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The Bills saw their punting equation change when Sam Martin suffered a hamstring injury following a blocked field goal Monday. While Martin continued to punt in the team’s wild-card win, the Bills will bring in outside insurance.
Matt Haack will become Buffalo’s emergency punter, per ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter. This marks a Western New York return for Haack, who operated as the Bills’ punter in 2021. A seven-year veteran, Haack has played for three teams in the past three years. Haack will fill the practice squad spot vacated when the team cut Leonard Fournette, per the Buffalo News’ Katherine Fitzgerald.
A full-time punter from 2017-22, Haack has only served as an emergency leg this season. The Browns brought him in for their Week 17 game, with Corey Bojorquez dealing with an injury. Haack spent the 2022 season with the Colts, taking over after the team lost Rigoberto Sanchez during a late-summer workout. Haack spent all of last season in Indianapolis.
Haack, 29, averaged a career-low 42.9 yards per punt during his 2021 Bills one-off, with Buffalo not exactly featuring ideal conditions for specialists. The former four-year Dolphins punter has averaged at least 44.6 yards per boot in every other season.
Martin has been Buffalo’s punter for two seasons; he grabbed his hamstring while running to help prevent the Steelers from returning a blocked field goal for a touchdown during the second quarter Monday. IR could be an option, should the Bills want to save a roster spot, but that would mean Martin is done for the season. The Bills at least have a familiar option in the event Martin cannot go against the Chiefs on Sunday.
The Falcons are changing course with Ryan Nielsen. After initially blocking Jacksonville from interviewing its defensive coordinator, Atlanta is giving the go-ahead.
Nielsen will interview for the Jaguars’ DC position, according to The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. While the Falcons joined the Panthers in initially blocking the Jaguars from meeting with their first-year DC, ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein notes the team has now granted permission for the lateral move.
The Falcons had blocked multiple staffers from interviewing elsewhere, including Marquice Williams, whom the Giants sought for a special teams coordinator meeting. Perhaps progressing on the hiring front, Atlanta may be greenlighting those moves now. Teams can block coordinators from interviewing for other coordinator jobs, so long as the position does not involve a non-play-calling OC or DC moving to a play-calling role. The Jags fired two-year DC Mike Caldwell shortly after their season ended. Jacksonville’s next DC will be its fourth in five seasons.
This would be a major change for the Falcons, who improved defensively with Nielsen. But the team is also in transition, having fired Arthur Smith. With Bill Belichick squarely on Atlanta’s radar, a defensive shakeup is also naturally in play. Regardless of which HC the Falcons hire, he will likely want to either call defensive plays himself or bring in his own boss on that side of the ball. With job openings available now, the Falcons will let Nielsen explore them.
While Smith could not provide a significant boost on offense, as quarterback issues plagued the team following the 2022 Matt Ryan trade, Nielsen did make an impact in his first year on the job. The Falcons improved from 25th to eighth in pass defense, with Feldman adding they climbed from 26th to seventh from 2022-23 in yards per play. The team vaulted from 27th to 11th in total defense in that span and finished 18th in scoring defense this season. That said, Atlanta dropped from ninth to 18th in total defense in a one-game span, allowing 48 points in an embarrassing Week 18 loss to New Orleans.
Nielsen has a history with Falcons GM Terry Fontenot, with both having worked with the Saints prior to their moves to Georgia. Fontenot remains in place, though a Belichick or Jim Harbaugh hire would either threaten his job security or put him at risk of seeing power stripped. Nielsen spent six seasons as the Saints’ defensive line coach, moving to a co-DC role in 2022.
Here is how the Jaguars’ DC search looks:
- Shane Bowen, defensive coordinator (Titans): To interview
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview blocked
- Chris Harris, cornerbacks coach (Titans): To interview
- Chris Hewitt, secondary coach (Ravens): To interview 1/21
- Marquand Manuel, safeties coach (Jets): To interview
- Don Martindale, former defensive coordinator (Giants): To interview
- Ryan Nielsen, defensive coordinator (Falcons): To interview
Speculation about Mike Tomlin‘s plans for at least the immediate future can be put to rest. The NFL’s longest-tenured coach informed the Steelers he will remain in place for the 2024 campaign, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reports. 
Only one year remains on Tomlin’s current contract. Given the general pattern of working out extensions with two years left on his pact followed by the Steelers, questions have been raised about a potential lame-duck season. Recent reports have pointed to Tomlin stepping back and evaluating his situation in the offseason, but he has very quickly arrived at a decision. Garafolo adds he is expected to speak to the media on the subject later this week.
Pittsburgh’s season – which, as has become commonplace in recent years, included doubts about Tomlin’s streak of never having a losing season – resulted in a 10-7 record and a playoff appearance. However, the Steelers’ wild-card loss to the Bills on Monday leaves the team without a postseason win since 2016. Criticism of Tomlin in that regard has intensified, but he received significant public shows of support from his players in the aftermath of the loss. Now, any potential Pittsburgh coaching search will be delayed by at least one year.
The 2023 campaign was defined in large part by Pittsburgh’s nearly unprecedented decision to make an in-season coordinator change. Replacing Matt Canada was a move many had called for leading up to his dismissal, but it did not yield the desired results on a consistent basis. The more significant alteration to the team’s success on offense came when Mason Rudolph took over at quarterback late in the year. Even after Kenny Pickett returned to full health from ankle surgery, Tomlin elected to stick with Rudolph as the the team found success in the ground game.
Tomlin would have been able to command a hefty trade market had he elected to depart Pittsburgh, and a report from Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer indicated teams around the league were inquiring about such a move. Given the length of his tenure, it would also have come as little surprise if the 51-year-old had elected to take a year off from coaching before returning in 2025. Still, today’s news marks the expected outcome given the mutual sense between Tomlin and the Steelers that their relationship would continue which emerged during the season.
Pittsburgh enters the 2024 offseason with a number of key questions to answer, including at the quarterback position. Rudolph is a pending free agent while Pickett’s chances of retaining the starter’s role heading into next season have obviously taken a hit. Veteran Mitch Trubisky is on the books for two more years, but his time with the Steelers is thought to be over. The team must also search for a permanent solution with respect to an offensive coordinator.
Tomlin will no doubt have a major say in both of those decisions as he prepares for an 18th campaign in charge of the Steelers. His contract status will remain a key talking point (especially if no extension is worked out in the offseason), but for the time being his future is no longer in doubt.
At least one member of the Eagles’ ‘Core Four’ will not be in place for the 2024 season. Center Jason Kelce informed his teammates after Monday night’s loss that he is retiring, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports. 
Retirement questions are nothing new for the 36-year-old, and his playing future was in the air leading up to Super Bowl LVII. Kelce wound up on the wrong side of that contest, but he announced one month later that he intended to return for at least one more campaign. A new contract was then worked out, and he played out the year at a slight raise compared to what he would have otherwise made.
That one-year, $14.25MM pact came with the understanding Kelce may very well retire at the end of the current season. The Eagles appeared to be on their way to another deep playoff run through much of the 2023 campaign, but things took a significant turn for the worse down the stretch. Counting Monday’s lopsided loss to Tampa Bay, Philadelphia closed out the season losing six of seven games, and changes in the lineup and potentially on the sidelines will be coming.
Regardless of the circumstances, Kelce’s decision to hang up his cleats will leave a massive vacancy in the middle of the team’s offensive line and in the locker room. As a rookie in 2011, the former sixth-rounder took on full-time starting duties and never relinquished them over the course of his 13-year career. All 193 regular season games he played in, along with 12 in the playoffs, came with Philadelphia. Kelce established a reputation as one of the best centers not only of his generation but of all time throughout his tenure.
The Cincinnati alum earned seven Pro Bowl nods, including one in each of the past five years. Kelce was also named first-team All-Pro a total of five times. Only four other centers have matched that feat, and each of them – Jim Otto, Bulldog Turner, Dermotti Dawson and Jim Ringo – are in the Hall of Fame. Kelce will no doubt join them in Canton after following through with his decision to hang up his cleats.
Kelce’s career comes to an end with not only a number of personal accolades but also team success. He was a key member of the Eagles’ 2017 Super Bowl-winning squad, and that remained the case for last season’s trip to another title game. Kelce delivered consistent performances over the course of his career, earning a PFF grade of 80.2 or higher eight times. His lengthy track record of success culminated in more than $85MM in career earnings.
Cam Jurgens – drafted last season as Kelce’s successor – will likely move to C in 2024 after starting full-time at right guard this season. That transition will be notable given the long stretch since anyone other than Kelce manned the position and the substantial expectations Jurgens will face as his replacement. Meanwhile, it will also be worth watching what fellow mainstays Lane Johnson, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham decide with respect to their playing futures.
Saints head coach Dennis Allen appears to be safe for 2024, but his staff will look different next season. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael has been fired, Mike Triplett and Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football report. The move is now official. 
[RELATED: Mutual Interest Between Saints, Jon Gruden]
Allen – like each of the other coaches in the NFC South – faced questions about his job security throughout the season. New Orleans failed to win the league’s most underwhelming division, but expectations pointed to at least one more season for him at the helm. He said as much on ‘Black Monday,’ but signs have pointed to substantial changes on the offensive side of the ball in particular.
Indeed, not only Carmichael but also wide receivers coach Kodi Burns and senior offensive assistant Bob Bicknell have been dismissed. A report from last month indicated the Saints’ offensive staff would be subject to an examination, and that has proven to be the case. As a result, New Orleans is now in the market for an OC for the first time since 2009.
Carmichael joined Sean Payton‘s initial Saints staff in 2006, having a pre-existing relationship with quarterback Drew Brees. He was promoted to coordinator three years later, and remained in place through the 2023 campaign. That easily made him the league’s longest-tenured offensive coordinator, but his time with the franchise has now come to an end. The Saints’ statistical showings under Carmichael since Payton’s departure two years ago leave plenty to be desired.
New Orleans ranked 19th in total offense and 22nd in scoring in 2022. Issues at quarterback played a major factor in those struggles, leading to the signing of Derek Carr on a four-year, $150MM deal this past offseason. The four-time Pro Bowler battled injury for much of his debut Saints campaign, and he did show signs of improvement late in the year. Despite that (and a respectable ninth place finish in points), the team finished only 14th in yards per game. Struggles in the run game in particular were prevalent, and they contributed to Carmichael’s departure.
Carr’s 2024 base salary ($30MM) is guaranteed, and as currently structured, his contract is set to lock in a $10MM roster bonus for 2025 in March. With his short-term future in New Orleans thus relatively secure, the team’s OC search will be predicated in large part on finding a candidate able to mesh well with the veteran quarterback. The Saints’ receiver room will continue to be led by Chris Olave, but former All-Pro Michael Thomas faces an uncertain future given the nature of his latest contract. New faces not only on the sidelines but on the field could therefore be present in 2024.
“I would like to thank Pete, Bob and Kodi for their service to the New Orleans Saints and to this coaching staff,” a statement from Allen reads. “These types of decisions are never easy to come to, but are necessary as we move forward. I would especially like to thank Pete for his contributions to this staff for 18 seasons. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the job he has done and as a colleague.”
Once again set to face significant salary cap hurdles, New Orleans’ offseason will now include an OC search. That process could go a long way in determining the franchise’s outlook for 2024 and beyond as the Saints aim to take a step forward in offensive productivity and in the standings.
After meeting with Bill Belichick yesterday regarding their head coaching vacancy, the Falcons have added another major name to the list of candidates. The team announced that they’ve completed an interview with Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh.
[RELATED: Latest On Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Negotiations]
Similar to Belichick, Harbaugh was rumored to be a potential head coaching candidate in Atlanta. While these two major names navigated the early portion of the head coaching cycle, the Falcons seemingly operated as if neither would be available, with the team requesting interviews with 10 other candidates. Now, owner Arthur Blank has met with the two biggest names on the market.
Since parting ways with the 49ers after the 2014 campaign, Harbaugh has guided Michigan to an 86-25 record, including a 37-3 mark over the past three years. His efforts culminated in a National Championship win last week, and that performance put him firmly back on the NFL head coaching map. Harbaugh has already interviewed for the Chargers job, and he’s been a rumored candidate in both Las Vegas and Washington.
While the NFL interest is heating up, there’s also been rumors that Harbaugh could ultimately land back in Michigan. We heard earlier today that the coach continues to discuss a new contract with the school, one that could include a clause that would prevent Michigan from firing him as a result of any NCAA sanctions brought about by the ongoing investigations.
On the flip side, some of Harbaugh’s negotiation tactics have also pointed to an NFL return. At the moment, a suitor would need to pay a buyout of $1.5MM to hire Harbaugh away from Michigan. The school has been pushing to raise that number to $4MM, and while Harbaugh hasn’t necessarily denied that notion, he reportedly wants to push back the deadline that hiring fee to February 15, well after this year’s NFL coaching hires have been made.
Harbaugh would certainly make sense for a Falcons organization that’s desperate for a Super Bowl win. The organization has recently opted for first-time head coaches (a grouping that includes Jim Mora Jr., Bobby Petrino, Mike Smith, Dan Quinn, Arthur Smith), leading many to believe that Blank was seeking a more experienced voice. With more than 20 years of coaching experience, Harbaugh would certainly fit the bill.
There are now 12 definitive candidates for the Falcons head coaching vacancy, a grouping that includes:
- Bill Belichick, former head coach (Patriots): Interviewed 1/15
- Brian Callahan, offensive coordinator (Bengals): Interviewed 1/13
- Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interviewed 1/14
- Aaron Glenn, defensive coordinator (Lions): Interview requested
- Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator (Lions): Interview requested
- Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator (Ravens): Interviewed 1/12
- Raheem Morris, defensive coordinator (Rams): Interview requested
- Antonio Pierce, interim head coach (Raiders): Interview requested
- Bobby Slowik, offensive coordinator (Texans): Interview requested
- Anthony Weaver, defensive line coach (Ravens): Interviewed 1/14
- Steve Wilks, defensive coordinator (49ers): Interviewed 1/13
Here are today’s reserve/futures contracts:
Chicago Bears
- C Doug Kramer, DE Khalid Kareem
Cleveland Browns
- DT Jayden Peevy
Dallas Cowboys
Green Bay Packers
- LB Deslin Alexandre, LB Deandre Johnson, LB Christian Young
Las Vegas Raiders
- OL Ben Brown, S Tyreque Jones, RB Tyreik McAllister
Los Angeles Rams
- TE Miller Forristall, TE Nikola Kalinic, G Grant Miller, WR Xavier Smith
Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints
As playoff teams prepare for the second round of the postseason, they continue to tinker with their practice squads:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: DB Christian Matthew
- Released: DB Jeremy Lucien
Buffalo Bills
- Released: RB Leonard Fournette
Houston Texans
- Signed: DT McTelvin Agim
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Austin Bryant
- Released: RB Jeremy McNichols
Leonard Fournette‘s brief stint with the Bills has come to an end. The veteran running back joined Buffalo’s practice squad in October, but it took him until Week 16 to make his season debut. Fournette ended up getting into a pair of games for the Bills, collecting 40 rushing yards on 12 attempts. He wasn’t active for the team’s playoff opener, and after reverting to the practice squad, he now finds himself a free agent.
After a year away from coaching, Kris Richard is generating head coaching interest. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Raiders conducted an in-person interview with Richard today.
[RELATED: 2024 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]
Most recently, Richard was the Saints’ defensive backs coach during Sean Payton’s final season in New Orleans, and he earned a promotion to co-defensive coordinator when Payton left in 2022. Following one season in that role, the Saints parted way with the coach last offseason. Richard generated coordinator interviews with the Panthers, Broncos, and Dolphins but ended up sitting out the 2023 campaign.
Richard made a name for himself as defensive backs coach and eventually defensive coordinator in Seattle, where he was credited with forming the iconic Legion of Boom secondary. He won a Super Bowl as a DBs coach, and when he was promoted to coordinator, he guided the team to first-place and third-place finishes in points allowed. However, following a 2017 campaign where the Seahawks ranked 13th in points allowed, Richard was let go. The coach would go on to serve as the Cowboys defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator before heading to New Orleans in 2021.
This would be a bit of a homecoming for Richard. The 2002 third-round pick had a brief stint with the Raiders organization, spending a part of the 2007 campaign with the squad.
The search for Josh McDaniels‘ full-time replacement in Las Vegas has been slow going. Interim HC Antonio Pierce sounds like the favorite for the job, and there’s been rumors of a Bill Belichick and Jim Harbaugh pursuit. The only definitive candidate is former Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier, who interviewed with the organization today. With the organization having interviewed Richard and Frazier, the organization has satisfied Rooney Rule obligations and can hire a coach as soon as they want, per ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez.