HEADLINES

Month: December 2024

Panthers Notes: ST Coordinator, QBs Coach, Front Office

January 29th, 2024 at 7:55pm CST by Ben Levine

The Panthers have made some progress filling their coaching staff, but the team still has a vacancy at special teams coordinator. There’s now at least one known candidate for the job, as ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that the Panthers are interviewing Bills assistant special teams coach Cory Harkey for their coordinator job.

[RELATED: Panthers Likely To Hire Buccaneers’ Brad Idzik As OC]

Following his five-year playing career, Harkey caught on as a tight ends coach in the college ranks. He earned his first NFL coaching job with the Bills in 2022, and he spent the past two seasons as their assistant special teams coordinator. Harkey clearly made an impression in his role, as he’ll now have an opportunity for the top ST job in Carolina.

While Harkey will interview for the job, he may not be the favorite. Joe Person of The Athletic passes along that Panthers head coach Dave Canales is targeting Seattle’s Tracy Smith as his special teams coordinator. Smith has had two lengthy stints working alongside Canales in Seattle, most recently as an assistant special teams coach. He also spent three years with the Texans organization, including a 2020 campaign where he served as the team’s ST coordinator. With Pete Carroll out in Seattle, Smith likely wouldn’t see any opposition if he decides to take his coaching acumen to the Panthers.

The Panthers are reportedly zeroing in on Buccaneers wide receivers coach Brad Idzik as their next offensive coordinator, and while that move hasn’t been made official, that hasn’t stopped the organization from looking to fill out the rest of the offensive coaching staff. According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Panthers requested an interview with Cowboys quality control/offensive assistant Will Harriger for their quarterbacks coach job.

Harriger worked alongside Canales when the two were in Seattle, so there’s a clear connection. The coach recently worked with USC’s quarterbacks during the 2022 season, helping Caleb Williams win the Heisman Trophy. In Carolina, he’d be tasked with guiding former first-overall pick Bryce Young.

As Canales looks to fill his coaching staff, new general manager Dan Morgan is eyeing some reinforcement in the front office. Backing up what we heard last week, ESPN’s Adam Schefter passes along that the Panthers are expected to pursue Chiefs vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis for a “prominent” front office role. Albert Breer of SI.com passes along that Tilis’ office in Kansas City has already been cleared out, and the executive hasn’t traveled with the team during the postseason.

Tilis was a candidate for the Panthers GM job, and the long-time Chiefs executive was a popular name in recent hiring cycles. In Carolina, Tilis would be expected to play an essential cap/analytics role within the front office.

One executive who won’t be back in Carolina next season is Samir Suleiman. The team has moved on from the director of player negotiations/salary cap manager, per ESPN’s David Newton.

Dolphins To Interview Leslie Frazier For DC Job

January 29th, 2024 at 6:22pm CST by Ben Levine

After most recently serving as the Bills defensive coordinator, Leslie Frazier could end his coaching hiatus by joining an AFC East rival. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Dolphins are interviewing the veteran coach for their defensive coordinator vacancy.

Frazier’s six-year stint as the Bills defensive coordinator came to an end following the 2022 campaign, with head coach Sean McDermott opting to call the defensive plays himself for the 2023 season. Frazier ended up spending this past year out of football, but it didn’t take long for him to return to the coaching carousel. He interviewed for the Chargers and Raiders head coaching vacancies this offseason, and now he’s set to take a meeting for Miami’s coordinator opening.

Buffalo’s defense was up-and-down during Frazier’s time with the organization, but the Bills still finished with one of the league’s best defenses in three of the coach’s six years. This included a 2021 campaign where the Bills defense finished first in both points allowed and yards allowed. The team continued that production into 2022, finishing second in points allowed and sixth in yards allowed. However, following a divisional-round loss where the Bills allowed three scores to the Bengals, McDermott decided to make a change.

Prior to his stint in Buffalo, Frazier was also the defensive coordinator with the Bengals, Vikings, and Buccaneers. He parlayed his role in Minnesota into a head coaching gig, a job he held for three seasons. The Vikings went 10-6 and earned a playoff birth in 2012, but the team otherwise went 8-23-1 in his two full seasons as Minnesota’s head coach.

The Dolphins allowed Vic Fangio to leave for Philadelphia earlier this month, opening a major hole on their coaching staff. Frazier will be the fifth candidate to interview for the job, with the veteran coach joining:

Chiefs DL Charles Omenihu Suffers ACL Tear

January 29th, 2024 at 2:32pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Chiefs’ defense played a central role in the team’s AFC title game victory on Sunday. The unit will be shorthanded in the Super Bowl, however. Defensive lineman Charles Omenihu suffered a torn ACL in the win over the Ravens, per Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report.

Omenihu exited the game with a knee injury and was not able to return. More importantly, today’s update means he will not be available for the Super Bowl. The news deals a major blow to Kansas City’s pass rush given the role he had been playing in 2023, his debut campaign with the Chiefs.

The former fifth-rounder played in 11 regular season games with Kansas City, logging a career-high 56% snap share. Omenihu used that increased playing time to set new personal bests in a few categories, including tackles (28) and sacks (seven). He totaled a pair of forced fumbles during the season, and added another in the Chiefs’ postseason run. His impressive campaign has now come to an end, though.

Omenihu began his career with the Texans, failing to establish himself as a full-time starter. He was dealt to the 49ers midway through the 2021 season. In San Francisco, the Texas alum recorded 4.5 sacks in 26 games (adding another 3.5 in six postseason contests), showing his ability to serve as at least a complementary edge rush option. He joined the Chiefs in free agency on a two-year, $16MM deal. Instead of preparing for a title game against his former team, he will turn his attention to a lengthy recovery process.

The 26-year-old was issued a six-game suspension to start the season stemming from a domestic violence incident which took place during his time with the 49ers. His play upon return showed his value to the Chiefs’ defense, a unit which posted strong numbers in several categories this year. Kansas City’s offense has not been as prolific as usual during the Patrick Mahomes era this year, and the team will no doubt require a strong showing on defense against San Francisco.

With Omenihu out of the picture, the Chiefs will continue relying on Chris Jones as the anchor of their defensive front. Recent first-round picks George Karlaftis and Felix Anudike-Uzomah could be counted on in an additional capacity, although the latter has not played in the postseason to date. In any case, Kansas City’s build-up to Super Bowl LVIII has not started in ideal fashion.

Dolphins To Interview OLBs Coach Ryan Slowik For DC Position; Team Meets With LBs Coach Anthony Campanile

January 29th, 2024 at 2:15pm CST by Adam La Rose

2:15pm: The Dolphins have also interviewed inside linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, Wilson reports. The 41-year-old has coaching experience on both sides of the ball dating back to his time in the college ranks, which included co-DC duties in 2018 with Boston College. Campanile spent one season as Michigan’s LBs coach before taking the same position with the Dolphins in 2020. He, like Slowik, will be a candidate for promotion.

11:40am: The Dolphins are among the teams in need of a new coordinator after DC Vic Fangio departed to take charge of the Eagles’ defense. Miami has looked outside the organization for replacement options, but the team will consider at least one internal candidate.

[RELATED: Offensive/Defensive Coordinator Search Tracker]

The Dolphins are expected to interview outside linebackers coach Ryan Slowik for their defensive coordinator position, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2. Slowik joined the Dolphins’ staff last offseason after a number of stops at the NFL level. He has been an NFL staffer dating back to 2005, with the exception of a stint in the college ranks in 2017 and ’18.

The son of Bob Slowik and brother of Texans OC Bobby Slowik, Ryan has spent time with the Broncos, Cardinals, Jets, Browns and Dolphins. His tenures have seen him work with a number of position groups on defense, but his most common title has been OLBs coach. He has never worked as a defensive coordinator at the college of NFL levels.

Miami ranked third in the league in sacks in 2023 (Slowik’s first year in his current post), despite losing Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb to season-ending injuries midway through the campaign. The Dolphins’ defense was dealt a number of blows in the injury department late in the season, something which factored into the team’s Week 18 loss that dropped them out of the division lead as well as its wild-card defeat. Still, Slowik’s work as a member of Mike McDaniel‘s staff is sufficient to put him on the team’s radar for an interview.

Here is an updated look at the Dolphins’ DC search:

  • Bobby Babich, linebackers coach (Bills): Interview requested
  • Anthony Campanile, inside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interviewed
  • Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Interview blocked
  • Ryan Slowik, outside linebackers coach (Dolphins): Interview expected
  • Brandon Staley, former head coach (Chargers): To interview

Patriots Interested In Klint Kubiak, Scott Turner For OC Position

January 29th, 2024 at 1:50pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots have cast a wide net in their search for a new offensive coordinator. Several outside candidates are already known to be on the team’s radar, but the list of staffers drawing interest continues to grow.

New England has already met with 49ers assistant Brian Fleury for the OC gig, but he is not the only member of Kyle Shanahan‘s staff to have done so. Passing game coordinator Klint Kubiak also spoke with the Patriots about the position. In addition, as Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer notes, the Patriots plan to interview Raiders passing game coordinator Scott Turner this week.

Kubiak has been connected to three other coordinator vacancies during the 2024 hiring cycle as he considers a potential return to a coordinator posting. The 36-year-old held the position for one year (2021) with the Vikings before joining the Broncos the following year as their QBs coach. This past offseason, he joined Shanahan’s staff as passing game coordinator, making him a key figure guiding an offense which put up elite numbers in several categories and helped lead the team to the Super Bowl.

Because of that success, Kubiak can interview again during the upcoming week, but he cannot be hired until the end of the season. That does not apply to Turner, whose season ended after Week 18 with the Raiders falling short of the postseason. The latter has not yet been mentioned as a candidate for any OC opening around the league, but like Kubiak, he has coordinator experience.

Turner oversaw the Commanders’ offense from 2020-22, though he never guided the unit to a finish better than 23rdin scoring over that period. The 41-year-old spent this season with the Raiders, a team which underwent considerable staffing changes midseason with Antonio Pierce taking on head coaching duties. He is in place on a full-time basis, leaving open the possibility Turner and other assistants will be headed elsewhere this offseason.

Rams tight ends coach Nick Caley is the only Patriots candidate to have a second interview lined up so far. While he might therefore be the favorite for the position, New England is certainly employing a wide-ranging approach in its search to find a Bill O’Brien replacement.

Here is an updated look at the Patriots’ search:

Rams Conduct DC Interview With Ron Rivera; Team To Meet With Aubrey Pleasant, Chris Shula

January 29th, 2024 at 12:56pm CST by Adam La Rose

If Ron Rivera continues his coaching career in 2024, he could have a number of options available to him. The list of teams which have the ex-Commanders head coach on their coordinator radar has grown.

The Rams met with Rivera this weekend to discuss their DC vacancy, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones reports. That marks the second team known to have interest in him for a coordinator position; the Cowboys have Rivera on their radar in the event Dan Quinn takes one of the two remaining head coaching positions during the 2024 hiring cycle.

Los Angeles lost Raheem Morris to the Falcons after he returned to Atlanta to become the team’s next head coach. As a result, the Rams are in need of a replacement, and Rivera easily qualifies as the most experienced candidate connected to the opening so far. The 62-year-old had a nine-year run with the Panthers before his four seasons at the helm of the Commanders.

Prior to that, Rivera served as defensive coordinator of the Bears (2004-06) and Chargers (2008-10). Both units had strong showings with him in charge, and his stock as a highly-regarded defensive mind helped earn him his two head coaching gigs. Rivera is willing to take a step back by accepting another coordinator role moving forward as he intends to continue coaching in the NFL.

While Rivera is one a several outside staffers now linked to the Rams, Los Angeles will also consider internal candidates. Defensive backs coach Aubrey Pleasant and inside linebackers coach Chris Shula are expected to interview for the DC position this week, Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic reports. Shula is not on the radar of any other coordinator-needy team, but Pleasant has been floated as a potential candidate for the Packers.

Here is where things stand for the Rams as it pertains to their process of finding a Morris successor:

  • Aden Durde, defensive line coach (Cowboys): Interview requested
  • Ejiro Evero, defensive coordinator (Panthers): Mentioned as candidate
  • Aubrey Pleasant, defensive backs coach (Rams): Expected to interview
  • Ron Rivera, former head coach (Commanders): Interviewed
  • Chris Shula, inside linebackers coach (Rams): Expected to interview
  • Brandon Staley, former head coach (Chargers): Named as candidate
  • Dennard Wilson, defensive backs coach (Ravens): To interview

Commanders Remain Intent On Hiring Lions’ Ben Johnson As HC?

January 29th, 2024 at 12:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

JANUARY 29: In an update on where the Commanders’ search stands, Ralph Vacchiano of Fox Sports confirms Johnson is currently seen as the favorite to be hired. Other candidates like Dan Quinn (Cowboys) and Mike Macdonald (Ravens) are still in the running, though that is also the case for both defensive coordinators as it pertains to the Seahawks’ opening. With the Lions having been eliminated last night, Johnson is free to speak with and accept an offer from Washington or Seattle at any time.

JANUARY 27: Ben Johnson entered the 2023 season having generated head coaching interest after only one year as the Lions’ offensive coordinator. His work this campaign has confirmed his status as one of the most sought-after staffers in the league, and signs continue to point him to the nation’s capital in the near future.

Johnson was reported earlier this month to be the top target for both the Panthers and Commanders. In Carolina’s case in particular, that came as no surprise. Panthers owner David Tepper made a concerted effort to land him during last year’s hiring cycle, and he was expected to deliver another strong push this offseason. Ultimately, though, Carolina elected to bring in Dave Canales after his one-year OC stint with the Buccaneers.

Once the Commanders tapped Adam Peters as their new GM, Johnson was named as a candidate to watch as the new head coach to pair with him. The latter has upped his stock considerably during his two-year run at the helm of Detroit’s offense, and the unit has played a central role in the team’s run to the NFC title game. Once the Lions’ postseason journey ends, as Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline writes, the expectation around the league remains that Johnson will be hired by the Commanders.

Teams still in contention for the Super Bowl are prohibited from having their coordinators take part in head coaching interviews during the week leading up to the conference championship games. Washington’s second interview with Johnson will therefore not take place until Detroit’s season comes to an end. The Commanders – who are joined by the Seahawks in having the league’s only remaining HC vacancies – are prepared to wait for Sunday’s games to take place before making their respective hires.

Commanders owner Josh Harris made the expected move of dismissing Ron Rivera on Black Monday, and his hand-picked committee moved quickly in landing on Peters to serve as general manager. The latter will directly oversee the team’s new head coach, a departure from the organizational structure in place during Rivera’s tenure. Johnson will be a rookie head coach if/when he is hired this year, though the same is also true of Peters after his decision to depart his AGM gig with the 49ers.

Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn has also drawn considerable interest during this year’s cycle, and he too has a second Commanders interview lined up. Johnson is joined by Texans OC Bobby Slowik in terms of staffers with an offensive background who have drawn significant interest this year, and both have met once with the Seahawks. Seattle does not have a second meeting with Johnson on the books, however, leaving his connection with Washington something to watch closely in the coming days.

Jason Kelce Addresses Eagles Future

January 29th, 2024 at 10:28am CST by Adam La Rose

In the aftermath of the Eagles’ wild-card loss, it was reported center Jason Kelce informed his teammates he was retiring. No official announcement has been made yet, though, and the future Hall of Famer acknowledged that his future is uncertain.

Kelce has been a mainstay on the Eagles’ O-line since his rookie season in 2011. The 36-year-old has contemplated retirement on a number of occasions in recent years, but he has elected to take one-year deals to continue his career. Kelce has earned first-team All-Pro honors in each of the past three seasons, demonstrating his ongoing ability to play at a high level. If he does hang up his cleats, though, he does not intend to depart the organization.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen for me,” Kelce said, via Olivia Reiner of the Philadelphia Inquirer. “But I do know, I still want to be involved in the organization and still want to be a part of it, regardless of what the decision is. Because I don’t want to ever feel like I’m on the outside looking in on these achievements and these accolades and these opportunities that largely represent entire cities and fan bases and organizations.”

Kelce has been in attendance for the Chiefs’ past two playoff games to support his brother Travis. The latter will have a chance at a third Super Bowl title in two weeks’ time and a second straight after being Jason and the Eagles last season. Any formal announcement will likely not be made until after the campaign comes to an end, but of course it is notable he has left the door open to another year as a player.

The Eagles drafted Cam Jurgens in the second round in 2022 to take over as Kelce’s successor at the center spot. Jurgens spent the 2023 campaign at right guard, but he could take over for Kelce if he does indeed elect to transition to a coaching or front office role. At a minimum, Kelce should be expected to remain in Philadelphia for 2024 in some capacity regardless of if he has played his final snap.

Chargers Request OC Interview With Marcus Brady

January 29th, 2024 at 9:37am CST by Adam La Rose

With Kellen Moore set to take over as offensive coordinator of the Eagles, the Chargers officially have a vacancy at that spot on Jim Harbaugh‘s initial staff. The process of finding Moore’s replacement has begun.

The Chargers have requested an interview with Eagles senior offensive assistant Marcus Brady, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports. Brady’s Indianapolis OC tenure came about after he was let go by the Colts midway through the 2022 campaign as part of Frank Reich‘s staff. He has been connected to other coordinator opportunities during this year’s hiring cycle, however.

Brady has received interview requests from the Bears (who have since hired Shane Waldron for their OC spot) and the Panthers (who are likely to pair new head coach Dave Canales with fellow Buccaneers staffer Brad Idzik). The Chargers therefore represent Brady’s best potential option at the moment, though plenty could of course change in the coming days and weeks with respect to the coordinator carousel.

The 44-year-old had a six-year run as a coordinator in the CFL before taking his first NFL position with the Colts in 2018. Brady worked his way up to OC in 2021 with Indianapolis before his time in that role was cut short soon after. He had a hand in an Eagles offense which delivered strong overall numbers in 2023, but fell short of expectations down the stretch and in the postseason, meaning he could be elsewhere in the near future.

When signs continued to point to Harbaugh being hired, Greg Roman was listed as a name to watch regarding the Chargers’ OC spot. The pair worked together during their time with the 49ers, so a reunion would come as little surprise. Roman was away from coaching this year after his tenure at the helm of the Ravens’ offense came to an end. Also an interviewee with the Bears, he is still in the running to wind up alongside Harbaugh in L.A. Roman is now joined, however, by Brady in being connected to the position.

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