While there’s a chance that interim head coach Mike Mularkey could hang onto the Titans‘ job with a solid showing down the stretch, the team is believed to be interested in Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson, among other potential candidates, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter links).
Although he cautions that it’s still very early, Rapoport says that Jackson is a “hot candidate” in Tennessee, and would have joined the Titans a couple years ago if the team had hired Mike Zimmer as its head coach instead of Ken Whisenhunt.
Here’s more from around the AFC:
- According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, the Jets have not yet initiated exploratory discussions on a contract extension for quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. In Mehta’s view, however, it would make a lot of sense for the team to start pushing for a new deal for the veteran signal-caller, whose current pact expires after the 2015 season.
- Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman confirmed today to reporters, including Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link), that the injury keeping him out the rest of the season is a partially torn PCL. The rookie wideout, placed on IR this week, doesn’t feel like he’ll need to undergo surgery on the knee.
- With an opportunity to start for the Broncos in Week 11 and perhaps beyond that, quarterback Brock Osweiler would put himself in a good position for a contract extension from the team with a strong performance, as Rand Getlin of the NFL Network explains (video link).
- The Jets are bringing in free agent offensive lineman Blaine Clausell for a visit this evening, according to his agent, Brett Tessler (Twitter link). Clausell was cut from the Patriots’ practice squad earlier today.
Given Osweiler’s apparent fit, although he’ll need to show this in a game that counts, for Gary Kubiak’s offense and his four years behind Manning, he’s in a good position for an extension in Denver. However, the Broncos will be in big trouble if Osweiler sputters in his audition, given the 2010s quarterback market and the fact that they’ve gotten nothing from a second-round pick — similar to the lack of production they’ve received from 2013 second-rounder Montee Ball and ’14 second-rounder Cody Latimer — that could’ve been used to help the team.
I think Jackson would be great if given a shot with Mariota. He’s shown with the Bengals that he can build a system around a quarterback like Andy Dalton, who, despite playing well this season, probably has less upside than someone like Mariota. I think it’d be a great fit.