2021 December - Pro Football Rumors

Cowboys’ Dan Quinn Will Not Take Early Interview With Jaguars

December 29th, 2021 at 12:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Jaguars are getting the jump on the rest of league, capitalizing on their HC vacancy to be the only team able to interview candidates early. However, one of the team’s hopeful interviewees will not take part in the process.

Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn will not interview with the Jaguars during this newly created early two-week window, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. This does not necessarily mean Quinn is removing himself from consideration for the Jacksonville job, with Tom Pelissero of NFL.com noting the Dallas DC indeed has not ruled himself out of contention (Twitter link). The veteran defensive coach wants to wait on HC interviews until after the regular season ends. But Quinn waiting would stand to be leave him behind in a pursuit of this position.

Jags interview requests went out to Quinn, Cowboys OC Kellen Moore, Buccaneers coordinators Byron Leftwich and Todd Bowles, Colts DC Matt Eberflus, Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett and former Eagles HC Doug Pederson. After taking a season off, Pederson will be the first candidate to interview with the Jaguars. The former Super Bowl-winning coach will do his Jags session Thursday, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets.

After being out of the game for much of last season, with the Falcons firing him after a bad start, Quinn has moved himself back onto the head-coaching radar. The Cowboys’ defense has improved significantly in his first season overseeing the unit. He figures to generate interest from other teams once more vacancies emerge.

The NFL recently greenlit what amounts to a one-year trial run with this early interview process, which runs through the end of the regular season. Consisting entirely of virtual meetings, this process is only approved for this year.

Vikings’ Adam Thielen Undergoes Surgery

December 29th, 2021 at 11:48am CST by Sam Robinson

After reinjuring his ankle during the Vikings’ Week 16 game against the Rams, Adam Thielen will be shut down. The veteran wide receiver underwent surgery, Chad Graff of The Athletic reports.

This operation will almost certainly knock Thielen out for the remainder of the season. A roughly one-month recovery timetable comes with this procedure, per Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Barring a lengthy playoff run, the 31-year-old wideout will resurface next season. The Vikings placed Thielen on IR, knocking him out for at least three games.

Thielen suffered a high ankle sprain earlier this month. While he attempted to return, he left Sunday’s game in considerable pain. That development resulted in a quick decision on a surgical procedure.

Despite Justin Jefferson swiftly becoming one of the NFL’s best receivers, Thielen still leads the Vikings with 10 touchdown catches. The former UDFA has 67 receptions for 726 yards. Thielen played 15 games last season but missed six in 2019 due to injury. The $16.2MM-per-year extension he signed in 2019 runs through 2024.

The Vikings’ loss to the Rams dropped them below .500, at 7-8, and Thielen’s absence will make notching a sweep against the Packers more difficult. Ahead of the Vikes’ trip to Green Bay, FiveThirtyEight.com gives them a 13% chance to make the playoffs. Minnesota will turn to second-year target K.J. Osborn (46 receptions, 584 yards, five TDs) in Thielen’s place alongside Jefferson.

Packers To Activate Jaire Alexander From IR

December 29th, 2021 at 11:28am CST by Sam Robinson

The Packers have played most of this season without some of their best players, but the team will move another Pro Bowl talent back to its active roster. Jaire Alexander will be activated from IR on Wednesday, Matt LaFleur said (via The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman, on Twitter).

Alexander has been out since Week 4 with a shoulder injury. The Packers’ impending activation adds up, since Alexander must be moved back onto their 53-man roster by this afternoon or revert to season-ending IR.

Joining David Bakhtiari and Za’Darius Smith in not factoring into Green Bay’s recent push for the NFC’s bye, Alexander is not a lock to return to action this week. LaFleur is eyeing a “gradual” return for the fourth-year veteran, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com tweets. The Packers activated Bakhtiari weeks ago but have not seen him suit up yet. Smith remains on IR. That said, Alexander returning to practice three weeks ago marked a good sign for his late-season availability.

The team has held out hope both Alexander and Smith will be back this season. Alexander opted against undergoing a shoulder surgery that would have ended his season in October. While the Packers have seen his recovery take extensive time, they have nevertheless managed to remain atop the NFC without a few cornerstone players.

A 2018 first-round pick, Alexander broke through last season for his first Pro Bowl. The Louisville product is Green Bay’s top cornerback, but the team invested a first-round pick in Eric Stokes this offseason. Both Stokes and in-season pickup Rasul Douglas have played well. Alexander, however, has a longer track record of success. With his fifth-year option season looming in 2022, Alexander will be on the radar for a big-ticket extension in the offseason.

Colts Reached Out To Philip Rivers

December 29th, 2021 at 10:42am CST by Sam Robinson

The NFL revising its COVID-19 protocols yet again may allow the Colts to dodge a bullet. Carson Wentz is unvaccinated and tested positive Tuesday, but Frank Reich said he would start Sunday if he is asymptomatic, Stephen Holder of The Athletic tweets. Current Colts backup Sam Ehlinger would start if Wentz is experiencing symptoms at that point.

Reich has also remained in contact with the Colts’ 2020 starter, Philip Rivers. The two discussed the current Colts QB bind, Zak Keefer of The Athletic tweets. However, it does not seem like Rivers will come out of retirement to replace Wentz. Reich said nothing is developing on that front.

Rivers, 40, retired after spending last season with the Colts, but the current high school coach has said he would consider a return to join a contender. He was open to joining the Saints once Jameis Winston went down earlier this season. In his one Colts season, Rivers completed 68% of his passes and finished with a 24-to-11 TD-INT ratio. The Colts traded for Wentz not long after Rivers’ retirement.

Had the NFL not revised its protocols for a second time this month, Wentz would be shut down for Week 17 due to his positive test. Previously, unvaccinated players who tested positive were forced into 10-day quarantines. The NFL has reduced that to five, opening the door for Wentz to play Sunday. A sixth-round rookie, Ehlinger took first-team reps for a stretch after Wentz went down with a foot injury during training camp.

The Colts received more good news regarding their COVID-19 situation Wednesday. They activated offensive line starters Quenton Nelson and Mark Glowinski, along with cornerback Rock Ya-Sin and defensive end Kemoko Turay. However, right tackle Braden Smith is now on Indianapolis’ virus list. Smith could rejoin his teammates Sunday, however, regardless of vaccination status. Like Wentz, if Smith is not displaying symptoms, he could return Sunday against the Raiders. Smith was the Colts’ lone O-line starter available by the end of Week 16, but the team will have more of its starters on hand against Las Vegas.

Marlon Mack, cornerback T.J. Carrie, safety Jahleel Addae and linebacker Malik Jefferson join Smith as players now on Indy’s virus list.

Giants Withdrew Colt McCoy Extension Offer

December 29th, 2021 at 10:21am CST by Sam Robinson

Colt McCoy helped the Giants stay in last year’s playoff race by quarterbacking the team to its top 2020 win — an upset over the eventual NFC West champion Seahawks. But the Giants went in a different direction at backup quarterback in 2021.

This did not always appear to be Big Blue’s plan. They made an extension offer to McCoy during the 2020 season, according to Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, who adds another interested team was told the 35-year-old backup had planned to stay in New York. But no deal came to pass. McCoy ended up in Arizona in late March. The Giants had signed Mike Glennon 11 days earlier to be Daniel Jones‘ backup.

While the Giants offered McCoy last year, they changed their line of thinking this offseason. While the sides expected to stay in touch ahead of free agency, no offer was on the table come March. Citing Glennon’s superior arm strength, the Giants backed away from their McCoy proposal and went with the 6-foot-7 journeyman, Dunleavy adds. The Giants signed Glennon for one year and $1.37MM. McCoy, who made $2.25MM with the Giants, is attached to a one-year, $1.21MM contract with the Cardinals.

The switch has not worked out for the Giants, though the team’s 2021 plan — Glennon and, eventually, Jake Fromm — has certainly improved its 2022 draft position. The Giants are 0-4 without Jones and have lost by at least two scores in each of those games. With his sixth team in six years, Glennon has completed 55% of his passes — down from 62% in five Jaguars games last season — and has thrown four touchdown passes compared to eight interceptions. Glennon’s record as a starter is now 6-24. Glennon or Fromm will be at the helm the rest of the way for the Giants, who have shut Jones down for the season.

McCoy delivered a strong midseason stretch to help the Cardinals during Kyler Murray‘s three-game hiatus. The 12th-year veteran completed 75% of his throws and powered the Cards to two wins — over the 49ers and Seahawks — without DeAndre Hopkins. McCoy completed 61% of his throws, at just 5.7 yards per attempt, during his one-year Giants stay. Given Jones’ neck injury, the Giants will certainly look to upgrade their backup spot in 2022.

LSU Hires Chiefs’ Matt House As DC

December 29th, 2021 at 9:42am CST by Sam Robinson

Late in his third season as Chiefs linebackers coach, Matt House has committed to return to the college ranks. LSU announced House’s hiring as its next defensive coordinator.

This move comes a year after House declined to become the University of Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, but the former Kentucky DC will move back to the SEC in 2022. Although House will be leading Brian Kelly‘s defense next season, he will stay on with the Chiefs until their 2021 season ends.

Prior to joining Steve Spagnuolo‘s defensive staff in Kansas City, House was the DC at Pitt and Florida International. He spent three seasons at Kentucky before moving to the pros in 2019.

The Chiefs have employed House as their linebackers coach throughout Spagnuolo’s tenure in Kansas City. In each season, the team has improved on defense down the stretch. This has marked a pivot from the Chiefs’ final pre-Spagnuolo seasons, when they boasted one of the league’s worst defenses. This year, the Chiefs have received strong play from second-round rookie Nick Bolton, whom Pro Football Focus tabs as a top-20 off-ball linebacker.

Eagles Add RB Kerryon Johnson To Practice Squad

December 28th, 2021 at 10:06pm CST by Ben Levine

Kerryon Johnson is back in Philly. Following a brief stint with the organization earlier this season, the running back is rejoining the Eagles’ practice squad, according to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer (on Twitter).

With Miles Sanders sidelined and Jordan Howard banged up, the Eagles were looking for some healthy bodies to pair with Boston Scott and Kenneth Gainwell. So, they turned to Johnson, who spent much of the offseason with the organization. The running back landed on IR before being granted his release, and he managed to later catch on with the 49ers, appearing solely on special teams.

Johnson’s best season came during his rookie campaign, when he collected 854 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 150 touches. Over the next two seasons, Johnson only collected 898 yards from scrimmage on 194 touches, and he was ultimately waived by the team back in May.

The Eagles made a handful of additional practice squad moves today, including the signing of former Western Michigan offensive lineman Luke Juriga. The organization also released Matt McCrane and placed wideout John Hightower on the reserve/COVID-19 list.

Broncos Place DT DeShawn Williams On IR

December 28th, 2021 at 7:16pm CST by Ben Levine

DeShawn Williams is out for the season. The Broncos have placed their starting defensive tackle on injured reserve. Williams’ elbow injury will knock him out of the lineup for Denver’s final two games of the season.

Williams was an undrafted free agent out of Clemson in 2015, but he’s found a home in Denver over the past two years. After starting 11 games for the Broncos in 2020, he’s started eight of his 15 contests in 2021. The 28-year-old has compiled 39 tackles, one sack, five QB hits, and one tackle for loss. Williams saw a season-high 35 defensive snaps during Denver’s loss to the Raiders on Sunday.

To help fill the void (and for extra insurance in case of COVID protocols for Mike Purcell), the Broncos signed Justin Hamilton off the Cowboys practice squad. The defensive tackle has spent most of the past two seasons with the Cowboys, getting into 19 games. He’s appeared in nine games this season, collecting 10 tackles and two QB hits.

The Broncos made a handful of additional moves today, signing guard Tristen Hoge, defensive end Deyon Sizer, and defensive tackle Akeem Spence to the practice squad.

Jaguars Request Interviews With Colts DC Matt Eberflus, Packers OC Nathaniel Hackett

December 28th, 2021 at 6:38pm CST by Ben Levine

We can another three names to the Jaguars’ list of head coaching candidates. Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Jaguars requested interviews with Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus (Twitter link) and Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett (Twitter link). Meanwhile, ESPN’s Michael DiRocco reports that former NFL head coach Jim Caldwell will also interview for the gig.

Eberflus served as a linebackers coach for almost a decade with the Browns and Cowboys, but he finally got a shot at a DC gig in 2018. In Indu, the 51-year-old has been credited with establishing a culture built on hustle and discipline, and his defenses have mostly been up to the challenge. Eberflus’s defenses have consistently been ranked in the top-half of the NFL for their ability to stop the run, and the team has ranked top-10 in takeaways during each of his four seasons at the helm (culminating in them currently ranking second in the NFL).

Hackett actually served as the Jaguars offensive coordinator between 2016 and 2018, including a 2017 campaign where the Jaguars offense ranked toward the top of the NFL in a number of categories. The veteran coach was canned midway through the 2018 season, and he’s spent the past three years serving as Green Bay’s OC. The Packers offense had a standout season in 2020, and while the team has the best record in the league, both the passing game and the running game have taken a step back in 2021.

Caldwell (feat. Peyton Manning) coached the Colts to a Super Bowl in his first season as Indianapolis’ HC but was out of a job after his third. Caldwell elevated the Lions to a playoff berth in his first year with Detroit in 2014 but was fired after a 9-7 2017 season. The 66-year-old coach experienced a health issue that caused him to step away from his post as Dolphins QBs coach in 2019, but he is back to full health and his since taken an interview for other HC vacancies.

This trio joins a growing list of candidates that already includes Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, Cowboys OC Kellen Moore and DC Dan Quinn, and ex-Eagles HC Doug Pederson.

NFL Legend John Madden Passes Away

December 28th, 2021 at 6:17pm CST by Ben Levine

Sad news to pass along, as NFL legend John Madden passed away unexpectedly this morning at the age of 85.

Madden is one of the most iconic NFL personalities of all time, evolving from Hall of Fame head coach to famed broadcaster. Madden’s NFL career started in 1958, when he had a brief offseason stint with the Eagles before injuring his knee. He then turned his focus to the sideline, serving as head coach at Allan Hancock and San Diego State. He got his first crack at an NFL coaching gig when he was hired as the Raiders linebackers coach in 1967, and he was promoted to head coach following John Rauch’s resignation in 1969.

Madden spent a decade in that role, helping guide the Raiders to eight postseason appearances. Oakland made it to four AFC Championship games between in 1970 and 1975, but the team finally broke through when they won Super Bowl XI in 1976. Madden announced his retirement only two seasons later, but despite his (relatively) short stint as an NFL head coach, he still managed to put together an illustrious resume. During his final season at the helm, he became the youngest coach to reach 100 career regular-season victories. He ranks second in NFL history in overall winning percentage (regular season and playoffs), and he never had a losing season during his 10 years in the role.

Following his coaching career, Madden transitioned to television, and he spent almost three decades serving as a color analyst for all four major TV networks. Madden was also known for lending his likeness and name to the Madden NFL video game series, which has generated billions dollars worth of sales since debuting in 1988.

NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero passed along a statement from the NFL:

“On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our condolences to Virginia, Mike, Joe and their families,” said commissioner Roger Goodell. “We all know him as the Hall of Fame coach of the Oakland Raiders and broadcaster who worked for every major network, but more than anything, he was a devoted husband, father and grandfather.

“Nobody loved football more than Coach. He was football. He was an incredible sounding board to me and so many others. There will never be another John Madden, and we will forever be indebted to him for all he did to make football and the NFL what it is today.”

We here at PFR would like to extend our condolences to Madden’s family, friends, and colleagues.