PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — Former Eagles quarterback Nick Foles, who cemented his place as a certified Philadelphia sports legend after leading the Birds to victory in Super Bowl LII, will officially retire from professional football as a Philadelphia Eagle in September.
“After much thought and prayer, I’ve decided to retire from the NFL,” Foles wrote in a social media post. “It’s been an incredible 11-year journey filled with unforgettable moments and amazing people. From being drafted by the Eagles to winning the Super Bowl, every step has been a blessing.”
In a video shared with the post, Foles thanked NFL fans around the world for their support, but specifically singled out Philadelphia Eagles fans. “You truly made playing in Philadelphia the most special experience in my football career,” he said.
Foles will officially retire from the NFL on Sept. 16, when the Eagles play their home opener at Lincoln Financial Field against the Atlanta Falcons on Monday Night Football.
Nick Foles scores a touchdown in Super Bowl LII. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
“Nick Foles always carried himself with the utmost class and integrity, demonstrating through his actions, both on and off the field, what it meant to be a Philadelphia Eagle,” Jeffrey Lurie, chairman of CEO of the Philadelphia Eagles said in a statement. “He was the ultimate competitor, an inspiring teammate, a true representative of our city, and of course, a Super Bowl champion. As important as he was under center, it was his positive demeanor, approachability, and kindness toward others that resonated with everyone and continues to speak to his great character. We congratulate the Foles family on Nick’s celebrated career and retirement.”
Foles, who the Eagles drafted in the third round of the 2012 NFL draft, was traded to the then-St. Louis Rams in 2015. He spent one season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016 before returning to the Philadelphia in 2017 as a backup to quarterback Carson Wentz.
After Wentz tore his ACL that season, Foles stepped in as the team’s starting quarterback and led Philadelphia to a 41-33 victory over Tom Brady and the New England Patriots during the Super Bowl in February of 2018.
During that game, Foles completed what’s now known as the iconic “Philly Special” play, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to catch a touchdown in a Super Bowl.
— Highest completion percentage in NFL playoff history (68.1%) — One of only 3 QB with 7 TD passes and 0 INT in a game — Only QB with 7 pass TD and perfect passer rating (158.3) in a game — Highest completion percentage in game with 7… pic.twitter.com/Q9QDGUa3hZ
Foles himself called the play, suggesting “Philly Philly” to then-Eagles head coach Doug Pederson on the sidelines with under a minute to go in the first half.
Throughout Super Bowl LII, Foles completed 28 of 43 passes for 373 passing yards, had three passing touchdowns, one interception and a 106.1 passer rating. He went on to be named Super Bowl MVP.
Foles stayed in Philadelphia through the 2019 season before being traded to the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he spent a season before going to Chicago from 2020-2022. He spent the final season of his career in Indianapolis but was released in 2023 after one season.
Fans react to Foles’ retirement
Fans in South Philadelphia Thursday night described Foles’ legacy in the city.
“He’s a legend,” Jennifer Brennan, of South Philly, said. “We love him. The city loves him, and we’re happy to have him back.”
“He had a pretty tough career, but it didn’t really seem to knock him down, though,” South Philadelphia’s Brian Knowles said. “It’s really nice to see that he’s going to come back as an Eagle and retire as an Eagle.”
Other fans said they’ll always be grateful to Foles for what he did for the team.
“For generations before me — my parents, my grandparents — no one ever thought they would ever see an Eagles Super Bowl. So the fact that he was able to bring it, I mean, he’ll always be a legend,” Logan Joyce, of Wilmington, Delaware, said. “He’ll always have a special place in my heart.”
Alexandra Simon
Alexandra Simon is a digital content producer at CBS Philadelphia. Alex started her career at CBS21 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania before joining KARE 11 News in Minneapolis, where she covered breaking news, features and often cold weather.
FOXBORO — The Patriots may be on the verge of acquiring star wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk. The Pats and San Francisco 49ers reportedly have the framework for an Aiyuk trade worked out, according to Mike Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area, and now it’s up to the receiver to accept a new contract from New England.
The Patriots, however, are not alone in this quest to add Aiyuk. The Cleveland Browns have also worked out a trade package with the 49ers, and the Pittsburgh Steelers keep popping up in rumors. There also remains the chance that Aiyuk could return to San Francisco for the 2024 NFL season, though that seems more and more unlikely by the hour.
“The Browns and Patriots have given their best offers to Aiyuk’s camp while also presenting trade proposals that the 49ers have accepted,” Maiocco reported Monday night. “Now it’s up to Aiyuk to determine if he will accept the contract terms from either of those franchises, the source said.”
Aiyuk is entering the final year of his rookie contract that will pay him just over $14 million for the upcoming season. He has made it abundantly clear since San Fran’s loss in Super Bowl LVIII that he wants a new, big-money extension, which the 49ers have been reluctant to give him. He is reportedly seeking a deal worth upwards of $30 million per season.
Maiocco didn’t have the full details of New England’s trade offer, but he did note that veteran receiver Kendrick Bourne is expected to be part of the deal. Bourne, who is currently on PUP, played in San Francisco from 2017-2020 before signing with the Patriots as a free agent.
Aiyuk’s camp was also given permission to negotiate with the Washington Commanders and Pittsburgh Steelers, but the Commanders dropped out of the trade talks and the Steelers aren’t willing to give into San Francisco’s trade demands, according to NBC Sports Bay Area. But Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Tuesday afternoon that the Steelers are still very much in on Aiyuk.
ESPN’s Mike Reiss reported Tuesday morning that the Patriots have been attempting to trade for Aiyuk “for months, and it has been a slow process from their side.” Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio previously reported that the Patriots offered a second-round pick to San Francisco and were willing to pay Aiyuk $28 million per season — the receiver’s “magic number” — before the NFL Draft.
If the Patriots can convince Aiyuk to accept their contract, the 26-year-old would immediately become the No. 1 option in New England. Aiyuk earned second-team All Pro honors after he led San Francisco with 75 catches for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns last season, and has averaged 67 receptions and 983 yards over his four-year career.
Matt Geagan
Matthew Geagan is a sports producer for CBS Boston. He has been part of the WBZ sports team for nearly 20 years. He moved over to the web in 2012 and has covered all the highs (and a few lows) in Boston sports.
With Hicks’ 10 years in the league, he brings a wealth of experience to a younger linebacker room, as well as veteran leadership. Stefanski said those two elements play a large factor in his presence in the unit.
“That doesn’t happen by accident,” Stefanski said. “That’s somebody who really takes care of his body, plays well, has been in a bunch of different systems. So, he can impart a ton of wisdom on those young players just by his sheer numbers of years in this league.”
Not only does he bring 10 years of experience in the league, but he’s also played for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz with the Eagles. With Schwartz in Philadelphia, Hicks started all 35 games he played in over those three seasons. The Eagles went on a successful run in that stretch, and while Hicks missed a majority of the 2017 Super Bowl run with an Achilles injury, Hicks still found success in Schwartz’s system.
While there are slight differences from the Eagles to the Browns that has created a learning curve for Hicks, he has a foundation and an understanding of the core of Schwartz’s defensive style.
“I know what to expect and what Jim is looking for,” Hicks said. “But at the same time, you know, a lot of this defense since last time I was in his has evolved. So, there’s been some learning curves and some understanding but a lot of that was done in OTAs and minicamp, so we came hit the hit the ground running, didn’t have to install anything just took off.”
The linebackers play a unique role in the defensive system. They line up in the middle of the defense, and Hicks said they have to help set the defense, provide the necessary communication to both the defensive line and the secondary so they are all on the same. Hicks said they also are trying to be one step ahead of the call, predicting what plays the offense can run and thinking about what types of motions can get the defense into their best coverages and fronts.
Hicks has special ability to do just that from the middle of the defense, and linebackers coach Jason Tarver has noted that skillset.
“We’re the nerve center of the defense,” Tarver said. “We need to be able to get everybody lined up, get everybody chill and then when the ball is snapped, make the play. So, we love his ability to do that.”
The NFL logo is displayed on the field in Charlotte, N.C., on Nov. 4, 2018. The judge who presided in a class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers against the NFL said Thursday that the jury did not follow his instructions in determining damages.
Nell Redmond/AP
hide caption
toggle caption
Nell Redmond/AP
LOS ANGELES — A federal judge overturned a jury’s $4.7 billion verdict in the class-action lawsuit filed by “Sunday Ticket” subscribers against the NFL and has granted judgment to the NFL.
U.S. District Judge Philip Gutierrez ruled Thursday that the testimony of two witnesses for the subscribers had flawed methodologies and should have been excluded.
“Without the testimonies of Dr. (Daniel) Rascher and Dr. (John) Zona, no reasonable jury could have found class-wide injury or damages,” Gutierrez wrote at the end of his 16-page ruling.
On June 27 the jury awarded $4.7 billion in damages to residential and commercial subscribers after it ruled the NFL violated antitrust laws in distributing out-of-market Sunday afternoon games on a premium subscription service.
The lawsuit covered 2.4 million residential subscribers and 48,000 businesses in the United States who paid for the package on DirecTV of out-of-market games from the 2011 through 2022 seasons.
“We are grateful for today’s ruling in the Sunday Ticket class action lawsuit,” the NFL said in a statement. “We believe that the NFL’s media distribution model provides our fans with an array of options to follow the game they love, including local broadcasts of every single game on free over-the-air television. We thank Judge Gutierrez for his time and attention to this case and look forward to an exciting 2024 NFL season.”
Calls and emails to the attorneys representing “Sunday Ticket” subscribers were not returned.
The jury of five men and three women found the NFL liable for $4,610,331,671.74 in damages to the residential class (home subscribers) and $96,928,272.90 in damages to the commercial class (business subscribers).
Because damages can be tripled under federal antitrust laws, the NFL could have been liable for $14,121,779,833.92.
Gutierrez did say in his decision that if he did not rule for the NFL as a matter of law, he would have vacated the jury’s damages verdict and conditionally grant a new trial “based on the jury’s irrational damages award.”
Rascher’s models were variations of a college football model. Rascher, an economist at the University of San Francisco, said during his testimony that “they figured it out in college sports, (so) they would certainly figure it out at the NFL.”
Gutierrez said Rascher’s testimony “was not the product of sound economic methodology” and that he needed to explain how out-of-market telecasts would have been available on cable and satellite without an additional subscription.
Gutierrez also found flaws in Zona’s “multiple distributor” models because it predicted consumers would have paid more if another service besides DirecTV offered “Sunday Ticket” and there was an unsupported assumption that another distributor — either cable, satellite or streaming — would have been available.
“Without knowing what “direct-to-consumer” meant, it is impossible to determine if it would have been economically rational for consumers to purchase ”Sunday Ticket” from an alternative distributor at a higher price,” Gutierrez said. “And, that definition was necessary for determining whether a viable alternative distributor even existed during the class period. Without that information, the Court cannot determine whether the but-for worlds without exclusivity were modeled reliably.
The jury’s amount also did not conform to Rascher’s model ($7.01 billion) by Daniel Rascher, or the model ($3.48 billion) by Zona, who was an expert witness in the case.
Instead, the jury used the 2021 list price of $293.96 and subtracted $102.74, the average price actually paid by residential Sunday Ticket subscribers. The jury then used $191.26, which it considered as the “overcharge,” and multiplied that by the number of subscribers to come up with the damages amount.
Gutierrez said the jury did not follow his instructions and “instead relied on inputs not tied to the record to create its own ‘overcharge.’”
It is not the first time the NFL has won a judgment as matter of law in this case, which has been going on since 2015.
In 2017, U.S. District Judge Beverly Reid O’Connell dismissed the lawsuit and ruled for the NFL because she said “Sunday Ticket” did not reduce output of NFL games and that even though DirecTV might have charged inflated prices, that did not “on its own, constitute harm to competition” because it had to negotiate with the NFL to carry the package.
Two years later, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the case.
It is likely the plaintiffs will again appeal to the 9th Circuit.
C.J. Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans takes the field prior to the AFC Wild Card Playoffs against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium on January 13, 2024 in Houston, Texas.
Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Move aside, Paris Olympics: NFL football is back tonight, starting with the 2024 Hall of Fame game. The Chicago Bears face the Houston Texans for the first preseason game of the 2024-25 NFL season. The annual kickoff to the NFL preseason, and the year’s induction ceremony into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Hall of Fame game is a favorite event for fans.
Keep reading to find out how and when to watch the Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans NFL Hall of Fame game, even if you don’t have cable.
How and when to watch the Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans NFL Hall of Fame game
The Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans NFL Hall of Fame game will be played on Thursday, Aug. 1, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET (5 p.m. PT). The game will air on ESPN and stream on the platforms listed below.
How to watch the Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans Hall of Fame game without cable
While most cable packages include ESPN, it’s easy to watch the game if ESPN isn’t included in your cable TV subscription, or if you don’t have cable at all. Your best options for watching are below. (Streaming options will require an internet provider.)
Stream the Bears vs. Texans game on Sling for half price
For streaming all the must-watch college football and NFL games to follow this fall — we like Sling TV. The cable TV replacement option is currently offering half off every pricing tier. For $22.50 (regularly $45), subscribe to your first month of the Sling Blue tier, which includes your local network affiliates. You also get access to E! and USA Network (including 400 hours of Olympics programming on USA in 4K resolution).
We suggest leveling up your coverage to the Sling Orange + Blue tier, which includes your local network affiliates plus ESPN, TNT, TBS and other popular cable channels, all for $30 for your first month of service (regularly $60).
We like that there’s a $11 per month sports add-on plan called Sports Extra and the option to add on Paramount+ if you want to catch even more sporting events this fall.
Top features of Sling TV Orange + Blue plan:
Sling TV is our top choice for streaming major sporting events like Simone Biles at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
You get access to most local NFL games and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage.
You can add Golf Channel, NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL RedZone, MLB Network, Tennis Channel and more sports-oriented channels (19 in total) via Sling TV’s Sports Extras add-on.
Watch the Bears vs. Texans game free with FuboTV
You can also catch the 2024-25 college football season and the 2024-25 NFL season on Fubo. Fubo is a sports-centric streaming service that offers access to network-aired sports like the NASCAR, and almost every NFL game next season. Packages include the live feed of sports and programming airing on CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, NFL Network and more, so you’ll be able to watch more than just football – all without a cable subscription.
To watch football this season without cable, start a seven-day free trial of Fubo. You can begin watching immediately on your TV, phone, tablet or computer. In addition to NFL games you’ll have access to college football, Fubo offers MLB, NBA, NHL, MLS and international soccer games. Fubo’s Pro Tier is priced at $80 per month after your free seven-day trial.
Sports fans will want to consider adding on the $7.99 per month Fubo Extra package, which includes MLB Network, NBA TV, NHL Network, Tennis Channel, SEC Network and more channels. Or upgrade to the Fubo Elite tier and get all the Fubo Extra channels, plus the ability to stream in 4K, for an extra $10 per month.
Top features of Fubo Pro Tier:
There are no contracts with Fubo — you can cancel at any time.
You can watch sporting events up to 72 hours after they air live with Fubo’s lookback feature.
The Pro tier includes over 180 channels, including NFL Network and Golf Channel.
Fubo includes all the channels you’ll need to watch college and pro sports, including CBS (not available through Sling TV).
All tiers come with 1,000 hours of cloud-based DVR recording.
Stream on your TV, phone, and other devices.
Watch the Bears vs. Texans game free on Hulu + Live TV
You can watch the NFL, including the NFL Network, with Hulu + Live TV. The bundle features access to 90 channels, including both Fox and FS1. Unlimited DVR storage is also included. Watch every game on every network with Hulu + Live TV, plus catch live NFL preseason games, exclusive live regular season games, popular studio shows (including NFL Total Access and the Emmy-nominated show Good Morning Football) and lots more.
Hulu + Live TV comes bundled with ESPN+ and Disney+ for $77 per month after a three-day free trial.
Watch the Bears vs. Texans game on ESPN+
ESPN+ offers exclusive live sports, original shows, a vast library of on-demand content, including the entire 30 For 30 series and more. Here’s a sampling of what’s available on ESPN+:
Exclusive fantasy sports tools and content from some of the sports world’s most respected voices in sports.
Every Fight Night UFC event UFC PPV event (PPV events are subject to an additional charge).
Soccer including EFL Championship, US Open Cup and Bundesliga.
College sports including the Ivy League, Big Sky Conference and Atlantic A10 Conference.
MLB and the World Series.
Top-tier tennis including the Australian Open and Wimbledon.
The PGA Tour and the Masters.
An ESPN+ subscription costs $10.99 per month, or save 15% when you pay annually ($110). ESPN+ is also currently offering a cost-saving bundle. Get ESPN+ (With Ads), Disney + (With Ads) and Hulu (With Ads) for $14.99 per month.
Watch the Bears vs. Texans game on your phone with NFL+
If you want to catch the game on your phone — and all the amazing football ahead this season — check out NFL+. The premium streaming service, starting at $40 per year (or $7 per month), offers access to NFL Network. And yes, that includes games being broadcast out-of-market. To boost your NFL experience even further, you can upgrade to NFL+ Premium with NFL RedZone and watch up to eight NFL games simultaneously. A seven-day, free trial is available.
Top features of NFL+:
You get access to all NFL preseason games, including those that are out of market.
NFL+ lets you watch stream local and primetime regular season games on your phone or tablet, but not your TV.
Includes the NFL Network (and NFL RedZone with NFL+ Premium), so it’s a good option for those who are looking to stream football on the go.
If you’re waiting for today’s game to begin, now is a great time to check out Amazon’s NFL Fan Shop. The Amazon NFL Fan Shop is filled to the brim with officially licensed fan gear: You’ll find jerseys, team flags, T-shirts, hoodies and more, including tons of great after-Christmas deals for the NFL fan in your life. There are plenty of deals awaiting you at Amazon, too, including some must-see deals on TVs for watching football.
Tap the button below to head directly to the NFL Fan Shop page on Amazon and select your favorite team.
2024-25 NFL Season: Key Dates
Below are the key dates for the 2024-25 NFL season.
August 1: Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio (Bears vs. Texans) August 8-11: First Preseason Weekend August 15-18: Second Preseason Weekend August 22-25: Third Preseason Weekend August 27: Deadline for roster cuts for all 32 teams down to 53 players November 5: NFL Trade Deadline January 11-13: Wildcard Weekend January 18-19: Divisional Round January 20: College Football Playoff Championship Game January 26: AFC/NFC Championship Games February 2: NFL Pro Bowl February 9: Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans
Where is the Chicago Bears vs. Houston Texans Hall of Fame game being played?
Tonight’s game will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (Canton, Ohio), adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
When is the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony?
This year’s NFL Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at noon ET (9 a.m. PT). Fans can watch the ceremony live on ESPN, ESPN+ and NFL Network
Who is being inducted into the Pro Footbal Hall of Fame this year?
The 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class includes Dwight Freeney, Randy Gradishar, Devin Hester, Andre Johnson, Steve McMichael, Julius Peppers and Patrick Willis. Each will be awarded his gold jacket at Saturday’s induction ceremony.
