(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
The NFL is gearing up to announce its full regular-season schedule Wednesday (May 15), and the news will make a huge splash, since fans have been patiently waiting for the schedule for weeks now. Ahead of the Wednesday announce, the NFL has announced some select 2024 games to get the party started. Here's a look at the select 2024 NFL regular-season games that have been announced so far.
NFL Announces Select 2024 Games
Week 1: New York Jets at San Francisco 49ers, Sept. 9, ESPN, 8:20 p.m. ET
Aaron Rodgers is finally back, again. How can you forget last year's Jets' Monday Night Football season opener, when Rodgers got a season-ending injury? Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself. The Jets have snagged the big Monday Night Football slot on Week 1, and they'll take on the 49ers.
Week 1: Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs, Sept. 5, NBC, 8 p.m. ET
It's an AFC championship rematch, with the Chiefs once again going up against the Ravens. This should be a great watch, with Lamar Jackson going up against Patrick Mahomes.
Week 2: Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs, Sept. 15, CBS, 4:25 p.m. ET
Following the Chiefs' season opener against the Ravens, they'll take on the Cincinnati Bengals. There's a longstanding rivalry between quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow, so this should make for an exciting game.
Week 1: Dallas Cowboys at Cleveland Browns, Sept. 8, Fox, 4:25 p.m. ET
The Dallas Cowboys always draw attention, and they'll go up against the Cleveland Browns on Sept. 8. This game will also mark Tom Brady's first game as a commentator on Fox.
Week 1: Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sept. 6, in São Paulo, Brazil
Don't forget about the overseas games. The NFL's first game in Brazil will pit the Packers against the Eagles. It will also mark the NFL's first Friday game since way back in 1970.
I'm so excited for the games above and the entire NFL season. It's great to see some select 2024 games drop early, as they always do. I just love the game so much. If you're a fan of the NFL, check out my podcast, "The Squad with Anne Erickson," and listen wherever you get your podcasts. In other NFL news, Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff recently became the second highest-paid NFL player. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter and NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero, he's signed a four-year, $212 million contract extension with the Detroit Lions. It includes $170 million guaranteed. With the new contract, Goff will make a $53 million average annual salary. That makes him the second highest-paid player in the league, only behind the Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Burrow, who makes a $55 million average annual salary.
It's been quite a wild NFL offseason already. I feel like every day, I wake up to some kind of major news breaking about one or more NFL teams. But, a lot of the changes happened right before the end of the season, in the form of a bevy of new coaches. So, let's get into ranking every coach NFL hired for 2024.
It's hard to believe, but the NFL is replacing a quarter of its head coaches in 2024. That's so wild. I guess it goes to show that there is very little forgiveness in the NFL when it comes to those leaders. The same is true of college football, too. If coaches aren't able to deliver in a few years, they're out. The football world can also be very fickle. When you're winning, you're on top. When you're losing, you're out. I get it, though, because these teams want to win. There's a lot of money and pride on the line. So, let's hope the new coaches for the NFL this year deliver some good games.
Some of the head coaching changes have been shocking. For example, I was surprised when the Seattle Seahawks let Pete Carroll go after so many successful seasons. Another shocker, albeit not quite as surprising, was Bill Belichick. Sure, the New England Patriots had a terrible season. The worst. But, there's no denying that Belichick is one of the greatest NFL coaches of all time. Will Carroll or Belichick resurface as the head coach of another NFL team down the line? Time will tell. But, for now, they'll be watching from the sidelines. So, here I go with ranking the NFL's eight new head coaches. While all of these guys look solid, some moves are just more winning than others. Reach out to me with your thoughts on the new NFL coaches here.
8. Dan Quinn, Commanders
The Commanders looked like favorites to get Ben Johnson from the Detroit Lions as their new head coach, but Johnson decided to stay in the Motor City. So, they snagged Dan Quinn. Of course, Quinn got the Falcons all the way to Super Bowl 51, so he has experience. But, it's not really an exciting hire. Sill, Quinn could deliver the goods.
7. Brian Callahan, Titans
Brian Callahan is the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans, and he comes with football in his blood. His father, Bill, once took the Raiders to the Super Bowl. Brian stands on his own, though, and helped take Cincinnati on the Super Bowl run with Joe Burrow. Let's see if he can bring that magic to Nashville.
6. Jerod Mayo, Patriots
Jerod Mayo has big shoes to fill as the new head coach for the New England Patriots. He's replacing the great Bill Belichick. They're keeping it in the family, though, as Mayo has been with the Patriots for years. Robert Kraft promoted the former Patriots star from within, much like former player Dan Campbell was given the head coaching role with the Detroit Lions.
5. Raheem Morris, Falcons
Like many of the coaches on this list, Raheem Morris has his work cut out for him with the challenging Atlanta Falcons. He's no stranger to the NFC South and was with the Buccaneers years ago. Of course, Morris' name got big as the defensive coordinator for Sean McVay when the L.A. Rams won the Super Bowl. Let's see if he can make it happen in Atlanta.
4. Antonio Pierce, Raiders
Antonio Pierce helped Las Vegas come back at the end of last season, after Josh McDaniels was let go after his short time there. The players and fans seemed to really love Pierce and what he was doing in just a few games. So, this pick definitely makes sense.
3. Jim Harbaugh, Chargers
Well, Jim Harbaugh finally got back to the NFL. Every year, it seemed like Harbaugh was flirting with the NFL, trying to snag a gig and leave the Michigan Wolverines. Well, hot off a national championship win with the Wolverines, he's back, now with the Chargers. He's super motivated to get a Super Bowl. He also already has a good roster. So, this could go up quickly.
2. Mike Macdonald, Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks let go of a great coach in Pete Carroll, but they got a great one, too. What's more, the Seahawks knabbed a defensive-minded coach, which is a rare gem in the NFL. I mean, the NFL is usually so offensive-minded, so it's nice to see someone on the defensive side of things leading the pack. MacDonald has a lot on his side, including some strong players and a great GM in John Schneider. He's also known to be well-liked by players, which can go a long way.
1. Dave Canales, Panthers
It's ironic that one of the most challenged teams has the No. 1 new coach on this list. But, it's true. Dave Canales is a great fit for the Panthers, and boy, do they need the help. Canales has lots of history with the Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He should be a great QB-coaching fit with Bryce Young, too.
