It’s being reported that Jayden Daniels was blindsided by the Washington Commanders and Kliff Kingsbury “parting ways” this week. One can well imagine. The catalyst behind Daniels’ rapid emergence as a franchise quarterback has been Kingsbury’s unique passing scheme. Kingsbury and his mentee clicked. Now head coach Dan Quinn wants more run-pass balance to help keep his defense off the field. It’s his call. And maybe it will pay off. But for the time being, whether Daniels finds the same chemistry with a new OC is an open question.

Moving on: The NIL deal former ODU quarterback Colton Joseph struck with Wisconsin — said to be in the neighborhood of $2 million — will buy a lot of cheese curds.

The forgotten: The four teams reaching the College Football Playoff semifinals featured rosters totaling 138 transfers. At the same time, this year’s football portal welcomed a new batch of 3,300 or so dream seekers. How many will regret their move? According to NCAA statistics, at least 30%. That represents the players who can’t find a new home or return to their old one. Headlines go to quarterbacks on their third and fourth schools. The lost boys whose exit strategy doesn’t work out experience academic instability and athletic disappointment in private.

Class guys: After John Harbaugh’s Ravens and his Steelers met for the 40th time in 18 years, a gracious Mike Tomlin said, “Our stories will forever be interwoven.”

Waiting game: Very savvy of Harbaugh to postpone job interviews until next week, when the Eagles, Bills or somebody else may want a coaching change after dropping a playoff game.

Numbers game: After Myles Garrett set the NFL’s single-season sack record in the Browns’ 17th game, former Giant Michael Strahan said on TV, “I hold the record for a 16-game schedule.” Fair point. Garrett didn’t beat Strahan’s mark.

Coach speak: When asked to grade his Lions’ 9-8 season, Dan Campbell kept it real. “I’m going to give myself a freaking F,” he said.

In passing: Everybody’s thinking the same thing — the Indiana-Oregon semi is the title game.

Posited: Indiana’s Curt Cignetti is the most intriguing man in college football.

Bowing to age: Because of his reluctance to play back-to-back games, LeBron James won’t see enough action to be eligible for postseason honors, halting his record streak of 21 All-NBA selections. He doesn’t seem to care. “I’m 41 years old,” he said this week. “Every back-to-back for the rest of the season is TBD.”

Quick hit: Something I’d like to see in 2026 — fewer Mannings.

Another thing: Something I’d like to hear in 2026 — play-by-play announcers who don’t scream.

Not their guy: Bill Belichick said this week that he’s content to be a college coach. NFL owners are content with that, as well.

Idle thought: As the NFL playoffs begin, I’m trying not to envision No. 1 seeds Broncos and Seahawks in the Super Bowl. America deserves better.

In closing: Only 30 days until pitchers and catchers report.

Bob Molinaro is a former Virginian-Pilot sports columnist. His Weekly Briefing runs Fridays in The Pilot and Daily Press. He can be reached at bob5molinaro@gmail.com and via Twitter@BobMolinaro.