Joe Philbin

Raiders Name Scott Turner Interim OC

As expected, Scott Turner will take over for Luke Getsy. With the Raiders bringing in Norv Turner, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports the team is officially promoting the second-generation NFL coach to the play-calling post.

This will make it five years out of the past six in which Scott Turner will have held an OC role. The former Carolina and Washington play-caller will attempt to revive a struggling Las Vegas offense.

Scott Turner has been with the Raiders for the past two seasons, joining the then-Josh McDaniels-led staff shortly after his Commanders ouster in 2023. Antonio Pierce moved on from offensive staffers Mick Lombardi — the team’s OC under McDaniels — and interim OC Bo Hardegree in his early months in the HC position. As he fired Getsy, Pierce then axed QBs coach Rich Scangarello and O-line coach James Cregg. This left Turner as one of the last men standing in Vegas, and he will have the opportunity to call plays for a third team.

It is safe to say Pierce has put his offense in the Turners’ hands. Norv is returning to the team he once coached (from 2004-05), with Rapoport adding his title will be senior advisor. This will be Norv Turner’s first NFL gig since 2019, when he changed positions to help his son earn a first chance at a play-calling gig. Scott Turner, 42, did not receive this chance upon Lombardi being fired but will now step in. Turner received interest regarding the Patriots’ OC job — one that went to Alex Van Pelt — this offseason.

The Commanders fired Scott Turner — more than 20 years after axing Norv from his HC post — after three seasons. While would-be Raiders OC Kliff Kingsbury is enjoying the chance to work with Jayden Daniels, Scott Turner mentored the likes of Carson Wentz, Taylor Heinicke, Dwayne Haskins and a 36-year-old Alex Smith coming off many surgeries to repair a broken leg. The results: not great. Turner oversaw 25th-, 23rd- and 24th-ranked scoring offenses from 2020-22. Although the Commanders received a lift from Smith en route to the playoffs in 2020, a lack of overall improvement prompted Ron Rivera to move on and hire Eric Bieniemy last year.

Despite Cam Newton going down in Week 2 of the 2019 season, Turner managed a 20th-ranked offense that year. Christian McCaffrey‘s 1,000-1,000 season led the way. The Raiders roster no comparable talent, which hamstrung Getsy. It looks like they are going to hang onto Jakobi Meyers, but the Silver and Black already traded Davante Adams. And they have repeatedly benched Gardner Minshew, the latest instance coming for Desmond Ridder.

The Turners will have their work cut out for them, and their showings could certainly play a role in Pierce’s Las Vegas future. Pierce has both Joe Philbin and ex-Packers OC Edgar Bennett on staff, the latter as WRs coach, but he will turn to the younger Turner at a key point during his HC tenure.

Philbin will, however, become the team’s interim O-line coach. This will be a familiar role for the former Dolphins HC, as he has primarily been an O-line boss during his career. Since his Dolphins firing, Philbin has been the O-line coach with the Colts and Cowboys. Prior to becoming the Packers’ OC in 2007, Philbin served as Mike McCarthy‘s O-line instructor. Added as a senior offensive assistant, Philbin will now return to mentoring blockers after Cregg’s firing came just nine games into his first Raiders season.

Raiders To Add Joe Philbin To Staff

Antonio Pierce has made a point to surround himself with experience on staff. The inexperienced Raiders HC has already hired Marvin Lewis as an assistant. Another former NFL leader will head to Las Vegas to join the recently elevated coach.

The Raiders plan to hire Joe Philbin as a senior offensive assistant, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reports. The Dolphins’ HC from 2012-15, Philbin was most recently an analyst with Ohio State. He served as the Cowboys’ offensive line coach from 2020-22. Like Lewis, Philbin is a former HC with extensive experience in the NFL.

Philbin has put in 19 years as an NFL staffer, being a coordinator and a head coach. The Packers also installed Philbin as their interim HC following Mike McCarthy‘s 2018 firing. Pierce, who has also relied on former Giants HC Tom Coughlin as an advisor since replacing Josh McDaniels last year, is certainly making a point to load up on veteran staffers. While Lewis is a defensive-minded coach, Philbin’s career has come on the offensive side.

Taking a chance on an atypical HC hire in Pierce, the Raiders will backstop him with veteran presences in Lewis and Philbin. The latter does not quite match Lewis’ 27 years of experience, but he has been in the league more recently. Lewis, 65, has not held a full-time NFL job since the Bengals fired him following the 2018 season. Philbin, 62, ventured to Dallas following his second Green Bay stint. The Cowboys fired him after the 2022 season; the venture to Ohio State marked Philbin’s first work at the college level since 2002.

Philbin, of course, is best known for his Miami tenure. The Dolphins went 26-30 under the mild-mannered HC, firing him (and naming Dan Campbell interim HC) early in the 2015 season. Philbin’s Miami time overlapped with Ryan Tannehill‘s first years in the NFL, but the former became an HC candidate following a run as OC during Aaron Rodgers and Brett Favre‘s QB1 periods in Wisconsin. As OC under McCarthy from 2007-11, Philbin collected a Super Bowl ring. He was on Green Bay’s staff for Favre’s bounce-back season that ended in an overtime loss — to Coughlin’s Giants — in the NFC championship game and was in place as Rodgers took over, serving as the Pack’s OC during the first of the future Hall of Famer’s four MVP seasons.

Both Philbin and OC Luke Getsy have Packers pasts, but they did not work together in Green Bay. Getsy arrived in Wisconsin during Philbin’s Miami years and was Mississippi State’s OC during Philbin’s Packers return in 2018. Regardless, the Getsy and Philbin additions certainly does give Pierce’s first Las Vegas offense a Green Bay vibe.

The Raiders have also been connected to Hue Jackson, and they had been expected to add the former Oakland HC to Pierce’s staff. But the hire is not yet official. A senior assistant job would have made sense for Jackson, but it is possible that is no longer be in the cards thanks to this Philbin addition. Jackson, who has not coached in the NFL since his infamous Browns HC stay, was the Raiders’ HC in 2011.

NFL Staff Notes: McDonough, NFLPA, Chiefs, Packers, Gruden, Philbin

It’s been nearly two months since former Cardinals executive Terry McDonough first filed an arbitration claim against team owner Michael Bidwill accusing Bidwill of cheating and gross misconduct. The claim specifically levied accusations of breach of contract, retaliation after engaging in protected activity, intentional infliction of emotional distress, defamation, and civil conspiracy. The Cardinals’ public relations consultant, Jim McCarthy, released a statement in return containing several personal attacks on McDonough.

The original complaint stemmed from a situation in which McDonough claims Bidwill had devised a plan for McDonough and then-head coach Steve Wilks to communicate with then-suspended general manager Steve Keim through burner phones. McDonough asserts that after voicing his concerns about the plan, he was written up for insubordination and, eventually, demoted.

McDonough has reportedly added more accusations in an amended arbitration complaint this week, accusing Bidwill and the Cardinals of defamation and invasion of privacy in response to McCarthy’s statement, according to ESPN’s Tisha Thompson. He called the statement “untrue and reprehensible,” and his wife, Lynette, called the statement “the most bizarre and dishonest thing that I have ever heard.” The new complaint also states that McDonough will prepare to pursue a civil complaint against McCarthy and his group, CounterPoint Strategies, for “grossly defamatory statements.”

The NFL recently selected Jeffrey Mishkin to arbitrate the employment dispute, according to another report from Thompson. Mishkin is the former chief legal officer for the NBA, leading the Association’s in-house legal department for seven years. He will determine the schedule of events, which are expected to last for several months.

Here are a few other rumors concerning staff positions in the NFL:

  • Earlier this month, Mike Florio of NBC Sports reported that the league’s Players Association was moving closer to selecting a new executive director. The final candidates are not yet known, but we’re not completely in the dark. Previously this year, The Athletic’s Daniel Kaplan identified candidates Matt Schaub, the former quarterback, Kellen Winslow Sr., the former tight end, Teri Patterson Smith, the NFLPA chief operating officer, Don Davis, the NFLPA senior director of player affairs, George Atallah, the NFLPA assistant director of external affairs, and Dominique Foxworth, the former NFLPA president. A couple weeks ago, Jim Trotter, also of The Athletic, reported that no internal candidates made the cut, eliminating Smith, Davis, and Atallah. Foxworth is also expected to no longer be in consideration. Former wide receiver and former member of Congress Anthony Gonzalez has been mentioned but not confirmed as a candidate. The NFLPA is proceeding with the process with the utmost confidentiality and plan to bring it to a close sooner rather than later.
  • After previously participating in the Chiefs‘ Norma Hunt Training Camp Fellowship Program last year, Madison Aponte was hired on as a player personnel assistant. According to Neil Stratton of SucceedinFootball.com, while Aponte’s title hasn’t changed, she will continue acting as the team’s college scouting coordinator, a role she’s held since the start of the 2022 season.
  • Stratton reports another addition, this time by the Packers. According to Stratton, Green Bay has hired Joey Laine in the role of salary cap analyst. Laine was a longtime presence in the Saints’ building after working with the team for more than ten years. He eventually left, following Ryan Pace to Chicago and working as the Bears’ director of football administration for eight seasons.
  • Finally, two former NFL head coaches have taken minor roles with new teams this season. According to Jeff Duncan of nola.com, the Saints have brought in former Raiders head coach Jon Gruden to assist in the integration of new quarterback Derek Carr in the Saints’ offense. Carr played his best statistical seasons under Gruden during their time together and Saints offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael welcomed Gruden’s assistance with open arms. The second former head coach is former Dolphins’ skipper Joe Philbin who, according to Pete Thamel of ESPN, has been hired as an offensive analyst at Ohio State.

Cowboys Move On From Joe Philbin, George Edwards, Four Other Staffers

Coming off their second straight 12-win season, the Cowboys will still make some notable staff changes. They are parting ways with six assistants, including senior defensive assistant George Edwards and offensive line coach Joe Philbin.

The Cowboys jettisoned Edwards, Philbin, running backs coach Skip Peete, assistant defensive line coach Leon Lett and assistant Rob Davis, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Clarence Hill (all Twitter links). The staffers’ contracts were all up, per Todd Archer of ESPN.com, who adds (via Twitter) offensive assistant Kyle Valero will also not return. But this still marks a fairly significant shakeup for the resurgent NFC East team.

A former Dolphins HC, Philbin was a Mike McCarthy staffer for much of the latter’s Packers tenure. Hired before McCarthy arrived in Green Bay, Philbin stayed on under McCarthy through 2011 and returned to Green Bay after his Miami stay ended. McCarthy rehired Philbin as his OC in 2018, and the Packers named him interim HC following McCarthy’s firing later that year. Philbin, 61, oversaw a position group that featured some moving pieces this season. Tyron Smith‘s injury led to first-round pick Tyler Smith sliding to left tackle in late August, and the All-Decade blocker played right tackle when he came back. Jason Peters also transitioned to guard during his age-40 season.

Edwards joined McCarthy’s staff a year before Dan Quinn‘s arrival, but the ex-Vikings DC served as Micah Parsons‘ position coach. Edwards expressed confusion at the Cowboys’ decision, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson tweets, noting that Quinn — upon returning from his second Cardinals interview — was also caught by surprise by the move. A defensive coordinator for three teams before coming to Dallas, Edwards joined Lett in assisting with unleashing Parsons’ unique skillset over the past two seasons.

Lett, who enjoyed a memorable playing career in Dallas, has been with the team since 2011. The Cowboys added the former D-lineman to their staff early in Jason Garrett‘s tenure. Peete initially joined the Cowboys’ staff upon Wade Phillips‘ arrival back in 2007, staying six seasons, and returned upon McCarthy’s hire. He played a rather important role in Tony Pollard‘s development into a Pro Bowler. Davis worked with McCarthy for most of his Packers run, residing as Green Bay’s player development director before coming to Dallas in 2020.

Jerry Jones has repeatedly endorsed McCarthy and did so again Sunday, indicating the 49ers’ divisional-round win will not impact the three-year HC’s job. But the team moving on from multiple multi-stint McCarthy staffers, along with other experienced assistants, represents an interesting decision after going 24-10 over the past two seasons. Sean Payton has been linked to being interested in a Dallas return for several months, and a recent report said a mystery team loomed for the high-profile coach. Dot-connecting could point to the Cowboys, but NFL.com’s Jane Slater tweets McCarthy’s job is safe. The team has not contacted Payton, nor has it discussed any trade with the Saints, Slater adds (on Twitter). McCarthy’s fourth Cowboys staff stands to look remarkably different, especially if Quinn lands one of the three jobs for which he has interviewed.

Latest On Cowboys HC Mike McCarthy’s Job Status

Mike McCarthy‘s second season in Dallas could be his last unless his team is able to put together a playoff run. Adam H. Beasley of ProFootballNetwork.com reports that McCarthy’s Cowboys may need to make it to the NFC Championship Game if the head coach wants to keep his job.

As Beasley explains, Jerry Jones will soon be 79, and the owner is unwilling to show as much patience as he did with former head coach Jason Garrett. The Cowboys’ 6-10 record in 2020 left a lot to be desired, and while that record was obviously impacted by Dak Prescott‘s injury, another disappointing campaign could spell the end of McCarthy’s tenure in Dallas. If the Cowboys do underachieve, Jones may be ready to start over with a new head coach as he pursues that elusive championship.

Further, Beasley notes that some within the organization are “a bit dubious” about McCarthy’s coaching staff hires. The head coach has brought in four former Packers staffers (Joe Philbin, Joe Whitt Jr., Jeff Blasko, and Scott McCurley) since he’s been in Dallas, and the writer implies that some within the organization have been less than thrilled with the additions.

McCarthy has already slightly revamped his coaching staff in anticipation of the 2021 season. This past offseason, the team let go of defensive coordinator Mike Nolan and replaced him with former Falcons head coach Dan Quinn. McCarthy will surely be hoping that the coaching change (coupled with Prescott’s return and the team’s offseason acquisitions) will change the team’s fortunes…and help him keep his job.

Cowboys Hire George Edwards

Former Vikings defensive coordinator George Edwards has agreed to join the Cowboys’ coaching staff, as Clarence Hill of the Star Telegram tweets. Edwards will work with the Cowboys’ linebackers, but his role will encompass more than that. The team announced that Edwards’ title will be senior defensive assistant. 

[RELATED: Cowboys Were Close To Extension With Dak Prescott]

Although head coach Mike Zimmer retained his job as the Vikings head coach, the early offseason saw a significant overhaul of his coaching staff. After offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski left to take on the Browns’ HC position, the Vikings parted ways with Edwards, who had served as their defensive coordinator since 2014.

Edwards, 52, has been in the NFL in some capacity for every season since 1998. He was Washington’s defensive coordinator in 2003, and Buffalo’s from 2010-11. He’s also served as a positional coach with a handful of different stops.

In Dallas, he’ll work under new defensive coordinator Mike Nolan. Given his experience, it seems likely that Edwards will have a higher title attached to his linebackers coach mantle.

In related news, the club officially named Joe Philbin its offensive line coach.

Cowboys Expected To Hire Joe Philbin

Mike McCarthy and Joe Philbin are on the verge of reuniting on the Dallas staff. The Cowboys are expected to hire the longtime Packers assistant and former Dolphins head coach as their offensive line coach, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.

Although Philbin did not coach this season, he spent 10 years with the Packers. Seven of those came under McCarthy. Philbin’s most recent Packers stint concluded as the team’s interim head coach, after McCarthy was fired in early December of last season.

Green Bay’s offensive coordinator from 2007-11, Philbin oversaw Brett Favre‘s resurgent 2007 showing and Aaron Rodgers‘ subsequent growth into a superstar. Following Philbin’s three-plus-season Dolphins stay, he coached the Colts’ O-line from 2016-17 and returned as Packers OC to start the ’18 season.

Philbin, 58, will replace Marc Colombo. The former Cowboys lineman took over for the fired Paul Alexander midway through the 2018 season. Ezekiel Elliott led the NFL in rushing that year, doing so despite Travis Frederick‘s season-long absence. Although Colombo’s contract runs through 2021, Archer adds he will not stay with the Cowboys. Dallas’ Pro Bowler-laden O-line ranked second in adjusted line yards and in pass protection, according to Football Outsiders.

Philbin’s anticipated hire will give the Cowboys three assistant coaches who once served as HCs. The Cowboys are bringing in ex-49ers coach Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator and fellow ex-San Francisco HC Jim Tomsula as D-line coach.

Bills, Browns Interview Joe Philbin

In addition to interviewing with the Vikings, Joe Philbin took part in meetings with the Bills and Browns, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

The interview with Minnesota was for the franchise’s offensive line coach job; it’s not clear what position(s) Philbin discussed with Buffalo and Cleveland. The latter, however, filled its offensive line coach position with James Campen on Monday.

The Browns fired O-line coach Bob Wylie last week. After firing Juan Castillo, the Bills are still believed to need an offensive line coach. Buffalo also appears to have, according to Mike Rodak of ESPN.com (on Twitter) parted ways with assistant O-line coach Andrew Dees and offensive assistant William Vlachos.

Philbin spent the 2018 season as the Packers’ offensive coordinator and interim head coach. Green Bay interviewed Philbin and hired Matt LaFleur for the full-time HC job, triggering an extensive Philbin interview circuit. The 57-year-old coach served as the Packers’ OC twice and was the Dolphins’ head coach from 2012-15. He coached tight ends and the offensive line in Green Bay and coached Indianapolis’ O-line from 2016-17.

Vikings To Interview Joe Philbin

The Vikings have received permission from the Packers’ to interview Joe Philbin for their offensive line coach position, according to Bob McGinn of McGinnFootball.com (Twitter link). Philbin began the 2018 season as Green Bay’s offensive coordinator but ended the year as the club’s interim head coach following Mike McCarthy‘s firing.

Andrew Janocko coached Minnesota’s offensive line last year after offensive line coach Tony Sparano tragically passed away during the summer. While the team still managed to finish ninth in adjusted sack rate, the Vikings’ front five ranked 23rd in adjusted line yards (Football Outsiders‘ run-blocking metric), 25th in pressure rate allowed, and 29th in Pro Football Focus‘ year-end rankings.

Philbin, 57, posted a 24-28 record over three-plus seasons as the Dolphins’ head coach. His coaching résumé is full of offensive line experience, and that’s the coaching role he performed the last time he was in a positional coach job. As Indianapolis’ OL coach from 2016-17, Philbin led units that generally excelled in the run game but struggled in pass protection.

Packers To Interview Joe Philbin

The Packers will give interim head coach Joe Philbin a chance at removing the interim tag. The two sides will have their official interview on Thursday or Friday, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com (on Twitter). 

Philbin is in the mix, but he’ll have to outshine a number of impressive candidates to walk away with the job. Already, the Packers have scheduled sit-downs with Patriots offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, Saints assistant head coach Dan Campbell, and Titans offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur. After meeting with Philbin, Packers brass will hit the road to meet with each of their coaches. Campbell and McDaniels, of course, will be taking time from their playoff preparations to speak with Green Bay.

Philbin took over as the Packers’ interim head coach following Mike McCarthy‘s dismissal in early December. the Packers went 2-2 in Philbin’s final games, wrapping up an immensely disappointing season. Between his four games as the Packers’ interim leader and three years plus as the Dolphins’ head coach (2012-2015), Philbin owns a career 26-30 record.