HEADLINES

Month: January 2025

Bengals WR Jermaine Burton Accused Of Assault

January 9th, 2025 at 6:50pm CST by Ben Levine

Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton is accused of assaulting a woman on December 30, according to police reports obtained by Sharon Coolidge, Cameron Knight, and Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The woman, who Burton had been dating for several months, accused the player of chasing her inside her apartment, damaging her phone, and then assaulting her, including choking her. The woman also claimed that before Burton left the residence, he threatened to kill himself. The police report says the woman “suffered minor injuries but did not need medical attention.” The woman also initially intended to file charges before changing her mind.

According to Ben Baby of ESPN, the woman also told police that Burton had previously “pushed her down a set of stairs.” That incident hadn’t been reported to the police.

The incident took place days before the Bengals’ regular season finale. Burton didn’t travel with the team to Pittsburgh for that game, with the decision being described as a “coach’s decision.” The organization has since released a statement to the Enquirer:

“We are aware of information related to Jermaine Burton. We will continue to evaluate as we gather additional details and will have no further comment at this time.”

According to The Enquirer, the player is also facing eviction from his apartment, with those proceedings starting last month. ESPN adds that Burton’s “landlord filed an eviction notice and civil lawsuit against him” for lack of payment.

As both The Enquirer and ESPN note, Burton drew concern for his behavior during the pre-draft process. Specifically, the Alabama product was caught hitting a female fan who rushed the field following his team’s loss to the University of Tennessee. That instance (and other unreported anecdotes), led to teams passing on the wide receiver altogether.

Burton was ultimately selected by the Bengals in the third round. He failed to contribute in his 14 appearances, hauling in only four catches for 107 yards.

More On Jerod Mayo’s Firing: Succession Plan, Hiring Process, Stevenson Benching

January 9th, 2025 at 6:02pm CST by Ben Levine

The Patriots’ succession plan for Bill Belichick clearly didn’t go as planned, as Jerod Mayo was let go after only one ugly season at the helm. However, there were cracks in the organization’s overall plan before Robert Kraft even named Mayo as his head coach.

[RELATED: Patriots Fire Jerod Mayo]

According to Chad Graff of The Athletic, Kraft’s literal succession timeline intended for Mayo to take over in 2025. When Kraft instituted his plan in 2023, he planned to give Belichick two more seasons (allowing the coach to break the all-time wins record) before Mayo would take over the gig.

That obviously didn’t come to fruition, as Belichick’s fractured relationship with the Patriots led to his ouster after that 2023 campaign. Before that, Belichick failed to mentor his successor like the organization expected (Graff notes that Belichick cut off communication with a number of coaches during his final season in New England). So, when Mayo was suddenly thrust into the HC role, he didn’t have the prerequisite mentorship that ownership had hoped for.

That could partly explain Mayo’s unusual approach to his head coaching role. The newly-named head coach first struggled to fill his coaching staff, although he curiously avoided one solution by offering incumbent defensive play-caller Steve Belichick a demotion (which the younger Belichick refused, leading to him taking a DC job at Washington). Andrew Callahan and Doug Kyed of The Boston Herald report that some OC candidates were left unimpressed with Mayo’s approach during the interview process, leading to the team opting for their last interviewee in Alex Van Pelt.

Then, once the season began, Mayo reportedly struggled to discipline his players, and Graff passes along an anecdote where Mayo played cards with the players during a plane ride following a loss. Mayo also struggled with some of the seemingly simple tasks that are required from a head coach. For instance, The Boston Herald duo point to Rhamondre Stevenson‘s uncertain status in Week 17. Mayo intended to bench the RB for fumbling issues, and he communicated the lineup change to Van Pelt. The OC never relayed the message to running backs coach Taylor Embree, leading to Stevenson taking the field with the starting offense. Mayo later covered for his coordinator, but there were clear cracks in communication.

While Mayo has been the only Patriots leader to lose their job, executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf has also drawn his fair share of criticism. The front office leader took some accountability for the team’s disappointing 2024 showing while admitting that some of the Patriots’ younger players didn’t develop as expected (specifically WRs Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker).

“I would say that I guess personally, what I was expecting is maybe a little bit more internal development, which is a good lesson certainly heading into next year. And that you can’t always rely on that,” Wolf said (via The Herald). “The rookie receivers didn’t have it really that much for us.”

49ers’ Trent Williams Expected To Return In 2025

January 9th, 2025 at 5:56pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The 49ers are expecting All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams to return for his 14th NFL season in 2025, per ESPN’s Nick Wagoner.

“Trent’s mindset is where it always is, and he’s still very interested in being the great player that he is, and I think he’s still got a lot left in the tank,” said general manager John Lynch on Wednesday. “Trent’s as committed as ever and we love having Trent Williams a part of us.”

The 35-year-old missed the 49ers’ last seven games of the 2024 season due to a bruise in his ankle joint. When healthy, Williams was still among the best tackles in the league, but his extended absence will likely keep him from a fourth-straight first-team All-Pro selection. Retirement speculation has followed him for a few years, but he has also stated a desire to play until age 40.

Williams will join center Jake Brendel, right guard Dominick Puni, and right tackle Colton McKivitz as the 49ers’ returning offensive linemen with left guard Aaron Banks set to hit free agency. Banks could price himself out of San Francisco after the explosion in last year’s guard market, especially with the team focused on a long-term extension for Brock Purdy.

Mike McCarthy Connected To Saints’ HC Job; Aaron Glenn Holding Early Lead?

January 9th, 2025 at 4:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

Mike McCarthy resides in the unique position of being under contract for a team at season’s end but not tied to that club for the ensuing season. The Cowboys constructed his deal to expire Jan. 14. Not giving their five-year HC an extension despite three straight 12-win seasons, the Cowboys have five days to extend him.

The sides are still talking, and a decent chance exists McCarthy is back in Dallas on a second contract. But that is not a lock. The Bears attempted to test the Cowboys on this front by sending a McCarthy interview request; Dallas blocked it. The NFC East team will not be able to block any such overtures after Tuesday; no deal being done by then would send McCarthy to the market and create one of the more interesting scenarios we have seen on a coaching carousel.

If McCarthy reaches the market, the Saints could emerge as an option. While the Bears would conceivably be back in play, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler indicates McCarthy could have some interest in the New Orleans position. McCarthy has a past with the organization, having been the Saints’ offensive coordinator from 2000-04.

That marked McCarthy’s first OC job, and it started off well. Despite losing starter Jeff Blake to injury during the 2000 season, the Saints rallied to the playoffs behind second-year QB Aaron Brooks. The team then notched its elusive first playoff win, over the defending champion Rams. New Orleans, however, did not make the playoffs again during Jim Haslett‘s tenure. The Saints did still rank in the top 14 offensively in each McCarthy season. By 2005, McCarthy was in San Francisco as 49ers OC, using that perch to land the Packers’ HC job in 2006.

The GM during part of McCarthy’s Saints stint remains, and Mickey Loomis has been connected to prioritizing familiarity. Aaron Glenn came up as a candidate last month, and he joins fellow ex-Saints assistant Joe Brady on the team’s interview list. This McCarthy tie also follows a report that had the Saints content with their current list of candidates. McCarthy, 61, could certainly be added if his Cowboys contract expires without a new deal in place.

Going into the first round of interviews, though, Fowler adds that Glenn may have the early lead. It would not be surprising to see the four-year Lions DC land this job. He was a candidate in 2022 despite the Lions having finished 3-13-1 in ’21. Glenn coached the Saints’ DBs for five seasons under Sean Payton, working under Loomis, who is running this search.

The Lions have also become one of the league’s premier success stories in recent memory, completing a rebuild that has since produced 13-4 and 15-2 records. Glenn’s defense also closed the regular season with a statement, holding the high-octane Vikings attack to nine points despite missing a few key cogs.

Glenn, 52, is set to meet with four other teams — the Bears, Jaguars, Jets and Raiders — between now and Saturday. His Saints virtual interview is scheduled for Friday. More updates will emerge in connection with the New Orleans job, but given Glenn’s ties to the team and his decision to decline a Patriots interview request, the veteran assistant may be close to nailing down a job after a few years of trying.

Courtesy of PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker, here is how the Saints’ HC search looks:

Panthers Will Work To Extend Jaycee Horn

January 9th, 2025 at 4:52pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Panthers will be looking to build onn the late-season resurgence of former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young heading into the 2025 season.

One of general manager Dan Morgan‘s top priorities this offseason is an extension for cornerback Jaycee Horn, per ESPN’s David Newton. Carolina selected Horn with the eighth overall pick in 2021 hoping he could lock down one side of their passing defense. Injuries limited him to just 22 games across his first three years, followed by his first career Pro Bowl selection this season.

His negotiations won’t be as simple as fellow 2021 top-10 pick Patrick Surtain, who reset the cornerback market with a four-year, $96MM extension in September. Surtain has played in all but two of the Broncos’ game since he was drafted with three Pro Bowls in the last three years. He earned a first-team All-Pro nod in 2022 and is poised to earn a second for his work this season, giving Denver no choice but to pay him at the top of the market.

Horn, however, has not been consistently available, and despite his Pro Bowl recognition this year, he allowed career-highs in touchdowns (6) and passer rating when targeted (92.7). Guaranteed money will be a key factor in negotiations; the Panthers may prefer a rolling guarantee structure that kicks in after Horn proves he can stay healthy for another year or two.

The Panthers picked up Horn’s fifth-year option last offseason, so he’s set to earn $12.472MM in 2025. That amount will be paid out as a base salary with no bonus money up front, so the 25-year-old cornerback has plenty of reason to come to the negotiating table. An injury in 2025 could impact his ability to get another long-term contract in his career.

It’s also worth noting that Sauce Gardner and Derek Stingley will both be eligible for early extensions this offseason, which could match or surpass Surtain’s contract. If Horn waits until after Gardner and Stingley extend with their teams, he could capitalize on another increase in the cornerback market – if he can stay healthy and put together another solid showing in 2025.

Aaron Glenn Declines Patriots Interview Request

January 9th, 2025 at 4:14pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

JANUARY 9: Glenn has five HC meetings booked; the Lions DC found time to accommodate a midweek Raiders request. But the invite the Patriots sent will not produce an interview. Glenn declined the New England meeting, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero tweets. The fourth-year Lions assistant will still meet with the Bears, Jaguars, Jets, Saints and Raiders between tonight and Saturday.

Mike Vrabel is viewed as the clear frontrunner in New England, and he was able to meet in-person with the team today due to not being on a staff presently (those employed by other teams cannot yet meet with teams in-person). Glenn colleague Ben Johnson is on tap to meet about the job Friday, but reporting has continued to place Vrabel in pole position. Glenn may see the writing on the wall and would then devote his efforts to landing one of the other available jobs.

JANUARY 8: The Patriots have submitted a request to interview Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.

Glenn has now been requested by all six teams with a head coaching vacancy. He led Detroit’s defense to a top-1o scoring finish this season despite a myriad of injuries at all three levels. The former cornerback already has four interviews scheduled – with the Jets, Saints, Bears, and Jaguars – so he may not have time for two more this weekend while preparing for the Lions’ playoff run.

In place on Dan Campbell‘s staff since 2021, Glenn has seen his unit enjoy a turnaround this year relative to past performances (in certain categories, at least). Between that success and a continued endorsement from Campbell with respect to his head coaching readiness, it comes as little surprise the 52-year-old is one of the most sought-after candidates this year. Glenn’s playing career included time spent with the Jets, Jaguars and Saints, so he has a natural connection to those franchise’s vacancies.

Likewise, the three-time Pro Bowler spent time coaching in New Orleans, and as such he represents a candidate to return to the city during the 2025 hiring cycle. No such connections exist between the Glenn and the Patriots. New England’s list of targets nevertheless continues to grow in the early stages of the process. The Patriots have already satisfied the Rooney Rule with yesterday’s interviews (Byron Leftwich, Pep Hamilton), but meeting with Glenn will add to the number of external minority candidates interviewed for their vacancy.

Jerod Mayo was dismissed on Sunday after his first season as Bill Belichick‘s successor. Former Patriots Mike Vrabel and Brian Flores have been connected to the job, but Glenn is among the top options on the market if owner Robert Kraft elects to go in a different direction with this hire.

Via PFR’s head coaching search tracker, here is an updated look at New England’s search:

Adam La Rose contributed to this post.

49ers Interview Robert Saleh, Deshea Townsend For DC Job

January 9th, 2025 at 3:51pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The 49ers completed interviews with Robert Saleh and Deshea Townsend for their vacant defensive coordinator position, per a team announcement and CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones.

Saleh was fired as the Jets head coach in October and previously served as the 49ers defensive coordinator for four seasons. He arrived in 2017 with Kyle Shanahan and inherited a defense that ranked 32nd in yards allowed. Saleh turned the 49ers defense into a top-10 unit by the time he left for New York after the 2020 season. His tenure with the Jets was plagued by poor quarterback play and interference from ownership, though Saleh maintained his standard of defensive excellence until his firing.

The 45-year-old is considered the favorite to land the 49ers’ DC job, per ESPN’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler, in no small part due to his familiarity with the team’s roster and scheme. Saleh is also planning to interview with the Jaguars for their head coaching position, so he may hold off on accepting the job in San Francisco before the Jaguars have made their decision.

Jeff Ulbrich, who was Saleh’s defensive coordinator in New York and finished this season as interim head coach, could also be a candidate for the DC job in San Francisco if he is not retained by the Jets, Fowler adds. Ulbrich spent his entire 10-year playing career with the 49ers and was recruited by his former team last offseason, though the Jets prevented him from interviewing. The defense led by Saleh and Ulbrich in New York was based on Saleh’s system in San Francisco, so Ulbrich should still have plenty of schematic familiarity.

Townsend is a former 13-year NFL cornerback who has been a defensive backs coach for seven NFL teams, as well as Mississippi State University. He is currently the Lions’ passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach and has played a crucial role in keeping their defense afloat despite a myriad of injuries. Townsend could also be a candidate for the Lions’ DC job if Aaron Glenn takes a head coaching job elsewhere.

Coaching Notes: Bears, Jaguars, Allen, Patriots, Lake

January 9th, 2025 at 3:34pm CST by Sam Robinson

GM-centric workflow models are more common in the modern NFL than those that start with head coaches, though some teams still have their sideline leaders atop the personnel pyramid. The Bears are not one of them, and it does not sound like they intend to change that after this search concludes. Chairman George McCaskey confirmed (via the Chicago Tribune’s Brad Biggs) the team’s next HC will still report to GM Ryan Poles, who will report to president Kevin Warren.

This will close the door on a coach power play or a change in which both the Bears’ HC and GM would report to Warren. The top-down model being non-negotiable could affect the franchise’s search to some degree, though the Bears have used this setup for a while. Additionally, the Bears’ first round of interviews will be entirely virtual, per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini. This applies to unattached coaches, who are not bound by league rules mandating virtual meetings before January 20, the day after the divisional round wraps.

Here is the latest from the coaching carousel:

  • A Monday report did not make it clear if the Patriots would fire Alex Van Pelt along with Jerod Mayo, but the veteran OC apparently told friends shortly after the Bills matchup he and the HC were each fired, the Boston Globe’s Ben Volin notes. This is not yet official, but coordinator statuses can go quiet as teams search for new HCs. Mayo had criticized Van Pelt during the season, leading to hot seat rumors. But the play-caller had drawn praise for his work with Drake Maye. The Patriots should expect plenty of staff turnover, the Globe’s Nicole Yang adds. That is generally the norm, but the Pats retained several staffers following their Bill Belichick-to-Mayo transition.
  • Ben Johnson is set to go through a four-pack of interviews between Friday and Saturday, as summits with the Patriots, Raiders (both Friday) and Bears and Jaguars (Saturday) loom. Buzz around the league points to Johnson being intrigued by the Jacksonville job, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler notes, but the in-demand assistant might want his own GM. The Lions’ OC has been notoriously picky when it comes to a job, and although more noise has come about him taking one during this cycle, Trent Baalke being retained could throw a wrench into the Jags’ process. It would seem unlikely if the Jags allowed Baalke to remain GM if Johnson preferred that not remain the case, and a Wednesday report indicated the team could be open to kicking Baalke to another role. That said, Fowler adds some among the Jags are skeptical a coach could run a power play to boot Baalke from his four-year post.
  • Not much has come out about Dennis Allen‘s future post-New Orleans, but the recently fired Saints leader may have another DC chance again soon. The Colts have come up as an interested party, Fowler adds, noting the three-year Saints HC should be a candidate for the Indy DC job. The team has yet to conduct an interview, but Allen has been either a head coach or DC for most of the past 14 years. The Saints had played well defensively leading up to this season, with Allen at the helm when the team repaired a porous unit in the late 2010s.
  • No Falcons coordinator changes have come out, but some in the league are keeping an eye on their DC situation, Fowler notes. Raheem Morris did not definitively endorse Jimmy Lake for a second year. Morris brought the former Washington Huskies HC with him from the Rams’ staff, doing the same with OC Zac Robinson. After improving under one-and-done DC Ryan Nielsen, the Falcons dropped to 23rd in scoring defense and yards allowed under Lake, a first-time NFL coordinator.

Jaguars Request HC Interview With Steve Spagnuolo

January 9th, 2025 at 2:42pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Jaguars have requested an interview with Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo for their vacant head coaching position, per a team announcement.

Spagnuolo is one of the most accomplished assistant coaches in the league on either side of the ball. He is the only coordinator with four Super Bowl titles, one with the Giants and three as part of the recent Chiefs dynasty. Kansas City has finished with a top-10 socring defense in five of Spagnuolo’s six years as DC, including an exemplary 2023 season in which the team finished second in points and yards allowed behind only Mike Macdonald‘s unit in Baltimore.

Spagnuolo has not been as successful as a head coach, though. He received interest from multiple teams after largely shutting down a historic Patriots offense in Super Bowl XLII and ultimately took a four-year offer from the Rams. Spagnuolo went 10-38 across his first three seasons in St. Louis and was fired after the 2011 season. He was never able to turn the Rams defense into a top unit, and the lack of consistent quarterback play doomed him on the other side of the ball.

Before joining the Chiefs, Spagnuolo had another stint with the Giants, coordinating their defense from 2015 until December 2017, when he took over as interim head coach. The Giants went 1-3 to close out the year, and Spagnuolo was not asked to return as a member of new head coach Pat Shurmur‘s staff.

Along with the Jaguars, Spagnuolo has also received head-coaching interest from the Jets and the Raiders. If he gets one of the three jobs, he’ll become the second-oldest coach in the NFL at 65 years old, trailing only his current boss, Andy Reid.

The Jaguars now have as many as 12 candidates for their head coaching gig after firing Doug Pederson:

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