Month: January 2025

Seahawks’ Ryan Grubb Could Be On Hot Seat

In the first year under rookie head coach Mike Macdonald, the Seahawks improved a game from last year’s 9-8 campaign, going 10-7 and finishing just one spot shy of a playoff berth in 2024. A defensive-minded head coach, Macdonald brought in nearby Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to serve as his offensive coordinator. A disappointing offensive performance this season, though, may force a change in that position.

In their first season, Macdonald, the former Ravens defensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator Aden Durde‘s unit finished ninth in scoring defense and 12th in total yards allowed. Grubb’s unit was a bit more middle-of-the-road, finishing 19th in points scored and 15th in total yards.

According to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated, Grubb’s scheme disappointed in the run game, where they finished 30th in the league, despite the presence of two second-round picks in Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet. The failure to establish themselves on the ground left quarterback Geno Smith in too many obvious passing situations that limited the effectiveness of the passing game.

Grubb, a well-respected offensive mind, was heavily studied by NFL teams during his time in the collegiate coaching ranks. He worked his way up through jobs in high school, the FCS, and multiple Division I FBS jobs before landing with Washington and helping them to their runner-up finish in the 2023 national championship.

Macdonald gave him his first NFL opportunity as a first-time head coach himself, and Grubb’s NFL offensive gameplan may just take a bit of time to grow and evolve. With the offense being the weak spot of the 2024 campaign, though, it makes sense that Macdonald may be interested in looking into a few changes.

Colts To Retain HC Shane Steichen, GM Chris Ballard

Despite recent speculation that Colts general manager Chris Ballard‘s job could be in danger, team owner Jim Irsay has released a statement on X announcing that Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen will be returning to lead the team in 2025.

Ballard, who just finished his eighth season as GM in Indianapolis, has been under heavy fire by the media lately. During his tenure, the Colts have failed to win a single division title. The team started season 4-3 with wins over the Steelers and Dolphins, but a three-game losing streak followed by alternating wins and losses to close the year left the Colts at 8-9 and two spots out of the playoffs. This is the sixth time in Ballard’s eight years that Indianapolis has missed the playoffs and the fourth season in a row.

While Ballard was considered to be on the hot seat, according to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports, Steichen was likely to return as head coach. Only in his second season as head coach, Steichen has gone a consistent 17-17 as the skipper of the Colts.

If there is indeed a problem in the leadership in Indianapolis, it may be communication. There have been rumblings of a lack of direction as well as some “public misconceptions due to the relatively high level of secrecy within the building.” This has been especially the case surrounding the handling of the starting quarterback position and the benching of top 2023 draft pick Anthony Richardson. The perception is that the communication issues have been in the building for years, but with Steichen as head coach, the issues have improved.

If there is a coaching change, though, Jones anticipates that it could come on defense. With the team entering Week 18 at 27th in points allowed and 29th in yards allowed, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley may not end up returning to coach the defense in 2025.

As for Ballard and Steichen, Irsay’s comments seem to indicate that no changes will be made. The team will hope to find it’s direction under year nine of Ballard and year three of Steichen.

NFL Interest In Steve Sarkisian?

In a leadup to today’s final regular season games, and in anticipation of the infamous Black Monday to follow, ESPN’s Adam Schefter did a deep dive on some of the latest rumors on the upcoming coaching carousel. In this deep dive, Schefter claimed that he expects there to be interest from some NFL teams in University of Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian. Let’s take our own look at this possibility.

Sarkisian, affectionately referred to as “Sark” by many in the media, has been the head coach in Austin for the last four years. A former dual-sport athlete in high school, Sarkisian chose baseball as the sport to follow in college, walking on at USC. After struggling in Division I, he transferred to El Camino College, a junior college at which he was encouraged to go back to football. After being named a JuCo All-American, he transferred once again to BYU. After graduation, Sarkisian’s playing career ended following three average years in the Canadian Football League.

Immediately following the end of his playing career, Sarkisian went back to one of his alma mater’s, El Camino, to coach quarterbacks. The next year, he went to another of his former schools, taking the same job at USC coaching quarterbacks like Carson Palmer, Matt Cassel, and Matt Leinart; Palmer would become a No. 1 overall draft selection in 2003, and Leinart would be drafted in the top 10 in 2006.

After three years in the role, Sarkisian got his first NFL opportunity, taking the same role with the Raiders in Oakland in 2004 under then-head coach Norv Turner. He only coached over quarterbacks Kerry Collins and Rich Gannon for a year before returning to USC as quarterbacks coach in 2005, just missing out on a national championship with the Trojans. He finished out the career of Leinart and remained at USC until 2008, getting promoted to assistant head coach/offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2007. Over that time, he also coached future No. 5 overall pick Mark Sanchez.

Following his success molding quarterbacks in Los Angeles, Sarkisian got his first head coaching gig at the University of Washington. In five years in Seattle, Sarkisian never found much team success, going 34-29 with his best year being an 8-4 campaign in his final season. His time their did result in quarterback Jake Locker getting drafted No. 8 overall in 2011, though.

Despite a contract extension that would’ve kept Sarkisian in Seattle until 2015, the new head coach opted to head back home to California, accepting the newly open head coaching gig at USC, replacing an ousted Lane Kiffin. Sarkisian only lasted two years in the job himself, getting fired due to suspicions of being intoxicated on the job. Sarkisian claimed to have mixed alcohol with medication, but multiple reports indicated that he simply imbibed too much alcohol on multiple occasions.

This started a road of Sarkisian working his way back to a head coaching responsibility. He took a job in 2016 as an offensive assistant at Alabama, eventually replacing Kiffin as the interim offensive coordinator when Kiffin left to become head coach at Florida Atlantic. The next year, then-Falcons head coach Dan Quinn hired Sarkisian on as offensive coordinator in Atlanta. In 2017 under Sarkisian, the Falcons offense finished 15th in points scored and eighth in total yards. The next year, Atlanta’s offense was 10th in points and sixth in total yards, but these were still considered regressions from 2016 when the team was first in points and second in yards, and Sarkisian was dismissed.

This sent Sarkisian back to Tuscaloosa, where he officially got the role of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach of the Crimson Tide. In his two years back at Alabama, Sarkisian took over the tutelage of first-round picks Tua Tagovailoa (No. 5 overall) and Mac Jones (No. 15), coaching over Jones’ incredible 4,500-yard, 41-touchdown, four-interception season with a 77.4 completion percentage in 2020.

This led Sarkisian to his third opportunity at a head coaching job, this one with the Longhorns. It took him a moment to find success in Austin, going 5-7 in his first season, but in 2022, transfer quarterback Quinn Ewers came to Texas and the team returned to their winning ways. Last year, the Longhorns made the four-team College Football Playoff for the first time, falling to the eventual runners-up of the season and his former team, the Huskies.

This year, Texas was dominant for much the year, falling only twice (both times to Georgia). They made the 12-team College Football Playoff, and after two wins against Clemson and Arizona State, they have advanced to the semi-finals for the second time in a row. They will play Ohio State this weekend and, if they win, will play the winner of a matchup between Penn State and Notre Dame for a national championship title.

The prospect of Sarkisian getting head coaching interest in the NFL is certainly an intriguing one. His history with alcohol abuse will be an obvious red flag in interviews, but he seems to have distanced himself from such issues with his time at Alabama, Atlanta, and Texas and has perhaps earned back some good will. His time in Austin has been his longest stint in one place since his five years with Washington, and his turnaround of the Longhorns’ program has certainly been impressive.

He’s considered a respected offensive name in the football world and has shown a strong ability as a head coach in recent years. As a molder of many NFL quarterbacks over the years, he could be an ideal fit for a team fielding a young quarterback or looking to draft one. It will be interesting to see where he draws interviews in the coming weeks.

Vikings Not Planning Kevin O’Connell Trade

6:52pm: Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk has been informed by a source inside the Vikings’ building plainly stating an O’Connell trade will not take place. That update may not dissuade interest from potential suitors, but it points further in the expected direction of a long-term Minnesota tenure being on tap for O’Connell.

12:33pm: The consensus seems to be that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and former Titans head coach Mike Vrabel are the top two candidates in this year’s HC cycle. But if he were available, Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell would be at the top of many wishlists, and Jay Glazer of FOX Sports reports that multiple teams are considering trying to trade for the Coach of the Year candidate (video link).

O’Connell’s contract with Minnesota expires at the end of the 2025 season. While a report last month indicated that the team is expected to discuss an extension with him, those talks had not commenced as of the time of the report, and Glazer says nothing has changed in that regard over the last 30 days. Because the 39-year-old is entering a theoretical lame duck campaign, rival clubs apparently feel it is at least worth making an overture to the Vikes to gauge trade interest.

Needless to say, it would be borderline shocking if Minnesota did not retain O’Connell. Over his first three seasons as the Vikes’ HC, O’Connell has posted a 34-16 record, including a 14-2 mark this season (and, if the team wins today’s regular season finale against the Lions, it will have captured the NFC’s No. 1 seed). He has also been lauded for the proficiency of his offensive system, which has coaxed quality performances out of Kirk Cousins and an out-of-the-blue Pro Bowl showing from Sam Darnold – who was signed merely as a bridge option last offseason – in 2024.

Indeed, Kevin Seifert of ESPN.com says ownership is thrilled with O’Connell’s performance, and while the third-year coach is due for a hefty raise, the only way he is not with the Vikings in 2025 is if he for some reason wants to leave (and there is no indication that’s the case). Likewise, despite the lack of urgency to get a deal done before now, Ben Goessling of the Minnesota Star Tribune reports that ownership has every intention of talking contract with O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah whenever the team’s season draws to a close.

Perhaps, as Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com posits, Glazer’s report stemmed from O’Connell’s camp as a way to increase the coach’s leverage in impending negotiations. Regardless, barring a major turn of events, it seems that teams in need of a new HC will need to turn their attention elsewhere.

Titans Secure No. 1 Pick In 2025 NFL Draft

The early window of NFL action on Sunday decided the order at the top of the draft board for 2025. Week 18’s results have left the Titans in place to select first overall.

Tennessee lost in Houston, leaving the team with a 3-14 record. That mark was matched by the Browns with their loss yesterday as well as the Giants since they lost on Sunday afternoon as well. New York was in the lead for the top spot heading into last week’s action, but a win over the Colts moved the Patriots into pole position entering the final week of the campaign.

Relying mainly on rookie quarterback Joe Milton III, New England won out against a Bills team which rested Josh Allen amongst others since they were locked into the AFC’s No. 2 seed. With that win, the Patriots dropped from first to fourth in the projected order (pending other results from Sunday’s games). As a result, it will be the Titans kicking off the draft in April.

Tennessee made a number of changes this offseason, the most notable of which being the decision to hire Brian Callahan as a first-time head coach. The former Bengals offensive coordinator was tasked with guiding quarterback Will Levis into a long-term solution at the position. Selected 33rd overall in 2023, Levis entered this season as the team’s undisputed starter, but injuries and poor play (especially regarding turnovers) resulted in Mason Rudolph briefly seeing time atop the depth chart. Levis still considers himself a starter with the Titans or another team, but his future is in the air at this point.

Two more year remain on the 25-year-old’s rookie pact, but even if Tennessee elects to keep him in place competition should be expected. That is especially true since Rudolph is on an expiring deal. Free agency will offer plenty of options for a quarterback addition, but holding the No. 1 selection will obviously give the Titans the opportunity to again take the draft route to find a franchise passer. Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward are the highest-ranked QBs in a 2025 class which is not held in high regard.

Well before a decision on the top pick is made, of course, the futures of Callahan and general manager Ran Carthon will need to be sorted out. The latter’s job security could be in question after two years at the helm, but if he is retained by owner Amy Adams Strunk the way he proceeds with the No. 1 pick will be critical. Using it on a quarterback (or another prospect like two-way Colorado star Travis Hunter) would add to the team’s core, but as usual the number of teams looking for a franchise passer will outweigh the availability of qualified QBs. As such, trading down could become feasible based on the trade market which emerges.

A rebound from this season’s showing will be expected for Tennessee in 2025. Today’s outcomes will prove to play a large role in that effort, though, given the team’s prime draft position.

Jaguars OL Tyler Shatley Retires

Reserve veteran lineman Tyler Shatley has officially hung up his cleats, retiring from the NFL after an 11-year career, per a team announcement with a message from Shatley. Shatley spent his entire career in Jacksonville, serving as a key primary backup on the offensive line.

Shatley, 33, came to the NFL originally as an undrafted free agent out of Clemson. Signing as part of the 2014 rookie class in Jacksonville, Shatley was a surprise member of the 53-man roster as an undrafted rookie, though he only appeared in one game. A year later, he was playing in 13 games as a special teams lineman.

In 2016, Shatley got his first shots on the offense, starting two games at center and two games at left guard in injury relief. By 2017, he had established himself as a go-to sixth man on the interior of the offensive line, once again being called up to start four games at center in relief of an injured Brandon Linder, who had earned the starting job the year before. He also served as the emergency long snapper for a short time that season. In 2018, Shatley got his first extended stretch of starting experience, closing out the final seven games of the season with Linder on injured reserve.

A healthy 2019 season for Linder pushed Shatley back to the bench and special teams for a year, but more injuries in 2020 and 2021 once again limited Linder to nine games apiece, opening the door for more playing time for Shatley at center.

After Linder retired, Shatley lost out on the starting gig to replace him, but a season-ending injury to starting left guard Ben Bartch opened up the door for Shatley to make a long-term return to the starting lineup. Last year, the Jaguars struggled the find consistency along their offensive line, and though he couldn’t carve out a consistent role, Shatley was key in ensuring there was coverage along the line.

Coming into the 2024 NFL season, for the first time, Shatley failed to make the 53-man roster. The Jaguars didn’t leave him without a job for long, signing him to the practice squad in late-November. He didn’t make an in-game appearance in this final year in Jacksonville, but no doubt his presence on the practice squad gave the team some assurance that depth was available.

It takes a lot to remain in the NFL for 11 years, especially on the active roster for 10 of those years and especially with all 11 years being on the same team. Shatley may have never earned big contracts or superstar recognition, but his 11 years with the Jaguars are a testament to his reliability and importance to their roster makeup.

Jaguars Assistants Expecting Staff Changes

As the 2024 season has progressed, the Jaguars’ continued struggles have led to an strong sense of head coach Doug Pederson dismissal being likely. That would certainly not come as a surprise at this point, especially given the sentiment of his assistants.

Many members of Pederson’s staff have been “preparing as though they’ll need new jobs” once the season ends, CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones writes. Jones, like many others, adds Pederson is viewed as being a lock to be dismissed as early as tonight. Likewise, ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on Sunday morning’s NFL Countdown that Pederson is among the coaches seen as not being safe with respect to firing decisions (video link).

The most recent updates on the matter suggested firing Pederson was not necessarily a guarantee, but taking into account owner Shad Khan‘s optimism about the 2024 season he will no doubt be dissatisfied with the results of the campaign. That could also lead to general manager Trent Baalke being replaced, although Khan’s quiet stance on the situation has left it unclear how he will proceed on that front. Jones confirms the expectation around the league remains that Baalke – in place since 2021 – will be fired.

Offensive coordinator Press Taylor has been in place since Pederson’s arrival in 2022, reuniting with the Super Bowl winner after their shared time in Philadelphia. Baalke reportedly urged Pederson to fire Taylor after last season, one in which the Jaguars collapsed during the second half of the campaign. Injuries to quarterback Trevor Lawrence and receiver Christian Kirk (among others) have hampered Jacksonville’s offense this year, but Taylor’s name will certainly be one to watch if Pederson is fired. Major changes were made on the defensive side of the ball last offseason, but those did not produce the desired results either.

Jones adds Jaguars assistants have been “demoralized” during the closing weeks of the campaign, one which ended Sunday afternoon with an overtime loss to the Colts. Khan could very well react with sweeping changes, in which case adding a new head coach and quickly filling out the rest of the staff will become a priority. Khan has not made contact with potential candidates at this point, but Jones notes a search firm will likely be brought in presuming Pederson’s tenure comes to an end.

As Black Monday approaches, the Jaguars are among the teams to watch closely after a 4-13 season. Further signs point to a head coaching change, and many other positions on staff could soon be open.

OC Mike Kafka Could Be Fired If Giants Retain HC Brian Daboll?

The Giants are among the teams which could soon make moves on the sidelines and/or the front office. Head coach Brian Daboll could be retained for the 2025 campaign, however, something which could lead to a shake-up on the team’s offensive staff.

Provided Daboll does receive another opportunity – something which may well be the case for general manager Joe Schoen as well – offensive coordinator Mike Kafka could become the subject of scrutiny. “Buzz” has emerged pointing to Kafka being dismissed in the event Daboll remains in place, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer writes. Such a development would likely be centered on Daboll reclaiming full control of the Giants’ offense. Kafka is under contract for 2025, per Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post, who adds a mutual desire is believed to exist for he and Daboll to continue working together.

Daboll’s head coaching stock was built in large part on his success working with Josh Allen as the Bills’ offensive coordinator before he was hired by the Giants. It thus came as a surprise when he initially handed play-calling duties over to Kafka in 2022, but those responsibilities have changed hands over time. Daboll turning his attention back to leading the offense would come as little surprise given how much New York has struggled on that side of the ball with and without Daniel Jones at quarterback.

The former No. 6 pick was benched and then waived earlier this season, paving the way for a new passer to be added (likely via the draft, although the Giants may not find themselves in range for top quarterbacks in the class). Starting over at the position is something often accompanied by a head coaching change, but ESPN’s Adam Schefter notes Daboll could indeed be given a fourth season at the helm (video link). The option remains that Daboll will be dismissed with Schoen being retained, although that would come as a surprise to many of PFR’s readers and would also mark a departure from the latest indications on the situation.

Kafka, 37, spent time on the Chiefs’ staff before taking the coordinator gig in New York. His success in that role from the 2022 season led to head coaching interviews, but he was blocked by the Giants when the opportunity to meet with the Seahawks for their OC position emerged. Kafka currently holds the title of assistant head coach under Daboll, though that could change once ownership decides on the organization’s direction.

Titans GM Ran Carthon In Danger Of Being Fired; Latest On HC Brian Callahan

As Week 18 of the NFL season continues, several teams near the bottom of the standings are still in contention to land the top pick in the upcoming draft. The Titans are among them, but securing the No. 1 selection could include notable changes in the organization.

Much of the season was predicated on first-time head coach Brian Callahan‘s ability to lead a rebound on offense for Tennessee. In particular, his work in developing quarterback Will Levis was a central point of focus, but things have not gone according to plan on that front.

[RELATED: Titans Secure 2025 No. 1 Overall Pick]

It remains to be seen if a new potential franchise quarterback will be targeted in the offseason as a result, but general manager Ran Carthon may not be charged with overseeing that effort. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes there is “growing chatter” about Carthon being fired after this season. Bovada’s Josina Anderson adds this situation is being monitored by many around the league regarding a potential firing.

Jon Robinson was fired near the end of the 2022 campaign, his seventh at the helm of the Titans. The team sat at 7-5 on the year at that point, and the timing therefore came as a surprise to many. Then-head coach Mike Vrabel was not included in the decision, one which allowed him carry on his role for another season. Amidst indications Carthon and Vrabel were not on the same page, though, the latter was dismissed after the 2023 campaign came to a close.

Callahan was hired to take over coaching duties while working with Carthon to oversee Tennessee’s transition to a younger roster. Several veterans on both sides of the ball saw their Titans tenures end in cost-shedding moves in recent years, leaving the new regime with a long-term rebuilding project. Still, Tennessee’s record entering Sunday’s action (9-24) under Carthon leaves plenty to be desired. Attention will thus turn to owner Amy Adams Strunk over the coming days.

Meanwhile, Callahan’s future will of course remain uncertain until he receives a vote of confidence from ownership. The former Bengals offensive coordinator was the subject of a recent report indicating he should be safe, though, and further signs point in that direction. ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted on this morning’s NFL Countdown Callahan should remain in place for 2025, although that is not certain at this point (video link). Schefter cautions, however, that some in the Titans’ organization are expecting significant changes of some kind in the wake of a disappointing year.

Whether or not that includes moves in the front office or along the sidelines will be interesting to monitor in the immediate future. A number of major roster-building decisions loom this spring for the Titans, but before that the team’s coaching and management staff could see replacements brought in.

Dolphins Likely To Start Tyler Huntley In Week 18; Tua Tagovailoa’s Status For Playoffs Uncertain

JANUARY 5: Offering further context on Tagovailoa’s injury, Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reports that the passer’s hip muscle could tear further if he continues playing, which is why he has not been medically cleared (video link). As such, even if the Dolphins secure the AFC’s final playoff spot today, it is uncertain whether their QB1 would be under center in the wildcard round.

JANUARY 3: Mike McDaniel poured cold water on any Dolphins hopes of having Tua Tagovailoa available for Week 18. Miami’s starting quarterback is unlikely to play against the Jets on Sunday.

A second straight Tyler Huntley start is now expected, ESPN.com’s Marcell Louis-Jacques tweets. This will deal a blow to the Dolphins’ chances of making a third consecutive playoff berth, though the team would need both a win and a Broncos loss to a Chiefs team resting starters to qualify. Sunday will be Huntley’s fifth start this season; the Dolphins are 2-2 with their backup at the wheel.

Tagovailoa is battling a hip injury, one that kept him out of Miami’s Week 17 game in Cleveland. The fifth-year QB is in line to miss his sixth game of the season, with the first four coming because of the concussion the talented passer suffered in Week 2. The Dolphins enter their regular-season finale at 8-8, with their quarterback’s injury trouble heavily factoring into that .500 record. This would mark the second time in three seasons Tagovailoa will have failed to finish a season; the former No. 5 overall pick’s 2022 concussion issues sidelined him to close out that campaign.

McDaniel described Tua’s injury as a “unique muscle issue,” rather than a bruise, via the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s David Furones. Surgery is not in play, McDaniel added (via the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson), as this is rather a rest-and-rehab situation. Even so, it is still notable the former No. 5 overall pick could be shut down before season’s end. Tagovailoa dealt with injuries prior to his concussion-marred 2022 season, missing time in 2020 and ’21 — after he came into the league with a hip injury.

The dislocated hip Tagovailoa sustained in November 2019 affected the two-year Alabama starter’s draft stock, though Joe Burrow‘s dominant 2019 had plenty to do with where the 2020 draft’s QB prospects went. McDaniel has said this issue is unrelated to the college setback, which also involved a posterior wall fracture. That said, the Dolphins committed to Tagovailoa — via a four-year, $212.4MM extension — this summer. That preceded another concerning season on the injury front.

Between another concussion and another hip injury, Tagovailoa will enter the offseason with more doubts about his long-term stability. The southpaw QB has played well when healthy, leading the NFL in QBR in 2022 and pacing the league in passing yards (4,624) last season. Injuries have unfortunately been a significant part of Tua’s NFL career, and until he can show sustained health, questions in this area will persist.

Signed off the Ravens’ practice squad following Tagovailoa’s September concussion, Huntley has also needed an IR stint this season. The former Lamar Jackson Baltimore backup is a free agent at season’s end, but Miami wants to keep him around beyond that point. If the Broncos slip up against Chiefs backups Sunday, it will be Huntley playing the lead role in determining who the Bills’ first-round opponent will be. A Dolphins-Bills wild-card encounter would bring familiar territory, as a Tua-less Miami squad trekked to Buffalo with Skylar Thompson at the helm two years ago. Based on the information we have, Tagovailoa would be far from certain to play against the Bills if the Dolphins were to qualify this time around.