HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Packers Sign Mike McCarthy To Extension

January 2nd, 2018 at 12:51pm CST by Zachary Links

Mike McCarthy is not a lame duck in Green Bay. The Packers have given the head coach a one-year extension to take him through the 2019 season, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (Twitter link). Demovsky hears that the extension was actually signed during the season, but word of the deal did not leak out until today. Mike McCarthy

[RELATED: Ted Thompson Out As Packers GM]

The Packers are making some major changes this season as Ted Thompson moves from GM to a different role, but McCarthy has been given some additional security. This year, the Packers missed the playoffs for just the third time since 2006, so the team is not automatically hitting the panic button.

McCarthy owns a 121-70-1 record in his 12-year run as head coach, including a Super Bowl victory in the 2010 season. He’ll look to get the Packers back on track in 2018, though he’ll be doing it with a new defensive staff after the firing of coordinator Dom Capers and other assistants. On the other side of the ball, the Packers are expecting to have a healthy Aaron Rodgers under center and that should help more than anything.

Latest On Texans’ GM Search

January 2nd, 2018 at 12:10pm CST by Zachary Links

The Texans’ GM search is just getting underway, but we’re already getting an idea of the names that could be in play for the job. External candidates expected to receive interest include Nick Caserio and Monti Ossenfort of the Patriots, Brian Gaine of the Bills, and Brian Gutekunst of the Packers (Twitter link via Ian Rapoport of NFL.com). Nick Caserio (vertical)

[RELATED: Browns Ask To Talk With Texans’ Sean Ryan]

Caserio is among this year’s top candidates for a GM position. While he rejected overtures from other teams before, a prime opportunity like the one in Houston could be the one to get him to leave New England. Some have speculated that he could wind up as a package deal with Josh McDaniels as head coach, but it sounds like Bill O’Brien will be retained by the Texans.

The Texans are on the hunt for a new GM after Rick Smith announced he would be taking a leave of absence to care for his wife, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. When Smith does return to the team, he’ll retain his Executive Vice President title, but he indicated that he will not be in charge of football decisions.

“In whatever role that is, I am going to maintain Executive Vice President title. If we hire a GM and have a guy to run the personnel, then we’ll do that,” Smith said. “So, again, it’s a fluid process, but I am absolutely intend on coming back, I will maintain that at least the Executive Vice President title and if Mr. McNair feels like he wants to hire a general manager, then he will hire a general manager and that will be just fine.“

Falcons Place LG Andy Levitre On IR

January 2nd, 2018 at 11:24am CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons will head into the playoffs without the services of a starting offensive lineman. Left guard Andy Levitre has been placed on injured reserve, according to a team announcement. Andy Levitre (Vertical)

Levitre missed the bulk of December with a partially torn triceps. He attempted to return to action on Sunday against the Panthers, but he lasted only five plays. Ben Garland took over for Levitre in the winning effort against Atlanta and he’ll be the starter for the Falcons on Saturday when they face the Rams.

Levitre, 31, has been one of the NFL’s better guards since entering the league in 2009. This year, he graded out as one of the 20 best guards in the league, per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics.

To take Levitre’s spot on the 53-man roster, the team has promoted running back Terrence Magee from the practice squad.

Browns Ask To Talk With Texans’ Sean Ryan

January 2nd, 2018 at 10:33am CST by Zachary Links

The Browns have requested permission to speak with Texans quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan for their vacant offensive coordinator job, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Ryan has worked closely with Deshaun Watson and the Browns are looking for someone who can mold a young quarterback in the same fashion.

The Texans still have to formally grant permission to Cleveland, but Houston head coach Bill O’Brien already indicated that he will not stand in the way of Ryan interviewing (Twitter link via Aaron Wilson of The Houston Chronicle). Ryan offers a great deal of NFL experience, having been with the Giants for nine years before joining the Texans in 2016. He served as the receivers coach in Houston in his first year before taking on the QB coach job last year. After Watson’s tremendous (yet injury-shortened) season, Ryan could now climb the coaching ladder with an OC opportunity elsewhere.

For the last two years, Browns head coach Hue Jackson has effectively been the team’s offensive coordinator. With just one win since the start of 2016, the team is looking to jumpstart its stagnant offense.

Giants To Interview Eric Studesville On Friday

January 2nd, 2018 at 10:23am CST by Zachary Links

The Giants are set to interview Eric Studesville for their head coaching job on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Studesville was the Broncos’ assistant head coach/running backs coach for the Broncos until Monday when he was fired. Eric Studesville (vertical)

The Giants moved quickly to hire a GM and their head coaching search may be conducted with the same sense of urgency in mind. Dave Gettleman & Co. already have a solid list of candidates after requesting permission to talk to Josh McDaniels and Matt Patricia of the Patriots as well as Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks.

It was previously said that interim head coach/defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo would receive consideration for the full-time post, but it’s not clear if Gettleman views him as a candidate. Recently, Gettleman informed the team’s coaching staff that he will not stand in the way of any of them interviewing for jobs elsewhere.

Cardinals Add Mike Munchak To Interview List

January 1st, 2018 at 9:37pm CST by Micah Powell

Following the retirement of head coach Bruce Arians, the Cardinals went to work on filling out a list candidates to interview for the vacancy in the coming days. The latest name to make the cut is Steelers offensive line coach Mike Munchak, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (Twitter link). Mike Munchak (vertical)

Munchak, a Hall of Fame guard who played 12 season with the Houston Oilers, served as head coach of the Titans from 2011-13 and managed a 22-26 record. After being dismissed from the team, Munchak joined the Steelers as the team’s offensive line coach and has been there ever since.

Under Munchak’s direction, Pittsburgh has paved the way for three 1,000-yard campaigns by Le’Veon Bell in four seasons. It also permitted the sixth-fewest sacks in 2017.

The Hall of Famer joins a list of candidates that includes Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, Eagles quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo and Patriots linebackers coach Brian Flores.

 

Colts Request To Interview Hawks’ Richard

January 1st, 2018 at 8:57pm CST by Micah Powell

The Colts were busy adding names to their head-coaching wish list on Monday, the latest being Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard, the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reports (Twitter link). Kris Richard (vertical)

Richard joins a list of potential interviewees that so far includes Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and Panthers defensive coordinator Steve Wilks. In 2017, Richard interviewed for the Bills opening but returned to Seattle.

Richard took over after the departure of Dan Quinn in 2015 and fielded back-to-back top-five scoring defenses in his first two seasons. The Seahawks had a down season in his third campaign, but were plagued by injuries to their secondary in Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman. Richard has been with team as a defensive backs coach since 2011 and oversaw the team’s “Legion of Boom” secondary rise to prominence.

The Colts could use plenty of help on the defensive side of the ball. In 2017, the team finished 30th in both points and yards allowed.

 

Bears Seek To Interview McDaniels, Shurmur

January 1st, 2018 at 8:22pm CST by Micah Powell

After the firing of head coach John Fox Monday morning, the Bears were expected to look for an offensive-minded coach to take over the role in 2018. Josh McDaniels (vertical)

They began the process Monday night, requesting interviews with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels and Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports (Twitter link).

McDaniels is the longtime Patriots offensive coordinator who has called the shots for seven top-five scoring offenses during his tenure with the team. He also has head-coaching experience, leading the Broncos for parts of two seasons in 2009-10. McDaniels is already being sought by a bevy of teams and will certainly be a splash for the Bears.

The Bears have plenty of familiarity with Shurmur, who has been with division rival Minnesota for each of the last two seasons. Under the veteran coach’s direction, Minnesota locked up the No. 2 seed in the postseason while fielding a top-10 scoring offense. Even more impressive is that the unit accomplished the feat without its starting quarterback Sam Bradford or rookie sensation running Dalvin Cook, who were both lost early in the season to injuries. Like McDaniels, Shurmur has already garnered interest from a number of teams.

Either coach would certainly benefit rookie quarterback Mitch Trubisky, who general manager Ryan Pace said will have a say in the team’s head-coaching decision. McDaniels has worked with Tom Brady for much of his career and also helped groom Jimmy Garropolo in New England. Shurmur’s offense has also helped veteran signal-caller Case Keenum produce a breakout year in 2017.

Should they decide against an offensive mind, the Bears might look in house at defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Whoever receives the job is likely to sign a four-year deal to match the extension Pace received earlier in the days.

New York Notes: Kearse, Claiborne, Pugh

January 1st, 2018 at 8:17pm CST by Micah Powell

The Jets entered Week 17 without much to play for, but the team’s players still had plenty to gain. One such player was Jermaine Kearse, who earned an extra $550,000 in incentives in the team’s loss to New England, ESPN’s Rich Cimini reports.

With his fifth and final catch of the day, Kearse brought his season total to 65 grabs which earned him an extra $300,000. He finished the season 810 receiving yards, helping him garner another $250,000. That’s not a bad haul for the veteran receiver, who was signed to a $2.2 MM base salary in 2017.

Kearse enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2017, posting career highs in receptions, yards and tying his personal best with five touchdowns. He will be back with the Jets in 2018 for the final year on his contract, which he is set to earn $5 MM in base salary.

Here is more from around New York:

  • Cornerback Morris Claiborne is hoping to return to the Jets in 2018, Cimini writes. The free agent said, “Why leave and pick up (and go) somewhere else if you’ve got everything here?” A first-round pick in 2012, Claiborne has just five interceptions during his six NFL seasons split between the Jets and Cowboys. After signing a one-year deal for $2.5MM in the offseason, Claiborne started all 15 games he played in.
  • Giants center Weston Richburg said he has been medically cleared from a concussion for about a month, Dan Duggan of NJ Advanced Media writes. Richburg said he wanted to return to the field but was unable to due to being placed on injured reserve. He suffered the concussion in Week 4 and missed the next three games before being placed on IR. Richburg is set to be a free agent in 2018.
  • Also a free agent in 2018, Giants guard Justin Pugh hopes it works out and he can return to the team, ESPN’s Jordan Ranaan writes. Pugh suffered a season-ending back injury in December but it is expected to be healed in a month without surgery.

 

NFL Reserve/Futures Contracts: 1/1/18

January 1st, 2018 at 7:17pm CST by Micah Powell

Here are the latest reserve/futures contract signings from around the NFL. These deals will go into effect on the first day of the 2018 league year, with players joining their respective clubs’ offseason 90-man rosters:

Baltimore Ravens

  • QB Josh Woodrum
  • RB John Crockett
  • FB Ricky Ortiz
  • OT Steven Moore

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

  • LB Carl Bradford
  • K Jon Brown
  • LB Connor Harris
  • OT Javarius Leamon
  • OG Oni Omoile
  • TE Scott Orndoff
  • CB Sojourn Shelton
  • SS Robenson Therezie
  • WR Kermit Whitfield

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Indianapolis Colts

  • TE Mo Alie-Cox
  • WR Dres Anderson
  • DT Johnathan Calvin
  • WR Kolby Listenbee
  • LB Arthur Miley
  • LB Josh Perry
  • QB Phillip Walker
  • G Isaiah Williams

New York Giants

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Redskins

 

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