FORMER JETS CENTER NICK MANGOLD DIES AT 41, LESS THAN 2 WEEKS AFTER ANNOUNCING HE HAD KIDNEY DISEASE
Nick Mangold’s long, blond hair and bushy beard made him instantly recognizable. His gritty, outstanding performance on the field for the New York Jets made him one of the franchise’s greatest players.
Mangold, a two-time All-Pro center who helped lead the Jets to the AFC championship game twice, has died, the team announced Sunday. He was 41.
The Jets said in a statement that Mangold died Saturday night from complications of kidney disease.
His death came less than two weeks after the two-time All-Pro selection announced on social media that he had kidney disease and needed a transplant. He said he didn’t have any relatives who were able to donate, so he went public with the request for a donor with type O blood.
“I always knew this day would come, but I thought I would have had more time,” he wrote in a Oct. 14 message directed to the Jets and Ohio State communities.
“While this has been a tough stretch, I’m staying positive and focused on the path ahead. I’m looking forward to better days and getting back to full strength soon. I’ll see you all at MetLife Stadium & The Shoe very soon.”
Mangold said he was diagnosed with a genetic defect in 2006 that led to chronic kidney disease. He was on dialysis while waiting for a transplant.
“Nick was more than a legendary center,” Jets owner Woody Johnson said in a statement. “He was the heartbeat of our offensive line for a decade and a beloved teammate whose leadership and toughness defined an era of Jets football. Off the field, Nick’s wit, warmth, and unwavering loyalty made him a cherished member of our extended Jets family.”
The Jets, looking for their first win of the season, announced Mangold’s death about an hour before kickoff of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals. A moment of silence was held in the press box before the game. Mangold grew up in Centerville, Ohio — about 45 miles north of Cincinnati — but remained in New Jersey, close to the Jets’ facility, after his playing career ended.
Mangold was a first-round draft pick of the Jets in 2006 out of Ohio State and was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times. He helped lead New York within one win of the Super Bowl during both the 2009 and 2010 seasons and was enshrined in the Jets’ ring of honor in 2022. Mangold was among 52 modern-era players who advanced earlier this week in the voting process for next year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame class.
Mangold was the anchor of New York’s offensive line his entire playing career, spending all 11 seasons with the Jets.
“I was fortunate to have the opportunity to lace them up with you every Sunday,” Pro Football Hall of Famer Darrelle Revis, Mangold’s teammate for eight years, wrote on X. “I will miss you and forever cherish our moments in the locker room. Love you buddy.”
Mangold started every game during his first five seasons and missed only four games in his first 10 years before an ankle injury limited him to eight games in 2016, his final season.
“It’s brutal,” former Jets coach and current ESPN analyst Rex Ryan said during “Sunday NFL Countdown” while fighting through tears. “Such a great young man. I had the pleasure of coaching him for all six years with the Jets (from 2009-14). I remember it was obvious I was getting fired, my last game, Mangold’s injured — like, injured — and he comes to me and says, ‘I’m playing this game.’ And he wanted to play for me.
“That’s what I remember about this kid. He was awesome. And it’s just way too young. I feel so bad for his wife and family. (This is) rough.”
Mangold was released by the team in 2017 and didn’t play that season. The following year, he signed a one-day contract with the Jets to officially retire as a member of the team.
“Rest in peace to my brother & teammate Nick Mangold,” tweeted former running back Thomas Jones, who played three years with Mangold. “I keep seeing your smiling face in the huddle bro. One of the kindest people I’ve ever met. One of the greatest interior linemen to ever play the game. This one hurts. Surreal.”
Several other former teammates mourned the loss of Mangold.
“Absolutely gutted,” former wide receiver David Nelson, who played with Mangold for two seasons, wrote on X. “One of the best guys I’ve ever met — true legend on and off the field.”
Former kicker Jay Feely, Mangold’s teammate for two seasons, tweeted: “Heartbreaking news this morning. Nick and I played together with the Jets and loved to banter about the Michigan/Ohio St rivalry. He was a natural leader, a great player, thoughtful, kind, & larger than life.”
Mangold’s No. 74 jersey remained a popular one for fans to wear at games, even nine years after playing his final NFL game. He was active with charitable events and often dressed as Santa Claus for the team’s holiday celebrations for children.
“Nick was the embodiment of consistency, strength, and leadership,” Jets vice chairman Christopher Johnson said in a statement. “For over a decade, he anchored our offensive line with unmatched skill and determination, earning the respect of teammates, opponents and fans alike. His contributions on the field were extraordinary — but it was his character, humility, and humor off the field that made him unforgettable.”
Mangold is survived by his wife, Jennifer, and their four children Matthew, Eloise, Thomas and Charlotte.
SEVEN FROM SUNDAY – WEEK 8
A look at seven statistical highlights from games played during the 1:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET windows on Sunday, October 26, the eighth week of the 2025 season.
- The Indianapolis Colts won their fourth consecutive game to improve to 7-1, the first time since 2009 (began 14-0) that the team has won seven of its first eight games of a season.The Denver Broncos and New England Patriots each extended their winning streaks to five with victories in Week 8.
The Broncos, who lead the NFL with 36 sacks and have allowed a league-low eight sacks this season, are the first team in NFL history with at least 35 sacks and 10-or-fewer sacks allowed in its first eight games of a season.
Three teams – Baltimore, Miami and the New York Jets – earned victories in Week 8 after entering the week with one-or-fewer wins. The Jets overcame a 15-point deficit in the fourth quarter to secure their first win of the season.
Entering 2025, teams had lost 135 consecutive games when trailing by 15-or-more points entering the fourth quarter, including the postseason – there have been four such wins so far in 2025 (Buffalo in Week 1, Tennessee Week 5, Denver in Week 7 and the New York Jets in Week 8).
- New York Jets running back Breece Hall rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns and had the go-ahead touchdown pass with 1:54 remaining in the team’s 39-38 comeback win at Cincinnati.Hall is the fourth non-quarterback since 1950 with a game-winning touchdown pass in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime, joining Rod Gardner (Nov. 9, 2003 with Washington) as well as Pro Football Hall of Famers Curtis Martin (Sept. 24, 2000 with New England) and Paul Krause (Oct. 16, 1977 with Minnesota).
Hall is the first non-quarterback with multiple rushing touchdowns and a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a single game.
Hall is the fifth running back since 1950 with at least 125 rushing yards, two rushing touchdowns and a touchdown pass in a single game, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson (Sept. 25, 2005 with San Diego), Mario Bates (Sept. 21, 1997 with New Orleans), Chuck Muncie (Sept. 2, 1979 with New Orleans) and George Taliaferro (Nov. 18, 1951 with the New York Yanks).
- Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones passed for 272 yards and three touchdowns with a 136.0 rating and running back Jonathan Taylor, in his 75th career game, totaled 174 scrimmage yards (153 rushing, 21 receiving) and three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) in the Colts’ 38-14 win over Tennessee.Jones joined Brock Purdy (with San Francisco) as the only quarterbacks ever with a passer rating of 100-or-higher in each of their first five home starts with a team.
Taylor is the fifth player since 2000 with at least three scrimmage touchdowns in four games in a season, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (six games in 2006 with the San Diego Chargers) and Marshall Faulk (five in 2000 with the St. Louis Rams) as well as Shaun Alexander (four in 2005 with Seattle) and Priest Holmes (four in 2002 and four in 2003, both with Kansas City).
Taylor is the sixth player in NFL history with at least 70 scrimmage touchdowns in his first 75 career games, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Jim Brown (79 scrimmage touchdowns), LaDainian Tomlinson (79) and Emmitt Smith (72) as well as Chuck Foreman (71) and Todd Gurley (71).
Taylor has 63 rushing touchdowns in 75 career games andtied Pro Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell (63 rushing touchdowns) for the fourth-most rushing touchdowns by a player in his first 75 career games in the Super Bowl era, trailing only Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (71 rushing touchdowns) and Emmitt Smith (69) as well as Adrian Peterson (66).
Taylor is the fourth player since 2000 with 10 games with at least 150 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown in his first six seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson (14 games), Adrian Peterson (13) and Derrick Henry (11).
- Baltimore running back Derrick Henry rushed for two touchdowns in Baltimore’s 30-16 win over Chicago.Henry has 112 career rushing touchdowns and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Walter Payton (110 rushing touchdowns) for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith (164 rushing touchdowns), LaDainian Tomlinson (145) and Marcus Allen (123) as well as Adrian Peterson (120) have more.
Henry has 29 career games with at least two rushing touchdowns and surpassed Adrian Peterson (28 games) for the third-most such games in NFL history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (38 games) and Emmitt Smith (36) have more.
- Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts had four touchdown passes with no interceptions and a 141.5 rating, while running back Saquon Barkley rushed for 150 yards, including a 65-yard rushing touchdown, and added a touchdown reception in the Eagles’ 38-20 win over the New York Giants.Hurts – who has 15 touchdown passes, five rushing touchdowns and one interception this season – is the first quarterback in NFL history with at least 15 touchdown passes, five rushing touchdowns and one-or-fewer interceptions in his team’s first eight games of a season.
Barkley has nine career rushing touchdowns of 60-or-more yards, tied with Pro Football Hall of Famer Jim Brown (nine) and Derrick Henry (nine) for the second-most rushing touchdowns of 60-or-more yards in NFL history. Only Adrian Peterson (15 rushing touchdowns of 60-or-more yards) has more.
Barkley has 11 career rushing touchdowns of 50-or-more yards, tied with Chris Johnson (11) for the fifth-most rushing touchdowns of 50-or-more yards in NFL history. Only Adrian Peterson (16 rushing touchdowns of 50-or-more yards), Pro Football Hall of Famers Barry Sanders (15) and Jim Brown (12) as well as Derrick Henry (12) have more.
- Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen had three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) and running back James Cook recorded 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 19 attempts in Buffalo’s 40-9 win at Carolina.Allen has 46 career games with both a touchdown pass and rushing touchdown, surpassing Cam Newton (45 games) for the most such games in NFL history.
Allen has 70 career regular-season rushing touchdowns and joined Cam Newton (75 rushing touchdowns) as the only quarterbacks with at least 70 regular-season rushing touchdowns in NFL history.
Cook is the fifth player since 1990 with at least 200 rushing yards and multiple rushing touchdowns on fewer than 20 rushing attempts, joining the De’Von Achane (Sept. 24, 2023, with Miami), Derrick Henry (Dec. 6, 2018 with Tennessee), Frank Gore (Sept. 20, 2009 with San Francisco) and Barry Word (Oct. 14, 1990 with Kansas City).
Per Next Gen Stats, Cook gained 141 of his rushing yards before contact, the most by any player this season and third-most since 2018.
For more information on Next Gen Stats, check out NFL Pro, available within NFL+ Premium. With NFL+ Premium, get access to NFL Pro and track advanced analytics powered by Next Gen Stats and watch All-22 film. Available on desktop and mobile web, visit pro.nfl.com for more information.
- New England quarterback Drake Maye passed for 282 yards and three touchdowns for a 135.8 passer rating in New England’s 32-13 victory over Cleveland.Maye is the second player under the age of 24 and fifth player in NFL history to record at least 200 passing yards and a passer rating of 100-or-higher in seven consecutive games, joining Aaron Rodgers (12 consecutive games in 2011 and eight in 2020), Tom Brady (eight in 2007), Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning (eight in 2004) and Patrick Mahomes (seven in 2018 at age 23).
Maye is the first player in NFL history with at least two touchdown passes and a passer rating of 135-or-higher in five of his team’s first eight games of a season.
- Additional notes from Sunday include:
- Miami running back De’Von Achane had 91 scrimmage yards (67 rushing, 24 receiving) and a touchdown reception in Miami’s 24-10 win at Atlanta.Achane has 13 receiving touchdowns since he entered the league in 2023, tied with Kelvin Bryant (13 receiving touchdowns) and Roger Craig (13) for the fourth-most touchdown receptions by a running back in his first three seasons since 1970. Only Chuck Foreman (17 receiving touchdowns), Christian McCaffrey (15) and Austin Ekeler (14) have more.
- Cleveland defensive end Myles Garrett recorded a career-high and single-game franchise record five sacks in Week 8.Garrett has 10 sacks in 2025 and is the third player since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic, with at least 10 sacks in eight consecutive seasons, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Reggie White (nine from 1985-93) and John Randle (eight from 1992-99).
Garrett, who turns 30 years old on Dec. 29, 2025, has 112.5 career sacks and surpassed Pro Football Hall of Famer Reggie White (108 sacks) for the most sacks by a player under the age of 30 since 1982, when the individual sack became an official statistic.
- Cincinnati wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase registered 12 receptions for 91 yards in Week 8.Chase – who had 10 receptions in Week 6, 16 receptions in Week 7 and 12 receptions in Week 8 – has 38 receptions in his past three games, tied with Michael Thomas (38 receptions from Weeks 1-3 in 2018 with New Orleans) for the most receptions in a three-game span in NFL history.
- New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, in his fifth career start, had a touchdown pass and a rushing touchdown in Week 8.Dart is the second quarterback since 1950 with a touchdown pass and rushing touchdown in four of his first five career starts, joining Cam Newton.
- New Orleans running back Alvin Kamara had two receptions in Week 8 and has 600 career receptions, becoming the fifth running back all-time with at least 600 career receptions, joining Larry Centers (827 receptions), Pro Football Hall of Famers Marshall Faulk (767) and LaDainian Tomlinson (624) as well as Keith Byars (610).
- San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey had 43 receiving yards and 25 rushing yards in Week 8.McCaffrey has 6,877 rushing yards and 5,025 receiving yards in his career and is the fifth player all-time with at least 5,000 rushing and 5,000 receiving yards in their career, joining Pro Football Hall of Famers Marcus Allen, Lenny Moore and Marshall Faulk as well as Tiki Barber.
NFL ROUNDUP: JETS STUN BENGALS FOR FIRST WIN THIS SEASON
Breece Hall rushed for 133 yards and two touchdowns and also tossed the go-ahead 4-yard scoring pass to Mason Taylor with 1:54 left to lift visiting New York Jets to their first win of the season, 39-38 over the shocked Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Justin Fields, who started for the Jets after Tyrod Taylor was ruled out with a knee injury, finished the game 21-of-32 passing for 244 yards.
New York (1-7) moved within 38-32 on Hall’s 27-yard touchdown run and an ensuing two-point conversion pass to Isaiah Davis with 7:52 remaining. Just after the two-minute warning, Hall took a pitch from Fields and tossed the ball 4 yards to Taylor in the back corner of the end zone for the go-ahead score.
Joe Flacco hit 21 of 34 passes for 223 yards and two scores for Cincinnati. Chase Brown ran for a score and caught a touchdown pass while Samaje Perine added 94 yards on nine carries for the Bengals (3-5), who blew a 38-24 lead with 10:21 left in the game. Ja’Marr Chase had 12 receptions for 91 yards.
Dolphins 34, Falcons 10
Tua Tagovailoa completed 20 of 26 passes for 205 yards and four touchdowns, leading visiting Miami to a victory over a depleted Atlanta team.
Jaylen Waddle had five catches for 99 yards and a touchdown, Malik Washington had four receptions for 36 yards and a score and De’Von Achane ran for 67 yards and hauled in a 3-yard touchdown pass for the Dolphins (2-6), who snapped a three-game losing streak.
Playing for the injured starter Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta’s Kirk Cousins completed 21 of 31 passes for 173 yards. Kyle Pitts had nine catches for 59 yards for the Falcons (3-4), who took their second straight loss.
Patriots 32, Browns 13
Drake Maye passed for three touchdowns as New England extended its winning streak to five games by beating Cleveland in Foxborough, Mass.
Maye completed 18 of his 24 pass attempts for 282 yards and was intercepted once for the Patriots (6-2). Each of his three TD passes came in the third quarter, going to tight end Hunter Henry and receivers Stefon Diggs and Kayshon Boutte. Mack Hollins led all New England receivers with 89 yards on seven receptions.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett recorded a franchise-record five sacks in the loss and set the NFL record for career sacks by a player under the age of 30. Quarterback Dillon Gabriel was 21 of 35 for 156 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions for Cleveland (2-6).
Eagles 38, Giants 20
Saquon Barkley bolted for a 65-yard touchdown run on the game’s second play to spark Philadelphia’s win against visiting New York to avenge its Week 6 loss.
Barkley also caught a touchdown and rushed for 150 yards — his first 100-yard game of the season — and Jalen Hurts threw four touchdown passes to reach 100 for his career for the NFC East-leading Eagles (6-2).
Jaxson Dart finished with 193 yards and a TD on 14-of-24 passing and a 2-yard TD run for the Giants (2-6), who lost running back Cam Skattebo to a dislocated right ankle after he caught a first-quarter touchdown pass.
Ravens 30, Bears 16
Derrick Henry rushed for two touchdowns to move into fifth place on the all-time list and Baltimore snapped a four-game slide with a victory over visiting Chicago.
Tyler Huntley completed 17 of 22 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown and added 53 rushing yards in his first start of the season for the Ravens (2-5). Huntley started in place of Lamar Jackson (hamstring), who missed his third straight game. Nate Wiggins had an interception that set up a touchdown catch by Charlie Kolar that provided Baltimore some fourth-quarter insurance.
Caleb Williams completed 25 of 38 passes for 285 yards and one interception for the Bears (4-3), who had their four-game winning streak snapped. D’Andre Swift rushed for a touchdown and Rome Odunze had seven receptions for 114 yards.
Bills 40, Panthers 9
James Cook rushed for 216 yards and two touchdowns as Buffalo won for the first time in nearly a month, rolling past Carolina in Charlotte.
Cook’s yards came on 19 carries, with a long of 64 yards for the game’s first touchdown. He added a 21-yard scoring run in the third quarter. Josh Allen threw for a touchdown and ran for two more as the Bills (5-2) never trailed and improved to 9-0 when coming off an open date since 2017.
The Panthers (4-4) had a three-game winning streak snapped as quarterback Andy Dalton made his first start of the season in place of injured Bryce Young. Dalton, who completed 16 of 24 passes for 175 yards, lost two fumbles and was intercepted once.
Texans 26, 49ers 15
C.J. Stroud threw for a season-high 318 yards and two touchdowns as host Houston never trailed against San Francisco to win its third game in four tries.
Stroud completed 30 of 39 passes for his first 300-yard effort since Week 5 last season. Xavier Hutchinson and Jayden Higgins caught touchdown strikes for the Texans (3-4) while Woody Marks rushed 11 times for 62 yards. Ka’imi Fairbairn converted all four field goals he attempted.
Mac Jones filled in again for Brock Purdy (toe) and hit 19 of 32 passes for 193 yards and two scores for the 49ers (5-3). George Kittle and Jack Tonges grabbed touchdown passes while Christian McCaffrey was limited to eight carries for 25 yards and three catches for 43 yards.
Buccaneers 23, Saints 3
Anthony Nelson returned an interception for a touchdown and the Tampa Bay defense forced three more turnovers in a victory over host New Orleans.
Nelson intercepted a Spencer Rattler pass and returned the ball 3 yards for the game’s first points in the second quarter, and the Buccaneers (6-2) never relinquished the lead. Baker Mayfield completed 15 of 24 passes for just 152 yards, but that was good enough thanks to the Tampa Bay defense and kicker Chase McLaughlin (three FGs).
Rattler, who also lost a fumble to give him six turnovers in two games, completed 15 of 21 for 136 yards as the Saints (1-7) lost their third straight. Rookie second-round draft choice Tyler Shough replaced Rattler in the third quarter and completed 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards with an interception.
Colts 38, Titans 14
Daniel Jones threw for three touchdowns and Jonathan Taylor scored three as host Indianapolis rolled over Tennessee to push its record to an NFL-best 7-1.
Jones connected on 21 of 29 passes for 272 yards as the Colts never trailed. He hit Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Taylor for scores while Taylor added 153 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, including an 80-yard sprint on the Colts’ first play of the third quarter to make it 24-7.
Cam Ward hit 22 of 38 passes for 259 yards, one touchdown and one interception for the Titans (1-7). Ward found Gunnar Helm for a 1-yard score in the second quarter while Tyjae Spears (59 yards) added a 3-yard scoring jaunt late in the fourth.
Broncos 44, Cowboys 24
Bo Nix completed 19 of 29 passes for 247 yards, four touchdowns and one interception, and host Denver cruised past Dallas.
RJ Harvey had two rushing touchdowns and one receiving touchdown for the Broncos (6-2), who won their fifth game in a row. Troy Franklin had six catches for 89 yards and two touchdowns.
Dak Prescott completed 19 of 31 passes for 188 yards and two interceptions for the Cowboys (3-4-1). Javonte Williams rushed for 41 yards and two touchdowns against his former team.
