NFL post-Week 14 power rankings: Lions roar to new heights
Mackenzie Salmon looks at the biggest risers and fallers in this week’s NFL power rankings.
USA TODAY
IRVING, Texas — Roger Goodell had nothing definitive to declare on the potential sale of the Washington Commanders as NFL owners wrapped up a one-day meeting on Wednesday amid increasing speculation that the league’s ties with controversial team owner Dan Snyder are numbered.
“I don’t have any expectations on that,” Goodell said when asked if he anticipated that Snyder – who enlisted a securities firm to facilitate a possible deal – would sell his franchise in its entirety. “Dan’s statement was that he was exploring that. And we will continue to work with him on that.”
On the other hand, the NFL commissioner implied that he’s satisfied with the culture change within Snyder’s franchise sparked by the numerous allegations of sexual harassment and the attached investigations.
Goodell spoke publicly on the Commanders’ situation for the first time since the Congressional House Oversight Committee released a report last week that added layers to issues that have dogged Snyder and his franchise for many months. The league fined Snyder $10 million in July 2021 and struck an agreement for him to turn over day-to-day operational control to his wife Tanya but has been in a holding pattern since then despite additional allegations, while former U.S. attorney Mary Jo White continues her investigation.
“The change has occurred with the Washington Commanders organization,” Goodell said. “That’s verified by audit. That’s the outcome we were seeking.”
That’s hardly a unanimous sentiment. For months, several NFL owners have considered the possibility of trying to force Snyder out – it would take 24 votes – which would effectively be the case if he sells the franchise.
There was no formal discussion on Wednesday about a Commanders sale, although Goodell said there was a briefing that summarized the Oversight Committee’s report.
And naturally, there was continued informal discussion about Snyder. Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay told reporters that he hasn’t changed his position since he publicly declared during the previous meeting that he suspected there was “merit” for NFL owners to consider voting Snyder out.
“It hasn’t changed, but I need more information,” Irsay told reporters. “This is a big decision. I said from the beginning, I was only interested in finding out more because there’s a lot of concern and there’s merit to look at that possibility. But I said give it consideration or look at it. I never said vote him out. It’s something that’s a big deal. We’ll see what the New Year brings.”
Perhaps the New Year will finally turn the page of the report from White, who has spent months investigating Snyder and the Commanders – yet still hasn’t interviewed Snyder. So much for urgency.
Asked why White’s probe has taken so long, Goodell expressed no concern.
“Mary Jo has not been given a timeline,” Goodell said. “She’s got to do an awful lot of work on these investigations. I’m not going to press her to do that. She knows that she has our full support and she’s continuing to make progress. When she’s done, she’ll let us know.”
Then again, if Snyder sells (for what would likely be a record price), White’s conclusion could be a moot point.
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Also:
► Among the tweaks the NFL has earmarked for the scouting combine is a refined interview process that includes more “dignity and respect,” as Troy Vincent, executive vice president for football operations, described it. Over the years, some prospects have taken offense to the tactics during the interview process that includes questions that apparently cross the line of professionalism. Vincent said that the aim is for more uniformity in the team interviews. Goodell said the league, in talking with players, also looks to rearrange the scheduling of events, interviews and medical testing to allow for more rest for on-field timing and testing. The NFL is committed to staging the combine in Indianapolis in 2023 and 2024, but beginning with the 2025 event will again consider bids from other cities.
► Owners voted on 12 business-related measures on Wednesday, including six that involved $4 billion in financing for new stadiums (Buffalo, Nashville) and stadium renovations.
► The NFL won’t stage a game in Mexico in 2024, but could opt for two games in Germany. Peter O’Reilly, the league’s executive vice president for business operations and events, said that Estadio Azteca, the Mexico City venue the league uses, won’t be available next year as it undergoes renovations in advance of hosting the World Cup in 2026. The league also plans for stage three games again in London.
