| The Detroit News
Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers says he will be a guest host on “Jeopardy!” during the offseason.
The show is using a series of interim hosts to replace Alex Trebek, who died of cancer on Nov. 8.
Rodgers was a winning “Celebrity Jeopardy!” contestant in 2015. Rodgers, an All-Pro quarterback and two-time MVP, is preparing to lead the Packers into their NFC divisional playoff game Saturday with the Los Angeles Rams
“The show has been so special to me over the years,” Rodgers said Tuesday. “It’s been a staple at my house here in Green Bay for the last 16 years — 6 o’clock, watching Alex and trying to get as many questions as I can. When the opportunity came up in 2015, that was a dream come true. It really was. To be on there, to get to meet Alex was just such a special moment. We’re all obviously sad about his passing.”
Seahawks fire offensive coordinator
The Seattle Seahawks fired offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer following a season in which the team set several offensive records but coach Pete Carroll had clear issues with how the offense operated.
Seattle announced the move, citing “philosophical differences.” The Seahawks had the highest-scoring team in franchise history, Russell Wilson threw a career-high 40 touchdowns in the regular season, and wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett both set club records for receiving.
Still, the Seahawks regressed offensively in the second half of the season, and Wilson and Carroll both made comments following Seattle’s 30-20 playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams that indicated concerns with the lack of adjustments by the offense late in the season.
Carroll brushed aside questions about any changes to his coaching staff during his end-of-season news conference on Monday.
Schottenheimer, 47, completed his third season with the Seahawks after previously serving as the offensive coordinator of the New York Jets and St. Louis Rams. Seattle’s offense was humming at a record pace through the first half of the season, but problems emerged starting with the Seahawks’ Week 10 loss to the Rams.
Over the final eight games, Seattle averaged 23.1 points per game after averaging 34.3 through the first eight games. Wilson averaged under 200 yards passing and defenses figured out schemes to take away the Seahawks’ downfield passing game.
Colts lost, but he plays on
Offensive tackle Jared Veldheer is back with the Packers, giving him an opportunity to compete in playoff games for different teams on back-to-back weekends.
Veldheer, 33, who was with the Packers late season, was the Colts’ starting left tackle for their final two games, including a 27-24 AFC first-round playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills last weekend.
Because the Colts merely elevated him from the practice squad for game day and didn’t officially sign him to their 53-man roster, the Packers were able to sign him this week.
Extra points
The Browns placed guard Michael Dunn and cornerback Robert Jackson on injured reserve, losing two players who started in Sunday’s playoff win at Pittsburgh while Pro Bowler Joel Bitonio and top cornerback Denzel Ward remain out because of the coronavirus.
… Anthony Castonzo, 32, the Colts longtime left tackle, announced his retirement.
He had been an anchor on Indy’s offensive line since he was the No. 22 overall draft pick in 2011.
… The Raiders have hired Gus Bradley as their new defensive coordinator with the task of turning around one of the league’s worst units.
… The U.S. Supreme Court has thrown out the manslaughter conviction for the man who shot former Saints star Will Smith to death in 2016. It’s unclear whether Cardell Hayes will be tried again.
… The National Football League saw its audience decline for the past weekend’s first round of postseason games despite TV networks trying to extend their broadcasts to new audiences.
… The Seahawks have agreed to a contract extension with general manager John Schneider that will keep him tied to the franchise through the 2027 draft.
Bloomberg News contributed.