The statement from the NFL Players Association strongly hinted at the cause of the sudden passing of Vikings receiver Rondale Moore on Saturday. Via the Associated Press, police in New Albany, Indiana, have said that Moore died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The official cause of death is pending an autopsy scheduled for Sunday.
It’s a tragic situation, one that happens far too often. Even though many who are dealing with depression and other mental-health issues seek help, many suffer in silence.
Even if friends, family, and teammates are looking for any signs of distress, sometimes there are none until it’s too late.
The message is clear. If you’re struggling, say something. To someone. To anyone. There’s always someone who will help you. You may think there isn’t, but there is.
The world has changed. No longer does anyone believe that it’s a sign of weakness to be vulnerable. And most understand the importance of reacting quickly when someone in their personal orbit needs help.
If all else fails, call or text 988. There’s not a single person whose absence would not affect multiple other people, in many different ways. During a November 2025 60 Minutes feature regarding the problem of suicides among farmers, Jolie Foreman of Shelby County Cares said that every suicide directly affects 130 people.
Some affect many more than that. Each one that happens should serve as a reminder to all of us that we need to be ready to seek help when we need it, and to give help when it’s requested. You can save a life. You can save your own.
Falcons Clips
The Vikings have issued a statement following the sudden passing of receiver Rondale Moore, who died Saturday at age 25.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Rondale Moore,” the Vikings said. “While we are working to understand the facts, we have spoken with Rondale’s family to offer our condolences and the full support of the Minnesota Vikings. We have also been in communication with our players, coaches, and staff, and will make counseling and emotional support resources available to anyone in need. Our thoughts are with Rondale’s family and friends during this devastating time.”
The Vikings issued a separate statement from coach Kevin O’Connell.
“I am devastated by the news of Rondale’s death,” O’Connell said. “While Rondale had been a member of the Vikings for a short time, he was someone we came to know well and care about deeply. He was a humble, soft-spoken, and respectful young man who was proud of his Indiana roots. As a player, he was disciplined, dedicated and resilient despite facing adversity multiple times as injuries sidelined him throughout his career. We are all heartbroken by the fact he won’t continue to live out his NFL dream and we won’t all have a chance to watch him flourish. My prayers are with Rondale’s family, friends, teammates and coaches as we all deal with this tragic news.”
Moore signed with the Vikings last March, after three years with the Cardinals and one with the Falcons. He was a second-round pick in 2021.
The NFL Players Association has issued a statement following the passing of Vikings receiver Rondale Moore. He was only 25.
“The NFL Players Association is devastated by the sudden and tragic passing of Rondale Moore,” the union said. “This immense loss is felt deeply across our union, and we value his service as a player rep. Our condolences and prayers are with Rondale’s family, teammates, and loved one during this incredibly difficult time.
“In moments like this we are reminded of how much our players carry, on and off the field. To our members: Please know that support is always within reach. Check on your teammates and prioritize your mental health. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to take advantage of the many confidential resources available to you through the NFLPA.”
It’s true for everyone who needs assistance of any kind. Help is available. Seek it. Give it. One simple phone call or text can make all the difference.
Vikings receiver Rondale Moore has died. He was 25.
Via WLKY in Louisville, the Floyd County Coroner confirmed Moore’s passing. Louisville coach Jeff Brohm, who coached Moore at Purdue, addressed the situation in a statement released on Saturday night.
“Rondale Moore was a complete joy to coach,” Brohm said, via WLKY. “The ultimate competitor that would never back down to any challenge. Rondale has a work ethic that was unmatched by anyone. A great teammate that would come through in any situation. we all loved Rondale and we loved his smile and competitive edge that always wanted to please everyone he came in contact with. We offer all of our thoughts and prayers to Rondale and his family and we love him very much!!!”
A second-round pick of the Cardinals in 2021, Moore was traded to the Falcons in March 2024. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in training camp that year.
Moore signed a one-year deal with the Vikings in March 2025. He suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason opener against the Texans.
We extend our condolences to Moore’s family, friends, teammates, and coaches.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield added some spice to his team’s rivalry with the Falcons when Kevin Stefanski became Atlanta’s head coach, making clear that he still has hard feelings about the way his time with Stefanski in Cleveland ended. But now Mayfield is downplaying any issue with Stefanski.
“There’s stuff there, but it’s not like it’s beef,” Mayfield said in a Super Bowl interview with Sports Illustrated, via NFL.com. “We’ve worked together, anytime you know somebody, you want to beat them whether it’s a good or bad relationship.”
Mayfield said that if there’s extra motivation to beat the Falcons, it’s because the Buccaneers want to get back on top in the NFC South, not because Stefanski is the Falcons’ coach.
“Not a revenge game of a sense of Atlanta, but we lost the division for the first time since four or five years, so, any divisional game will be a revenge game, I guess,” Mayfield said.
Mayfield has had a lot more success than Stefanski since the two of them parted, and Mayfield knows beating Stefanski on the field will mean more than any words he can say.
Every year, the coaching carousel spins first. Then, the quarterback carousel whirls.
It’s coming soon. Veteran quarterbacks will be cut, traded, signed. Teams will reshuffle their depth charts with changes at the most important position on the team.
In a recent item about the potential contract prospects of Packers (for now) backup Malik Willis, some of the veteran options were listed. Here’s a look at the various teams that will have decisions to make regarding veteran quarterbacks currently on the roster, or to be added once the new league year begins.
Dolphins: They have a decision to make about Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins owe him $54 million in 2026. The two-year (or one-year, if they choose to rip the Band-Aid in one motion) dead-cap charge for cutting Tua would be $99.2 million. They need to decide what to do with Tua, and whether to add a veteran — like Willis. They’d surely love to find a way to trade Tua, even if it means selling some of the cap charge to another team by attaching a draft pick to Tua’s contract. And since they owe him every penny of his 2026 pay, they could choose to keep him around. (That would fully guarantee another $3 million for 2027, however.)
Jets: Justin Fields likely will be cut. Half of his $20 million salary for 2026 is fully guaranteed. They’ll likely be looking for a veteran, possibly on a short-term basis, to run new coordinator Frank Reich’s offense.
Steelers: They’re willing to wait for Aaron Rodgers, which would take them out of play for a veteran in the early days of free agency. Willis or Cousins could be intriguing options, if they find out before March 11 that Rodgers won’t be returning.
Browns: Who knows what they’ll do? Deshaun Watson is under contract for another year, at $46 million. Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel are, too. Will the new half-regime led by coach Todd Monken want a veteran from the outside?
Ravens: In the unlikely event the Ravens trade Lamar Jackson, they’d need a new quarterback — presumably one with starting experience.
Colts: Daniel Jones, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, likely will be back. Anthony Richardson has one year left on his rookie deal; he’s under contract for 2026 at guaranteed pay of $5.385 million. If Jones leaves, the Colts would need another veteran.
Raiders: They owe Geno Smith $18.5 million for 2026. Another $8 million becomes fully guaranteed on March 13. Would someone trade for him at $26.5 million? He could be cut. The Raiders also could keep him as the bridge to Fernando Mendoza, if they make him the first overall pick.
Vikings: They want a veteran who’ll compete with J.J. McCarthy. That could make it harder to attract a veteran who’ll want a commitment that he’ll be QB1. Based on McCarthy’s performance and durability in 2025, however, most veteran quarterbacks with reasonable confidence would believe they can win a fair and square competition. If they believe the competition will be both fair and square.
Falcons: They haven’t committed to Michael Penix Jr. being the Week 1 starter, and for good reason. Penix is recovering from his latest ACL tear. Cousins could, in theory, return after being released. That seems unlikely. Another veteran is possible for the new-look football operation led by Matt Ryan, Ian Cunningham, and Kevin Stefanski.
Cardinals: The moment Kyler Murray was placed on injured reserve with a foot injury that was supposedly healing, the message was clear — it’s over for Murray in Arizona. The Cardinals owe him $36.8 million for 2026, with another $22.55 million in 2026 pay and 2027 salary hitting the books early in the 2026 league year. If not traded, he’ll be cut. Willis could be an option for the Cardinals. Rodgers potentially could be a target, too.
With the Scouting Combine beginning soon, the carousel will start moving. Coaches and General Managers who take the podium on Tuesday or Wednesday will be asked pointed questions. Agents will meet with teams.
Two years after the Falcons made Michael Penix the eighth overall pick in the draft, the new regime in Atlanta has not made any commitments to Penix as the franchise quarterback going forward. Falcons President Matt Ryan says Penix needs to get healthy before anything else.
Ryan said on SiriusXM NFL Radio that his conversations with Penix have focused on attacking his rehab from the torn ACL that ended his 2025 season in November.
“I have had the opportunity to sit with Michael and number one, how do we bring him along? You get healthy first,” Ryan said. “The first thing you’ve got to do is get yourself in a place where we can practice and do that. So, job number one for Michael is to keep doing exactly what he’s doing. He’s been in our building doing his rehab. He’s in a good place right now. . . . Everybody’s like, ‘When is he going to be back?’ Well, you don’t know. There’s ups and downs that come with that rehab space, but we feel like we’re on track and in a good space with Michael right now.”
Even if Penix were healthy, the Falcons might want to bring in another quarterback to compete with him. Given that he might not be cleared by Week One, the Falcons will certainly bring in another quarterback, perhaps to start ahead of Penix. But Ryan says the Falcons still believe Penix can grow as a starting quarterback.
“How do you help him improve? Number one, it starts with surrounding him with really solid coaches,” Ryan said. “I’m excited about [Falcons quarterbacks coach] Alex Van Pelt coming in. He’s a good football coach. Coming in, you talk about the wealth of experience that he has for a young player like Michael. I think that’s really good. . . . Michael does a great job. He can spin the football. We’re excited about what he does and we’re excited about the staff we’re putting around him.”
Now the question is how soon Penix will be cleared to return — and whether he can earn the starting job when he is.
The Falcons have hired Jordan Reid as assistant quarterbacks coach, the team announced Thursday.
Reid arrives in Atlanta after serving as the wide receivers coach at Wisconsin for one season. He will join quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt in trying to develop Michael Penix, who is working his way back from season-ending knee surgery.
Reid’s only NFL experience came as an intern with the Panthers and Vikings.
He became a position coach in the college ranks, where he served as the receivers coach at Western Michigan (2023-24), offensive quality control coach at Wake Forest (2020-21) and offensive graduate assistant at Ohio (2019).
In his playing career, Reid appeared in 44 games at the University of Ohio, totaling 133 receptions for 1,658 yards and 12 touchdowns.
The Raiders have made another hire for their coaching staff.
Per Tom Pelissero of NFL Media, Marquise Williams has agreed to join Las Vegas as senior special teams coach.
Williams, 40, was Atlanta’s special teams coordinator from 2021-2025 under head coaches Arthur Smith and Raheem Morris.
He has also spent time with the Lions, Chargers, and Bears as an assistant.
The Falcons have hired Shawn Heinlen as director of college scouting, the team announced Wednesday.
Heinlen, who is entering his 27th year in the league, spent the past four seasons as an area scout with the Browns.
After a brief stint as a consultant for the Reese’s Senior Bowl from 2017-18, he served four seasons as a southwest area scout for the Eagles.
Heinlen was with the Bills for 16 seasons, starting his NFL career as a training camp intern for them in 1999.
Heinlen joined the league office as a player personnel analyst in 2000 before returning to Buffalo in 2001 as a college scouting administrator for three seasons (2001-03). He then served as a college area scout for the club from 2003-17.
