2019 January - Pro Football Rumors

Bucs Rumors: Winston, McCoy, Monken

January 1st, 2019 at 10:24am CST by Zachary Links

Here’s the latest out of Tampa:

The Buccaneers say they’re looking for a new head coach, but not looking for a new starting quarterback. “Jameis Winston will be here. We have him under contract for a year,” GM Jason Licht said (via Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times). “He has done some amazing things for a young 24, turns 25 in a week, quarterback. He’s accomplished more than most of the elite quarterbacks have at his age throughout that time span. There’s a lot to like about Jameis. Jameis will be here next year.” The Bucs picked up the fifth year option on Winston’s contract, which should keep him in place for another season at a rate of $20.92MM. Of course, the option is guaranteed for injury only, so the Buccaneers could theoretically get out of the deal.
Licht cannot guarantee that defensive tackle Gerald McCoy will be back with the team in 2019 (Twitter link via Stroud). “We have a lot of tough decisions to make,” Licht said. Thanks to the seven-year, $95.2MM contract extension he signed with the Bucs in 2014, McCoy is slated to be back with the team in 2019 at a $13MM cap number. However, it is a non-guaranteed deal. Despite Tampa Bay’s problems on defense and McCoy’s injury trouble, he still turned in a decent year for the Bucs. McCoy graded out as the No. 27 ranked defensive tackle in the NFL, per Pro Football Focus.
Licht says the Buccaneers will not consider in-house candidates for the head coaching job, as Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. That automatically rules out offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who may be up for the Jets job.

Latest On Jets’ Coaching Search

January 1st, 2019 at 10:15am CST by Zachary Links

The Jets don’t know who their next coach will be yet, but they do have an idea of how they want to structure things. The Jets are not interested in hiring a coach who will demand total control over the 53-man roster, CEO Christopher Johnson says.

“I think that would be the wrong person for the job,” Johnson said (via Rich Cimini of ESPN.com). “That would be off the table.”

Of course, that could take the Jets out of the running for some big-name candidates who are eager to control the roster. And, given GM Mike Maccagnan‘s lackluster track record in the draft, it’s an especially likely request.

Meanwhile, Johnson says the next head coach will report directly to him and not to Maccagnan, which indicates that the GM, unsurprisingly, is on the hot seat. Maccagnan will have $100MM+ in capital to work with this offseason, and if that does not produce results in 2019, he’ll likely be looking for another job for the 2020 season.

For now, Maccagnan appears to be safe. Despite his missteps, Johnson seems happy with at least some of the team’s young talent acquired under Maccagnan, including quarterback Sam Darnold and safety Jamal Adams.

“We’ve developed what I think is a good plan,” said Johnson when asked why he decided to stick with Maccagnan. “It’s a plan we’re in sync on, and it really came together with Sam. Now we’re going to be able to build with Sam, and build around Sam and with great players we have on this team already.”

Bucs, Dolphins Request Interviews With Eric Bieniemy

January 1st, 2019 at 9:48am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers and Dolphins have requested interviews with Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, according to Terez Paylor of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). Bieniemy, 49, was among those recommended by the Fritz Pollard Alliance for head coaching consideration this year and should be a hot candidate given the success of the Chiefs’ explosive offense in 2018.

The Jets also requested an interview with Bieniemy on Monday, a job that could hold more appeal than the Bucs or Dolphins. Aside from the Jets playing in the country’s biggest market, they have a young and promising quarterback in Sam Darnold. The draft could bring new QBs to Tampa Bay and Miami, but Darnold could be closer to NFL success than any prospect in the 2019 class.

Bieniemy’s first NFL coaching gig came between 2016-2010 with the Vikings as a running backs coach. He dipped back into the college ranks as Colorado’s offensive coordinator, but returned to the pro level in 2013 as the Chiefs’ running backs coach. When Matt Nagy left for Chicago, Andy Reid promoted him to the OC post.

Bears’ Vic Fangio To Interview With Broncos, Dolphins

January 1st, 2019 at 9:38am CST by Zachary Links

Bears defensive coordinator Vic Fangio has two interviews lined up. He’ll meet with both the Broncos and Dolphins on Monday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter).

The Broncos and Dolphins submitted interview requests for the Bears DC earlier this week and they were quickly granted, even though the Bears are gearing up for a playoff showdown against the Eagles. Their interest is understandable – Fangio produced a top-10 defense without a Pro Bowler in 2017 and now has the top DVOA unit with three Pro Bowlers. Khalil Mack has certainly boosted the Bears D, but Fangio has a track record of results.

Fangio was largely overlooked in last year’s cycle, but things should be different this time around. Assuming the experience works in his favor, Fangio’s five career stints as an NFL defensive coordinator should make him an attractive candidate for even more teams.

Cardinals To Interview Adam Gase

January 1st, 2019 at 9:29am CST by Zachary Links

Former Dolphins head coach Adam Gase may not be on the block for long. Gase will interview with the Cardinals on Wednesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (on Twitter).

Gase, at least at one time, had a reputation as a quarterback whisperer. That’s exactly what the Cardinals need as they look to groom 2018 first-round pick Josh Rosen for the big time. It has been said that Gase was a big fan of the UCLA quarterback last year and that he was a consideration for Miami at No. 11, so this could be a match.

Gase made a name for himself as the Broncos’ offensive coordinator and managed to go 10-6 in his first year with the ‘Fins despite having journeyman Matt Moore under center. He couldn’t work the same magic with Jay Cutler last year, resulting in a 6-10 record, and the Dolphins finished just 7-9 this past season. Still, even as the Dolphins struggled in 2018, Ryan Tannehill had a solid season from an individual perspective. If given a proper offensive line to work with, the Cardinals may feel that Gase is the man to rejuvenate their offense.

Packers To Interview Josh McDaniels

January 1st, 2019 at 9:16am CST by Zachary Links

Josh McDaniels will interview with the Packers on Friday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). McDaniels’ availability to interview (and ability to ultimately accept a job) is complicated by the Patriots being in the playoffs, but the Pats’ first-round bye could give McDaniels time to do two interviews before New England’s postseason gets underway.

Last year, McDaniels agreed to become the next head coach of the Colts but ultimately left them at the altar. Despite his offensive knowhow, it remains to be seen whether the Packers or any other team in this cycle will be able to trust McDaniels. For what it’s worth, McDaniels does not believe he is “burned” when it comes to future opportunities.

Of course, there are factors working in McDaniels’ favor, starting with his resume as the chief strategist of one of the league’s most potent offenses. He also fits the profile of a young and energetic coach, which is what led to the hirings of Sean McVay and Matt Nagy in recent years. Teams who want to go for the young and bubbly type this year may consider the likes of Oklahoma’s Lincoln Riley, but he lacks pro experience and claims that he is staying put at OU.

McDaniels also has experience in managing an elite quarterback, which should be a focus of the Packers after Mike McCarthy‘s relationship with Aaron Rodgers went south.

Bucs Request Interview With George Edwards

January 1st, 2019 at 9:07am CST by Zachary Links

The Buccaneers have requested an interview with Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards for their head coaching job, sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Serving under Mike Zimmer, Edwards has had a significant role in game planning and has been in the mix for head coaching jobs in the past.

Last year, Edwards reportedly did well in his interview with the Bears, though that job ultimately went to offensive specialist Matt Nagy. Given his experience with six different NFL clubs since 1998, Edwards may be due for a step up the ladder. Before joining Zimmer and the Vikings, Zimmer held two DC jobs with the Redskins and Bills and was a linebackers coach for the Cowboys, Browns, and Dolphins.

The Bucs moved on from Dirk Koetter before the end of 2018, ending a run that started with lots of promise and ended with very little in the way of results. Koetter went 9-7 his first year but the Bucs finished 5-11 in each of the last two seasons.

The Buccaneers have also been connected to former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy, though he figures to have multiple suitors this offseason.