HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Raiders Request GM Interview With Steelers Exec Sheldon White

January 14th, 2025 at 9:12pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Raiders have requested an interview with Steelers director of pro scouting Sheldon White, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

White is a former NFL cornerback who began his front office career as a scout for the Lions in 1997. He worked his way up to director of player personnel by 2000, earned a title bump to vice president in 2009, and even served as the interim general manager after the Lions fired Martin Mayhew in 2015. White then joined Michigan State University’s front office until 2020 when he returned to the NFL as a scout with the Commanders.

Steelers general manager Omar Khan hired White as the team’s director of pro scouting in 2022. Pittsburgh has gone 29-22 since then with two playoff appearances. (The Lions made the playoffs just twice during White’s 15 years leading their pro personnel team, though the team went 6-2 during his time as interim GM.)

The Steelers’ major free agency signings under White including Patrick Queen and Russell Wilson in 2024, Larry Ogunjobi and Isaac Seumalo in 2023, and James Daniels and Myles Jack in 2022. Queen and Wilson both played key roles in Pittsburgh’s playoff push this year. Daniels has struggled to stay healthy, but Ogunjobi and Seumalo have been solid contributors in the trenches. Jack’s tenure was interrupted by his first retirement.

White is the third official candidate for the Raiders’ general manager role. Here is a full list of their planned and requested interviews:

  • John Spytek, assistant general manager (Buccaneers): To interview
  • Jon-Eric Sullivan, director of player personnel (Packers): Interview requested
  • Sheldon White, director of pro scouting (Steelers): Interview requested

Eagles Place Nakobe Dean On IR, Bring Back Nicholas Morrow

January 14th, 2025 at 7:23pm CST by Sam Robinson

A few teams have turned to Nicholas Morrow as a regular starter, but the veteran linebacker has been unable to secure much in the way of financial commitments in free agency. He has spent most of this season with the Bills as a backup, before being waived earlier this month.

Nakobe Dean‘s season-ending injury will earn Morrow another opportunity, marking a familiar development. The Eagles are bringing Morrow back, per NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo. Dean 2023 injuries kept Morrow with a regular role in Philly, and the team will turn to familiarity late in the season. This is a practice squad deal.

The Eagles placed Dean on IR after he suffered a torn patellar tendon during the Packers game; that malady may well lead to Dean missing time to start the 2025 season. Dean battled multiple foot ailments in 2023, leading to two IR stints and only five games played. After the Eagles stashed Dean as a backup during their NFC championship season in 2022, injuries are otherwise defining the former third-rounder’s rookie contract. Dean finishes this season with 128 tackles and three sacks; Pro Football Focus ranked him 12th among off-ball linebackers.

Dean has not been the Eagles’ top LB success story this year; that honor goes to Zack Baun, who morphed from a player who researched recent special teams contracts (via Yahoo.com’s Jori Epstein) into a first-team All-Pro. The Eagles initially viewed Baun as a rotational edge rusher, per ESPN.com’s Tim McManus, but he has boosted his value tremendously as a traditional off-ball LB this season. The former Saints third-rounder will be counted on as the Eagles attempt to book a second Super Bowl berth in three seasons.

Morrow initially caught on with the Eagles after a full-season run as a Bears starter, but that season only fetched a one-year, $1.2MM deal. Philly had viewed Morrow as a potential starter heading into their 2023 camp but then cut him weeks later. Morrow resurfaced on Philly’s P-squad that September and became Dean’s primary replacement soon after. Last season, Morrow started 12 games and made 95 tackles — a career-high 12 for loss — but the Eagles changed up at linebacker this past offseason to lead him to Buffalo. The Division III success story, who has made 58 career starts, played in 11 Bills games as a backup.

The Eagles also moved Parris Campbell back to their 53-man roster to take Dean’s place and added wide receiver Elijah Cooks to their practice squad. The team released wideout Joseph Ngata from its taxi squad.

Minor NFL Transactions: 1/14/25

January 14th, 2025 at 7:15pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Texans check in with the day’s only minor move among playoff teams:

Houston Texans

Wayne will take the roster spot of Diontae Johnson, who saw a fourth team since March cut ties with him. The Texans waived Johnson three weeks after claiming him. A 2023 UDFA out of Pitt, Wayne played in three Texans games in December.

Bo Nix Played Through Back Fracture; DT D.J. Jones Wants To Stay With Broncos

January 14th, 2025 at 6:22pm CST by Sam Robinson

Although Bo Nix and Troy Franklin became the first rookies to connect on a playoff touchdown pass, the Bills eventually proved far too much for a Broncos team that came into the season with low expectations. Nix played the lead role in changing the perception of Sean Payton‘s team, and he will be the centerpiece player come 2025.

As Nix made a surprise entrance into Offensive Rookie of the Year conversations, he played through an injury more serious than the team let on. While Nix had appeared on the Broncos’ injury report with a back issue, the No. 12 overall pick since revealed (via 9News’ Mike Klis) he sustained a transverse process fracture during Denver’s Week 12 win in Las Vegas.

[RELATED: Javonte Williams Interested In Re-Signing]

Nix appeared on the Broncos’ injury report ahead of their Week 13 game, before indicating the bye week helped this along. He did not appear on Denver’s injury report for the rest of the season, starting all 17 games. Nix led his rookie class in passing yards (3,775) while adding 430 on the ground. The Oregon product’s 29 touchdown passes rank behind only Justin Herbert in NFL history for TD tosses by a rookie. After needing to beat out Jarrett Stidham and Zach Wilson, Nix will enter the offseason as an ascending passer after powering the Broncos to their first playoff game since Super Bowl 50.

Despite Nix being tied to a rookie contract, the Broncos do not have as much flexibility as teams traditionally do in this spot. Nix is tied to his rookie deal through at least 2026, but the Broncos’ Russell Wilson release will affect their cap sheet through 2025. Denver opted to take on the higher dead money sum ($53MM) of Wilson’s record-smashing cap penalty in 2024, but $30MM-plus is still due in 2025. That will negate some of the savings the Broncos would have reaped from Nix’s rookie-scale contract, thus leading to some decisions coming soon. Not set to carry over much money from this year, the Broncos nevertheless are projected to possess more than $48MM in cap space — a mid-pack number for 2025.

In good shape in terms of starters under contract, the Broncos do have a few key players unsigned. Nose tackle D.J. Jones joins Javonte Williams and linebacker Cody Barton as free agents-to-be on this roster. While the Broncos did well to extend a few players over the past several months — Patrick Surtain, Quinn Meinerz, Garett Bolles, Jonathon Cooper — they will have some holes to fill soon. Jones, however, does want to stay in Denver, indicating (via the Denver Post’s Parker Gabriel) he “would love” to re-sign. Ditto Barton, who played out a one-year, $2.5MM deal.

Jones, who will turn 30 on Sunday, started every game he played on a three-year, $30MM contract. Denver has All-Pro Zach Allen and 2024 trade pickup John Franklin-Myers tied to team-friendly deals, though Jones helped the team’s run defense considerably. ESPN’s run stop win rate placed Jones second among D-tackles this season, and the ex-49ers sixth-round pick will be in position to fetch a decent third contract soon.

Playing without Alex Singleton for much of the season, the Broncos relied on Barton as a three-down presence despite the ex-Seahawk draftee needing to win a preseason competition. He has now worked as a three-down player for three teams in three years, moving from the Seahawks to the Commanders to the Broncos. Singleton, 31, remains under contract for 2025 but is coming off an ACL tear. Pro Football Focus ranked Barton 45th among off-ball ‘backers. While the six-year vet could be in line for a slight raise come March, the Broncos may be interested in retaining him due to Singleton’s age and injury status.

Coaching Rumors: Belichick, McDaniels, Patriots, Packers, Cowboys

January 14th, 2025 at 5:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

Bill Belichick has come up in connection to the Raiders and Cowboys’ HC jobs. Though the ties have been loose to this point, the recently hired North Carolina coach’s staff may be causing some unrest in Chapel Hill. Belichick having only hired a few assistants — including retaining interim HC Freddie Kitchens as OC and adding son Steve as DC — despite having a $10MM staff budget has made multiple staffers nervous, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio writes. This report drew a rebuke from the Tar Heels’ new GM (Michael Lombardi), who indicated (via X) the team was being diligent and had hired three more staffers Sunday.

When the Cowboys separated from Mike McCarthy on Monday, Belichick came up. Reports described a situation where mutual interest would have existed, were Belichick truly available. When Belichick-Raiders tie emerged, the prospect of a quick North Carolina departure was quickly shot down. Though, Belichick’s $10MM buyout — which drops to $1MM after June 1, impacting a potential 2026 jump (albeit at age 73 by that point) — has not spooked NFL teams thus far. The coach who once famously resigned as Jets HC in early 2000 may still be caught in NFL rumors until the Cowboys fill their post, as the rookie college HC was connected as a potential 2025 option at multiple points in 2024. Jerry Jones‘ willingness to pay Belichick’s $10MM buyout has also drawn skepticism.

For now, Belichick appears to be sticking with the Tar Heels despite having immense NFL interest last year. Here is the latest on the Dallas situation and other coaching matters:

  • One of Mike Vrabel‘s rumored options for the Patriots‘ OC job came off the board today, as the Browns promoted Tommy Rees to replace Ken Dorsey. Vrabel said Tuesday (during an appearance on WEEI’s The Greg Hill Show) he would conduct an expansive search to replace OC Alex Van Pelt, and he confirmed Josh McDaniels will be a candidate. Vrabel-McDaniels rumors have circulated for weeks now, and the underwhelming HC returning to the place where he won three Super Bowl rings as a coordinator would make sense. McDaniels has not been tied to North Carolina, despite helping Belichick as he searched for his 2025 landing spot, and has not coached since the Raiders fired him hours after the 2023 trade deadline. McDaniels and Vrabel overlapped on the Patriots from 2001-08 and have maintained a good relationship. With a possible third Pats OC stint in play, McDaniels has not been connected to any other team.
  • The Packers previously lured Tom Clements out of retirement, but their quarterbacks coach is again calling it quits, ESPN.com’s Rob Demovsky notes. Having coached Brett Favre, Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love, Clements has been an NFL staffer since 1997. The 71-year-old assistant was with the Packers from 2006-16 under McCarthy, unretired to be the Cardinals’ QBs coach from 2019-20 and then rejoined the Pack in 2022 as QBs coach. Collecting a Super Bowl ring and being on staff for two of Rodgers’ four MVP awards, Clements was the Packers’ OC from 2012-14 and Bills OC from 2004-05.
  • In Deion Sanders, the Cowboys already looked toward an off-grid name to start their search to replace McCarthy; it is possible another will surface soon. Although Jason Witten has no coaching experience beyond the high school level, Florio names names him as a candidate to watch to rise all the way to the Cowboys’ HC post. Some in the organization believe the Dallas tight end great will ascend to the team’s HC job at some point, though Florio does not indicate he will definitively be a 2025 option. With Witten coaching at Liberty Christian School in Texas for four years, it would stand to reason the Cowboys would want him to gain some seasoning at the pro or college levels before he becomes a true consideration for the job.

Tyler Higbee Hospitalized With Chest Injury

January 14th, 2025 at 2:45pm CST by Adam La Rose

2:45pm: This appears to have been a blip for Higbee, who sustained an injury in a wild-card game for the second straight year. McVay said (via ESPN.com’s Sarah Barshop) the veteran tight end traveled back to Los Angeles with the team and is expected to play against the Eagles.

8:58am: The Rams’ offense was shorthanded after Tyler Higbee exited last night’s game. Los Angeles has advanced to the divisional round, but it is unclear if the veteran tight end will be available for the team’s next contest.

Higbee suffered a chest injury on Monday night, head coach Sean McVay confirmed. He has been taken to hospital, but McVay added (via Ian Rapoport of NFL Network) Higbee is in stable condition and is expected to be OK. At this point, it remains to be seen if a return to the lineup in time for Sunday’s divisional round matchup with the Eagles will be possible.

During last year’s postseason, Higbee suffered a torn ACL and MCL, an injury which delayed his 2024 debut. The 32-year-old returned to the lineup in December, giving him the opportunity to get re-acclimated in time for the postseason. Higbee went down in the first half against the Vikings, but his 58 yards on five catches were still enough to lead the Rams in receiving last night.

A fourth-round pick in 2016, Higbee has spent his entire career with the Rams. His most recent extension has him on the books through 2025, so he is set to continue in his role as lead tight end as long as he can remain healthy moving forward. The Western Kentucky product would be expected to handle a notable pass-catching role in the event he were to be able to suit up on Sunday in Philadelphia.

If not, free agent addition Colby Parkinson would be counted on to once again take on TE1 duties. The former Seahawk handled a career-high 55% offensive snap share in 2024 while Higbee was on the mend, and his 30 receptions were a personal best. If Higbee winds up being able to play, though, he and Parkinson will again form a notable tight end tandem for the Rams’ offense.

Wink Martindale Interviews For Falcons’ DC Job, To Meet With Colts; Bengals On Radar

January 14th, 2025 at 2:27pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a year out of the NFL, Wink Martindale is squarely on the radar to return. Two teams have set up interviews with the veteran defensive coordinator, while a third could be eyeing the Michigan DC.

The Falcons announced they have completed an interview with the former Ravens and Giants DC. Martindale is scheduled to meet about the Colts‘ job Wednesday, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. Despite a turbulent New York exit, Martindale looks to be aiming to follow ex-Baltimore coworker Mike Macdonald by turning a one-year Ann Arbor stay into a return to the league.

In addition to Martindale’s Falcons and Colts meetings, Pelissero points out the Bengals — who fired Lou Anarumo after six seasons in that role — could have interest. Business is picking up for a coach who had previously ascended to the HC carousel. The Colts interviewed Martindale twice for the job Shane Steichen landed; Steichen will now determine if a fit will exist with one of his former competitors.

Martindale’s most recent NFL act certainly caught interest. After the Giants fired two of his lieutenants, Martindale stormed into Brian Daboll’s office and resigned his post. This came after the brash DC was accused of going rogue at points during the 2023 season. Rumblings about a Martindale-Daboll separation lingered for much of that ’23 campaign, and the dustup combusted quickly. The Jaguars were the only team to interview Martindale for their DC job last year, leading him to Michigan.

The Wolverines ranked 19th in points allowed per game (19.9) this season, marking only a slight step back from Jim Harbaugh‘s unbeaten national champion team. Martindale’s unit came for an 8-5 Michigan squad, with the Big Ten program’s defense in far better shape than its offense (113th in scoring) in its first post-Harbaugh season.

After a poor showing running the 2010 Broncos’ defense, Martindale found his footing with the Ravens. Baltimore’s defense ranked in the top three in scoring each year from 2018-20, before a step back commenced in 2021. The Ravens moved on from their DC, hiring Macdonald from the Michigan staff, in 2022. A Giants team thought to be rebuilding saw its defense climb to 17th in scoring defense in 2022, helping an undermanned team reach the divisional round. New York’s unit regressed in 2023, however.

Anarumo will be competing with Martindale for two of these jobs, with the former Bengals DC up for the Colts and Falcons’ positions as well. The veteran staffer will meet with the Colts on Wednesday and Falcons on Thursday, SI.com’s Albert Breer adds. While these jobs are available now, a host of new ones will likely be opening up once teams decide on HCs. Anarumo is on a few prospective HCs’ lists, Breer adds, pointing to a second-chance opportunity being more likely than not for the well-regarded coordinator.

Cowboys’ Mike Zimmer Undecided On Future

January 14th, 2025 at 1:17pm CST by Adam La Rose

It was learned yesterday that Mike McCarthy will not remain in place as the Cowboys’ head coach. As the team’s search for his replacement begins, questions about his staff will be raised.

The name garnering the most attention at this point is defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer. The 68-year-old returned to Dallas this past offseason after Dan Quinn departed to become the Commanders’ head coach. Zimmer held the role of DC for the Cowboys from 2000-06, and his decision to again serve in that role met the team’s desire for a veteran coordinator.

Last month, owner Jerry Jones acknowledged he essentially viewed McCarthy and Zimmer as a package deal. Given the uncertainty surrounding the former at the time, questions have lingered regarding the latter since yesterday’s news. Nothing final has been decided in Zimmer’s case at this point, but a Monday report noted he has given thought to retirement.

On Tuesday, Zimmer informed Tom Pelissero of NFL Network that “all options are on the table” with respect to his future. Each of McCarthy’s now ex-assistants are free to speak with interested teams at any time, and it will be interesting to see if he has a market for a different coordinator gig. Whether or not a position in Dallas will be available for 2025 will of course be tied to the team’s next head coach. The Cowboys are one of five teams seeking out a HC hire, something Zimmer has experience with.

The former Vikings head coach said he is open to another chance to lead an NFL team, although at the time he noted his uncertainty in such a possibility arising. Still, Zimmer told Pelissero he “really enjoys” coaching, so it would not come as a surprise if he showed interest in continuing his career. Over his tenure in Minnesota, he compiled a record of 72-56-1, reaching double-digit wins in a season three times. Given his experience, Zimmer could also receive looks for a defensive coordinator position if the Bengals, Colts or Falcons were to show interest. In any case, his future will be one of the interesting storylines to follow as the 2025 coaching landscape takes shape.

Titans Setting Up Second GM Interviews

January 14th, 2025 at 11:55am CST by Sam Robinson

JANUARY 14: The Titans’ second round of interviews will take place in person today, tomorrow and Thursday, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports’ reports. Once all six candidates have been met with, it would come as no surprise if a decision were to be made in relatively short order. Tennessee may well be the first of the three GM-needy teams to move forward with a hire during the 2025 hiring cycle.

JANUARY 13: Needing a GM for the second time in three years, the Titans are moving fast. Less than a week after firing Ran Carthon, Tennessee is setting up second interviews. One of those involves a candidate the team met with in 2023 as well.

Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham met with Titans brass two years ago, and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport notes the Ryan Poles lieutenant is in line for a second interview this time around. Joining Cunningham in advancing to this stage will be Chiefs assistant GM Mike Borgonzi and Buccaneers assistant GM John Spytek.

We may not be at the finalist stage yet, though third interviews are virtually unheard of. Still, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports Bills director of player personnel Terrance Gray and Colts AGM Ed Dodds are also expected to receive second interviews. Ditto Jon-Eric Sullivan, per Pelissero. While this process is moving swiftly, the Titans still have several candidates in the race.

This batch of candidates includes some who are still in consideration for the Jets and Raiders’ GM gigs. Spytek, a Tom Brady college teammate, is on the Raiders’ radar early. Borgonzi is a Long Island native who has interviewed with the Jets. Sullivan interviewed for the Jets’ job as well. Beyond these three, none of the Titans’ set of second interviewees has been connected to one of the other available jobs. Though, the Raiders have not made official requests yet.

Cunningham would join the Bears’ HC search committee once he is no longer connected to leaving, but for now, the fourth-year Chicago staffer is in limbo. The Bears gave Cunningham an extension after he lost out to Adam Peters for the Commanders’ GM job. The Titans strongly considered Cunningham in 2023, giving him a second interview during the pursuit Carthon eventually won. Cunningham is also believed to have turned down the Cardinals’ GM job that year, with ex-Titans exec Monti Ossenfort winning. Titans brass circling back with another second interview bodes well for Cunningham’s status this year.

Dodds has been on GM carousels previously and has been in the AFC South for seven seasons now. The Colts hired Dodds shortly after Chris Ballard took over in 2017. Dodds interviewed for the Chargers, Panthers and Raiders jobs last year. Gray met with the Bolts and Raiders but declined a Patriots interview request, joining others in doing so as the Patriots looked to satisfy the Rooney Rule for a job most correctly figured would go to Eliot Wolf.

Borgonzi was part of last year’s GM carousel as well, meeting about the Commanders job, but this year marks the first time he has met with multiple teams in the same offseason. The Chiefs have lost Ballard and Brandt Tilis from their front office during Andy Reid‘s tenure. Considering Kansas City’s success over the past several years, it would surprise if Borgonzi was not in the mix for the Jets and Titans’ jobs until the end. Both the Bucs’ assistant GMs, Spytek and Mike Greenberg, are on this year’s GM carousel. Greenberg has interviewed with the Jets. Spytek has been with the Bucs for nearly 10 seasons, two in his current role.

The Titans are giving Chad Brinker significant power, with the team’s former assistant GM — after having usurped Carthon — now president of football operations. That will affect the team’s next GM considerably, significantly affecting this search. Sullivan’s resume should be important here, as he and Brinker worked together for nearly 15 years in Green Bay. Sullivan has been with the Packers since 2004, learning under Ted Thompson and Brian Gutekunst. Brinker featured the same background upon arriving in Nashville.

Via PFR’s General Manager Search Tracker, here is how the Titans’ process looks nearly a week in:

Jets Request HC Interview With Joe Whitt

January 14th, 2025 at 11:12am CST by Adam La Rose

The list of targets in the Jets’ ongoing head coaching search continues to grow. Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt has received an interview request, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

Whitt has not yet been linked to any other head coaching positions, but it comes as little surprise his time in the nation’s capital has been well received by at least one suitor. The 46-year-old coached the Cowboys’ defensive backs from 2021-23, having previously held similar roles in Green Bay and Atlanta. Once Dan Quinn vacated his position as defensive coordinator in Dallas to take over as Washington’s head coach, Whitt seemed to be the top candidate to replace him.

In the end, though, Whitt was among the players and staffers who followed Quinn to the Commanders. Despite Quinn’s experience in that capacity, Whitt has handled play-calling duties for Washington this season. The team’s run to the divisional round of the postseason has of course been driven in large part by the play of soon-to-be Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels, but the Commanders’ defense has held up well against the pass in particular.

Washington surrendered the third-fewest yards per game through the air during the regular season, although the team has not been able to duplicate that success on he ground. The Commanders finished the year 30th in the NFL against the run; in spite of that figure, however, overall placements of 18th in yards allowed and 13th in points surrendered are notable. The defensive side of the ball is likely to receive considerable attention this offseason as general manager Adam Peters looks to build off this year’s success, and Whitt would be faced with increased expectations in 2025 if he were to remain in place.

The Jets moved on from a defense-oriented head coach midway through the season by dismissing Robert Saleh. Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich took over and saw his unit generally struggle down the stretch, something which could help point the team in a new direction with the upcoming HC hire. Candidates from several backgrounds are receiving consideration, though, and Whitt is the latest to join the list of names connected to New York.

Via PFR’s head coaching search tracker, here is an updated look where things stand with the Jets:

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