Month: January 2025

Bears Submit Interview Requests With Mike McCarthy, Todd Monken, Arthur Smith, Brian Flores

JANUARY 7: As of Tuesday afternoon, the Cowboys have yet to respond to the Bears’ McCarthy request, Schefter reports. It remains to be seen how Dallas will proceed on the McCarthy front with the expiration of his contract (and that of most of his assistants) approaching.

JANUARY 6: The Bears have been busy sending out head coaching interview requests Monday. To no surprise, most of their targets are currently coordinators on their respective teams. One staffer who still holds the title of head coach is on Chicago’s radar, however.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Todd Archer report the Bears have sought permission to speak with Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy. The team is currently awaiting word from Dallas on whether or not he will be made available for an interview. That, in turn, obviously depends on whether or not McCarthy will receive a new contract from the Cowboys.

Jerry Jones elected not to fire McCarthy after the Cowboys lost in the wild-card round last year, but he cited that continued lack of postseason success as a reason not offer an extension. The former Packers Super Bowl winner has thus spent 2024 as a lame duck coach who has received several votes of confidence from Jones and his players in spite of Dallas’ disappointing campaign. Jones and McCarthy (who could also draw interest from the Saints) are set to meet later today as uncertainty surrounds their future.

Even if McCarthy winds up being unavailable, other staffers are on the Bears’ radar. They include Todd Monken, as noted by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero. Monken is in his second season as the Ravens’ offensive coordinator, and he has drawn praise for helping lead Lamar Jackson to his most productive season to date. Baltimore became the first team in NFL history to surpass 4,000 passing yards and 3,000 rushing yards in a season this year (h/t Pro Football Network), so Monken could receive looks from several teams.

Taking a step forward on offense will be a clear priority for the Bears in 2025; to no surprise, the team is looking into several coaches with a background on that side of the ball. Steelers OC Arthur Smith has also received a slip, per Schefter. Smith received interest from the Jets prior to the 2024 season, and New York has requested a head coaching interview with the former Falcons boss. Smith’s first year at the helm of Pittsburgh’s offense has produced inconsistent results through the air, but as expected the team has been relatively strong in the run game.

The latest defensive candidate to receive an interview request is Brian Flores, Schefter reports. The former Dolphins HC spent one year as the Steelers’ linebackers coach in 2022 and has since worked as the Vikings’ defensive coordinator. Flores, 43, has helped his stock with his time in Minnesota and an intra-divisional move to the Bears recently emerged as a possibility. The Jets’ initial set of interview requests also includes Flores, though, so Chicago will have competition if the team targets him.

The Bears have already sought out interviews with Aaron Glenn (Lions), Mike Kafka (Giants), Drew Petzing (Cardinals) and Anthony Weaver (Dolphins). That group includes an even split of offensive and defensive coaches, and the latest additions to the list include a mix of backgrounds and experience. Finding the right fit to develop Caleb Williams will be critical for general manager Ryan Poles, and his search process will include looking into several outside candidates.

Dolphins’ Chris Grier: Tyreek Hill Has Not Issued Trade Request

In the aftermath of the Dolphins’ Week 18 contest, Tyreek Hill caused a stir with his post-game remarks. The All-Pro wideout openly discussed moving on from Miami despite agreeing to a new contract with the team this past summer.

Speculation has increased since then that a trade will take place, although nothing is imminent on that front. On Tuesday, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and head coach Mike McDaniel held a press conference and to no surprise, Hill’s decision to pull himself from the game (after it had become clear reaching the playoffs would not be possible for Miami) was a topic which came up early.

“It’s not acceptable to leave a game and won’t be tolerated in the future,” McDaniel said (via ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques). “[Hill] embraced accountability… I don’t think there’s anything to fix.”

Even though Hill “opened the door” to a deal sending him out of Miami with his Sunday comments (and has not yet retracted them), Grier noted a trade request has not been made (h/t Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network). Grier added he and Hill had a “productive conversation” in the wake of the season coming to an end. Speculation will no doubt continue on this situation, but the lack of a desire on Hill’s part for a trade to be worked out is a sign he could remain in Miami moving forward.

The two-time Super Bowl winner was dealt from the Chiefs to the Dolphins in 2022, and he received a four-year, $120MM upon arrival. That $30MM AAV was inflated by the non-guaranteed figures at the back end of the deal, and in August team and player agreed to a restructure which brought in new money (including $65MM in total guarantees) without adding any new years to the pact. Hill’s future seemed to be secure once that was in place, but his comments – provided they are to be taken at face value – certainly point to another change of scenery being something he would welcome.

Hill is under contract through 2026, and nearly all of his base compensation ($27.75MM total) for next year is already guaranteed. Jaylen Waddle is also on the books long term, and that receiver duo will remain the focal point of Miami’s offense if both of its members stay in place moving forward. In Hill’s case, it appears neither team nor player will spend the near future working to find a trade partner.

Jets Request GM Meetings With Brian Gaine, Jon-Eric Sullivan

Although a second team has entered the GM mix, as the Titans have fired Ran Carthon after two years, the Jets have been at this much longer. Their GM search includes several names — both second-chance candidates and aspiring first-timers — and more interview slips have since gone out.

A potential rookie GM and another former front office boss are on the Jets’ radar. The team sent out requests to Bills assistant GM Brian Gaine and Packers VP of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport.

Gaine has moved into the position current Giants GM Joe Schoen once held, and teams have also been interested in Bills exec Terrance Gray for GM posts. As Buffalo has become an AFC East powerhouse after snapping a near-two-decade playoff drought, teams have shown interest in Brandon Beane‘s lieutenants. Gaine has enjoyed two stints in Buffalo, though those tenures sandwich a forgettable stint as the Texans’ GM.

Hired to replace Rick Smith in 2018, Gaine was booted from that post less than 16 months in. The Texans fired their GM after the 2019 draft, representing a historically quick hook. They did so despite Gaine having worked in Houston’s front office from 2014-16. A Jets meeting would be Gaine’s first known GM interview since his Texans ouster.

Houston had gone to the playoffs in 2018, being one of the few 0-3 teams to make it in NFL history, but the team soon gave Bill O’Brien HC/GM powers during what became a rather interesting period. Gaine ended up back in Buffalo soon after his Houston dismissal, and he has been the Bills’ assistant GM since Schoen’s 2022 exit.

Sullivan has gone through a more stable NFL run, being a Packers exec for more than 15 years. A Packers intern back in 2004, Sullivan joined the scouting ranks in 2008 and has worked his way up to the role of one of Brian Gutekunst‘s top aides. After four years as co-director of player personnel, Sullivan has been in his current post since 2022. This would be Sullivan’s first known interview for a GM post.

The Jets have already met with Louis Riddick, Jim Nagy and ex-GMs Jon Robinson and Thomas Dimitroff for the job. They have since sent out requests to former Browns GM Ray Farmer, ex-Colts GM Ryan Grigson. Chiefs exec Mike Borgonzi, Buccaneers cap chief Mike Greenberg, Bengals exec Trey Brown and Eagles assistant GM Alec Halaby are also on the Jets’ radar. Borgonzi will interview for the job Wednesday, joining OC Matt Nagy in meeting with the Jets at that point. Due to their bye week, the Chiefs can see their assistant coaches and execs interview virtually for open positions now.

Bengals To Interview Patrick Graham, DeMarcus Covington For DC Job

Narrowly missing out on a playoff berth after entering the season with Super Bowl aspirations, the Bengals fired longtime defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo on Black Monday. They are moving on a replacement search quickly.

Cincinnati is look to two candidates who came off worse seasons, in eyeing the Las Vegas and New England staffs. Raiders DC Patrick Graham and Patriots DC DeMarcus Covington received interview slips from the Bengals, per NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero, and both candidates intend to interview.

Graham is set to meet about the position today, while Pelissero notes Covington’s meeting is on tap Wednesday. Teams can block coordinator lateral moves, so long as they do not involve a non-play-calling coordinator receiving that chance elsewhere, but Graham is no longer under contract with the Raiders. He is free to interview. With the Patriots again in transition, they have given Covington permission to make this potential lateral move.

The Patriots made a quick change, firing Jerod Mayo after previously promoting him without conducting a search. With Mayo having promoted Covington from D-line coach, this leaves the 2024 Pats DC on shaky ground. Featuring this century’s most dependable NFL unit (on the whole) during Bill Belichick‘s 24-year run in charge, New England’s defense dropped to 22nd in scoring and yardage under Covington. This came despite Christian Gonzalez‘s return to full strength. The Patriots did trade Matt Judon just before the season, however.

After the Raiders snapped a streak of finishing outside the NFL’s top half in scoring defense for more than 20 years — via the Graham-led unit’s ninth-place result in 2023 — the team closed in the 25th spot this season. That said, Las Vegas’ offense did not give Graham too much to work with; the Raiders ranked 15th in total defense for the second straight year.

Graham, 45, has much more experience — as he has been the DC with the Giants and Dolphins previously — and is on the Jaguars’ HC interview list. Both Graham and Covington, 35, are ex-Belichick assistants; though, they did not overlap in New England. The Bengals will see what each brings to the table soon.

Saints’ Derek Carr Not Open To Pay Cut

Retaining GM Mickey Loomis, the Saints will pair their long-running front office setup with a new coaching staff soon. This partnership will oversee a retooling effort, as a full rebuild does not appear to be in the cards. A collaboration on the team’s most important player will be necessary, as the Saints are once again in the worst cap shape of any team entering an offseason.

Derek Carr is now in Year three of his $150MM contract, which runs through 2026. The former Raiders cornerstone has battled injuries, and a battered receiving corps gave he and the Spencer RattlerJake Haener combination little to work with as the season progressed. New Orleans has a decision to make on Carr, but anything drastic would involve a heavy dead money figure.

Carr, 34 in March, is due a $30MM base salary for 2025. Of that total, $10MM is guaranteed due to the QB being on the Saints’ roster in March 2024. A $30MM injury guarantee — covering the remainder of Carr’s 2025 salary and $10MM of his 2026 paragraph 5 pay — would vest in March of this year. The Saints have already gone to the restructure well, as this is perhaps the NFL’s restructure headquarters, but no known pay-cut effort has occurred. Carr would not accept a trim if the Saints tried.

I wouldn’t take a pay cut,” Carr said, via ESPN.com’s Katherine Terrell. “Yeah, I wouldn’t do that. Especially with what I put on tape. Would I restructure? Absolutely. I’ll always help the team that way. But there’s some things that you put out there that you earned. Even in some cases it could be even worse, but I felt confident when I signed it that this would give the team the best flexibility at the time.

… But there’s always a kind of respect as a quarterback you’re like, well still we’re in that respectful lane. ‘We’re good. Build the team.’ But yeah, I wouldn’t take anything less to do this. It’s hard enough putting our bodies through it. And you’re trying to get everything you can for your family for it.”

Restructures are commonplace at this time of year, and Saints fans know this better than anyone. The previous Carr restructure created the high dead money bill in exchange for cap savings last year. As a result, it would come with a $50.13MM dead cap charge if New Orleans released Carr. That could be halved via a post-June 1 cut. Like the Broncos’ case with Russell Wilson last year, the Saints could attempt to escape now before another injury guarantee vests. It just would mean cap savings of less than $1.5MM this year.

A restructure is probably where the team goes, as Carr would count an NFL-record $51.46MM against the cap in 2025. The Saints gave Carr a no-trade clause, minimizing the chances of that route being feasible. The Raiders did the same via the sides’ 2022 agreement, and they moved on via release in February 2023.

Carr started 17 games for the Saints in 2023 but only 10 this past season, with the QB battling an oblique tear and a subsequent hand injury. He finished with 15 touchdown passes, five INTs and 7.7 yards per attempt, and although the 11th-year veteran did not have enough snaps to qualify in QBR, his 63.1 number checked in higher than his 2023 offering (56.5). Carr remains a capable but unspectacular option, but the Saints finding a definitive upgrade would prove difficult this offseason.

That’s the life of a quarterback,” Carr told Terrell. “Whenever the season doesn’t end the way [you wanted] that’s the person people look at. ‘Well what money can we free up to get this and do this’ … and I’m fully confident with what I put on tape. I’m not worried, if that’s the case, and it had to change and all that kind of stuff. I’m super confident that whatever it is, I could get anywhere else to play. And so I’m not worried about that, but at the same time, I just want to win.”

Per usual, the Saints are in their own sector of cap trouble, sitting more than $66MM over the projected 2025 ceiling. No other team is more than $24MM over. Carr said he has engaged in “great conversations” with Loomis and Gayle Benson. With the Saints limited in terms of how they could replace the middling QB, especially in an offseason that does not look to feature many upgrade options, Carr sits on fairly steady ground ahead of the Saints’ annual cap-gymnastics period.

Patriots To Interview Byron Leftwich

Byron Leftwich recently confirmed his intention of returning to the NFL, and he has at least one suitor interested in speaking with him about a head coaching position. Leftwich will meet with the Patriots today, Mike Jones of The Athletic reports.

Leftwich spent three seasons working under Bruce Arians in Arizona, and at the end of his Cardinals tenure it came as no surprise the pair reunited in Tampa Bay. The former first-round quarterback worked as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator from 2019-22. Since then, however, Leftwich has been out of coaching.

The 44-year-old generated some interest in the coaching ranks recently, but he has had his eye on a new NFL opportunity. Tampa Bay enjoyed notable offensive success for much of Letwich’s tenure, but after Arians was replaced as head coach by Todd Bowles the unit took a step back during the 2022 campaign. Leftwich interviewed for the Ravens’ OC position in 2023, and one year later he made clear his interest in reuniting with Mike Tomlin by taking on the offensive coordinator spot in Pittsburgh. The 2025 hiring cycle marks his next opportunity to receive a look.

Leftwich does not have head coaching experience, but he has been connected to HC openings before. Reports emerged in 2022 stating he was a candidate for the Jaguars’ head coaching position, with perceived tension with general manger Trent Baalke ultimately leading the team in another direction. Leftwich has since denied that he was ever offered the position, one which – as of yesterday – is once again open.

The Patriots had a 24-year run with Bill Belichick at the helm, and his successor took over last offseason. Jerod Mayo was long viewed as Belichick’s heir apparent, with a succession clause being added to his contract to prevent the team from needing to conduct an outside search. After one year at the helm, Mayo was dismissed, leaving owner Robert Kraft and the team’s front office (which will remain intact) to start over.

To no surprise, Mike Vrabel is seen as the top candidate for New England’s vacancy. Like Mayo, Vrabel has a past as a former Patriots player, and Kraft is known to hold him in high regard. The team must meet with at least two external minority candidates as part of the search process to satisfy the Rooney Rule, and Leftwich will qualify in that respect. That is not the case for Lions OC Ben Johnson, who is expected to interview with New England. Leftwich will join him in terms of candidates with an offensive background as the Patriots seek out a coach capable of developing quarterback Drake Maye over the short- and long-term future.

Jaguars Submit HC Interview Requests

As expected, the Jaguars fired Doug Pederson following his third season at the helm. As a result, Jacksonville is one of five teams in need of a new head coach.

On Monday, it was learned a trio of offensive coordinators were on the Jaguars’ radarBen Johnson (Lions), Liam Coen (Buccaneers) and Joe Brady (Bills). All three have indeed received an interview request, but the team announced on Tuesday that other coaches are also on the radar.

Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken is among the coaches whom the Jags are seeking an interview with. Monken has already received a slip from the Bears, and it comes as little surprise he is drawing interest from multiple suitors. Baltimore led the league in total offense this season, ranking third in scoring with an average of 30.5 points per game. A veteran position coach and coordinator at the college and pro levels, the 58-year-old has never been a head coach in the NFL.

Another OC on the Jaguars’ radar is Kellen Moore. Following a four-year run as the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator, the former quarterback spent the 2023 season in the same role with the Chargers. With the Bolts making sweeping moves on the sidelines last offseason under Jim Harbaugh, though, Moore was expectedly on the move again in the 2024 hiring cycle. The 35-year-old has worked with the Eagles this year, and the team ranks top-10 in points and yards per game. Moore has also received an interview request from the Saints for their HC position.

A trio of coaches with a defensive background have received a slip from Jacksonville. That includes, interestingly, Robert Saleh. The 45-year-old was this season’s first head firing when his Jets tenure came to an end in Year 4. Saleh’s coaching history also includes four years as the 49ers’ defensive coordinator and, prior to that, several gigs as a positional coach. One of those was Jacksonville’s linebackers coach from 2014-16. Saleh has worked with the Packers since October, and it will be interesting to see if he considers a return to Duval County during this year’s hiring cycle.

In addition, Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham has received an interview request. He spent the past three seasons leading Vegas’ defense, and he also has experience as a DC with the Dolphins and Giants. Graham, 45, served as an assistant head coach during two of his years in New York, but he has never led a staff at the college or NFL levels. This is his first HC interview request of the 2025 hiring cycle.

Rounding out the Jags’ list is Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn. To little surprise, he has joined Johnson as one of the top candidates this year, and his name has been attached to three other suitors. Jacksonville could therefore have competition for his services if an interview is arranged and it goes well.

Many were surprised when it was learned Jags general manager Trent Baalke will be retained in the wake of Pederson’s dismissal. Questions have been raised about how willing the top candidates will be to head to Jacksonville as a result, and it will be interesting to see how many of the team’s initial targets set up an interview over the near future.

Bears To Interview Mike Vrabel; Saints Also In Contact

To no surprise, Mike Vrabel is one of the most sought-after candidates in the 2025 hiring cycle. Already on the radar of the Jets and Patriots, the former Coach of the Year is drawing further interest.

The Bears have lined up an interview with Vrabel, Doug Kyed of the Boston Herald reports. The meeting will take place tomorrow, he adds. Chicago sent out several interview requests yesterday, but of course in Vrabel’s case that is not necessary. The former Titans coach recently saw his consulting contract with the Browns expire, leaving him free to speak with interested teams at any time.

Vrabel has already interviewed with the Jets, and the same will very likely be the case with the Patriots soon. New England fired Jerod Mayo on Sunday, ending his run as head coach after only one season. In the immediate aftermath of that decision, many pointed to Vrabel as Mayo’s likely successor. Indeed, as thing stand, the former Patriots linebacker is considered New England’s preferred choice. Vrabel will have several options to consider prior to taking the Patriots gig if that turns out to be his intent, though.

Chicago’s list of targets covers a wide range of experienced former head coaches – including Vrabel and longtime Seahawks HC Pete Carroll – along with many of the top coordinators on the market. Vrabel spent six years at the helm of the Titans, leading the team to three straight postseason appearances (2019-21). The downward trend the team experienced in his last two years – resulting in a 13-21 record – has not done much damage to his stock around the league given the interest being shown so far.

That includes the Jets, Patriots and Bears, but one of the other teams with a vacancy is also looking into Vrabel. The Saints are in contact and are attempting to line up an interview, Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer reports. New Orleans has been on the lookout for a new coach since Dennis Allen‘s firing midway through the campaign, and the team sent out five interview requests yesterday. Before that took place, Vrabel had already been mentioned as a name to watch for the Saints, so it comes as no surprise a meeting will likely be on the books soon.

For the coaches of playoff teams, rules are in place governing when (and, with respect to virtual or in-person interviews, how) candidates can meet with suitors. That does not apply to Vrabel, of course, so he could be among the first dominoes to fall during this year’s hiring cycle. It will be interesting to see how his initial round of interviews shakes out.

49ers Fire ST Coordinator Brian Schneider

Coordinator firings continue around the NFL. The 49ers are moving on from special teams coordinator Brian Schneider, ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reports.

Schneider has served as a special teams coordinator on a number of occasions at both the college and NFL levels. His longest stretch in the pro game came with the Seahawks from 2010-20. That spell included considerable success in the third phase, and he quickly landed his next opportunity during the 2021 hiring cycle with the Jaguars.

Schneider wound up stepping away from the Jacksonville posting for personal reasons, but again he did not need to wait long to find his next opportunity. The 53-year-old joined Kyle Shanahan‘s 49ers staff in 2022, leading the 49ers’ special teams for each of the past three seasons. Struggles in that area have now led to a change.

San Francisco’s special teams were a sore spot in 2024, a year in which few things in any phase went according to plan. Penalties and turnovers in the coverage and return game were a common theme for the campaign, as were the inconsistencies of second-year kicker Jake Moody. The former third-rounder had a strong rookie campaign, but this season he took a step back by connecting on only 24 of 34 field goal attempts. A rebound in 2025 will be a key goal for Moody in particular and several of San Francisco’s ST contributors in general.

It remains to be seen if Shanahan is planning any other changes on his staff. Ahead of the season finale, he offered a vote of confidence for first-year defensive coordinator Nick Sorensen, suggesting continuity will be in place on that side of the ball next year. With respect to special teams, however, changes will be coming this offseason.

Jaguars Fire Doug Pederson

Doug Pederson‘s run with the Jaguars has come to an end. As expected, the veteran head coach was fired on Monday, a team announcement confirmed.

“I strongly believe it is possible next season to restore the winning environment we had here not long ago,” a statement from owner Shad Khan reads (h/t NFL.com). “I will collaborate with General Manager Trent Baalke and others, within and close to our organization, to hire a leader who shares my ambition and is ready to seize the extraordinary opportunity we will offer in Jacksonville.”

[RELATED: Jags HC Candidates Emerge; Team Open To Hiring Executive VP]

As Khan’s statement notes, Baalke will remain in place for 2025. The former 49ers GM has been at the helm of the Jaguars since 2021, predating Pederson’s arrival. The collective struggles the pair has endured over the past two years led many to believe sweeping changes could be made this offseason. Leading up to ‘Black Monday,’ however, it remained unclear which way Khan was leaning. While many around the league predicted Baalke would be dismissed, the news of Pederson’s firing comes as no surprise.

Jacksonville went 9-8 in Pederson’s first year with the team, and a run to the divisional round of the playoffs offered optimism he and quarterback Trevor Lawrence would be able to string together a sustained run of success. Things took a downward turn last year, though, with a second-half collapse leaving the team out of the playoffs. Pederson thus increasingly found himself on the hot seat as the 2024 campaign progressed.

Khan made it clear he had high expectations for the Jaguars based on their roster, but the team started 0-4. A playoff berth was therefore out of reach early, and Pederson found himself among the coaches in danger of being fired midway through the campaign. Khan remained patient on that front, as he generally has during his ownership tenure. Still, signs continued to point to a dismissal after the campaign, the most recent being assistants on Pederson’s staff admitting they expected major changes to be made.

With a 4-13 season in the books (leaving Pederson with an overall mark of 22-29 in Duval County), that has now proven to be the case. The Jaguars join the Jets, Saints, Bears and Patriots as teams in need of a new coach, and Khan – who has not been in contact with potential candidates yet – will begin his latest search. Interestingly, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero of NFL Network notes the Jags’ next coach will report directly to Khan, not Baalke.

Reports of a rift between Baalke and Pederson emerged in September, so a coaching change bringing with it a new power structure in the organization is a notable development. With Lawrence on the books long term, finding a coach capable of maximizing his potential will be an obvious priority (although that was, of course, also the case when Pederson was hired). While Baalke is safe for now, he will no doubt remain the subject of scrutiny moving forward.

Pederson, 56, spent five seasons at the helm of the Eagles. That stretch included a Super Bowl championship, and after only a one-year absence following his Philadelphia dismissal he took another HC gig with Jacksonville. It will be interesting to see how he proceeds during the 2025 hiring cycle as one of the most experienced coaches on the market.