MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

Steelers' Mike Tomlin 'certainly open to utilizing' Justin Fields in wild-card game vs. Ravens

"I'm certainly open to utilizing Justin," head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters, via the Steelers' official website. "He has an awesome skill set. We've done some of that in the past. We've done less of it in recent weeks. He experienced an injury a couple of weeks back that slowed some of that. But certainly in an effort to win this game. I am open to any combination or combinations of the division of labor in an effort to do so, and so I'm certainly open to that as we develop plans this week."

per; CBS

 

Caleb Williams issues challenge to next Bears head coach

Williams spoke with reporters on Monday and shared quite a message for Chicago's yet-to-be-hired next head coach.

"I would say just challenge me," Williams said, as shared by Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "Whether it’s pulling me aside and saying whatever — having talks consistently. Maybe having a list of things we want to accomplish, myself first — that helps the team. From there, help find ways to set goals. However it might work out, just challenge. Find ways to help better myself and better the team. Really excited about that."

"There were more lessons this year than I would say I’ve had," Williams added during his comments. "One of the things was all of the different things throughout the week that it takes for me to go out there and play well, the team to play well. That’s something I learned early on. Finding ways to be better with those things throughout the year and the years to come."

Williams finished Week 18 ranked second in the NFL among rookie signal-callers with 351 completions, second with 562 pass attempts, third with 3,541 yards through the air, third with 20 passing touchdowns and second with 489 rushing yards on the season.

YARDBARKER

 

Good News for the Eagles...

Jalen Hurts will be back at practice today

The Eagles’ starting quarterback is returning to practice today after missing the last two weeks with a concussion.

 

Jordan Love was limited on Wednesday... he was a full participant today.

 

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has made it through the concussion protocol, coach Nick Sirianni said Friday, clearing him to play against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.

 

Lamar Jackson on Josh Allen: I’m trying to beat you, not be your friend

The NFL’s top two MVP candidates will meet on Sunday when Lamar Jackson leads the Ravens against Josh Allen and the Bills. And Jackson badly wants to win.

Asked if he and Allen ever get together in the offseason, Jackson said he spends his offseasons trying to get better than his opponents, not hang out with them.

“Do I see Josh Allen? I don’t know, I’ve probably seen Josh early on in my career, going to events, like around Super Bowl time and stuff like that,” Jackson said. “I don’t really chill with people in the offseason, especially not other quarterbacks. Don’t get me wrong, there’s no problem, but we’re competing against each other. I’m trying to beat you. I’m not trying to be your friend.”

Asked if he thinks he’ll always be linked with Allen because they were drafted in the same first round, Jackson said he expects to reflect on their shared legacy some day, but that day is not today.

“No doubt, when we’re older, we’ll probably laugh about it, but right now it’s serious. I ain’t laughing with you,” Jackson said.

Sunday’s game will be a big one to define both quarterbacks’ legacies, and Jackson is going into it with a competitive mindset. Not a friendly mindset.

PFT/MDSmith

 

Jackson makes a lot of sense, screw the other teams players, if we’re friends that will get in the way of me kicking your rearend to the curb