Former Rams WR Robert Woods joins Sean McVay's coaching staff; Kliff Kingsbury named assistant head coach

A familiar face is joining the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff.

Former Rams wide receiver Robert Woods is joining Sean McVay's staff as an assistant wide receivers coach. The Rams announced the hiring on Monday via an announcement of the team's full coaching staff for the 2026 season.

They also announced that Kliff Kingsbury will work as McVay's assistant head coach. Reports previously indicated thatKingsbury was joining McVay's staff, but his role wasn't clear.

The former head coach of Texas Tech and the Arizona Cardinals, Kingsbury spent the previous two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Washington Commanders.The Commanders parted with Kingsburyin the offseason, and he'll now work as McVay's top assistant.

Brian Johnson, the former Eagles offensive coordinator who worked as the Commanders' passing game coordinator with Kingsbury, is also joining the staff as a senior offensive assistant.

Advertisement

Woods back with Rams days after retirement announcement

Woods, meanwhile, will embark on a coaching career with a Rams team for which he played five of his 12 NFL seasons. Woods played for the Rams from 2017-21, all under McVay. He finished his final season in Los Angeles on injured reserve with a torn ACL, but was a member of that 2021 Super Bowl-winning team.

Woods joins the Rams' staff less than a week afterretiring as a player.Woods played his final two active seasons with the Houston Texans from 2023-24. He joined the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2025 offseason, but didn't play in 2025 after the Steelers released him in August.

Woods played for four NFL teams, but announced his retirement via a Rams blue-and-gold Instagram statement alongside prominent graphics of him wearing a Rams uniform.The Rams later announcedthat he was officially retiring as a member of the team.

Less than a week later, Woods has officially rejoined the team as a member of its coaching staff.

He rejoins a Rams team that lost to the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the NFC championship game and projects as one of the top contenders to compete for the Super Bowl next season. He'll work directly with two of the top receivers in football, Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.

byMario Satorik

in

February 23, 2026

Former Rams WR Robert Woods joins Sean McVay's coaching staff; Kliff Kingsbury named assistant head coach

A familiar face is joining the Los Angeles Rams coaching staff. Former Rams wide receiver Robert...

Read More

2026 NBA playoff picture: Who would be in bracket if season ended today?

The NBA's postseason isn't far away, and perhaps getting close enough to take attention away fromthe various league issues that took attention away from the courtin the lead-up and throughout All-Star weekend festivities.

Less than two months and 30 regular-season games remain for most NBA teams, and the 2026 playoff picture is clear enough at this point to see it will be defined by a few key races in theEastern and Western Conference standings.

TheDetroit Pistonsstill have a comfortable lead over a trio of more established contenders for the No. 1 seed in the East, but how theBoston Celtics,New York KnicksandCleveland Cavaliersshake out among the top six will be a subplot in the weeks ahead. TheOklahoma City Thundermust hold off theSan Antonio Spursfor the top seed in the West, while theDenver Nuggets,Houston Rockets,Los Angeles LakersandMinnesota Timberwolvesjockey for position beneath them.

There's also a fascinating chase for theNBA's play-in tournament, now entering its seventh season as an addition to the league's postseason schedule and sixth year in this current four-team format. Given how many franchises are in tank mode already this season, there aren't many teams outside the top 10 at the moment actively trying to make the playoffs.

Here's a breakdown of the current NBA playoff picture, including what teams would make the postseason if the regular season ended today:

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

OPINION:Cade Cunningham has MVP moment at Madison Square Garden in domination of Knicks

NBA playoff bracket

Records and standings through games played on Sunday, Feb. 22:

Advertisement

Eastern Conference

1. Detroit Pistons (42-13)

2. Boston Celtics (37-19)

3. New York Knicks (37-21)

4. Cleveland Cavaliers (36-22)

5. Toronto Raptors (34-23)

6. Philadelphia 76ers (31-26)

7. Orlando Magic (30-26)

8. Miami Heat (31-27)

9. Atlanta Hawks (28-31)

10. Charlotte Hornets (27-31)

Western Conference

1. Oklahoma City Thunder (44-14)

2. San Antonio Spurs (40-16)

3. Denver Nuggets (36-22)

4. Houston Rockets (34-21)

5. Los Angeles Lakers (34-22)

6. Minnesota Timberwolves (35-23)

7. Phoenix Suns (33-25)

8. Golden State Warriors (30-27)

9. Portland Trail Blazers (28-30)

10. Los Angeles Clippers (27-30)

When does NBA regular season end?

The final day of the regular season is Sunday, April 12.

When is NBA play-in tournament?

The NBA play-in tournament will begin Tuesday, April 14 and conclude Friday, April 17.

How does NBA play-in tournament work?

The tournament is divided into two rounds for each conference:

• Game 1: No. 7 seed vs. No. 8 seed

• Game 2: No. 9 seed vs. No. 10 seed

The No. 7 and No. 9 seeds play at home in the first round. The winner of Game 1 secures the No. 7 seed in their respective conference playoff bracket. The loser of Game 1 continues to the second round and hosts the winner of Game 2. The loser of Game 2 is eliminated from playoff contention.

• Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 winner

The winner of this game secures the No. 8 and final seed in the playoffs. The loser is eliminated from playoff contention.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NBA playoffs bracket if the season ended today

byMario Satorik

in

February 23, 2026

2026 NBA playoff picture: Who would be in bracket if season ended today?

The NBA's postseason isn't far away, and perhaps getting close enough to take attention away fromthe various...

Read More

Cowboys 'lean toward' tagging WR George Pickens to prioritize defense

Tagging George Pickens is the most likely solution for the Dallas Cowboys to maintain long-term cap flexibility, keep the wide receiver and save some cash to address improving personnel on defense.

Cowboys vice president Stephen Jones laid out the scenario on Monday as the NFL Scouting Combine becomes the backdrop for league business for the next week.

"We want Pickens here. We think the world of him," Jones said. "Want him here. Love him, and I think he wants to be here. So all that's a plus."

Dallas would be charged a one-year salary of around $28 million to use the franchise tag on Pickens unless the two sides reach a long-term agreement before July 15.

Pickens caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards with nine touchdowns in 2025. He turns 25 on March 4.

Advertisement

Dallas signed running back Javonte Williams to a three-year, $24 million contract to keep one of their difference-makers from hitting the open market.

The Cowboys fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus at the end of the 2025 season and hired Christian Parker to repair that side of the ball. Jones said part of that equation involves upgrading the level of talent.

"We want to fix this defense," Jones said of the budget priorities. "We feel really good about the offensive side of the ball now that we got Javonte done and we know that we'll have George back. So, we feel really good about that side of the ball. Obviously we spent a lot of time on it already in the offseason, revamping the defensive coaching staff, and now we'll take the next steps, which are to improve the personnel on that side of the ball."

The Steelers selected Pickens in the second round of the 2022 draft and he played his first three seasons in Pittsburgh. Pickens has produced 267 receptions, 21 touchdowns and 4,270 receiving yards in 65 games (55 starts).

--Field Level Media

byMario Satorik

in

February 23, 2026

Cowboys 'lean toward' tagging WR George Pickens to prioritize defense

Tagging George Pickens is the most likely solution for the Dallas Cowboys to maintain long-term cap flexibility, kee...

Read More