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Minor NFL Transactions: 1/10/25

January 10th, 2025 at 10:11pm CST by Ely Allen

Today’s minor moves and a few standard gameday practice squad elevations for the first games of the playoffs:

Chicago Bears

Kansas City Chiefs

Los Angeles Chargers

Philadelphia Eagles

McFadden’s waiver claim has been accepted, but since the Bears have no more games this year, it has been deferred until the first business day after the Super Bowl, February 10.

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.

Titans Request GM Interviews With Matt Berry, Ian Cunningham

January 9th, 2025 at 1:53pm CST by Nikhil Mehta

The Titans are adding two more candidates to their search for a new general manager, according to CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones: Seahawks senior director of player personnel Matt Berry and Bears assistant GM Ian Cunningham.

Berry has been with the Seahawks since 2008, advancing through the scouting ranks before reaching his current position. The Seahawks have been one of the most consistent successful teams in the draft over the last 15 years, with especially strong classes in the last few years.

Cunningham interviewed with the Titans during their last GM search in 2023 after his first year as under Ryan Poles in Chicago. Cunningham has a strong pedigree with more than a decade of front office experience between the Ravens and the Eagles, who consistently drafted well and made the playoffs in his tenure. After Cunningham did not beat out Adam Peters for the Commanders’ GM job last year, the Bears awarded him an extension. Cunningham was believed to have been offered the Cardinals’ GM job in 2023; he turned it down.

The fourth-year Bears exec also has a relationship with Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker, who is leading the team’s GM hiring process, per Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. With three seasons as assistant GM under his belt, Cunningham could be a finalist for the gig in Tennessee this time around.

The Bears are holding Cunningham out of their head coaching interviews as he seeks a GM job with another team, per Patrick Finley of the Chicago Sun-Times. The team is open to including Cunningham in the process once it is confirmed he is staying in Chicago, however.

The interview requests bring the Titans’ search to nine candidates:

  • Matt Berry, senior director of player personnel (Seahawks): Interview requested
  • Mike Borgonzi, assistant general manager (Chiefs): Interview requested
  • Ian Cunningham, assistant general manager (Bears): Interview requested
  • Thomas Dimitroff, former general manager (Falcons): To interview
  • Ed Dodds, assistant general manager (Colts): Interview requested
  • Terrance Gray, vice president of player personnel (Bills): Interview requested
  • Catherine Hickman, assistant general manager (Browns): Interview requested
  • Reggie McKenzie, senior personnel executive (Dolphins): Interview requested
  • John Spytek, assistant general manager (Buccaneers): Interview requested

Seahawks To Meet With Thomas Brown, Hank Fraley For OC Job

January 9th, 2025 at 10:29am CST by Sam Robinson

A year ago, the Seahawks gave Shane Waldron permission to pursue other jobs. This led to Waldron beating out Thomas Brown for the Bears’ OC job. But Brown was left standing by season’s end, moving up two rungs on the ladder after Waldron’s OC ouster.

With the Bears likely moving away from their interim HC, Brown is now in play for the Seahawks’ job. The two-time OC will interview for the Seahawks’ play-calling post, NFL.com’s Tom Pelissero reports. Hank Fraley, the Lions’ offensive line coach, will as well, per Pelissero.

The Seahawks moved on from Ryan Grubb after one year. Mike Macdonald had gone off the board with Grubb, who had been set to become Alabama’s OC, but backtracked quickly. The Seattle HC has labeled this a prime job, citing the team’s young talent. The Seahawks are also tentatively expected to bring back Geno Smith for a fourth season as the starting QB, though the team’s long-term plan at the game’s premier position is unsettled. Smith is going into a contract year.

Fraley’s interview is on tap for Friday, and he should have some momentum. Although O-line coaches do not make a habit of climbs to OC roles, Fraley is coaching what has been one of the NFL’s best position groups for a while. He has overseen Detroit’s O-line since 2020, guiding the likes of Penei Sewell and Frank Ragnow to Pro Bowls and helping Graham Glasgow rebound from an inconsistent Broncos tenure to reclaim his place as a starter. Fraley’s unit has been a primary driver of Jared Goff‘s resurgence. A former NFL O-lineman, Fraley has been in Detroit since the 2018 season, beginning as assistant O-line coach before being elevated.

As this is Fraley’s first OC interview, Brown has been on the circuit for a bit — to the point he has received HC meetings. The Panthers hired Brown as their OC in 2023, and he finished out a woeful season as the team’s OC. Amid a collapse that initially stemmed from a defensive gaffe in Washington, the Bears won just one of their final 11 games. Although this can partially be pinned on Brown after he replaced Matt Eberflus, the team acknowledges the tough spot its interim HC/play-caller handled. The Bears began the season with Brown as their pass-game coordinator, but Waldron’s firing led to two bumps during a 5-12 season.

Brown, 38, and Macdonald were both on the Georgia staff in 2011, as ESPN.com’s Brady Henderson notes. Brown will meet with the Seahawks on Saturday, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets. A Bears separation would mean a fourth team in four years for Brown, who jumped from Los Angeles to Charlotte to Chicago from 2022-24.

Considering he is a long shot to be retained in Chicago, this Seattle meeting will be pivotal for the former Sean McVay assistant’s path. Brown’s past with Waldron — in both Los Angeles and Chicago — is rather interesting as well, as it could mean a return to a familiar scheme for Smith.

Kliff Kingsbury Receives HC Interview Requests From Bears, Saints

January 9th, 2025 at 8:53am CST by Sam Robinson

It seemed inevitable Kliff Kingsbury would move onto this year’s HC carousel. As Jayden Daniels appears weeks from an Offensive Rookie of the Year honor, the Commanders’ play-caller indeed will be summoned for interviews.

A Wednesday report pegged at least four teams as showing interest in Kingsbury for the position, and Bovada’s Josina Anderson reports the Bears and Saints have submitted official request to meet with him.

[RELATED: 2025 NFL Head Coaching Search Tracker]

A Bears meeting has been expected for a bit, and it will be rather interesting given the parties’ 2024 connection. The Bears met with Kingsbury about their OC job last year, only to hire Shane Waldron. The Kingsbury meeting also was interpreted as more fact-finding mission about Caleb Williams — whom Kingsbury coached during a 2023 stopover at USC — than true interview for the then-vacant coordinator post. Kingsbury’s stock has climbed since that meeting, and he will meet with Bears brass about their top coaching post.

The Saints have no ties to Kingsbury, which separates his candidacy from the likes of Aaron Glenn or Joe Brady, and they do not have a young quarterback like the HC-needy Bears or Jaguars do. The Saints’ perennially poor cap position also could be an issue for high-end HC candidates. Jacksonville has come up as a stealth Kingsbury suitor, and the AFC South team’s interest may become official soon. But New Orleans is hoping to speak with Kingsbury, 45, soon. Derek Carr is in line to come back for his age-34 season, and the team would be interested in hearing how the middling passer can launch a late-career surge.

While Bo Nix‘s strong season had threatened Daniels’ grip on the Offensive Rookie of the Year award for a stretch, the No. 2 overall pick closed the show in a manner that left little doubt about the outcome. The 2023 Heisman winner powered a rebuilding Commanders team to a 12-5 record, combining 3,568 passing yards with 891 on the ground. Daniels finished with 31 total touchdowns (six rushing) and placed fourth in regular-season QBR.

Daniels’ rapid ascent will give Kingsbury tremendous momentum, to the point the former Cardinals HC — fired months after signing an Arizona extension — could potentially be patient in Ben Johnson fashion. But Kingsbury’s Williams tie could prove important re: the Chicago job soon.

Bears Expected To Conduct HC Interview With Matt Campbell

January 8th, 2025 at 6:10pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Bears’ head coaching search includes a number of names from various backgrounds in the NFL. At least one candidate currently in the college ranks is set to receive a look as well.

Matt Campbell is expected to interview with the Bears, Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune reports. Campbell remains in place as head coach at Iowa State, the posting he had during his most recent NFL interview process. The 45-year-old met with the Lions as part of their 2021 head coaching search.

Detroit reportedly made Campbell an eight-year, $68.5MM offer, but indications emerged soon after that it was only Dan Campbell who was ever offered the job. The latter is still in place, of course, but the Bears’ efforts of catching up to the Lions includes their ongoing search for a new coach. General manager Ryan Poles is leading the way, and he recently confirmed a wide range of coaches will be considered.

“It’s going to be a diverse group,” Poles said (via Biggs). “This will be different backgrounds from offense, defense, special teams, college, pro. We’re turning every stone to make sure we’re doing this the right way. There’s going to be some names that you don’t expect that are going to surprise you because we’re digging deeper than we ever have before.”

Considering the prior interest he drew, though, Campbell is of course not a complete unknown as far as head coaching candidates go. He took on Toledo’s full-time HC position in 2012 and spent five years with the program, posting a 35-15 record. Campbell then moved on to Iowa State, where he has finished with a losing record only twice in nine seasons. The Cyclones’ best campaign to date under Campbell came in 2024, where they went 11-3 en route to the Big 12 title game. It will be interesting to see if that success yields renewed NFL interest aside from Chicago.

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

Cowboys Deny Bears Permission For Mike McCarthy HC Interview

January 7th, 2025 at 10:40pm CST by Sam Robinson

After a bit of a delay, the Cowboys have responded to the Bears regarding Mike McCarthy. Dallas is blocking its head coach from meeting with Chicago brass for a lateral move, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports.

Teams requesting meetings with other clubs’ HCs is certainly rare, but with McCarthy having coached on an expiring contract, the Cowboys left the door open to such requests. The Bears were the only team thus far to request a meeting. That said, Dallas only has McCarthy under contract for another week. After January 14, the team cannot block its HC from interviewing elsewhere.

[RELATED: Bears Open To Trading For Head Coach]

This comes after Jones had said, “go talk” (via SI.com’s Mike Fisher) in reference to McCarthy potentially meeting with other teams. Tuesday’s development runs counter to that sentiment. No decision has been made on McCarthy, however, AllDLLS.com’s Clarence Hill reports.

The Cowboys have a week to work out another contract with McCarthy. Otherwise, a scenario in which the NFC East team is vying for its own coach on the market would arise. Tuesday’s decision could be interpreted as a Cowboys effort to keep McCarthy. If nothing else, the Cowboys would appear undecided on letting their HC walk. The team has been known for delayed calls here, as the Jason Garrett era reminds.

Some momentum appeared to build in favor of this transpiring, with Dak Prescott offering a strong endorsement of his HC late in the season. The Cowboys also preceded this disappointing season with three straight 12-win campaigns. They had not enjoyed that kind of consistency since their 1990s dynasty, though McCarthy’s squads obviously left plenty to be desired in terms of playoff success.

Still, the Cowboys have let a former Super Bowl-winning coach dangle after refusing to extend his contract last year. Jerry Jones cited the Packers debacle as the primary reason he refused to do so. Connections to Bill Belichick emerged last year, but the Cowboys stayed the course with McCarthy. While it looked like Dallas would indeed not renew his contract, the rare NFL lame-duck HC generated some support and now looks to have a legitimate chance to stay. Then again, McCarthy may also be miffed by the Cowboys denying him a chance to talk to the Bears while still not giving him a new deal yet.

As of Sunday, Jones was indeed undecided on McCarthy. This, then, becomes a pivotal stretch of days. With in-person interviews with contracted coaches not permitted until after the divisional round, McCarthy would have an advantage if the Cowboys do not renew his contract by the 14th. He would be free to meet with any team at that point. Coaches tied to playoff teams that did not earn home-field advantage cannot start interviewing virtually until next week. In-person meetings cannot take place until Jan. 20, and even then, teams would be unable to meet with coaches on conference championship-bound teams.

The Bears have requested meetings with four former head coaches — Mike Vrabel, Arthur Smith, Brian Flores and Pete Carroll; the former Seahawks leader will meet with the team Thursday. McCarthy’s matter may well not be sorted out by then, but the ex-Green Bay HC’s path to Chicago is closed for the time being.

Bears Schedule Pete Carroll HC Interview

January 7th, 2025 at 8:40pm CST by Ben Levine

Pete Carroll expressed interest in the Bears’ head coaching job, but the longtime Seahawks HC’s name was not included in the initial wave of interview requests. It is now.

[RELATED: Pete Carroll Interested In Bears’ HC Job]

The Bears are planning to meet with the Super Bowl-winning coach Thursday, ESPN.com’s Dan Graziano and Jeremy Fowler report. Carroll attempted to land another job after his Seattle ouster last year but did not. The veteran leader’s age (73) stands to present issues, as it did for Bill Belichick, but the Bears are going to see what the experienced leader can bring to the table.

Reports about Carroll’s NFL future haven’t necessarily been consistent. Following his Seattle ouster, there were rumblings that the long-time coach was moving towards retirement, anyway. On the flip side, reports indicated that Carroll intended to remain in his post as head coach of the Seahawks in 2024, but efforts to convince the organization to allow that to take place were ultimately unsuccessful.

While Carroll didn’t push for a new gig during the 2024 campaign, he recently resurfaced in the HC carousel, as the former Super Bowl champ was connected to the Bears gig towards the end of the regular season. He’ll now have a chance to pitch himself to Chicago’s brass, although it remains to be seen if the organization is simply doing their due diligence. While the Bears have cast a wide net in their search for a Matt Eberflus replacement, there’s been a sentiment that they’re seeking an offensive mind who can help develop former No. 1 pick Caleb Williams. Carroll’s defensive pedigree wouldn’t necessarily match with that gameplan.

Of course, Carroll’s decades in the NFL means he has plenty of connections, so it shouldn’t be tough for the coach to find a worthy offensive lieutenant. Carroll also helped transform former third-round pick Russell Wilson into one of the best QBs in the NFL, so it’s not like the coach is completely incapable of guiding a young signal-caller.

While Carroll’s age could work against him, he also had an obvious experience advantage over his fellow candidates. The long-time coach has 18 years of head coaching experience in stops with the Jets, Patriots, and Seahawks. He’s only earned one Super Bowl ring, but he also earned a second NFC Championship, and he owns a career playoff record of 11-11. His final seasons in Seattle left a bit to be desired, as the Seahawks went 25-26 with a single one-and-done playoff appearance between 2021 and 2023.

Still, there’s no denying that Carroll represents one of the most respected names available on the market. Assuming the Bears are looking for an immediate return to legitimacy, Carroll would certainly add some credibility to the organization.

NFL Reserve/Futures Deals: 1/7/25

January 7th, 2025 at 8:39pm CST by Ben Levine

Many teams have started signing players to reserve/futures contracts, allowing the organization to retain (routinely) young, practice squad players through the offseason. Here are the latest reserve/futures contracts:

Arizona Cardinals

  • DE Anthony Goodlow, OL Sincere Haynesworth, RB Zonovan Knight, NT P.J. Mustipher

Atlanta Falcons

  • WR Makai Polk

Buffalo Bills

Chicago Bears

  • TE Jordan Murray

Cincinnati Bengals

Indianapolis Colts

Las Vegas Raiders

  • DL Tyler Manoa

Miami Dolphins

San Francisco 49ers

Bears Request HC Interview With Bills OC Joe Brady

January 7th, 2025 at 5:16pm CST by Ben Levine

Mentioned as a potential candidate last week, Joe Brady is indeed drawing interest for the Bears head coaching vacancy. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Bears have requested an interview with the Bills offensive coordinator.

Following a stint in college, Brady served as the Panthers offensive coordinator between the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He was fired following that latter campaign and quickly caught on with the Bills as their QBs coach. He spent a year-plus coaching Josh Allen before earning a promotion to interim OC following Ken Dorsey‘s ouster.

Brady earned the full-time gig this past offseason, and the Bills proceeded to finish the 2024 campaign ranked second in points scored and 10th in yards. Despite losing top wideout Stefon Diggs, Brady helped guide Allen to another MVP-caliber season, and running back James Cook led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns.

Considering his success in Buffalo, it’s no surprise that Brady has become a popular name during this year’s hiring cycle. The Jaguars, Jets, and Saints have already requested interviews with the coordinator, and he’s also now set to meet with the Bears. As ESPN’s Kalyn Kahler points out, Brady does have a relationship with Bears QB Caleb Williams. Specifically, Brady tried recruiting Williams to LSU when he served as the Tigers’ pass-game coordinator.

The list of Bears HC candidates continues to grow. Via PFR’s Head Coaching Search Tracker, here is how the Bears’ search stands so far:

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