Raiders Hire Marquice Williams As Sr. ST Coach, Omar Young As RBs Coach
The Raiders made two key hires on Friday as they work to fill out Klint Kubiak‘s new staff. Marquice Williams has accepted a role as the team’s senior special teams coach, per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, while Omar Young will oversee the running back room (via a team announcement).
Williams, 40, just finished a five-year stint as the Falcons’ special teams coordinator. He survived the team’s coaching change from Arthur Smith to Raheem Morris in 2024, but was not retained by Kevin Stefanski. Before arriving in Atlanta, he spent time with the Bears, Lions, and Chargers, with assistant special teams coach roles with the latter two clubs.
The Falcons has the 16th- and fourth-highest special teams grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) in Williams’ first two years in Atlanta, but fell to the bottom 10 in each of the last three seasons. However, he also coached long snapper Josh Harris (2021) and wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge (2024) to Pro Bowls during his tenure.
Young spent the 2025 season as Iowa’s running backs coach, where Kamari Moulton led the backfield with 79.8 yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry. Young previously worked for the Packers, Bears, and Patriots, with stints at a number of college programs earlier in his career.
The Raiders will be hoping that 2025 No. 6 pick Ashton Jeanty, who disappointed as a rookie with just 57.4 yards per game and 3.7 yards per attempt, can break out in 2026. A weak offensive line was a huge factor in those struggles, as Jeanty still forced 61 missed tackles, the sixth-most among NFL RBs, per PFF.
Kubiak brought in Rick Dennison as the Raiders’ new offensive line coach in the hopes of boosting that unit as the two did in Seattle in 2025. Young will be tasked with helping Jeanty learn the new offense and hold up his end of the bargain in reigniting Las Vegas’ ground game.
Seahawks Have Not Held Talks With Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen
After capping off the 2025 season with a win over the Patriots in Super Bowl LX, Seahawks safety Coby Bryant and cornerback Riq Woolen are among their notable contributors heading for free agency. Despite playing key roles for the champs, Bryant and Woolen recently revealed that they had yet to engage in contract talks with the team, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times.
The Seahawks and Bryant discussed a new deal before the season. Nothing came together then, but there is no animosity on Bryant’s part. He said last week that he “would definitely love to be here,” per Condotta. It’s fair to say the 26-year-old’s asking price has gone up in the past few months, though.
A Seahawk since they chose him in the fourth round in 2022, Bryant is fresh off his first season as a full-time starter. The former Cincinnati Bearcat played 15 games in the regular season and notched career highs in interceptions (four) and passes defensed (seven). Pro Football Focus ranked his performance 28th among 91 qualifying safeties.
On the heels of a 66-tackle regular season, Bryant added another 10 (and two more PDs) over three playoff victories. A return to Seattle is now up in the air, but if he reaches the open market in March, Bryant will be among the most sought-after safeties available.
Bryant’s potential departure would not leave the back end of the Seahawks’ defense in dire straits. They would still have Julian Love, Ty Okada and the versatile Nick Emmanwori, who excelled as a rookie, as options. Okada is unsigned for now, but as an exclusive rights free agent, the Seahawks won’t have any trouble retaining him. The same can’t be said for Bryant, who will cash in after playing for a relative pittance on his rookie contract.
Woolen, another of general manager John Schneider‘s draft steals, joined the Seahawks as a fifth-rounder in 2022. As a rookie out of UTSA, Woolen burst on the scene with a league-leading seven interceptions. He also earned a Pro Bowl nod then, his lone 17-game season to date, but Woolen hasn’t gotten a second invite.
While Woolen went on to start in 29 of 30 appearances from 2023-24, he came off the bench in nine of 16 games in 2025. With his playing time diminishing, multiple pre-deadline reports identified Woolen as a trade candidate. He wound up staying staying put and finishing the regular season with 41 tackles, 12 passes defensed and a career-low one pick.
Woolen, who chipped in eight tackles and four PDs in the postseason, was on the field for 49 of 71 defensive plays in the Super Bowl. That may go down as his last game with the Seahawks.
Seattle is facing further uncertainty at cornerback, where Josh Jobe is also unsigned. Jobe ate into Woolen’s playing time over a career-high 15 starts in 2025, but the latter has the more impressive resume. That might make it “easier for the team to keep Jobe,” Condotta writes. The Seahawks may end up retaining one of them, but keeping both appears unlikely, especially with No. 1 corner Devon Witherspoon eligible for a big-money extension this offseason.
Jeff Ulbrich Wants Falcons To Re-Sign Kaden Elliss
After wrapping up a three-year, $21.5MM contract in 2025, Falcons pending free agent linebacker Kaden Elliss is in the market for a new deal. Elliss’ future in Atlanta is uncertain, but defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has made it clear he wants the team to keep the 30-year-old.
Speaking with the media last week, Ulbrich said he “would love Kaden back,” adding that he “gave us this really unique flexibility.” In Ulbrich’s estimation, it “would take more than one human being” to replace Elliss (via Tori McElhany of the team’s website).
It’s no surprise Ulbrich is high on Elliss, one of the Falcons’ most productive and reliable defenders in 2025. In his first year under Ulbrich, Elliss put together his third straight 17-start campaign and played a team-high 99.91% of defensive snaps. He recorded 107 tackles, 30 pressures, 10 tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, six passes defensed and 3.5 sacks.
Pro Football Focus rated Elliss a respectable 31st among 88 qualifiers at his position. He was at his best as a pass rusher, earning a fourth overall ranking. Only the Seahawks’ Tyrice Knight, the Eagles’ Nakobe Dean and the Commanders’ Bobby Wagner were better in that regard. The Jaguars’ Devin Lloyd rounded out the top five at the position.
Knight is still under contract, but Dean, Wagner and Lloyd all are on track to join Elliss as free agents next month. They could be among alternatives for the Falcons if they let Elliss walk. Losing Elliss would at least temporarily leave an unwanted void at linebacker alongside Divine Deablo, who also held his own in Ulbrich’s system in 2025.
Former Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot signed Elliss in 2023. Elliss’ future now lies in the hands of the rookie duo of president of football Matt Ryan and GM Ian Cunningham. It’s unclear if they are prioritizing Elliss, but the ringing endorsement from Ulbrich could make a second Falcons pact more likely for the seven-year veteran.
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Donovan Wilson Hopes To Stay With Cowboys; Malik Hooker A Cut Candidate?
Since coming off the board in the sixth round of the 2019 draft, safety Donovan Wilson has been a career-long Cowboy. A trip to free agency awaits Wilson in the next few weeks, but the seven-year veteran hopes to stay in Dallas, Calvin Watkins of the Dallas Morning News reports.
Wilson, who will turn 31 on Saturday, had a brief foray into free agency in March 2023. The Cowboys quickly brought Wilson back on a three-year, $24MM deal. It’s unknown if the Cowboys will act in a similar fashion with Wilson this year. Watkins casts doubt on Wilson’s future in Dallas, contending the team should get younger at safety.
Although Wilson may end up elsewhere in 2026, the Cowboys continued to heavily rely on him last season. He was a full-time starter for the fourth straight year, and his 83.2% snap share led their defense.
Over 15 starts, Wilson put up 71 tackles, two interceptions and five passes defensed. But Pro Football Focus ranked Wilson’s performance an unattractive 83rd among 91 qualifying safeties. His 38.8 grade in coverage checked in at an even worse 87th. The Cowboys, whose defense finished last against the pass and allowed the most points in the league, may want to upgrade. New defensive coordinator Christian Parker might see better fits in the draft or in a fairly deep group of free agent safeties.
Unlike Wilson, fellow Cowboys starting safety Malik Hooker is under contract for 2026. However, depending on how Parker feels about the soon-to-be 30-year-old, the Cowboys could release him, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Escaping the last year of Hooker’s contract would free up around $6.8MM in cap space.
Hooker, a nine-year veteran, played his fifth season as a Cowboy in 2025. A toe injury forced him to IR, limiting him to 12 games (all starts), and he failed to register a pick for the first time since 2020. Hooker came in 64th in PFF’s safety rankings, though it at least assigned him an impressive 82.9 grade against the run. He finished seventh among safeties in that department, but it may not be enough for the Cowboys to retain him.
If the Cowboys move on from Hooker and Wilson, it would leave Markquese Bell as their most proven safety. Also an experienced linebacker, the Cowboys re-signed Bell to a three-year pact last March. He went on to play his second 17-game campaign and pick off his first career pass in 2025. Bell was only in on 32% percent of defensive snaps (third behind Wilson and Hooker), but a bigger role could be in store next season if the Cowboys part with their veteran starters.
Ravens Hope To Re-Sign Tyler Linderbaum
As free agency approaches, Tyler Linderbaum remains one of the top players on track to reach the open market. The Pro Bowl center is still in Baltimore’s plans at this point, though. 
Last spring, the Ravens declined Linderbaum’s fifth-year option. That move came as little surprise since option values are determined by grouping together all offensive linemen. The same is also true of the franchise tag, leaving it as an unfeasible means of Baltimore keeping Linderbaum in the fold. Whether or not a long-term deal can be worked out over the coming weeks remains to be seen.
“We’ve got some work to do on Tyler Linderbaum’s contract,” general manager Eric DeCosta acknowledged during an appearance on the Inner Circle podcast (video link). “He’s a free agent. We strongly hope to have him back. He’s a great player for us and a great leader.”
Linderbaum expressed a desire to remain in Baltimore shortly after the team’s 2025 season ended. Based on DeCosta’s comments, the feeling is mutual. Baltimore has other matters to attend to from a financial standpoint in time for free agency, however. The most pressing one is a restructuring of quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s contract; until and unless that takes place, the Ravens’ cap flexibility will be unclear. The team’s ability to authorize a major Linderbaum extension will hinge in large part on its success in carving out space for 2026.
Seven centers are currently attached to an average annual value of at least $10MM. That list will soon grow, as Linderbaum is a strong candidate to reset the market. The Iowa product could easily top $18MM per year, which is the value of Creed Humphrey‘s Chiefs pact. Entering his age-26 season and having missed only two games so far in his career, Linderbaum will have no shortage of suitors if he tests the open market.
The Ravens may have a veteran contingency in place in the form of Connor McGovern should Linderbaum head elsewhere in March. Their preference would no doubt be to maintain the status quo at the center spot, and it will be interesting to see if progress at the negotiating table can be made shortly.
Rams To Promote Nate Scheelhaase To OC
The Rams will take the expected route of promoting from within to fill the offensive coordinator spot. Nate Scheelhaase is in position to take on an elevated role in 2026. 
Scheelhaase is being promoted to the role of offensive coordinator, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. He will serve as Mike LaFleur‘s replacement as a result. Schefter adds that quarterbacks coach Dave Ragone will maintain his current role while also having co-offensive coordinator added to his title.
During a head coaching hiring cycle dominated by staffers with a defensive background, Scheelhaase stood out. The 35-year-old has seen his stock rise considerably during a brief period. Only in place with the Rams since 2024 – his first foray into coaching at the NFL level – Scheelhaase was one of the most popular targets for HC interviews around the league last month.
After starting out at Illinois in 2015, Scheelhaase worked his way up the ladder at the NCAA level. He spent six years at Iowa State, working as the team’s offensive coordinator and QBs coach in 2023. That was followed by an arrival on Sean McVay‘s staff, something which has quickly resulted in an OC gig in the NFL. McVay will no doubt retain play-calling duties moving forward, but Scheelhaase will take on added responsibilities for 2026. He will look to become the latest member of the McVay coaching tree to elevate his standing around the league and land the opportunity to lead a staff elsewhere.
Ragone had been the only coach connected to the Rams’ OC vacancy since LaFleur departed to take charge of the Cardinals. After three years as the Falcons’ offensive coordinator under Arthur Smith, Ragone joined the Rams as their quarterbacks coach. He has played a key role in Matthew Stafford‘s ability to remain highly productive deep into his career, including an MVP campaign in 2025. The two will continue working together for at least one more year, but Ragone, 46, will also take on OC responsibilities for the first time since 2023.
The Rams averaged 30.5 points per game this season, good for first in the NFL. With Stafford set to return – likely on another reworked contract – expectations will remain very high for the unit. Continued efficiency would go a long way in setting Los Angeles up for another deep playoff run, and it would help Scheelhaase’s stock rise even further. A strong year with the title of offensive coordinator would no doubt lead to another wave of HC interest during the 2027 hiring cycle.
Bears Approaching Indiana Relocation?
The Bears have looked into a potential relocation to northwest Indiana as they weigh their new stadium options. A move across the border appears to remain a distinct possibility. 
On Thursday, an amendment to Senate Bill 27 received unanimous approval in the state during a Ways and Means committee hearing in Indiana. As noted by All CHGO’s Adam Hoge, only a direct agreement between governor Mike Braun and the Bears themselves seems to be in the way of a final step regarding relocation. It was confirmed today the Bears are still willing to commit $2 billion to the construction of a new stadium in Indiana, as they have been for a potential move to Arlington Heights in Illinois.
“We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal,” a statement from Braun reads in part. “If approved, the proposed amendment to Senate Bill 27 puts forward the essential framework to complete this agreement, contingent upon site due diligence proceeding smoothly.”
An Illinois House Finance and Revenue committee hearing was scheduled to take place today, but it was canceled. Hoge reports the megaprojects bill which could have granted the Bears “tax certainty” regarding the Arlington Heights project was on the agenda but was not set to be voted on. The Bears still own a plot in Arlington Heights at this time.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date,” a Bears statement reads in part. “We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana… We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.”
Hammond falls within a 75-mile radius of downtown Chicago. As such, the Bears already own marketing rights there in line with NFL rules for all of its teams. As noted by the Indy Star’s Joel A. Erickson, the Colts’ stance on this matter has not changed since a Bears relocation to Indiana became possible. The Colts simply “wish the Bears all the best on their stadium initiative.”
Connor Orr of Sports Illustrated reports a move across the Illinois-Indiana border “feels like an inevitability” at this point. Nothing has been finalized, but this is certainly a situation to watch closely. Interestingly, a move to Hammond would see the Bears play in the same location where George Halas spent time as a player in 1919 (h/t Mark Potash of the Chicago Sun-Times). The manner in which Illinois responds to today’s developments will likely play a key role in determining the Bears’ post-Soldier Field future.
Offseason Outlook: Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals were one of this offseason's teams to split up an HC-GM combo that arrived together. Hired in 2023, the Jonathan Gannon-Monti Ossenfort duo separated after a 3-14 season. Like the Ravens, Bills, Giants, Titans, Raiders and Browns, the Cardinals will give their GM more time after canning their HC.
Arizona certainly was not at the front of this year's line when it came to luring coaches. Rumored to want Klint Kubiak, the Cardinals pivoted once the Seahawks' OC chose the Raiders. Enter Mike LaFleur, who will become the fourth Sean McVay OC to land a head coaching job. As Ossenfort and LaFleur face an uphill battle in a loaded NFC West, they have a big decision to make; Kyler Murray's days in the desert may be numbered, but a quarterback upgrade will not be easy to make this year. How will the Cards proceed with the former No. 1 overall pick?
Coaching/front office:
- Fired head coach Jonathan Gannon
- Hired Mike LaFleur as HC replacement
- Added Nathaniel Hackett as offensive coordinator
- Retained Nick Rallis as defensive coordinator, Justin Frye as O-line coach
- Hired Matt Schaub as quarterbacks coach
- Hired Michael Ghobrial as special teams coordinator
- Pass-game specialist Connor Senger interviewed for Bears, Seahawks' OC jobs
While a pre-Week 18 report had Gannon on the right side of the bubble, it was certainly not shocking to see a team fire a coach after a three-win season. Following a 2-0 start, the Cardinals took a historic tumble. Close losses gave way to blowouts. After the Cardinals had shown improvement during an 8-9 2024, they nosedived in a season when Murray was limited to five games. The Cards looked to be OK shelving Murray while starting Jacoby Brissett, but their defense cratered as well. This proved too much for Gannon to overcome.
49ers Expected To Maintain High Asking Price In Mac Jones Trade
Teams in need of a new quarterback this spring could attempt to go down the trade route. In that event, Mac Jones would be a coveted passer. 
Jones’ impressive showing with the 49ers in 2025 helped rebuild his value. The former first-rounder was unable to duplicate the success of his rookie year in New England, and as of last offseason it was unclear when – or if – he would receive another QB1 opportunity. That time could soon be approaching, with a strong trade market being something to watch for in Jones’ case.
As things stand, the 27-year-old is under contract with San Francisco for 2026. Jones is scheduled to carry a cap charge of only $3.07MM, while his base salary ($1.4MM) would be highly attractive to any number of suitors. Those financial factors are of course among the reasons why San Francisco’s preference would be to retain Jones as affordable Brock Purdy insurance. When trade calls are made, the team is expected to drive a hard bargain.
“It’s a tough market to read this early in the process,” a personnel member whose team is in need of a new quarterback told SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora. “I know that [head coach] Kyle [Shanahan] doesn’t want to lose him. I think they’ll put up a pretty good fight. You’re going to have to knock their socks off.”
Cost-effective passers are of course a highly valuable commodity in the NFL, so it would come as no surprise if the 49ers maintained a high asking price on the Jones front. The Alabama product could be viewed as the latest quarterback to spend time with Shanahan and then thrive elsewhere, not unlike how Sam Darnold‘s career has surged over the past two years. That leads Matt Barrows of The Athletic to write (subscription required) “circumstances are aligning” for San Francisco to receive a trade offer too strong to turn down.
Purdy’s $53MM-per-year pact runs through the 2030 season. The value and upside Jones provides will be accounted for as the 49ers plan their offseason approach under center. Whether or not they set the price of a trade too high for a swap to take place will be interesting to monitor over the coming weeks.