NFL

Panthers fire head coach Frank Reich

Oof. Frank Reich probably isn’t in the upper echelon of NFL head coaches, but this move by David Tepper seems unfair and incorrect. Reports have emerged that the Panthers’ front office and coaching staff wisely preferred C.J. Stroud to Bryce Young in the predraft process, but were forced into selecting the undersized Young by Tepper and his wife, Nicole. This egregious case of meddling by ownership will probably set Carolina back several years, especially considering the franchise traded next spring’s first-round pick, along with D.J. Moore, to the Bears for the right to select Young. It’ll be difficult for Tepper to attract any desirable coaching candidates to the Panthers in the upcoming coaching search.

Grade: D

NCAAF

Delaware to leave FCS and join Conference USA

Delaware almost certainly won’t have the success James Madison has had in the early years of its transition to the FBS, but the Fightin’ Blue Hens are well-equipped for this move. Even if Delaware flops at the higher level, Conference USA needs more teams, so this addition accomplishes a goal.

Middle Tennessee fires head coach Rick Stocksill

I figured Stocksill would retire as the Blue Raiders’ head coach, so this dismissal is surprising to me. With that said, Middle Tennessee hasn’t won 10 games since 2009, Stocksill’s fourth season in Murfreesboro. Middle Tennessee isn’t exactly the most attractive job, but the Blue Raiders should still be able to find a decent candidate.

Grade: C+

MLB

Cardinals sign SP Sonny Gray to three-year, $75 million contract

The Cardinals weren’t joking when they said they wanted to add three starting pitchers this offseason. After inking Lance Lynn and Kyle Gibson to modest deals, St. Louis opted to make a sizeable splash here with Gray. There’s certainly risk involved with this pact — Gray is somehow already 34 — but the Cardinals will head into 2024 with a strong, albeit old, rotation. Last season, Gray was great for Minnesota, pitching to a 2.79 ERA and finishing second in AL Cy Young voting. 2023 was a nightmare for St. Louis at 71-91, but the Cardinals should be much better next year in an unpredictable NL Central.

Grade: B+

Dodgers sign RF Jason Heyward to one-year, $9 million contract

Heyward’s seven-year tenure with the Cubs fizzled out badly in its later years, but the right fielder had quite the renaissance in 2023 with Los Angeles. Heyward finished the campaign with an OPS of .813 — solidly above league average — and while an exact repeat of last season shouldn’t be expected of the 34-year-old, he should still be able to hold down the fort in right field for the Dodgers.

Grade: B