• October 6: New England traded CB Stephon Gilmore to Carolina in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round selection.^[21]
• October 15: Philadelphia traded TE Zach Ertz to Arizona in exchange for CB Tay Gowan and a 2022 fifth-round selection.^[22]
• October 27: Houston traded RB Mark Ingram II to New Orleans in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round selection.^[23]
• November 1: Denver traded LB Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for 2022 second- and third-round selections.^[24]
• November 2: Pittsburgh traded LB Melvin Ingram to Kansas City in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round selection.^[25]
• November 2: Kansas City traded G Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to the New York Jets in exchange for TE Daniel Brown.^[26]

Retirements

Notable retirements

• QB Drew Brees – Thirteen-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro (one first-team, four second-team), two-time Offensive Player of the Year (2008 and 2011), Super Bowl XLIV champion and MVP, 2004 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and 2006 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Played for the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans during his 20-year career.^{[27] [28]}
• DE Jurrell Casey – Five-time Pro Bowler and one-time second-team All-Pro. Played for Tennessee and Denver during his 10-year career.^[29]
• WR Julian Edelman – Three-time Super Bowl champion (XLIX, LI, and LIII) and Super Bowl LIII MVP. Played for New England during his entire 12-year career.^[30]
• LB Tamba Hali – Six-time Pro Bowler and two-time second-team All-Pro. Played for Kansas City during his entire 12-year career.^[31]
• G Mike Iupati – Four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro (one first-team, one second-team). Played for San Francisco, Arizona, and Seattle during his 11-year career.^[32]
• RB LeSean McCoy – Six-time Pro Bowler, two-time first-team All-Pro, and two-time Super Bowl champion (LIV and LV). Played for Philadelphia, Buffalo, Kansas City and Tampa Bay during his 12-year career.^[33]
• C Maurkice Pouncey – Nine-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro (three first-team, two second-team). Played for Pittsburgh during his entire 11-year career.^[34]
• C Mike Pouncey – Four-time Pro Bowler. Played for Miami and the Los Angeles Chargers during his 10-year career.^[34]
• QB Philip Rivers – Eight-time Pro Bowler and 2013 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Played for the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers and Indianapolis during his 17-year career.^[35]
• WR Demaryius Thomas – Five-time Pro Bowler, two-time second-team All-Pro, and Super Bowl 50 champion. Played for Denver, Houston, New England, and the New York Jets during his 10-year career.^[36]
• K Adam Vinatieri – Three-time Pro Bowler, three-time first-team All-Pro, four-time Super Bowl champion (XXXVI, XXXVIII, XXXIX, and XLI), and the NFL's all-time leading scorer. Played for New England and Indianapolis during his 24-year career.^[37]
• TE Jason Witten – Eleven-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro (two first-team, two second-team), and 2012 Walter Payton Man of the Year. Played for Dallas and Las Vegas during his 17-year career.^[38]

Other retirements

Draft

The 2021 NFL draft was held in Cleveland from April 29 to May 1.^[39] Jacksonville, by virtue of having the worst record in, held the first overall selection and selected QB Trevor Lawrence out of Clemson.^[40]

Officiating changes

The NFL hired Maia Chaka as its second female official (joining Sarah Thomas) and first African-American female official.^[41]

NFL Senior Vice President of Officiating Alberto Riveron retired, leaving two other senior vice presidents, Walt Anderson and Perry Fewell, to co-head the NFL's officiating department.^{[42] [43]} Without Riveron, multiple people in the officiating department will be making the final decisions over replay reviews instead of a single person.^[44]

Replay official Carl Madsen died on October 24. He was in his 12th season as a replay official, after an extended career as an on-field official.^[45]

The following officials were hired:

• Chad Adams (Replay Official)
• Maia Chaka (Line Judge)

Rule changes

The following rule changes were approved at the NFL Owner's Meeting on April 21:^[46]

• The jersey numbering system was modified as follows:^[47]
  • Running backs, tight ends, and wide receivers can wear 1–49 and 80–89
  • Defensive backs can wear 1–49
  • Linebackers can wear 1–59 and 90–99
  • The following remained unchanged: offensive linemen (50–79); defensive linemen (50–79, 90–99); and quarterbacks, punters, and kickers (1–19).
  • Per the league's existing rules, any player who changed his number this season was required to buy out the inventory of his existing jersey before the change was made. A player who intends to change his number for the 2022 season can do so without cost.
• Overtime in preseason games was eliminated. This was the first season since in which overtime was not used in the preseason.^[48]
• All accepted penalties by either team during consecutive extra point or two-point conversion attempts are to be enforced.^[49]
• The penalty for a second forward pass from behind the line of scrimmage and for a pass thrown after the ball returns behind the line will now include a loss of down.^[50]
• During kickoffs, the receiving team may have no more than nine players in the "set-up zone" (the area between 10 and 25 yards from the kickoff spot).^[51]
• An expansion of the booth-to-official communication on replays, allowing replay officials to advise on "specific, objective aspects of a play when clear and obvious video evidence is present and/or to address game administration issues."^[46]

COVID-19 protocols

The league introduced COVID-19 protocols intended to encourage vaccination among players, coaches, and staff. On July 22, the NFL sent a memo warning teams that if a game that had been postponed due to COVID-19 outbreaks among unvaccinated players could not be rescheduled within the 18-week season schedule, the team responsible for the outbreak would be charged with a loss by forfeit, and be responsible for financial compensation to the other team, since teams typically do not get paid for cancelled games.^[52] On July 24, it was reported that the league will fine players $14,650 for each violation of COVID-19 protocol if they are unvaccinated.^[53]

On July 23, the league announced the following temporary rules for would remain in place for 2021, allowing roster flexibility due to uncertainty regarding the pandemic.

• A player on injured reserve could return after missing three games, instead of the normal eight.
• Teams could return an unlimited number of players from injured reserve throughout the year, instead of the normal limit of three.
• Practice squads could include up to 16 players for each team, up from 12.
• After 4:00 p.m. ET on the Tuesday of a game week, a team could designate up to four practice squad players as "protected", meaning they are not allowed to sign with another team until after their current team plays its next game.
• Up to two practice squad players could be elevated to the active roster each game week without removing any current players, 4:00 p.m. ET the day before a game.^[54]

On August 30, the league and the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) agreed to COVID testing protocols for the season. Fully vaccinated players were tested at least once per week and could opt for additional testing. Like in 2020, unvaccinated players were tested every day during the regular season and postseason except game days.^[55]

2021 deaths

Pro Football Hall of Fame members

Curley Culp

Culp played 14 NFL seasons at defensive tackle for Kansas City, the Houston Oilers, and Detroit, winning Super Bowl IV with Kansas City. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. He died on November 27, age 75.^[56]

Sam Huff

Huff played 13 seasons in the NFL as a linebacker with the New York Giants and Washington, and was inducted into the Hall in 1982. He died November 13, age 87.^[57]

Claude Humphrey

Humphrey played 14 seasons in the NFL as a defensive end with Atlanta and Philadelphia, and was inducted into the Hall in 2014. He died on December 3, age 77.^[58]

Floyd Little

Little spent all nine seasons in the NFL as a running back with Denver and was inducted into the Hall in 2010. He died January 1, age 78.^[59]

John Madden

Madden coached Oakland for 10 seasons, winning Super Bowl XI. He was inducted into the Hall in 2006. He died December 28, age 85.^[60]

Mick Tingelhoff

Tingelhoff spent all 17 seasons in the NFL as a center with Minnesota and was inducted into the Hall in 2015. He died September 11, age 81.^[61]

Others

Preseason

Training camps were held from late July through August.

The Pro Football Hall of Fame Game was played on August 5, as Pittsburgh defeated Dallas. The two teams were previously scheduled to play the 2020 game before it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[62]

Corresponding with the expansion of the regular season to 17 games, the preseason was reduced to three games per team.^[1] NFC teams each hosted two preseason games and AFC teams each hosted one.^[63] There was a league-wide bye week the weekend of September 4–5, between the final preseason game and the start of the regular season.

The August 28 game between Arizona and New Orleans was canceled due to Hurricane Ida.^[64] This was only the second time severe weather canceled a preseason game (a 2017 Dallas–Houston game was canceled due to Hurricane Harvey).^[65]

Regular season

The NFL released its regular season schedule on May 12.^[66] The season was played over an 18-week schedule beginning on September 9. Each of the league's 32 teams plays 17 games, with one bye week for each team. The regular season concluded on January 9, 2022; all games during the final weekend were intra-division games, as it has been since .

The 2020 collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed by team owners and the NFLPA allowed for an expansion of the regular season from 16 to 17 games. On March 30, 2021, owners approved the expanded schedule.^[1] The extra game was added to the existing scheduling formula. Each team continues to play the other three teams in its own division twice, one game against each of the four teams from a division in its own conference, one game against each of the four teams from a division in the other conference, and one game against each of the remaining two teams in its conference that finished in the same position in their respective divisions the previous season (e.g., the team that finished fourth in its division would play all three other teams in its conference that also finished fourth in their divisions).

The added game is a fifth interconference matchup between divisions that had played each other two years earlier, based on the position in their respective divisions the previous season (e.g. the team that finished fourth in its division plays a club that finished fourth in a division of the other conference). AFC teams host the extra game in odd-numbered years, including 2021, with NFC teams getting the extra home game in even-numbered years.^{[67] [68]}

The division pairings for 2021 are as follows:

Four intra-conference games AFC East vs AFC South AFC North vs AFC West NFC East vs NFC South NFC West vs NFC North

Four inter-conference games AFC East vs NFC South AFC North vs NFC North AFC South vs NFC West AFC West vs NFC East

Added game NFC East at AFC East NFC West at AFC North NFC South at AFC South NFC North at AFC West

Highlights of the 2021 season include:

• NFL Kickoff Game

The 2021 season began with the Kickoff Game on Thursday, September 9 with Dallas at defending Super Bowl LV champion Tampa Bay .^[69] Tampa Bay won the game.

• NFL London Games

Two games were played at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London in 2021: New York Jets at Atlanta on October 10 and Miami at Jacksonville on October 17, with Atlanta and Jacksonville winning. The games started at 9:30 am EDT (2:30 pm BST).^[70] These games marked the return to international play after previous season's international games were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting overseas travel restrictions.

• Thanksgiving

As has been the case since, three games were scheduled for Thursday, November 25: Chicago at Detroit and Las Vegas at Dallas in the traditional daytime doubleheader, and Buffalo at New Orleans for the nightcap,^[71] with Chicago, Las Vegas, and Buffalo winning.

• Christmas Day

Two games were scheduled for Christmas Day, which landed on a Saturday in 2021: Cleveland at Green Bay as a late-afternoon game, and Indianapolis at Arizona in primetime, with Green Bay and Indianapolis winning.

Scheduling changes

This section lists games that were moved or canceled because of severe weather, COVID-19 outbreaks, by way of flexible scheduling, or for other reasons, including games that were moved to Saturday. When the entire season schedule was released on May 12, the league announced that in Weeks 15 and 18, two games would be moved to their respective Saturdays.

• Week 1: Due to damage caused by Hurricane Ida in the New Orleans metropolitan area, the Green Bay–New Orleans game was moved to Jacksonville's TIAA Bank Field.^[72]
• Week 12: The Atlanta–Jacksonville game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, was cross-flexed to Fox, remaining at 1:00.
• Week 13:

• The Denver–Kansas City game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, was flexed into NBC Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET, replacing the originally scheduled San Francisco–Seattle game, which was flexed to 4:25 p.m. on CBS.

• The Los Angeles Chargers–Cincinnati game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was cross-flexed to CBS, remaining at 1:00.

• The Jacksonville–Los Angeles Rams game, originally scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS was flexed to 4:05 p.m. ET on Fox.
• Week 14:

• The New Orleans–New York Jets game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was cross-flexed to CBS, remaining at 1:00.^[73]

• The San Francisco–Cincinnati game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, was flexed to 4:25 p.m ET, still on CBS.^[73]
• Week 15:

• On November 23, the NFL announced that two games would be moved to Saturday, December 18: Las Vegas–Cleveland at 4:30 p.m. ET and New England–Indianapolis at 8:15 p.m. ET, both exclusively on the NFL Network (though the Las Vegas-Cleveland game was later moved to Monday, December 20 due to a COVID-19 outbreak among Cleveland players^[74]). The three other games that the league had the option of scheduling on Saturday (Carolina–Buffalo, New York Jets–Miami, and Washington–Philadelphia), remained on Sunday, December 19 (though the Washington-Philadelphia game was delayed to Tuesday, December 21 due to a COVID-19 outbreak by Washington).^[75]

• The Green Bay–Baltimore game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was flexed to 4:25 p.m ET, still on Fox.^[73]

• The Las Vegas–Cleveland game, originally scheduled for Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET, was moved to Monday at 5:00 PM ET, remaining on the NFL Network, due to an outbreak of COVID-19 among Cleveland.^[76]

• The Philadelphia–Washington game, originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was moved to Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. ET, remaining on Fox, due to an outbreak of COVID-19 among Washington.^[76]

• The Los Angeles Rams–Seattle game, originally scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox, was moved to Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. ET, remaining on Fox, due to an outbreak of COVID-19 among Los Angeles.^[76]
• Week 17:

• The Los Angeles Rams–Baltimore game, originally scheduled at 4:25 p.m. ET on Fox, was flexed to 1:00 p.m. ET, still on Fox.^[77]

• The Carolina–New Orleans game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was flexed to 4:25 p.m ET, still on Fox.^[77]

• The Arizona–Dallas game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was flexed to 4:25 p.m. ET, still on Fox.^[78]

• The Las Vegas–Indianapolis game, originally scheduled at 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, was cross-flexed to Fox, remaining at 1:00.^[78]
• Week 18:

• For the first time in league history, two games with playoff implications were moved to the last Saturday of the regular season. This move was announced at the same time as the final Sunday Night Football game on January 2, 2022.^{[79] [80] [81]} The Kansas City–Denver game, originally scheduled for Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS, was moved to Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN, and the Dallas–Philadelphia game, originally scheduled for Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was moved to Saturday at 8:15 p.m. ET, on ABC/ESPN.^[82]

• The Los Angeles Chargers–Las Vegas game, originally scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS, was flexed into NBC Sunday Night Football at 8:20 p.m. ET.^[82]

• The Cincinnati–Cleveland game, originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, was cross-flexed to Fox, remaining at 1:00.^[82]

• The New England–Miami game, originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, was flexed to 4:25 p.m. ET, still on CBS.^[82]

• The New York Jets–Buffalo game, originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on CBS, was flexed to 4:25 p.m. ET, still on CBS.^[82]

• The New Orleans–Atlanta game, originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was flexed to 4:25 p.m. ET, still on Fox.^[82]

• The Carolina–Tampa Bay game, originally scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET on Fox, was cross-flexed to 4:25 p.m. ET on CBS.^[82]

Regular season standings

Conference

Postseason

See main article: 2021–22 NFL playoffs. The 2021 playoffs began with the wild-card round, with three Wild Card games played in each conference. Wild card weekend took place from January 15–17, 2022. This marks the first time that the wild card games were played over three consecutive days. Two games were played on Saturday, three on Sunday, and one on Monday night,^[83] marking the first Monday playoff game since .

In the divisional round, which was played on the weekend of January 22–23, the top seed in the conference played the lowest remaining seed and the other two remaining teams will play each other. The winners of those games advanced to the Conference Championships, which were played on January 30.^[84]

Super Bowl LVI was held on February 13 at 6:30 p.m. EST on NBC at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.^[84]

Bracket

Records, milestones, and notable statistics

Week 1

• Tom Brady became the first player to start 300 career games at any position.^[85]
• Jameis Winston passed for 145 yards and five touchdowns, setting the record for fewest passing yards in a game with at least five passing touchdowns. The previous record of 158 yards was held by Eddie LeBaron.^[86]

Week 2

• Julio Jones became the fastest player to reach 13,000 receiving yards, doing so in 137 games. The previous record of 154 games was held by Jerry Rice.^[87]
• Aaron Rodgers passed John Elway for tenth place on the all-time passing yards list.^[88]
• Travis Kelce became the fastest tight end to reach 8,000 receiving yards, doing so in 113 games. The previous record of 120 contests was held by Rob Gronkowski.^[89]

Week 3

• Justin Tucker set the NFL record for longest field goal with a 66-yard kick. The previous record of 64 yards was held by Matt Prater.^[90]
• Jamal Agnew tied the record for the longest play with a 109-yard return of a missed field goal for a touchdown. The record is now shared with Antonio Cromartie and Cordarrelle Patterson.^[91]
• Tom Brady became the second player to record 80,000 passing yards, joining Drew Brees.^[92]
• Brady became the most-sacked quarterback in NFL history, breaking Brett Favre's record of 525 times sacked.
• Matt Ryan became the 10th player to record 350 passing touchdowns.^[93]
• Patrick Mahomes became the fastest player to reach 15,000 career passing yards, doing so in 49 games. The previous record of 53 games was held by Matthew Stafford.

Week 4

• Ben Roethlisberger became the eighth player to record 400 passing touchdowns.^[94]
• Roethlisberger passed Dan Marino for sixth place on the all-time passing yards list.^[94]
• Russell Wilson became the 18th quarterback to win 100 career starts.^[95]
• Tom Brady became the NFL's all-time passing yards leader, breaking Drew Brees' record of 80,358 yards.^[96]
• Brady became the fourth quarterback to defeat all 32 teams, joining Brees, Brett Favre, and Peyton Manning.^[97]
• Patrick Mahomes set the records for most passing yards and passing touchdowns in a player's first 50 games with 15,348 and 125, respectively. The previous record of 14,372 yards was held by Kurt Warner. The previous record of 116 touchdowns was held by Marino.^{[98] [99]}
• Andy Reid became the first head coach to win 100 games (regular season and playoffs combined) with two different franchises.^[100]
• The Baltimore Ravens had at least 100 rushing yards for the 43rd straight game, tying the 1974–77 Pittsburgh Steelers for the most consecutive such games.^[101]

Week 5

• Antonio Brown became the fastest player to reach 900 career receptions, doing so in 143 games. The previous record of 149 games was held by Marvin Harrison.^[102]
• Aaron Rodgers passed Dan Marino and Philip Rivers for fifth place on the all-time touchdown passes list.^[103]
• Matt Ryan passed Eli Manning for eight place on the all-time passing yards list.^[104]
• Ryan became the seventh player to reach 5,000 career completions.^[105]
• The Cleveland Browns became the first team in NFL history to lose a game despite scoring 40 or more points and not turning the ball over. Teams with 40-plus points and no turnovers had previously been 442–0.^[106]
• League-wide, kickers missed 13 point-after-touchdown attempts, breaking the record for a single week. The previous record of 12 misses was set in week 11 of the season.^[107]

Week 6

• Lamar Jackson set the record for most wins by a starting quarterback before his 25th birthday with his 35th win. The previous record of 34 wins was held by Dan Marino.^[108]

Week 7

• Tom Brady became the first player to record 600 career passing touchdowns.^[109]
• Matthew Stafford became the 13th player to record 300 career passing touchdowns.^[110]

Week 8

• Tom Brady became the second player to complete 7,000 career passes, joining Drew Brees.
• Brady set the record for most games with at least three touchdown passes and most games with at least four touchdown passes with 98 and 38, respectively. Both records were previously held by Brees.^[111]
• Mike White set the record for most completions in a first career start with 37.^[112]

Week 10

• Bill Belichick became the fourth head coach to win at least 250 games with one team, joining George Halas, Don Shula, and Tom Landry.^[113]
• The Tennessee Titans became the second team to win five consecutive games over teams who made the playoffs the previous season, joining the 2003 Philadelphia Eagles.^[114]

Week 11

• Jonathan Taylor tied the record for most consecutive games with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown with eight. He shares the record with Lydell Mitchell and LaDainian Tomlinson.^[115]
• Christian McCaffrey became the fastest player to record 3,000 rushing yards and 3,000 receiving yards, doing so in 57 games. The previous record of 66 games was held by Alvin Kamara.^[116]
• Tom Brady became the first player to attempt 11,000 career passes.

Week 12

• Aaron Rodgers passed Philip Rivers for eighth on the all-time wins list for a starting quarterback, with 135.
• Keenan Allen tied the record for fastest player to reach 700 career receptions, doing so in 111 games. He shares the record with Antonio Brown.^[117]
• Tom Brady passed Ben Roethlisberger for the third most career game-winning drives with 51.^[118]
• Ben Roethlisberger passed Philip Rivers for fifth on the career pass completions list.^[119]

Week 13

• Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski passed Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates for second place on the list of most touchdowns by a passer-receiver duo, with 90.^[120]
• Adrian Peterson tied Jim Brown for tenth place on the most total touchdowns list, with 126.^[120]
• The Miami Dolphins became the second team in NFL history to win five straight games immediately following a losing streak of seven or more games, joining the 1994 New York Giants.^[120]

Week 14

• Tom Brady became the all-time pass completions leader, breaking Drew Brees' record of 7,142 completions.^[121]
• Brady became the first player to throw 700 passing touchdowns (regular season and playoffs combined).^[122]
• Brady with his 13th career 4,000-yard season, moved to second place in the most 4,000-yard seasons.^[123]
• Aaron Rodgers became the fifth player to throw at least 60 touchdown passes against a single opponent, doing so against the Chicago Bears.^[124]
• Justin Herbert became the first player to record 30 touchdown passes in each of his first two seasons.^[125]
• Herbert set the record for most pass completions by a player in his first two seasons. The previous record of 724 was held by Kyler Murray.^{[125] [126]}
• Josh Allen became the fourth player to pass for 300 yards and run for 100 yards in the same game, joining Lamar Jackson, Cam Newton, and Russell Wilson.^[127]

Week 15

• Ben Roethlisberger passed Philip Rivers for fifth place on the all-time passing yards list.^[128]
• Tom Brady became the first player to be selected to 15 Pro Bowls. He previously shared the record of 14 with four other players.^[129]

Week 16

• Justin Jefferson set the record for most receiving yards in a player's first two seasons, ultimately with 3,016. The previous record of 2,755 yards was held by Odell Beckham Jr.^[130]
• Joe Burrow passed for 525 yards, the fourth most passing yards by a player in a single game in NFL history.^[131]
• Josh Allen became the first player to record 100 passing touchdowns and 20 rushing touchdowns in his first four seasons.^[131]
• Dak Prescott became the first player to throw a touchdown pass to a running back, wide receiver, tight end, and offensive lineman in the same game.^[132]
• The Jacksonville-New York Jets game featured two touchdowns scored by offensive linemen. This marked the first time multiple touchdowns were scored by offensive linemen in the same game in NFL history.^[131]
• The Miami Dolphins became the first team in NFL history to win seven straight games immediately following a seven-game losing streak.^[133]

Week 17

• Ja'Marr Chase set the record for most receiving yards by a rookie in a single game, with 266. The previous record of 255 yards was held by Jerry Butler.^[134]
• Chase also set the record for receiving yards by a rookie in a season. The previous record of 1,400 yards was held by Justin Jefferson.^[135]
• Tom Brady became the second player to throw 40 touchdown passes in consecutive seasons, joining Drew Brees.^[135]
• Josh Allen became the first player to record 100 passing touchdowns and 30 rushing touchdowns in his first four seasons.^[135]
• Bill Belichick tied the record for most 10-win seasons by a head coach, with 20. He shares the record with Don Shula.^[135]
• Matt LaFleur won his 39th game as a head coach, setting a record for most wins by a head coach in his first three seasons. The previous record of 38 was held by George Seifert.^[135]

Week 18

• Travis Kelce became the fastest tight end in NFL history to reach 9,000 receiving yards, doing so in 127 games.^[136]
• Tom Brady broke the single season record for pass completions, with 485. The previous record of 471 was held by Drew Brees.^[137]
• Brady became the oldest player to lead the league in passing yards and passing touchdowns, at 44 years of age. Brady previously set both records at age 40.^[138]
• Brady also became the oldest player to pass for 5,000 yards in a single season, and joined Brees as the only quarterbacks in NFL history with multiple 5,000-yard seasons.^[139]
• T. J. Watt tied the record for most sacks in a season, with 22.5. He shares the record with Michael Strahan.^[140]
• Cooper Kupp became the fourth player in NFL history to lead the league in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns in the same season, joining Jerry Rice, Sterling Sharpe, and Steve Smith Sr.^[141]
• Jaylen Waddle set the record for most receptions by a rookie, with 104. The previous record of 101 was held by Anquan Boldin.^[140]
• Mike Evans became the first player in NFL history to have 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first eight seasons.^[140]
• Justin Herbert set the record for most touchdown passes in a player's first two seasons, with 69. The previous record of 68 was held by Dan Marino.^[140]
• Rob Gronkowski set the record for most games with 100 receiving yards by a tight end, with 32. The previous record of 31 was held by Tony Gonzalez.^[140]
• The Las Vegas Raiders set the record for most wins on the final play of a game, with six.^[142]

Wild Card Round

• The Buffalo Bills became the first team in NFL history to complete a game without any punts, turnovers, or field goal attempts.^[143]

Divisional Round

• Ja'Marr Chase became the first rookie to have multiple 100-yard receiving games in the postseason.^[144]
• Gabe Davis set the record for most receiving touchdowns in a playoff game, with four. The previous record of three was shared by 16 players.^{[145] [146]}
• Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes became the first opposing quarterbacks to each pass for at least 300 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, and rush for at least 50 yards in the same game.^[147]

Conference Championships:

• Evan McPherson tied the record for most playoff games with at least four field goals, with three. He shares the record with Adam Vinatieri.^[148]
• McPherson set the record for most field goals by a rookie in the playoffs, ultimately with 14. The previous record of 8 was held by Stephen Gostkowski.^[149]

Super Bowl LVI

• Evan McPherson tied the record for most field goals in a single postseason, with 14. He shares the record with Adam Vinatieri.^[150]
• Von Miller tied the record for most career sacks in the Super Bowl, with 4.5. He shares the record with Charles Haley.^[151]
• Sean McVay became the youngest head coach to ever win a Super Bowl, at 36 years, 20 days of age. The previous record of 36 years, 323 days was held by Mike Tomlin.^[152]
• The Los Angeles Rams tied the record for most sacks in a Super Bowl, with seven. They share the record with the 1975 Pittsburgh Steelers, 1985 Chicago Bears, and 2015 Denver Broncos.^[152]

Regular-season statistical leaders

Individual^[153]
Scoring leader	Nick Folk	New England	150
	Daniel Carlson	Las Vegas
Most field goals made	Daniel Carlson	Las Vegas	40
Touchdowns	Austin Ekeler	Los Angeles Chargers	20
	Jonathan Taylor	Indianapolis
Rushing yards	Jonathan Taylor	Indianapolis	1,811
Passing yards	Tom Brady	Tampa Bay	5,316
Passing touchdowns			43
Interceptions thrown	Matthew Stafford	Los Angeles Rams	17
	Trevor Lawrence	Jacksonville
Passer rating	Aaron Rodgers	Green Bay	111.9
Pass receptions	Cooper Kupp	Los Angeles Rams	145
Pass receiving yards			1,947
Combined tackles	Foye Oluokun	Atlanta	192
Interceptions	Trevon Diggs	Dallas	11
Punting	Cameron Johnston	Houston	4,108; avg 47.2
Sacks	T. J. Watt	Pittsburgh	22.5

Awards

Individual season awards

The 11th Annual NFL Honors, saluting the best players and plays from 2021 season, was held on February 10, 2022, at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California.

Award	Winner	Position	Team
		QB	Green Bay
		WR	Los Angeles Rams
		LB	Pittsburgh
		HC	Tennessee
		DC	Dallas
		WR
		LB	Dallas
		QB
		WR
		OT	Los Angeles Rams
PFWA NFL Executive of the Year		HC/GM	New England
		WR	Los Angeles Rams

All-Pro team

The following players were named First Team All-Pro by the Associated Press:

Offense QB Aaron Rodgers (Green Bay) RB Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis) WR Davante Adams (Green Bay) Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams) Deebo Samuel (San Francisco) TE Mark Andrews (Baltimore) LT Trent Williams (San Francisco) LG Joel Bitonio (Cleveland) C Jason Kelce (Philadelphia) RG Zack Martin (Dallas) RT Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay)

Defense DE T. J. Watt (Pittsburgh) Myles Garrett (Cleveland) DT Aaron Donald (Los Angeles Rams) Cameron Heyward (Pittsburgh) LB Micah Parsons (Dallas) Shaquille Leonard (Indianapolis) De'Vondre Campbell (Green Bay) CB Trevon Diggs (Dallas) Jalen Ramsey (Los Angeles Rams) S Kevin Byard (Tennessee) Jordan Poyer (Buffalo)

Special teams
K	Justin Tucker (Baltimore)
P	A. J. Cole (Las Vegas)
KR	Braxton Berrios (New York Jets)
PR	Devin Duvernay (Baltimore)
ST	J. T. Gray (New Orleans)
LS	Luke Rhodes (Indianapolis)

Players of the week/month

The following were named the top performers during the 2021 season:

Week/ Month	Offensive Player of the Week/Month		Defensive Player of the Week/Month		Special Teams Player of the Week/Month
	AFC	NFC	AFC	NFC	AFC	NFC
1^[154]	Patrick Mahomes QB (Kansas City)	Matthew Stafford QB (Los Angeles Rams)	Maxx Crosby DE (Las Vegas)	Chandler Jones LB (Arizona)	Evan McPherson K (Cincinnati)	Bradley Pinion P (Tampa Bay)
2^[155]	Derrick Henry RB (Tennessee)	Kyler Murray QB (Arizona)	Odafe Oweh LB (Baltimore)	Mike Edwards S (Tampa Bay)	Daniel Carlson K (Las Vegas)	Mitch Wishnowsky P (San Francisco)
3^[156]	Josh Allen QB (Buffalo)	Matthew Stafford QB (Los Angeles Rams)	Myles Garrett DE (Cleveland)	Byron Murphy CB (Arizona)	Justin Tucker K (Baltimore)	Mason Crosby K (Green Bay)
Sept.^[157]	Derek Carr QB (Las Vegas)	Cooper Kupp WR (Los Angeles Rams)	Von Miller LB (Denver)	Trevon Diggs CB (Dallas)	Jamal Agnew WR/KR (Jacksonville)	Mitch Wishnowsky P (San Francisco)
4^[158]	Joe Burrow QB (Cincinnati)	Daniel Jones QB (New York Giants)	Tremaine Edmunds LB (Buffalo)	Trevon Diggs CB (Dallas)	Rigoberto Sanchez P (Indianapolis)	DeAndre Carter WR/KR (Washington)
5^[159]	Lamar Jackson QB (Baltimore)	Tom Brady QB (Tampa Bay)	Gregory Rousseau DE (Buffalo)	Marshon Lattimore CB (New Orleans)	Nick Folk K (New England)	T. J. Edwards LB (Philadelphia)
6^[160]	Derrick Henry RB (Tennessee)	Dak Prescott QB (Dallas)	T. J. Watt LB (Pittsburgh)	Taylor Rapp S (Los Angeles Rams)	Matthew Wright K (Jacksonville)	Matt Prater K (Arizona)
7^[161]	Ja'Marr Chase WR (Cincinnati)	Alvin Kamara RB (New Orleans)	Yannick Ngakoue DE (Las Vegas)	Deion Jones LB (Atlanta)	Rigoberto Sanchez P (Indianapolis)	Graham Gano K (New York Giants)
8^[162]	Mike White QB (New York Jets)	Deebo Samuel WR (San Francisco)	Adrian Phillips S (New England)	Micah Parsons LB (Dallas)	Randy Bullock K (Tennessee)	Zane Gonzalez K (Carolina)
Oct.^[163]	Jonathan Taylor RB (Indianapolis)	Cooper Kupp WR (Los Angeles Rams)	Kevin Byard S (Tennessee)	De'Vondre Campbell LB (Green Bay)	Tyler Bass K (Buffalo)	Blake Gillikin P (New Orleans)
9^[164]	Justin Herbert QB (Los Angeles Chargers)	Matt Ryan QB (Atlanta)	Josh Allen DE (Jacksonville)	Xavier McKinney S (New York Giants)	Tommy Townsend P (Kansas City)	Kene Nwangwu RB/KR (Minnesota)
10^[165]	Patrick Mahomes QB (Kansas City)	Deebo Samuel WR (San Francisco)	Xavien Howard CB (Miami)	Darius Slay CB (Philadelphia)	E. J. Speed LB (Indianapolis)	Zane Gonzalez K (Carolina)
11^[166]	Jonathan Taylor RB (Indianapolis)	Justin Jefferson WR (Minnesota)	Chris Jones DT (Kansas City)	Chandler Jones LB (Arizona)	Evan McPherson K (Cincinnati)	Jake Elliott K (Philadelphia)
12^[167]	Joe Mixon RB (Cincinnati)	Leonard Fournette RB (Tampa Bay)	Patrick Surtain II CB (Denver)	Rasul Douglas CB (Green Bay)	Daniel Carlson K (Las Vegas)	Thomas Morstead P (Atlanta)
Nov.^[168]	Jonathan Taylor RB (Indianapolis)	Justin Jefferson WR (Minnesota)	J. C. Jackson CB (New England)	Robert Quinn LB (Chicago)	Tommy Townsend P (Kansas City)	Jake Elliott K (Philadelphia)
13^[169]	Justin Herbert QB (Los Angeles Chargers)	Jared Goff QB (Detroit)	T. J. Watt LB (Pittsburgh)	Jordan Hicks LB (Arizona)	Michael Palardy P (Miami)	Travis Homer RB/KR (Seattle)
14^[170]	Justin Herbert QB (Los Angeles Chargers)	George Kittle TE (San Francisco)	Mike Hughes CB (Kansas City)	Aaron Donald DT (Los Angeles Rams)	Brandon McManus K (Denver)	Jakeem Grant WR/KR (Chicago)
15^[171]	Travis Kelce TE (Kansas City)	Aaron Rodgers QB (Green Bay)	Shaquille Leonard LB (Indianapolis)	Cameron Jordan DE (New Orleans)	Tremon Smith CB/KR (Houston)	Riley Patterson K (Detroit)
16^[172]	Joe Burrow QB (Cincinnati)	Dak Prescott QB (Dallas)	Tavierre Thomas CB (Houston)	Foyesade Oluokun LB (Atlanta)	Braxton Berrios WR/KR (New York Jets)	Brandon Powell WR/KR (Los Angeles Rams)
Dec.^[173]	Patrick Mahomes QB (Kansas City)	Aaron Rodgers QB (Green Bay)	Jerome Baker LB (Miami)	Aaron Donald DT (Los Angeles Rams)	Evan McPherson K (Cincinnati)	Thomas Morstead P (Atlanta)
17^[174]	Ja'Marr Chase WR (Cincinnati)	Rashaad Penny RB (Seattle)	T. J. Watt LB (Pittsburgh)	Cameron Jordan DE (New Orleans)	Daniel Carlson K (Las Vegas)	Matt Prater K (Arizona)
18^[175]	Ryan Tannehill QB (Tennessee)	Dak Prescott QB (Dallas)	Maxx Crosby DE (Las Vegas)	Tracy Walker S (Detroit)	Daniel Carlson K (Las Vegas)	Robbie Gould K (San Francisco)

Week FedEx Air Player of the Week^[176] FedEx Ground Player of the Week Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week^[177] 1 Tom Brady (Tampa Bay) Joe Mixon (Cincinnati) Ja'Marr Chase WR (Cincinnati) 2 Tom Brady (Tampa Bay) Derrick Henry (Tennessee) Asante Samuel Jr. CB (Los Angeles Chargers) 3 Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) Derrick Henry (Tennessee) Asante Samuel Jr. CB (Los Angeles Chargers) 4 Joe Burrow (Cincinnati) Ezekiel Elliott (Dallas) Zach Wilson QB (New York Jets) 5 Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) Derrick Henry (Tennessee) Ja'Marr Chase WR (Cincinnati) 6 Dak Prescott (Dallas) Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis) Ja'Marr Chase WR (Cincinnati) 7 Joe Burrow (Cincinnati) D'Ernest Johnson (Cleveland) Ja'Marr Chase WR (Cincinnati) 8 Mike White (New York Jets) Elijah Mitchell (San Francisco) Micah Parsons LB (Dallas) 9 Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) Nick Chubb (Cleveland) Javonte Williams RB (Denver) 10 Dak Prescott (Dallas) Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis) Micah Parsons LB (Dallas) 11 Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) Joe Mixon (Cincinnati) Elijah Moore WR (New York Jets) 12 Dak Prescott (Dallas) Joe Mixon (Cincinnati) Patrick Surtain II CB (Denver) 13 Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis) Zach Wilson QB (New York Jets) 14 Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers) Dalvin Cook (Minnesota) Micah Parsons LB (Dallas) 15 Jared Goff (Detroit) Jonathan Taylor (Indianapolis) Brandin Echols CB (New York Jets) 16 Joe Burrow (Cincinnati) Rex Burkhead (Houston) Zach Wilson QB (New York Jets) 17 Joe Burrow (Cincinnati) Rashaad Penny (Seattle) Ja'Marr Chase WR (Cincinnati) 18 Tom Brady (Tampa Bay) Rashaad Penny (Seattle) Amon-Ra St. Brown WR (Detroit)

Month	Rookie of the Month
	Offensive	Defensive
Sept.	Ja'Marr Chase WR (Cincinnati)	Asante Samuel Jr. CB (Los Angeles Chargers)
Oct.	Najee Harris RB (Pittsburgh)	Nick Bolton LB (Kansas City)
Nov.	Mac Jones QB (New England)	Micah Parsons LB (Dallas)
Dec.	Amon-Ra St. Brown WR (Detroit)	Micah Parsons LB (Dallas)

Head coaching and front office changes

Head coaches

Offseason

Team	Departing coach	Interim coach	Incoming coach	Reason for leaving	Notes
Atlanta Falcons				Fired	After a 0–5 start, Quinn was fired on October 11, 2020. He had a record during his 5-plus-season tenure with the Falcons, with two playoff appearances including one Super Bowl appearance.^[178] Morris, the team's defensive coordinator, was previously the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with a record of and no playoff appearances. He finished out the 2020 season with a record.^[179] Smith served as an assistant coach for the Tennessee Titans from 2011 to 2020 and most recently served as offensive coordinator for the last two seasons; the Falcons hired Smith on January 16. This would be his first NFL head coaching job.^[180]
Detroit Lions					Patricia was fired on November 28, 2020. He had a record during his 2-plus-season tenure with the Lions, with no playoff appearances and finishing both complete seasons in last place in the NFC North.Bevell, the team's offensive coordinator, was promoted to interim head coach. This was his first head coaching position. He finished out the 2020 season with a record. Campbell, who had a record as interim head coach of the Miami Dolphins for part of 2015, was hired on January 20. He previously served as the assistant head coach/tight ends coach of the New Orleans Saints from 2016 to 2020.^[181]
Houston Texans					After an 0–4 start, O'Brien was fired on October 5, 2020. He had a record during his 6-plus-season tenure with the Texans, with four AFC South titles.^[182] Crennel, the team's associate head coach, was previously the head coach of the Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs, with a combined record of and no playoff appearances. At age 73, he became the oldest head coach in NFL history. He finished out the 2020 season with a record.^[183] On January 29, the Texans hired Culley, whom for the last 42 years was an assistant coach for several teams, most recently for the Baltimore Ravens from 2019 to 2020. From 1999 to 2016, Culley served as an assistant coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs, both coached by Andy Reid. This is his first head coaching job. Culley became the oldest first-time head coach in NFL history at age 65.^[184]
Jacksonville Jaguars					After 4-plus seasons with a record, Marrone was fired on January 4. The Jaguars made the playoffs once during his tenure, advancing to the AFC Championship Game. They finished in 2020, ending the season on a 15-game losing streak.^[185] Meyer, an experienced college football head coach with a combined record of with Bowling Green, Utah, Florida, and Ohio State, and three national championships, was hired on January 14. This would be his first NFL coaching position.^[186]
Los Angeles Chargers					Lynn was fired on January 4 after four seasons with the team with a record and one playoff appearance. The Chargers finished in 2020.^[187] Staley was hired on January 17. He had spent the previous season as defensive coordinator of the Los Angeles Rams. This was his first head coaching position.^[188]
New York Jets					Gase was fired on January 3 after finishing the 2020 season . He was in two seasons with the Jets, with no playoff appearances.^[189] Saleh, who was a long-time defensive coach in the NFL and on the college level, was hired on January 14. He was most recently the San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator from 2017 to 2020. This was his first head coaching position.^[190]
Philadelphia Eagles					Pederson was fired on January 11 after 5 seasons with the Eagles, with a total regular season record of, and a playoff record of . His tenure included 3 playoff appearances, 2 NFC East division titles, and a Super Bowl LII title. The Eagles finished in 2020.^[191] ^[192] Former Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni was hired as Eagles' head coach on January 24. This marked Sirianni's first head coaching job.^[193]

In-season

Team	Departing coach	Reason for leaving	Interim replacement	Notes
Jacksonville Jaguars		Fired		Meyer was fired on December 15 due to a season full of on- and off-the-field issues. During Meyer's single partial season in Jacksonville, the Jaguars were .^[194] ^[195] Meyer became the first coach to not finish their first season as head coach since Bobby Petrino resigned in 2007 with the Atlanta Falcons (the last coach to be fired before completing their first season was Pete McCulley in 1978 with the San Francisco 49ers).^[196] Bevell, the team's offensive coordinator since 2021, was promoted to interim head coach. This is his second head coaching position, after serving as interim head coach for the Detroit Lions in 2020, with a record of and no playoff appearances.
Las Vegas Raiders		Resigned		Gruden resigned due to the publication of controversial emails sent prior to becoming the Raiders head coach. In Gruden's 3-plus seasons during his second stint with Oakland/Las Vegas, the Raiders were with no playoff appearances.^[197] ^[198] Bisaccia, the team's special teams coordinator and assistant head coach since 2018, was promoted to interim head coach. This is his first head coaching position after 20 years as an assistant coach in the NFL.^[199]

Front office personnel

Off-season

Team	Position	Departing office holder	Interim replacement	Incoming office holder	Reason for leaving	Notes
Atlanta Falcons	General manager		none		Fired	After an 0–5 start, Dimitroff was fired on October 11, 2020, after 12 seasons.Fontenot was hired on January 18. He spent previous 18 seasons with the New Orleans Saints organization, most recently as vice president/assistant general manager of pro personnel.^[200]
Carolina Panthers			none			Hurney was fired on December 21, 2020, after 14-plus seasons in two stints (2002–12, 2017–20). In his time with the Panthers he was responsible for drafting star players such as Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, and Thomas Davis.^[201] Fitterer, former Seattle Seahawks' vice president of football operations, was hired on January 14. He previously served with the Seahawks for 20 seasons in various executive roles.^[202]
Denver Broncos					Resigned	Elway announced on January 4 that he was stepping down from his role as general manager after 10 years, although he would remain as president of football operations.^[203] Paton was hired on January 13. He was previously a member of the Minnesota Vikings organization since 2007. This was his first GM position.^[204] ^[205]
Detroit Lions			by committee		Fired	Quinn was fired on November 28, 2020, after five seasons.^[206] A combination of front office personnel would handle GM duties for the remainder of the season.On January 14, Holmes was hired as new general manager and executive vice president. He spent last 18 seasons with the Los Angeles Rams and named director of college scouting since 2013.^[207]
Houston Texans						O'Brien was named general manager of the team during the 2020 offseason, after splitting general manager duties with Easterby, the executive vice president of football operations, and other team executives in 2019. Easterby took over GM duties for the rest of the season.^[208] Caserio was hired on January 7. He was a long-time member of the New England Patriots organization, as an offensive assistant, a scout, and their director of player personnel from 2008 to 2020.^[209]
Jacksonville Jaguars						Caldwell was fired on November 29, 2020, after eight seasons.^[210] Baalke, the team's director of player personnel, would serve as interim GM through the end of the season. Previously, he was the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2016. On January 21, 2021, Baalke was named permanent GM.^[211]
Washington Football Team		(de facto)	none		N/A	After four seasons without an official general manager, the team hired Mayhew on January 22. He previously served as the GM for the Detroit Lions from 2008 to 2015, and had been working in the San Francisco 49ers' front office since 2017.^[212]

Stadiums

Stadium changes

• Kansas City sold naming rights to its home stadium to health insurer GEHA, renaming the facility to GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. It is the first time in the stadium's 50-year history that it has had a naming rights sponsor.^[213]
• Buffalo sold naming rights to its home stadium to Pittsburgh-based health insurer Highmark, resulting in the stadium being renamed Highmark Stadium.^[214]
• New Orleans sold naming rights to its home stadium to casino operator Caesars Entertainment, renaming the facility to the Caesars Superdome.^[215]
• Carolina changed the playing surface at Bank of America Stadium from natural grass to an artificial FieldTurf surface.^[216]

COVID-19 restrictions

Aided by the availability of vaccines, by June 29 all 32 NFL teams had received approval to play their games with no restrictions on attendance. This came after all games in were played with either a greatly reduced audience or no fans at all due to public health orders or team discretion based on CDC guidance.^[217] In addition, mascots, cheerleaders, and sideline reporters that were not allowed to be on the field in 2020 were allowed to return to the field for 2021.^[218] Some teams implemented requirements for proof of vaccination and masking due to public health orders or CDC guidance.^{[219] [220] [221] [222] [223]}

Uniforms

Uniform changes

• Cincinnati unveiled new uniforms on April 19. The uniforms are similar to their previous set, but have removed some features such as colored shoulder pads, TV numbers, side panels and outlined nameplates for a toned-down appearance. The team's trademark stripes were left as the most prominent feature.^[224]
• Cleveland will feature a new white uniform reminiscent of their uniform's 1946 design, commemorating the team's 75th anniversary. Helmet sides are divided with a thin white stripe and have corresponding numbering on either side. Jersey numbers are brown with an orange drop shadow.^[225]
• Detroit unveiled new white pants on September 20.^[226]
• Green Bay revealed a new throwback on August 19.^[227] This throwback design is based on their 1950s all-green look, featuring green jerseys and pants, golden stripes, numbers and nameplates, and blank golden helmets with gray facemasks. Prior to the 2020 season, which featured no alternate uniforms for the team, the team used blue jersey based throwbacks as their third uniform from 2010 to 2019.^[228]
• Indianapolis will wear a new throwback uniform on November 28. The design pays homage to the 1956 team, featuring a three-stripe shoulder pattern and helmets with rear logo placement. This design is similar to the one found on the helmet worn with their 2010 alternate uniforms.^[229]
• Jacksonville made its alternate teal jerseys its primary uniform. The team had previously used teal jerseys as the primary uniform from 1995 to 2011.^[230]
• The Los Angeles Rams revealed a modern throwback variation of their away uniforms on July 13. This design incorporates blue and yellow sleeves, similar to the ones worn on team uniforms from 1978 to 1999.^[231]
• The New York Giants will wear new white pants, featuring a stripe pattern resembling their sleeve stripe pattern, with their road uniforms replacing the gray pants. However, the gray pants will be retained for their Week 6 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams to commemorate the 10th anniversary of their Super Bowl XLVI win.^[232]
• San Francisco unveiled new red throwback uniforms based on the 1994 Super Bowl team on June 30 in celebration of the franchise's 75th anniversary. The uniforms, which feature white numbers with black drop shadows, are counterpart to the all-white 1994 throwback uniforms used by the team since 2018.^[233]

Patches

• Cleveland and San Francisco unveiled logos to commemorate the 75th anniversary (from the founding of their first league, the All-America Football Conference) for each franchise.^{[234] [235]}

20th anniversary of September 11th attacks

• The first week of the season coincided with the 20th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. To commemorate that event, all players wore a stars and stripes ribbon decal bearing the dates "9/11/01" and "9/11/21" on their helmets. Players were also allowed to wear special red, white, and blue gloves and shoes. Furthermore, coaches and league, team, and broadcast personnel were provided ribbon-shaped pins with the same design as the aforementioned decals. In addition, specially designed hats designed by New Era Cap Company bearing New York City Fire Department, New York City Police Department, or Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department insignia were worn by players during the Denver–New York Giants and New York Jets–Carolina games.^{[236] [237]}

Media

Broadcast rights

Television

This was the eighth year under the current nine-year broadcast contracts with CBS, Fox, and NBC; and the eighth and final year under the current contract with ESPN/ABC. This included "cross-flexing" (switching) Sunday afternoon games between CBS and Fox before or during the season, regardless of the conference of the visiting team. NBC aired Sunday Night Football, the Kickoff Game, and one Thanksgiving game. ESPN's rights to Monday Night Football were modified this season, allowing ABC to simulcast select games (Weeks 1, 14, and 15), as well as a new Saturday doubleheader in Week 18.^{[238] [239]} Thursday Night Football aired on NFL Network, with Fox and Amazon Prime Video simulcasting 11 games.^[240]

This was the second year that CBS and NBC aired two Wild Card games.

NBC televised Super Bowl LVI along with Telemundo Deportes which aired its first super bowl in Spanish on Broadcast Television. CBS was originally scheduled to broadcast the game under the current rotation. However, CBS traded the game to NBC in exchange for Super Bowl LV to avoid counterprogramming (as per an untold gentlemen's agreement between the networks)^[241] by the 2022 Winter Olympics, as this was the first Super Bowl to be scheduled during an ongoing Olympic Games. NBC also holds the U.S. broadcast rights to the Olympics.^[242] Due to NBC's coverage of the 2020 Summer Olympics (held 2021), the network sold its broadcast rights to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game to Fox.^[243]

On March 18, the NFL announced its future television deals for 2023–2033, which will see CBS, Fox, and NBC maintain their existing Sunday packages with expanded digital rights for their streaming services (Paramount+, Tubi, and Peacock, respectively). Thursday Night Football will move exclusively to Amazon. ESPN also entered into a new agreement for Monday Night Football for 2022, adding the aforementioned Week 18 Saturday doubleheader beginning this season.^{[238] [239]}

It was later announced in May that Fox and NFL Network had opted out of its final season of Thursday Night Football, so Amazon will take over TNF starting 2022.^[244] NBC maintained Spanish-language rights to Sunday Night Football for Universo, while its Spanish broadcast network Telemundo would air selected games, including NBC's Wild Card games and Super Bowl LVI.^[245]

On July 19, ESPN announced an agreement with Omaha Productions, the production company of Peyton Manning, to produce Monday Night Football with Peyton and Eli, a supplemental telecast of Monday Night Football on ESPN2 and ESPN+ with Manning, his brother Eli, and guest celebrities for ten games each season from 2021 to 2023.^[246]

For the second consecutive season, Nickelodeon simulcast a wild-card playoff game with CBS using the same youth-friendly broadcast modifications that were in place the previous season.^[247] The CBS feed of the game was also streamed on Amazon Prime Video.

On October 13, the league announced that ESPN and ABC signed a five-year deal to simulcast the Monday Night wild-card playoff game, with ESPN2 and ESPN+ providing the "Peyton and Eli" broadcast.^[248]

Most watched regular season games

• DH = doubleheader; SNF = Sunday Night Football; MNF = Monday Night Football; TNF = Thursday Night Football

Rank	Date !	Matchup			Network	Viewers (millions)^[249]	TV rating	Window	Significance
1	, 4:30 ET	Las Vegas Raiders		Dallas Cowboys	CBS	37.8^[250]	13.1	Thanksgiving
2	, 4:30 ET	Cleveland Browns		Green Bay Packers	Fox/NFLN/Amazon	28.6	10.8	Christmas
3	, 4:25 ET	Dallas Cowboys		Kansas City Chiefs	Fox	28.1	14.4	Late DH
4	, 4:25 ET	Arizona Cardinals		Dallas Cowboys	Fox	26.8	13.8	Late DH
5	, 8:20 ET	Tampa Bay Buccaneers		New England Patriots	NBC	26.8	14.6	SNF	Tom Brady's return to New England
6	, 12:30 ET	Chicago Bears		Detroit Lions	Fox	26.8	10.6	Thanksgiving	Bears–Lions rivalry
7	, 8:20 ET			Tampa Bay Buccaneers	NBC	24.8^[251]	13.4	Kickoff	NFL Kickoff Game
8	, 4:25 ET			Green Bay Packers	Fox	24.7	13.0	Late DH	2020 NFC Divisional Round rematch
9	, 4:25 ET			Kansas City Chiefs	Fox	24.4	12.6	Late DH	Jordan Love's first start
10	, 4:25 ET	Dallas Cowboys		Los Angeles Chargers	CBS	24.3	12.6	Late DH

• Note – Late DH matchups listed in table are the matchups that were shown to the largest percentage of the market.

Notes and References

1. Web site: NFL owners approve enhanced schedule with 17 regular-season games per team. 2021-03-30. NFL.com.
2. Web site: Jackson. Stu. Rams trade Jared Goff, future draft picks to Lions for Matthew Stafford. therams.com. 2021-03-18.
3. Web site: Stankevltz. JJ. Colts Acquire QB Carson Wentz from Eagles in Exchange for Draft Picks . Colts.com. March 17, 2021.
4. Web site: Urban. Darren. Cardinals Make Trade For 3-Time Pro Bowl Center Rodney Hudson . AZCardinals.com. March 17, 2021.
5. Web site: Patriots Acquire T Trent Brown in a Trade with Las Vegas; Trade T Marcus Cannon to Houston; Release DL Beau Allen and WR Marquise Lee. Patriots.com. March 18, 2021.
6. Web site: Texans trading Pro Bowl LB Benardrick McKinney to Dolphins for Shaq Lawson. Gordon, Grant. NFL.com. March 14, 2021. July 28, 2021.
7. Web site: Rapoport. Ian. Raiders OT Trent Brown expected to be traded to Patriots. NFL.com. March 9, 2021. April 12, 2021.
8. Web site: Gordon. Grant. Jets trade Sam Darnold to Panthers for three draft picks. NFL.com. April 5, 2021. April 12, 2021.
9. Web site: Hensley. Jamison. Sources: Chiefs shipping first-round pick, 3 others to Ravens for package highlighted by Orlando Brown Jr.. ESPN.com. April 23, 2021. April 23, 2021.
10. Web site: Shook. Nick. Broncos acquire QB Teddy Bridgewater from Panthers for sixth-round pick. NFL.com. April 28, 2021. April 28, 2021.
11. Web site: Roundup: Eagles send CB Jameson Houston, 2023 sixth-rounder to Jaguars for CB Josiah Scott. NFL.com. May 18, 2021. September 7, 2021.
12. Web site: Maya. Adam. Falcons trade WR Julio Jones, future sixth-rounder to Titans for second- and fourth-round picks. NFL.com. June 6, 2021. June 6, 2021.
13. Web site: Gordon. Grant. Packers acquire WR Randall Cobb from Texans for sixth-round pick. NFL.com. July 28, 2021. July 28, 2021.
14. Web site: Gordon. Grant. Jaguars trading former Pro Bowl LB Joe Schobert to Steelers. NFL.com. August 12, 2021. August 13, 2021.
15. Web site: Patra. Kevin. Packers trading CB Josh Jackson to Giants for CB Isaac Yiadom. NFL.com. August 17, 2021. September 7, 2021.
16. Web site: Shook. Nick. Bengals trade former first-rounder Billy Price to Giants for DL B.J. Hill. NFL.com. August 30, 2021. September 7, 2021.
17. Web site: Eisen. Michael. Giants acquire OL Ben Bredeson in trade with Ravens. Giants.com. August 31, 2021. September 7, 2021.
18. Web site: Shook. Nick. Vikings acquiring TE Chris Herndon from Jets in trade following Irv Smith Jr.'s knee injury. NFL.com. August 31, 2021. September 7, 2021.
19. Web site: New Orleans Saints complete trade with Houston Texans for CB Bradley Roby, sources say. ESPN.com. September 8, 2021. September 9, 2021.
20. Web site: Patra. Kevin. Jaguars trade 2020 first-round CB C.J. Henderson to Panthers for TE Dan Arnold. NFL.com. September 27, 2021. September 27, 2021.
21. Web site: Goodbread. Chase. Patriots trade All-Pro CB Stephon Gilmore to Panthers for 2023 6th-round pick. NFL.com. October 6, 2021. October 6, 2021.
22. Web site: Shook. Nick. Eagles trade three-time Pro Bowl TE Zach Ertz to Cardinals. NFL.com. October 15, 2021. October 15, 2021.
23. Web site: Triplett. Mike. Source: RB Mark Ingram traded by Houston Texans, reuniting him with New Orleans Saints. ESPN.com. October 27, 2021. October 31, 2021.
24. Web site: Shook. Nick. Broncos trade star LB Von Miller to Rams for two 2022 NFL Draft picks. NFL.com. November 1, 2021. November 1, 2021.
25. Web site: Goodbread. Chase. Steelers trade Melvin Ingram to Chiefs for 2022 sixth-round pick. NFL.com. November 2, 2021. November 2, 2021.
26. Web site: Shook. Nick. Chiefs trade OL Laurent Duvernay-Tardif to Jets for TE Dan Brown. NFL.com. November 2, 2021. November 3, 2021.
27. Web site: Triplett. Mike. New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees retires from NFL after 20 seasons. ESPN.com. March 14, 2021. March 14, 2021.
28. Web site: Gordon. Grant. Saints QB Drew Brees announces retirement after 20-year career . NFL.com . 14 March 2021.
29. Web site: Patra. Kevin. Former Titans DT Jurrell Casey announces retirement after 10 seasons. NFL.com. September 2, 2021. September 2, 2021.
30. Web site: Shook. Nick. Three-time Super Bowl champion WR Julian Edelman retires after Patriots release. NFL.com. April 12, 2021. April 12, 2021.
31. Web site: DeArdo. Bryan. Former Chiefs pass rusher Tamba Hali to sign one-day contract to retire with Kansas City. CBSSports.com. May 10, 2021. May 10, 2021.
32. Web site: Shook. Nick. Mike Iupati, Four-time Pro Bowl Guard, Retires after 11 seasons. NFL.com. February 22, 2021. February 22, 2021.
33. Web site: Shook. Nick. LeSean McCoy retiring after 12 seasons, signing one-day contract with the Eagles. NFL.com. September 30, 2021. September 30, 2021.
34. Web site: Patra. Kevin. Longtime offensive linemen Maurkice and Mike Pouncey retire from NFL . NFL.com. February 12, 2021. February 12, 2021.
35. Web site: Patra. Kevin. Philip Rivers retiring from football after 17 seasons in NFL. NFL.com. January 20, 2021. January 20, 2021.
36. Web site: Swanson. Ben. 'No regrets, no fear': Demaryius Thomas announces retirement after brilliant NFL career. DenverBroncos.com. June 28, 2021. June 28, 2021.
37. Web site: Hickey. Kevin. Former Colts K Adam Vinatieri announces retirement. MSN.com. May 26, 2021. May 26, 2021.
38. Web site: Shook. Nick. Jason Witten retiring after 17-year career; TE will retire as member of Cowboys . NFL.com. January 27, 2021. January 27, 2021.
39. Web site: Dates are set for 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland. ClevelandBrowns.com. April 28, 2020. April 28, 2020.
40. Jackson, Wilton . April 29, 2021 . Jaguars Select Trevor Lawrence No. 1 in 2021 NFL Draft . . April 30, 2021.
41. Web site: Meet Maia Chaka, the NFL's first Black female official for 2021 season. Vinnie Iver. Sporting News. March 5, 2021.
42. Web site: NFL senior VP of officiating Al Riveron retiring after 17 years with league . Kevin Patra. NFL.com. August 5, 2021.
43. Web site: Florio. Mike. Authority over replay review seems destined to become decentralized. August 19, 2021. ProFootballTalk. en-US.
44. Web site: Florio. Mike. New replay review decision-makers must always keep the correct standard in mind. August 24, 2021. ProFootballTalk. en-US.
45. Web site: Longtime NFL official Carl Madsen dies at age 71. .
46. Web site: NFL owners pass rule expanding eligible jersey numbers for certain positions . . April 21, 2021.
47. Web site: NFL reportedly passes new jersey number rules: Who can wear what under revised guidelines. CBS Sports . April 21, 2021 . April 21, 2021.
48. Web site: Smith. Michael David. NFL owners will vote on eliminating overtime in the preseason. April 2, 2021. April 21, 2021. ProFootballTalk. en-US.
49. Web site: Smith. Michael David. Bears propose rule change for penalties on consecutive extra point tries. April 2, 2021. April 21, 2021. ProFootballTalk. en-US.
50. Web site: Alper. Josh. NFL approves pair of rule changes regarding penalty enforcement. April 21, 2021. April 21, 2021. ProFootballTalk. en-US.
51. Web site: Smith. Michael David. NFL passes rule designed to give kicking team a better chance on onside kicks. April 21, 2021. April 21, 2021. ProFootballTalk. en-US.
52. Web site: NFL informs clubs that COVID-19 outbreaks among unvaccinated players could lead to forfeited games. 2021-07-23. NFL.com. en-US.
53. Web site: 2021-07-24. NFL to fine unvaccinated players $14,650 for any violation of COVID-19 protocol. 2021-07-24. ESPN.com. en.
54. Web site: Seifert, Kevin . July 23, 2021 . NFL to carry over flexible roster rules for 2021 season . ESPN . September 2, 2021.
55. Web site: NFLPA accepts NFL proposal to increase COVID-19 testing among players who are fully vaccinated . ESPN . August 31, 2021 . September 2, 2021.
56. Web site: Curley Culp, Hall of Fame nose tackle for Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Oilers, dies at 75 . ESPN.com. November 27, 2021 .
57. Web site: Hall of Fame linebacker Sam Huff dies at 87, family says. abc7ny.com. November 13, 2021. ABC7. November 13, 2021.
58. Web site: Pro Football Hall of Famer Claude Humphrey dies at 77 . NFL.com. December 4, 2021. Baca, Michael. December 4, 2021.
59. Web site: O'Halloran. Ryan. Floyd Little, Broncos Hall of Fame running back, dies at age 78 . denverpost.com . January 2, 2021. MediaNews Group, Inc. . January 2, 2021.
60. Web site: John Madden, legendary Hall of Fame coach, dies at age 85 . NFL.com . December 28, 2021 . December 28, 2021.
61. Web site: Sanchez. Mark W.. Mick Tingelhoff, legendary Vikings center, dead at 81. The New York Post. September 11, 2021. September 11, 2021.
62. Web site: NFL cancels Hall of Fame Game, Class of '20 enshrinement postponed due to coronavirus. Chris. Bumbaca. USA Today. June 25, 2020.
63. Web site: 2021 NFL preseason schedule by team . USA Today . June 10, 2021 . July 26, 2021.
64. Web site: New Orleans Saints cancel preseason game vs. Arizona Cardinals as Hurricane Ida looms . ESPN.com. August 27, 2021 .
65. News: Cowboys versus Texans preseason game canceled . 31 August 2021 . NFL.com.
66. Web site: 2021 NFL regular-season schedule to be released May 12 on NFL Network, NFL.com . NFL.com. April 21, 2021. April 21, 2021.
67. Web site: 17th game will give each team a fifth interconference matchup. Profootballtalk.com. December 16, 2020. Mike. Florio.
68. Web site: FMIA: New Insight On NFL's 17-Game Schedule. Plus The Story Of One QB's Quick (Door) Dash To Top 5 Prospect . Pro Football Talk on NBC Sports . March 1, 2021 . March 15, 2021.
69. Web site: 2021-05-12. NBC, CBS, Fox, ABC announce Week 1 matchups on morning shows ahead of full 2021 schedule reveal. live. 2021-05-12. Awful Announcing. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210512150933/https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/nbc-cbs-fox-abc-announce-week-1-matchups-ahead-full-2021-schedule-reveal.html . May 12, 2021 .
70. Web site: NFL returns to London with two games in 2021 . NFL.com . May 12, 2021.
71. Web site: Breech. John. May 12, 2021. May 12, 2021. 2021 NFL schedule release: Live updates, rumors, leaks, Thanksgiving matchups, Thursday/Monday games and more. cbssports.com.
72. Web site: Jacksonville to host New Orleans Saints' opener against Green Bay Packers. September 1, 2021. September 1, 2021. ESPN.com.
73. Web site: NFL announces schedule updates for Weeks 14, 15. 2021-11-30. nflcommunications.com.
74. Web site: Shook. Nick. December 17, 2021. NFL postpones three Week 15 games due to COVID-19 surge. live. January 9, 2022. NFL.com. https://web.archive.org/web/20211217202900/https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-covid-week-15-game-postponement . December 17, 2021 .
75. Web site: NFL moves Raiders-Browns, Patriots-Colts to Saturday Dec. 18. USA Today. November 23, 2021.
76. Web site: NFL postpones three Week 15 games due to COVID-19 surge . Shook . Nick . NFL.com . December 17, 2021 . January 9, 2022 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211217202900/https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-covid-week-15-game-postponement . December 17, 2021 .
77. Web site: Week 17 Schedule Updates. 2021-12-27. nflcommunications.com.
78. Web site: NFL announces schedule updates for Week 17. 2021-12-28. nflcommunications.com.
79. Web site: May 10, 2021. The NFL Has A Wild Plan For Week 18 Schedule. May 13, 2021. WBZ. en.
80. Web site: Alper. Josh. March 22, 2021. New NFL TV deal includes Week 18 Saturday doubleheader. May 13, 2021. ProFootballTalk. en-US.
81. Web site: NFL.com. 2022-01-03. NFL.com. en-US.
82. Web site: Week 18 Schedule. 2022-01-03. nflcommunications.com.
83. Web site: Super Wild Card Weekend to include Monday night game . NFL.com . September 24, 2021. September 24, 2021.
84. Web site: NFL Playoff Schedule 2021 . FBSchedules . March 9, 2021 . en.
85. Web site: Kerr, Jeff . September 9, 2021 . Tom Brady becomes first NFL player to make 300 regular-season starts, another record in Hall of Fame career . https://web.archive.org/web/20211104201259/https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/tom-brady-becomes-first-nfl-player-to-make-300-regular-season-starts-another-record-in-hall-of-fame-career/ . November 4, 2021 . September 21, 2021 . CBS Sports.
86. Web site: fewest passing yards by a quarterback in a game with 5+ passing touchdowns . Stat Muse . September 21, 2021.
87. Walsh . Christopher . September 20, 2021 . Former Alabama Players in the NFL Have Highlight-Filled Week 2 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220423064419/https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamanfl/former-alabama-players-nfl-highlight-filled-week-2 . April 23, 2022 . September 22, 2021 . Sports Illustrated.
88. Web site: Gordon . Grant . September 20, 2021 . Aaron Rodgers passes John Elway for 10th all time in passing yards . https://web.archive.org/web/20211106195443/https://www.nfl.com/news/aaron-rodgers-passes-john-elway-for-10th-all-time-in-passing-yards . November 6, 2021 . September 24, 2021 . NFL.com.
89. Web site: Palmer . Tod . September 20, 2021 . Chiefs TE Travis Kelce continues to build Hall of Fame résumé against Ravens . https://web.archive.org/web/20211017004030/https://www.kshb.com/sports/kelce-continues-to-build-hall-of-fame-resume-against-ravens . October 17, 2021 . KSHB.com.
90. Web site: Baltimore Ravens' Tucker wins game against Detroit Lions on record 66-yard FG . September 26, 2021 . September 26, 2021.
91. Web site: JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS' JAMAL AGNEW JOINS RANKS OF LONGEST PLAYS IN NFL HISTORY. FoxSports.com. September 26, 2021. September 27, 2021.
92. Web site: Tom Brady Joins Drew Brees as Only NFL QBs with 80,000 Career Passing Yards . Bleacher Report . September 27, 2021.
93. Web site: Falcons' Matt Ryan becomes 10th QB in NFL history with 350 passing touchdowns . ESPN . September 26, 2021 . September 28, 2021. Rothstein, Michael.
94. Web site: Gordon. Grant. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger records 400th career TD pass Sunday vs. Packers. NFL.com. October 3, 2021. October 4, 2021.
95. Web site: Boyle. John. Russell Wilson "Spectacular" In 100th Career Victory. Seahawks.com. October 3, 2021. October 4, 2021.
96. Web site: Middlehurst-Schwartz, Michael . Tom Brady breaks Drew Brees' record to become NFL's all-time career passing yards leader . . October 4, 2021.
97. Web site: Middlehurst-Schwartz, Michael. Tom Brady becomes fourth quarterback in history to beat all 32 NFL teams. . October 4, 2021.
98. Web site: Kerr, Jeff . September 13, 2021 . Patrick Mahomes shatters Dan Marino and Kurt Warner records, and he's got three games to spare . CBS Sports . October 5, 2021.
99. Web site: Patrick Mahomes td pass in first 50 games . StatMuse . October 5, 2021.
100. Web site: Gordon. Grant. Chiefs' Andy Reid becomes first head coach with 100 wins for two teams. NFL.com. October 3, 2021. October 4, 2021.
101. News: Karpovich . Todd . Most Ravens Were Not Aware Of Rushing Record ... Until Recent Weeks . 10 October 2021 . Sports Illustrated Baltimore Ravens News, Analysis and More . en.
102. Web site: AB becomes fastest player to 900 catches in win. October 10, 2021.
103. Huber, Bill . October 10, 2021 . Rodgers Throws 422nd Touchdown Pass, Fifth in NFL History . Sports Illustrated . October 11, 2021.
104. Web site: Ikic. Adnan. 2021-10-10. Matt Ryan passes Eli Manning to move into 8th all-time in passing yards, hits 5,000 career completions. 2021-10-12. The Falcoholic. en.
105. Web site: 2021-10-10. Falcons' Matt Ryan becomes seventh QB in history to reach 5,000 completions on this play. 2021-10-12. ESPN.com. en.
106. Web site: Browns are first team in NFL history to lose despite scoring 40+ points, having no turnovers . NBCSports . October 10, 2021 . October 10, 2021.
107. Web site: Barron, Tory . October 12, 2021 . NFL kickers have historically rough week with record-setting misses . ESPN . October 12, 2021.
108. Web site: Seven from Sunday - Week 6.
109. Web site: October 25, 2021 . Tom Brady becomes first NFL quarterback to throw for 600 TD passes as Buccaneers notch best start in franchise history . . October 25, 2021.
110. Web site: October 24, 2021 . Matthew Stafford becomes 7th-fastest QB to throw 300 TD passes in win vs. Lions . The Athletic . October 25, 2021.
111. Web site: Florio. Mike. 2021-11-01. Tom Brady quietly broke the all-time record for four-, three-TD games. 2021-11-02. ProFootballTalk. en-US.
112. Web site: November 1, 2021 . 'That's Mike F-ing White': Jets QB beats Bengals in a first start for the record books . The Athletic . November 3, 2021. Hughes, Connor.
113. Web site: Game Notes: Patriots offense scores over 40 points for the second time in 2021 . patriots.com . November 14, 2021 . January 9, 2022 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211114235342/https://www.patriots.com/news/game-notes-patriots-offense-scores-over-40-points-for-the-second-time-in-2021 . November 14, 2021 .
114. News: NFL Today, Week 10 . Associated Press . November 15, 2021 . November 15, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211115130210/https://roanoke.com/sports/nfl-today-week-10/article_8206f1d3-e9c2-5954-9dde-605d9ffd3d09.html . dead .
115. News: NFL Today, Week 11 . Associated Press . November 22, 2021 . November 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211122141935/https://www.yakimaherald.com/sports/professional_sports/seahawks/nfl-today-week-11/article_bf156c5d-94a5-5bde-9fb3-435045bf2649.html . dead .
116. Web site: What NFL records did Christian McCaffrey set in Week 11? . November 22, 2021 . November 23, 2021.
117. https://www.fresnobee.com/sports/article256186772.html NFL Today, Week 12
118. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/gwd_career.htm NFL Game-Winning Drives Career
119. https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/most-career-completions Career Pass Completions
120. https://www.wtkr.com/sports/nfl-today-week-13 NFL Today - Week 13
121. Web site: Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Tom Brady overtakes Drew Brees to set NFL pass completions record. December 12, 2021. December 12, 2021.
122. Web site: NFL Passing Touchdowns Career Leaders . pro-football-reference.com . January 9, 2022 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20071221063946/http://www.pro-football-reference.com:80/leaders/pass_td_career.htm . December 21, 2007 .
123. Web site: Most Career 4000 Passing Yard Seasons .
124. Web site: Tom Brady and Dan Marino are tied for the most career passing touchdowns by a quarterback against a team, with 72 touchdowns. . statmuse.com . January 9, 2022 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211213215639/https://www.statmuse.com/nfl/ask/who-has-the-most-passing-touchdowns-against-a-football-team-in-their-career . December 13, 2021 .
125. News: NFL Today, Week 14 . Associated Press . Traverse City Record-Eagle . December 13, 2021 . January 9, 2022 . dead . December 13, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211213140741/https://www.record-eagle.com/national_sports/nfl-today-week-14/article_8d288fa7-7547-5876-8de5-35ca94eb2521.html .
126. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/justin-herbert-by-the-numbers-chargers-qb-challenging-patrick-mahomes-for-best-start-by-passer-in-nfl-history/ Justin Herbert by the numbers: Chargers QB challenging Patrick Mahomes for best start by passer in NFL history
127. Web site: NFL Player News Feed . NBC Sports . 2021-12-13.
128. Web site: Gordon. Grant. Ben Roethlisberger passes Philip Rivers for fifth all-time in career passing yards. NFL.com. December 19, 2021. December 20, 2021.
129. Shapiro, Michael. December 20, 2021. Tom Brady Breaks Yet Another NFL Record With 15th Pro Bowl Selection. live. December 21, 2021. Sports Illustrated. en. https://web.archive.org/web/20211220232649/https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/12/20/tom-brady-pro-bowl-selection-15th-nfl-record . December 20, 2021 .
130. Web site: Kerr, Jeff . December 27, 2021 . Justin Jefferson passes Odell Beckham Jr.'s record for most receiving yards in a player's first two seasons . CBS Sports . December 27, 2021.
131. https://federalnewsnetwork.com/sports-news/2021/12/nfl-today-week-16-4/ NFL Today, Week 16
132. Web site: Barash, Lauren . December 31, 2021 . Dak Prescott's impressive stat proves he deserves NFC Player of the Week . FanSided . January 3, 2022.
133. Web site: Garguilo. Rob. Dolphins win seventh straight, make NFL history. FoxSports.com. December 28, 2021. December 29, 2021.
134. Salvadore, Joseph . January 2, 2022 . Ja'Marr Chase Breaks Single-Game Rookie Receiving Record Against Chiefs . . January 3, 2022.
135. https://www.wnewsj.com/sports/189334/nfl-week-17-stats-stars-milestones NFL Week 17 stats, stars, milestones
136. Web site: Chiefs' Travis Kelce becomes fastest TE to 9,000 career receiving yards . Chiefswire.usatoday.com . January 9, 2022. 2022-02-11.
137. Web site: Tom Brady breaks NFL single-season record for pass completions . Touchdownwire.usatoday.com . 2022-01-09 . 2022-02-11.
138. Web site: . Tom Brady oldest player in NFL history to pass for more than 5,000 yards in season . Nfl.com . 2022-01-09 . 2022-02-11.
139. Web site: Bucs QB Tom Brady eclipses 5,000 passing yards for 2021 season . Bucswire.usatoday.com . 2022-01-09 . 2022-02-11.
140. Web site: Top 10 records, milestones set in Week 18 of 2021 NFL season . NFL.com . January 10, 2022.
141. Web site: Grant, Gordon . January 10, 2021 . Rams WR Cooper Kupp captures receiving triple crown . NFL.com . January 10, 2021.
142. Web site: Williamson, Bill . January 10, 2022 . Silver Minings: Raiders are new 'cardiac kids' . Silver and Black Pride . January 18, 2022.
143. Web site: January 16, 2022. Kerr, Jeff. January 16, 2022. Bills become first team in NFL history to pitch a 'perfect' offensive game in playoff win over Patriots. CBS Sports.
144. Web site: Zavala . Steve . Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase becomes first NFL player to pull off this stunning feat in the playoffs . ClutchPoints . January 23, 2022 . 23 January 2022.
145. Web site: Bills' Davis scores four touchdown, makes postseason history . TSN . January 23, 2022 . January 24, 2022.
146. Web site: Who has the most receiving touchdowns in a playoff game . StatMuse . January 24, 2022.
147. Web site: Twenty-five points in 2 minutes? Inside the Kansas City Chiefs' thrilling victory over the Buffalo Bills. Teicher. Adam. ESPN.com. January 25, 2022. January 25, 2022. en.
148. Web site: Farner, Keith . January 30, 2022 . Evan McPherson matches Adam Vinatieri's career record with incredible rookie postseason . Saturday Down South . January 31, 2022.
149. Web site: Barron, Tory . January 30, 2022 . AFC Championship Game: LeBron James, Josh Allen and more react as Joe Burrow and Cincinnati Bengals punch Super Bowl ticket . ESPN . January 31, 2022.
150. Web site: Holbrook, Justin . February 13, 2022 . Bengals' kicker Evan McPherson ties playoff record with 14 made field goals . WCMH-TV . February 14, 2022.
151. Web site: Smith, Michael David . February 14, 2022 . Von Miller has 4.5 sacks in Super Bowls, tying Charles Haley for the most ever . Yahoo Sports . February 14, 2021 . February 15, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220215011550/https://sports.yahoo.com/von-miller-4-5-sacks-155925473.html . dead .
152. Web site: DeAdro, Bryan . February 14, 2022 . Records set in Super Bowl 2022: Aaron Donald, Rams apply record-tying pressure on Joe Burrow . CBS Sports . February 14, 2022.
153. Web site: NFL Stats: Player . NFL.com . January 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090111214603/http://www.nfl.com/stats/player . January 11, 2009 . live . mdy .
154. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Rams QB Matthew Stafford lead Players of the Week . National Football League . September 15, 2021.
155. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Titans RB Derrick Henry, Cardinals QB Kyler Murray among NFL Players of the Week . National Football League . September 22, 2021.
156. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Record-setting Ravens kicker Justin Tucker leads Players of the Week . National Football League . September 29, 2021.
157. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Raiders QB Derek Carr, Rams WR Cooper Kupp lead NFL Players of the Month . National Football League . September 30, 2021.
158. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Bengals QB Joe Burrow, Giants QB Daniel Jones lead Players of the Week . National Football League . October 6, 2021.
159. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, Buccaneers QB Tom Brady lead Players of the Week . National Football League . October 13, 2021.
160. Web site: Maya. Adam . Cowboys QB Dak Prescott, Titans RB Derrick Henry among NFL Players of the Week . National Football League . October 20, 2021.
161. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Saints RB Alvin Kamara, Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase lead Players of the Week . National Football League . October 27, 2021.
162. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Jets QB Mike White, 49ers WR Deebo Samuel among NFL Players of the Week . National Football League . November 3, 2021.
163. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, Rams WR Cooper Kupp lauded as Players of the Month . National Football League . November 4, 2021.
164. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Chargers QB Justin Herbert, Falcons QB Matt Ryan lead Players of the Week . National Football League . November 10, 2021.
165. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, 49ers WR Deebo Samuel highlight Players of the Week . National Football League . November 17, 2021.
166. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson lead Players of the Week . National Football League . November 24, 2021.
167. Web site: Scott. Jelani . Bengals RB Joe Mixon, Bucs RB Leonard Fournette among NFL Players of the Week . National Football League . December 1, 2021.
168. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Colts RB Jonathan Taylor, Vikings WR Justin Jefferson highlight Players of the Month . National Football League . December 2, 2021.
169. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Chargers QB Justin Herbert, Lions QB Jared Goff among NFL Players of the Week . National Football League . December 8, 2021.
170. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Chargers QB Justin Herbert, 49ers TE George Kittle lead NFL Players of the Week . National Football League . December 15, 2021.
171. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, Chiefs TE Travis Kelce lead Players of the Week . National Football League . December 22, 2021.
172. Web site: Baca . Michael . Bengals QB Joe Burrow, Cowboys QB Dak Prescott lead NFL Players of the Week . NFL.com . National Football League . 29 December 2021.
173. Web site: Baca. Michael . Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers highlight Players of the Month . National Football League . December 30, 2021.
174. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase, Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny highlight Players of the Week . National Football League . January 5, 2022.
175. Web site: Gordon. Grant . Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Titans QB Ryan Tannehill lead Players of the Week . National Football League . January 12, 2022.
176. Web site: Fedex Air & Ground Players of the Week. National Football League.
177. Web site: Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Week. National Football League.
178. Web site: Atlanta Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff, coach Dan Quinn relieved of their duties . atlantafalcons.com . October 11, 2020.
179. Web site: Atlanta Falcons name Raheem Morris interim head coach . AtlantaFalcons.com . Atlanta Falcons . October 12, 2020.
180. Web site: Tabeek. Matthew. Haley. Matt. It's official: Falcons name Arthur Smith head coach. AtlantaFalcons.com . January 16, 2021. January 16, 2021.
181. Web site: Lions agree to terms with Dan Campbell to become team's new head coach . DetroitLions.com. January 20, 2021. January 20, 2021.
182. Web site: Nick . Shook . Texans fire Bill O'Brien as general manager, head coach . NFL.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. . October 5, 2020 . October 5, 2020 .
183. Web site: Breech, John. October 8, 2020 . Oldest NFL coach ever: Texans' Romeo Crennel will break record in Week 5 that has stood for nearly 55 years . . October 12, 2020.
184. Web site: Houston Texans Hire David Culley as Head Coach . HoustonTexans.com. January 29, 2021. January 29, 2021.
185. Web site: Grant. Gordon . Jacksonville Jaguars fire head coach Doug Marrone . NFL.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. . January 4, 2021 . January 4, 2021.
186. Web site: Official: Urban Meyer named Jaguars Head Coach . January 14, 2021 . January 14, 2021 . jaguars.com.
187. Web site: Grant. Gordon. Chargers part ways with head coach Anthony Lynn after four seasons . NFL.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. . January 4, 2021 . January 4, 2021.
188. Web site: Chargers Agree to Terms with Brandon Staley as Head Coach. January 17, 2021 . chargers.com . January 17, 2021.
189. Web site: Grant. Gordon . New York Jets fire head coach Adam Gase after two seasons . NFL.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. . January 3, 2021 . January 3, 2021.
190. Web site: Jets Reach Agreement in Principle with Robert Saleh to Become Head Coach . January 14, 2021. NewYorkJets.com. en. January 14, 2021.
191. Web site: Jeffrey Lurie on Doug Pederson: 'I believe it is in our best interests to part ways' . January 11, 2021. philadelphiaeagles.com.
192. Web site: Nick. Shook . Eagles fire head coach Doug Pederson after five seasons . NFL.com . NFL Enterprises, LLC. . January 11, 2021 . January 11, 2021.
193. Web site: Eagles announce Nick Sirianni as head coach . January 24, 2021 . January 24, 2021. philadelphiaeagles.com.
194. Web site: December 16, 2021. A Statement from Shad Khan. December 16, 2021. Jaguars.com. December 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211216055506/https://www.jaguars.com/news/a-statement-from-shad-khan. dead.
195. News: Gordon. Grant. December 16, 2021. Urban Meyer fired as Jaguars head coach after 2-11 start to first season. NFL.com. December 16, 2021.
196. Web site: Taranto. Steven. December 16, 2021. Urban Meyer joins ranks of the shortest head coaching stints in NFL history. CBSSports.com. January 15, 2022.
197. News: Jon Gruden Statement. Raiders.com. October 11, 2021. October 12, 2021. October 12, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211012021720/https://www.raiders.com/news/statement-from-jon-gruden. dead.
198. News: Gordon. Grant. Jon Gruden resigns as Las Vegas Raiders head coach. NFL.com. October 11, 2021. October 12, 2021.
199. News: Rich Bisaccia to serve as Interim Head Coach. Raiders.com. October 11, 2021. October 12, 2021.
200. Web site: Falcons name Terry Fontenot general manager . AtlantaFalcons.com. January 19, 2020. January 19, 2020.
201. Web site: Panthers part ways with general manager Marty Hurney . Panthers.com. December 21, 2020. December 21, 2020.
202. Web site: Panthers agree to terms with Scott Fitterer to become Carolina's new general manager . Panthers.com . January 14, 2021. January 14, 2021.
203. Web site: Broncos to hire GM as John Elway announces changes to football operations . NFL.com. January 4, 2021. January 4, 2021.
204. Web site: Legwood . Jeff . Denver Broncos reach deal with Minnesota Vikings' George Paton to be general manager . ESPN.com . January 13, 2021 . . January 13, 2021.
205. Web site: Broncos agree to terms with George Paton to become general manager . DenverBroncos.com . January 13, 2021. January 13, 2021.
206. Web site: Baca. Michael. November 28, 2020. Detroit Lions fire head coach Matt Patricia, general manager Bob Quinn. November 28, 2020. NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC..
207. Web site: Lions agree to terms with Brad Holmes to become team's new Executive Vice President and General Manager. DetroitLions.com. January 14, 2021. January 14, 2021. February 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210205025549/https://www.detroitlions.com/news/lions-agree-to-terms-with-brad-holmes-to-become-team-s-new-executive-vice-presid. dead.
208. Web site: Lane. Mark. Report: Jack Easterby named Texans interim general manager. texanswire.usatoday.com. October 7, 2020. USA Today. October 8, 2020.
209. Web site: Houston Texans Hire Nick Caserio as General Manager . HoustonTexans.com. January 7, 2021. January 7, 2021.
210. Web site: Jaguars fire GM Dave Caldwell following Week 12 loss to Browns. NFL.com. NFL Enterprises, LLC.. November 29, 2020. November 29, 2020.
211. Web site: Official: Baalke named general manager . Jaguars.com . January 21, 2021 . January 21, 2021 . February 26, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210226033116/https://www.jaguars.com/news/official-baalke-named-general-manager . dead .
212. Web site: Martin Mayhew Named General Manager. WashingtonFootball.com. January 22, 2021. January 22, 2021. March 7, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210307083045/https://www.washingtonfootball.com/news/washington-football-team-martin-mayhew-gm. dead.
213. Web site: Chiefs and GEHA Announce Naming Rights Agreement for GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium . Chiefs.com . March 5, 2021 . March 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210304215038/https://www.chiefs.com/news/chiefs-and-geha-announce-naming-rights-agreement-for-geha-field-at-arrowhead-sta . dead .
214. Web site: Williams. Charean. 2021-03-29. Bills rename stadium to Highmark Stadium after naming-rights deal. 2021-03-29. ProFootballTalk. en-US.
215. Web site: writer. ANTHONY MCAULEY Staff. Caesars, Saints ink Superdome naming rights deal with pledge to bring more big events. 2021-07-29. NOLA.com. July 26, 2021 . en.
216. News: The Significance of Bank of America Stadium's Switch to Synthetic Turf. LaCour. Greg. 15 July 2021. Charlotte Magazine. 27 September 2021.
217. Web site: Young, Ryan . June 29, 2021 . All NFL teams can open stadiums at full capacity this season after Colts gain local approval . Yahoo! Sports . July 1, 2021.
218. Web site: September 20, 2021 . NFL fans, cheerleaders and mascots in 2021 . USA Today.
219. Web site: Scott, Jelani . August 17, 2021 . Raiders to require proof of COVID-19 vaccination from all fans attending home games in 2021 . 2021-08-23 . NFL.com . en-US.
220. Web site: Getzenberg, Alaina . September 14, 2021 . Buffalo Bills to require fans at games to be vaccinated against COVID-19 . 2021-09-23 . ESPN.com . en-US.
221. Web site: Seattle Seahawks and Lumen Field to Require Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination . 2021-09-14 . seahawks.com . en-US.
222. Web site: August 11, 2021 . How Philly's new COVID restrictions impact Phillies, Eagles games . 2021-08-24 . NBC Sports Philadelphia . en.
223. Web site: COVID Rules, Vaccine Guidelines for NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20210824045805/https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/sports/covid-rules-vaccine-guidelines-for-nfl-mlb-nba-and-nhl/3223885/ . August 24, 2021 . 2021-08-24 . NBC New York . en-US.
224. Web site: Shook . Nick . Cincinnati Bengals unveil new uniforms . NFL.com . 20 April 2021.
225. Web site: 75th Anniversary Uniform Pays Tribute to Rich History.
226. Web site: Reisman . Jeremy . Lions to unveil new all-white uniforms vs. Packers on MNF . Pride Of Detroit . 21 September 2021 . en . 20 September 2021.
227. 1428340975605268485. packers. A history-inspired look with a modern.... August 19, 2021.
228. Web site: Packers will have a new green-based throwback uniform in 2021. June 5, 2021.
229. Web site: Colts Go Retro with 1956 Throwback Uniform › Uni Watch. July 22, 2021.
230. News: Shook. Nick. Jacksonville Jaguars announce primary uniform switch from black to teal. NFL Enterprises, LLC. NFL.com. February 17, 2021. February 18, 2021.
231. Web site: Los Angeles Rams Unveil White Modern Throwback Uniforms. July 13, 2021 .
232. Web site: Williams . Charean . Giants will wear new road white pants . ProFootballTalk . 9 August 2021 . 9 August 2021.
233. News: 49ers Unveil '94 Red Throwback Uniforms During State of the Franchise. Forty Niners Football Company LLC. 49ers.com. June 30, 2021. July 19, 2021.
234. News: Browns unveil logo to celebrate 75th anniversary of the franchise. cleveland.com. January 29, 2021. August 31, 2021.
235. News: 49ers reveal 75th anniversary logo to be worn during draft, in season. NFL.com. April 26, 2021. August 31, 2021.
236. Web site: NFL plans to recognize 20th anniversary of 9/11 during Kickoff Weekend games . NFL . February 14, 2022 . September 7, 2021.
237. News: Molski . Max . How sports world, teams plan to honor 20th anniversary of 9/11 . February 7, 2022 . NBC Sports . September 9, 2021.
238. Web site: 2021-03-18. NFL announces TV deals with ESPN/ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, Amazon. 2021-03-18. ESPN.com. en.
239. Web site: 2021-03-18. NFL completes network/Amazon rights deals through 2033, bringing in $10 billion per year along the way. 2021-03-18. Awful Announcing. en-US.
240. Web site: Amazon Renews NFL 'Thursday Night Football' Through 2022, Scores Exclusive Game per Season. Spangler. Todd. April 29, 2020. Variety. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200429143142/https://variety.com/2020/digital/news/amazon-nfl-thursday-night-football-2022-exclusive-games-1234591787/. April 29, 2020. April 29, 2020.
241. News: February 6, 2011 . Goal of spectacle and colors NFL's thinking about Super Bowl halftime show . Chicago Tribune . live . January 30, 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170312153733/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-02-06/business/ct-biz-0206-rosenthal--20110206_1_super-halftime-party-doritos-zaptime-halftime-show . March 12, 2017.
242. Web site: 13 March 2019 . CBS, NBC in 'Freaky Friday' Super Bowl swap . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20190320090601/https://adage.com/article/media/cbs-nbc-swap-super-bowls/316974/ . 20 March 2019 . 13 March 2019 . adage.com . en.
243. Web site: Staff. S. V. G.. Ratings Roundup: NBC Receives Least Watched Olympics in Primetime; NFL Hall of Fame Game Becomes Most-Watched Preseason Bout in Four Years. 2021-09-10. Sports Video Group. August 13, 2021. en.
244. Web site: Sherman . Alex . 2021-05-03 . Amazon's exclusive 'Thursday Night Football' package will begin in 2022 instead of 2023 . 2021-05-12 . CNBC . en.
245. Web site: Goldsmith. Jill. 2021-05-18. Telemundo Deportes Nabs Exclusive Spanish-Language Rights To Super Bowl LVI Live From Los Angeles. live. 2021-05-18. Deadline. en-US. https://web.archive.org/web/20210518140248/https://deadline.com/2021/05/telemundo-deportes-super-bowl-lvi-live-telemundo-los-angeles-spanish-language-rights-1234759107/ . May 18, 2021 .
246. Web site: Peyton, Eli Manning to headline alternate 'Monday Night Football' telecast . Kevin. Patra. NFL.com. July 19, 2021. July 19, 2021.
247. Salvador. Joseph. Nickelodeon Broadcast to Return for Wild-Card Weekend. 2021-09-01. Sports Illustrated. September 2021 . en-us.
248. Web site: 2021-10-13. ESPN will air Monday Night Wild Card game starting this postseason, including a ManningCast. 2021-10-13. Awful Announcing. en-US.
249. Web site: NFL TV ratings page, 2021 edition . sportsmediawatch.com . September 27, 2014 . 15 September 2021.
250. Web site: CBS feasts with Raiders-Cowboys on Thanksgiving . sportsmediawatch.com . November 27, 2021 . 29 November 2021.
251. Web site: Lewis . Jon . Cowboys-Bucs thriller is most-watched NFL Kickoff in years . sportsmediawatch.com . September 10, 2021 . 12 September 2021.

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