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Falcons Interview Bill Belichick For HC Opening

January 15th, 2024 at 10:10pm CST by Ben Levine

The Bill Belichick sweepstakes has officially kicked off. The Falcons announced this evening that they’ve interviewed the iconic head coach for their own HC vacancy.

[RELATED: Falcons To Carry Strong Interest In Bill Belichick?]

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, Belichick recently met in person with Falcons owner Arthur Blank to discuss the opportunity. While no deal is imminent, Pelissero notes that there’s mutual interest between the two sides and “conversations are ongoing.”

Once the Patriots and Belichick made their divorce official, we heard that the Falcons could make a strong push for the head coach. There were also whispers that Blank was seeking more experience during this coaching cycle. While the owner’s previous hires (Jim Mora Jr., Bobby Petrino, Mike Smith, Dan Quinn, Arthur Smith) were first-time head coaches, Blank’s current focus on experience certainly made Belichick a logical target.

Of course, there’s a bit of history between the two sides. Belichick was famously on the sideline when his Patriots erased a 28-3 deficit to defeat the Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Since then, the Falcons have seen an NFC South rival, the Buccaneers, snag a future Hall of Famer from New England and win a Super Bowl. Blank and the Falcons brass are clearly banking on similar fortunes this time around.

The Falcons have loaded up on skill positions in recent drafts, and Pro Football Focus ranked Atlanta’s offensive line — one spearheaded by Chris Lindstrom and Jake Matthews — fourth overall. Further, the front office invested some money into the defense in 2023, and the organization will presumably invest similarly in 2024 if Belichick takes over. The Falcons are expected to reside in the middle of the cap-space pack, with the organization projected to carry more than $21MM.

Of course, the team’s lack of certainty at quarterback could scare away some HC candidates, even with the organization expected to take a bigger QB swing heading into the offseason. Of course, Belichick has famously downplayed the significance of the QB position, a sentiment that played a role in the growing tension between him and Tom Brady. Belichick would surely welcome the question marks at quarterback, and he’d probably push against the instinct to invest significant draft or free agency capital into the position.

While it’s easy to assume that one of the most accomplished head coaches of all time would be atop the Falcons wish list, that hasn’t stopped the organization from eyeing other candidates for their vacancy. Belichick is now the 10th official candidate for the role, joining a growing list that includes:

USC’s Caleb Williams To Enter 2024 Draft

January 15th, 2024 at 9:20pm CST by Sam Robinson

While connected to potentially bypassing the 2024 draft if he found his potential destination unsatisfactory, Caleb Williams will make his expected move soon. The USC quarterback is entering the draft, ESPN.com’s Pete Thamel reports.

Williams has long been expected to declare, and he joins Drake Maye in doing so. The 2022 Heisman winner is favored to become the No. 1 pick, with the Bears firmly in play to move on from Justin Fields and draft the two-year USC star. That is not set in stone, however, and Fields’ status will play a major role in Williams’ NFL future.

Monday represents the deadline for players to make their draft declarations, and while Williams has made millions via the NIL component that has changed major college athletics, that pales in comparison to what he would make over the course of a fully guaranteed No. 1 overall contract. Bryce Young is tied to a $37.96MM fully guaranteed deal; the No. 1 pick in 2024 will slide in a bit higher.

The Bears have a fascinating decision ahead, and Williams will drive the seminal call. The former Oklahoma recruit has been viewed as a top-tier prospect for an extended stretch, with his ceiling as a passer separating him from Fields, who has shown elite abilities as a runner but has been inconsistent as a thrower through three seasons. The Bears traded the No. 1 overall pick to the Panthers last year, allowing Carolina to move up for Young. Williams brings a higher prospect pedigree than Young or C.J. Stroud, giving the Bears more to consider this year. After making the Carolina trade before free agency last year, GM Ryan Poles looks set to be more deliberate this time around.

Transferring from Oklahoma to follow Lincoln Riley to Los Angeles, Williams won the Heisman as a sophomore after throwing for 4,537 yards and 42 touchdowns while limiting his interceptions to only five. This past season, Williams kept his interception total at five but failed to match his other Heisman numbers with 3,633 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, albeit in two fewer games.

The 6-foot-1 QB has drawn early Patrick Mahomes comparisons, and while that is a lofty standard, Williams will enter the NFL with a better accuracy profile compared to the Chiefs megastar. Williams completed 68.4% of his passes as a junior and averaged 9.4 yards per attempt, marks north of his Heisman-season totals. He also operated in a larger spotlight compared to any QB who has entered the draft over the past two years. Like Trevor Lawrence during his junior season, Williams entered his final college campaign as the runaway favorite to be the following year’s No. 1 pick.

Chicago passing on Williams at 1 would surprise. Fields showed progress as a passer in Year 3, but development and being the reason for passing on a No. 1 overall pick for a second straight year are different matters. Poles also did not draft Fields; predecessor Ryan Pace did. The Bears must decide on Fields’ fifth-year option by May. If the Bears trade him, they would do so before that point, giving Fields’ second NFL team that responsibility. Drafting Williams would also come with at least three years of rookie-deal salary, giving Chicago a chance to fortify its roster in other places. Picking up Fields’ option would start the clock on the Ohio State alum, whose rookie-deal salaries would stop in 2024.

The Fields case is not without considering for Chicago, either; it just comes with tremendous risk. Trading the top pick would fetch the Bears far more than trading Fields will, potentially requiring a Robert Griffin III-type haul for a team to move up — well, depending on where that team is currently slotted. But Poles and Co. would need to be convinced Fields will develop into a surefire franchise option for that route to be strongly considered.

Although some buzz about Fields still being the Bears’ future has emerged, more Williams-to-Chicago noise has come out. Either way, this will be one of the most interesting leadups to a draft in modern NFL history.

Commanders To Hire Adam Peters As GM

January 15th, 2024 at 1:19pm CST by Adam La Rose

JANUARY 15: The Commanders are giving Peters a five-year contract, according to ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler. The seven-year 49ers exec will now play a lead role in the team finding a head coach to succeed Ron Rivera.

JANUARY 12: Not long after narrowing their search for a new general manager to two finalists, the Commanders have found the new leader of their front office. Washington is hiring Adam Peters as general manager, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network notes Peters will likely take on the title of president of football operations. Further reports from Dianna Russini of The Athletic and the Washington Post’s Nicki Jhabvala name Peters the GM as well.

Regardless of the title he assumes, Peters will be a major member of the Commanders’ new organizational structure. After a strong tenure with the 49ers, he will take on an increased workload in the nation’s capital. Commanders owner Josh Harris assembled a search committee to find the team’s front office hires (both in terms of a head of football ops and, in all likelihood, a replacement for GM Martin Mayhew). The first step in that process has now taken place.

Peters was quickly named the favorite for a high-ranking Commanders position. He was among the first batch of candidates to receive an interview, and Washington moved quickly in narrowing down a list of finalists. Peters was joined by Bears AGM Ian Cunningham in receiving a second interview earlier this week, and the decision between the two has now been made rather rapidly. As Rapoport notes, one of Peters’ first tasks will be determining the future of Mayhew, who has been named as a hot seat occupant.

Head coach Ron Rivera was, as expected, dismissed on Black Monday. Mayhew likewise faces an uncertain future after three years serving as Washington’s GM. Harris made it clear the head of football operations posting would be filled before a new head coach would be brought in, and Peters will now be in place to assist in that effort.

The latter was a top GM candidate last year, but he rebuffed interest from the Cardinals and Titans. That allowed him to remain in San Francisco for one more year after joining the franchise in 2017. Peters was promoted to assistant general manager in 2021 as a confirmation of his status as a critical John Lynch lieutenant. Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio confirms the 49ers attempted to retain Peters. Instead, he will move on.

Rapoport’s colleague Mike Garafolo notes Lions OC Ben Johnson is now a key name to watch with respect to the Commanders’ upcoming coaching hire. Further reports have also tabbed Johnson as a top candidate for Washington to join with Peters in a new power structure. The 37-year-old is on the radar of numerous teams in need of a head coach, though, so the Commanders will have competition if they make an aggressive pursuit of him.

Peters – who also received GM interview requests from the Chargers and Raiders – will have a number of key decisions to make in the near future, but the Commanders are positioned with plenty of flexibility from a roster-building perspective. Washington is currently slated to lead the league in cap space, and the team owns the second overall pick in April’s draft. Peters will be a key voice in the Commanders’ re-worked front office when the new league year kicks off.

Michigan QB J.J. McCarthy Declares For Draft

January 14th, 2024 at 12:30pm CST by Rory Parks

As expected, Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy has declared for the 2024 NFL draft. McCarthy’s announcement can be found here, courtesy of ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

McCarthy, who will turn 21 this week, was officially named the Wolverines’ starting quarterback before Week 3 of his sophomore season in 2022. That year, McCarthy led the team to a 12-1 record while completing 64.6% of his passes for 2,719 yards and 22 TDs against just five interceptions, but Michigan’s season ended with a narrow loss to TCU in the CFB Semifinals.

In the 2023 campaign, McCarthy posted similar passing numbers — his completion percentage actually increased to a terrific 72.3% — and he and head coach Jim Harbaugh finished the job, defeating Alabama in the Rose Bowl and then Washington in the CFP National Championship. Michigan ended the year with a perfect 15-0 record, and with nothing left to accomplish in the collegiate ranks, McCarthy had been expected to turn pro.

Despite the resume he put together at Ann Arbor, which includes First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2023, McCarthy is not a perfect prospect. He has excellent arm strength and a high football IQ, but his high completion percentage belies the fact that he can struggle with ball placement, particularly on deep throws. He also has the tendency to telegraph passes, and his wiry frame is a cause for concern for some. He is unafraid to run, having carried the ball 134 times over the past two years, but his 3.8 YPC average suggests that his legs will not be a primary weapon at the next level.

Nonetheless, Harbaugh has called McCarthy the best quarterback Michigan has ever had, which is high praise considering the passers that the program has churned out over the years (Tom Brady and Harbaugh himself, for instance). So while McCarthy is not on the same level as quarterbacks like Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, he still has a chance to hear his name called in the first round of the draft, though some early mock drafts peg him as more of a Day 2 option.

Recent reports have suggested that if Harbaugh were to become the Raiders’ head coach this offseason, he would want the club to draft McCarthy. The Raiders presently hold the 13th overall pick, which may be too high for McCarthy, but Las Vegas does not pick again until it is on the clock with the No. 44 selection. The club’s new GM and head coach, therefore, will have something of a complicated quarterback decision on their hands.

Patriots Promote Jerod Mayo To HC

January 12th, 2024 at 10:25pm CST by Adam La Rose

The Patriots have immediately filled Bill Belichick‘s coaching position. New England has promoted linebackers coach Jerod Mayo as the team’s new head coach, ESPN’s Mike Reiss notes. The team has since announced the move.

As previously noted, the Patriots included succession language in Mayo’s latest contract. As a result, the team was not obligated to satisfy the Rooney Rule and interview outside candidates for the position. Instead, Mayo has immediately been tapped to lead the Patriots on the sidelines beginning in the 2024 season, one which will be the first in nearly a quarter century without Belichick at the helm.

Given Mayo’s stock within the organization, the move (which Reiss adds will be made confirmed in a press conference next week) comes as little surprise. The former first-round pick spent his entire playing career in New England, earning a number of accolades along the way including Defensive Rookie of the Year, two Pro Bowl invitations and an All-Pro nod after leading the league in tackles in 2010. He has been a Patriots coach since 2019.

Mayo was seen as a HC candidate in New England but around the NFL as well. The Panthers extended an invitation to interview him for their vacancy last offseason, but he turned it down. With his status as Belichick’s heir apparent seemingly confirmed with his new contract, Mayo was frequently labeled the top candidate to watch in the event the Patriots parted ways with their 24-year coach. Indeed, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports New England made no inquiries into the top outside candidates in this year’s cycle, opting to immediately turn to Mayo once Belichick was officially gone.

At the age of 37, Mayo will now surpass Sean McVay as the league’s youngest head coach. The Rams Super Bowl winner has proven to be a sound hire given his track record, but Mayo’s resume is considerably thinner than that of many other options currently on the market. Nevertheless, he will now be tasked with helping to oversee a signficant organizational reset, a process which will include the hiring of a general manager after decades of Belichick wearing both hats.

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network confirms New England will now look to bring in a GM to partner with Mayo. Given the relative inexperience of the team’s new coach, a lengthy track record in the front office would presumably be a key target for New England’s next hire. Struggles in the draft during the past several years has left the Patriots short on cost-effective talent at a number of positions, something the new decision-makers will look to rectify as soon as possible.

Set to be among the league leaders in cap space ahead of free agency and owners of the No. 3 pick in April’s draft, the Patriots will be a team to watch closely this offseason. Acquiring a franchise quarterback will be a top priority given the struggles shown by Mac Jones over the past two seasons and the lack of starting-level promise shown by Bailey Zappe. It remains to be seen who will lead the organization in the front office moving forward, but Mayo can now begin the transition to head coaching responsibilities for the first time in his career.

Given today’s news, the first of eight HC vacancies around the league has been filled. Plenty of other dominoes have yet to fall, but New England now has its 2024 plan in place along the sidelines before any of the other teams still in need of a new hire.

Patriots, Bill Belichick To Part Ways

January 11th, 2024 at 10:03pm CST by Adam La Rose

As expected, Bill Belichick‘s run in New England is set to come to an end in 2024. He and Patriots owner Robert Kraft have mutually agreed to part ways, ESPN’s Mike Reiss and Adam Schefter report.

As the report notes, the move – which will be officially announced later today – came after discussions between Belichick and Kraft over the past few days. Those talks occurred without “conflict” or “disagreement,” and now both sides have elected to go their separate ways. One of the key figures in the NFL’s preeminent 21st century dynasty now faces an uncertain future.

Belichick was under contract through 2024 as a result of an offseason extension. That pact was set to lengthen his stay in New England and give him a strong chance of breaking Don Shula‘s all-time wins record. However, the 2023 campaign saw the Patriots’ regression continue with a 4-13 record. That mark was the team’s worst during Belichick’s 24-year tenure with the team, and the season was punctuated with increasing speculation he would be gone by the start of next year.

A recent report indicated the six-time Super Bowl winner was willing to cede personnel duties as part of an agreement to remain with the Patriots. Belichick had served as New England’s head coach and de facto general manager since arriving in 2000. His missteps in a front office capacity (particularly in the draft) have limited the strength of New England’s roster over the past several years, though, which has in turn hurt his coaching performances. In four years after the free agent departure of Tom Brady – with whom Belichick partnered to go on an unprecedented run of success – New England has made the postseason only once and has not secured a playoff victory.

A key sticking point in speculation about the future of the Kraft-Belichick relationship was the manner in which it would come to an end. Still retaining the latter’s rights, the Patriots could have insisted on trading him to one of the numerous teams reported as having interest. That move would have ensured new England receive compensation, something which did not take place when Brady left. Belichick’s preference was obviously a path which made him a free agent, however, and that will now be the case. His market will be a major factor in the 2024 hiring cycle.

Schefter confirms Belichick will want to continue coaching in 2024 as his pursuit of Shula’s record continues. He needs 15 wins to move into first on the all-time list, so at least a two-year stint with his next team will likely be required. At the age of 71, questions about how long he will be willing to carry on his career have been raised, but ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler notes a robust market is expected to emerge for his services.

Many teams with HC vacancies – a list which now covers eight of the NFL’s 32 franchises – have been linked to one extent or another to the future Hall of Famer. The ESPN report names the Falcons in particular as one to watch as Atlanta seeks out an Arthur Smith replacement. After the rookie coach delivered three underwhelming campaigns, Belichick would represent a much more experienced option to take charge of a roster featuring a number of intriguing pieces (albeit a substantial hole at the QB position).

While Atlanta will no doubt have competition to pursue Belichick, at least one team on the lookout for a new coach is out of the running. The Commanders are not expected to have interest in a Belichick acquisition, Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports reports. As expected, Washington moved on from Ron Rivera on Black Monday. The team is undergoing a major restructuring under new owner Josh Harris, who had been reported as a potential Belichick suitor. Instead, Harris will turn his attention elsewhere.

Of course, the way in which Kraft and the Patriots proceed in the coming weeks will be a major storyline. Linebackers coach Jerod Mayo (who turned down HC interest from outside teams last offseason and received a new Patriots deal to keep him in place) has frequently been named as Belichick’s heir apparent. The 37-year-old is indeed a top candidate amongst in-house options, CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson confirms. She adds, however, that no coach from within the organization or amongst the outside options is firmly in the lead for the New England vacancy at this point.

Mike Vrabel has been named as a candidate to watch since his somewhat surprising Titans dismissal earlier in the week. Vrabel had a successful run as a player in New England and, by virtue of not being traded, he is free to pursue the New England gig if he wishes to hold the title of Belichick’s successor. Given the latter’s track record, whichever coach ultimately replaces him will face a daunting task given his illustrious career and lengthy list of accolades.

In all, Belichick will depart New England with a record of 296-133, 17 AFC East titles, nine Super Bowl appearances and six championships. His struggles without Brady – not to mention the numerous scandals the franchise was involved in during his tenure – will of course be a part of his legacy. However, his impact on New England and the NFL as a whole is undeniable, and his career is set to continue in a new setting for the first time in nearly a quarter century. Likewise, the coming changes on the sidelines and in the front office will make the 2024 offseason a seminal moment in Patriots history.

Bears Fire OC Luke Getsy, Four Assistants; Matt Eberflus To Stay

January 10th, 2024 at 10:36pm CST by Sam Robinson

Ahead of the Bears’ seminal quarterback decision, they will have a new play-caller. The team is firing two-year offensive coordinator Luke Getsy, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero. The Bears are also moving on from quarterbacks coach Andrew Janocko, per Pelissero.

It does indeed appear Matt Eberflus will be back. After Ryan Poles praised the job Eberflus did in his second season, ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter reports the defensive-oriented HC is set to stay for a third year. The former Colts DC is expected to remain the Bears’ defensive play-caller, per Rapoport, though the early expectation is Eberflus hiring a DC to at least be a key voice in game-planning.

“He was steady at the wheel,” Poles said of the 53-year-old HC, via the Chicago Sun-Times’ Patrick Finley. “He fought to get back above water and get things the way they were. His ability to adapt and adjust, really take input from the players, to get this thing on the right path was incredible. I think a lot of people would have been in really bad shape and crumbled to the pressure. He got better with the pressure, and so did our football team.”

The Bears evaluated their staff over the past two days, and although Eberflus hovered on a hot seat early this season, the Bears rallying to finish 7-10 represented progress after a lengthy losing streak spanned from the second half of last season through October 2023. As the calendar turned to 2024, Eberflus was not expected to be fired. This news assuredly points to Poles staying on for a third year; the GM was viewed as a better candidate to stick than Eberflus coming into 2024.

Chicago improved from 29th to 12th in total defense from 2022-23 and from 32nd to 20th in points allowed in Eberflus’ second season. The Bears hired Eberflus with the intention he would be a CEO coach, rather than the play-caller, SI.com’s Albert Breer tweets. Wearing both hats this season following DC Alan Williams‘ September exit, Eberflus did make strides. It will be interesting, then, to see if the Bears stick with Eberflus as their defensive play-caller. Despite a 3-14 debut season and a 1-5 start to the ’23 campaign, the veteran defensive coach has survived.

In addition to Getsy and Janocko, wide receivers coach Tyke Tolbert and running backs coach Omar Young, per ESPN.com’s Courtney Cronin and CBS Sports’ Jonathan Jones, will not join Poles and Eberflus next season. Despite improvement from Justin Fields and a career-best season from trade acquisition D.J. Moore, the Bears are removing the top pieces from their offensive staff. They have been viewed as a bit more likely to trade Fields and use the No. 1 overall pick on USC’s Caleb Williams, though definitive traction in either direction remains elusive. But Fields is close to becoming a more expensive commodity, with his fifth-year option decision on the horizon come May, while Williams would be tethered to a rookie contract for at least three years.

Chicago’s offense improved from 28th to 20th in yardage and from 23rd to 18th in scoring over Getsy’s two seasons, though the ex-Packers assistant remained in the crosshairs. A change at this juncture would point to the Bears leaning toward making the long-rumored move to trade Fields and start over with a higher-ceiling rookie. This was the 39-year-old Getsy’s first OC gig; he had previously served as Aaron Rodgers‘ QBs coach.

Thanks largely to Fields’ gifts as a runner, the Bears led the NFL in rushing in 2022 and finished second this season. The latter ranking came despite the Ohio State alum missing four games due to injury. No single Bears rusher totaled more than 700 yards, however, and only Khalil Herbert topped 500 among the team’s three-headed running back setup. WR2 Darnell Mooney (414 yards) also did not make much of an impact in his fourth season, despite the former fifth-round pick being a previous 1,000-yard receiver. Chicago finished 27th in passing yards, inviting more speculation about Fields’ Windy City future.

Janocko, 35, came to Chicago after seven seasons in Minnesota. While Janocko spent his entire NFL career with the Vikings, he only coached quarterbacks in one of those seasons (2021). Tolbert, conversely, has been a specialist throughout his career. The 56-year-old assistant has coached wide receivers for six teams since 2003. On the Cardinals’ staff when Anquan Boldin broke through as a rookie, Tolbert later coached Demaryius Thomas for seven seasons in Denver, collecting a Super Bowl ring for the latter stay. The Bears hired him after four seasons with the Giants. Young came to Chicago from the college ranks in 2022; the team promoted him from the quality control level to RBs coach last year. Assistant tight ends coach Tim Zetts has also been let go, the team announced.

It seems unlikely Eberflus will sign an extension, as his four-year deal runs through 2025, but the Bears showing faith in their coach to keep him in place despite the likelihood of a No. 1 overall QB investment coming in. Should that happen, the team’s next OC hire will obviously become quite important.

Pete Carroll’s Seahawks HC Tenure Ends

January 10th, 2024 at 1:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Shortly after the Seahawks’ season ended, Pete Carroll said he expected to be back on the sidelines for a 15th season with the team. The Seahawks have other ideas. Carroll’s tenure as Seattle’s HC is ending, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter.

The NFL’s oldest active HC, Carroll coached 14 years with the Seahawks. It is not certain the Super Bowl-winning leader will be out entirely with the organization, but Schefter reports he will not be back coaching the team in 2024. A day after the Titans’ decision to outright fire Mike Vrabel, the Seahawks have come in with a similarly surprising call. Carroll, 71, has since informed his staff he is out, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets.

Hired after a wildly successful USC tenure in 2010, Carroll revived his NFL career with the Seahawks. The former Jets and Patriots HC guided the franchise to its apex during the mid-2010s, when Carroll coached the team to back-to-back NFC championships and a Super Bowl XLVIII blowout conquest. The Seahawks, however, have drifted off the Super Bowl radar over the past few years. And Carroll’s defenses have not rivaled the Legion of Boom days in a while.

Seahawks owner Jody Allen confirmed Wednesday that Carroll will no longer be in place as head coach. Allen added that the 14-year Seattle leader will remain with the organization in an advisory role. This is similar to how the Buccaneers played it when Bruce Arians stepped down, though that split is believed to have come from Arians. Carroll going from being committed to coaching in 2024 to this lesser role represents a sea change in the Pacific Northwest.

“After thoughtful meetings and careful consideration for the best interest of the franchise, we have amicably agreed with Pete Carroll that his role will evolve from Head Coach to remain with the organization as an advisor,” Allen said in a statement. “His expertise and leadership in building a championship culture will continue as an integral part of our organization moving forward.”

A Dan Quinn-Seahawks reunion could be in the cards. The Cowboys’ DC is expected to be a lead candidate to return to Seattle, NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport tweets. Quinn was the Seahawks’ defensive coordinator during their two Super Bowl seasons in the 2010s, replacing Gus Bradley. Quinn, who has been Dallas’ DC for three seasons, also worked as Seattle’s defensive line coach from 2009-10. Quinn, 53, has been selective about his return to a head coach position, bowing out of the past two HC carousels after garnering extensive interest. It would not surprise if he pursued the Seattle gig, given his past with the franchise.

The Jets made Carroll a one-and-done in 1994, and the Patriots traded for Bill Belichick‘s rights to replace him after three seasons (1997-99). Carroll then won two national titles at USC. After two seasons back in the pros in Seattle, Carroll ignited the team’s ascent when the team drafted Russell Wilson in the 2012 third round. The former No. 75 overall pick paired with a young core of defenders, a cadre 2012 second-round pick Bobby Wagner also joined, and created one of this era’s most dominant nuclei.

The Seahawks held a record-setting Broncos offense to eight points in a 43-8 smashing 10 years ago, and their follow-up effort produced an overtime walk-off to complete an NFC championship comeback over the Packers. A less healthy Seahawks defense could not hold up against the Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX, with one play call — the pass that led to Malcolm Butler‘s seminal interception, eschewing a Marshawn Lynch carry from the 1-yard line — remembered as the tipping point in that Super Bowl and for both franchises in the 2010s.

While the Seahawks never made it back to a Super Bowl under Carroll, Wilson’s progression into a Hall of Fame-caliber passer helped keep the team in contention for several years. Carroll guided the Seahawks to 10 playoff appearances and five division titles in his 14-season run. The team’s blockbuster Wilson trade in 2022 brought back major assets that have been used on potential cornerstones. After a surprise playoff berth in 2022, which featured a shocking Geno Smith re-emergence, the Seahawks disappointed this season by finishing 9-8 and missing the postseason.

During the Legion of Boom’s heyday, the Seahawks became the first franchise since the 1950s Browns to lead the NFL in scoring defense in four straight seasons. Bradley, Quinn and Kris Richard resided as Seattle’s DCs during that period, with Richard Sherman (Round 5, 2011) and Earl Thomas (Round 1, 2010) becoming Canton-caliber DBs and Kam Chancellor (Round 5, 2010) working as a co-anchor of the group. As that storied secondary splintered, along with the losses of Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril, the Seahawks steadily regressed defensively. Wilson’s two extensions made it more difficult for the Seahawks to retain their defensive core, after the team used its QB’s rookie deal to load up the roster in 2013 and ’14. By 2018, only Wagner and K.J. Wright remained.

Under Clintt Hurtt over the past two seasons, the Seahawks finished no higher than 25th in scoring or total defense. This certainly became an issue for the defensive-minded head coach, whose unit crashed to 30th in total defense (28th in DVOA) in 2023. Carroll had fired Ken Norton Jr. after a four-season DC run, but the unit has worsened in the two years since. While Smith did not match his Comeback Player of the Year season, the team’s offense outshined the Carroll- and Hurtt-managed defense. This almost definitely has contributed to the Seahawks’ course change.

Carroll’s latest HC contract runs through 2025. He also held final personnel say, though he and GM John Schneider — brought in together in 2010 — worked collaboratively throughout this successful era. It is now worth watching to see if Schneider will have full control once the team hires Carroll’s replacement. Will Carroll retain any say in decision-making from his new advisory perch? Carroll finishes his Seahawks HC career at 137-89-1. His AFC East years round the record out to 170-120-1.

The Panthers, Chargers and Commanders have requested meetings with Quinn, who turned the Cowboys’ defense around quickly. Those clubs now have clear competition, though it remains to be seen which other candidates Seahawks ownership has in mind. But the next era will be unmistakably different.

The Seahawks picked up their first championship and tripled its Super Bowl appearance count under Carroll, whose high-energy style led to him becoming one of this NFL period’s defining figures. In an offseason in which Belichick is also expected to separate from the Patriots, the NFL will look considerably different by the time teams reconvene for the 2024 season.

Giants, DC Don Martindale Part Ways

January 10th, 2024 at 1:09pm CST by Adam La Rose

JANUARY 10: After the explosive report about Martindale cursing out Daboll and storming out of the Giants’ facility, the sides engaged in a multiday standoff. But this long-rumored separation is now official. The Giants announced Wednesday they have split with Martindale, who was signed through 2024.

The Giants have let Martindale out of his contract and will save some money in doing so. The team will no longer owe Martindale $3MM for the 2024 season, ESPN.com’s Jordan Raanan tweets. New York no longer has the ability to block a Martindale DC move elsewhere; he is a coaching free agent again.

JANUARY 8: Brian Daboll presented comments to the contrary earlier today, but Don Martindale‘s time as defensive coordinator of the Giants could soon be over. The latter is not expected to remain in place for 2024, report ESPN’s Jordan Raanan as well as Dianna Russini of The Athletic.

Indeed, Martindale has now resigned, per Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. The veteran staffer will head elsewhere in pursuit of both DC and head coaching opportunities. When speaking to the media earlier on Monday, Daboll said he expected both Martindale and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka to remain in their posts. The former has instead chosen to move on.

Martindale enjoyed a successful debut season in New York, as did Daboll and the rest of the team’s staff. The Giants’ defense played a crucial role in their surprising run to the divisional round of the postseason last year, and expectations were high entering 2023 for all involved. The team took a notable step back this year, however, and a reported rift emerged between Martindale and Daboll.

On a number of occasions, both coaches made attempts to downplay the significance of the report, stating that their relationship was seen as being strained only due to the team’s lack of performance. Martindale made it clear his future was uncertain, but he also stated an intention of continuing to work with Daboll in New York for 2024 and beyond. Instead, he will now start over once again.

The 60-year-old spent one year as the Broncos’ DC before a lengthy tenure with the Ravens. Initially joining Baltimore’s staff as a linebackers coach, Martindale was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2018. His time in that role produced three straight seasons as a top-seven unit in terms of both points and yards allowed per game. Regression in 2021 led to a parting of ways, however.

That led Martindale to New York, a stint which has now proven to be rather short-lived. The Giants did not fare well in most defensive categories in 2023, but a larger share of the blame has been laid at the feet of the offense. Generally known for being well-liked amongst his players, Martindale profiled as a logical candidate to be retained in the event Daboll elected to keep much of his staff intact. Since his announcement this morning, however, offensive line coach Drew Wilkins and defensive assistant Kevin Wilkins have been let go. Both brothers have a history with Martindale, who like them will have a new home by next season.

With most of New York’s staffing changes coming on special teams and defense, Kafka may very well still be retained through the offseason. However, both Martindale and ST coordinator Thomas McGaughey are not out of the fold, meaning Daboll will have a number of signficant additions to make to his staff over the coming days and weeks.

Jaguars Fire DC Mike Caldwell, Others

January 9th, 2024 at 1:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

JANUARY 9: Changes on the offensive side of the ball have been made as well. Running backs coach Bernie Parmalee and offensive line assistant Todd Washington are out, per a statement from Pederson. The former was fired while the latter did not have his contract renewed, as noted by Tom Pelissero of NFL Network.

JANUARY 8: Following their late-season collapse, the Jaguars will make a major move. They are firing Mike Caldwell after his second season as defensive coordinator, Fox Sports’ Greg Auman reports.

Although the Jaguars struggled on both sides of the ball to close out this disappointing season, Caldwell will be the first domino to fall. The Jags hired the former NFL linebacker after he helped the Buccaneers win a Super Bowl as linebackers coach, but it is certainly unsurprising to see Jacksonville move forward with a big change.

As should be expected, the changes will not stop at Caldwell. Jacksonville is firing its defensive staff, according to NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport. While DVOA placed the Jaguars’ defense 10th overall, the group slipped down the stretch. Jacksonville allowed at least 28 points in four of its final six games — all losses. After an 8-3 start, the team closed what had looked like a promising season at 9-8.

Among the members of Caldwell’s defensive staff: D-line coach Brentson Buckner, pass-game coordinator Deshea Townsend, inside linebackers coach Tony Gilbert, safeties coach Cody Grimm and senior defensive assistant Bob Sutton. The Jags ranked 26th in pass defense. While the team did not make strides on offense after Doug Pederson handed play-calling reins to OC Press Taylor this season, no changes have emerged on that side of the ball yet. ESPN.com’s Michael DiRocco adds that three defensive assistants — assistant D-line coach Rory Segrest, outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey and quality control staffer Patrick Reilly — will be retained.

The Jags splurged on both sides of the ball in 2022, allocating big bucks on free agents in Pederson’s first offseason as HC. They also added Travon Walker with the No. 1 overall pick while following that up with first-round linebacker Devin Lloyd. The Jags signed Foye Oluokun, Foley Fatukasi and Darious Williams in 2022. They extended Roy Robertson-Harris in 2023, largely returning the same cast from a defense that ranked 12th (scoring) and 24th (yardage) last season. Despite Josh Allen‘s contract-year sack surge, the Jags did not improve on that side of the ball as a whole.

DVOA, however, ranked Caldwell’s 2022 defense — additions notwithstanding — 26th. Yet, the Jaguars largely stood pat and ran it back following their AFC South title. The questionable decision burned the team, with Pederson pointing out missed assignments and missed tackles. Derrick Henry submitted a throwback performance Sunday, in what appears to be his Titans finale, by rampaging for 153 yards in a win-and-in game for the Jags. Jacksonville allowed 28 points to a Tennessee team that was previously 0-5 in AFC South play.

This firing means the Jaguars, by the 2024 season, will employ four defensive coordinators in five years. Todd Wash departed after the Doug Marrone firing, while Urban Meyer‘s DC (Joe Cullen) left after the unfit HC’s one-and-done. Caldwell, 52, played 11 NFL seasons and has been an NFL assistant for the past 16 years.

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