2017 January - Pro Football Rumors

Changes Coming To Jets’ Ownership?

January 1st, 2017 at 8:15pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Despite a highly disappointing 5-11 finish this season, Jets owner Woody Johnson decided Sunday to give both general manager Mike Maccagnan and head coach Todd Bowles another chance in 2017. It now appears that will be Johnson’s last significant act as the Jets’ owner for at least a little while.

Johnson, 69, is likely to become the U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom once President-elect Donald Trump takes office Jan. 20. Johnson will then have to relinquish control of the Jets until his appointment ends. The franchise will remain in the Johnson family, per Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio, who reports that Woody Johnson will cede the reins to younger brother Christopher Wold Johnson.

Since Woody Johnson purchased the Jets in 2000, they’ve gone .500 or better in nine of 17 seasons and made six playoff trips. They’re currently stuck in a six-year postseason drought, though, with Maccagnan and Bowles having been around for a pair of those campaigns. The forthcoming change to the franchise’s ownership situation may have helped those two retain their jobs, according to Florio.

Chargers Fire Mike McCoy

January 1st, 2017 at 7:44pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

As expected, the Chargers have announced the dismissal of head coach Mike McCoy, whose job status was in serious jeopardy earlier Sunday. Chargers president of football operations John Spanos issued in a statement in the wake of McCoy’s firing.

“Mike McCoy is a man of high character, and we thank him for his dedication to the Chargers,” said Spanos. “The decision to dismiss Mike was made in the best interests of our franchise. Our team’s disappointing performance has not matched this team’s potential and has fallen short of the demanding standards that we seek to impose throughout our organization. Our comprehensive search for a new head coach begins immediately.”

The Chargers lost the final game of the McCoy era, 37-27, to the AFC West rival Chiefs in Week 17. That ensured San Diego a 5-11 finish – only a slight improvement over its 4-12 showing in 2015 – and gave McCoy a 27-37 record in four seasons as the club’s head coach.

Before the Chargers’ downward spiral over the past couple years, the McCoy-led team racked up a pair of nine-win seasons and made a playoff trip in 2013. Part of the problem this season was the fact that the Chargers lost 21 players to injured reserve, but that wasn’t enough to save McCoy’s position with the franchise. It certainly didn’t help that the Chargers suffered an ignominious loss in Week 16 to the Browns, who finished the year 1-15.

With Los Angeles relocation likely for the Chargers, they’re reportedly willing to expend resources in their search for a head coach. The Bolts will have plenty of competition from around the league – they’re now the fifth team with a vacancy, and a sixth could join the fray if the 49ers dismiss Chip Kelly.

Jaguars To Interview Harold Goodwin

January 1st, 2017 at 7:19pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

As they continue their search for to replace fired head coach Gus Bradley, the Jaguars will interview Cardinals offensive coordinator Harold Goodwin during the upcoming week, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported earlier Sunday that Jacksonville would likely interview Goodwin, though he didn’t offer a timeline.

The 43-year-old Goodwin has been the Cardinals’ O-coordinator since 2013, but head coach Bruce Arians has called the plays during that four-season span. Arizona’s offense ranked just 22nd in the NFL in DVOA entering Sunday, but Goodwin is nonetheless drawing interest from multiple head coach-needy teams. Along with the Jaguars, he’s likely to interview with the Bills and Rams.

Before the Cardinals hired Goodwin, he worked as the Bears’ assistant offensive line coach from 2004-06 and then oversaw the O-lines of the Steelers and Colts. He’s now one of several known candidates for the Jaguars’ vacancy, joining interim head coach Doug Marrone, Tom Coughlin and Mike Smith, among others.

Rams To Interview John Fassel On Monday

January 1st, 2017 at 7:00pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Rams will interview interim head coach John Fassel on Monday, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Fassel was named Los Angeles’ interim coach following last month’s firing of Jeff Fisher.

Fassel, 42, has been an NFL coach since 2005, working with special teams units during that entire period. Before joining the Rams in 2012, Fassel worked on both the Ravens and Raiders staffs in a special teams capacity. The son of former NFL head coach Jim Fassel, John has posted an 0-3 record as Los Angeles’ interim coach. Given that the Rams are thought to be targeting high-profile candidates such as Jon Gruden, Josh McDaniels, and others, it’s entirely possible that Fassel’s meeting on Monday will only be a pro forma interview.

The Rams may also express interest in Bills interim head coach Anthony Lynn, per Florio. However, Lynn is widely expected to take the Buffalo job on a full-time basis, meaning Los Angeles will have to look elsewhere.

Browns Owner: No Changes To Leadership

January 1st, 2017 at 6:41pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Despite his club only posting one win during the 2016 season, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam confirmed today the Cleveland won’t be making any major changes to its decision-making structure, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. As such, EVP of football operations Sashi Brown, chief strategy officer Paul DePodesta, VP of player personnel Andrew Berry, and head coach Hue Jackson will all stay in their current roles.

[RELATED: Browns Clinch No. 1 Pick]

“I think we have the right people in place,” Haslam said. “I could not be more pleased with the job that Hue and his staff are doing. You wouldn’t think this was a team that was 1-14 that was out there battling. What did we play today? 70-plus minutes of football? So really pleased with Hue and really pleased with our personnel group.

“It took us a while to get there and I’ll take all the responsibility there as I’ve said in the past,” Haslam added. “I think this time last year we said this was going to be multi-year rebuilding. It is. Has this year been harder than we thought it would be? Yes, but I promise you this: We will work hard. I think we’ve got the right people in place, and there’s really three keys going forward…Number one: we’ve got resign our key players. Number two: we’ve got to be appropriately aggressive in free agency. And number three: we’ve got to have a great draft.”

Additionally, while a report earlier today indicated that the Browns coaching staff would like to install a proven talent evaluator in the club’s front office, Haslam denied that he has any intention of hiring such an individual. However, Haslam did say the trifecta of Brown, DePodesta, and Berry will have control of personnel hires, and would be able bring in new voices if they so choose.

Steve Smith Announces Retirement

January 1st, 2017 at 6:32pm CST by Zachary Links

As was expected, veteran Ravens receiver Steve Smith announced tonight that his 16-year NFL career is officially coming to end. “It’s been real,” the 37-year-old Smith tweeted, along with a photo noting many of his career accomplishments.

As a third round pick in 2001, no one could have predicted the kind of career that Smith would have. The wide receiver became the face of the Panthers’ organization in his 13 years there and he played with a chip on his shoulder upon joining the Ravens in 2014. In his age-35 season, he caught 79 passes for 1,065 yards and six touchdowns, silencing doubters who thought his best days were behind him. He lost most of the 2015 season to injury, but he rebounded nicely this season as he caught 67 passes for 765 yards and five scores.

Smith will leave the game as a five-time Pro Bowler and a two-time First-Team All-Pro selection. He’s also one of just eleven players to have 1,000+ catches and 14,000 yards receiving. His legacy of tenacious play coupled with his gaudy stats should make him a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame. We here at PFR wish No. 89 the best in retirement.

David Johnson Has Meniscus Damage

January 1st, 2017 at 5:54pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Early tests show that Cardinals running back David Johnson suffered meniscus damage during today’s game against the Rams, but did not tear his ACL, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Johnson will undergo an MRI on Monday in order to further ascertain the exact nature of the injury.

Clearly, without more specific information about Johnson’s injury, it’s difficult to predict how the ailment might affect his offseason. Avoiding an ACL tear is extremely positive news, but meniscus damage can also limit a player for years. Johnson, 25, has been a revelation during his second season in the NFL, managing more than 2,000 yards from scrimmage while posting 20 total touchdowns. On an Arizona offense that ranks only 22nd in DVOA, Johnson was the weekly focal point as quarterback Carson Palmer and the rest of the passing game struggled.

Johnson is signed through the 2018 campaign, but fellow running backs Chris Johnson, Andre Ellington, and Stepfan Taylor are all scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at season’s end. If Johnson is expected to be sidelined for a good portion of the summer, Arizona could be forced to add bodies to its backfield.

5 Key Stories: 12/25/16 – 1/1/17

January 1st, 2017 at 5:49pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Upheaval in Buffalo… The Bills finally made official what was widely expected, firing head coach Rex Ryan in advance of the club’s final regular season game. Offensive coordinator Anthony Lynn was promoted to interim head coach, and is considered a “virtual lock” to take over the open position on a full-time basis. Doug Whaley, meanwhile, will return as Buffalo’s general manager, and has seemingly already made a decision on quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who was benched for the team’s final game. By sitting Taylor down, the Bills protected themselves from tens of millions in Taylor money becoming guaranteed.

…and Denver… Due to health concerns, Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak is expected to step down after the conclusion of the 2016 season. Kubiak suffered a mini-stroke during a game as the Texans’ head coach, and was forced to miss a game earlier this year while dealing with migraine issues. Whether Kubiak intends to fully retire from the NFL is unclear, but Dolphins defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is already being bandied about as a candidate for the expected opening.

…and San Francisco. Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reported last night that the 49ers are expected to fire both general manager Trent Baalke and head coach Chip Kelly as part of a complete overhaul of the team’s decision-making structure. Baalke, for his part, confirmed today that he was officially fired on Friday, and supports San Francisco’s reset. Kelly, meanwhile, has not yet corroborated reports of his termination.

Doug Martin sidelined. The Buccaneers chose to bench RB Doug Martin again last week, and we quickly learned why — Martin has been suspended four games for violating the league’s PED policy. Martin had announced prior to the suspension that he was “stepping away” from Tampa Bay, and reports have indicated that he could be seeking help for Adderall usage. The ban will void the remaining guarantees in Martin’s contract, meaning the Bucs could easily part ways if they so choose.

The Browns are on the clock. By losing to the Steelers earlier today, the Browns have officially clinched the first overall pick in the 2017 draft. Cleveland will have its choice of quarterbacks — such as Mitch Trubisky or DeShone Kizer — or could use the pick to select a game-changing edge rusher in Texas A&M’s Myles Garrett. The Browns will also have a pick later in the first round thanks to a trade with the Eagles.

Latest On Chargers, Mike McCoy

January 1st, 2017 at 4:51pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Chargers may not have made an official decision on the fate of head coach Mike McCoy, but it would be an “upset” if McCoy is retained for 2017, tweets Tom Pelissero of USA Today. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com adds that general manager Tom Telesco will keep his job, but team ownership will meet Monday to determine if McCoy will stick around. Meanwhile, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (Twitter link) that while Telesco has recommended that McCoy be retained, San Diego is prepared to make a change.

This isn’t the first time that disparate reports have surfaced regarding McCoy’s status, which could indicate that the Chargers are truly wrestling with a decision on their head coach. Just last week, Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com indicated that because the Chargers are likely to relocate to Los Angeles — and thus, compete with the Rams in a major media market — the club would like to begin its head coaching search as soon as possible.

McCoy has led the Chargers to a 5-10 record this season, and last week lost to the previously winless Browns. During his San Diego run, McCoy has posted a career mark of 27-36, and recently confirmed that the club has not offered him an extension (he’s currently signed only through 2016).

Browns Clinch 2017 No. 1 Overall Pick

January 1st, 2017 at 3:47pm CST by Dallas Robinson

By losing to the Steelers today, the Browns have officially secured the first overall selection in the 2017 NFL draft.

Squarely in the midst of a massive rebuild, the Browns will now get their choice of collegiate players next spring, and will have the option of selecting a quarterback if they so choose. The club has been linked to both Mitch Trubisky and DeShone Kizer, but it’s unclear if Cleveland would feel comfortable using the first overall pick on either signal-caller. Meanwhile, the Browns reportedly have placed an “astronomical” grade on Texas A&M pass rusher Myles Garrett, who is fully expected to declare for the draft.

Thanks to a series of trades, Cleveland is well-armed in the 2017 draft, and the club will have an additional first-rounder (via Philadelphia) to pair with the first overall pick. All told, the Browns currently have eight picks secured, including two in each of the first two rounds. A new voice could assist in selecting players at those spots, as a report earlier today indicated that Cleveland may look to hire another executive to its front office.