Buzz around the NFL is Chicago Bears GM Ryan Pace will stay — possibly with a promotion — while coach Matt Nagy will be fired  —  It would appear at this point the great Chicago Bears collaboration has its limits.  —  The Bears pinned their faith in the power structure at Halas Hall …

It has been 20 years since the Dolphins swept Patriots.  Is this the season?  —  MIAMI GARDENS — Dolphins coach Brian Flores isn't in a season wrap-up kind of mood.  —  He's not interested in celebrating end-of-the-season awards, like Jaylen Waddle being named the 2021 Dolphins' Most Valuable Player.

With Ravens QB Lamar Jackson ruled out, Tyler Huntley will start regular-season finale vs. Steelers  —  With Pro Bowl quarterback Lamar Jackson again sidelined, backup Tyler Huntley will start the Ravens' must-win regular-season finale Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, coach John Harbaugh announced Friday.

Julius Randle waves thumbs down at Garden crowd: ‘Shut the f— up’  —  Julius Randle took a page out of the Mets' book and attached an expletive.  —  The Knicks star, who has been a target for negative reactions from Knicks fans all season, motioned a thumbs down at the MSG crowd …

Michael Kay will team up with Alex Rodriguez for ESPN ‘Manningcast’  —  MORE FROM:  —  Kay-Rod!  —  The complete shake-up of “Sunday Night Baseball” will end with the TV voice of the Yankees, Michael Kay, being a part of the Alex Rodriguez “Manningcast” on ESPN, according to sources.

GamePlan: Previewing the 2022 Coach Hiring Cycle  —  Who's safe, which jobs will open and where might some teams look for candidates.  Plus, previewing Week 18's biggest games and story lines, and Antonio's Brown's future.  —  Last year, it was like there was a scoreboard validating each assistant coach's candidacy.

Wizards announcer apologizes to Kevin Porter Jr. for mistaken allusion to player's dead father  —  A Washington Wizards announcer apologized for a questionable reference to Kevin Porter Jr.'s dead father, who was killed in a shooting, after the Houston Rockets guard hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer Wednesday against Washington.

Browns QB Baker Mayfield must resolve differences with Kevin Stefanski to co-exist next season  —  CLEVELAND, Ohio — Baker Mayfield must resolve his differences with Kevin Stefanski in case they need to co-exist next season.Even if Mayfield does mend the fences, he might not be back if the Browns decide …

An open apology for my Aaron Rodgers comments  —  So in case you haven't heard, I've spent the better part of the last 24 hours making a pretty nasty mess.  —  Actually, and much to my surprise, that may be the understatement of the year.  There is absolutely nothing clever or remotely entertaining about it.

Why MLB's labor negotiations have gone nowhere — and baseball's path back  —  MORE THAN A month into Major League Baseball's lockout, well aware that the league and players haven't had a single substantive negotiating session since the work stoppage began and that spring training …

Mets close to offering Joey Cora third base coach job  —  While most of the league is quiet in MLB lockout mode, the Mets have started the new year actively engaged in interviews.  —  Joey Cora, the older brother of Red Sox manager Alex Cora, is close to being named the Mets third base coach under …